The best waterfall hikes and walks around Lake Biwa

Fushimi Inari-Taisha, Kyoto 伏見稲荷大社 The Fushimi Inari-Taisha 伏見稲荷大社, also known as Oinari-san, is a Shinto shrine in the Fushimi ward of Kyoto. It is dedicated to the kami Inari and is the head shrine of about one-third of all Inari shrines in Japan. It is one of the oldest and most famous Shinto shrines in Kyoto. Furthermore, it also counts the most visitors of all Shinto shrines in Japan, especially during New Year (cf. Hatsumōde) and on uma no hi in February, the Japanese Day of the Horse, when the shrine has hosted the Hatsu-uma-matsuri since 708 – celebrated by all Inari shrines. However, at Fushimi Inari-Taisha it is called Hatsu-uma-tai-sha and lasts a full 21 days. The avenues of thousands of orange torii on the grounds of Fushimi Inari-Taisha are particularly famous, all of which are donations from individuals, families, or companies. They lead up a hill, at the top of which, unusually for a Shinto shrine, the holiest sanctuary (in this case a mirror) is publicly visible. Fushimi Inari-Taisha is one of the few shrines (called tanritsu-jinja) that did not join the newly founded umbrella organization Jinja Honchō ("Association of Shinto Shrines") after the end of the war. Characteristic of all Inari shrines are the fox statues (messengers of the deity Inari), which usually have red bibs around their necks and the so-called Dharma key or a wish jewel in their mouths. These objects symbolize the magical-religious power of the foxes. Text / Source : wikipedia.org https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fushimi_Inari-Taisha

Fushimi Inari Shrine, Kyoto 伏見稲荷大社 The Fushimi Inari Shrine (伏見稲荷大社, Fushimi Inari Taisha) is a significant Shinto shrine in southern Kyoto. It is famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates that wind up a network of trails behind the main buildings. The trails lead into the wooded slopes of the sacred Mount Inari, which is 233 meters high and part of the shrine grounds. Fushimi Inari is the most important of several thousand shrines dedicated to Inari, the Shinto god of rice. Foxes are considered messengers of Inari, leading to many fox statues on the shrine grounds. The Fushimi Inari Shrine has ancient origins, predating the capital's move to Kyoto in 794. Text / Source : japan-guide.com https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3915.html

Fushimi Inari Shrine, Kyoto 伏見稲荷大社 Fushimi Inari Shrine (伏見稲荷大社, Fushimi Inari Taisha) is an important Shinto shrine in southern Kyoto. It is famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates, which wind their way over a network of trails behind the main buildings. The trails lead into the wooded slopes of the sacred Mount Inari, which is 233 meters high and part of the shrine grounds. Fushimi Inari is the head shrine of several thousand Inari shrines nationwide. Foxes are regarded as Inari's messengers, leading to many fox statues on the shrine grounds. Fushimi Inari Shrine has ancient origins, predating Kyoto's move to the capital in 794. Text / Source : japan-guide.com https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3915.html

Fushimi Inari-Taisha, Kyoto 伏見稲荷大社 Fushimi Inari-Taisha 伏見稲荷大社, also known as Oinari-san) is a Shinto shrine in the Fushimi ward of the city of Kyoto. It is dedicated to the Kami Inari and is the head shrine of about one-third of all Inari shrines in Japan. It is one of the oldest and most famous Shinto shrines in Kyoto. It also attracts the most visitors of all Shinto shrines in Japan, especially during New Year (cf. Hatsumōde) and on uma no hi in February, the Japanese Day of the Horse, when the shrine has hosted the Hatsu-uma-matsuri – celebrated by all Inari shrines – since 708. At Fushimi Inari-Taisha, however, it is called Hatsu-uma-tai-sha and lasts for a full 21 days. Particularly famous are the avenues of thousands of orange Torii on the grounds of Fushimi Inari-Taisha, which are all donations from individuals, families, or companies. They lead up a hill, at the top of which, unusually for a Shinto shrine, the Holy of Holies (in this case a mirror) is publicly visible. Fushimi Inari-Taisha is one of the few shrines (called tanritsu-jinja) that did not join the newly founded umbrella organization Jinja Honchō ("Association of Shinto Shrines") after the end of the war. Characteristic of all Inari shrines are the fox statues (messengers of the deity Inari), which usually have red bibs around their necks and the so-called Dharma key or a wish jewel in their mouths. These objects symbolize the magical-religious power of the foxes. Text / Source : wikipedia.org https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fushimi_Inari-Taisha

Kyoto / Kyōto 京都市 – the old imperial city Kyoto, the old imperial city and cultural heart of Japan, is an absolute highlight for many Japan travelers with hundreds of shrines and Buddhist temples, atmospheric gardens, small old alleys, historical architecture, and top-class museums. Kyoto sights such as the Golden Pavilion Kinkakuji, which is actually completely adorned with real gold leaf, the spectacular view from the terrace of the Kiyomizu Kyoto Temple, the old geisha district Gion, and last but not least the opulent palace of the Shogun offer impressions that are guaranteed to remain in memory for a long time. But Kyoto's treasure trove of cultural offerings includes much more. For example, you can feast on delicious local specialties in the city, admire impressive Japanese craftsmanship, and celebrate unique festivals throughout the year – from the Gozan Okuribi festival with its roaring flames in Kyoto's mountains to the Jidai Matsuri with its historical processions. With regional delicacies and world-famous shrines, traditional yet highly developed, attractive to millions yet combined with rural charm, Kyoto unites an incredible diversity into a unique cultural center in Japan. Text / Source: japan.travel/de https://www.japan.travel/de/de/kyoto/

Kiyomizu Temple 清水寺 Kiyomizu-dera Kiyomizu-dera 清水寺; 'Temple of Pure Water' is a Buddhist temple in eastern Kyoto, Japan. It belongs to the Kita Hosso sect of Japanese Buddhism, and its honzon is a hibutsu statue of Jūichimen Kannon. The temple's full name is Otowa-san Kiyomizu-dera (音羽山 清水寺). The temple is the 16th station on the Saigoku Kannon Pilgrimage route. Along with Kōryū-ji and Kurama-dera, it is one of the few temples in Kyoto that predates the founding of the capital of Heian-kyō. It is also one of the leading Japanese temples dedicated to the worship of Kannon, along with Ishiyama-dera (Ōtsu, Shiga) and Hase-dera (Sakurai, Nara). It is a well-known tourist destination in Kyoto City and attracts many pilgrims throughout the year. Since 1995, the Kanji of the Year ceremony has been held annually on December 12 (Kanji Day). The temple is part of the UNESCO World Heritage of Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto. Text / Source: wikipedia.org https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kiyomizu-dera

The 1,000 torii gates at Fushimi Inari Taisha have religious significance in Shinto. ⛩️ Meaning of the Torii A torii gate marks the transition from the ordinary world to a sacred realm. When you pass through a torii, you symbolically enter the realm of the gods (kami). The many torii gates were donated by companies, families, or individuals. They express their gratitude to the deity Inari. Inari is the god of rice, prosperity, and business success. Many companies donate torii gates to ask for good fortune in their business. Therefore, the following is inscribed on the back of each gate: the donor's name the date of the donation 🦊 The Fox Statues You will also see many fox statues at the shrine. Foxes are considered messengers of Inari and often carry: a key to the rice granary, a scroll, or a rice grain symbol. The name “1000 Torii” is rather symbolic – in fact there are over 10,000 torii gates along the mountain.

A must-see! The mountain and the paths with their many gates are an absolute highlight in Kyoto!