Fushimi Inari Taisha

A Shinto shrine in Kyoto, this was my favourite, a shrine dedicated to a holy power which looks after the rice. Orange pillars, the Torri gates, lead you up the mountain side to the main shrine, a large stone structure at the top of a hill. Fox sculptures are abundant as they act as messengers. We took a back route up to the top through the forest. Japanese forests have a presence I cannot properly describe the feeling, as if ancient spirits are present - maybe I’ve watched too many Japanese films designed to scare - but this was a good feeling. A wonderful day.