One of the most well-known places in Kyoto is the Fushimi-Inari shrine. Famous for the endless rows of vermillion (reddish-orange) torii gates, it has been a background in many popular drama series and movies, like 'Memoirs of a Geisha. It is located in the south of Kyoto, two train stations from Kyoto Central. Taking the train is the most convenient way to go since the station is right in front of the main gate.
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| Fushimi Inari Shrine |
Fushimi Inari is dedicated to Inari, the shinto god of rice and business. His messengers are foxes (kitsune) of which there are many statues all over the mountain. Most of the foxes are depicted with a granary key in their mouth, a symbolic key to success and prosperity. Though their boss is the god of rice, the foxes are more into tofu. It is said that their favourite food is 'aburaage': fried tofu. We enjoyed some delicious kitsune udon (fox udon: noodles with aburaage on top) with the family and Daphne's mom was immediately sold, she absolutely loved it. After our fox powered lunch we set out to climb the mountain.
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| Big fox by the Fushimi shrine |
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| Fox next to the Torii gates |
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| Kitsune-udon, delicious! |
The shrine consists of a main worship hall and several auxiliary buildings. Though these are very beautiful the main attraction lies beyond: a pathway through several thousand torii all the way to the mountain top. Estimates differ on how many gates there are. Some say around 1300, other sources say around 5000. In any case there are many, many gates. Donating a small one costs about 4000 Euro, a bigger one costs more than 10.000 Euro. If your company isn't bankrupt after this, it will surely flourish after receiving Inari's blessing. While walking the path we saw the construction of a new torrii. With absolute precision it is pieced together between the existing gates. Though job!
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| Path of Torii gates |
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| Torii gates on the Inari mountain |
Besides heavenly foxes, the Inari mountain is also home to a lot of cats. We found a mother and kitten along our climb and played with them for a while. Very cute furry creatures.
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| Small kitten at one of the shrines between the Torii gates |
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| Laurens playing with the little kitten |
Near the top there's a beautiful view over Kyoto city. A very rewarding treat for the steep trip. We had some refreshments (refreshments in our dictionary usually comes in the form of ice cream) and decided to slowly make our return downwards.
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| The beautiful view from Inari mountain |
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