Japan: Fushimi Inari Shrine (10,000 Torii Gates)

The last destination for the day was the Fushimi Inari Shrine.  When we arrived, it was SO busy, but by the time we left, there were only a few people still milling around.  Initially, this was my favorite shrine--I loved following the path through the gates, and as we encountered fewer people going to the top, it seemed to become more magical. 

The only downfall was that by the time we made it to the top and we were headed back down, both Emily and I really needed to use the bathroom.  Since it was so late in the evening, all the restaurants and shops along the way were closed--including the restrooms.  We were getting pretty desperate (it took over an hour to walk up) when we finally found a restroom that was open--and it was a squatter!  It was the only time in Japan that I had to use a squatter--all the other restrooms had at least one western style toilet. 

This post is very picture extensive.  When you have 10,000 gates and over a two hour hike, lots of pictures tend to be taken, and I couldn't narrow them down (more). 

About midway up, there is a graveyard, which overlooks a small lake.  There were some friendly stray cats which we spent some time petting and enjoying the early evening tranquility.

Here is a quick background about the shrine:
 
Fushimi Inari Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Inari, the god of rice, sake, and prosperity.
 One of Kyoto's oldest (founded in 711 AD) and most revered Shinto shrines, Fushimi Inari serves as the headquarters for all the 40,000 shrines dedicated to Inari across Japan.

Originally the god of rice, Inari now governs the modern equivalent: success and prosperity in business. Fushimi Inari Shrine draws thousands of businessmen and tradespeople seeking blessings for their enterprises, especially at the first prayers of the New Year.

Fushimi Inari is noted for its remarkable sight of some 10,000 small torii (shrine gates) that arch over a long path up the hill behind the shrine. It takes about two hours to walk along the whole trail, and there are nice views of Kyoto from the top.

Donated and inscribed by businesses and individuals thankful for their prosperity, the long tunnel of torii is one of the most iconic visions of Kyoto.

If possible, visit Fushimi Inari near dusk — you'll be much more likely to wander alone through the tunnels of torii in the quiet woods, which is a magical experience as daylight fades.   The entire complex, consisting of five shrines, sprawls across the wooded slopes of Inari-san. A pathway wanders 4km up the mountain and is lined with hundreds of red torii

Foxes are said to be the messengers of Inari, and stern bronze foxes (kitsune) can be seen throughout the shrine. Inari's foxes are generally considered helpful, but they have also been said to bewitch people. The keys that some of them hold in their mouths are for the rice granaries.

Along the hiking trail, small restaurants serve Kitsune Udon ("Fox Udon"), a noodle soup topped with pieces of aburaage (fried tofu), a treat favored by foxes. You can also try Inari sushi, which is fried tofu wrapped around sweetened rice.

The Gates:

At the very beginning, there were so many people.  I tried very hard to get a shot without anyone in it, and this was the best I could do.  Little did I know that I only needed to wait until we got further along

 Story behind this: the way was clear of people, and just as I was going to take a picture, these two came from the other direction, stopped to take some selfies.  I thought, "okay, that's fine, I can wait."  Except, they took forever.  Young people in Japan like to take selfies--lots and lots of selfies.  It wasn't the first (or last) time I would patiently(ish) wait for them to finish.  There was one couple in London that was ridiculous. 

Another interesting thing that I observed is that the girls would wear very inappropriate shoes.  They would often wear very short skirts and high wedges to places like Fushimi Inari and Fuiji-Q.  Fushimi Inari had lots of unstable ground, clobblestones, rocks, dirt paths, and stairs. 

There was one couple that really stood out to me on our way back down.  They were ahead of us, and the girl kept tripping and almost turning her ankle on the cobblestones and stairs.  Whenever the path would get  uneven and she would start having difficulty, the guy would speed up ahead, leaving her behind.  Only once the path got smooth again would he join her again.  I thought it was so sad.  No chivalry there. 

As for me, I also chose the wrong footwear, but not in the way you would think.  I had purchased some expensive walking sandals for the trip, but when Emily told me that we would be doing some hiking, I chose to wear my sneakers.  I had been wearing the sandals the whole time up to that point.  The sneakers, which I have had for several years and never had a problem, wore blisters into my heel near my Achilles tendon.  I largely ignored it as the day wore on, but by the time we got back to our room, my heels were bleeding.

The small lake at about midpoint, which is overlooked by a graveyard. 

 The graveyard:

View of Kyoto City

Jut beautiful--and blue!  I sent a picture home for Zuri because I knew she would love it.  She wanted me to bring it home for her. 

The paint fades with time and the elements

 Back down to the main area.  With the sun going down, we were able to get some beautiful pictures of the buildings all lit up.

Pretty sunset on our walk back to our hostel

Blurry picture--I took it as we were walking without stopping, but I saw the Toys R Us/Babies R Us--I almost suggested going in just to browse, but we were tired and hungry

Just thought it was cool--I have no idea what it says

Another blurry picture--Kyoto tower

Reflection on the building

Such a contrast between the temples/shrines and the city.  While in the temples and shrines, it's so easy to forget that the city awaits just beyond the gates

Better view of BR--I love the stained glass--that meant that we were getting close to our hostel--ahh, to sleep!  Our real landmark was the 7-11

It had been a wonderful day filled with some amazing sights.  I couldn't wait until morning to go explore more!