Festival float with lanterns

They were playing an ancient music for Gion Matsuri Festival on the float illuminated with beautiful lanterns.

Offerings at festival

There were a lot of offerings to three portable shrines of Yasaka Jinja Shrine at Gion Matsuri Festival.

Splendid lanterns

Gion Matsuri Festival is held on 17 and 24 July in Kyoto. And on 14-16 and 21-23 July, as a prelude, festival floats are displayed on the streets with beautiful lanterns.

Tasteful lighting

This is the entrance of a restaurant at Gion, which looks more beautiful with a lantern for Gion Matsuri Festival.

Dusk at festival

Kyoto was beautifully illuminated with lanterns at Gion Matsuri Festival.

Transient beauty

The lanterns were celebrating Gion Matsuri Festival in Kyoto in the twilight.

Beautiful temple gate

The main gate of Kiyomizudera Temple was really beautiful in the twilight.

Pagoda and Gate

This is just one of marvellous views at Kiyomizudera Temple.

Awesome view

This is a view from Kiyomizudera [Kiyomizu Temple], in which you can see the upper part of Yasaka Pagoda.

Exquisite craftsmanship

This is the roof of a historic gate of Kiyomizudera Temple, where I can find an exquisite craftsmanship.

Tasteful simplicity

This is a gate of a sub-temple of Kiyomizudera Temple, which may look simple but must be tasteful.

Beautiful belfry

This beautiful belfry is one of many historic structures at Kiyomizudera Temple.

Feast of colours

The feast of a vermilion pagoda, green trees and the blue sky was really excellent at Kiyomizudera Temple.

Gate to the mystery

This is the gate of a sub-shrine of Kifune Jinja Shrine. This sub-shrine was filled with mystic air.

Aesthetic stairway

This is the stairway to the gate of Kifune Jinja Shrine, which I think is one of the most beautiful steps in Japan.

Small shrine in the forest

You can meet some small shrines in the forest when you walk from Kuramadera Temple to Kifune Jinja Shrine.

Path in the woods

This is the path between Kuramadera Temple and Kifune Jinja Shrine. As you see it's not an easy way.

Transient beauty

A stone lamp at Kuramadera Temple was very beautiful at dusk.

Quietness at the temple

This is the main hall of Kuramadera Temple. It was filled with the quietness of nature.

Architectural beauty

This is the main gate of Kuramadera Temple, which exhibits architectural beauty of historic structures in Japan.

Surrounded with nature

Kuramadera Temple is located in the mountain in northern Kyoto, showing the harmony with nature.

Quietness in the twilight

After the sun set a lot of tourists disappeared rapidly in Arashiyama.

Small local shrine

This is a small shrine in Arashiyama. It is not a tourist spot but loved by local people very much.

Historic house in Kyoto

There are many historic houses in Toriimoto area in Kyoto and it's pleasing to stroll from Arashiyama to Toriimoto.

Moss garden

This is a small moss garden at Nonomiya Jinja Shrine which is a small shrine in Arashiyama.

Boats on the river

Boating is an essential activity in Arashiyama.

Photographers on the bridge

Togetsukyo Bridge is not an ordinary bridge providing tourists with the opportunities to take pictures.

Graceful bridge

Togetsukyo Bridge in Arashiyama may not be grand but it is certainly graceful.

Bridge with a view of fresh verdure

You can enjoy a beautiful scenery of fresh verdure crossing Togetsukyo Bridge in Arashiyama.

Scaring enemies away

This is a Nio statue at Hoshakuji Temple. I was saddened to see how badly it was damaged.

Modest beauty

I found this modest autumn beauty at Hoshakuji Temple.

Autumn splendour

I enjoyed glorious autumn colours at the gate of Hoshakuji Temple.

Pagoda in autumn

This is a three-storey pagoda of Hoshakuji Temple. The temple is located just near the border of Osaka and Kyoto.

Going in the valley

A charming tourist train of Sagano Railway was running in a scenic valley.

Going along the river

This sweet tourist train is operated by Sagano Railway between Arashiyama and Kameoka.

Going over the valley

This sturdy rail bridge spans Hozukyo Valley near Arashiyama. It's surprising the bridge works as a station as well.

Going down the river

Hozukyo is a valley famous for boating. It is close to Arashiyama.

The river at dusk

The boats were resting on the river as the dusk deepened at Arashiyama.

A tree and a pagoda

I thrilled at the view of a beautiful ginkgo tree and a pagoda of Horinji Temple in Arashiyama.