10,000 Red Tori Gates - Fushimi Inari Shrine-JTB Sunrise Tour

The Fushimi Inari Shrine is home to 10,000 Torii gates that are seen as an entrance to a sacred shrine in Shinto religion. The Torii gates at Fushimi Inari Shrine give me one more reason to love historical Japan. These gates date back to 711 A.D., and as a foreigner with only a 250-year-old country, 1300 years old is an age I can’t even fathom.

To give a little background, a Torii gate is seen as an entrance to a sacred shrine in the Shinto religion. They mark the pathway to shrines across Asia, and I’m sure you’ve come to know them as a symbol of Japan.

They have foxes at this shrine.  This was an agricultural area and the foxes protected the rice fields because they ate the sparrows which fed on the rice.

What is unique about the Torii gates at Inari Fushimi, though, is their background. Each gate has been donated by a company or organization giving thanks for their prosperity and in hope of good fortune in the future. I only wished I could read all of the names engraved on each gate, but for now, it remains to be beautiful artwork representing Japan’s past.

Before entering a shrine it is tradition to prepare yourself by cleansing.  You get a ladle of water from the fountain and rinse your right hand, then your left then take a drink.  No one really drive 's it now.  Only pretend to.

This ice cream is sooooooo good!!  It doesn't melt, the ice cream is covered in a cone and chocolate in the middle.  Its our favorite Japan treat!!