Fushimi Inari and Kiyomizu-dera

 

Fushimi Inari

February 15, 2026

We got an early start on the day and took the train to go see Fushimi Inari. Fushimi is a district of Kyoto and Inari is the god of business and agriculture. There are lots of statues of foxes throughout the shrine because the fox is a messenger of Inari.

There are reportedly 10,000 red tori gates stretching through the hills for 2 1/2 miles. Each of the gates was donated by individuals or businesses in hopes of seeking good fortune. Their names are etche on the sides of the poles.

The red bibs on the foxes signify their role as divine messengers. The color red warns off evil spirits.

We took the train to another part of Kyoto and found an okonomiyaki restaurant for lunch. Karl had a seafood one, Lauren had noodles and vegetbales and I had vegetables with tofu. So delicious!

The two most iconic sites of Kyoto are Fushimi Inari and Kiyomizu-dera. So, we climbed up the side of the mountain to visit this Buddhist temple. One of the notable things about this wooden temple is that it was built without the use of nails.

We were not allowed to take pictures inside, but it is a temple to the eleven-headed, thousand-armed Bodhisattva, the Kannon Buddha who is the Buddha of compassion. The eleven faces and 42 hands symbolize the Buddha's ability to see and help those in need.

One of the pagodas on the temple grounds.

We walked down from the temple through lots of tourist shops. These funny statues are seen on lots of doorsteps. They are called Tanuki. They are not racoons but a native species of a Japanese animal related to a dog. In Japanese mythology they are shapeshifters known for playing pranks.

Coming down from Kiyomizu-dera, the crowds were plentiful. In the distance is the pagoda for the oldest temple in Kyoto. We walked through Gion and saw one geisha or possibly a maiko (an apprentice geisha).

Checking out a candy store in Gion. 

We walked on to Nishiki Market (known as Kyoto's kitchen). We walked on to find a place to eat, and then on to find our hotel. In all was walked over 9 miles and were ready to collapse!