Kyoto Day 2 Part I: Fushimi Inari Shrine

I planned out what I wanted to see the night before but didn't wake up quite as early haha. Luckily I got to see the sights despite being lost midway. This post is picture heavy and like the last one the quality are on & off depending on which camera it came out of.

so I roll out of bed and didn't know what to eat, dropped by the convenience store next door and picked this up...

Yumeko had told me that she occasionally eats sushi/sashimi for breakfast, so I bought this maguro one to try. Its pretty good considering its a convenience store item (sorry US convenience store items aren't that tasty).

but just to be safe I also bought this...

you can't go wrong with fried chicken on a stick lol

What's Japan without some vending machine pic?

This is a bih one. Coke isn't as popular so I don't usually spot them in these machines, this one had it

I walked maybe two blocks and wanted more food...

onigiri!

for those of you that's seen the movie Death Note you'll know who this is...

Kyoto is hot, when I walk around in heat I get hungry very easily! So i picked up another snack, potato croquette

Walked into a fabric shop...

I don't know how they feel about me taking pics so these are I-Spy pics via my iphone

these are so pretty, I wish I had more luggage space to bring some back

Then wondered into a hobby shop

everything from gundams to evangelions to fighter planes and tanks

Kyoto has these quaint little streets

there are so many shrines/temples! This one was just nestled in between these buildings

purify here

Look! A dojo!

Walked past one of those rock gardens., but I didn't go inside

big crab!

some random place called Sugrhill claims to be "Brooklyn Urban Flava"

take a look at the menu, not exactly urban or brooklyn?

If you happen to go to Kyoto, don't be like me and not check the scale on your map. I walked a ridiculous amount thinking it looks really close on the map LOL. I finally got to Kyoto station and took a train to Fushimi Inari shrine, you can't miss the shrine its right outside the JR Inari station.

this big torii is right across from the train station

Approaching the main entrance

Purify here! this one is much bigger...

The map of the area, another thing I should've taken a closer look at. I actually got lost and ended up in some forest coming out of this place!

kitsune on either side

kitsune (fox) up close

this wall of wishes is HUGE

it wraps all around to this...

you use the rope/fabric to ring the bell and clap your hands before praying

I asked Kay about this and its the same as people that kneel in temples

I use to do these when I'm at temples in China and get my parents to translate their meanings but didn't do it here...

ready for some torii?

I believe these are wishes as well

walking toward the torii area

And here we go...

Its gorgeous beyond words!

These torii gates are built on a mountain so its actually quite tiring going up

I got to an area where there are mini versions

a pretty little rest stop

more rest stops for some tea

I bought a can of coke instead, its a slim can!

at certain points you can see the city of Kyoto from above, its a bit hazy

kitsune purifying station!

I really like this area!

you can even get the kitsune shaped ones here

I got really tired and hot going uphills so thought it was about time I start going back down. Not very smart as I didn't check the map and went the wrong way and ended up in the forest on the hill lol

at least there was a path at first but then it got kind of muddy and scary. I didn't want to go back up since I walked a good 20 minutes already. Then again it was probably smarter to go back

I got to this area where it was rather pretty after walking another 30 mins or so...

then it got all foresty on me again

I finally came out and found this little town! phew

but uh I walked about another 45mins to get out of the town! The train station I ended up at was an entirely different one. I took it to back to the Kyoto station.

Kyoto Station has paper lanterns too

lets just say that it was quite the adventure. I probably walked a lot more than necessary and it was DAMN hot. But I wasn't done! I wanted to go see Kiyomizu Dera (temple) before closing. I had 30 mins to get there so I took a bus. Some lady gave me her bus pass so it was free :)

on my way up to kiyomizu dera I spotted this place?

so stay tuned for part II of my day 2 which includes Kiyomizu Dera and parts of Gion

I have vids uploaded on youtube of fushimi inari. For those of you interested on what the shrine is for read here. I LOVED it and highly recommend you visit if you go to Kyoto.