Jizo with moss

I found this Jizo [a Buddhist deity] near Yoshiminedera [Yoshimine Temple], wondering how long it had been there.

Autumn pearl

This small red fruit is called [I guess] 'Heavenly bamboo' in English but I'd like to call it 'Autumn pearl'.

Autumn feast

This is just a part of the autumn feast I enjoyed at Yoshiminedera [Yoshimine Temple].

Autumn cooperation

Yoshiminedera [Yoshimine Temple] is a large temple complex situated on the mountain side in harmony with nature.

Autumn collaboration

Yoshiminedera [Yoshimine Temple] is famous for its marvellous autumn foliage.

Elaborate work

This is the main gate of Yoshiminedera [Yoshimine Temple] which shows how elaborate the Buddhist architecture can be.

Surrounded with trees

I came across this shrine gate [torii] when I was walking toward Kosanji Temple. The shrine was very small and surrounded with various trees.

Historic beauty

Kosanji Temple may not be so excellent about Buddhist architecture but its structures are beautiful with historic atmosphere.

Small shrine in the woods

This small shrine was surrounded by tall trees at Kosanji Temple.

Harmonising with nature

Kosanji Temple shows a good harmony with nature.

Steps to the temple

Kosanji Temple is a UNESCO World Heritage site located deep in the mountains in northern Kyoto.

Napping at an alleyway

This cat was peacefully taking a nap at an alleyway in the centre of Kyoto.

Shining temple

Kinkakuji Temple must be different from any other temples in terms of appearance. But the temple is not so interesting as a whole.

Brilliant temple

Kinkakuji Temple has been very popular among tourists for years and they have made huge profits from this luxury structure.

Golden temple

Kinkakuji Temple is unique and gorgeous being tiled with gold leaf. But it would be too flashy for a temple.

On the roof

This grey heron was taking care of his face on the roof of a temple gate by Shirakawa River.

Along the river

It's pleasing to walk along Shirakawa River seeing tasteful old and new houses.

Black dragonfly

I happened to find this black dragonfly by Shirakawa River when I was taking a stroll in Kyoto on a fine autumn day.

Festival lanterns

This restaurant was celebrating Gion Matsuri Festival displaying sacred lanterns above its entrance.

The lanterns

Kyoto showed its most beautiful night at Gion Matsuri Festival with a lot of lanterns on the streets.

Offerings to the god

Offerings were placed in front of a mikoshi [a portable shrine] at Gion Matsuri Festival.

Aesthetics of the shrine

I took this photo at Yasaka Jinja Shrine when it was holding its summer festival - Gion Matsuri, realising that it was still more beautiful than usual.

An array of lanterns

The lanterns of shrines are always beautiful. This array of lanterns at Yasaka Jinja Shrine is even fantastic.

Through the shrine gate

There were a lot of people walking through the gate of Yasaka Jinja Shrine when it was holding Gion Matsuri Festival.

Atmospheric lighting

This is just one example of how beautiful the lanterns were at Gion Matsuri Festival.

Fantastic night

They were performing a festival music on a festival float illuminated with many lanterns at Gion Matsuri Festival.

A day of the festival

This distinctive lantern display was for Gion Matsuri Festival in Kyoto. Gion Matsuri is one of the most famous festivals in Japan.

By the wayside

I found this beautiful jizoson just around Byodoin Temple. A jizoson is an altar where Jizo [a Buddhist deity] is enshrined.

Blossoms at a temple garden

I took this picture at Byodoin Temple when the last cherry blossoms were blooming.

Byodoin Temple with a pine tree

Byodoin Temple is a UNESCO World Heritage site in Uji which is a city of Ujicha [a famous green tea].

Exquisite work

Byodoin Temple must be one of the most exquisite architectural works in Japan. As the restoration of this temple was finished recently, it is now extremely beautiful.

Spring in full bloom

I happened to find this marvellous cherry tree around Byodoin Temple but you can see cherry blossoms everywhere in Japan when they are blooming.

A fine day

I took this picture around Uji Station of Keihan Railway when I visited Byodoin Temple on 7th April. Note that the green train is of JR (Japan Railway).

The glory at night

This is the main gate of Kamigamo Jinja Shrine which was gloriously lit-up at night.

Ancient beauty

This photo shows the roof and the wall of one of the structures of Kamigamo Jinja Shrine which retains the beauty of the ancient architecture.

Shrine gate with trees

This photo shows one of the gates of Kamigamo Jinja Shrine and big trees around it.

Winter trees

I found this amazing geometry of winter trees at Konkai Komyoji Temple.

Pagoda in the twilight

Being not so famous, Konkai Komyoji Temple would be worth visiting.

Lit-up at night

This photo shows the gate of Konkai Komyoji Temple which is lit-up beautifully at night.

Temple in winter

Konkai Komyoji Temple was filled with the quietness of the winter.

Autumn splendour

I took this photo at Daigoji Temple where you can find a beautiful harmony of nature and Buddhist culture.

Perfect proportion

This is a five-storey pagoda of Daigoji Temple which was built in 951 with a height of 38m. I personally think structures of this kind are the most beautiful Buddhist monuments with the perfect proportion.

Curved roof

This photo shows the curved roof of Daigoji Temple, which I think is one of the most important elements to make the temple magnificent.

Protecting the temple

This is a sculpture of Nio at Daigoji Temple, which is stationed at the gate to prevent the enemies of Buddhism from entering the temple.

Autumn of the temple

This photo shows the gate of Daigoji Temple with its beautiful autumn trees. Daigoji has been on the list of UNESCO World Heritage and I strongly recommend this temple.

Rail trip in autumn

Eizan Railway takes you to Kifune Jinja Shrine or Kuramadera Temple and gives you a wonderful view of autumn trees.

Sacred tree

This big tree is thought to be a sacred tree at Kifune Jinja Shrine. You can distinguish it by the rope around it.

Lined with lanterns

This steps, lined beautifully with lanterns, is leading to the gate of Kifune Jinja Shrine, which is located deep in the mountains in northern Kyoto.

Temple at night

I took this photo at Jingoji Temple in the autumn when some temples in Kyoto were lit up in the evening.

On the moss

I found this beautiful momiji leaf on the moss at the gate of Jingoji Temple.　Momiji trees are the most important plants to make a fantastic autumn scenery in Kyoto.