Fushimi Inari Shrine 伏見稲荷大社

What we loved most about Kyoto is that it was so easy to get around to and especially that it has so many fantastic places to visit nearby. Just like this one - Fushimi Inari Shrine. The single most impressive shrine complex we visited during the entire Asia trip! What makes it so amazing is the whole thing really from the forestry mountainside it's built on, to the endless torii path (gates) across it and the mystical memorials along the way. The entire way up (which is about 1h 30 walk) you follow a tori path and you're in the middle of nature at the same time...it's hard to put it in words, but it's something pretty spectacular. One of our favourite moments was somewhere near the top, when we came across this little fox altar with lots of candles and mini toriis. Aside from the echoing croak of nearby ravens, it was so quiet and the place looked a lot like some sort of sanctuary...it was kind of spooky, yet so intriguing. 

In retrospect I've realised that this feeling of mysticism that Japan brought up in us, was one of the very reasons we fell in love with this country so much. These days it's hard to find places that has an influence on you on deeper level...I think one of the main motives for traveling is to find that connection and to feel and discover something new and inspiring. This place really did the trick for us. I mean how could this place leave anyone cold anyways? It's got enchanting culture, serene nature and you can do a bit of a "walk" while taking it all in...perfect combination if you ask me! Here are some pictures of the 32 000 toriis and also of some shrines, naturally. Oh, and I wonder if the official estimated number for tori gates is about 32k, then what's the equivalent number for the always present school kids? Started to be convinced they do come with the territory here...