Japan

This gallery shows pictures from the places I have visited in Japan: Ajiro, Atami, Kamakura, Kyoto and Nikko (coming soon), and Tokyo (more coming soon). Japan has much to offer: from quaint fishing villages to its dizzying capital, from stunning historic sites to the fast Shinkansen trains, and from beautiful cherry blossoms to incredible food.

The rinzo (rotating bookracks) at Hase-dera temple houses the important Buddhist sutras for the temple. It is said that by turning the rinzo one can earn the same merit as from reading all the sutras.
Hasedera Temple Japan Kamakura Historic Architecture Rinzo Katzprints Photography
The magnificent 11-headed Kanzeon Bosatsu in Hase-dera temple is covered in gold, which was applied to the statue in 1342; each of its heads represents a different phase in the search for enlightenment.
Hasedera Temple Japan Kamakura Sculpture Historic Katzprints Photography Kannon
Amida buddha at Hase-dera temple in Kamakura
Hasedera Temple Japan Kamakura Sculpture Buddha Historic Katzprints Photography
Statue at Hase-dera temple in Kamakura
Hasedera Temple Iron work Japan Kamakura Sculpture Historic Katzprints Photography
Paper umbrella and bamboo at Hase-dera temple
Bamboo Hasedera Temple Japan Kamakura Umbrella Katzprints Photography
The Fudō-myōō is the best known of the Five Wisdom Kings; he usually holds a sword and a lariat and is clad in monastic rags. This sculpture can be seen at Hase-dera temple in Kamakura.
Hasedera Temple Iron work Japan Kamakura Sculpture Historic Katzprints Photography
Red torii gates lead to the Gojo shrine in Tokyo
Gojo Shrine Japan Spring Tokyo Ueno Park Torii gates Historic Architecture Katzprints Photography
Red-bibbed fox (inari) statue at the Gojo shrine in Ueno Park, Tokyo
Gojo Shrine Japan Sculpture Spring Stone work Tokyo Ueno Park Historic Katzprints Photography Inari
Colorful paper garlands at the Gojo shrine in Tokyo
Gojo Shrine Japan Spring Tokyo Ueno Park Katzprints Photography
Red torii gates lead to the Gojo shrine in Tokyo
Gojo Shrine Japan Spring Tokyo Ueno Park Historic Architecture Torii gates Katzprints Photography
Stone lantern at the Gojo shrine in Tokyo
Gojo Shrine Japan Sakura_Hanami Spring Tokyo Ueno Park Historic Katzprints Photography Cherry blossom
A worshipper stands in front of the Great Buddhist Pagoda in Ueno Park. The stupa marks the former site of a great daibutsu.
Japan Spring Tokyo Ueno Park Architecture Great Buddhist Pagoda Historic Katzprints Photography
The head is the only remains of the Ueno Daibutsu, a giant bronze buddha statue from 1631, that was damaged in a fire and three different earthquakes through the centuries.
Japan Sculpture Spring Tokyo Ueno Park Buddha Daibutso Historic Katzprints Photography
Visitors and locals enjoy the 1000 blooming cherry trees along the main walkway in Ueno park with a stroll or a traditional hanami picnic
Japan People Sakura_Hanami Spring Street scene Tokyo Ueno Park Cherry blossom Katzprints Photography
Cherry blossoms and lanterns in Ueno park
Japan Sakura_Hanami Spring Tokyo Ueno Park Cherry blossom Katzprints Photography
Cherry blossoms and lanterns in Ueno park
Japan Sakura_Hanami Sculpture Spring Tokyo Toshogu Shrine Ueno Park Historic Katzprints Photography
Stone lanterns at Ueno Tōshō-gū shrine in Tokyo
Japan Sculpture Spring Tokyo Toshogu Shrine Ueno Park Stone work Lantern Historic Shinto Katzprints Photography
Detail of the gate to the Ueno Tōshō-gū shrine complex in Tokyo. The shrine, established in 1627, is currently undergoing repair work which is scheduled to be completed in 2013.
Detail Japan Roof Spring Tokyo Toshogu Shrine Ueno Park Historic Architecture Gate Katzprints Photography
Wooden door at Ueno Tōshō-gū shrine in Tokyo
Door Japan Spring Tokyo Toshogu Shrine Ueno Park Historic Architecture Katzprints Photography
Ema boards at Uneo Tōshō-gū shrine in Tokyo
Japan Spring Tokyo Toshogu Shrine Ueno Park Ema Katzprints Photography
Cherry blossoms at Ueno Tōshō-gū shrine in Tokyo
Japan Sakura_Hanami Spring Tokyo Toshogu Shrine Ueno Park Cherry blossom Katzprints Photography
The backside of Ueno Tōshō-gū shrine in Tokyo
Japan Spring Tokyo Toshogu Shrine Ueno Park Cherry blossom Architecture Historic Katzprints Photography
Lantern at the front of Ueno Tōshō-gū shrine in Tokyo
Japan Spring Tokyo Toshogu Shrine Ueno Park Historic Architecture Katzprints Photography
Door and lantern at Ueno Tōshō-gū shrine in Tokyo
Door Japan Spring Tokyo Toshogu Shrine Ueno Park Historic Architecture Katzprints Photography
Lion carving at the entrance of the Ueno Tōshō-gū shrine in Tokyo
Carving Japan Spring Tokyo Toshogu Shrine Ueno Park Wood Architecture Historic Shinto Katzprints Photography
Hardware detail at the Ueno Tōshō-gū shrine
Closeup Japan Metal Spring Tokyo Toshogu Shrine Ueno Park Historic Architecture Katzprints Photography
Hardware detail at the Ueno Tōshō-gū shrine
Closeup Japan Metal Spring Tokyo Toshogu Shrine Ueno Park Historic Architecture Katzprints Photography
Carving at the Ueno Tōshō-gū shrine in Tokyo
Carving Japan Spring Tokyo Toshogu Shrine Ueno Park Wood Historic Architecture Katzprints Photography
Detail of a door at Ueno Tōshō-gū shrine in Tokyo
Carving Detail Door Japan Spring Tokyo Toshogu Shrine Ueno Park Historic Architecture Katzprints Photography
Forgotten broom at Ueno Tōshō-gū shrine in Tokyo
Japan Spring Tokyo Toshogu Shrine Ueno Park Historic Architecture Katzprints Photography
Chance encounter at the Ueno Tōshō-gū Shrine in Tokyo
Children Japan People Spring Tokyo Toshogu Shrine Ueno Park Historic Architecture Katzprints Photography
Cherry blossoms and petals at Ueno Tōshō-gū shrine in Tokyo
Japan Roof Sakura_Hanami Spring Tokyo Toshogu Shrine Ueno Park Cherry blossom Architecture Historic Katzprints Photography
Lanterns and cherry blossoms at Ueno Tōshō-gū shrine in Tokyo
Detail Iron work Japan Sakura_Hanami Sculpture Spring Tokyo Toshogu Shrine Ueno Park Historic Katzprints Photography Cherry blossom
Lantern detail at Ueno Tōshō-gū shrine in Tokyo
Detail Iron work Japan Sculpture Spring Tokyo Toshogu Shrine Ueno Park Historic Katzprints Photography
Lanterns and cherry blossoms at Ueno Tōshō-gū shrine in Tokyo
Japan Sakura_Hanami Sculpture Spring Tokyo Toshogu Shrine Ueno Park Cherry blossom Architecture Historic Katzprints Photography
17th century five-story pagoda in Ueno park
Architecture Japan Sakura_Hanami Spring Tokyo Ueno Park Historic Katzprints Photography Pagoda
Visitors and locals enjoy a stroll under the blooming cherry trees in Ueno park in Tokyo
Japan People Sakura_Hanami Spring Street scene Tokyo Ueno Park Katzprints Photography Cherry blossom
Japanese fans are displayed in the Senso-ji Temple area of Tokyo, Japan.
Art Japan Night shot Sensoji Temple Tokyo Katzprints Photography Fan Fans Hand fan Folding fan Tradition Abstract Paper Bamboo Fiendship Respect Good wishes Geisha Butterflies Butterfly Travel
One of the most famous sights in Tokyo is the Sensō-ji temple in Asakusa. It is the oldest temple in Tokyo. Within the temple grounds stands a five-story pagoda, a detail of which is captured here.
Japan Night shot Roof Sensoji Temple Tokyo Architecture Historic Pagoda Katzprints Photography
In 2008, I was fortunate enough to be in Japan during the cherry blossom season. For the Japanese, this is a special, much-awaited time of the year which is celebrated with Hanami (blossom viewing) parties everywhere. This shot was taken in Ueno Park, Tokyo; its 1000 cherry trees make this park one of Japan's famous viewing spots.
Japan Sakura_Hanami Spring Tokyo Ueno Park Tree Cherry blossom Katzprints Photography Limited Edition

Katzprints Photography

Japan