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Fushimi Inari

12 Comments

Fushimi Inari Shinto Shrine in Kyoto. Thousands of vermilion torii gates straddle a network of trails behind its main buildings. The trails lead into the wooded forest of Mount Inari, which stands at 233 meters. Inari is the god of rice and patron of business. Each of the torii is donated by a Japanese business.

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Great place to visit.

There are something like 10,000 gates that go all over a steep mountain, which means you will get some exercise in too.

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Definitely going here next time on hols - didn't make last two time :(

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It really is amazing - you should not leave Kyoto without a visit. You can get templed-out quite easily, but this is something totally different.

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A MUST see in Kyoto - we went early evening just before dusk - really beautiful, just watch out for all the cobwebs!

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Fushimi Inari is a memorable visit and a must while in Kyoto and I agree with Jessie about going early evening just before dusk. Can be quite eerie.

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Go when its just misting or starting to rain...very calming

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sounds like what happens in the fields here in nebraska. They grow silent when the fog rolls in, and everything gets quite. very relaxing

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check out google maps - you can view it with street view. Pretty cool.

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I was lucky enough to visit one morning during the pre-sakura season. In Kyoto city, trees along the Kamagawa were budding up with deeper red each day, but were not yet open. The camellias on Mt. Inari are lovely at that time of year. The small grotto with its moss and waterfall is also very pretty. As well, there is one very early blooming sakura tree (before equinox that year). At any other time it would be lost in the greenery or in autumn, the leafy fire. However, this single stunning specimen was more than avenues of sakura for its solitude. Sometimes a single cup of water is more than a river.

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I think I'll have to take everyone's advice and go in the right season or time of day. I went last October, and was disappointed by the crowds (unavoidable in Kyoto, admittedly) and the generally run-down state of the gates. Some of them were nearly rotted through. They also have the names of the contributing companies printed on them, which gives you the impression of walking through a series of advertisements. The gates are varying sizes, because the bigger the donation, the bigger the gate. If you want to do the whole circuit, it's a tough route and a good, leg-stretching walk. Look out for the stone foxes!

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Remember about taking a snack before visiting the place. Orange color makes people hungry (I suppose that's why the word orange also means a fruit, and not only in English)

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I think Zeniarai Benten Shrine in Kamakura is more practical.

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