No rain for another day. Our guesthouse breakfast was fruit, assorted Japanese pastries, toast, coffee.
Stairs to our 2nd floor rooms. How many times will I need to use the bathroom each night—for 5 nights?
The builder did not anticipate anyone more than 6 feet tall. Fortunately, Scott is usually wearing his bike helmet.
Entry to Chion-in Temple.
Chion-in is home to Japan's largest temple bell, which was commissioned in 1633 and weighs 74 tons. It used to require a 25-man team to sound it. But now the temple website says 17 are needed.
Our next stop was the Kyoto Railroad Museum. But first I find it interesting how restrooms are labeled in different countries. This signage was at the Railroad Museum—one on approach followed by larger identical outline markings on each entrance.
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How restrooms have evolved on railroad passenger cars.
Remaining covid 19 markings.
Roundhouse
Roundhouse
Bike Parking
Lunch. Good and again from Seven Eleven, as time was limited.
Our last major stop was Fushimi Inari Taisha, a famous Shinto shrine in Kyoto known for its thousands of vibrant red torii gates that wind up the slopes of Mount Inari. The shrine is famous for the seemingly endless path of vibrant orange torii gates that line the approach to Mt. Inari. The shrine sits at the base of Mount Inari, and the trails lead up the mountain's wooded slopes. The hike to the summit is a 230-meter climb up hundreds of steps, taking approximately 1.5-2.5 hours to reach the top. Fushimi Inari Taisha is dedicated to Inari, the deity of a good harvest and success in business. Approximately 800 torii gates are set in a row to form the Senbon Torii, creating the impression of a tunnel.
Nicola and Scott
The top is shrouded in trees and not obvious, hence the sign.
Shrine at the top
Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto is renowned for its association with foxes, who are considered messengers of the god Inari and are depicted throughout the shrine grounds, particularly in the form of stone statues. Inari is the Shinto god of rice, fertility, and agriculture, and foxes are believed to be his messengers.
Dinner was on Pontocho-Dori Street. This narrow street with even narrower side passages was packed with tourists. We locked our bikes under a nearby bridge, walked to the restaurant, dined, and then rode back in a light rain.
Warayaki-to-Mizutaki Aoi. Overlooking the Kamo River.
Our charming waitress went to high school in Southern California, had a friend enrolled at Cal Poly in SLO, and is currently enrolled at a Kyoto university.
Most Japanese dishes seem to have a pork or beef broth base. This restaurant emphasized that they used a chicken stock.
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