Thoughts
Ikegami-Honganji
This is a very famous temple that is actually on the outskirts of the main Tokyo city, near the Tama River. It is famous for a) it's size and b) the 99 steps to get into it. It has extensive grounds and a very large cemetary. There is also a quite large pagoda in the grounds that is visible for miles. …
Nezu Again - This Time B&W
I have gone on a number of trips to the large shrine at Nezu, and you will continue to see more photos from there as I continue to try and get the best I can from the place.This time I took Dave from ShootTokyo fame along to try and get a few rolls of film shot off. I brought along my 2 Leica film bodirs - the M6 and M7 and a Noctilux attached to the M7 and a rather old Canon 50mm F1.4 LTM that is as old as I am, on the M6. …
Shibakoen Shrine
As you probably have guessed, I spend a lot of time photographing shrines - not a surprise given where I live and the tens of thousands of shrines that are all across Japan. Tokyo has a few very famous ones, like the Meiji Shrine and the Yasakuni Shrine, but one of the larger ones is in Shibakoen, right next to the Tokyo Tower, just a few railway stops from Tokyo proper. …
Koinobori - digital version
The word Koinobori literally means "carp streamers" and is an apt name for this very Japanese sight. Every year to celebrate Children's Day - one of the Golden Week holidays, huge carp streamers are strung across rivers to fly in the early spring winds. These carp can be up to 3 meters long and are very finely detialed and beautiful to see. …
Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Shrine
The base of Mount Fuji is dotted with Shinto shrines, as mountains hold a special place in the beliefs of the Japanese. Mountains are sacred places and worthy of respect, care and even worship. Given Mount Fuji is the "Daddy of them all" in Japan, there is a lot of effort in some of these palces. Near to Lake Kawaguchi there are a number of shrines in one quite small area. …