Day 2: Fushimi Inari

On our way back to the hotel, we decided to stop by Fushimi Inari – a large shrine that sits at the bottom of a mountain and trails up 4 kilometers into hillside. It was dusk when we made it there, so we only managed to make it about a kilometer up. Unlike parks in the US, this was open at all hours, with lanterns along the pathway. Fushimi Inari was founded as far back as 711, and is famous for having thousands of torii, the orange gates you see. It is one of the most iconic sites in all of Japan, and worth the visit.

Next to two toriis

Marilyn and Adam where the torii split. It's funny to think about how many people were lining up to take photos at this location.

Entrance

The huge torii at the entrance to the shrine.

Shrine building

Beautiful shrine building.

The sides of the toriis

A look through the middle of the split torii.

Split paths

A look down the right path when the torii split.

Close Gates

Many torii, all close together. Brilliantly orange inside.

Gates back

Looking back at the torii you see people's words on each.

Shrine prayers

For a small donation to the temple, you can complete the fox face.

Getting dark

All the way up the mountain as things start to get dark.

Half way

We only went a short way up the mountain, but gates go on like this for ages.

The path not taken

We decided to take a path back at this point, but this is the path onward.

We could have spent a lot longer here if wasn’t dark. The entire path up the mountain is beautiful, and feel like you’re miles away from the city. We headed back to our hotel before it got too late with the goal of getting up early to check out the nearby Nishiki Market in downtown Kyoto.