We didn’t try to count them all!

We set off on a local train this morning- just a couple of stops - to go to the Fushimi Inari Shrine. There are supposed to be more than 5000 gates dedicated to Inari, the god of rice and sake. Foxes are regarded as messengers.

There were all sorts of people there including some members of Japan’s self defence (they don’t have an army), people dressed in traditional costume, a group of older men, and a little boy about to have his blessing ceremony.

Phillip and I went down to the subway and made our way to the Nomura Tailor shop for Alison to see. Didn’t buy anything - I just wanted to see it. Three floors of fabrics, tools and haberdashery. Apparently there is a really interesting needle shop but it was closed that day.

While waiting for me Phillip found a cafe for lunch and an interesting arcade with lots of little shops.

The arcade intersected with Nishikikoji which has a great market. Like the fish market we went to in Tokyo, but newer buildings

We took our extremely tired feet back to the subway and managed to find our way back to the hotel with only a couple of unkind words and had a quiet meal at the shopping centre around the corner with Sue and Malcolm and another Melbourne couple on the tour.

Another 17,000 step day!