Taketomi Island

 

This is Taketomi Island, ten minutes by high-speed craft from Ishigaki Island. The islanders are proud of its tradition and lifestyle. They have preserved their housing tradition. As you see above, it is characterized by its red roof tiles and  coral limestone walls. And every house has a very attractive decoration called Shisa on the roof. It is regarded as guardian.
This is part of Skywatch Friday.

Ishigaki Island

 I visited three southern islands of Okinawa Prefecture. They are Ishigaki Island, Taketomi Island and Iriomote Island. Today I show you the pictures of Ishigaki Island.

Kabira Bay
 

This is part of Skywatch Friday.

Iwatayama Monkey Park

 Iwatayama Monkey Park in Kyoto

In the picture you can see two monkeys, mother and child. Mother monkey is stretching her arm to get some food. Visitors enter the house covered with net to feed monkeys.

Golden Pavilion with Iris

Now iris flowers are in bloom.  New leaves come out and I love to see different green colors.
This is part of Skywatch Friday.

Ginkakuji Temple & Heian Shrine

Ginkakuji Temple

Heian Shrine

This is part of Thursday Challenge. This week's theme is "tranquil". I can't decide which picture to choose, so I posted both.

Red Heart

What a unique Valentine's Day display!  Bamboo trees are decorated in an artistic way.
I found it at Nunobiki Herb Garden in Kobe.
This is part of Outdoor Wednesday.

Winter Illumination

Today I went to Nabana-no-sato Garden in Kuwana city, Mie Prefecture to see winter illumination. This year's theme is "Mt. Fuji."
This is part of Outdoor Wednesday.

Kinkakuji Temple

at the Kinkakuji Temple or the Golden Pavillion in Kyoto

 

at the Kiyomizu Temple in Kyoto

Izumisano Fishing Port

Izumisano city is located in the southern part of Osaka Prefecture and is the entrance to the Kansai International Airport. I found a fishing port and also there is a market selling fresh fish caught in the nearby Osaka Bay.
This is part of Monday Mellow Yellows.

Arashiyama

This is the sky at Arashiyama in Kyoto. Beautiful color variation.
This is part of Skywatch Friday.

Jojakkoji Temple

Jojakkoji Temple is located in Arashiyama, Kyoto and one of the famous places for its maple leaves. Today I visited there with my guests from Singapore who are fascinated with autumn colors. Of course, me too!!
This is part of Ruby Tuesday 2 and Our World Tuesday.

Nara Park

This is a picture of fall foliage in Nara Park taken a few days ago.
This is part of Outdoor Wednesday.

Mt. Fuji 2

                      Mt. Fuji with more clouds through Lake Kawaguchi

                            the view of Lake Kawaguchi from the ropeway

                                             leaves color is proceeding                   

                                          This is part of Skywatch Friday.

Mt. Fuji

This is Mt. Fuji, the highest mountain in Japan. (3776m) I took this picture at the top of another mountain near Lake Kawaguchi in Yamanashi Prefecture. I was knocked down by its beauty.
This is part of Skywatch Friday.

Thursday Challenge

This was taken before sunset at the Floating Garden Observatory in Osaka. You can see the Yodo River and the Osaka Bay.
This is part of Thursday Challenge. This week's theme is 'landscape.'

Child Celebration

This family came to the Kasuga Grand Shrine in Nara to celebrate the girl's healthy growth.  This is a custom called 'Seven Five Three" still living in Japan. Three-year-old boys and girls, five-year-old boys and seven-year-old girls are taken to Shinto shrines by their parents to celebrate their growth. Many children wear traditional kimono for this celebration. This girl's kimono and sash are so gorgeous. Her hair style too.
This is part of Ruby Tuesday 2.

Group Shot

Now is the time for school outing in Japan. You can see many primary school kids with yellow caps are ready to be photographed by their teacher. They are posing in front of the Buddha Hall of the Todaiji Temple in Nara.
This is part of Monday Mellow Yellows and Our World Tuesday.

At Heian Shrine

I found this reflection on the small lake of the Heian Shrine Garden in Kyoto. The red umbrella and maple leaves color caught my eyes.

Today Heian Shrine held a special ceremony for the certain tea ceremony group and many kimono ladies came to participate it.
This is part of weekend Reflections.

Windy Lake Biwa

Two days ago I took this picture at the lakeside of Lake Biwa, the biggest lake in Japan. As you see, it was very windy.
Now the big typhoon #26 is approaching Japan . Hope it will swerve away from us.
This is part of Water World Wednesday and Outdoor Wednesday.

Pontocho

These were taken at Pontocho Street in Kyoto. This narrow alley is always full of people at night, who wish to enjoy nice dinner. But in the morning very different.
This is part of Ruby Tuesday 2 and Our World Tuesday.