Fushimi Inari Taisha in Kyoto is known for its thousand torii gates, but Tohoku has its own version, too. You can find them at Takayamainari-jinja Shrine, at the northern tip of Honshu in Aomori. The many red torii gates create a mysterious space as if it were in another world.

The two-meter high torii gates snake across the landscape, but their actual number is a secret. Trying to count them is part of the fun. The shrine's torii are a popular object of photography year round, with cherry blossoms in the spring, lush greenery in summer, and pure white snow in winter.

The shrine is said to be dedicated to bountiful harvests, maritime safety, and prosperous business.