Beautiful faded orange and pink colors.
Today we decided to take the train to Kyoto, so we went to Osaka station and jumped in the Kyoto train (rapid line). It took us to the city in 30 minutes and the ride was very comfortable.
The scenery between Osaka and Kyoto doesn't change that much. It feels like you never left the city i.e. there is no empty space (forests and fields) between the two cities, which was a new experience.
We walked to the shrine area from the station, but you could have easily taken a train there as well, but since it's only a 30 min from the station, we decided to check out the area at the same time.
When you get closer the shrine, the streets become narrower and are lined with shops, restaurants and food stalls. You could buy something to eat and drink from here, but there is lots of opportunities to do that later during the hike. But the interesting stuff is available at the start of the route.
You should definitely try out adsuki bean and soy paste filled dango balls prepared by a nice lady, who owns the shop (see image below).
The dango balls weren't prepared in the usual way (grilled). The lady had a machine, where the dango was bouncing happily around.
Dango shop.
If you are a fan of macha ice cream, then you are in luck, because you can get amazing macha soft ice cream near the dango place. Continue to walk uphill approximately 70 meters and you will see on your right side a small shop selling soft ice cream. The bright green one will catch your eye and you should head towards the source of this heavenly green stuff. Just try it out and you will love it!
Ok, so after the food journey, you will finally arrive at the main shrine area and to the starting point of the hike. Everything will be so beautiful and exiting that you can't help but take tons of photos at the starting point. There will be lots of people here, so you will have a difficult time to take "clean" shots, but the good news is that you don't have to take photos at this point. The route has thousands of Torii's (gates) and you will be able to get your perfect shot without people in it. Just enjoy the experience and keep walking uphill.
At the end of the route, you will find a good reason to visit the shrine once more. One of the last shrine spots has a shop that sells small porcelain foxes made in Kyoto. Buy one for yourself, make a whish and take the fox to your home as a lucky charm. When your whish comes true, take the fox back to the shrine....
