999 Torii Gates

Well, actually it is 1,000 Torii gates, but who's counting?  It was just up these stairs.

And over the bridge...first us.

 And then the grandparents....

We've been wanting to get to this place forever, and with Rachel's parents in town we had the perfect excuse to strap the kids in the car and take a drive.  Half of the adventure is navigating the confusing directions.  One thing about this place, it makes for a great race.  They should have filmed Chariots of Fire here.

 I know you are wondering what the tradition is behind these 1,000 Torii gates.  I'll tell you.  I don't know.

  I obviously was tempted to count but then got too scared.

 Can somebody count the gates on this picture as see what they get?

This place was quite interesting.  Not only did it have a bunch of gates, it also had a bunch of statues of dogs with bibs. Mina wanted to get on their back and ride them. 

 But had to settle for this gargoyle that we hope isn't sacred.

 

 And then we went to a random mall and ate dinner and Rachel and Marie both said it was their best meal in Japan.  And that was the weirdest part of the whole day.