Exploring Fushimi Inari: A Spiritual Journey

We walked to the top of Mount Inari today. My mother decided to make the ascent as soon as we arrived at Fushimi Inari. She was determined, emphasizing that this would be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Although Mount Inari’s summit is only a 233 m climb, it is not a straightforward ascent. My mom suffers from osteoarthritis, and hiking a mountain is not easy for her. Fortunately, the path is mostly well-paved stairs, which made the climb manageable.

After about an hour of walking, we made it to the top. My mother paused at nearly every shrine along the way, purchasing 80 candles to light at many of them. I assisted her in lighting each candle, making the experience even more special.

Our day revolved around Fushimi Inari Shrine and climbing Mount Inari. I hadn’t anticipated spending so much time here. On my last visit with Hiromi, we skipped the climb to fit in other temple and garden visits. However, I do not regret taking our time to fully explore Fushimi Inari Shrine and Mount Inari.

As we ascended, we enjoyed stunning views, and the further we went, the thinner the crowds became. This allowed us some much-needed quiet and spiritual space to reflect.