To Fushimi Inari Taisha at Night
Visited: April 29, 2025
After missing both Fukujuen and Byodoin Temple in Uji, I felt it was too early to call it a day—
so I decided to head to Fushimi Inari Taisha for a night visit.
Fushimi Inari is one of the few shrines in Japan open for worship even after dark.
When most tourist sites close, this sacred place remains alive,
offering a quiet walk through the thousand torii gates free from the daytime crowds.
However, the paths can be quite dark, with uneven stone steps and gentle slopes,
so comfortable shoes are a must.
A few lanterns light the way, but the shadows only deepen the mystical atmosphere.
By the time I arrived—around 7:00 p.m.—
the bustling energy of daytime Kyoto had faded into silence.
The tunnel of vermilion gates stretched ahead, glowing softly under the night sky.
The Enchantment of the Thousand Torii Gates
The red torii gates glowed softly under scattered lights,
each one casting long shadows across the path.
Only my footsteps echoed—sounds I never noticed during the day.
There were few visitors, mostly families from overseas.
For Japanese people, this is usually a place to visit in daylight,
but for them, it’s a safe and magical experience even after dark.
At that moment, I was struck by how differently we see the same night.
A Dialogue While Walking
After walking for about thirty minutes,
I felt as if I could keep going a little farther.
But then I remembered tomorrow’s work and decided to stop there.
It reminded me of what I learned during my Shikoku Pilgrimage:
the importance of knowing when to pause rather than to push on.
Both courage to move forward and courage to turn back
are equally essential parts of every journey.
What Stayed in My Heart
Walking through the quiet torii with a quiet heart.
Whether I move forward or turn back — the journey goes on.
Even within a short time,
that night walk through the Thousand Torii left a deep mark in my memory.
The quiet realization that “Japan is a country where you can walk safely at night”
and the gentle reminder that “every journey needs its own empty space.”
These two truths felt like the perfect gifts
to end a long, unpredictable day.
Looking Back on the Day’s Journey
Takatsuki — An Accidental Encounter at the “Crying Sumo” Festival
Nagaoka Tenjin — The Spring Delight of a Bamboo Set
Oyamazaki — A Taisho-era Villa Born from Wealth and Ambition
Uji — Duck Roast and Memories of My Father
Fushimi Inari — The Thousand Torii Gates Illuminated at Night
It was a patchwork journey without a plan,
yet looking back, it became a story of its own.
Travel memories often linger through the flavors we taste.
You can read more about the “Beauty & Taste” experiences from this day below:
Each dish added its own flavor and memory to this journey.
- 👉 🍵Beauty & Taste (Osaka–Kyoto) ①Takatsuki- Udon Gyoza | YUMEVOJA
- 👉 🍵 Beauty & Taste (Osaka–Kyoto) ② / ③ Nagaoka Tenjin-The Bamboo Shoot Set Meal | YUMEVOJA
- 👉 🍵Beauty & Taste (Osaka – Kyoto) ③/ ③Ōyamazaki & Uji -Duck Roast and the Luxurious “Choi-Nomi” Set |
YUMEVOJA
🦊 After enjoying the mystical glow of the Thousand Torii at night, the day came to an end.
Including all the “Beauty & Taste” moments, I realized how quickly time had passed—
a day filled to the brim with flavors, sights, and serendipity.
Honestly, it was such a reckless itinerary that I can’t really recommend it (lol).
But here it is—my record of the day!
📍 Below is the “for your amusement only” full route map.
Each red pin includes a short note—feel free to explore it and smile along the way!
📖 Looking back on the day in a short digest…
🚉 Stopover Journey (Osaka – Kyoto) ① Takatsuki: A Fort Walk and a Chance Encounter with the “Crying Sumo”
Arrived at Hankyu Takatsuki-shi Station, took a stroll around Takatsuki Castle Park, and visited the local history museum.
By pure chance, I came across the “Crying Sumo” festival at Nomi Shrine.
Finally, I enjoyed a local specialty lunch — Udon Gyoza.
Takatsuki actually has two train stations:
- JR Takatsuki Station – the main line connecting Osaka and Kyoto (closer to sightseeing spots)
- Hankyu Takatsuki-shi Station – surrounded by shopping streets and local eateries
The two stations are about a 7–10 minute walk apart.
On this trip, I started from Hankyu Takatsuki-shi Station, explored the castle ruins, tasted the famous Udon Gyoza, and then moved on to Nagaoka Tenjin for the next stop.
🌸 Stopover Journey (Osaka – Kyoto) ② Nagaoka Tenjin: A Seasonal “Bamboo Feast”
I took the train from Hankyu Takatsuki-shi Station to Hankyu Nagaoka Tenjin Station. visited Nagaoka Tenmangu Shrine,
strolled around the Hachijo Pond, and finally enjoyed a local specialty —
the “Take Gozen”, a spring bamboo-themed set meal.
Stopover Journey (Osaka – Kyoto) ③ Oyamazaki & Uji
The Rise and Fall of a Mountain Villa, and a Dinner That Reminded Me of My Father
Visited the Asahi Group Oyamazaki Villa Museum of Art, admiring the gardens and architecture that spread out at the end of the slope.
Then transferred to JR and headed to Uji, but couldn’t make it in time for Fukujuen and Byodoin Temple.
Guided by AI, I ended up at a cozy restaurant called Roji, where I enjoyed a dinner of roasted duck and a small drinking set menu.
🦊 Stopover Journey (Osaka – Kyoto) ④ Night of the Thousand Torii – Fushimi Inari Shrine
The journey ends at Fushimi Inari Taisha,
where I took a quiet night walk through the Thousand Torii Gates,
wrapping up the day with the shrine’s serene and mystical atmosphere.
📎 Related Posts
Click to read more:
👉 🚉Stopover Journey (Osaka – Kyoto) ① / ④ Takatsuki- A Fort Walk and a Chance Encounter with the ‘Crying Sumo’ |YUMEVOJA
👉 🚉Stopover Journey (Osaka – Kyoto) ④/④ Night at the Thousand Torii Gates – YUMEVOJA
Today’s bonus capsule!
✨ Gateway to the Showa Era―The Rose of Versailles
The Showa era (1926–1989) was a time when modern technology and ideas began to transform everyday life in Japan.
🌹 Memories of Showa
My encounter with The Rose of Versailles began not with the manga, but with the anime.
The brilliant opening theme, the elegance of Oscar’s presence —
I was captivated, holding my breath in front of the TV each week.
Later, I discovered the Takarazuka Revue,
an all-female theater company where women perform both male and female roles.
It is a world that expresses the dreams and ideals of women —
a dazzling stage of elegance, strength, and emotion.
My mother and I went to see The Rose of Versailles there many times,
following our favorite troupe and beloved star with shared excitement.
We watched other troupes as well,
but our oshi — our favorite group — always shone the brightest in our hearts.
My mother once told me that, in her own girlhood,
she too had been fascinated by Takarazuka.
She would speak fondly of the stars and performances of her time,
and I loved listening to those stories.
The warm glow of the stage lights, the applause that filled the theater,
and the moment our eyes met as we smiled —
those memories remain a gentle light from the Showa era.
🌸 Today
Now, both anime and theater can be streamed online.
Fans around the world can enjoy the same story in real time.
What was once the dream of Japanese girls has become
a beloved “Versailles no Bara” for the entire world.
Technology may have changed, but the thrill that rises in our hearts remains the same.
Still, the tremor in the air of a live theater —
that feeling can never be replaced.
🌍 Across the World
The Rose of Versailles is still known abroad as a Japanese classic.
Many people began learning French or Japanese after watching the anime.
For them, Oscar and André are timeless symbols —
bridging eras, languages, and borders.
What once captured the hearts of Showa-era girls
now continues to inspire dreamers around the world.
💭 Reflection
While looking at a photo of the Senbon Torii at Fushimi Inari Shrine,
I felt an unexpected connection to The Rose of Versailles.
Both radiate overwhelming beauty and brilliance —
and yet, behind that brilliance lies a quiet darkness.
Oscar, the heroine of Berubara,
was a woman who lived as a man for the sake of her family.
Her light was dazzling,
but within that radiance also lived solitude and conflict — her shadow.
In the night photo of the Senbon Torii,
the vivid red path of light stands surrounded by darkness.
It reminds me that what we see is never the whole truth —
light becomes beautiful only because darkness exists beside it.
And I think about my own journey.
My wish to learn French began with The Rose of Versailles.
Its elegance and passion sparked a deep admiration for France that has stayed with me ever since.
Today, my YouTube series “Door to French” is built upon that very admiration —
its thumbnails and characters inspired by the dream that began long ago with Berubara.
The dreams of Showa still live on within me,
shining in new forms under the same timeless light.