Fushimi Inari Taisha is included in my Japan travel bucket. I went on daydreaming about this place when I first discovered it in the movie memoirs of a geisha. It’s the secluded ambience that draws me to it. Kyoto is a bit far from where I am staying. From Itami I have to take 3 train rides going to Kyoto. But the best part is that Fushimi Inari is just right outside the Kyoto train station so you don't have to take another transpo to get there.
Truly, the place is so magical, the orange color is very luring it sits at the base of a mountain so you can expect a series of trails before reaching the topmost part. But the fun part is because along the trail you'll get to see different small shrines including the famous Torii gates which leads to the inner and topmost shrine.
The Torii gates are the reason why I really yearn to see The Fushimi Inari Shrine. The gates date back to 711 A.D. These grounds also holds over 10,0000Torii gates! And touching them in real life are like touching a piece of Japan history. The writings on each gate is not actually an epitaph as what i thought it was but rather they are names of each company and organization giving thanks to their prosperity. So now it became a beautiful representation of Japan's past.
Some other thing I notice is that you can see Foxes in almost area of the Fushimi. And I learned that Foxes or Kitsune in Japan represents as messengers and you'll discover that each of this fox holds a key like thing on their lips.
You can also write your wishes on a miniature Torii gates or wooden fox faces.
Outside the shrine you''ll see different shops selling foods and souvenirs
Have you been to Japan? what is your favorite Japan memories? Which place are you most likely to visit?