Fushimi-Inari is a Shinto shrine in the southern part of Kyoto. It is a large shrine. Apparently most shinto shrines are dedicated to Inari, a diety that was originally for a good harvest, but which evolved into a sign of good business as well. One of the symbols is a fox, which a sheaf fo rice in its mouth.
The shrine is at the base of a mountain and the most striking thing are the trails up the mountain that are covered in tori gates so it is a like long tunnel the winds its way up.
There are lots of little shrines on the side along the way, and what I think might be graves.
I was here last year. But it was the day I had got the news about my mom's death, so I was just too numb and preoccupied to enjoy it. When I decided to come back to Japan this year, I particularly wanted to come back to this spot.
I spent a good part of the day walking the trails. I make it all the way to the top of the mountain and back, and did a few side trails as well. There are some signs about something called to Kyoto Trail, which makes me think this may be part of a larger hiking network.
When I am finished at Inari I take a train back to the center of town, and walk to a temple called Kenninji. This was one of my favourite spots from when I was here last year. I hung for a while and did a drawing of a garden. Afterward I when to the nearby Gion area for something to eat and a beer.
The shrine is at the base of a mountain and the most striking thing are the trails up the mountain that are covered in tori gates so it is a like long tunnel the winds its way up.
Each tori gate is paid for by a business, whose name is written on the columns. There is a price list for toris of different sizes.
I was here last year. But it was the day I had got the news about my mom's death, so I was just too numb and preoccupied to enjoy it. When I decided to come back to Japan this year, I particularly wanted to come back to this spot.
I spent a good part of the day walking the trails. I make it all the way to the top of the mountain and back, and did a few side trails as well. There are some signs about something called to Kyoto Trail, which makes me think this may be part of a larger hiking network.
When I am finished at Inari I take a train back to the center of town, and walk to a temple called Kenninji. This was one of my favourite spots from when I was here last year. I hung for a while and did a drawing of a garden. Afterward I when to the nearby Gion area for something to eat and a beer.
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