A winding tunnel of red torii gates, Tsugaru, Aomori
Takayama Inari Shrine, on the Tsugaru Peninsula in Aomori, is best known for a tunnel of some 200 vermilion torii gates. Rather than running in a straight line, the gates wind through the shrine garden like a serpent — one of the most photographed scenes in northern Japan.
The shrine is dedicated to Inari deities of bountiful harvests, maritime safety and business prosperity — blessings that reflect the farming and fishing life of the Tsugaru Peninsula.
For a long time it was a quiet local shrine. In the social media era it became internationally famous, drawing visitors from around the world to remote Tsugaru — especially in winter, when the red gates cut through deep snow.
This landmark is covered in a Long episode on the Japan in 60 YouTube channel. New Shorts and Long episodes are posted every week.