Japan

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An Inari shrine in Kyoto (Inari Jinja) is a Shinto Shrine dedicated to the worship the god Inari. There are many Inari shrines in Japan. The deity is worshiped also in some Buddhist temples.

An Inari shrine in Kyoto (Inari Jinja) is a Shinto Shrine dedicated to the worship the god Inari. There are many Inari shrines in Japan. The deity is worshiped also in some Buddhist temples.

Inari Shrine in Kyoto. Fushimi Inari-taisha in Fishimi-ku, Kyoto. The entrance to an Inari shrine is usually marked by one or more vermilion tori (gates) and some statues of kitsune (a fox), which are often adorned with red yodarekake (votive bibs) …

Inari Shrine in Kyoto. Fushimi Inari-taisha in Fishimi-ku, Kyoto. The entrance to an Inari shrine is usually marked by one or more vermilion tori (gates) and some statues of kitsune (a fox), which are often adorned with red yodarekake (votive bibs) by worshippers out of respect.

The red color has come to be identified with Inari, because of the prevalence of its use among Inari shrines and their torii.

The red color has come to be identified with Inari, because of the prevalence of its use among Inari shrines and their torii.

Offerings of rice and sake, and other food are given at the shrine to appease and please kitsune (fox) messengers, who are then expected to plead with Inari on the worshipper's behalf.

Offerings of rice and sake, and other food are given at the shrine to appease and please kitsune (fox) messengers, who are then expected to plead with Inari on the worshipper's behalf.

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The three story pagoda at the Kiyomizu-dera, an independent Buddhist temple in eastern Kyoto. The temple was founded in 778. It takes its name from the waterfall within the complex, which runs off the nearby hills. Kiyomizu means clear water, or pur…

The three story pagoda at the Kiyomizu-dera, an independent Buddhist temple in eastern Kyoto. The temple was founded in 778. It takes its name from the waterfall within the complex, which runs off the nearby hills. Kiyomizu means clear water, or pure water.

Beneath the main hall of the Kiyomizu-dera Temple is the Otowa waterfall, where three channels of water fall into a pond. Visitors can catch and drink the water, which is believed to have wish-granting powers.

Beneath the main hall of the Kiyomizu-dera Temple is the Otowa waterfall, where three channels of water fall into a pond. Visitors can catch and drink the water, which is believed to have wish-granting powers.

The Adachi Museum of Art opened in Yasugi, Shimane Prefecture in 1970. It has a top rated Japanese garden. The museum incorporates nature into its exhibit where the elegant garden framed by strategically placed windows is really an art display.

The Adachi Museum of Art opened in Yasugi, Shimane Prefecture in 1970. It has a top rated Japanese garden. The museum incorporates nature into its exhibit where the elegant garden framed by strategically placed windows is really an art display.

The Adachi Museum's 6 gardens and around 1,500 exhibits of Japanese paintings, pottery, and other works of art occupy the 165,000 square-meter area.

The Adachi Museum's 6 gardens and around 1,500 exhibits of Japanese paintings, pottery, and other works of art occupy the 165,000 square-meter area.

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Kiyomizu-dera in Kyoto, Three story pagoda.

Kiyomizu-dera in Kyoto, Three story pagoda.

Tsurugaoka Hachimangū is the most important Shinto Shrine in the city of Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. This shrine was originally built in 1063. Both the shrine and the city were built with Feng Shui in mind.

Tsurugaoka Hachimangū is the most important Shinto Shrine in the city of Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. This shrine was originally built in 1063. Both the shrine and the city were built with Feng Shui in mind.

The Tori (gate) leading to the Meiji Shrine complex. Meiji Shrine is located in Shibuya, Tokyo is the Shinto Shrine that is dedicated to the deified spirits of Emperor Meiji and his wife, Empress Shoken.

The Tori (gate) leading to the Meiji Shrine complex. Meiji Shrine is located in Shibuya, Tokyo is the Shinto Shrine that is dedicated to the deified spirits of Emperor Meiji and his wife, Empress Shoken.

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Tokyo

Tokyo

Tokyo

Tokyo

The Municipal Office building in Tokyo with great free observation deck.

The Municipal Office building in Tokyo with great free observation deck.

Yokohama

Yokohama

Yokohama

Yokohama

Hakodate, Japan

Hakodate, Japan

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Beppu is a city a on the southern Japanese island of Kyushu. Set between Beppu Bay and volcanic mountains, it's home to more than 2,000 onsen (hot springs).

Beppu is a city a on the southern Japanese island of Kyushu. Set between Beppu Bay and volcanic mountains, it's home to more than 2,000 onsen (hot springs).

Shimabara Castle is a typical Japanese castle located in Shimabara, Hizen Province near Nagasaki.

Shimabara Castle is a typical Japanese castle located in Shimabara, Hizen Province near Nagasaki.

Shimabara Castle

Shimabara Castle

The outer moats of the Shimabara Castle are 15 meters deep and between 30–50 meters wide,

The outer moats of the Shimabara Castle are 15 meters deep and between 30–50 meters wide,

Smurai armor

Smurai armor

Shimabara Castle and the city of Shimabara

Shimabara Castle and the city of Shimabara

Mount Unzen is part of Shimabara Peninsua. On June 3, 1991, the volcano erupted violently. The volcano generated at least 10,000 small pyroclastic flows, destroying about 2,000 houses.

Mount Unzen is part of Shimabara Peninsua. On June 3, 1991, the volcano erupted violently. The volcano generated at least 10,000 small pyroclastic flows, destroying about 2,000 houses.

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A shrine dedicated to the victims of Mount Unzen eruptions.

A shrine dedicated to the victims of Mount Unzen eruptions.

Nagasaki Bay, Japan

Nagasaki Bay, Japan

Disima in Nagasaki was a Dutch trading post notable for being the single place of direct trade and exchange between Japan and the outside world during the Edo period.

Disima in Nagasaki was a Dutch trading post notable for being the single place of direct trade and exchange between Japan and the outside world during the Edo period.

The Mitsubishi shipyard in Nagasaki.

The Mitsubishi shipyard in Nagasaki.

Nagasaki Japan

Nagasaki Japan

Nagasaki Japan

Nagasaki Japan

Mitsubishi Shipyards in Nagasaki specializing in building LNG ships.

Mitsubishi Shipyards in Nagasaki specializing in building LNG ships.

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Kushiro-shitsugen National Park is a national park located in the east of the island of Hokkaido. It is a home to the red-crested crane, also called the Japanese crane or Manchurian crane, is a large East Asian crane among the rarest cranes in the w…

Kushiro-shitsugen National Park is a national park located in the east of the island of Hokkaido. It is a home to the red-crested crane, also called the Japanese crane or Manchurian crane, is a large East Asian crane among the rarest cranes in the world. In Japan it is known as a symbol of luck, longevity, and fidelity. Hokkaido Japan.

Hokkaido Japan

Hokkaido Japan

Shirakami Mountains, Japan

Shirakami Mountains, Japan

Shirakami Mountains, Japan

Shirakami Mountains, Japan

Shirakami Mountains, Japan

Shirakami Mountains, Japan

Kurokuma Falls also known as “Black Bear Falls”, it is located in the town of Ajigasawa, Higashitsugaru District Aomori Prefecture. The waterfalls is regarded to be an object of religious veneration due to its shape resembling an image of Kannon Bos…

Kurokuma Falls also known as “Black Bear Falls”, it is located in the town of Ajigasawa, Higashitsugaru District Aomori Prefecture. The waterfalls is regarded to be an object of religious veneration due to its shape resembling an image of Kannon Bosatsu with hands clasped in prayer. It is also thought to resemble a standing bear, hence its literal translation.

Hokkaido Japan

Hokkaido Japan

Hokkaido Japan

Hokkaido Japan

Hokkaido Japan

Hokkaido Japan

Hokkaido, Japan - near Hakodate

Hokkaido, Japan - near Hakodate

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Hokkaido Japan

Hokkaido Japan

Otaru, a port city on Hokkaido (Japan’s northernmost island), lies northwest of Sapporo on Ishikari Bay. The city is known for glassworks, music boxes and sake distilleries.

Otaru, a port city on Hokkaido (Japan’s northernmost island), lies northwest of Sapporo on Ishikari Bay. The city is known for glassworks, music boxes and sake distilleries.

Otaru, a port city on Hokkaido (Japan’s northernmost island), lies northwest of Sapporo on Ishikari Bay. The city is known for glassworks, music boxes and sake distilleries.

Otaru, a port city on Hokkaido (Japan’s northernmost island), lies northwest of Sapporo on Ishikari Bay. The city is known for glassworks, music boxes and sake distilleries.

Byōbu (wind wall) are Japanese folding screens made from several joined panels, bearing decorative painting and calligraphy, used to separate interiors and enclose private spaces.

Byōbu (wind wall) are Japanese folding screens made from several joined panels, bearing decorative painting and calligraphy, used to separate interiors and enclose private spaces.

Beautiful Japanese art.

Beautiful Japanese art.

The governmental hall of the Republic of Ezo, inside the fortress of Goryokaku in Hakodate on the Island of Hokaido, Japan.

The governmental hall of the Republic of Ezo, inside the fortress of Goryokaku in Hakodate on the Island of Hokaido, Japan.

Hakodate, Hokaido, Japan

Hakodate, Hokaido, Japan

The Aomori Nebuta Matsuri Festival

The Aomori Nebuta Matsuri Festival

The Aomori Nebuta Matsuri Festival

The Aomori Nebuta Matsuri Festival

The Aomori Nebuta Matsuri Festival

The Aomori Nebuta Matsuri Festival

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The Aomori Nebuta Matsuri Festival

The Aomori Nebuta Matsuri Festival

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Kyoto, Japan

Kyoto, Japan

Kyoto, Japan

Kyoto, Japan

Japanese cemetery

Japanese cemetery

Hashima Island is an abandoned island lying about 15 kilometers (9 miles) from the city of Nagasaki. The island's most notable features are its abandoned concrete buildings, undisturbed except by nature, and the surrounding sea wall.

Hashima Island is an abandoned island lying about 15 kilometers (9 miles) from the city of Nagasaki. The island's most notable features are its abandoned concrete buildings, undisturbed except by nature, and the surrounding sea wall.