Kyoto and Nara

Kitano Tenmangu Shrine

In Kyoto. It is dedicated to a famous scholar, and students often come here to ask for intercession with exams.

Outer gate of shrine	Inner gate of shrine	Cow of marble conglomerate	Another cow, and our guide, Mr. Masa
This pine tree was planted by Emperor Showa (Hirohito)	Students often worship here asking for ntercession with exams	Worship at the shrine	Detail: tiger woodcarving
Shrine's inner gate	Jim and cow of marble conglomerate	Stone lanterns	Jim with stone lanterns
Shrine's bell

Kyoto: Kinkukaji Temple

Formerly it was one of the Shoguns' pleasure house, but in his will he ordered it turned into a Buddhist temple after his death.

The Golden Pavilion	Golden Pavilion in Mirror Pond	Golden Pavilion	Alice and the Mirror Pond
Golden Pavilion	Lost bonsai	Jim and Alice before the Golden Pavilion	Golden Pavilion through trees
Small waterfall	Buddhist images as location marker	Azalea bush

Nijo Castle

In Kyoto. Nijo literally means Second Street, which is where it is. It used to be the Shogun's palace used when visiting the Emperor in Kyoto, but Emperor Meiji confiscated it and it became the Emperor's Detached Palace. (Photography not allowed inside.)

Outer gate of Nijo Castle

Gateway to palace

Palace of the Shogun

Todaiji Temple

In Nara, the original capital about 60 Km outside Kyoto. Inside is the Daibatsu Buddha. It was cast in bronze in 739 CE, but was damaged and repaired several times when the containing building burned due to wars and other disasters.

Feeding the deer	Deer begging for food	Outer gate of temple	Main building
Exterior of main building	The Daibatsu Buddha	Boddhisatva flanking the Buddha	Flanking flower vase
Guardian warrior-king	Model of the main building	Hole in pillar	The Daibatsu Buddha

Kasuga Taisha Temple

In Nara, the old capital. This temple is famous for having three thousand lanterns of stone and brass. On special occasions they are actually lit with candles by teams of high school students.

Torii gate of Kasuga Taisha temple	Masa-san explains inscriptions on some of the lanterns	Purification fountain with deer as divine messenger	Inner gate of Kasuga Taisha temple
Hall of lanterns