This time we're in Kyoto, the cultural heart of Japan
The city is famous for its 1,600 Buddhist temples
400 Shinto shrines
palaces, gardens
and amazing architecture
it is a must-see place on any visitors itinerary to Japan
it's especially crowded on the holidays
weekends and well just about all the time with foreign tourists
but there's a way to escape the crowds rent a bicycle
Kyoto Cycling Tour Project is one of many operators renting bicycles to
tourists
I reserved a bicycle on-line. The most basic one
Only 1,000 yen a day
KCTP also gives guided tours of the city by bicycle
So you never get lost among the thousands of attractions
They have everything KYOTO
The map is a must
only one hundred yen
here we are!!
There she is. What a sweet ride
there's some traffic rules to follow
and it's good to know what to expect on the roads
the city center is quite urban with lots of traffic
That's KYOTO station over there
Stay to the left and avoid the sidewalks where pedestrians walk
it's about a 20 to 30 minute ride from KC TP
to FUSHIMI INARI TAISHA grand shrine Let's see what's on the road to our goal
sometimes there are special paths designated for bicycles
these are great but they're quite rare
There's the JR train heading back to KYOTO station
from FUSHIMI INARIshrine
Down along the riverside there are no cars or traffic lights
but sometimes the path just ends and you have to get back on the main road
there are people, cars, motorcycles
and other Bicycles so head forward and be careful
we're almost there
We're here!!
Japan's number one site for foreign tourists
let's find out why
the TORII or gates start a few minutes into the shrine grounds
walk past it for 15 minutes and you're here!!
A bright tunnel through the foothill forest
it's really peacefu
the Torii spread out more and more the further you walk from the entrance
by the entrance its packed!!
only a few centimeters separate each gate
they seem to go on forever
as you continue walking
the step start to get steeper
the path becomes
darker under the forest canopy and many gates
every now and then
you'll find rest huts where you can take a break but my time is limited
this is as far as I got in 30 minutes were here
and I still have to go
all the way to
get to the top
another hour and a half
that just means I have to come back
at night
I had a lot of questions to ask
FUSHIMI INARI TAISHA has become the top spot for foreign tourists
was it because it was featured in a hollywood film??
now the real question who actually has to clean all these TORII?
I'm back
it's dark and cold outside
the tourists are all gone
it's quiet
although the official hours are 10 to 4 p.m.
the shrine is actually open 24 hours a day
at night it takes on a totally different feel
which way should I go
it's part of the mystery
perhaps a follow this runner
but he disappears into the dark again
indiana Jones size spiders
the symbol of a true adventure
and these creatures
CATS!
They are everywhere and pop in and out from the dark force beyond
Some are friendly but beware they may drag you into the great unknown outside the safety of the tunnel
Or just kill you with cuteness
you never know
oh there is more!
without the crowds it took half the time to get to the top
this is the top
really quiet
nobody here
There is nowhere to go except down
so when you're in Kyoto and looking for an adventure
journey the four kilometer path to the top of FUSHIMIINARI shrine mountain
at night
avoid the crowds
and enjoy the hike