A hike beyond the crowds

Climbing Mount Inari may have been about fighting the crowds and following the numerous tori that lined the trail, but it was also about the lush forest often ignored with the clamour.

Kyoto from Fushimi Inari-Taisha

Part of the way up offered a view of Kyoto where climbers lingered to cool off from the summer heat.

Osanba-ike Pond

But from that point onwards, the crowds thinned and I could hear birds, running water and wind sailing through the cedars. It was a mere four kilometre hike, but the 233 metre climb caused a few to catch their breath and even groan before reaching the top.