#Fushimi-Inari

We mostly already knew today’s programme from our first trip to Japan, but I guess that’s just how it goes with group tours. We did the obligatory tourist stuff for a visit to Kyōto and saw the Kinkaku-ji, the Ryōan-ji with its famous stone garden and Nijō Castle.

The Sanjūsangen-dō was new to us, though. Here, 1001 life-sized Buddha statues from the 12th and 13th centuries stand on a tiered platform in a long hall. An impressive sight. Unfortunately, taking photos in the hall was strictly forbidden.

Since we had a bit of free time left in the evening, we headed over to the Fushimi Inari with the group again, which actually wasn’t on the programme at all. Well, two visits are better than one.

After a simple breakfast, we headed to Fushimi Inari. The shrine is dedicated to the fox deity Inari and is especially famous for its thousands of torii gates, which lead up the mountain like an avenue. Of course, we walked up the countless steps right to the top, where we were rewarded with a lovely view of Kyōto.

Next, we visited Kyomizu-dera. This temple is famous for its huge wooden terrace on long wooden stilts, another postcard-perfect scene. We took the bus there, which is an experience in itself. Once you arrive, you squeeze your way to the front and pay the driver. Ideally with exact change, because otherwise you have to break your money down at a change machine first, holding up the whole queue.

We strolled around Kyōto a bit more, tried some sake soft-serve ice cream and wound down the day in a small Zen garden. After that, it was sadly time to say goodbye to our Japanese friend.

Tomorrow the group part of the trip starts. So we moved to a different hotel first. Luckily with a much bigger room.