Fushimi Inari Taisha/Red Torii Gates:Fushimi Inari Shrine/Red Torii Gates is an important Shinto shrine in southern Kyoto. It is famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates, which straddle a network of trails behind its main buildings. The trails lead into the wooded forest of the sacred Mount Inari, which stands at 233 meters and belongs to the shrine grounds.
Fushimi Inari is the most important of several thousands of shrines dedicated to Inari, the Shinto god of rice. Foxes are thought to be Inari's messengers, resulting in many fox statues across the shrine grounds. Fushimi Inari Shrine has ancient origins, predating the capital's move to Kyoto in 794.
Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum:The Fushimi district of Kyoto is one of the foremost sake-brewing areas in all of Japan. The Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum is a space where visitors can sense the spirit of Fushimi, its history and sake culture; and of Gekkeikan, a company that has led the development of sake-brewing in this area. After visiting the Museum, enjoy tasting a range of sakes brewed with the underground water that is Fushimi's natural bounty, using traditional techniques honed through our history of challenge and creativity.
Nara Park:Nara Park is a large park in central Nara. Established in 1880, it is the location of many of Nara's main attractions including Todaiji, Kasuga Taisha, Kofukuji and the Nara National Museum. It is also home to hundreds of freely roaming deer.Considered the messengers of the gods, Nara's over 1000 deer have become a symbol of the city and have even been designated as a natural treasure. Deer crackers are for sale around the park, and some deer have learned to bow to visitors to ask to be fed. Nara's deer are surprisingly tame, although they can be aggressive if they think you will feed them, so make sure not to tease them with food.
Todai-ji Temple:Todaiji is one of the most impressive temples in Japan, and plays a major role in Japanese history through the ages. You approach Todaiji Temple through the Nandaimon (Great Southern Gate), where you are confronted by the fierce Nio figures that guard the approach to the Great Buddha. Carved by famous sculptors Unkei and Kaikei, around the 12th century AD, they are two of the finest examples in Japan. The Daibutsuden (Great Buddha Hall), one of the world’s largest wooden structures, is breathtaking in its scale and architecture. Standing in front of the hall, you will see a large octagonal bronze lantern: one of the temple’s oldest treasures.