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Travel

Photos and stories from many of my travels in the past 5 years

Japan: Kyoto – Fushimi Inari-taisha, and climbing to the mountain top

By Mithun Divakaran
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Nov 04, 2015
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Japan, Travel

Date: 23rd March, 2015

I spent yesterday exploring the shopping areas of Kyoto city center, but today, I planned to see the big attractions. First on my itinerary was a visit the famous Fushimi Inari-taisha temple.

Kyoto city pavement Japan — I walked to Kyoto station, which is just 15 minutes from Shiori-an Guesthouse

Kyoto station panorama Japan — That’s Kyoto station, panorama style

Kyoto station Nara line Japan — It’s very easy to get to the shrine by train. Just buy a ¥140 ticket to Fushimi Inari Station and hop on a train on the JR Nara line.

Kyoto river stream Japan — The train ride to Inari station takes less than 10 minutes. It’s the very next stop.

Fushimi Inari entrance from station — And as soon as you exit JR Inari station, voila! That’s the entrance to Fushimi Inari-taisha

Fushimi Inari-taisha entrance — There is no entrance fee

Fushimi Inari-taisha map Japan — Here is a map of the Fushimi Inari-taisha. There are a few temples below but as you climb the mountain, you will walk through the famous red-ish, orange (vermillion?) wooden pillar gates (called *toriis* in Japanese) all the way to the top.

Fushimi Inari red temples Kyoto — Everything is of the same colour, including the temples

Fushimi Inari wolf statue Kyoto — Fushimi Inari is dedicated to Inari, the Shinto god of rice. As per their mythology, foxes are thought to be Inari’s messengers. So you will see many fox statues across the shrine and up the mountain

Fushimi-inari taisha tourists Japan — Okay, let the climbing commence!

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Japan: Kyoto – Nishiki market and Teramachi

By Mithun Divakaran
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Oct 20, 2015
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Japan, Travel

Date: 22nd March, 2015

After exploring Gion, I crossed over to the other side of Shijo Street.

Sticky rice bbq sweet — I forgot what this was called. Mitarashi Dango? Essentially pounded sticky rice grilled and then coated with sweetened soy sauce. It was chilly and I felt like eating something hot.

Narrow lane Kyoto Japan — I walked around a bit and found myself in a narrow lane full of bars

Kyoto bar Japan — Quite trendy and discreet

Stream Kyoto city Japan — Back out in the open

Crab restaurant Kyoto Japan — No guesses as to what this restaurant specializes in

Teramachi shopping street — That crab restaurant was the end of the Teramachi shopping arcade

Teramachi street Kyoto Japan — Teramachi pretty big and these arcades are spread across for much of Shijo Street

Kyoto shopping district Japan — But I was trying to find Nishiki Market, as it was getting late

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Japan: Kyoto – Nishi & Higashi Honganji, Shijo street, and Gion

By Mithun Divakaran
/
Oct 14, 2015
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Japan, Travel

Date: 22nd March, 2015

After arriving in Kyoto by bullet train and checking in to Shiori-an Guesthouse, I began my sightseeing walk around Kyoto. Nishi and Higashi Honganji, two Shin Buddhism temples, were close to where I was staying, so I first went there.

Kyoto cats neko Japan — Saw a lot of furry cats outside the temples

Higashi Honganji buddhist temple Kyoto Japan — There was massive renovation work undergoing at sections of the Nishi Honganji complex

Plastic covers for shoes Kyoto temple — You cannot enter the temple with footwear. You have remove your shoes, carry them in these plastic bags and only then climb up the steps.

Higashi Honganji wood pillars Kyoto Japan — This temple hall was built in 1895 and claims to be the largest structure made entirely of wood

Or so it claims. I don’t know if it still remains the largest wooden structure, especially after having seen The Sanctuary of Truth in Pattaya which uses a heck lot of teak wood.

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