The city is famous for its 1,600 Buddhist temples

400 Shinto shrines

palaces, gardens

and amazing architecture

it is a must-see place on any visitors itinerary to Japan

it's especially crowded on the holidays

weekends and well just about all the time with foreign tourists

but there's a way to escape the crowds rent a bicycle

Kyoto Cycling Tour Project is one of many operators renting bicycles to

tourists

I reserved a bicycle on-line. The most basic one

Only 1,000 yen a day

KCTP also gives guided tours of the city by bicycle

So you never get lost among the thousands of attractions

They have everything KYOTO

The map is a must

only one hundred yen

here we are!!

There she is. What a sweet ride

there's some traffic rules to follow

and it's good to know what to expect on the roads

the city center is quite urban with lots of traffic

That's KYOTO station over there

Stay to the left and avoid the sidewalks where pedestrians walk

it's about a 20 to 30 minute ride from KC TP

to FUSHIMI INARI TAISHA grand shrine Let's see what's on the road to our goal

sometimes there are special paths designated for bicycles

these are great but they're quite rare

There's the JR train heading back to KYOTO station

from FUSHIMI INARIshrine

Down along the riverside there are no cars or traffic lights

but sometimes the path just ends and you have to get back on the main road

there are people, cars, motorcycles

and other Bicycles so head forward and be careful

we're almost there

We're here!!

Japan's number one site for foreign tourists

let's find out why

the TORII or gates start a few minutes into the shrine grounds

walk past it for 15 minutes and you're here!!

A bright tunnel through the foothill forest

it's really peacefu

the Torii spread out more and more the further you walk from the entrance

by the entrance its packed!!

only a few centimeters separate each gate

they seem to go on forever

as you continue walking

the step start to get steeper

the path becomes

darker under the forest canopy and many gates

every now and then

you'll find rest huts where you can take a break but my time is limited

this is as far as I got in 30 minutes were here

and I still have to go

all the way to

get to the top

another hour and a half

that just means I have to come back

at night

I had a lot of questions to ask

FUSHIMI INARI TAISHA has become the top spot for foreign tourists

was it because it was featured in a hollywood film??

now the real question who actually has to clean all these TORII?

I'm back

it's dark and cold outside

the tourists are all gone

it's quiet

although the official hours are 10 to 4 p.m.

the shrine is actually open 24 hours a day

at night it takes on a totally different feel

which way should I go

it's part of the mystery

perhaps a follow this runner

but he disappears into the dark again

indiana Jones size spiders

the symbol of a true adventure

and these creatures

CATS!

They are everywhere and pop in and out from the dark force beyond

Some are friendly but beware they may drag you into the great unknown outside the safety of the tunnel

Or just kill you with cuteness

you never know

oh there is more!

without the crowds it took half the time to get to the top

this is the top

really quiet

nobody here

There is nowhere to go except down

so when you're in Kyoto and looking for an adventure

journey the four kilometer path to the top of FUSHIMIINARI shrine mountain

at night

avoid the crowds

and enjoy the hike