The animal closely associated with the Shinto kami Inari is the fox.
In Japanese tradition, foxes—called kitsune—are regarded as messengers or servants of Inari, a kami connected with rice, agriculture, prosperity, commerce, and industry. This is why fox statues commonly stand at Inari shrines, often in pairs beside the sanctuary or shrine entrance.
The foxes are not usually considered to be Inari itself. Their statues may hold symbolic objects such as a jewel, key, rice sheaf, scroll, or fox cub. The key can suggest the key to a rice granary, while the rice sheaf reflects Inari’s agricultural associations. The paired figures are often interpreted as male and female, though their symbolism can vary.
Fushimi Inari Taisha in Kyoto is the most famous Inari shrine, recognized for its thousands of vermilion torii gates. Offerings may include rice and sake, and fried tofu is popularly associated with foxes; inarizushi, sushi wrapped in seasoned fried tofu, takes its name from this connection. Tanuki, dragons, and tengu are other Japanese supernatural or symbolic figures, but the fox is Inari’s defining animal association.