Japan highlights

In Asakusa, an area of Tokyo. This is where the Senso-ji temple is located.

2009-02-22T11:05:21Z

matthew kertesz
In Asakusa, an area of Tokyo. This is where the Senso-ji temple is located.

matthew kertesz's photo

2009-06-03T15:32:34Z

matthew kertesz

for the ritualized washing of the hands prior to praying in a temple

2009-02-22T11:03:32Z

matthew kertesz
for the ritualized washing of the hands prior to praying in a temple

matthew kertesz's photo

2009-06-03T15:31:33Z

matthew kertesz

similar to washing of the hands, incense provides an additional sort of cleansing

2009-02-22T11:05:37Z

matthew kertesz
similar to washing of the hands, incense provides an additional sort of cleansing

In Asakusa.

2009-06-03T15:33:44Z

matthew kertesz
In Asakusa.

All sorts of tea and coffee were sold (cold and hot) out of vending machines.

2009-06-03T15:30:19Z

matthew kertesz
All sorts of tea and coffee were sold (cold and hot) out of vending machines.

Ginza district of Tokyo, the center of commercialism

2009-06-02T09:41:59Z

matthew kertesz
Ginza district of Tokyo, the center of commercialism

a detail of the Zojo-ji temple in Tokyo

2009-02-22T11:05:01Z

matthew kertesz
a detail of the Zojo-ji temple in Tokyo

in the park near Tokyo's Meiji-Jingu shrine

2009-06-03T16:02:06Z

matthew kertesz
in the park near Tokyo's Meiji-Jingu shrine

About 45 minutes outside of Tokyo is an area of many onsen (hot springs). Japanese macaques enjoy one themselves.

2009-06-03T15:38:03Z

matthew kertesz
About 45 minutes outside of Tokyo is an area of many onsen (hot springs). Japanese macaques enjoy one themselves.

matthew kertesz's photo

2009-06-02T09:43:36Z

matthew kertesz

A view of the mountains along the hike to see the monkeys in the hot spring

2009-02-22T10:56:10Z

matthew kertesz
A view of the mountains along the hike to see the monkeys in the hot spring

Toshogu shrine, in Ueno park, Tokyo, was built in 1651 and is one of the structures to survive the fire bombing of World War II.

2009-02-22T10:54:20Z

matthew kertesz
Toshogu shrine, in Ueno park, Tokyo, was built in 1651 and is one of the structures to survive the fire bombing of World War II.

matthew kertesz's photo

2009-06-03T16:05:51Z

matthew kertesz

Detail from Toshogu shrine

2009-06-03T15:57:49Z

matthew kertesz
Detail from Toshogu shrine

Yanaka neighborhood of Tokyo, an older area of the city with an amazing architectural mix.

2009-06-03T15:37:14Z

matthew kertesz
Yanaka neighborhood of Tokyo, an older area of the city with an amazing architectural mix.

Cemetery, with Ueno in the background

2009-02-22T10:56:57Z

matthew kertesz
Cemetery, with Ueno in the background

In Ueno train station

2009-06-03T15:42:31Z

matthew kertesz
In Ueno train station

Yasaka-no pagoda in Kyoto, built in 1436

2009-06-02T09:46:28Z

matthew kertesz
Yasaka-no pagoda in Kyoto, built in 1436

Kiyumizu-dera, overlooking Kyoto

2009-06-02T10:44:06Z

matthew kertesz
Kiyumizu-dera, overlooking Kyoto

matthew kertesz's photo

2009-06-03T16:01:18Z

matthew kertesz

matthew kertesz's photo

2009-06-03T15:41:37Z

matthew kertesz

Kinkaku-ji pavilion (Golden Pavilion) -- yes, it is gold plated.

2009-06-03T15:55:22Z

matthew kertesz
Kinkaku-ji pavilion (Golden Pavilion) -- yes, it is gold plated.

Shoren-in temple gardens

2009-02-22T10:56:24Z

matthew kertesz
Shoren-in temple gardens

The bronze Buddha statue of Todai-ji, in Nara (Nara was the capital of Japan for part of the 700s

2009-06-03T15:43:59Z

matthew kertesz
The bronze Buddha statue of Todai-ji, in Nara (Nara was the capital of Japan for part of the 700s

Todai-ji's Daibutsu-den (hall of the great Buddha). This is the largest wooden structure in the world.

2009-02-22T10:58:35Z

matthew kertesz
Todai-ji's Daibutsu-den (hall of the great Buddha). This is the largest wooden structure in the world.

matthew kertesz's photo

2009-06-02T10:24:33Z

matthew kertesz

matthew kertesz's photo

2009-06-03T15:41:02Z

matthew kertesz

Kasuga Taisha shrine in Nara

2009-02-22T10:58:05Z

matthew kertesz
Kasuga Taisha shrine in Nara

matthew kertesz's photo

2009-02-22T10:59:17Z

matthew kertesz

matthew kertesz's photo

2009-06-03T15:33:06Z

matthew kertesz

In the Nishiki food market in central Kyoto

2009-06-03T15:40:27Z

matthew kertesz
In the Nishiki food market in central Kyoto

Nikko

2009-06-03T15:35:05Z

matthew kertesz
Nikko

Inari shrine in Nikko

2009-02-22T10:57:00Z

matthew kertesz
Inari shrine in Nikko

matthew kertesz's photo

2009-06-03T15:32:12Z

matthew kertesz

matthew kertesz's photo

2009-02-22T10:58:47Z

matthew kertesz

matthew kertesz's photo

2009-06-03T15:45:30Z

matthew kertesz

matthew kertesz's photo

2009-06-03T15:33:45Z

matthew kertesz

We took a hike to the Takino shrine on December 31 through a day long snowstorm

2009-06-02T10:19:23Z

matthew kertesz
We took a hike to the Takino shrine on December 31 through a day long snowstorm

matthew kertesz's photo

2009-06-03T15:46:12Z

matthew kertesz

matthew kertesz's photo

2009-06-03T15:48:09Z

matthew kertesz

matthew kertesz's photo

2009-06-02T10:59:47Z

matthew kertesz

At the Toshogu shrine (as in Tokyo) built for Tokugawa Ieyasu, founder of Tokyo and leader at the start of the Edo period.

2009-06-03T15:57:46Z

matthew kertesz
At the Toshogu shrine (as in Tokyo) built for Tokugawa Ieyasu, founder of Tokyo and leader at the start of the Edo period.

matthew kertesz's photo

2009-06-03T15:45:32Z

matthew kertesz