Silver Week Continued: Kyoto

On Tuesday, we went to see the Kiyomizu Dera temple and Fushimi Inari shrine. All of Kyoto was absolutely beautiful, but everywhere was crowded because of the public holidays. Kiyomizu Dera translates as "clean water temple" in English. The legend is that drinking the water will heal illnesses.







It is estimated that around ten thousand red torii gates decorate the mountainside surrounding Fushimi Inari, the preeminent shrine for the god, Inari. Because Inari is the god of business, all of the torii gates are donated by Japanese business. The main shrine is located at the base of a mountain and has torii covered paths that lead up the mountain to smaller shrines. It's a stunning sight and one of my favorite destinations on this trip.

Foxes, kitsune, are considered messengers to the god and are therefore, represented at the shrine. Kitsune udon is even served at many small ramen shops located along the main path leading to the shrine. This special noodle soup is topped with aburaage, deep fried tofu, which is regarded as the fox's favorite food.

We walked along one of the windy paths to the mountain top. On our way down from the top of the mountain shrine, Loki and I tried taking a shortcut, which took us on a very long path that led down the wrong side of the mountain and then back up the mountain.






That evening we met some friends, who were also on holiday in Kyoto, at a wine bar downtown. It was really nice and had an lovely view of the city. Then all too quickly, on Wednesday, we headed home. But, oh was it nice when I finally collapsed on my futon back in my apartment.