Adventure in Kyoto! Loads of culture and history in one city.
We've got all that and more in this episode of ONLY in JAPAN.
Kyoto's "Shrine of 10,000 'Torii'" or Gates is simply awesome. It's also ranked as Japan's no.1 attraction for foreign tourists*
Yes, it can be crowded during the day, but we'll explore this mysterous shrine at night when no one is around -- except the wildlife and a few stragglers.
This time, John will explore and explain Kyoto's most popular shrine, Fushimi Inari.
HISTORY:
Fushimi Inari is full of history going back to the year 717!
John interviews one of the Shinto priests and unravel some of the history that might not be in guidebooks. The lengend of Fushimi Inari is revealed!
Are those gates orange or red?
What's the meaning behind the color?
Which big Hollywood movie was this shrine featured in?
Who cleans all these gates?
John wants to know.
WHEN TO VISIT:
It may seem impossible to escape the crowds here, but you can!
The hours are officially listed as 10:00 to 16:00 but the shrine is open to all free of charge 24 hours a day.
Best of all it's FREE! Why? The gates!! They're all bought by people and businesses to bring them luck.
The best time to see it is at night. It's when most locals go with thewir friends, high school couples can be seen climbing up together. Night time adventurers will also see a lot of cats! That rustling you hear on the woods outside the orange gates may not always be a cat though ....
KYOTO BY BICYCLE:
How do you get to Fushimi Inari from Kyoto Station?
I could draw you a map, but it's much better to show you by bicycle!
Rent a cycle for the day and see more of Kyoto. Cheap and easy.
KCTP (Kyoto Cycling Tour Project) has a good variety of city bicycles for the surrounding hills or the city. You can reserve online or call and have the bike waiting for you as soon as you arrive.
The city is not always cycle friendly so keep to the left side, use the light after dark and try to avoid pedestrian sidewalks.
HOW TO GET THERE:
Here's the Google Map goo.gl/maps/qXalt
Take the JR Nara line from Kyoto Station for 3 stops or rent a bicycle :) Taxi takes about 10-15 minutes.
*Ranked no.1 by Trip Advisor 2014 rankings on Japanese Atttractions
URL:
Fushimi Inari Shrine Website
inari.jp/
Map: goo.gl/maps/qXalt
KCTP (Kyoto Cycling Tour Project) Bicycle Rental:
www.kctp.net/en/
from 1,000 yen per day
Map: www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?...