After a brief time in Tokyo I went to a conference in Nara. It is the first capital of the country and houses many religious buildings such as this veryl large one, housing a giant Buddha.
Inside is the Buddha.
Not far from the giant Buddha is also a very large bell.
An ornament on a water fountain.
Elaborate roof structure.
Nara is also known for its free-roaming deer.
The next capital of Japan is Kyoto which held its positiion for the longest time therefore the city is very well endowed with cultural heritage and attempts to keep traditions alive, if only for the tourists.
My trip was just at the cherrie blossom season which is a big deal in Japan.
Many temples have water drinking places outside.
Temples mingle in the streetscape.
Japanese cities are generally very densely populated which is reflected even in this graveyard.
As I said, the cherry blossoms are a big deal. They are photographed and people go out in masse to sit under the blossoming trees.
Philosophers walk is lined with cherry trees.
Temple gardens tend to have less blossoms and may stimulate more introspection.
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During the period of the Shoguns, the effective government of the coutry was already moved to Tokyo but the Shogun maintained a stronghold in Kyoto also to demonstrate power directly to the Emperor.
The Golden Temple.
The Karesansui garden of the Ryōan-ji, the ultimate Zen garden.
Intended for introspection but currently so well-visited that it may take a bit of pushing to actually get to see it.
Allegedly the Zen garden is intended to stimulate introspection by posing the notion that one cannot see all stones in the garden at the same time. This model provides an easy solution for those who don't make the more spiritual effort.
One would almost forget that Kyoto is also a large modern city. Here is the interior of the train station.
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In Tokyo the old tends to be more overwhelmed by the modern.
But also here are extensive old religious constructions.
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