I've described Fushimi Inari (near Kyoto) as my favourite place in Japan. There are thousands of these bright torii gates lined up forming a tunnel. My return visit with Skye didn't disappoint. Inari is also well known as the birthplace of Inari sushi, which are famous around the world as the sweet tofu pockets of rice. I had to have one today in Anari. Tonight, I'm taking Skye for dinner on the Shinkansen to Harborland in Osaka.

Today we were pilgrims on a journey to Koyasan. It is a special town 100minutes by train from Osaka. It is a lovely ride away from the hustling city of 8million! The train winds itself up into the hills, lush with trees and valleys. At the last stop you change onto a tram on a cog railway that takes you high up to a plateau. We bought a pass for the day to get around and joined others for a very windy road leading into the forested ancient town. (cue misty clouds...

We took a day trip to Mt. Koya (or Koyasan) on the Nankai train line. Koyasan is the home of over a thousand temples and the final resting place for Japan's first Buddhist monk. This picture shows one grave plot in a massive traditional cemetery. The town, and surrounding mountains, have plenty of atmosphere and mystery, with ancient forests and plenty of fog and mist. With all the temples, Koyasan seems other-worldly, and I wouldn't have been surprised to se...

Today's adventure took us by train to Arashiyama, an area of Kyoto known for its zen gardens, temples, bamboo forests and monkeys. Yep, I said monkeys!! And we saw it all. How beautiful the view of a zen garden with contemplative rock gardens to gaze at from the tatami mats of the temple. How luscious the forests of bamboo, and oh how tall and peaceful. We stopped for tea at one of the gardens and enjoyed the Japanese hospitality. The highlight for me was the hik...

We went to Arashiyama, which is a neighbourhood of Kyoto. The area is famous for its bamboo grove. Beautiful, but the grove was smaller than I expected.