Visitors are encouraged to ring the bell for world peace and the tolling of the bell rings out regularly throughout the Peace Park, Hiroshima, Japan
It is believed that the Ishiteji Temple was first built in the year 728. It is just one temple in a circuit of eighty-eight temples, pilgrams can spend more than 60 days walking along the whole circuit of the eighty-eight temples that compose the longest, oldest and most popular pilgrimage in Japan. Matsuyama
Ema are small wooden plaques on which Shinto worshippers write their prayers or wishes, the ema are then left hanging up at the temple, where the kami (spirits or gods) receive them. They are sold for various wishes; common reasons for buying a plaque are for success in your work or exams, a good marriage, to have children, and health. At some shrines and temples you can find ema in many languages, as tourists leave their own wishes and prayers. Matsuyama, Japan
This dry landscape rock garden or ‘karesansui’ is thought to have been built in the late 1400s. Kyoto, Japan
Colourful Okochi Sanso Villa Japanese Maple autumn leaves are a nice background choice for wallpaper or desktop, Kyoto, Japan
Colourful Okochi Sanso Villa Japanese Maple autumn leaves are a nice background choice for wallpaper or desktop, Kyoto, Japan
Colourful Japanese Maple autumn leaves in Kyoto’s Ryoanji Temple. Japan
A traditional wedding taking place in the Heian Jingu Shrine. Kyoto, Japan
The Atomic Bomb Memorial Mound is a large, grass covered knoll that contains the ashes of 70,000 unidentified victims of the bomb, Hiroshima, Japan
The Imperial Palace, one of the only places in Tokyo City where the subways do not pass directly underneath, Tokyo, Japan
Colourful Japanese Maple autumn leaves in Kyoto’s Ryoanji Temple. Japan
Colourful Okochi Sanso Villa Japanese Maple autumn leaves are a nice background choice for wallpaper or desktop, Kyoto, Japan
A white footbridge with Japanese Maple autumn leaves
Still ponds, beautiful autumn colours and landscape scenery in the Korakuen Garden. Okayama, Japan
Colourful Japanese Maple autumn leaves in Kyoto’s Ryoanji Temple. Japan
A colourful orange and green coloured Heian Jingu shrine in Kyoto, Japan
This monument, with Korean national symbols, is intended to honour the 45,000 plus, Korean victims and survivors of the atomic bomb. Paper Peace Cranes made by people from around the world are placed around the monument, the cranes are left exposed to the elements, slowly dissolving and becoming tattered as the wish is released, Hiroshima, Japan
Still ponds, beautiful autumn colours and landscape scenery in the Korakuen Garden. Okayama, Japan
A colourful orange and green coloured Heian Jingu shrine in Kyoto, Japan
The famous bamboo groves in Arashiyama, Kyoto, Japan
Surrounded by the busy Tsim Sha Tsui district, Kowloon Park provides a quiet place to get away from it all, Hong Kong
The Imperial Palace, one of the only places in Tokyo City where the subways do not pass directly underneath, Tokyo, Japan
Still ponds, beautiful autumn colours and landscape scenery in the Korakuen Garden. Okayama, Japan
Okazaki Shrine is believed to be one of four Shrines built in the year 794 along the four compass points in ancient Kyoto (Heiankyo) to protect the imperial court. Kyoto, Japan
Surrounded by the busy Tsim Sha Tsui district, Kowloon Park provides a quiet place to get away from it all, Hong Kong
The Imperial Palace, one of the only places in Tokyo City where the subways do not pass directly underneath, Tokyo, Japan
Still ponds, beautiful autumn colours and landscape scenery in the Korakuen Garden. Okayama, Japan
Colourful Japanese Maple autumn leaves over the steps leading up to the Ryoanji Temple. Kyoto, Japan
Two Torii in the gardens of the Okazaki Shrine gardens. Kyoto, Japan
Colourful Japanese Maple autumn leaves in Kyoto’s Konkai Komyoji Temple. Japan
Colourful Okochi Sanso Villa Japanese Maple autumn leaves are a nice background choice for wallpaper or desktop, Kyoto, Japan
This monument, with Korean national symbols, is intended to honour the 45,000 plus, Korean victims and survivors of the atomic bomb. The monument’s inscription reads “Souls of the dead ride to heaven on the backs of turtles.” Hiroshima, Japan
Surrounded by the busy Tsim Sha Tsui district, Kowloon Park provides a quiet place to get away from it all, Hong Kong
An impressive rise of stone steps leads up to the Isaniwa Jinga Shrine. Matsuyama, Japan
Colourful Japanese Maple autumn leaves in Kyoto’s Ryoanji Temple. Japan
Colourful Okochi Sanso Villa Japanese Maple autumn leaves are a nice background choice for wallpaper or desktop, Kyoto, Japan
Omikuji are pre written random fortunes written on strips of paper at Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples in Japan. A small coin offering is made to the Shrine or Temple and then the omikuji are randomly chosen from a box, hoping for the fortune to be good. The Omikuji paper strips include a general blessing which can be about health, fortune, life, etc. When the prediction is bad, it is custom to fold up the strip of paper and attach it beside other bad fortunes to a tree or a wall of metal wires. If the fortune is good, you have the option of also tying it up to increase the fortune for a greater effect, or can keep it for luck. Kyoto, Japan
Colourful Japanese Maple autumn leaves in Kyoto’s Konkai Komyoji Temple. Japan
Still ponds, beautiful autumn colours and landscape scenery in the Korakuen Garden. Okayama, Japan
The Imperial Palace, one of the only places in Tokyo City where the subways do not pass directly underneath, Tokyo, Japan
Still ponds, beautiful autumn colours and landscape scenery in the Korakuen Garden. Okayama, Japan
The names and locations of past donors to the Isaniwa Jinga Shrine engraved on stone. Matsuyama, Japan
Colourful Japanese Maple autumn leaves in Kyoto’s Konkai Komyoji Temple. Japan
This cenotaph holds the names of all of the people killed by the bomb. The cenotaph carries the epitaph, “Rest in Peace, for the error shall not be repeated.” The arch shape represents a shelter for the souls of the victims, Hiroshima, Japan
A street market selling various dried fish in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong
The Imperial Palace, one of the only places in Tokyo City where the subways do not pass directly underneath, Tokyo, Japan
Still ponds, beautiful autumn colours and landscape scenery in the Korakuen Garden. Okayama, Japan
The names and locations of past donors to the Isaniwa Jinga Shrine engraved on stone. Matsuyama, Japan
Over a 30 year period the famous silent film era actor Okochi Denjiro (1898-1962) constructed this unique garden villa on the south side of Mount Ogura, Kyoto, Japan
Colourful Japanese Maple autumn leaves in Kyoto’s Konkai Komyoji Temple. Japan
A street market selling dragon fruit in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong
Still ponds, beautiful autumn colours and landscape scenery in the Korakuen Garden. Okayama, Japan
Ancient Japanese legend promises that anyone who folds a thousand origami cranes will be granted a wish by a crane, these colourful paper cranes were folded for peace and for the end of wars, the cranes are left exposed to the elements, slowly dissolving and becoming tattered as the wish is released, Matsuyama, Japan
Traditional Japanese lantern (tourou). Kyoto, Japan
This building serves as a memorial to the people who were killed in the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, the atomic bomb detonated almost directly above the dome at 8.15am August 6, 1945, Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, Japan
The Imperial Palace, one of the only places in Tokyo City where the subways do not pass directly underneath, Tokyo, Japan
Still ponds, beautiful autumn colours and landscape scenery in the Korakuen Garden. Okayama, Japan
Over a 30 year period the famous silent film era actor Okochi Denjiro (1898-1962) constructed this unique garden villa on the south side of Mount Ogura, Kyoto, Japan
A Shinto Buddhism festival travels down the main street of Himeji, the portable shinto shrine carried by enthusiastic children. Himeji, Japan
The Imperial Palace, one of the only places in Tokyo City where the subways do not pass directly underneath, Tokyo, Japan
Okayama Castle overlooks the Korakuen Garden, Okayama, Japan
Buildings, bamboo and other flora in the Korakuen Garden, Okayama, Japan
Ema are small wooden plaques on which Shinto worshippers write their prayers or wishes, the ema are then left hanging up at the shrine, where the kami (spirits or gods) receive them. They are sold for various wishes; common reasons for buying a plaque are for success in your work or exams, a good marriage, to have children, and health. At some shrines, you can find ema in many languages, as tourists leave their own wishes and prayers. Matsuyama, Japan
Over a 30 year period the famous silent film era actor Okochi Denjiro (1898-1962) constructed this unique garden villa on the south side of Mount Ogura, Kyoto, Japan
Colourful Japanese Maple autumn leaves in Kyoto’s Konkai Komyoji Temple. Japan
Colourful Japanese Maple autumn leaves in Kyoto’s Hogonin Temple. Japan
Still ponds, beautiful autumn colours and landscape scenery in the Korakuen Garden. Okayama, Japan
Bonsai trees on display in a Harajuku shop. Japan
A worshipper bowing in respect at the Okazaki Shrine. Kyoto, Japan
The arashiyama bamboo groves are very popular with local and overseas visitors, Kyoto, Japan
The Peace Flame is a monument to the victims of the atomic bomb that destroyed Hiroshima, the flame has burned continuously since 1964, and will remain lit until all nuclear bombs are destroyed, Hiroshima, Japan
A street market selling fresh produce in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong
Beautiful Japanese Maple autumn colours in Okayama’s famous Korakuen Gardens, Japan
Two Shinkansen bullet trains passing at 300km an hour. Japan
Buildings, bamboo and other flora in the Korakuen Garden, Okayama, Japan
Ancient Japanese legend promises that anyone who folds a thousand origami cranes will be granted a wish by a crane, these colourful paper cranes were folded for peace and for the end of wars. On the right are omikuji paper strips bought from the temple for a general blessing, which can be about health, fortune, life, etc. When the prediction is bad, it is custom to fold up the strip of paper and attach it beside other bad fortunes to a tree or a wall of metal wires. If the fortune is good, you have the option of also tying it up to increase the fortune for a greater effect, or can keep it for luck. Matsuyama, Japan
Over a 30 year period the famous silent film era actor Okochi Denjiro (1898-1962) constructed this unique garden villa on the south side of Mount Ogura, Kyoto, Japan
Ema are small wooden plaques on which Shinto worshippers write their prayers or wishes, the ema are then left hanging up at the shrine, where the kami (spirits or gods) receive them. They are sold for various wishes; common reasons for buying a plaque are for success in your work or exams, a good marriage, to have children, and health. At some shrines, you can find ema in many languages, as tourists leave their own wishes and prayers. Kyoto, Japan
Colourful Japanese Maple autumn leaves around a small stream in Kyoto’s Hogonin Temple. Japan
An old traditional covered walkway spans across one of the ponds in the Heian Jingu Garden, Kyoto, Japan
The arashiyama bamboo groves are very popular with local and overseas visitors, Kyoto, Japan
A street market selling fresh produce in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong
Pathways of various design allow for a pleasant walk through Okayama’s Korakuen Garden, Japan
Still ponds, beautiful autumn colours and landscape scenery in the Korakuen Garden. Okayama, Japan
Colourful Japanese Maple autumn leaves in Kyoto’s Konkai Komyoji Temple. Japan
Large healthy orange and white koi fish in the ponds of Okayama’s famous Korakuen Garden, Japan.
Over a 30 year period the famous silent film era actor Okochi Denjiro (1898-1962) constructed this unique garden villa on the south side of Mount Ogura, Kyoto, Japan
Colourful Japanese Maple autumn leaves in Kyoto’s Konkai Komyoji Temple. Japan
An old traditional covered walkway spans across one of the ponds in the Heian Jingu Garden, Kyoto, Japan
The arashiyama bamboo groves are very popular with local and overseas visitors, Kyoto, Japan
A traditional wedding ceremony at the Meiji Jingu Shrine. Harajuku, Tokyo, Japan
Still ponds, beautiful autumn colours and landscape scenery in the Korakuen Garden. Okayama, Japan
Beautiful autumn colours in Okayama’s famous Korakuen Gardens, Japan
Colourful Japanese Maple autumn leaves in Kyoto’s Hogonin Temple. Japan
A Japanese water fountain or ‘tsukubai’ is a small basin provided in Japanese Buddhist temples for visitors to purify themselves by the ritual washing of hands and rinsing of their mouth. Tsukubai are usually made of stone and the water is provided through a bamboo pipe called a ‘kakei’. Kyoto, Japan
Buildings, bamboo and other flora in the Korakuen Garden, Okayama, Japan
Pathways of various design allow for a pleasant walk through Okayama’s Korakuen Garden, Japan
Pathways of various design allow for a pleasant walk through Okayama’s Korakuen Garden, Japan
Over a 30 year period the famous silent film era actor Okochi Denjiro (1898-1962) constructed this unique garden villa on the south side of Mount Ogura, Kyoto, Japan
Omikuji are pre written random fortunes written on strips of paper at Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples in Japan. A small coin offering is made to the Shrine or Temple and then the omikuji are randomly chosen from a box, hoping for the fortune to be good. The Omikuji paper strips include a general blessing which can be about health, fortune, life, etc. When the prediction is bad, it is custom to fold up the strip of paper and attach it beside other bad fortunes to a tree or a wall of metal wires. If the fortune is good, you have the option of also tying it up to increase the fortune for a greater effect, or can keep it for luck. Kyoto, Japan
This tower was built by the Hiroshima Prefecture Mobilized Student Victims Association for the unnamed students that were killed in the atomic blast. An ancient Japanese legend promises that anyone who folds a thousand origami cranes will be granted a wish by a crane, these colourful paper peace cranes were folded for the student victims of the atomic blast, Hiroshima, Japan
A night view over Victoria Harbour from the summit of the Peak Tramway, Hong Kong
Like a natural reserve surrounded by Tokyo’s concrete jungle,the Imperial Palace is home to Japans Emperor and Empress. The castle housed generations of Tokugawa shoguns during the Edo Period (1603-1867), Tokyo Japan
The famous Takeshita Street in Harajuku is pedestrian only, lined with fashion boutiques, cafes and restaurants, geared toward the younger generation. Tokyo , Japan
Large healthy orange and white koi fish in the ponds of Okayama’s famous Korakuen Garden, Japan.
Still ponds, beautiful Japanese Maple autumn colours and landscape scenery in the Korakuen Garden. Okayama, Japan
Dogo Onsen is the oldest hot springs in Japan, with a 3000 year history. The main three story building was built in 1894, Matsuyama, Japan
The arashiyama bamboo groves are very popular with local and overseas visitors, Kyoto, Japan
A night view over Victoria Harbour from the summit of the Peak Tramway, Hong Kong
Traditional wedding photography is very popular during the colourful autumn time in the Korakuen Garden, Okayama, Japan.
Typical daytime crowds on the busy intersections in Harajuku. Tokyo, Japan
Large healthy orange and white koi fish in the ponds of Okayama’s famous Korakuen Garden, Japan.
Shuhekien garden, in front of the Kyakuden building. Ohara, Japan
Colourful Japanese Maple autumn leaves in Kyoto’s Hogonin Temple. Japan
Japanese Maple autumn coloured leaves in Arashiyama’s gardens, a beautiful background choice for wallpaper or desktop
A night view over Victoria Harbour from the summit of the Peak Tramway, Hong Kong
Wedding photography is very popular during the colourful autumn time in the Korakuen Garden, here the bride is wearing the traditonal shiromuku and the groom the hakama, Okayama, Japan.
Still ponds, beautiful Japanese Maple autumn colours and landscape scenery in the Korakuen Garden. Okayama, Japan
Typical daytime crowds on the busy intersections in Harajuku. Tokyo, Japan
Still ponds, beautiful Japanese Maple autumn colours and landscape scenery in the Korakuen Garden. Okayama, Japan
Dogo Onsen is the oldest hot springs in Japan, with a 3000 year history. The main three story building was built in 1894, Matsuyama, Japan
Over a 30 year period the famous silent film era actor Okochi Denjiro (1898-1962) constructed this unique garden villa on the south side of Mount Ogura, Kyoto, Japan
Japanese Maple autumn leaves reflecting in the ponds around the Heian Jingu Garden, Kyoto, Japan
Japanese Maple autumn coloured leaves in Arashiyama’s gardens, a beautiful background choice for wallpaper or desktop
This building serves as a memorial to the people who were killed in the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, the atomic bomb detonated almost directly above the dome at 8.15am August 6, 1945, Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, Japan
Shichigo san is a traditional rite of passage and festival day held annually on November 17th in Japan for three and seven year-old girls plus three and five year-old boys. Meiji Jingu Shrine, Tokyo, Japan
A night view over Victoria Harbour from the summit of the Peak Tramway, Hong Kong
Large healthy orange and white koi fish in the ponds of Okayama’s famous Korakuen Garden, Japan.
A boat full of wishes for good health family etc, written on colourful paper. Matsuyama, Japan
An impressive rise of stone steps leads up to the Isaniwa Jinga Shrine. Matsuyama, Japan
Nonomiya Jinja Shrine information. Kyoto, Japan
Konkai Komyoji Temple information. Kyoto, Japan
Hundreds of round stones arranged on the ground in Kyoto’s Hogonin Temple. Japan
Map showing the layout of the Heian Jingu Garden, Kyoto, Japan
Information sign for Gio Ji Temple
This building serves as a memorial to the people who were killed in the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, the atomic bomb detonated almost directly above the dome at 8.15am August 6, 1945, Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, Japan
Information and map of the Meiji Jingu Shrine. Harajuku, Tokyo, Japan