The casual visitor to Japan may be forgiven to think that the essence of traditional Japan lies in grand temples like Tokyo's Sensō-ji, Nara's Tōdai-ji, Kyoto's Kiyomizu-dera or other tourist magnets, although these places are spectacular and well worth seeing. This page attempts to provide a few rare glimpses to the quieter, hidden facets of traditional Japan, be it through rural villages, remote festivals, off the beaten track temples and shrines, or less visited corners of Kyoto.
Meoto Iwa (Wedded Rocks) in Futami near Ise City, Mie Prefecture
Jizō statuettes in the moss garden of Sanzen-in Temple, Kyoto
Yanaka Mizu no Komichi canal in Gujō Hachiman, Gifu Prefecture
Illuminated samurai lantern at the Nebuta Festival in Aomori, Aomori Prefecture
Tunnel of torii gates at the Fushimi Inari Grand Shrine in Kyoto
Bushes of azaleas surrounding the Shisendō Hall, Kyoto
Suya no Saka (Vinegar Makers' Hill) in Kitsuki, Ōita Prefecture
Maiko (apprentice geisha) walking in a traditional alley in Gion, Kyoto
Statue of Buddha in the gardens of Konkaikōmyō-ji Temple in autumn, Kyoto
Historic Village of Shirakawa-gō, Gifu Prefecture
Kamiiso-no-torii at the Isosaki Shrine in Ōarai, Ibaraki Prefecture
Zen rock garden in autumn at the Kennin-ji Temple, Kyoto