Kyoto

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First on the list was Fushiri Inari Taisha - a Shinto shrine that dates back to the 8th century. It is famous for the (over) 10,000 tori gates that snake their way up the hillside. The peak is only 233m high so not quite a mountain! I didn't count but there must be three times the number of steps on the route up and down? Halfway up you do get a good view of the sprawl of Kyoto.

Next was a trip to Kyomizu-Dera, a Buddhist temple built on the side of a mountain. What is most impressive with this temple is the wooden-stilt structure that supports the entire thing.The surrounding area is a maze of aleyways filled with shops and restaurants (izakayas).

Last stop on the way back to the hotel was a stroll through the Gion district.

The following day I took a train to Arashiyama, just outside Kyoto. Here you will find a bamboo forest and a Monkey Park.