The Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine near Kyoto is a serene, contemplative space… once you get past the madding crowds in the first section of torii gates near the entrance. Most people don’t do the full hike up to the top of Mount Inari, so you can find some solitude with just a little bit of effort. The vermilion gates are amazing photographic subjects, seemingly changing colour dramatically with different light falling on them. We had rain, bright sunshine, and even a little bit of hail during our visit, so we experienced all of their moods!

Camera: Canon EOS 7D
Lens: Canon EF-S 15–85mm
Exposure: ISO 800, 1/40 sec at ƒ/5.6, exposure bias -1 EV