The oldest wood building in the world.

Kasuga Taisha is an old shrine in Nara that once belonged to the Fujiawara family, imperial regents in Japan until the Meiji Restoration.

View of the Todai-ji from the back of the shrine.

Todai-ji Chushoin (東大寺中性院) is a Tacchu (塔頭), a small Zen temple built to commemorate the death of a high priest.

Very beautiful music.

Kyoto on a raining day at night.

Iho-an (遺芳庵) is a tea house (茶室) inside the Kodai-ji Temple. It was built by a wealthy merchant in memory of his second wife, a famous geisha.

Popularly known as Ginkaku-ji (銀閣寺) to contrast with the more famous Kinkaku-ji (金閣寺, Gold Pavilion), it is officially called Kannon-den (観音殿). Unfortunately it was under restoration at that time...and it was also raining.

Nigatsudo (二月堂) is a hilltop hall located inside the famous Todai-ji Temple. It has superb views of Nara from its balcony.

This the front garden (前庭) of the abbot's living quarters (方丈). The garden is named Daiou-en (大雄苑).

Beautiful garden inside a restaurant in Kyoto.

This the front garden (前庭) of the abbot's living quarters (方丈). The garden is named Hashin-tei (波心庭) but also Kodai-ji Tei-en (高台寺庭園).

Taken from the popular path along the river called Noryo-Yuka (納涼床). Behind the houses is the famous Pontocho Alley (先斗町通).

Kei'un-den Shrine (景雲殿) is part of the Kasuga Taisha Shrine in Nara.

Gionkaku Tower (祇園閣) is part of Daiu-in Temple (大雲院).

The Philosopher's Path (哲学の道) is a famous path in the North of Kyoto. Very beautiful during Hanami (cherry trees blooming period).

The oldest wood building in the world.

The oldest wood building in the world. View of the entrance gate from the main building.

The famous Kyomizudera (清水寺).

Some temple in Kyoto, probably around Kennin-ji Temple.

A kanmidokoro (甘味処) -cafe that serves Japanese sweets- in a traditional machiya (町家, townhouse) in Nara.

The Philosopher's Path (哲学の道) is a famous path in the North of Kyoto. Very beautiful during Hanami (cherry trees blooming period).

Sanneizaka (三年坂) is one of the busy streets near Kyomizudera (清水寺).

This aqueduct is named Suirokaku (水路閣), located at Nanzen-ji Temple (南禅寺). It was built in the Meiji Era (fairly recent considering Japan's long history). Yes, it was built in the style of the Romans.

View from inside one of the buildings.

Walking along a stream at Maruyama park in Kyoto.