SGMT —
On my first attempt to get to the Fushimi Inari Shrine, being a bit of an idiot I ended up 40 km away, in Nara. But I found my way to the shrine later that day.
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The distinctively orange torii gates of Fushimi Inari are paid for by companies or individuals — their names are etched on the back of the gate they donate. Torii gates in Shinto shrines usually mark the entrance to the shrine. In Fushimi Inari, there are two parallel rows of gates going uphill, a long procession of orange and black, shadow and sunlight.
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Another feature of Shinto shrines are the omikuji, paper slips predicting the fortunes, good or bad, of the people who draw them.
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Souvenir torii gates can be purchased by visitors near the entrance. If you want to buy (that is, donate) a real torii gate, it will cost you anywhere from 400,000 to over a million yen.
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The shadows were already lengthening by the time I started making my way to the exit. I walked slowly and people-watched, and as always it was the families that caught my attention. These two are my favorites:
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It was my last day in Kyoto, and starting from the unplanned visit to Nara, to witnessing the little moments at Fushimi Inari, it was a good one.
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Orange
© Small-Town Girls, Midnight Trains. All rights reserved. 07 May 2016.
I love those gates. I’ve seen photos of them before. They are one of many reasons Japan is on our list.
Alison
Hi Alison! This is an overdue reply, but I look forward to reading your future posts about Japan. I hope you visit soon (or when you’re ready). xx
I think it’s easy to get lost in Japan. And so many people may not speak English, especially outside cities. But the gates photo is very powerful, and lovely! Did you see Fuji? Or is that for another post?
The gates *are* beautiful, aren’t they…something striking about them. I got lucky and saw Mt. Fuji even though I wasn’t really expecting to — https://smalltowngirlsmidnighttrains.com/2016/03/29/momiji-kairo/
When I was there, Mt Fuji was covered in cloud the whole time! I saw its top once.
Did you take an omikuji?
Ummmm…to be honest I didn’t know what they were for when I was there, I only looked it up when I got home, so I didn’t get one. I also don’t know if I would have if I’d known! I think I’d be a little scared, thinking what if I got a bad fortune, and it would become a self-fulfilling prophecy because it would somehow influence my actions….. I’m a coward that way. 😀 Would you have taken one?
Probably not! I’m of the same thinking.