Cerf by Berni Stephanus

Posted on 2024-12-25

C'est dans le parc de Nara (Japon) où vivent des cerfs et des biches apprivoisés. Ils viennent vers vous pour recevoir un biscuit. Certains ont même appris le remerciement à la japonaise. J'ai été frappé par l'analogie des bois (du cerf) et les racines apparentes.

Tokyo Tower by Sachiko

Posted on 2022-01-04

Tokyo Tower

The official name of Tokyo Tower is Japan Radio Tower.
Tokyo Tower is a broadcasting tower built in 1958 in Shiba Park, Minato-ku, Tokyo.
Tokyo Tower is 333 meters tall.

COVID Kyoto by Stu

Posted on 2020-06-25

This is the entrance to a temple called Kiyo Mizu Dera, prior to the Corona virus one of the most popular tourist attractions in Kyoto, but now lying almost deserted. Usually this area would be pandemonium but these days only a few locals walk around the precincts allowing me to capture this view of the gate with the city stretching out to the West behind it. These ancient sites only started being overrun with tourists six or seven years ago so, oddly, the virus has brought back what might be described as a sense of normalcy. I came up here to take a few shots as part of a project for The Kyoto Journal, a quarterly publication, to document the city during the pandemic, taking advantage of the lax lock-down rules here in Japan. It reminded me of the Kyoto I arrived in 17 years ago, way before the inbound boom, when you could come up here at any time and see it like this. Many, including myself, feel that Kyoto has become a victim of its own success.

the driver by Stu

Posted on 2019-10-31

The Kosei line runs from Kyoto up the West side of Lake Biwa and tends to feature this older, more basic style of train, even though some of them look brand new. They are noisy and bumpy. Perhaps they're cheaper and the lower passenger numbers on this route don't justify the expense of the modern style trains.

Nijō Castle #1 by Hiro

Posted on 2019-09-18

Nijō Castle is originally built in 1603 by Tokugawa Shogunate. It was used as an Imperial Villa after 1884. It is now owned by Kyoto City government and one of the World Heritage Site. It is open to the public, so you can enjoy the inside. This is the picture of the Southern Gate, which is now normally closed.
August 25, 2019 @二条城

Tuna Special, Osaka by Daryl Johnson

Posted on 2019-07-03

This Japanese pub, or izakaya, we visited was having a special event, auctioning off cuts of a whole tuna, which were prepared in various ways for the winning customers - grilled, deep fried, sashimi, depending on the best way to prepare whatever you bid for. We won the grilled cheeks, which were lovely.

I remember my homeland by Hiro

Posted on 2018-10-20

This was shot in a zoo. I'm not sure where he came from. But I think he howls sadly remembering his homeland. Listen to his how...

Yearning by Chris

Posted on 2018-01-22

I silence my thoughts as it cries
come here, come here
talk to me, talk to me.

My eyes glimmer and
glance towards you, ready to
look away if you turn,
but you don't, you don't.

My lips they say: Just leave
I don't care, I don't care.

My heart, it hurts
because I do.

Elana Wong

Seeing the Inland Sea of Japan(Setonaikai)...... by Etsu

Posted on 2017-04-01

Seeing the Inland Sea of Japan.

Ryokan Dinner, Kurashiki by Daryl Johnson

Posted on 2017-01-20

A party of ladies enjoying dinner at the ryokan (Japanese inn) we stayed at. Dinner at a ryokan is always special...

A Trip to the Anpanman Museum, Kobe 2 by Daryl Johnson

Posted on 2016-03-18

So serious... Mia was studying this diorama very carefully...

The Buddha of Healing by Steve Rice

Posted on 2016-01-15

The medicine jar in his left hand identifies him as Yakushi Nyorai, the Buddha of Healing.

Nokogiriyama

Tortoise Spa Day by Daryl Johnson

Posted on 2024-03-25

We were quite shocked to see how the turtles at the resort aquarium were being kept - until the keeper explained that it was bath day; the turtles are having a special cleansing bath, before being health-checked and returned to their (much larger sized) pool.

heading to work by Stu

Posted on 2023-08-31

Myoshin-ji was founded in 1337 when an abdicated emperor had an imperial villa converted into a Zen temple. The enormous Zen temple complex includes about 50 sub-temples in addition to its main buildings. While a few of the temple halls can be entered, the majority of the sub-temples are closed to the public. However, visitors are free to wander along the many walking paths like this one here.

The quiet atmosphere and the complete lack of electricity poles and wires make this a great place to wander around for an hour or two. You feel that you've time-slipped back to the 14th century.

pastures of plenty in Saga Arashiyama, Kyoto by Stu

Posted on 2021-09-30

This is Saga which lies on the Western edge of Kyoto city. Actually, it's impossible to go any further west as this is where the city meets the mountains. This area of the city is known as a popular tourist attraction but not this part and that's precisely why I love it. A short distance from the tourist traps is this large area of farm land which from spring through to the end of summer is teeming with life. This scene shows golden rice fields that will likely be harvested in the coming days. What I particularly love though is the red spider lily that the Japanese call "higanbana" which translates as "equinox flower". They pop up around the rice fields at the time of the equinox and their toxicity keeps vermin away, but despite this they are extremely beautiful. I've been trying to capture the "perfect" higanbana shot for many years (as a click on the higanbana tag below will attest to) but it has so far eluded me. Perhaps next year...

Strike while the iron is hot #3 by Hiro

Posted on 2019-01-14

The old man is 藤安将平, Shohei FUJIYASU, one of the few Japanese sword masters. Japanese sword, 刀 KATANA, is made through many processes. He is now forging the iron.
A smartphone game in which swords are anthropomorphized is popular among young women. A lot of game fans gathered to watch KATANA forging exhibition.
Look at the sparks ! Aren't they beautiful ? The master heats the iron in burning charcoal.

Whose sandals ? #1 by Hiro

Posted on 2018-06-08

Here, you see a pair of big straw sandals. They are adorned to pray that people will not weaken their legs.

Piknik / Picnic by Vaido

Posted on 2019-05-09

In Japan, the Golden Week is a series of four national holidays that take place within one week at the end of April to the beginning of May each year. It is often considered a time of vacation for the Japanese people, and many people receive time off from their secular employment on these bank holidays. Photo is taken in ancient capital Nara, where deers, living in the parks, are also happy about the company.

Autumnal view, November 24 #8 by Hiro

Posted on 2018-12-12

We have lots of temples in Kyoto. Many of them have beautiful gardens. Red, orange, yellow...we can enjoy autumn colors there. The view is not the only thing you can enjoy. Tea. The combination of autumn leaves and Japanese Matcha bring you great happiness.

Street Market, Kochi 2 by Daryl Johnson

Posted on 2018-08-11

Knife sellers are very common in markets in Japan. Ones run by dogs are not though.

Across the Seto-Ohashi 3 by Daryl Johnson

Posted on 2018-01-22

Same journey as recorded here and here in 2008. Ten Years... where does the time go?

Always impressive to be able to be in the front of the train on this route, crossing the massive Seto-Ohashi bridge from Honshu to Shikoku.

Young blood #5 by Hiro

Posted on 2017-03-31

Japanese style cheerleading.
March 20, 2017 @甲子園球場
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_High_School_Baseball_Invitational_Tournament

Early Morning, Omoto 23 by Daryl Johnson

Posted on 2016-09-19

Closer look at the shells from yesterday's image. This restaurant would have been serving suppon - soft-shelled turtle, a popular Japanese dish, often served in a nabe hot pot.

Yes, There are Many Steps by Steve Rice

Posted on 2016-05-31

It's a long but interesting climb up to the shrine.
Yes, There are Many Steps

Isaniwa-jinja
Matsuyama, Japan

Nerve Center by Steve Rice

Posted on 2015-09-27

The red brick building was the mine's general office. Also, It housed a communal bath for the miners. The water was said to always be pitch black. The miners worked in terribly hot and humid conditions as far as 3,600 feet (1,100 meters) below the sea bed. As is typical of mining operations, gas explosions were an ever-present danger.

A day of pink cherries #1 by Hiro

Posted on 2015-03-23

This species is called "Okame", which is named after a pretty woman. This is the agrotype of two kinds. It's English cherry researcher Mr. Ingram's work. This is also early type blooming in March.
March 21, 2015@長徳寺

A Day to Remember by Stu

Posted on 2023-11-26

The Japanese Coming of Age Day Ceremony is held on the second Monday of January every year to celebrate those who have reached the legal age of adulthood between April 2nd of the prior year and April 1st of the current year. The ceremony is not sponsored by the Japanese government but is held by each municipality independently. The age of adulthood was lowered from 20 to 18 in April 2022, but some municipalities continue to set the age eligible for participating in the Ceremony at 20, while others have lowered it to 18. The ceremony has been held since time immemorial in Japan, with boys marking their transition to adulthood when they were around 15 and girls celebrating their coming of age when they turned 13 or so. Currently, most places in Japan hold the ceremony either on that Monday or one day earlier on the Sunday. I love this scene of a happy, family moment.

on November 25 #1 by Hiro

Posted on 2021-12-11

This is the most famous ginkgo tree in Kyoto. Located in Nishi-Honganji Temple. It is said older than 400 years. The trunk circumference is 6.5m, the height is 7.0m. The branches spread laterally, and the width is more than twice the height.
It is called Water-Blowing Ginkgo because it blew water at the time of the fire. I don't think it's true, but it's likely that it didn't burn when it was hit by a big fire.

biwako canal by Stu

Posted on 2021-04-01

The portal of the Biwako Canal in Otsu. This is a historic waterway constructed to transport water for crop irrigation and industrial purposes as well as conveyance of freight from Lake Biwa to Kyoto.

The happy bride by : Helen :

Posted on 2019-11-06

Fortune had it that a young couple were having their wedding photoshoot on the island. They were quite honoured to have a foreigner join their photographers.

Sanjusangendo Garden by Darkelf Photography

Posted on 2014-04-29

A beautiful garden near the Sanjusagendo Temple in Kyoto with the wonderful cherry blossoms in full bloom. This temple has a lot more interest than just the garden - inside there are one thousand life-size statues of the Thousand Armed Kannon which stand on both the right and left sides of the main statue... there are also statues of 28 guardian deities... it is quite a sight, however, no photography was allowed inside so i settled for the photos of the garden and surrounds.

early species #2 by Hiro

Posted on 2019-03-19

This tree can be seen from the window of mine. I had to notice it earlier !
March 16, 2019 @京都府向日市

Engyoji by Stu

Posted on 2018-10-26

In Himeji, Hyogo, you can find Engyoji Temple on Mount Shosha. Recognizable for its long wooden floor and pillars, the temple’s main hall is where Tom Cruise and Ken Watanabe’s characters meet and converse about Custer’s Last Stand in the movie The Last Samurai.

Local Produce by Daryl Johnson

Posted on 2018-05-15

Buying local Produce on the downtown shopping area of Matsuyama.

Tuna Preparation, Okinawa 2 by Daryl Johnson

Posted on 2017-08-21

Preparing a tuna dinner in Okinawa.

Used to be a public bath by Kyu

Posted on 2017-03-05

Used to be a public bath

detail by TAKAGITO

Posted on 2016-06-11

Excellent design which is in among the buildings of the fate that would have been soon demolished.
This is of stairs to the more than 100 years ago, the Japanese architect-designed design. It disappears without also left as a relic of the past.

On the Banks of the Yodogawa 5 by Daryl Johnson

Posted on 2016-04-18

Loads of baseball going on along the river... children and adults really seriously practicing and playing... impressive to see.

I am a bad guy ! by Hiro

Posted on 2016-02-04

One year is divided into 4 seasons, such as spring, summer, autumn, and winter. February 4th is the first day of the spring (Risshun 立春) in Japanese traditional calender. And the day before it, February 3rd, is called Setsubun 節分, season dividing day. On Setsubun 節分 day, so many events are held at many places, such as shrines or temples.

鬼 Oni is the symbol of evil spirit. 鬼 Oni appears in Setsubun events as a target who is beaten by people.
February 3, 2016 @千本釈迦堂

first Calligraphy in the New Year 2015 by Hiro

Posted on 2015-01-05

調和 harmony (of the natural and the artificial )
Maybe you like the shining sea which reflects the sunlight. Maybe you would like to capture it with your DSLR. You like nature. You need electricity.
Harmony is important.
December 14, 2014 @高御位山から高砂火力発電所方面を望む
Seto Inland Sea and Takasago coal-fired power plant