Last weekend we took a trip to Kyoto. This was a six hour bus ride north of Iwakuni organized by the ITT folks on the base.  Our first stop was Fushimi Inari Shrine, one of the oldest in Kyoto.

Inari is the Shinto god of rice and foxes are thought to be his messengers.  Notice the key in the mouth of the foxes – the key to the rice granary. There are many fox statues found at this shrine.  This was a large complex with a lot to see right here.

My favorite place was at the very back of the shrine’s main grounds where you find the entrance to the torii gate covered hiking trail.

This trail consists of over 10,000 torii gates.

Since early Japan, Inari was seen as the patron of business, and merchants and manufacturers have traditionally worshipped Inari. The torii gates along the entire trail are donations by individuals and companies and you will find the donator’s name and the date of the donation inscribed on the back of each gate.

Along the way we’d come upon a cluster of smaller shrines.

When we got to the pond we headed back.  This is such a Japanese scene.

As we neared the main road we came upon these shrines

and one more collection of messenger foxes.

Then it was time for some sweet potato fries (with sugar sprinkled on instead of salt). Lots of street vendors along the way.

 

Here’s a guy preparing takoyaki (octopus balls)

and this man was making dragonflies and crickets out of bamboo – very delicate.

Check out this architecture. It looks like it’s made of giant popsicle sticks.

Back on the bus to our next stop – Nijo Castle.

We were guided through the complex of buildings but were prohibited from taking photos.  But once outside again we had an opportunity to wander through the beautiful Japanese gardens.

 

On our way out I noticed this tiny plant

next to this little sign.  It was particularly interesting as Obama had just been in Hiroshima the day before.

Everywhere reminders of peace on earth.