Although our trip to Japan happened-- gasp!-- a little over a year ago, a feeling of wonder still washes over me every time I look back. There truly is something so captivating about Japan that makes you want to return over and over again. Even if its just through words and photographs, join me as I go back to one of Kyoto's top tourist attractions and highly-revered shrines.
Fushimi Inari-taisha is a Shinto shrine situated at the base of Mount Inari in Kyoto, Japan. JR Inari (accessible from JR Kyoto station) is located conveniently just across the entrance of the shrine, so the JR train pass will come in handy. Unlike most places, entrance to Fushimi Inari shrine is free. It is also open 24/7, so you can visit any time you wish. However, it is highly recommended to come early in the morning. Not only is the place beautiful in daylight, but also less crowded. That's just perfect if you want a more intimate feel of the place, as well as pictures sans photobombers haha!
You'll notice the likeness of a fox scattered all over Fushimi Inari-taisha. This is because foxes are regarded as the messengers of Inari, the Shinto god of rice. It is from this deity and its location (Fushimi-ku) that the shrine derived its name.
As one of Kyoto's most visited and photographed destinations, the sight of the torii gates is enough for people to know where you are. The seemingly-endless stretch of orange arches forms a path that takes you higher into the mountains. The way that sunlight seeps through the crevices adds to the marvelous sight, methinks.
After a brief trek covering perhaps barely half of the length of the torii gates, we were delighted to find a food market around the shrine's premises. Apparently, this is a usual set-up in Japan. So if you ever visit a shrine, make sure to check out the food stalls and well, go get yourself a heaping serving of delicious yakisoba!
Top, dress, sunglasses from Uniqlo, shoes from Forever 21, socks from children's department store
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