Japan 2015: Fushimi Inari Temple

I made a solo trip to Fushimi Inari shrine since my husband and child were weary of the morning temple visit.  They were both happy and content with their gadgets as I left the room =)

It was exhilarating to reach the top of Mount Inari (233 m above sea level) in about 40 minutes.  I went down to a viewing platform in time for the sunset over Kyoto. Coming down was another rush, it was almost dark when I reached the bottom. A very memorable experience!

Fushimi Inari from Japan Guide.

Fushimi Inari Shrine (伏見稲荷大社, Fushimi Inari Taisha) is an important Shinto shrine in southern Kyoto. It is famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates, which straddle a network of trails behind its main buildings. The trails lead into the wooded forest of the sacred Mount Inari, which stands at 233 meters and belongs to the shrine grounds.

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. Fushimi Inari Shrine has ancient origins, predating the capital's move to Kyoto in 794.

The giant torii in front of the Romon gate of the Fushimi Inari shrine

The haiden or hall of worship

The Torii starts out tall and becomes progressively shorter as one goes up the mountain

Names of individuals and/or corporations who donated are engraved at the back of the torii

Less crowd as I went up the trail

Shops along the mountain path

The climb getting steeper

Passed by folks on their way down

Stone foxes guard the toriis

Almost there

Reached the top!

Photo op with the signage

The small shrine atop the Inari mountain

Descent time

The sunset viewing platform 

Sunset over Kyoto

Majestic sunset as always

After the sun set, continued coming down the trail.

The moon over the Romon gate

Front view night shot of the Romon gate