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iew of the ornate main hall of Saijo Inari, a large wooden structure with traditional curved roofs and intricate carvings, framed by temple banners and a wide plaza.

Temples & Shrines

Saijo Inari Temple: A Rare Fusion of Faith

Date

785

Divinity

Saijoi Kyo-o Daibosatsu (Inari Daimyojin)

Religion

Syncretic (Buddhist Temple with Shinto features)

Unique Feature:

One of Japan's largest torii gates (27.5m)

Massive vermilion O-torii gate of Saijo Inari temple, towering over the surrounding landscape and fields under a blue sky.
Saijo Inari-san Myokyoji Temple, commonly known as Saijo Inari, is a remarkable religious site located in Okayama Prefecture, Japan. Boasting a history of over 1,200 years, it is frequently counted among Japan’s three major Inari temples, alongside Fushimi Inari Taisha and Toyokawa Inari.
However, what truly distinguishes Saijo Inari is its fascinating and rare syncretism of Shinto and Buddhist traditions, a fusion officially permitted even after the Meiji period’s separation edicts.

A Confluence of Religions

Despite being officially a Nichiren Buddhist temple (its full name translates to Myokyo-ji on Mount Saijo Inari), the complex incorporates numerous elements typically associated with Shinto shrines, most notably the colossal O-torii (Grand Gate) that marks its entrance. Standing at an impressive 27.5 meters tall, this massive vermilion structure is one of the tallest torii gates in Japan and is a powerful symbol visible from the surrounding Kibi Plain. The juxtaposition of a torii, a symbol of Shinto, leading to a Buddhist temple, reflects the site’s unique identity.
Stone staircase lined with tall cedar and pine trees, ascending steeply toward the temple grounds in a lush, forested environment.
The main object of worship is Saijoi Kyo-o Daibosatsu, also known as Inari Daimyojin, a deity revered for business prosperity, good harvests, and general good fortune. Visitors come from all over Japan, with annual visitors often reaching three million, especially during the New Year’s holiday.
Ornate wooden worship pavilion with a curving roof, surrounded by red banners and the green backdrop of the forested hills.

Architectural Highlights

The temple grounds feature a captivating mix of styles. Most notably, the massive O-torii Shinto gate serves as the complex’s iconic entrance. The Main Hall, built in 1979, functions as the central Buddhist worship space but strikingly resembles a grand Shinto shrine. Contrastingly, the Kyu-Honden (Former Main Hall), which dates to 1741, showcases traditional Japanese wooden architecture, including intricate pillars and hiwada buki (cypress bark thatched roofing). Finally, the unusual stone Niomon Gate offers a testament to diverse historical influences, built in a style reminiscent of Indian architecture.
Beyond the main structures, the grounds house the 77 Massha, a collection of small shrines dedicated to various guardian deities, each with a specialized divine favor. Among these is the En no Massha, where visitors can pray for both matchmaking and the dissolution of adverse relationships.