Day 13: Shrines, Sake, and Shabu-Shabu

Our final day in Kyoto began with one of Japan’s most recognisable landmarks—Fushimi Inari Shrine. Famous for its seemingly endless trail of over 10,000 bright vermillion torii gates, the shrine winds its way up Mount Inari and has long been a symbol of devotion and good fortune. Each gate has been donated by individuals or companies from across Japan, with names and dates inscribed on the sides, creating a living record of faith and tradition.

As expected for such a popular destination, the base of the shrine was busy with visitors and photographers. With limited time, we weren’t able to climb all the way to the summit, but we did manage to reach a checkpoint about 20 minutes up the trail. The incline was a workout, but the effort paid off with a fantastic view over the city of Kyoto, stretching out below the forested slopes.

On the way up, we passed a few vending machines tucked into the trail for hikers in need of refreshments. I joked to one of the others on the tour about how brutal it must be to restock them—only for us to round a corner minutes later and spot a man hauling crates of drinks up the path. Respect.

After descending through the winding gates, we headed to a nearby sake museum to learn about the brewing process behind Japan’s famous rice wine. The tour offered a brief but detailed explanation of the fermentation method, the history of the brewery, and even a few of their old TV commercials—which were delightfully quirky and gave a sense of the brand’s personality over the decades.

At the end of the tour, we were invited to sample two varieties of sake. Although I don’t usually drink, I gave them a try. The flavours were smooth and nuanced, but I’m still not quite sure how people manage more than a few sips—especially given how much some locals seem to enjoy it!

For our final dinner in Kyoto, a group of us opted into an optional shabu-shabu dinner. With thinly sliced meat and fresh vegetables cooked in a bubbling pot of broth at the table, it’s a hands-on meal that feels both communal and deeply satisfying. This time we chose a Korean-style spicy broth, and the flavour blew the previous shabu-shabu we’d had out of the water. The spice balanced beautifully with the sweetness of the meat and vegetables, and each bite had a kick without overpowering the ingredients.

After dinner, we returned to the hotel to pack up and prepare for our next journey—tomorrow, we board the bullet train and head south toward Hiroshima.


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