I went back in the super early AM, to avoid all the tourists that clog up the first part of the paths, especially the one with the smaller torii shrines. These are the ones that are only about 6-7ft in height and placed close together, with almost no space to breathe, like being in a tunnel. These are the famous ones you saw in “Memoirs of a Geisha”. I learned that each torii shrine, are all donations from companies or individual, with their names inscribed on the back of each gate. Small ones costs around $3,500 to the large ones at around $9,000. Seeing this without people, made it even more magical of an experience. Fushimi Inari Tasha, 68 Fukakusa Yabunouchichō, Fushimi-ku, Kyōto-shi, Kyōto-fu 612-0882, Japan
Leading up to the Asakusa Temple is a menagerie of vendors, selling everything under the sun. From samurai swords to hand carved wood chopsticks to clothes, along with food vendors, this place had everything. Though it was somewhat diametrically opposed in the setting, the hustle bustle of this shopping area, and then off in the distance the calm peaceful temple.
