Japan Adventure

Once we arrive in Tsuwano, we get in line to drive up the hill to a very famous & beautiful shrine. We're driving under a huge Torii gate near the top! It's been a slow drive because of all the people going to pray today, but it's very organized, and there are workers directing parking.

We got a great parking place right at the bottom of the stairs.

Wow -- isn't this gorgeous! It's the Taikodani Inari Jinja Shrine - "One of the 5 great Inari (Fox deity) shrines. Built in 1773 by Tsuwano's seventh generation feudal lord Kamei Norisada to enshrine a share of the spirit worshipped at the Fushimi Inari in Kyoto. It has a great view over the town. You can drive to the temple or walk up the mountain-side through over a thousand bright read torii (gates)." We drove . . .

After climbing LOTS of stairs, I see a white fox statue, supervising workers shoveling snow in front of the shrine.