Japan: The Land of Harmony

My recent trip to Japan reminded me of what a wonderfully peaceful and naturally harmonious country it is.  I felt very zen from the moment I arrived until I left.

Shinjuku

Tokyo, it’s a big city

Good Luck Totem

Retro Weekend Market

Yakitori Street

Park Hyatt – Lost in Translation Bar

National Art Gallery

Design 21 21 Sculpture in Roppongi

Foot Signage

Wacky Toys in Harajuku

Shops where ever you look

The sign that speaks for itself

View from the Shinjuku Park

Sakura in the Park

Nijo Castle

Roof Detail

Beautiful!

The Golden Pavilion

Love the natural signage

Wishing Bowl

Wonderful spring colours at the Golden Pavilion

Young Japanese in Traditional Attire

Kyoto – The Imperial Palace

Entrance Gate at the Imperial Palace

Amazing detail found on the end of verandah rail

Everywhere we went the food was tasty and always so well presented

Fox with key in mouth, symbol at the entrance to Fushimi Inari Shrine

Benefactors of Fushimi Inari

The signature red pillars of the Fushimi Inari Shrine

Scripted Torii (Japanesse Gate)

The magnificent map of Fushimi Inari Shrine

Cleansing water, to be used before praying

The multiple Torii (Japanese Gates) of the Fushimi Inari Shinto Shrine

Pontocho Street in Gion… where the Geishas used to hang

Pontocho Street

Interesting station signage

First sighting of Tennoji Temple

A very peaceful statue

I can’t read it,but it looks wonderful

The sprawling Yanaka Cemetery

Mr Watanabe – one of the many friendly Japanese that helped me during my visit

The famous samurai grave – Tokugawa Yoshinobu Haka

A beautiful shrine I came across while wandering the streets of Ueno

Kaneji Temple

More gorgeous detailing at the Kaneji Temple

Entertainment at the Ueno Onshi Park

Lanterns leading to the Five Story Pagoda in Ueno Park

Copper Lanterns

More cleansing water

Vibrant colour against copper lanterns

are you looking at me?

The view over the lake at Ueno Park

A more grungy part of the city

Local residence

Kanji at Yushima Tenmangu Shrine…notice the coins sitting in it

In amongst it

Local market area

Ameyoko…just in case you can’t read Japanese

Weird and wonderful creatures

The Japanese always have the most interesting products on sale

Surveying the local area in Yanakaginza

Maneki Neko – Lucky Cat

Shop front, Yanakaginza

Mount Fuji flowers at a temple in Yanakaginza

Temple Waterbuckets

Yakitori Chef in action

Yakitori Menu

Harajuku girl

Sakura