Fushimi Inari Taisha

Fushimi Inari is a Shinto shrine in Kyoto consisting of an arcade of 10,000 vermillion gates or 'torri' meandering for 4km through thick forest up and then down the mountainside behind the main temple. The vermillion colour symbolises vitality, protection and the warding off of evil spirits. These gates designate the entrance to the holy domain and protect it against evil forces. Inari is the god of rice and sake and the shrine was dedicated to him in the 8th century. The route through the gates is lined with incredibly atmospheric shrines and graveyards with hundreds of stone foxes, considered the messenger of Inari. The key in the foxes mouth is the key to the rice granary. Shinto and Buddhism are the main religions practised in Japan today. There was a ceremony in the temple when we arrived at the end of the route through the 'torri'.