Day 256: Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine

Early morning to beat the crowds at Fushimi Inari Taisha! Kieran, Laura, and James elected to sleep in while Korea squad woke up at 6 am to metro to the orange gates. In addition to waking up early, it was pouring down rain.

While this all sound horrible, it was absolutely perfect because there was almost no one at the shrine. Normally people shuffle like cattle to walk up and down the gates and get the perfect pictures: we had none of that.

We hiked all the way to the top and bought some sake. By the time we were done walking around for 2 hours and the rain stopped, the swarms of crowds arrived and we were so glad to wake up early.

We then metro’d to Tofukuji Temple where James and Laura met us. This was another peaceful experience with no crowds and a quiet Hoji Garden. On the way home we hit a Kakigōri shaved iced spot and enjoyed grape, brown sugar, and green tea desserts. Kieran eventually met up and got sushi.

After a big nap, Madison led us to Sannenzaka where we food hopped on sweet soy sauce, Japanese grilled beef, and cucumber. Squad did a sake tasting and waddled to Pontocho Street again to try our luck for dinner again. NOPE. Squad split: Korea girls at a Chinese dim sum restaurant and Kieran, Laura, and James at yakitori.

It was too crowded to properly enjoy a jazz bar so we returned home and played cards/drinking games.

Food:
Pickled cucumbers
Japanese beef
Sweet soy sauce rice balls
Dim sum

Spots:
Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine
Tofukuji Temple
SannenzakaBaca lagi