Fushimi Inari Shrine, early morning photo tour (4K)

Not originally on my list of places to visit, but I had time to spend before the starting time of my main reason for returning to Kyoto this day, and it is a short hop from the main station. Technically open around the clock, and the prevailing advice is to get here early to avoid crowds, but the earliest my connections would allow was 7.30am, and things were already getting busy. Ultimately it is just one of those places where you have to accept there will be crowds - but the further up the mountain you continue, there will be fewer souls as adventurous, as the majority just want their selfies amongst the torii gate paths at the very bottom, and not to exert themselves or their creativity. If you visit, ensure that you have time (and a baseline level of fitness) to be able to make the climb. I then made my exit by a different route, descending what appeared to be the maintenance or accessibility road to the north, which led me through a charming neighbourhood, and into another amazing temple complex. The almost 800 year old Tōfuku-ji is not one of the main tourist spots, but I would say worth the visit, with the "largest and oldest zen temple gate in Japan" according to its plaque. Its grounds also include gardens and a picturesque covered bridge over the gorge, which is visible from the public bridge slightly downstream. Recorded: 22 October 2025, 07.30 - 09.40 Stills: Nikon D7200, Tamron 16-300mm / Samsung S22 Music: Easy Listening - Galaxy / Soothe Support me through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=15918857 #traveljapan #fushimiinaritaisha #kyototemples