Ukiha Inari Shine

 This shrine is located about 30 minutes from where we live.

Even though it's close, I haven't had the chance to visit before today! I can't drive, so I have to wait until either Mikey or David is free! 

This afternoon was lovely weather, Mikey had a free afternoon, so we made the trip to the shrine!

This shrine was built in 1957. It enshrines three deities and is known for its blessings of prosperity in business, good harvest, sake production, and health, longevity and academics. It's located on the top of a mountain and has a series of red torii gates leading to the shrine.

The drive up the mountain was breathtaking! Not only the view, but also how steep the road was in some places and the hairpin curves.

I took a little video.

Not very good because I was holding onto the handle above the door!

I'm glad we could drive to the top. I couldn't have managed all the steps from the main road. I saw some people climb up the steps, but they were young and looked like they had the energy to climb!

The sign at the car park

Mikey said that the name of the park, "Johgahana," doesn't make sense.  The first kanji means castle, but the third character means nose, so Castle Nose?

Another short video of the torii gates and the view.

The torii gates were donated by different companies or people. The names are inscribed on the gate.

I'm sure if this is a name or a date.

I took some photos of the gates and the view.

Where the gates go down to a road

Facing the gates.

After that, we walked through the main gate toward the shrine itself.

The main gate.

We came to another set of steps. With these guarding the way.

Each one is holding something different in its mouth.

I just realised I didn't get a photo of the shrine. There were too many people when we went past the first time, and I forgot when we went back. Good excuse to go again!

I did get a photo of this mini shrine. 

Next to the main shrine

The animals are all foxes. Inari has the meaning of fox. It comes from Japanese mythology.

We wandered away from the main shrine, following the path to another set of gates. I didn't bother trying to go down those steps; there was no railing to hold onto, and the steps looked uneven.

We came across the lights that are set up at intervals; the shape looks like cut bamboo.

Interesting design for the lights.

We even managed to see some of the beautiful autumn leaves. This year, the change has been very late here. It actually feels as if there is no autumn any more. 

Beautiful leaves

It was starting to get cool, the sun was setting, so we went back to the parking lot.

Mikey took a couple more photos of the gates.

As we went back to the car, I noticed a vending machine. Is it only in Japan that they put these machines on the top of mountains?

How do they get these up the mountain?

As we drove back, we went past the entrance at the base of the mountain. 

Looks like a long walk.

I had a really good time!

One thing that I'd like to point out is that I climbed some of the steps. Usually, I don't even try to go up steps if I don't have to. Especially these were uneven, going up is alright, but coming down is hard on my knee. Actually, going up is hard because of my weight and lack of stamina. But I managed it, was it easy, not really. I was out of breath when I got to the top, and my heart was racing, but I recovered quickly.  I know a few months ago I wouldn't have even tried, so I can tell that losing a few kilos has helped a lot! That gives me inspiration to keep on.