Tokyo
Kyoto
Typical Sunday "stroll & shop" near
Asakusa Kannon (Buddhist Shrine).
Asakusa Kannon (Buddhist Shrine).
Buddhist ritual - rub incense burner
smoke in hair & on skin to have
wishes granted.
smoke in hair & on skin to have
wishes granted.
A better view of the Asakusa Kannon
(Buddhist Shrine).
(Buddhist Shrine).
The Imperial Palace is completely
walled and surrounded by a moat.
The Emperor & his family still live here.
walled and surrounded by a moat.
The Emperor & his family still live here.
Buddha statues are in abundance.
Example of a Japanese urban garden.
View from our hotel room window -
Interesting architecture.
Interesting architecture.
Lots of trendy shopping options in
Hanajuku along Meiji-dori (street).
This store had an actual airplane on
the sales floor!
Hanajuku along Meiji-dori (street).
This store had an actual airplane on
the sales floor!
A fashion-conscious Tokyo teen
on Takeshita-dori, a small alley
in the Hanajuku neighborhood.
on Takeshita-dori, a small alley
in the Hanajuku neighborhood.
Lots of fog during our trip to Mt. Fuji.
We got one good photo!
We got one good photo!
Swan boats at Lake Ashinoko "Lake
Ashi" near city of Hakone.
Ashi" near city of Hakone.
A wonderfully kitchy souvenir available
from a shop at the Mt. Fuji summit.
from a shop at the Mt. Fuji summit.
Japanese Maple fall splendor in the
garden of the Golden Pavilion, a
glimmering legacy of medieval Japan.
garden of the Golden Pavilion, a
glimmering legacy of medieval Japan.
A gardener at work on the grounds of
the Golden Pavilion.
the Golden Pavilion.
Each of the three stories of the Golden
Pavilion is a different architectural style,
reflecting a period of Japan's history.
Pavilion is a different architectural style,
reflecting a period of Japan's history.
A serene pond is the focal point for
Oikeniwa Garden, on the grounds of
Kyoto's ancient Imperial Palace.
Oikeniwa Garden, on the grounds of
Kyoto's ancient Imperial Palace.
Great care was taken to recreate a
natural coastline complete with rocks
at the pond's edge.
natural coastline complete with rocks
at the pond's edge.
Stone lanterns (some are 800 years
old) line the pathway of the Kasuga
Shinto Temple in Nara (outside Kyoto).
old) line the pathway of the Kasuga
Shinto Temple in Nara (outside Kyoto).
The distinctive curved roofs use poles
of carved bamboo. Colors have much
meaning, e.g, orange repels evil spirits.
of carved bamboo. Colors have much
meaning, e.g, orange repels evil spirits.
Schoolchildren on a field trip to Kyoto's
ancient Imperial Palace.
ancient Imperial Palace.
A bit older (and more expressive)
schoolchildren at the Todaiji Temple in
Nara. Peace signs ARE universal!
schoolchildren at the Todaiji Temple in
Nara. Peace signs ARE universal!
The fish tales on the rooftop of Todaiji
Temple are to protect from fire. Oddly,
it's been damaged by fire twice.
Temple are to protect from fire. Oddly,
it's been damaged by fire twice.
Tadaiji Temple houses the largest
Buddha statue in Japan. Buddhists
"rely on the statue" when worried or
in times of trouble.
Buddha statue in Japan. Buddhists
"rely on the statue" when worried or
in times of trouble.
Bibs and bonnets are often placed
on statues by worshippers to provide
warmth and comfort to the statue
spirit.
on statues by worshippers to provide
warmth and comfort to the statue
spirit.
A herd of over 1,200 tame deer live
and thrive on the grounds of Todaiji
Temple and adjacent Kasuga Shrine.
and thrive on the grounds of Todaiji
Temple and adjacent Kasuga Shrine.
They really are tame!
At the Temple entrance, you can buy
rice crackers for $1.50 to feed the
ever-hungry deer.
rice crackers for $1.50 to feed the
ever-hungry deer.
Jostling with Gene for rice crackers!
Rita's turn to feed the mob!
The experience was fun, but a bit
overwhelming!
overwhelming!
Our hotel room in Kyoto at the Royal
Riga had shoji screens instead of
curtains.
Riga had shoji screens instead of
curtains.
What a great store name. "Three
Minutes Happiness" "Just 3 minutes...
enjoy shopping...a happy feeling!"
Minutes Happiness" "Just 3 minutes...
enjoy shopping...a happy feeling!"
Restaurants in high tourist areas - like
the Kyoto train station mall - often
display menu samples in the window.
the Kyoto train station mall - often
display menu samples in the window.
An interesting photo of ancient Kyoto
reflected in a mirrored modern office
building.
reflected in a mirrored modern office
building.
Temples often have beautifully
detailed carvings and ornamentation.
detailed carvings and ornamentation.
This Buddhist altar was priced at
nearly $10,000!
nearly $10,000!
An elaborate dragon fountain at the
Nishi-Honganji Temple.
Nishi-Honganji Temple.
A beautifully symmetrical building on
the grounds of Shosei-en gardens,
part of the Honganji temple complex.
the grounds of Shosei-en gardens,
part of the Honganji temple complex.
The walkway outside the
Sanjusangen-do Temple, the longest
wooden structure in the world.
Sanjusangen-do Temple, the longest
wooden structure in the world.
Formality and genteel behavior
observed at Takeshimaya Dept Store.
observed at Takeshimaya Dept Store.
A leisurely day of shopping (and
probably lunch!) at the Nishiki Food
Market.
probably lunch!) at the Nishiki Food
Market.
The Sanjusangen-do houses 1,001
wooden carved Kannon (goddesses of
mercy) statues.
wooden carved Kannon (goddesses of
mercy) statues.
Hip fashionistas at the "see and be
seen" Shin-kyogoku Shopping
Arcade.
seen" Shin-kyogoku Shopping
Arcade.
Tall, leggy and above-the-knee skin
is definitely on trend!
is definitely on trend!
A 100 Yen Shop...in other words, a
Japanese Dollar Store!
Japanese Dollar Store!