First, yes on my IG I post that I was doing multiple things when I went to Kyoto. But because I am a waste of space and missed my train so I was only able to make it to Fushimi Inari Shrine. Which was not a waste! So lets get started!
Kyoto is one of the main go-to places in Japan! People from all over the world travel to Kyoto for the history and tourist friendly atmosphere. I normally travel to many shrines and wing it with my limited Japanese and their limited English. Here at Fushimi Inari Shrine So many people can speak English and so many other Languages.
Historically, Kyoto was considered the capital for over 1000 years until the Emperor moved to Tokyo. Fushimi Inari is the most important of several thousands of shrines dedicated to Inari, the Shinto god of rice. Foxes are thought to be Inari’s messengers, resulting in many fox statues across the shrine grounds. And now Fushimi Inari Shrine.
Fushimi Inari Shrine is known world wide for have thousands of Torii Gates (The red or stone gates seen at shrines). If you follow the gates (to get the iconic photo) you are led up the mountain where there are 2 other shrines. It’s wooded, amazing, and 233meters.
Now I will warn you the photo ready part does not happen until you get much closer to the top. The first half oh the mountain is extremely crowded and full of rude tourists who constantly stop to do a mini photoshoot. Which would not be a problem except that the path is really narrow (NOT STROLLER FRIENDLY DO NOT TRY!) but once you get halfway up it thins out a lot and you start to rarely see anyone.
And remember before when I mentioned the foxes. Well as you continue up the mountain past the halfway point, where most people turn around and go back down, you notice the Torii gates become a bit less maintained. But still beautiful! And you will notice little fox statues scattered throughout the forest.
Personally as I continues up the mountain, in all black in the middle of summer I might add, I kept being surprised by the statues and then asking them to be good messengers and tell Inari that I'd like to night die from heat stroke or falling on the mountain if possible.
There are constant like “base” stops where you can rest, eat, get a drink, etc. As you get past the midway point these “bases” start to look run down and basically not open. This is because at this point most people do not continue to the top. But once you reach the top it is amazing.
So tips for climbing Fushimi Inari! -don't wear all black (esspecially in summer!!) -Bring a water bottle, or two. -Bring some change for offering at the top of the mountain. -Bring so cash for the stations to buy food, drinks, snacks, charms, etc. -Wear good shoes, I wore my Keds and my feet were so sore! -If you plan to wear kimono up I suggest turning around at the half way point because if you go all the way up your going to be hot.
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