Did you see that?

Another of the Tōri Shrine

Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion),Kyoto

The Golden Pavilion was a retreat for Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu

until his death.  It was taken over by the Renzai Zen sect in 1408 and remains a Buddhist temple.

Kyoto Station

Kyoto Station is an amazing structure with an overhead walkway

 and long stairways to amazing view points as in this reflection.

Kyoto Tōri Shrine

In the late 70's I bought this woodblock print by Toshi Yoshida at Liberty's in London, as present for Lesley.  When we came to Kyoto we wanted to find the original site, which we discovered is called the Tōri Shrine.  As luck would have it the place was especially open and lit for the cherry blossom season.

This is my photo.

Interview with a Maiko

We had an audience with Kotomi-san an apprentice Geisha (Maiko).

The live appears very hard and expensive to enter.  Regular lessons in traditional dances and instruments, plus the ability to beat all comers at drinking games.  All western misconceptions about the role of the Geisha are quickly dispelled

Hida Folk Village, Takayama

Hida Folk Village is a collection of rural buildings showing off older ways of life in the Japanese mountains.

 Roof construction.

This is a urinal, form that hasn't changed in the intervening 400-500 years.

Pictures from Takayama

Just catching up with some photos from Takayama a few days ago.

 Great drip fed coffee at Coffee Don (that's the man himself), it has been open since 1951 and he looks like he has been there since then.  Great atmosphere and Billy Holliday on the speakers, what more could you want.

 This mother was not getting very far as everyone loved her kid.

 Sweet shopping in a small Japanese town.