memoirs of a hike

Remember this scene from Memoirs of a Geisha (AKA Sayuri in Japan)?

It looks dramatic because it is! Thanks Roy!

In this picture, it looks very dramatic. And in real life, it's dramatic as well. Fushimi Inari-taisha is the name of the temple in Kyoto that's really a MOUNTAIN with paths covered in torii.

This is the beginning. It's all UPHILL from here...

If you can get over the fact that you're climbing a MOUNTAIN, it's really beautiful and it's more torii gates then you'll ever need to see for your entire life.

This was pretty much the view for 2+ hours. There were lots of rest stops though.

Then when you get to the top, do you get a view or some kind of "you're done, yay" sign? NO. You do get a shrine and a rest stop where the lady, who doesn't speak much english but must get this question a lot, said "is top" as I asked her if she spoke english.

I understand that this is a shrine and all, but is this IT? Yup...

I took a lot of artsy fartsy pix on the trudge up the mountain. Eventually they'll show up here...