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This vermilion-lacquered three-story pagoda is one of the symbols of Kiyomizu-dera Temple. It is situated near the entrance of the temple, therefore it is well seen from Chawan-zaka Street, the hilly street leading to the temple.
清水寺、三重塔(京都市)
This Zen Buddhist Temple located in Kyoto, Japan, has 0.5 μm pure gold leaf covering the top two stories of the three-story structure. The pavilion successfully incorporates three distinct styles of architecture, which are shinden, samurai and zen, specifically on each floor.
Information is from: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kinkaku-ji
Kinkaku-ji (金閣寺, literally "Temple of the Golden Pavilion"), officially named Rokuon-ji (鹿苑寺, lit. 'Deer Garden Temple'), is a Zen temple in northern Kyoto whose top two floors are completely covered in gold leaf. The temple belonged to a powerful statesman, Saionji Kintsune. Kinkaku-ji's history dates to 1397, when the villa was purchased from the Saionji family by shōgun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu and transformed into the Kinkaku-ji complex. After he died in 1408 by his will, his son converted it to a Zen temple.
It has burned down numerous times throughout its history including twice during the Onin War, a civil war that destroyed much of Kyoto; and once again more recently in 1950 when it was set on fire by a fanatic monk. The present structure was rebuilt in 1955.
It is designated a National Special Historic Site and a National Special Landscape. It is one of 17 locations making up the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto which are World Heritage Sites.
Each floor of the Kinkaku-ji uses three different styles of architecture: shinden, samurai, and zen, specifically on each floor.
The first floor, called The Chamber of Dharma Waters (法水院, Hō-sui-in), is rendered in shinden-zukuri style, reminiscent of the residential style of the 11th century Heian imperial aristocracy. It is designed as an open space with adjacent verandas and uses natural, unpainted wood and white plaster. This helps to emphasize the surrounding landscape. The walls and fenestration also affect the views from inside the pavilion. Most of the walls are made of shutters that can vary the amount of light and air in the pavilion and change the view by controlling the shutters' heights. The second floor called The Tower of Sound Waves (潮音洞, Chō-on-dō ), is built in the style of warrior aristocrats, or buke-zukuri. On this floor, sliding wood doors and latticed windows create a feeling of impermanence. The second floor also contains a Buddha Hall and a shrine dedicated to the goddess of mercy, Kannon. The third floor is built in traditional Chinese chán ( zen) style, known as zenshū-butsuden-zukuri. It is called the Cupola of the Ultimate (究竟頂, Kukkyō-chō).
Behind the Villa, a deck extends over the Koi Pond, the waters of which flow under the house and flow over a step in the front. From the deck one can see out into the Bamboo Forest or, moving to the left in this image, go to a small enclosed observation area to look down the cliff and into the sea.
Japanese Villa by Greymoon Designs. Palm Trees and Bamboo by Heart Garden Centre.
The Bell Tower (The Shoro) of a Buddhist Temple, Todai-ji. Nara, Japan.
The Bell Tower was built in Zen style, which was originally called karayō (Chinese style). Its characteristics are earthen floors, subtly curved pent roofs (mokoshi) and pronouncedly curved main roofs, cusped windows (katōmado) and paneled doors. Examples of this style include the belfry at Tōdai-ji.
Unnojuku
海野宿
These houses are separated by wall for fire prevention
and it's called as "Udatsu".
海野宿といえばこのような眺め、
それぞれの家がうだつという防火壁で
仕切られています。
うだつがあがらないの語源となりました。
Tomi city, Nagano pref, Japan
Kinkaku-ji (金閣寺, literally "Temple of the Golden Pavilion"), officially named Rokuon-ji (鹿苑寺, lit. 'Deer Garden Temple'), is a Zen temple in northern Kyoto whose top two floors are completely covered in gold leaf. The temple belonged to a powerful statesman, Saionji Kintsune. Kinkaku-ji's history dates to 1397, when the villa was purchased from the Saionji family by shōgun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu and transformed into the Kinkaku-ji complex. After he died in 1408 by his will, his son converted it to a Zen temple.
It has burned down numerous times throughout its history including twice during the Onin War, a civil war that destroyed much of Kyoto; and once again more recently in 1950 when it was set on fire by a fanatic monk. The present structure was rebuilt in 1955.
It is designated a National Special Historic Site and a National Special Landscape. It is one of 17 locations making up the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto which are World Heritage Sites.
Each floor of the Kinkaku-ji uses three different styles of architecture: shinden, samurai, and zen, specifically on each floor.
The first floor, called The Chamber of Dharma Waters (法水院, Hō-sui-in), is rendered in shinden-zukuri style, reminiscent of the residential style of the 11th century Heian imperial aristocracy. It is designed as an open space with adjacent verandas and uses natural, unpainted wood and white plaster. This helps to emphasize the surrounding landscape. The walls and fenestration also affect the views from inside the pavilion. Most of the walls are made of shutters that can vary the amount of light and air in the pavilion and change the view by controlling the shutters' heights. The second floor called The Tower of Sound Waves (潮音洞, Chō-on-dō ), is built in the style of warrior aristocrats, or buke-zukuri. On this floor, sliding wood doors and latticed windows create a feeling of impermanence. The second floor also contains a Buddha Hall and a shrine dedicated to the goddess of mercy, Kannon. The third floor is built in traditional Chinese chán ( zen) style, known as zenshū-butsuden-zukuri. It is called the Cupola of the Ultimate (究竟頂, Kukkyō-chō).
Buddhist temple in Nara, Japan.
The Great South Gate is the main gate of Tōdai-ji. The original, erected during the Nara period, was destroyed by a typhoon during the Heian period. The present structure, which dates to the Kamakura period, was built using what is known as the “Daibutsu style.” A type of construction based upon Sung Chinese models, it was newly introduced to Japan by Chōgen, the monk responsible for restoring Tōdai-ji, at the end of the twelfth century. The ridgepole was raised in 1199, and the structure was completed in 1203 along with the statues of the guardian deities, the Two Ni-ō, housed in the gate. The gate with its double hip-and-gable roof is five bays wide and two bays deep. Originally, there were three pairs of doors. The eighteen giant pillars that support the roof measure 19.058 meters, and the entire structure rises 25.46 meters above the stone plinth on which it rests. The Great South Gate is the largest temple entrance gate in Japan, suitable in scale to the Great Buddha Hall.
Buddhist temple in Nara, Japan.
The Great South Gate is the main gate of Tōdai-ji. The original, erected during the Nara period, was destroyed by a typhoon during the Heian period. The present structure, which dates to the Kamakura period, was built using what is known as the “Daibutsu style.” A type of construction based upon Sung Chinese models, it was newly introduced to Japan by Chōgen, the monk responsible for restoring Tōdai-ji, at the end of the twelfth century. The ridgepole was raised in 1199 and the structure was completed in 1203 along with the statues of the guardian dieties, the Two Ni-ō housed in the gate. The gate with its double hip-and-gable roof is five bays wide and two bays deep. Originally there were three pairs of doors. The eighteen giant pillars that support the roof measure 19.058 meters and the entire structure rises 25.46 meters above the stone plinth on which it rests. The Great South Gate is the largest temple entrance gate in Japan, suitable in scale to the Great Buddha Hall.
Kinkaku-ji (金閣寺, literally "Temple of the Golden Pavilion"), officially named Rokuon-ji (鹿苑寺, lit. 'Deer Garden Temple'), is a Zen temple in northern Kyoto whose top two floors are completely covered in gold leaf. The temple belonged to a powerful statesman, Saionji Kintsune. Kinkaku-ji's history dates to 1397, when the villa was purchased from the Saionji family by shōgun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu and transformed into the Kinkaku-ji complex. After he died in 1408 by his will, his son converted it to a Zen temple.
It has burned down numerous times throughout its history including twice during the Onin War, a civil war that destroyed much of Kyoto; and once again more recently in 1950 when it was set on fire by a fanatic monk. The present structure was rebuilt in 1955.
It is designated a National Special Historic Site and a National Special Landscape. It is one of 17 locations making up the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto which are World Heritage Sites.
Each floor of the Kinkaku-ji uses three different styles of architecture: shinden, samurai, and zen, specifically on each floor.
The first floor, called The Chamber of Dharma Waters (法水院, Hō-sui-in), is rendered in shinden-zukuri style, reminiscent of the residential style of the 11th century Heian imperial aristocracy. It is designed as an open space with adjacent verandas and uses natural, unpainted wood and white plaster. This helps to emphasize the surrounding landscape. The walls and fenestration also affect the views from inside the pavilion. Most of the walls are made of shutters that can vary the amount of light and air in the pavilion and change the view by controlling the shutters' heights. The second floor called The Tower of Sound Waves (潮音洞, Chō-on-dō ), is built in the style of warrior aristocrats, or buke-zukuri. On this floor, sliding wood doors and latticed windows create a feeling of impermanence. The second floor also contains a Buddha Hall and a shrine dedicated to the goddess of mercy, Kannon. The third floor is built in traditional Chinese chán ( zen) style, known as zenshū-butsuden-zukuri. It is called the Cupola of the Ultimate (究竟頂, Kukkyō-chō).
The Nagoya Castle in Japan, among cherry-trees in blossom.
Artificial Intelligence Creation (Deep Dream Generator)
Japanese Tea Garden, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, California, USA
( Please View Full Screen ... )
In December 2017 we went to Japan, and drove half way around Mt. Fuji to visit a historical village called 西湖いやしの里根場 (Saiko Iyashino-Sato Nenba), now turned into a museum. The village has wooden buildings with thatched roofs. This is the view over one of the roofs, with Mt. Fuji volcano in the background. It must be windy up there - there is considerable snow drift.
I processed an interior and a paintery HDR photo from three RAW exposures, blended them selectively, and carefully adjusted the color balance and curves.
Thank you for visiting - ♡ with gratitude! Fave if you like it, add comments below, like the Facebook page, order beautiful HDR prints at qualityHDR.com.
-- ƒ/10, 209 mm, 1/250 sec, ISO 100, Sony NEX-6, SEL-55210, HDR, 3 RAW exposures, _DSC8324_5_6_hdr3int2pai5c.jpg
-- CC BY-NC-SA 4.0, © 2017 Peter Thoeny, Quality HDR Photography
I enjoy visiting Hakone Estate and Gardens, a Japanese-style garden located in Saratoga, California, not far from my home. Recently, the garden opened for evening hours during Hanami, the traditional Japanese celebration of cherry blossoms. Visible across the pond is the Upper House, which served as the residence for the estate's original owners a century ago.
I processed a balanced, a photographic, and a paintery HDR photos from four RAW exposures, blended them selectively, carefully adjusted the color balance and curves, and desaturated the image. I welcome and appreciate constructive comments.
Thank you for visiting - ♡ with gratitude! Fave if you like it, add comments below, like the Facebook page, order beautiful HDR prints at qualityHDR.com.
-- ƒ/6.3, 16 mm, 0.4, 1.6, 6, 25 sec, ISO 400, Sony A6400, SEL-P1650, HDR, 4 RAW exposures, _DSC0695_6_7_9_hdr4bal1pho1pai5m.jpg
-- CC BY-NC-SA 4.0, © 2025 Peter Thoeny, Quality HDR Photography
I like to visit nearby Hakone Estate and Gardens, a Japanese garden in Saratoga, California. Three Vietnamese women did a photo shoot at the wooden arch bridge at the end of January, in preparation of the Chinese New Year. I used this occasion to take a reflection shot of two women in beautiful dresses posing for their photographer standing on the bridge.
I processed a photographic, a balanced, and a paintery HDR photos from three RAW exposures, blended them selectively, and carefully adjusted the color balance and curves. I welcome and appreciate constructive comments.
Thank you for visiting - ♡ with gratitude! Fave if you like it, add comments below, like the Facebook page, order beautiful HDR prints at qualityHDR.com.
-- ƒ/5.6, 39 mm, 1/25, 1/100, 1/400 sec, ISO 400, Sony A6400, SEL-P1650, HDR, 3 RAW exposures, _DSC9366_7_8_hdr3pho1bal1pai5f.jpg
-- CC BY-NC-SA 4.0, © 2025 Peter Thoeny, Quality HDR Photography
牛嶋神社 Ushijima jinjya shrine
緑青屋根:Aerugo roof takeⅡ
蒼く緑青が吹いた屋根
Copper rust called aerugo
Tokyo,Japan
20140201
USC00887
Thank you for visiting - ❤ with gratitude! Fave if you like it, add comments below, like the Facebook page, order beautiful HDR prints at qualityHDR.com.
On Saturdays I like to go for a meditation session at the Upper House at Hakone Gardens, a Japanese garden in Saratoga, California. This is the veranda, taken in Stanley Kubrick's "one-point perspective".
I processed a balanced and two paintery HDR photos from three RAW exposures, merged them selectively, carefully adjusted the color balance and curves, and slightly reduced the saturation.
-- © Peter Thoeny, CC BY-NC-SA 4.0, HDR, 1 RAW exposure, NEX-6, _DSC3168_9_0_hdr3pai1pai2bal1l
...especially in Kyoto while wet snow falls. Kyoto is timeless.
Dedicated to David Robert Jones, who had more influence on me than I realized.
The beautiful Five-Story Pagoda at Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa, Tokyo, illuminated against the dark night sky. I like how the red and orange tones of the temple contrast against the inky blue night sky. Shot at night with the Sony A7Cii and 35mm f1.4 GM lens.
Thank you for visiting - ❤ with gratitude! Fave if you like it, add comments below, like the Facebook page, order beautiful HDR prints at qualityHDR.com.
Last December we went to Japan. We drove half way around Mt. Fuji to visit a historical village called 西湖いやしの里根場 (Saiko Iyashino-Sato Nenba), which means place for healing. The village has wooden buildings with thatched roofs. Mt. Fuji can be seen in the background.
I processed an balanced, an interior, and a paintery HDR photo from three RAW exposures, merged them selectively, and carefully adjusted the curves and color balance.
-- © Peter Thoeny, CC BY-NC-SA 4.0, HDR, 3 RAW exposures, NEX-6, _DSC8375_6_7_hdr3bal1int2pai5j.jpg
Thank you for visiting - ❤ with gratitude! Fave if you like it, add comments below, like the Facebook page, order beautiful HDR prints at qualityHDR.com.
Last December we went to Japan. We drove half way around Mt. Fuji to visit a historical village called 西湖いやしの里根場 (Saiko Iyashino-Sato Nenba), now turned into a museum. The village has wooden buildings with thatched roofs. This is the view over one of the roofs, with the volcano in the background. It must be windy up there - there is considerable snow drift.
I processed an interior and a paintery HDR photo from three RAW exposures, merged them selectively, carefully adjusted the curves, and desaturated the image.
-- © Peter Thoeny, CC BY-NC-SA 4.0, HDR, 3 RAW exposures, NEX-6, _DSC8324_5_6_hdr3int2pai5e.jpg
On Saturdays I like to join a Mikkyo Zen meditation class at Hakone Gardens, a Japanese garden in Saratoga, California. We meditate in a traditional Japanese house with tatami floors made of straw. Well, the physical class is currently suspended until the shelter in place order is lifted.
I processed a balanced, a paintery, and a photographic HDR photo from three RAW exposures, blended them, carefully adjusted the color balance and curves, desaturated the image, and added a Silver Efex Pro 2 filter. I welcome and appreciate constructive comments.
Thank you for visiting - ♡ with gratitude! Fave if you like it, add comments below, like the Facebook page, order beautiful HDR prints at qualityHDR.com.
-- ƒ/4.5, 28 mm, 1/40 sec, ISO 200, Sony A7R II, FE 28-70mm F3.5-5.6 OSS, HDR, 3 RAW exposures, _DSC1698_9_0_hdr3bal1pai5pho1n.jpg
-- CC BY-NC-SA 4.0, © Peter Thoeny, Quality HDR Photography
牛嶋神社 Ushijima jinjya shrine
緑青屋根:Aerugo roof
蒼く緑青が吹いた屋根
Copper rust called aerugo
Tokyo,Japan
20140201
DSC00886
Rikugien Gardens, one of Tokyo's most exquisite Japanese gardens, is a living testament to the Edo period's artistic grandeur. Established in 1702 by Yanagisawa Yoshiyasu, a trusted confidant of Shogun Tokugawa Tsunayoshi, the garden was meticulously designed to replicate famous scenes from classical Japanese waka poetry. "Rikugien," which translates to "Six Poems Garden," embodies the aesthetic principles of traditional Japanese landscape architecture, combining the beauty of nature with symbolic literary references.
As you wander through Rikugien’s winding paths, you’re transported to an era where tranquility and contemplation reigned. The central pond, pictured here, reflects the lush greenery and artful arrangement of rocks and trees, inviting you to lose yourself in its serene beauty. This pond, along with its surrounding landscapes, represents various poetic scenes and is masterfully integrated with man-made structures like stone lanterns and teahouses. Each feature harmonizes with nature, embodying the Japanese concept of "shakkei" or "borrowed scenery," where the garden’s design draws upon the surrounding environment to create a seamless visual experience.
During autumn, the garden is especially enchanting as the vibrant red and gold hues of maple trees illuminate the landscape. Rikugien is a must-visit during this season, with evening illuminations that highlight the elegance of the changing foliage. For visitors seeking a peaceful retreat from Tokyo's bustling city life, Rikugien Gardens offers a unique blend of history, culture, and natural beauty, making it a cherished destination for locals and tourists alike. This garden isn't just a scenic spot; it’s a journey through Japan's rich artistic and literary heritage.