Thursday, July 14, 2005

Fushimi Inari Shrine

Upon arriving in Kyoto, it was too early to check into our hotel, so we dropped off our luggage and hopped on the JR Nara line. We got off at Inari Station and walked a block to the Fushimi Inari Shrine. It was painted red and had lanterns up all over. A ceremony of some kind was going on, so we walked quietly around the shrine grounds.

Several trails lined with red torii gates led up the hill behind the shrine so we started up the hill. It was a very long walk and took several hours to get to the top of the hill and back down again. Along the way were several small tea houses with soda machines, a couple of small lakes, and more mini shrines and fox statues. It was very beautiful and with the ravens cawing, wind blowing through the trees, cats yowling in the distance, and other assorted birds and nature sounds, it felt very mystical too.

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