Direction Fushimi
The Famous Shinto Sanctuary
For our first morning, we wake up at dawn. From Kyoto station, we take a local train to the south of Kyoto, Fushimi. This is my third visit to Kyoto and surprisingly, my first visit to the famous Shinto shrine Fushimi Inari-taisha dedicated to Inari Okami, the deity of rice crops, abundance and joy.
We arrive before 8 am, but the site is already full of many visitors: tourists and schoolchildren. Without thinking too much, we head to the hypnotic red and black Torii, the giant doors of Shinto shrines. The engraved inscriptions on Torii represent the names of the donors and the dates.
On a slope of the Inari mountain, segments of aligned Torii climb to the summit (233 meters), to go down by another side (see the map of the sanctuary on the last photo below). Naively, we thought the climb would be fast. In fact, it really climbs. There are several levels and some offer a panoramic view of Kyoto (photo below).
As we get closer to the summit, there are fewer and fewer people. Till finally feeling a contemplative calm among these Torii surrounded by nature. I am cradled by an orange light on an intense green background. Yes I’m back to Japan! Kind of weird, the way back from the top to the bottom of the mountain seemed longer. Plan for the whole visit, an entire morning if you do not like to hurry (and have time to take your pictures alone).
Shop the style
Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés
Informations
Planning your trip to Japan with Exclusif Voyages
Direct flights from Brussels and Paris to Japon with ANA
Related posts : DESTINATIONS
