Fushimi-Inari-Taisya Shrine

A mysterious world of countless vermilion Shinto gates
<< Fushimi-Inari-Taisya Shrine >>



This shrine is the head shrine of all Japan Inari-Shrines.
The shrine became the object of Imperial patronage during the early Heian period.



This shrine sits at the base of a mountain also named Inari,
behind the main buldings of the shrine is a 4-km pilgrimage route
leading up the mountain through countless vermilion Shinto gates.
The shrine includes trails up the mountain to many smaller shrines.

The walk around the upper precincts is a pleasant day hike.
It also makes for a delightfully eerie stroll in the late afternoon and early evening,
when the various graveyards and miniature shrines along the path take on a mysterious air.



This shrine dedicated to the god of rice and sake in the 8th century,
merchants and manufacturers worship Inari for wealth.
The shrine also features dozens of statues of foxes.
The fox regarded as the messenger of the god of grain foods, Inari.
The keys often depicted in the fox mouths are keys to granaries.

In this shrine, there is an interesting spot, Omokaru-Ishi.
Omo-Karu-Ishi means feavy-light-rock.
First you wish something, and hold this rock.
If you felt this rock is light, you will get your wish. ;-)


enjoy!

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* Free
* Fushimi-Inari Sta. of Keihan Railway or JR
* Inari-Taisya-mae of Kyoto City Bus 南５

Kyoto Sightseeing tickets

- Convenience & Privilege Cards -


1. one-day / two-day Kyoto Sightseeing card
　You can get on and off City Buses, Subways, and Kyoto Buses
as many times as you would like with this card.　You can go anywhere.
The attached privilege map includes most tourist spots in Kyoto
City, and provides courtesy service at some of them.
　Price: One-day ticket 1200yen
　Available:　City Buses and Subway infomation centers.


2. one-day City Bus card
　You can get on and off City Buses within the fixed-rate area
as many times as you would like with this card. no map.
　Price: 500yen
　Available:　City Buses and Subway infomation centers.


3. two-day / three-day KANSAI thru pass
　You can get on and off Buses, Subways, and private railways
throughout the Kansai district.
As well as enabling you to tour Osaka, Kobe and Kyoto,
it lets you visit Nara, Wakayama and Koyasan.
You can benefit from complimentary discount promotions at
350 major tourist facilities along the railway lines.
It can be used from Kansai Airport Station on the Nankai Train
after arriving at Kansai International Airport.
Receive a free guidebook in English, Chinese, Korean language.
　Price: three-day ticket 5000yen ( 2500yen for children, Ages 7 to 12 )
　Available: travel agency in your country, Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Thailand, etc.
　 Kansai international airport KAA, Osaka Airport Information Center
　 Kyoto Station Bus Information center, etc.
* You will be required to present your passport and fill out an application form
when purchasing the ticket.



enjoy KYOTO :-)

GuION festival

Gion Matsuri starts! -internationally famous summer festival-



This important festival began in the Heian period (869) in response to a
terrible series of summer plagues in Kyoto and much of the surrounding area.
To save the nation, a special procession was sent to a special protective
shrine to ask the gods for help.

The festival is a large festival held at the Yasaka-Jinjya Shrine with over
30 events in the month of July.
The highlight of this festival is an amazing parade "YamaBoko Junko" held
on the 17th.
In this event, the 32 decorated floats called "Hoko" and "Yama" are pulled
by people, children and adults ride on Yamaboko and play the festival music
with whistles and bells to boost the festival mood. It paraded around town.
It is registered as an Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.

Also, I recommend event packed Yoiyama, which is the pre-festival of
"Yamaboko Junko", from the 14th through 16th.
During the yoiyama evenings, downtown area is reserved for pedestrian traffic.
The streets are lined with night stalls selling food such as okonomiyaki,
taiyaki, takoyaki, traditional Japanese sweets, and many other culinary delights.

If you want,
You can see inside of "Yama" and "Hoko", during that time.
Some old families and long established stores open their entryways to the public
for present their treasured family heirlooms, byobu, kimono, and paintings and
calligraphic works.
In a custom, it known as the "Byobu Matsuri" or "Folding Screen Festival".

This is a precious opportunity to visit and observe traditional Japanese
residences of Kyoto.


enjoy :-)