More glimpses of unfamiliar Japan

  The Yukawa were a low ranking samurai family who lived along the Aiba Canal in Hagi. They were the keepers of the canal which is prob...

Rendai-ji, the sixth temple of the Izumo 33 Kannon Pilgrimage is located on a hilltop at 100 meters. The final approach is up 160 stone ...

It turns out that birds are quite a common design element in Japanese manhole designs. Previous posts showing some can be found here...

Sokinoya Jinja Sokinoya Shrine is listed in the Engi Shiki so it is at least 1,000 years old. It's located at the base of the hills so...

Ryoma Sakamoto was one of the most famous and popular figures from the time leading up to the Meiji Restoration. He was from Tosa, no...

There are quite a few species of Egret (sagi in Japanese) in Japan, but I am not sure which one this is. There are common, especially ...

Temple 22 of the Shikoku 88 temple Pilgrimage is Byodo-ji, located near the coast in Anan City, Tokushima. Its name means "...

There are two shrines occupying the same site here, located just east of Izumo City across the river in Hikawa. The older shrine is ...

Here are some more examples of my favorite Buddhist deity, Fudo Myo, taken while I was walking the Shikoku Pilgrimage. This first, rat...

Enya Shrine is the tutelary shrine of Izumo and is located south of downtown. It used to be called Yamuya Shrine, and the main kami ensh...