If you visit Japan, you'll want to see Kyoto; and if you're going to be in Kyoto, you absolutely must make sure that the Fushimi Inari Shrine is on your list of places to visit. For starters, it's completely free. Secondly, it's absolutely spectacular!

Situated just a short walk from the respective Inari stations on either the JR line or Keihan Main Line, a trail leads you up the mountain through the forest. The pathway is covered by over 10,000 orange torii gates. Expect to take some time here, as the path ascends over 200m and is quite a long trail.

Along your journey, you'll find torii gates large and small. Depending on timing, you may find a lot of other people there too. I recommend arriving as early as possible (around sunrise) to enjoy the place in the calm morning light without people passing you by constantly.

Here is one of the first sights you'll find once you finally enter the trail: