Wherever one goes in japan, one will be likely to come across an shrine with one or more red torii-gates. And foxes, foxes as guardians, foxes with cubs, white foxes, and so on..
Those are Inari shrines. Uka no Mitama , the deity of grains (rice) is generally associated with Inari. The oldest Inari shrine is in Kyoto- Fushimi Inari ,8th century. There a noble saw a god in the mountains, to which he dedicated a shrine. After that the area was blessed with rich harvest. White foxes are the messengers of the God, why is not so exactly shure. Fried soybean curd is called inari and is the foxes favored food, it is often given as on offering. Another symbol of Inari is the Hoshi no tama- star ball, which is here protected by two white foxes. Inari will often appear in dreams or as various people. If you extend kindness towards him, Inari will bless you.