If you're planning a trip to Japan, or have ever seen a guide book about Japan, I am 98% sure you have seen a picture of this shrine. And for good cause. Those beautiful orange Torii gates are striking and certainly eye-catching. This is without-a-doubt (of me actually doing any research) one of the most popular places to visit in Japan.
Fushimi Inari is found in the old capital city of Kyoto- a city with endless amounts of history and Japanese culture. I highly recommend spending more time here than in Osaka if you are following the "golden route" (visiting Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto), which has the same city feel of Tokyo.
Kyoto, although a highly populated city, is definitely in the top list of places I recommend in Japan. Just make sure to get off of the "tour path." And if you do end up taking a tour (which I have done out of time management and convenience), I recommend a walking tour, which will give you a better sense of the community than riding around on the bus. Even better- figuring out the train system on your own! (Google maps has got you covered- just make sure you have wi-fi).
So even though it is one of Japan's most popular tourist destinations, is Fushimi Inari Shrine worth it?
YES.
BUT..try to go at a weird time. Definitely skip weekends and holidays if possible, and as a rule of travel anywhere, I like to go to places midweek, during the school year. When I did my road trip in America, I started just after school began and was SO thankful to have spaces to ourselves where children clearly had been just days ago. Not to diss parents who travel with kids, but as a teacher, the last thing I want to do on vacation is be swarmed with them!
Oh, and summer in Japan is disgusting. You don't believe me, I can tell. But the humidity here is unlike anything I've ever experienced, so if summer is your only choice, drink a ton of water, carry a small towel to wipe your sweat (you'll see everyone doing it), and try using a parasol like the Japanese do.
What people don't realize about this shrine, is that it actually can turn into exercise. Most people will only explore the flat section of arches towards the beginning, but the arches go all the way up and down a four hour hike. So if you have the time, I guarantee the higher you go, the thinner the crowd. I've never been able to do the whole hike, but I hear there is a woman who serves excellent noodle bowls up there!
Before you actually enter any arches, you'll get to walk around the buildings of the shrines, observe the unique way to pray- a combination of claps, bows and bell ringing, and if you like, you can write a wish to hang with many others. Before the shrine there are food stalls, and a convenience store, because it wouldn't be Japan if there wasn't a convenience store nearby! (My diet for the past two weeks has consisted of 7/11 frozen veggies and Lawson's salads).
Tips for Fushimi Inari? If it does happen to be a crowded day, take a step outside of the tunnels, and get a different view. The trees of the surrounding forest provide a cool shade, and a breath of fresh air from the crowded tunnels.
If you're looking for a picture with no people? Patience is a virtue, my dear. You might have to wait, and wait, and even when you're almost alone, along comes another explorer. If you're good with photoshop, take as many pictures as you can with minimal people, and piece them together in post editing. I was lucky to have visited here for the first time on a February afternoon, where I could get a few shots with just the gates, but the second time I went I wasn't so lucky. Try hiking up a little! You don't have to go the whole way, but like I said before, there will be less people.
Japan is a magical place, and while I highly recommend getting off of the beaten path, there are some places that are just too good to pass.
Have you ever walked under the orange Torii gates of Fushimi Inari? What did you think?
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-Jessie
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