This week we go to one of my most favorite places in the world – The Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto, Japan. I took my mom’s 20 year old camera and some old film and decided to make the best of what I had.
The set that came out was amazing and bizarre. I am lucky enough to have a mother that was really into photography during her life. She gifted me her trusty old analog Canon to take with me during our journey. Excuse the grain as I think it adds to the ethereal experience of this wonderful shrine.
Fushimi Inari Taisha (伏見稲荷大社?) is the head shrine of Inari, located in Fushimi-ku, Kyoto, Japan. The shrine sits at the base of a mountain also named Inari which is 233 metres above sea level, and includes trails up the mountain to many smaller shrines.
Since early Japan Inari was seen as the patron of business, and merchants and manufacturers have traditionally worshipped Inari. Each of the torii at Fushimi Inari Taisha is donated by a Japanese business. First and foremost, though, Inari is the god of rice.
This popular shrine is said to have as many as 32,000 sub-shrines (bunsha (分社?)) throughout Japan. – Wikipedia
Address: 68 Fukakusa Yabunouchicho, Fushimi-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture 612-0882, Japan
Hours: Always open
Cost: FREE
Length: 2-3 hours
This is stunning. Grainy or not, I love the effect!
I started on an old 1970s Canon camera. Everything was manual and I used a light meter. I still love the camera and agree that the graininess gives it character.
Love the color and the perspective of this shot. I have an old Minolta of my dads, I feel a little dirty letting it sit in a case unused but I’M too lazy to deal with film.
@C&C: Thank you!
@Ayngelina: My mom’s was a Canon from the 80s – mostly manual. The shutter started sticking mid trip to Japan or I would have had more to show for it!
@Nick: I know many people who love their old Minoltas. You should take it out just to play with it. If I had a bajillion dollars I would make my own darkroom and such. Film is starting to be a lost art!
Love the effect, Erica! Fushimi Inari is one of our favorites, too.
you are right about the grain, it looks better with it
@Akila: Thank you! I think I was a bit annoying when we arrived in Kyoto because I wanted to make sure we didn’t miss it. If we weren’t on such of a time crunch I think I could have spent all day there.
Kyoto is one of my favourite places in the world. I was actually there when I was 13, and I can’t wait to make it back someday. I like the grainy look, it reminds me of the old photos I took when I was there.
I especially love the varying shades of red on the post with the Japanese characters, incredible shot!
gorgeous! what does it say on those pillars?
@Brendan: I wish we would have had more time to explore. Did you get to hang around the tea houses?
@Migrationology: Thank you! This is one of my favs.
@Joshy: They are names of businesses/families if I am not mistaken.
Very cool! I love it. I’ve been thinking of going back to film – it only it weren’t so darn expensive!! This looks great Erica 🙂
do you have a twitter button on here?
Red the lucky happy color for Asian culture…nice picture too. I can read some of the characters on the pole!~ 😀
@Beth: I would LOVE to do film but yeah – SUPER expensive. Going digital for my trip. As for the tweet button – thank you for giving me a heads up. I have no clue how long it has been missing. I had been baffled on why I was not getting any RTs.
@Sarah: Thank you! I would love to know what some of the poles said!
Your photo is awesome as usual. It’s one of the best things I like about your blog… can always expect to be inspired here. 🙂
@Jenny: *blush*
Oh yes, the grain adds to this photo! I love it! I’m putting this on my list of places to visit. 🙂
@MyTravelingLens: Thank you! I wish I could bring more cameras on my upcoming trip but I would have to drag extra luggage!
This photo is gorgeous!
@Samantha: Thank you!