Fushimi Inari Shrine

On Sunday, Chacha and I were granted freedom from the kids and Mitch and hopped on a train to Kyoto. We were excited for several reasons: shopping, no whining kids, great conversations, no whining kids, wonderful weather, did I mention no whining kids, great sights to see, and no whining Mitch. Actually, he would have gladly come along, but we felt it best for everyone if the kids weren't repeatedly dragged to boring adult places, as they like to put it. So on Saturday, Mitch and Chacha went off and Sunday was our day.

Our first stop was Kyoto train station. There is a lot of shopping to do there. We managed to find a stationary store and spent awhile trying to find the perfect stationary. I am excited cause now I can write my children's birthday letters on fun Japanese paper (I know Sara's is a few months late, but better late than never).

After we found a small bit to eat, we hopped on the JR Nara line and headed to Inari to see Fushimi Inari Shrine.

Before entering any shrine or temple, it is customary to wash your hands and mouth. Chacha was willing to oblige.

Just in case you don't know what to do, there are directions.

Inari means rice in Japanese. And the fox is a symbol for rice (somehow he helps transport it I think). All throughout Fushimi Inari Shrine were these fox statues.

I enjoy going to the shrines because I think it is amazing the color contrast that is created there. They are usually in the wooded areas and then the tori gates are usually bright orange. This small shrine helps show the contrast.

This is the beginning of the long row of tori gates. If you have seen the movie Memoirs of a Geisha, you might recognize parts of this area. If you not, go rent it, it is a great movie!

After awhile the become 2 rows of gates....which way do we go???

We noticed that when we turned around the back sides of the gates had writing on them. We could not read them, but I am sure they are family names or prayers.

The other end of the 2 lane road.

This was me trying to capture the color through the trees. these gates go on for about 2 hours of walking.

Finally a picture of me..


Sometimes the gates are right next to a river

Another fox

Along the way there was many little shrines

We decided that we did not want to walk the 2 hrs to get to the top. On our way back down we came across this cute cat. He never even moved when people went up to him to pet him.