1. Fushimi Inari-taisha is the main Shinto shrine dedicated to the spirit of Inari, located in Fushimi-ku, one of the districts of Kyoto. The shrine stands at the base of a mountain also known as “Inari,” which features several trails leading to smaller shrines along the way.

1. A temple and a shrine are both places of worship, but they belong to different religious traditions in Japan:
2. Temple → associated with Buddhism. A temple is a place where Buddhist monks worship, live, or study. Temples often contain statues of the Buddha, incense, cemeteries, and large prayer halls.Example: Tōdai-ji
3. Shrine associated with Shintoism. A shrine is dedicated to kami (spirits or deities in Shinto religion). Shrines are recognizable by their torii gates, purification fountains, and natural surroundings. Example: Fushimi Inari-taisha

En el santuario Fushimi Inari-taisha hay aproximadamente 10,000 torii alineados a lo largo de los senderos que suben el monte Inari.

Los más famosos forman los túneles de color bermellón llamados Senbon Torii (“mil torii”), aunque el número real es mucho mayor que mil. Cada torii suele ser donado por empresas o particulares, y en la parte trasera aparece el nombre del donante y la fecha de donación.

1. This shrine, Fushimi Inari-taisha, is famous for the thousands of orange torii gates that mark the path up the hill where the shrine is located. The spirit of Inari is considered the protector of harvests, especially rice crops, and has therefore historically been associated with wealth. Companies often make offerings to Inari shrines in the form of sake barrels or torii gates. It is considered one of the most beautiful places in Kyoto and one of the symbols of Japan.

2. At Fushimi Inari-taisha there are approximately 10,000 torii  lined up along the trails that climb Mount Inari.

   The most famous section forms the vermilion-colored tunnels called Senbon Torii (“thousand torii”), although the actual number is much greater than a thousand. Each torii is usually donated by companies or individuals, and the donor’s name and donation date appear on the back of the gate.

1. The weather wasn’t on our side—it rained and rained and rained—but walking through the gardens while listening to the rain falling was actually a bit magical. We got back to the bus completely soaked, to be honest.

1. We took the bus again and headed to Nara Park. I imagine many people are familiar with the wild deer that roam freely through the park. As soon as they see you reach into your bag, they expect a cracker (you’re only allowed to feed them the ones sold in the park) and they surround you.
2. It was raining heavily when we visited the park, so the deer weren’t in their best shape either—soaked through. To be honest, I wasn’t very keen on touching them, so we just walked through without stopping. Before that, though, we visited the Tōdai-ji Temple, which is beautiful.

El templo Tōdaiji de Nara, Patrimonio de la Humanidad y testigo de 1.300 años de historia. Antes de entrar a un Templo uno tiene que purificarse siempre. 

1. The Tōdai-ji Temple in Nara, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and witness to 1,300 years of history. Before entering a temple, you must always purify yourself.

La estatua del Gran Buda, es la estructura de madera mas grande del mundo.

1. The Great Buddha statue is the largest wooden structure in the world.

El templo Tōdaiji, conocido por su Gran Buda, es el paraje turístico por excelencia de Nara, antigua capital de Japón. En su amplio recinto hay un sinnúmero de atractivos, y muchos de sus edificios han sido designados tesoros nacionales de Japón.

1. Tōdai-ji Temple, known for its Great Buddha, is Nara’s most iconic tourist attraction, Nara being Japan’s former capital. Within its vast grounds there are countless sights, and many of its buildings have been designated National Treasures of Japan.

Las estatuas Kongōrikishi también son conocidas como Niō. Con sus miradas fulminantes protegen el recinto, Agyō, con la boca totalmente abierta, y Ungyō, con la boca fuertemente cerrada.

1. The Kongōrikishi statues are also known as Niō. With their fierce, piercing gazes, they protect the temple grounds: Agyō, with his mouth wide open, and Ungyō, with his mouth tightly closed.

1. We had dinner walking through the streets from restaurant to restaurant — five in total — tasting 15 different dishes, as if we were in San Sebastián eating pintxos from bar to bar. The food was gorgeous, and the group couldn’t have been more cosmopolitan.

   The tour was, of course, in English, and there were some Americans, Canadians, a girl from Germany, and the two of us, so it was a great opportunity to practice our English. Believe me, almost nobody speaks English in Japan, and everything works just fine with Google Translate… Thank God for mobile phones in situations like these.

1. Billiken is a lucky charm that has become one of Osaka’s most iconic symbols. Although it is now strongly associated with Japanese culture, the “God of Things as They Should Be” was originally created in the United States.

   The charm can be seen everywhere in this district, near Tsutenkaku.

1. We finished our first day feeling full and exhausted after such an intense day. We actually spent only one night there, but it was enough to fall in love with the city. We ended the evening with fried ice cream topped with chocolate cream.