2026 Matsumoto Castle | The Castle, the Bridge, and the Summer Blue Sky
This photo was taken at Matsumoto Castle from a slightly distant vantage point, capturing a wide view of the castle, the bridge, and the blue summer sky.
Shrines, Temples, Castles
2026 
2026 Matsumoto Castle | A View of the Castle and Moat from an Angled Perspective
This photo was taken at Matsumoto Castle from an angle that shows the castle and the surrounding moat.
2026 Matsumoto Castle | Lotus Flowers and Swans on the Moat
This photo was taken at Matsumoto Castle to capture a front-on view of the lotus flowers and the swans in the moat.
2026 Matsumoto Castle | The Castle and Cityscape as Seen from the Observation Deck
This photo was taken at Matsumoto Castle from the observation deck at the city hall next door, looking down on the castle and the surrounding cityscape.
2026 Hotaka Shrine | Light and Shadow Falling on the Ema
This photo was taken at Hotaka Shrine and captures the light streaming onto the ema displayed on the shrine grounds, as well as the shadows cast on them.
2026 Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine | Historic Shrine Buildings Visible Through the Pine Trees
This photo was taken at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine; I focused on the pine tree in the foreground along the main approach, while softly blurring the historic shrine buildings visible in the background.
2026 Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine | Colorful banners lining the small island in the pond
This photo was taken at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine and shows a row of colorful banners displayed on a small island in the pond.
2026 Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine | Cute Pigeon Omikuji Tied to a Small Island
This photo shows a cute “pigeon omikuji”—a fortune slip featuring a pigeon motif—that was tied to a small island in the pond at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine.
2026 Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine | Banners Visible Through Lotus Leaves
This photo was taken at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, from the opposite shore of the pond, showing a row of banners through the lotus leaves spreading out in the foreground.
2026 Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine | The Main Hall and Colorful Banners
This photo was taken at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine from the opposite bank of the pond, capturing both the historic shrine buildings and the colorful banners.
2026 Kōmyō-ji (Kamakura) | Temple Buildings That Exude History and Elegance
This photo was taken from the front of Komyo-ji Temple (Kamakura) and captures the solemn appearance of the temple buildings, which exude a sense of history and dignity.
2026 Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine | A lantern with the focus set on the second one
This photo was taken at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. It captures the row of lanterns stretching into the distance, and I focused on the second lantern from the front to emphasize the sense of depth.
2026 Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine | A lantern in focus in the foreground
This photo was taken at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. I focused on the lantern in the foreground while capturing the orderly rows of lanterns at the shrine, paying special attention to the sense of depth.
2026 Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine | A row of lanterns stretching all the way to the back
I took this photo at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine from a slight distance, focusing on the row of lanterns stretching into the distance.
2026 Niigata’s Principal Shrine: Hakusan Shrine | The Blue Sign for the Summer Pilgrimage and the Shrine Gate
This photo was taken at Hakusan Shrine, the principal shrine of Niigata, and shows the shrine’s gate, which looks beautiful with its blue “Summer Pilgrimage” sign.
2026 Niigata’s Principal Shrine, Hakusan Shrine | Lanterns Hanging on the Wall
This photo shows a front-view shot of the lanterns hanging on the wall at Hakusan Shrine, the principal shrine of Niigata.
2026 Niigata’s Principal Shrine, Hakusan Shrine | A Lantern Viewed from the Side
This photo shows a side view of the paper lanterns hanging on the wall at Hakusan Shrine, the principal shrine of Niigata.
2026 Niigata’s Principal Shrine: Hakusan Shrine | The Depth of Ema and Suspended Lanterns
This photo was taken at Hakusan Shrine, the principal shrine of Niigata, and captures the ema plaques and hanging lanterns on the wall, with an emphasis on creating a sense of depth.
2026 Niigata’s Principal Shrine: Hakusan Shrine | Omikuji-Style Wind Chime Ornament
This photo shows a wind chime decoration made from omikuji at Hakusan Shrine, the principal shrine of Niigata.
2026 Mt. Taihei (Ajisai Slope) | Scenes of Ema at the Shrine
This photo was taken at Taiheiyama (Ajisai-zaka) to capture the ema at Taiheiyama Shrine, located at the top of the hill, in a way that conveys the shrine’s distinctive atmosphere.
