Sohonke Hogyokudo sits near the entrance of Fushimi Inari Taisha, conveniently accessible from both Inari Station on the JR Nara Line and Fushimi-Inari Station on the Keihan Main Line.

The enticing aroma of freshly roasted rice crackers consistently draws visitors inside. Since opening 80 years ago, this historic shop has served locals and tourists its iconic “Inari Senbei,” crafted using an unchanged traditional recipe.

Among the shop’s most popular souvenirs are the fox-head-shaped “Big Tsune” and smaller “Kotsune” crackers, available in packs of three or ten. The dough combines wheat flour with Kyoto white miso, sugar, and sesame, producing a subtly sweet, aromatic treat rich in white sesame flavor.

The owner handcrafts every treat himself, sometimes baking up to a thousand a day to keep up with high demand. He was pleasantly surprised when the shop went viral on social media, bringing a sudden influx of Taiwanese tourists. Watching these iconic treats crafted by hand right before your eyes is both entertaining and fascinating.

Alongside the fox-shaped crackers, the bell-shaped “Suzu Senbei” has been a staple since the shop first opened. Serving as the store’s version of a fortune cookie, it reveals a traditional paper fortune (omikuji) once broken open.

The shop also offers three varieties of “fried bean” rice crackers made with soybeans, peanuts, or green peas. Convenient and crunchy, they make an ideal quick snack.

Near the entrance to Fushimi Inari, you will see a couple of stone lanterns marking the entrance to Gallery Kacco. Kacco sells many different products, including foxes, torii gates, and other motifs that evoke Kyoto. The staff speaks English well.

Kacco’s original fox socks are popular with both men and women for their vibrant colors and charming patterns. Their comfortable fit, eye-catching design, and affordability make them a perfect souvenir.

The mini socks for children are adorable with their cute torii and fox design.

We also recommend the Kacco original design Inari Tenugui, which comes in a wide variety of styles.

This red towel is especially popular. In the center appear well-auspicious foxes bouncing around the torii gates. Originally, Japanese towels were used in place of handkerchiefs, but nowadays they are also used as a tapestry, centerpieces, or framed art.

The towels come in many colors and designs. Inside the store, opened towels are set up for display to make it easy for you to choose your favorite design.

Purses and handbags are not bulky, so they make for nice souvenirs. They are convenient and stylish.

Located by the torii gate along the approach to Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine, Sohonke Inariya is renowned for its signature Inari rice crackers, which are served as the official treat for the shrine’s 1,300th-anniversary festival. The shop is easily recognized by its trademark sign featuring a white fox leaping over an auspicious red torii gate.

Right at the entrance, visitors are greeted by the store’s fox-shaped rice crackers—carefully baked using white miso, roasted sesame seeds, sugar, and flour—available in both small and large sizes. The shop also offers a round, thick Inari senbei that is noticeably heartier and chewier than standard varieties, as well as fortune-bearing omikuji senbei alongside many other options.

This store, too, bakes nearly 1000 rice crackers/day by the hand of a third-generation master and his younger brother, and you can see the masters at work! The omikuji filled Tsuji Senbei is prepared by putting each omikuji into a freshly baked hot and soft senbei rice cake, and folding it into its typical bell shape. The fox rice crackers are hand-cut into their shape one by one right after baking them.

Each carefully baked rice cake is delicious and with a refined sweetness and fragrance of roasted sesame.

It seems that the tsuji senbei, which reveals fortune, is the precursor to the fortune cookies. There are 240 types of omikuji, and you could get a very lucky “Daishikichi” (excellent lucky fortune) out of them. You can also find Daishikichi in the Chinese and English versions, and it will be your ticket to get a golden fox (even by mail if you find the lucky ticket in one of the treats you took home as a souvenir).

Fushimi Fuyusya is a shop near the center of the road to Fushimi Inari, and it’s one of the shops with unique souvenirs not only of Fushimi Inari but also of Kyoto in general. There are different kinds of Japanese goods, and the shop can also help you in English, Chinese, Korean, and Thai.

The store which branched off from a purse specialty store, offers a lot of gamaguchi purses made from many types of fabrics.

The Fushimi Fox, exclusive to this store in Fushimi, comes in various sizes and can be used as a makeup pouch, cellphone holder, or handkerchief holder. It’s also convenient for keeping small items like lip balm or small accessories.

There are also other fox-inspired goods. One of the most popular items for decoration or as a children’s toy is the Fushimi-store exclusive Koro Kitsune, made from Japanese paper.

The Okiagarikoboshi is a lucky hollow doll with a weighted bottom, so it stays standing even when tilted or knocked down. The fox and torii cute towels are also popular souvenirs.

Handcrafted from traditional chirimen crepe fabric, Hina Dolls are popular year-round with international visitors. In Japan, people display these dolls during Hinamatsuri—a festival celebrated on March 3—to wish young girls health and happiness. Captivated by the dolls’ ornate kimonos and delicate features, a growing number of travelers are purchasing them as cherished souvenirs.

10 minutes walking from Tofukuji Station, just two stops away from the Keihan Main Line’s Fushimi Inari Station, is Showroom Wakuwaku, in front of the quiet Sengakuji Temple. This shop specializes in works creating Kyoto and Shimizu products reproducing modern life, and they have been at it for 100 years (three generations).

In the shop, you will find beautiful vases, tableware, tea sets, and more. The ceramics are decorated with floral patterns, as well as trees, and representations of the 4 seasons in Japan. The painting of Mount Toshi seems to have been learned directly from the painting of Ken Ogata.

Pottery can be tricky to travel with, but you can still find many beautiful vases and tableware here. The vase in the picture above shows camellias, cherry blossoms, hydrangeas, wisteria flowers, etc, and it’s palm-sized.

Seasonal flowers and grapes are also drawn on mugs and cups. The slightly rounded shape makes it easy to hold, and its textures remind one of the warmth of soil and earth.

The tea bowls that Japanese people use daily are fascinating because of their beauty. It might feel like a shame to use them regularly, but even eating rice from them will make you happier. This is the one item you really want to have.

These tea sets are also popular among foreign visitors. No two of them are the same. Why not take home something unique that represents and carries forward Kyoto’s tradition and history?

Fushimi Inari Shrine is a famous location also known for its re-invigorating powers. So energize yourself, and take home great souvenirs for you and your family and friends. We hope that through this list you will find the perfect souvenir for you!

(Note: Prices and item availability are based on information from April 2020 and are subject to change)