The Fushimi Inari Shrine is a Shinto shrine in Kyoto dedicated to Inari, the god of rice, and is famous for its thousands of torii gates that seem to extend forever into infinity, lining nature’s path all the way to the top of Inari mountain. Of all places in Kyoto, this site was among my top favourites, for the long and arduous climb for me was more than a physical one: It was also symbolically a process of transience and perpetual self-growth.

Written blessings by visitors

Foxes abound here, for they are said to be Inari’s messengers

After twists and turns and going in the wrong direction, I made it to the top of Mount Inari, which stood at 233m high. For those who persevered, reaching the summit was a treat. Unlike on the grounds, the summit was deserted with only a small number of fellow hikers — a pleasant breather! More importantly, as a foreigner to religious and cultural customs in Japan, it was an honour and a beautiful moment to witness locals paying their respects.

Yotsutsuji intersection – resting area offering a neat view of the city, which was reachable within 30-45 min of the ascent

I hadn’t eaten anything since waking up, and feeling hungry from the hike, I sure was glad to see food stalls lining the entrance, especially one that sold takoyaki (octopus balls), a popular Japanese street snack which consists of batter, octopus, pickled ginger, green onions, takoyaki sauce, mayo, and tempura flakes! It was a food item that I’d intended to try while in Japan, and finally, I got to check it off my list.