Keihan bus reflected at Yamashina Station

Yamashina needle and Keihan bus

Gingko trees along Horikawa Avenue

Gingko or ginkgo? Either way, tons of these trees along Horikawa Avenue, a main north-south thoroughfare in Kyoto.

Blue at south end of Shin-Omiya Shopping Street

Blue windows, blue sky, blue cars, blue signs, blue backpack... Blue, Blue, BLUE!!!

Shin-Omiya Shopping Street 5

After meeting a customer for lunch, I walked around an unfamiliar neighborhood and happened upon this retro shopping street. Another good opportunity to practice shooting with isolated colors.

Shin-Omiya Shopping Street 3

After meeting a customer for lunch, I walked around an unfamiliar neighborhood and happened upon this retro shopping street. Another good opportunity to practice shooting with isolated colors.

Small altar at Daitokuji Temple

I found this little altar (shrine?) outside a restaurant where I was waiting to meet a customer for lunch.

Red colors in Terada

I took this on my way to see my son perform in a school event. It was a beautiful day.

Red Kintetsu train arriving

I don't ride the Kintetsu Line much. JR is much more convenient for me since I live in Yamashina. But the trains certainly have more interesting liveries, even if they're simple.

Red Kintetsu train departing

I don't ride the Kintetsu Line much. JR is much more convenient for me since I live in Yamashina. But the trains certainly have more interesting liveries, even if they're simple.

Postpandemic crowds in Kyoto Station 2

Kyoto has many busy spots when tourist season is in high gear, and Kyoto Station is of course one of them.

Postpandemic crowds in Kyoto Station 1

Kyoto has many busy spots when tourist season is in high gear, and Kyoto Station is of course one of them.

Osaka Station North Central Exit

Outside the North Central Exit of JR Osaka Station, a pleasantly spacious area in the middle of the enormous Osaka metropolitan area

Bear at Umekita Plaza, green only

Ted Hyber is the green teddy bear fountain at Umekita Plaza in Osaka. He seems comfortable. The Umeda Sky Building and construction cranes are in the background.

Yokawa Main Hall roof and blue sky

This is when I noticed that isolating the color blue could make for wonderful skies.

Jizo draped in blue

These statues usually wear red bibs. Not sure why this has blue attire. The cloth over the upraised hand is red, by the way.

Statue of the historical Buddha at Enryakuji Temple

Did you know that there are multiple buddhas? The historical Buddha we often think of was named Siddhartha Gautama. They call him Shyaka Nyorai in Japanese.

Ninaido Hall at Enryakuji Temple

According to legend, Benkei, the warrior monk who helped the samurai Minamoto no Yoshitsune take over Japan in the 12th century, lifted this structure by placing the connecting corridor on his shoulders in a feat of immense strength.

Side path at Enryakuji Temple

Despite the crowds of visitors at Enryakuji Temple, you can find some quiet spots if you look around.

Two-storied pagoda at Enryakuji Temple

I can't recall seeing many two-storied pagodas before, though you can find examples at Daikakuji and Chionin temple. Japan's wooden pagodas usually have three or five levels.

Belfry at Enryakuji Temple

I kept hearing the ringing of this bell from afar. I thought, "Wow, the monks are really dedicated to creating a mood here at Enryakuji Temple." It turns out anyone can ring it, and so the visitors do, constantly. Myself included.

Bull statue at Enryakuji Temple

Notable photographer Ken Rockwell, known for being delightfully opinionated, among other things, says that getting up close is the best way to use a lens with a wider angle. I think I agree with him, although actually he's talking about lenses that have much wider angles of view than this one, which is my widest at the moment. If I get the 8mm Fujifilm is coming out with next year, I'll have to put it to the test. I think the results would be fun.

Green tourism at Enryakuji Temple

The vertical banners are my favorite part of this photo.