Path to Fushimi Inari Shrine

We were out at 7 am to get the metro a few stops to the iconic Fushimi Inari Shrine - it had to be done, and better before the crowds. It was lovely to be in the country with birds singing.

Then we got a train to Nara where we had a Saki tasting before getting a Bento box to take into the park. We ate well away from the deer, which we saw on the way to the Todai-Ji Temple. There was yet another wedding pair being photographed surrounded by deer. Then we saw a family walking along eating ice creams- one deer sensed the weakest, and snaffled the toddler’s cone, causing massive screams.

The temple held an enormous Buddha 50 metres high. As today is Buddha’s birthday there were thousands of people visiting.

We got a train back at about 5, then went out for a lovely meal - tasty salads, tofu in a sauce and deep fried soya bean balls for 2000yen. We sat on the floor.

We are tired - we had walked 10 miles today and my bad foot is needing a rest. However we want to pack in as much as we can.

It was very hard to decide on a Blip today - too many photos - and though everybody who comes here will have this picture, or very similar, it iconic, so I had to go for this one.