More glimpses of unfamiliar Japan

Its just about midnight at the small shrine in the mountain settlement of Kanzui not far from my own village. The annual matsuri got under...

This is a detail from Twin Dragons on the ceiling in Kennin-Ji in Kyoto. It was painted in 2002 to commemorate the 800 year anniversary of...

The year of the rabbit is coming to a close, so time to tell the story of the white rabbit of Inaba. Hakuto Shrine is located near the b...

Kawara, ceramic rooftiles originally introduced from Korea for early temple roofs gradually spread to palaces and other major buildings. ...

Suwa Shrine in Itano, Tokushima, is located between temples 2 & 3. It is one of the approximately 10,000 branch shrines of Suwa Taisha...

On the third morning in the Jebel Sahro the dawn and sunrise were well worth waking early for. The first few kilometers of the days hike...

The 88 temple pilgrimage route on Shikoku pretty much follows the coast all the way round the island, and as all rivers head to the sea the...

Meoto Iwa are pairs of rocks joined by a shimenawa. They are known as husband and wife rocks or wedded rocks, and are generally considered t...

Here are a few shots on the inside of the bizarre Kamo Culture Hall up in Kamo, Izumo. It was opened in 1994 and was designed by Toyokazu Wa...

Dainichi-Ji is located in Itano Town, Tokushima Prefecture, and is the 4th temple on the henro route. According to legend it was founded b...