Snow at Hasedera Temple, Sakurai City, Nara
2024-12-22 I heard that winter peonies can be seen, then visited Hasedera Temple. But it was too much earlier than the season, and couldn't see any peony flowers. Just before arriving, it started to snow. There were very few tourists, so I was able to take photos in the quietest atmosphere at the main hall […]
Beautiful paintings on ceiling, Tachibana-deraTemple, Asuka, Nara
2024-12-04 I visited Tachibana-deta Temple in Asuka, Nara. Maples and ginkgo trees were deeply colored. There are several buildings in the temple, but at the Ojo-in, one of them, its ceiling inside is decorated with hundreds of flower paintings. I could take photos in the large tatami mat room lying alone face up because there […]
Autumn leaves at Tanzan-jinja Shrine
2024-12-01 Tanzan-jinja Shrine is a famous place for its autumn leaves, so visited in this morning to take photos. The red and yellow leaves shining through the sunlight were very beautiful. (All photos taken with SIGMA sd Quattro) The mountain air was so clear, and the ceramic figurine of oinari-san (the God helping the ordinary […]
Winter cherry blossoms at Hashimoto-in, Gose, Nara prefecture
2024-11-17 I learned that winter cherry blossoms are blooming at Hashimoto-in Temple even in this cold season, so visited the place. It was the day just after rain. Flowers of winter cherry were small, but they were definitely in bloom. Fallen leaves with water droplets were so beautiful. (All photos taken with SIGMA sd Quattro […]
430-year-old massive wooden structure - Kinpusenji Temple, Yoshino, Nara
2024-11-09 I visited autumn Yoshino mountain in Nara prefecture where Kinpusenji Temple stands at the altitude of 365m. The temple is truly magnificent. It is the second largest wooden building in Japan (Todaiji temple is the largest). (all photos taken with SIGMA sd Quattro H) Walked to Yoshimizu Shrine nearby and nostalgic shops along the […]
Nara-machi on an autumn day
2024-11-03 Today, it was so clear autumn day, and walked out to buy some Japanese sake that I prefer sold at its brewery. I took some photos around Nara-machi on the way. (All photos taken with SIGMA DP1 Merrill) I lost the way before arriving the brewery, but could stop by a shrine. Map
Plum blossom algae in Samegai, Maibara, Shiga Prefecture
2024-08-19 I learned that there is a rare algae that have small blooms like plum during summer, then visited Samegai in Shiga Prefecture. The algae grew in the waterway originated from a spring here, and had many flowers in the clear water or above the water that flows gently. (all photos taken with SIGMA sd […]
Lotus flowers at the Fujiwara Palace ruins 2024
2024-07-20 Every summer, lotus flowers are planted at the Fujiwara Palace ruins in Kashihara City, Nara Prefecture. I visited last year and had a great time, so I went this year again. It was a pretty hot day, and got much sweat during taking photos. (All photos taken with SIGMA sd Quattro H) On the […]
Hydrangea flowers at Hasedera Temple, Nara Prefecture
2024-06-08 The rainy season will be coming soon in Japan. And this is a hydrangea flower season. At Hasedera Temple in Sakurai City Nara, stairs in the temple are decorated with many hydrangea flowers right now. It was crowded with tourists, but the hydrangea flowers were really beautiful. I was surprised to see so many […]
Ryuchin Shrine, Nara Prefecture
2024-06-08 I visited Ryuchin Shrine near Muroji Temple which I visited recently. The shrine is standing deep in the mountains, but when I arrived around 9 am, several cars parked already. Ryuchin Shrine is built on huge rocks beside the stream, and surrounded by very sacred atmosphere. Not only the shrine but large rocks all […]