FUSHIMI INARI TAISHA SHRINE
The famous torii path across the mountain at Fushimi Inari Taisha, the head shrine of Inari, located in Fushimi-ku, Kyoto, Japan. The walk up the mountain, which leads to many smaller shrines, can take up to 2 hours. My goal was to get a picture of the path, clear of people and I was lucky, I had a few seconds only, I hurried and I got it.
Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in southern Kyoto, Japan. It is famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates, which straddle a network of trails behind its main buildings. The gates are donated by individuals and businesses as a way to show their devotion to Inari, the Shinto deity of rice, sake, and fertility. Each gate has the donor’s name and the date of donation inscribed on it. The oldest gate dates back to 1589.
The shrine is located on the Inariyama mountain, and the trails wind up the mountain to many smaller shrines and temples. The hike to the top of the mountain takes about 2 hours, but there are many places to stop along the way to rest and take in the scenery.
The torii gates are one of the most iconic features of Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine. The gates are made of wood and are painted a bright orange color. They are arranged in winding paths that lead up the mountainside. The gates are believed to be a gateway to the spiritual world, and they are also said to protect those who pass through them.
In addition to the torii gates, Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine is also known for its beautiful natural scenery. The shrine is located in a forest, and the trails are lined with trees and bamboo. There are also many small ponds and streams along the way.
Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine is a popular tourist destination, it is a truly remarkable place, and I highly recommend visiting it if you have the opportunity.
MIDNIGHT SUN AT NORTH CAPE (NORDKAPP)
One of the most beautiful things I have ever seen and an amazing experience to watch the midnight sun at Nordkapp in the very North of Norway, Europe. Picture taken at exactly midnight in July 2014.
The midnight sun at the North Cape is a dance between light and darkness. The sun hovers just above the horizon, casting a golden glow over the sea and landscape. The sky is painted with hues of orange, pink, and purple, and the air is filled with the sounds of seabirds and the gentle lapping of waves.
It is a time of magic and wonder. The sun never sets, and the sky is never truly dark. The landscape is bathed in a golden light, and the sea shimmers like silver. The air is crisp and clean, and the air is filled with the scent of wildflowers.
The midnight sun is a time to appreciate the beauty of nature and the wonder of the world. It is a time to reflect on the beauty of life and the gift of each new day.
If you are ever lucky enough to experience the midnight sun at the North Cape, it is an experience you will never forget.