Photo= The Romon gate towers above the vermilion-lacquered torii gate. The emerging morning sun divinely illuminates the gate (October 8, Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine, Fushimi Ward, Kyoto) = shot from a drone

Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine, Fushimi Ward, Kyoto, is Kyoto's most famous tourist spot, and is visited by many people from Japan and abroad. About 30 minutes after sunrise, a drone was launched from the shrine approach with its lingering pre-dawn paleness. As the drone flew higher, a golden cluster was swelling against the ridge of Mt. Inari. Flying even higher, the dazzling sunlight spilled over, divinely illuminating the vermillion torii gateway and "Romon," the two-storied gate.

Despite the early morning hour, visitors were drawn through the two-storied gate, one after the other. The gate was built in 1589 using funds donated by Hideyoshi Toyotomi. Since then, the vermilion-lacquered gate has welcomed visitors as a symbol of Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine.

"Senbon torii," the path leading to Mt. Inari, a sacred area, is becoming increasingly popular. Recently, an anime set in neighboring areas has also been released. "Oinari-san," the shrine's nickname, has an everyday image, but the solemn aspect of this ancient site of worship can be seen as the shrine pavilions glisten in the rising sun.

"We would like people not only to visit the shrine, but also to take home knowledge of the Inari faith," said a shrine priest. Inari is a deity of agriculture. Feeling grateful for the blessings of

nature, people at the shrine involved in the drone video shooting put their hands together in thankful prayer for the successful work.

Unauthorized drone video-shooting over shrines, temples, public facilities, urban districts and other places is prohibited.

The Kyoto Shimbun uses drones to shoot videos with special permission and with due consideration for safety in the vicinity.