Asia Images / John Lander Photography

  • Portfolio
  • About
  • Contact
  • Archive
    • All Galleries
    • Search
    • Cart
    • Lightbox
    • Client Area
  • Books
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
x

Search Results

Refine Search
Match all words
Match any word
Prints
Personal Use
Royalty-Free
Rights-Managed
(leave unchecked to
search all images)
Next
110 images found
twitterlinkedinfacebook

Loading ()...

  • Jewel is a 137,000 square meter indoor sanctuary at Changi Airport Singapore. This oasis includes the world’s largest indoor waterfall, Forest Valley with more than 2000 trees, and the famous Rain Vortex. This dome-shaped complex was designed by a consortium of renowned architects preserves Changi Airports claim to fame as being best airport in the world, year after year.
    Changi-Jewel-02.jpg
  • Jewel is a 137,000 square meter indoor sanctuary at Changi Airport Singapore. This oasis includes the world’s largest indoor waterfall, Forest Valley with more than 2000 trees, and the famous Rain Vortex. This dome-shaped complex was designed by a consortium of renowned architects preserves Changi Airports claim to fame as being best airport in the world, year after year.
    Changi-Jewel-06.jpg
  • Jewel is a 137,000 square meter indoor sanctuary at Changi Airport Singapore. This oasis includes the world’s largest indoor waterfall, Forest Valley with more than 2000 trees, and the famous Rain Vortex. This dome-shaped complex was designed by a consortium of renowned architects preserves Changi Airports claim to fame as being best airport in the world, year after year.
    Changi-Jewel-01.jpg
  • Jewel is a 137,000 square meter indoor sanctuary at Changi Airport Singapore. This oasis includes the world’s largest indoor waterfall, Forest Valley with more than 2000 trees, and the famous Rain Vortex. This dome-shaped complex was designed by a consortium of renowned architects preserves Changi Airports claim to fame as being best airport in the world, year after year.
    jewel-7.jpg
  • Jewel is a 137,000 square meter indoor sanctuary at Changi Airport Singapore. This oasis includes the world’s largest indoor waterfall, Forest Valley with more than 2000 trees, and the famous Rain Vortex. This dome-shaped complex was designed by a consortium of renowned architects preserves Changi Airports claim to fame as being best airport in the world, year after year.
    Changi-Jewel-04.jpg
  • Jewel is a 137,000 square meter indoor sanctuary at Changi Airport Singapore. This oasis includes the world’s largest indoor waterfall, Forest Valley with more than 2000 trees, and the famous Rain Vortex. This dome-shaped complex was designed by a consortium of renowned architects preserves Changi Airports claim to fame as being best airport in the world, year after year.
    Changi-Jewel-05.jpg
  • Khmer classical dance is often called "Apsara Dance" coming from the notion that Khmer classical dance is connected to dances practiced in the courts of the Angkor monarchs, which got their inspiration from mythological court gods and from its celestial Apsara dancers.
    bayon-dancers-1.jpg
  • Integrated with the architecture of the building, and one of the causes for its fame is Angkor Wat's extensive decoration, which predominantly takes the form of bas-relief friezes. The inner walls of the outer gallery bear a series of large scale scenes mainly depicting episodes from the Hindu epics the Ramayana and the Mahabharata.
    angkor-bas-relief-2
  • Bayon is known for its impressive sets of bas-reliefs, which present an unusual combination of mythological, historical, and even mundane scenes such as these workmen carrying a tree.
    angkor-bas-relief-3.jpg
  • Bayon Bas Relief - The Bayon's most distinctive feature is the multitude of serene and massive stone faces on the many towers which jut out from the upper terrace and cluster around its central peak. The temple is known also for two impressive sets of bas-reliefs, which present an unusual combination of mythological, historical, and mundane scenes.
    angkor-bas-relief-4.jpg
  • Integrated with the architecture of the building, and one of the causes for its fame is Angkor Wat's extensive decoration in the form of bas-relief friezes. The inner walls of the outer gallery bear a series of large scale scenes mainly depicting episodes from the Hindu epics the Ramayana and the Mahabharata.
    angkor-bas-relief-1.jpg
  • Taisanji Temple is number 56 on the Shikoku pilgrimage, where women come to pray for giving birth painlessly.  The characters that are used to write the name of the temple have the same pronunciation as the characters for “Easy Birth Temple” and women come here to pray for giving birth painlessly.  In addition to being a holy man, Kukai was an accomplished civil engineer, and when he visited here the local people were troubled by a river that tended to flood and carry people away. Kukai supervised the construction of embankments.  In 1881, the bell tower was rebuilt using timbers from the drum hall of Imabari Castle. 
    temple-56-taisan-ji-2.jpg
  • Man Mo Temple Hong Kong - Man Mo Temple or Man Mo Miu is a temple in Hong Kong that reveres the God of Literature (man) and the God of War (Mo)  both of whom were worshipped by ambitious students hoping to succeed in the civil examinations of Imperial China.  Man Mo Temple was built in 1847 and to pause here beneath giant hanging incense coils is a pleasant contrast with the hectic pace of the nearby shopping and financial district.  Kung Sor, built to the temple’s west, was an important assembly hall where community affairs and disputes were often discussed and settled.
    man-mo-temple-hong-kong-04.jpg
  • Wshing Tree at Man Mo Temple Hong Kong - Man Mo Temple or Man Mo Miu is a temple in Hong Kong that reveres the God of Literature (man) and the God of War (Mo)  both of whom were worshipped by ambitious students hoping to succeed in the civil examinations of Imperial China.  Man Mo Temple was built in 1847 and to pause here beneath giant hanging incense coils is a pleasant contrast with the hectic pace of the nearby shopping and financial district.  Kung Sor, built to the temple’s west, was an important assembly hall where community affairs and disputes were often discussed and settled.
    man-mo-temple-hong-kong-01.jpg
  • Wshing Tree at Man Mo Temple Hong Kong - Man Mo Temple or Man Mo Miu is a temple in Hong Kong that reveres the God of Literature (man) and the God of War (Mo)  both of whom were worshipped by ambitious students hoping to succeed in the civil examinations of Imperial China.  Man Mo Temple was built in 1847 and to pause here beneath giant hanging incense coils is a pleasant contrast with the hectic pace of the nearby shopping and financial district.  Kung Sor, built to the temple’s west, was an important assembly hall where community affairs and disputes were often discussed and settled.
    man-mo-temple-hong-kong-02.jpg
  • Jizos at Tennoji Yanaka - Tennoji is the oldest of the many temples in Yanaka Tokyo.  It is a temple of the Tendai sect which was founded in 1274. Tennoji temple is surrounded by Yanaka Cemetery, which used to be a part of the temple premises the focal point is the large, several centuries old, bronze Buddha. Tennoji began life in 1274 as Choyosankannoji-sonjuuin temple.  The large, bronze, seated image of Buddha was constructed by Ota Kyuemon in 1690 and is called Tennoji Daibutsu by locals. Tennoji Temple is a sacred place steeped in Japanese history.  Much of the temple was destroyed during the civil war of 1868, except for the pagoda (now gone) and the Buddha statue remained unharmed. During the mid 1950s, a fire tore through the pagoda of the temple - the result of a bizarre double suicide arson, but the temple itself was restored to its original glory.  The temple was designated as a historical landmark by the Japanese government.
    tennoji-yanaka-10.jpg
  • Tennoji is the oldest of the many temples in Yanaka Tokyo.  It is a temple of the Tendai sect which was founded in 1274. Tennoji temple is surrounded by Yanaka Cemetery, which used to be a part of the temple premises the focal point is the large, several centuries old, bronze Buddha. Tennoji began life in 1274 as Choyosankannoji-sonjuuin temple.  The large, bronze, seated image of Buddha was constructed by Ota Kyuemon in 1690 and is called Tennoji Daibutsu by locals. Tennoji Temple is a sacred place steeped in Japanese history.  Much of the temple was destroyed during the civil war of 1868, except for the pagoda (now gone) and the Buddha statue remained unharmed. During the mid 1950s, a fire tore through the pagoda of the temple - the result of a bizarre double suicide arson, but the temple itself was restored to its original glory.  The temple was designated as a historical landmark by the Japanese government.
    tennoji-yanaka-09.jpg
  • Tennoji is the oldest of the many temples in Yanaka Tokyo.  It is a temple of the Tendai sect which was founded in 1274. Tennoji temple is surrounded by Yanaka Cemetery, which used to be a part of the temple premises the focal point is the large, several centuries old, bronze Buddha. Tennoji began life in 1274 as Choyosankannoji-sonjuuin temple.  The large, bronze, seated image of Buddha was constructed by Ota Kyuemon in 1690 and is called Tennoji Daibutsu by locals. Tennoji Temple is a sacred place steeped in Japanese history.  Much of the temple was destroyed during the civil war of 1868, except for the pagoda (now gone) and the Buddha statue remained unharmed. During the mid 1950s, a fire tore through the pagoda of the temple - the result of a bizarre double suicide arson, but the temple itself was restored to its original glory.  The temple was designated as a historical landmark by the Japanese government.
    tennoji-yanaka-06.jpg
  • Daibutsu Tennoji Yanaka - Big Buddha at Tennoji - Tennoji is the oldest of the many temples in Yanaka Tokyo.  It is a temple of the Tendai sect which was founded in 1274. Tennoji temple is surrounded by Yanaka Cemetery, which used to be a part of the temple premises the focal point is the large, several centuries old, bronze Buddha. Tennoji began life in 1274 as Choyosankannoji-sonjuuin temple.  The large, bronze, seated image of Buddha was constructed by Ota Kyuemon in 1690 and is called Tennoji Daibutsu by locals. Tennoji Temple is a sacred place steeped in Japanese history.  Much of the temple was destroyed during the civil war of 1868, except for the pagoda (now gone) and the Buddha statue remained unharmed. During the mid 1950s, a fire tore through the pagoda of the temple - the result of a bizarre double suicide arson, but the temple itself was restored to its original glory.  The temple was designated as a historical landmark by the Japanese government.
    tennoji-yanaka-04.jpg
  • Artisans d'Angkor Silk Display - When the Angkor empire was in its glory, thousands of craftsmen erected what is now considered one of the wonders of the world: the Angkor Wat complex. After the civil war in Cambodia, many Cambodian arts were in danger of dying out until a professional training school was founded to help young Cambodians rediscover traditional crafts and give them the opportunity to take part in the rebuilding of their country. Artisans d'Angkor was established as a natural offshoot of the Chantiers-Écoles project as a working school for the young craftsmen that had been trained. The skilled artisans have been organized into a self-sustaining craft network.
    artisan-angkor-silk-farm-18.jpg
  • Taisanji Temple is number 56 on the Shikoku pilgrimage, where women come to pray for giving birth painlessly.  The characters that are used to write the name of the temple have the same pronunciation as the characters for “Easy Birth Temple” and women come here to pray for giving birth painlessly.  In addition to being a holy man, Kukai was an accomplished civil engineer, and when he visited here the local people were troubled by a river that tended to flood and carry people away. Kukai supervised the construction of embankments.  In 1881, the bell tower was rebuilt using timbers from the drum hall of Imabari Castle. 
    temple-56-taisan-ji-5.jpg
  • Taisanji Temple is number 56 on the Shikoku pilgrimage, where women come to pray for giving birth painlessly.  The characters that are used to write the name of the temple have the same pronunciation as the characters for “Easy Birth Temple” and women come here to pray for giving birth painlessly.  In addition to being a holy man, Kukai was an accomplished civil engineer, and when he visited here the local people were troubled by a river that tended to flood and carry people away. Kukai supervised the construction of embankments.  In 1881, the bell tower was rebuilt using timbers from the drum hall of Imabari Castle. 
    temple-56-taisan-ji-4.jpg
  • Taisanji Temple is number 56 on the Shikoku pilgrimage, where women come to pray for giving birth painlessly.  The characters that are used to write the name of the temple have the same pronunciation as the characters for “Easy Birth Temple” and women come here to pray for giving birth painlessly.  In addition to being a holy man, Kukai was an accomplished civil engineer, and when he visited here the local people were troubled by a river that tended to flood and carry people away. Kukai supervised the construction of embankments.  In 1881, the bell tower was rebuilt using timbers from the drum hall of Imabari Castle. 
    temple-56-taisan-ji-3.jpg
  • Man Mo Temple Hong Kong - Man Mo Temple or Man Mo Miu is a temple in Hong Kong that reveres the God of Literature (man) and the God of War (Mo)  both of whom were worshipped by ambitious students hoping to succeed in the civil examinations of Imperial China.  Man Mo Temple was built in 1847 and to pause here beneath giant hanging incense coils is a pleasant contrast with the hectic pace of the nearby shopping and financial district.  Kung Sor, built to the temple’s west, was an important assembly hall where community affairs and disputes were often discussed and settled.
    man-mo-temple-hong-kong-07.jpg
  • Man Mo Temple Hong Kong - Man Mo Temple or Man Mo Miu is a temple in Hong Kong that reveres the God of Literature (man) and the God of War (Mo)  both of whom were worshipped by ambitious students hoping to succeed in the civil examinations of Imperial China.  Man Mo Temple was built in 1847 and to pause here beneath giant hanging incense coils is a pleasant contrast with the hectic pace of the nearby shopping and financial district.  Kung Sor, built to the temple’s west, was an important assembly hall where community affairs and disputes were often discussed and settled.
    man-mo-temple-hong-kong-05.jpg
  • Man Mo Temple Hong Kong - Man Mo Temple or Man Mo Miu is a temple in Hong Kong that reveres the God of Literature (man) and the God of War (Mo)  both of whom were worshipped by ambitious students hoping to succeed in the civil examinations of Imperial China.  Man Mo Temple was built in 1847 and to pause here beneath giant hanging incense coils is a pleasant contrast with the hectic pace of the nearby shopping and financial district.  Kung Sor, built to the temple’s west, was an important assembly hall where community affairs and disputes were often discussed and settled.
    man-mo-temple-hong-kong-03.jpg
  • Tennoji is the oldest of the many temples in Yanaka Tokyo.  It is a temple of the Tendai sect which was founded in 1274. Tennoji temple is surrounded by Yanaka Cemetery, which used to be a part of the temple premises the focal point is the large, several centuries old, bronze Buddha. Tennoji began life in 1274 as Choyosankannoji-sonjuuin temple.  The large, bronze, seated image of Buddha was constructed by Ota Kyuemon in 1690 and is called Tennoji Daibutsu by locals. Tennoji Temple is a sacred place steeped in Japanese history.  Much of the temple was destroyed during the civil war of 1868, except for the pagoda (now gone) and the Buddha statue remained unharmed. During the mid 1950s, a fire tore through the pagoda of the temple - the result of a bizarre double suicide arson, but the temple itself was restored to its original glory.  The temple was designated as a historical landmark by the Japanese government.
    tennoji-yanaka-07.jpg
  • Tennoji is the oldest of the many temples in Yanaka Tokyo.  It is a temple of the Tendai sect which was founded in 1274. Tennoji temple is surrounded by Yanaka Cemetery, which used to be a part of the temple premises the focal point is the large, several centuries old, bronze Buddha. Tennoji began life in 1274 as Choyosankannoji-sonjuuin temple.  The large, bronze, seated image of Buddha was constructed by Ota Kyuemon in 1690 and is called Tennoji Daibutsu by locals. Tennoji Temple is a sacred place steeped in Japanese history.  Much of the temple was destroyed during the civil war of 1868, except for the pagoda (now gone) and the Buddha statue remained unharmed. During the mid 1950s, a fire tore through the pagoda of the temple - the result of a bizarre double suicide arson, but the temple itself was restored to its original glory.  The temple was designated as a historical landmark by the Japanese government.
    tennoji-yanaka-08.jpg
  • Daibutsu Tennoji Yanaka - Big Buddha at Tennoji - Tennoji is the oldest of the many temples in Yanaka Tokyo.  It is a temple of the Tendai sect which was founded in 1274. Tennoji temple is surrounded by Yanaka Cemetery, which used to be a part of the temple premises the focal point is the large, several centuries old, bronze Buddha. Tennoji began life in 1274 as Choyosankannoji-sonjuuin temple.  The large, bronze, seated image of Buddha was constructed by Ota Kyuemon in 1690 and is called Tennoji Daibutsu by locals. Tennoji Temple is a sacred place steeped in Japanese history.  Much of the temple was destroyed during the civil war of 1868, except for the pagoda (now gone) and the Buddha statue remained unharmed. During the mid 1950s, a fire tore through the pagoda of the temple - the result of a bizarre double suicide arson, but the temple itself was restored to its original glory.  The temple was designated as a historical landmark by the Japanese government.
    tennoji-yanaka-05.jpg
  • Daibutsu Tennoji Yanaka - Big Buddha at Tennoji - Tennoji is the oldest of the many temples in Yanaka Tokyo.  It is a temple of the Tendai sect which was founded in 1274. Tennoji temple is surrounded by Yanaka Cemetery, which used to be a part of the temple premises the focal point is the large, several centuries old, bronze Buddha. Tennoji began life in 1274 as Choyosankannoji-sonjuuin temple.  The large, bronze, seated image of Buddha was constructed by Ota Kyuemon in 1690 and is called Tennoji Daibutsu by locals. Tennoji Temple is a sacred place steeped in Japanese history.  Much of the temple was destroyed during the civil war of 1868, except for the pagoda (now gone) and the Buddha statue remained unharmed. During the mid 1950s, a fire tore through the pagoda of the temple - the result of a bizarre double suicide arson, but the temple itself was restored to its original glory.  The temple was designated as a historical landmark by the Japanese government.
    tennoji-yanaka-03.jpg
  • Daibutsu Big Buddha at Tennoji Yanaka - Tennoji is the oldest of the many temples in Yanaka Tokyo founded in 1274. It is a temple of the Tendai sect of Buddhism.  The focal point of the temple grounds is the large,  bronze Big Buddha several centuries old.  The large, bronze, seated image of Buddha was constructed by Ota Kyuemon in 1690 and is called Tennoji Daibutsu by locals. Tennoji began life in 1274 as Choyosankannoji-sonjuuin temple.  Much of the temple was destroyed during the civil war of 1868,
    tennoji-yanaka-02.jpg
  • When the Angkor empire was in its glory, thousands of craftsmen erected what is now considered one of the wonders of the world: the Angkor Wat complex. After the civil war in Cambodia, many of these arts were in danger of dying out  until a professional training school, was founded to help young Cambodians rediscover traditional crafts and give them the opportunity to take part in the rebuilding of their country. Artisans d'Angkor was established as a natural offshoot of the Chantiers-Écoles project as a school-to-work transition for the young craftsmen that had been trained. The skilled artisans could thus be organized into a self sustaining craft network.
    artisans-angkor-2.jpg
  • When the Angkor empire was in its glory, thousands of craftsmen erected what is now considered one of the wonders of the world: the Angkor Wat complex. After the civil war in Cambodia, many of these arts were in danger of dying out  until a professional training school, was founded to help young Cambodians rediscover traditional crafts and give them the opportunity to take part in the rebuilding of their country. Artisans d'Angkor was established as a natural offshoot of the Chantiers-Écoles project as a school-to-work transition for the young craftsmen that had been trained. The skilled artisans could thus be organized into a self sustaining craft network.
    artisans-angkor-3.jpg
  • Taisanji Temple is number 56 on the Shikoku pilgrimage, where women come to pray for giving birth painlessly.  The characters that are used to write the name of the temple have the same pronunciation as the characters for “Easy Birth Temple” and women come here to pray for giving birth painlessly.  In addition to being a holy man, Kukai was an accomplished civil engineer, and when he visited here the local people were troubled by a river that tended to flood and carry people away. Kukai supervised the construction of embankments.  In 1881, the bell tower was rebuilt using timbers from the drum hall of Imabari Castle. 
    temple-56-taisan-ji-1.jpg
  • Man Mo Temple Hong Kong - Man Mo Temple or Man Mo Miu is a temple in Hong Kong that reveres the God of Literature (man) and the God of War (Mo)  both of whom were worshipped by ambitious students hoping to succeed in the civil examinations of Imperial China.  Man Mo Temple was built in 1847 and to pause here beneath giant hanging incense coils is a pleasant contrast with the hectic pace of the nearby shopping and financial district.  Kung Sor, built to the temple’s west, was an important assembly hall where community affairs and disputes were often discussed and settled.
    man-mo-temple-hong-kong-06.jpg
  • Tennoji is the oldest of the many temples in Yanaka Tokyo.  It is a temple of the Tendai sect which was founded in 1274. Tennoji temple is surrounded by Yanaka Cemetery, which used to be a part of the temple premises the focal point is the large, several centuries old, bronze Buddha. Tennoji began life in 1274 as Choyosankannoji-sonjuuin temple.  The large, bronze, seated image of Buddha was constructed by Ota Kyuemon in 1690 and is called Tennoji Daibutsu by locals. Tennoji Temple is a sacred place steeped in Japanese history.  Much of the temple was destroyed during the civil war of 1868, except for the pagoda (now gone) and the Buddha statue remained unharmed. During the mid 1950s, a fire tore through the pagoda of the temple - the result of a bizarre double suicide arson, but the temple itself was restored to its original glory.  The temple was designated as a historical landmark by the Japanese government.
    tennoji-yanaka-12.jpg
  • Tennoji is the oldest of the many temples in Yanaka Tokyo.  It is a temple of the Tendai sect which was founded in 1274. Tennoji temple is surrounded by Yanaka Cemetery, which used to be a part of the temple premises the focal point is the large, several centuries old, bronze Buddha. Tennoji began life in 1274 as Choyosankannoji-sonjuuin temple.  The large, bronze, seated image of Buddha was constructed by Ota Kyuemon in 1690 and is called Tennoji Daibutsu by locals. Tennoji Temple is a sacred place steeped in Japanese history.  Much of the temple was destroyed during the civil war of 1868, except for the pagoda (now gone) and the Buddha statue remained unharmed. During the mid 1950s, a fire tore through the pagoda of the temple - the result of a bizarre double suicide arson, but the temple itself was restored to its original glory.  The temple was designated as a historical landmark by the Japanese government.
    tennoji-yanaka-01.jpg
  • Artisans d'Angkor Silk Farm - Spinning Silk - After the civil war in Cambodia, many Cambodian arts were in danger of dying out until a professional training school was founded to help young Cambodians rediscover their arts and crafts and give them the opportunity to take part in the rebuilding of their country. Artisans d'Angkor was established as a working school for the young craftsmen that were trained - here the skilled artisans have been organized into a self-sustaining craft network and workforce.
    artisan-angkor-silk-farm-23.jpg
  • Yakusugiland - although it may sound like a tacky theme park devoted to trees, it is really more of a nature hiking park.  There are short trails that have wooden steps and you don't have to go far before you're surrounded by the quiet cedar forest and enjoy the tranquility of nature left mostly undisturbed. On the longer trail routes, the forest becomes denser, leaving civilization far behind. Some of these trees are thousands of years old so you feel like an explorer. Everywhere there are fallen trees and stumps, exposed roots, trees overgrown with moss and lichens, ferns sprouting from the sides of trees and from overhanging branches, growth upon growth.
    yakusugiland-25.jpg
  • Yakusugiland - although it may sound like a tacky theme park devoted to trees, it is really more of a nature hiking park.  There are short trails that have wooden steps and you don't have to go far before you're surrounded by the quiet cedar forest and enjoy the tranquility of nature left mostly undisturbed. On the longer trail routes, the forest becomes denser, leaving civilization far behind. Some of these trees are thousands of years old so you feel like an explorer. Everywhere there are fallen trees and stumps, exposed roots, trees overgrown with moss and lichens, ferns sprouting from the sides of trees and from overhanging branches, growth upon growth.
    yakusugiland-24.jpg
  • Ban Chiang National Museum is made up of antiques, pottery and anything associated with the ancient culture of Ban Chiang including ancient tools, household items, artifacts, and ceramics many of which are over 4000 years old. Displays are showcased so that visitors can get as much information as possible about the ancient culture.  Ban Chiang’s  importance to archaeologists wasn’t recognized until a young American literally stumbled onto a piece of pottery in 1966. after tripping over a tree root Harvard student Stephen Young found himself staring at the top of a pot encased in the earth. He quickly realized that a 50-foot-long area was full of these pots.  Young brought some of his finds to the Thai Fine Arts Department, which sent them to the University of Pennsylvania for further study. Later, In the mid 70s, American archaeologist Chester Gorman joined Pisit Charoenwangsa to lead an excavation that uncovered 123 human skeletons, 11 million ceramic shards, 200 fully intact pots and thousands of other artifacts, including evidence of agriculture and bronze work. Subsequent digs uncovered many more burials sites, and Ban Chiang was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1992.  Ban Chiang National Museum does a great job of showing what’s known about the civilization thousands of years ago and how it fits into the global context of human life.
    ban-chiang-ceramics-12.jpg
  • Hungduan Hapao rice terraces near Banaue is expansive with scattered village huts between the paddy.  The rice terraces of the Ifugao have been built to follow the contours of the mountains. The knowledge handed down from one generation of Ifugao to the next, sacred traditions, and a delicate social balance have created this beautiful landscape that expresses the harmony between humans and the environment. The Banaue Rice Terraces are a great example of a living cultural landscape that can be traced as far back as two millennia ago in pre-colonial Philippines. They are the result of efforts of the Ifugao minority community that has occupied these mountains for thousands of years and passed on their skills from generation to generation. The Banaue Ifugao Rice Terraces represent an enduring illustration of an ancient civilization that has survived despite modernization.
    hapao-rice-terraces-4.jpg
  • The Banaue Rice Terraces are a great example of a living cultural landscape that can be traced as far back as two millennia ago in pre-colonial Philippines. They are the result of efforts of the Ifugao minority community that has occupied these mountains for thousands of years and passed on their skills from generation to generation. The Banaue Ifugao Rice Terraces represent an enduring illustration of an ancient civilization that has survived despite modernization. The rice terraces of the Ifugao have been built to follow the contours of the mountains. The knowledge handed down from one generation of Ifugao to the next, sacred traditions, and a delicate social balance have created this beautiful landscape that expresses the harmony between humans and the environment.
    banaue-rice-terraces-15.jpg
  • The Banaue Rice Terraces are a great example of a living cultural landscape that can be traced as far back as two millennia ago in pre-colonial Philippines. They are the result of efforts of the Ifugao minority community that has occupied these mountains for thousands of years and passed on their skills from generation to generation. The Banaue Ifugao Rice Terraces represent an enduring illustration of an ancient civilization that has survived despite modernization. The rice terraces of the Ifugao have been built to follow the contours of the mountains. The knowledge handed down from one generation of Ifugao to the next, sacred traditions, and a delicate social balance have created this beautiful landscape that expresses the harmony between humans and the environment.
    banaue-rice-farmer-1.jpg
  • Shinjuku Times Square southern terrace decorated this year with Christmas illuminations constructed entirely out of discarded PET bottles and LED lights. The results, which include a PET bottle Christmas tree, UFO and giant man transforming the space into a clear plastic paradise. Hiroyuki Moriwaki, a professor of Information Design at Tama Art University created this Christmas display with the themes of civilization, the future, and imagination with used PET plastic bottles and LED lighting - Moriwaki is well known in Japan for his work with LED lights
    christmas-illuminations-1.jpg
  • Yakusugiland - although it may sound like a tacky theme park devoted to trees, it is really more of a nature hiking park.  There are short trails that have wooden steps and you don't have to go far before you're surrounded by the quiet cedar forest and enjoy the tranquility of nature left mostly undisturbed. On the longer trail routes, the forest becomes denser, leaving civilization far behind. Some of these trees are thousands of years old so you feel like an explorer. Everywhere there are fallen trees and stumps, exposed roots, trees overgrown with moss and lichens, ferns sprouting from the sides of trees and from overhanging branches, growth upon growth.
    yakusugiland-21.jpg
  • Yakusugiland - although it may sound like a tacky theme park devoted to trees, it is really more of a nature hiking park.  There are short trails that have wooden steps and you don't have to go far before you're surrounded by the quiet cedar forest and enjoy the tranquility of nature left mostly undisturbed. On the longer trail routes, the forest becomes denser, leaving civilization far behind. Some of these trees are thousands of years old so you feel like an explorer. Everywhere there are fallen trees and stumps, exposed roots, trees overgrown with moss and lichens, ferns sprouting from the sides of trees and from overhanging branches, growth upon growth.
    yakusugiland-19.jpg
  • Yakusugiland - although it may sound like a tacky theme park devoted to trees, it is really more of a nature hiking park.  There are short trails that have wooden steps and you don't have to go far before you're surrounded by the quiet cedar forest and enjoy the tranquility of nature left mostly undisturbed. On the longer trail routes, the forest becomes denser, leaving civilization far behind. Some of these trees are thousands of years old so you feel like an explorer. Everywhere there are fallen trees and stumps, exposed roots, trees overgrown with moss and lichens, ferns sprouting from the sides of trees and from overhanging branches, growth upon growth.
    yakusugiland-18.jpg
  • Yakusugiland - although it may sound like a tacky theme park devoted to trees, it is really more of a nature hiking park.  There are short trails that have wooden steps and you don't have to go far before you're surrounded by the quiet cedar forest and enjoy the tranquility of nature left mostly undisturbed. On the longer trail routes, the forest becomes denser, leaving civilization far behind. Some of these trees are thousands of years old so you feel like an explorer. Everywhere there are fallen trees and stumps, exposed roots, trees overgrown with moss and lichens, ferns sprouting from the sides of trees and from overhanging branches, growth upon growth.
    yakusugiland-16.jpg
  • Yakusugiland - although it may sound like a tacky theme park devoted to trees, it is really more of a nature hiking park.  There are short trails that have wooden steps and you don't have to go far before you're surrounded by the quiet cedar forest and enjoy the tranquility of nature left mostly undisturbed. On the longer trail routes, the forest becomes denser, leaving civilization far behind. Some of these trees are thousands of years old so you feel like an explorer. Everywhere there are fallen trees and stumps, exposed roots, trees overgrown with moss and lichens, ferns sprouting from the sides of trees and from overhanging branches, growth upon growth.
    yakusugiland-15.jpg
  • Yakusugiland - although it may sound like a tacky theme park devoted to trees, it is really more of a nature hiking park.  There are short trails that have wooden steps and you don't have to go far before you're surrounded by the quiet cedar forest and enjoy the tranquility of nature left mostly undisturbed. On the longer trail routes, the forest becomes denser, leaving civilization far behind. Some of these trees are thousands of years old so you feel like an explorer. Everywhere there are fallen trees and stumps, exposed roots, trees overgrown with moss and lichens, ferns sprouting from the sides of trees and from overhanging branches, growth upon growth.
    yakusugiland-13.jpg
  • Yakusugiland - although it may sound like a tacky theme park devoted to trees, it is really more of a nature hiking park.  There are short trails that have wooden steps and you don't have to go far before you're surrounded by the quiet cedar forest and enjoy the tranquility of nature left mostly undisturbed. On the longer trail routes, the forest becomes denser, leaving civilization far behind. Some of these trees are thousands of years old so you feel like an explorer. Everywhere there are fallen trees and stumps, exposed roots, trees overgrown with moss and lichens, ferns sprouting from the sides of trees and from overhanging branches, growth upon growth.
    yakusugiland-12.jpg
  • Yakusugiland - although it may sound like a tacky theme park devoted to trees, it is really more of a nature hiking park.  There are short trails that have wooden steps and you don't have to go far before you're surrounded by the quiet cedar forest and enjoy the tranquility of nature left mostly undisturbed. On the longer trail routes, the forest becomes denser, leaving civilization far behind. Some of these trees are thousands of years old so you feel like an explorer. Everywhere there are fallen trees and stumps, exposed roots, trees overgrown with moss and lichens, ferns sprouting from the sides of trees and from overhanging branches, growth upon growth.
    yakusugiland-11.jpg
  • Yakusugiland - although it may sound like a tacky theme park devoted to trees, it is really more of a nature hiking park.  There are short trails that have wooden steps and you don't have to go far before you're surrounded by the quiet cedar forest and enjoy the tranquility of nature left mostly undisturbed. On the longer trail routes, the forest becomes denser, leaving civilization far behind. Some of these trees are thousands of years old so you feel like an explorer. Everywhere there are fallen trees and stumps, exposed roots, trees overgrown with moss and lichens, ferns sprouting from the sides of trees and from overhanging branches, growth upon growth.
    yakusugiland-08.jpg
  • Yakusugiland - although it may sound like a tacky theme park devoted to trees, it is really more of a nature hiking park.  There are short trails that have wooden steps and you don't have to go far before you're surrounded by the quiet cedar forest and enjoy the tranquility of nature left mostly undisturbed. On the longer trail routes, the forest becomes denser, leaving civilization far behind. Some of these trees are thousands of years old so you feel like an explorer. Everywhere there are fallen trees and stumps, exposed roots, trees overgrown with moss and lichens, ferns sprouting from the sides of trees and from overhanging branches, growth upon growth.
    yakusugiland-04.jpg
  • Yakusugiland - although it may sound like a tacky theme park devoted to trees, it is really more of a nature hiking park.  There are short trails that have wooden steps and you don't have to go far before you're surrounded by the quiet cedar forest and enjoy the tranquility of nature left mostly undisturbed. On the longer trail routes, the forest becomes denser, leaving civilization far behind. Some of these trees are thousands of years old so you feel like an explorer. Everywhere there are fallen trees and stumps, exposed roots, trees overgrown with moss and lichens, ferns sprouting from the sides of trees and from overhanging branches, growth upon growth.
    yakusugiland-03.jpg
  • Yakusugiland - although it may sound like a tacky theme park devoted to trees, it is really more of a nature hiking park.  There are short trails that have wooden steps and you don't have to go far before you're surrounded by the quiet cedar forest and enjoy the tranquility of nature left mostly undisturbed. On the longer trail routes, the forest becomes denser, leaving civilization far behind. Some of these trees are thousands of years old so you feel like an explorer. Everywhere there are fallen trees and stumps, exposed roots, trees overgrown with moss and lichens, ferns sprouting from the sides of trees and from overhanging branches, growth upon growth.
    yakusugiland-02.jpg
  • Yakusugiland - although it may sound like a tacky theme park devoted to trees, it is really more of a nature hiking park.  There are short trails that have wooden steps and you don't have to go far before you're surrounded by the quiet cedar forest and enjoy the tranquility of nature left mostly undisturbed. On the longer trail routes, the forest becomes denser, leaving civilization far behind. Some of these trees are thousands of years old so you feel like an explorer. Everywhere there are fallen trees and stumps, exposed roots, trees overgrown with moss and lichens, ferns sprouting from the sides of trees and from overhanging branches, growth upon growth.
    yakusugiland-01.jpg
  • Moyai at Shibuya Station - On average, half a million people pass through Shibuya Crossing every day and 3000 per crossing cycle, peaking at around 4 in the afternoon.  Amazingly, there are few collisions between people, considering that everyone is walking at cross-purposes, so to speak.  This is quite possibly a testament to Japanese civility.  Or is it simply care and cautiousness?  One thing for sure is that Tokyo people do know how to handle being in a crowded place, and are accustomed to dodging oncoming humanity.  The scene fascinates foreigners who are not used to such crowds without the situation becoming a riot.  Instead, the Shibuya Scramble is more like a ballet of precision timing and graceful movements at its best, and a frantic struggle to get to the other side as efficiently as possible.  After that hectic hustle across the intersection, pause to catch your breath at the famous statue of dear old Hachiko in front of the station.
    shibuya-moyai-1.jpg
  • Shibuya Crossing Scramble - On average, half a million people pass through Shibuya Crossing every day and 3000 per crossing cycle, peaking at around 4 in the afternoon.  Amazingly, there are few collisions between people, considering that everyone is walking at cross-purposes, so to speak.  This is quite possibly a testament to Japanese civility.  Or is it simply care and cautiousness?  One thing for sure is that Tokyo people do know how to handle being in a crowded place, and are accustomed to dodging oncoming humanity.  The scene fascinates foreigners who are not used to such crowds without the situation becoming a riot.  Instead, the Shibuya Scramble is more like a ballet of precision timing and graceful movements at its best, and a frantic struggle to get to the other side as efficiently as possible.  After that hectic hustle across the intersection, pause to catch your breath at the famous statue of dear old Hachiko in front of the station.
    shibuya-crossing-4.jpg
  • Shibuya Crossing Scramble - On average, half a million people pass through Shibuya Crossing every day and 3000 per crossing cycle, peaking at around 4 in the afternoon.  Amazingly, there are few collisions between people, considering that everyone is walking at cross-purposes, so to speak.  This is quite possibly a testament to Japanese civility.  Or is it simply care and cautiousness?  One thing for sure is that Tokyo people do know how to handle being in a crowded place, and are accustomed to dodging oncoming humanity.  The scene fascinates foreigners who are not used to such crowds without the situation becoming a riot.  Instead, the Shibuya Scramble is more like a ballet of precision timing and graceful movements at its best, and a frantic struggle to get to the other side as efficiently as possible.  After that hectic hustle across the intersection, pause to catch your breath at the famous statue of dear old Hachiko in front of the station.
    shibuya-crossing-1.jpg
  • Shibuya Crossing Scramble - On average, half a million people pass through Shibuya Crossing every day and 3000 per crossing cycle, peaking at around 4 in the afternoon.  Amazingly, there are few collisions between people, considering that everyone is walking at cross-purposes, so to speak.  This is quite possibly a testament to Japanese civility.  Or is it simply care and cautiousness?  One thing for sure is that Tokyo people do know how to handle being in a crowded place, and are accustomed to dodging oncoming humanity.  The scene fascinates foreigners who are not used to such crowds without the situation becoming a riot.  Instead, the Shibuya Scramble is more like a ballet of precision timing and graceful movements at its best, and a frantic struggle to get to the other side as efficiently as possible.  After that hectic hustle across the intersection, pause to catch your breath at the famous statue of dear old Hachiko in front of the station.
    shibuya-crossing-2.jpg
  • Ban Chiang National Museum is made up of antiques, pottery and anything associated with the ancient culture of Ban Chiang including ancient tools, household items, artifacts, and ceramics many of which are over 4000 years old. Displays are showcased so that visitors can get as much information as possible about the ancient culture.  Ban Chiang’s  importance to archaeologists wasn’t recognized until a young American literally stumbled onto a piece of pottery in 1966. after tripping over a tree root Harvard student Stephen Young found himself staring at the top of a pot encased in the earth. He quickly realized that a 50-foot-long area was full of these pots.  Young brought some of his finds to the Thai Fine Arts Department, which sent them to the University of Pennsylvania for further study. Later, In the mid 70s, American archaeologist Chester Gorman joined Pisit Charoenwangsa to lead an excavation that uncovered 123 human skeletons, 11 million ceramic shards, 200 fully intact pots and thousands of other artifacts, including evidence of agriculture and bronze work. Subsequent digs uncovered many more burials sites, and Ban Chiang was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1992.  Ban Chiang National Museum does a great job of showing what’s known about the civilization thousands of years ago and how it fits into the global context of human life.
    ban-chiang-ceramics-15.jpg
  • Ban Chiang National Museum is made up of antiques, pottery and anything associated with the ancient culture of Ban Chiang including ancient tools, household items, artifacts, and ceramics many of which are over 4000 years old. Displays are showcased so that visitors can get as much information as possible about the ancient culture.  Ban Chiang’s  importance to archaeologists wasn’t recognized until a young American literally stumbled onto a piece of pottery in 1966. after tripping over a tree root Harvard student Stephen Young found himself staring at the top of a pot encased in the earth. He quickly realized that a 50-foot-long area was full of these pots.  Young brought some of his finds to the Thai Fine Arts Department, which sent them to the University of Pennsylvania for further study. Later, In the mid 70s, American archaeologist Chester Gorman joined Pisit Charoenwangsa to lead an excavation that uncovered 123 human skeletons, 11 million ceramic shards, 200 fully intact pots and thousands of other artifacts, including evidence of agriculture and bronze work. Subsequent digs uncovered many more burials sites, and Ban Chiang was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1992.  Ban Chiang National Museum does a great job of showing what’s known about the civilization thousands of years ago and how it fits into the global context of human life.
    ban-chiang-ceramics-13.jpg
  • Ban Chiang National Museum is made up of antiques, pottery and anything associated with the ancient culture of Ban Chiang including ancient tools, household items, artifacts, and ceramics many of which are over 4000 years old. Displays are showcased so that visitors can get as much information as possible about the ancient culture.  Ban Chiang’s  importance to archaeologists wasn’t recognized until a young American literally stumbled onto a piece of pottery in 1966. after tripping over a tree root Harvard student Stephen Young found himself staring at the top of a pot encased in the earth. He quickly realized that a 50-foot-long area was full of these pots.  Young brought some of his finds to the Thai Fine Arts Department, which sent them to the University of Pennsylvania for further study. Later, In the mid 70s, American archaeologist Chester Gorman joined Pisit Charoenwangsa to lead an excavation that uncovered 123 human skeletons, 11 million ceramic shards, 200 fully intact pots and thousands of other artifacts, including evidence of agriculture and bronze work. Subsequent digs uncovered many more burials sites, and Ban Chiang was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1992.  Ban Chiang National Museum does a great job of showing what’s known about the civilization thousands of years ago and how it fits into the global context of human life.
    ban-chiang-ceramics-14.jpg
  • Ban Chiang National Museum is made up of antiques, pottery and anything associated with the ancient culture of Ban Chiang including ancient tools, household items, artifacts, and ceramics many of which are over 4000 years old. Displays are showcased so that visitors can get as much information as possible about the ancient culture.  Ban Chiang’s  importance to archaeologists wasn’t recognized until a young American literally stumbled onto a piece of pottery in 1966. after tripping over a tree root Harvard student Stephen Young found himself staring at the top of a pot encased in the earth. He quickly realized that a 50-foot-long area was full of these pots.  Young brought some of his finds to the Thai Fine Arts Department, which sent them to the University of Pennsylvania for further study. Later, In the mid 70s, American archaeologist Chester Gorman joined Pisit Charoenwangsa to lead an excavation that uncovered 123 human skeletons, 11 million ceramic shards, 200 fully intact pots and thousands of other artifacts, including evidence of agriculture and bronze work. Subsequent digs uncovered many more burials sites, and Ban Chiang was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1992.  Ban Chiang National Museum does a great job of showing what’s known about the civilization thousands of years ago and how it fits into the global context of human life.
    ban-chiang-ceramics-10.jpg
  • Ban Chiang National Museum is made up of antiques, pottery and anything associated with the ancient culture of Ban Chiang including ancient tools, household items, artifacts, and ceramics many of which are over 4000 years old. Displays are showcased so that visitors can get as much information as possible about the ancient culture.  Ban Chiang’s  importance to archaeologists wasn’t recognized until a young American literally stumbled onto a piece of pottery in 1966. after tripping over a tree root Harvard student Stephen Young found himself staring at the top of a pot encased in the earth. He quickly realized that a 50-foot-long area was full of these pots.  Young brought some of his finds to the Thai Fine Arts Department, which sent them to the University of Pennsylvania for further study. Later, In the mid 70s, American archaeologist Chester Gorman joined Pisit Charoenwangsa to lead an excavation that uncovered 123 human skeletons, 11 million ceramic shards, 200 fully intact pots and thousands of other artifacts, including evidence of agriculture and bronze work. Subsequent digs uncovered many more burials sites, and Ban Chiang was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1992.  Ban Chiang National Museum does a great job of showing what’s known about the civilization thousands of years ago and how it fits into the global context of human life.
    ban-chiang-ceramics-8.jpg
  • Ban Chiang National Museum is made up of antiques, pottery and anything associated with the ancient culture of Ban Chiang including ancient tools, household items, artifacts, and ceramics many of which are over 4000 years old. Displays are showcased so that visitors can get as much information as possible about the ancient culture.  Ban Chiang’s  importance to archaeologists wasn’t recognized until a young American literally stumbled onto a piece of pottery in 1966. after tripping over a tree root Harvard student Stephen Young found himself staring at the top of a pot encased in the earth. He quickly realized that a 50-foot-long area was full of these pots.  Young brought some of his finds to the Thai Fine Arts Department, which sent them to the University of Pennsylvania for further study. Later, In the mid 70s, American archaeologist Chester Gorman joined Pisit Charoenwangsa to lead an excavation that uncovered 123 human skeletons, 11 million ceramic shards, 200 fully intact pots and thousands of other artifacts, including evidence of agriculture and bronze work. Subsequent digs uncovered many more burials sites, and Ban Chiang was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1992.  Ban Chiang National Museum does a great job of showing what’s known about the civilization thousands of years ago and how it fits into the global context of human life.
    ban-chiang-ceramics-5.jpg
  • Ban Chiang National Museum is made up of antiques, pottery and anything associated with the ancient culture of Ban Chiang including ancient tools, household items, artifacts, and ceramics many of which are over 4000 years old. Displays are showcased so that visitors can get as much information as possible about the ancient culture.  Ban Chiang’s  importance to archaeologists wasn’t recognized until a young American literally stumbled onto a piece of pottery in 1966. after tripping over a tree root Harvard student Stephen Young found himself staring at the top of a pot encased in the earth. He quickly realized that a 50-foot-long area was full of these pots.  Young brought some of his finds to the Thai Fine Arts Department, which sent them to the University of Pennsylvania for further study. Later, In the mid 70s, American archaeologist Chester Gorman joined Pisit Charoenwangsa to lead an excavation that uncovered 123 human skeletons, 11 million ceramic shards, 200 fully intact pots and thousands of other artifacts, including evidence of agriculture and bronze work. Subsequent digs uncovered many more burials sites, and Ban Chiang was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1992.  Ban Chiang National Museum does a great job of showing what’s known about the civilization thousands of years ago and how it fits into the global context of human life.
    ban-chiang-ceramics-7.jpg
  • Ban Chiang National Museum is made up of antiques, pottery and anything associated with the ancient culture of Ban Chiang including ancient tools, household items, artifacts, and ceramics many of which are over 4000 years old. Displays are showcased so that visitors can get as much information as possible about the ancient culture.  Ban Chiang’s  importance to archaeologists wasn’t recognized until a young American literally stumbled onto a piece of pottery in 1966. after tripping over a tree root Harvard student Stephen Young found himself staring at the top of a pot encased in the earth. He quickly realized that a 50-foot-long area was full of these pots.  Young brought some of his finds to the Thai Fine Arts Department, which sent them to the University of Pennsylvania for further study. Later, In the mid 70s, American archaeologist Chester Gorman joined Pisit Charoenwangsa to lead an excavation that uncovered 123 human skeletons, 11 million ceramic shards, 200 fully intact pots and thousands of other artifacts, including evidence of agriculture and bronze work. Subsequent digs uncovered many more burials sites, and Ban Chiang was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1992.  Ban Chiang National Museum does a great job of showing what’s known about the civilization thousands of years ago and how it fits into the global context of human life.
    ban-chiang-ceramics-4.jpg
  • Ban Chiang National Museum is made up of antiques, pottery and anything associated with the ancient culture of Ban Chiang including ancient tools, household items, artifacts, and ceramics many of which are over 4000 years old. Displays are showcased so that visitors can get as much information as possible about the ancient culture.  Ban Chiang’s  importance to archaeologists wasn’t recognized until a young American literally stumbled onto a piece of pottery in 1966. after tripping over a tree root Harvard student Stephen Young found himself staring at the top of a pot encased in the earth. He quickly realized that a 50-foot-long area was full of these pots.  Young brought some of his finds to the Thai Fine Arts Department, which sent them to the University of Pennsylvania for further study. Later, In the mid 70s, American archaeologist Chester Gorman joined Pisit Charoenwangsa to lead an excavation that uncovered 123 human skeletons, 11 million ceramic shards, 200 fully intact pots and thousands of other artifacts, including evidence of agriculture and bronze work. Subsequent digs uncovered many more burials sites, and Ban Chiang was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1992.  Ban Chiang National Museum does a great job of showing what’s known about the civilization thousands of years ago and how it fits into the global context of human life.
    ban-chiang-ceramics-1.jpg
  • Ban Chiang National Museum is made up of antiques, pottery and anything associated with the ancient culture of Ban Chiang including ancient tools, household items, artifacts, and ceramics many of which are over 4000 years old. Displays are showcased so that visitors can get as much information as possible about the ancient culture.  Ban Chiang’s  importance to archaeologists wasn’t recognized until a young American literally stumbled onto a piece of pottery in 1966. after tripping over a tree root Harvard student Stephen Young found himself staring at the top of a pot encased in the earth. He quickly realized that a 50-foot-long area was full of these pots.  Young brought some of his finds to the Thai Fine Arts Department, which sent them to the University of Pennsylvania for further study. Later, In the mid 70s, American archaeologist Chester Gorman joined Pisit Charoenwangsa to lead an excavation that uncovered 123 human skeletons, 11 million ceramic shards, 200 fully intact pots and thousands of other artifacts, including evidence of agriculture and bronze work. Subsequent digs uncovered many more burials sites, and Ban Chiang was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1992.  Ban Chiang National Museum does a great job of showing what’s known about the civilization thousands of years ago and how it fits into the global context of human life.
    ban-chiang-ceramics-2.jpg
  • Hungduan Hapao rice terraces near Banaue is expansive with scattered village huts between the paddy.  The rice terraces of the Ifugao have been built to follow the contours of the mountains. The knowledge handed down from one generation of Ifugao to the next, sacred traditions, and a delicate social balance have created this beautiful landscape that expresses the harmony between humans and the environment. The Banaue Rice Terraces are a great example of a living cultural landscape that can be traced as far back as two millennia ago in pre-colonial Philippines. They are the result of efforts of the Ifugao minority community that has occupied these mountains for thousands of years and passed on their skills from generation to generation. The Banaue Ifugao Rice Terraces represent an enduring illustration of an ancient civilization that has survived despite modernization.
    hapao-rice-terraces-6.jpg
  • Hungduan Hapao rice terraces near Banaue is expansive with scattered village huts between the paddy.  The rice terraces of the Ifugao have been built to follow the contours of the mountains. The knowledge handed down from one generation of Ifugao to the next, sacred traditions, and a delicate social balance have created this beautiful landscape that expresses the harmony between humans and the environment. The Banaue Rice Terraces are a great example of a living cultural landscape that can be traced as far back as two millennia ago in pre-colonial Philippines. They are the result of efforts of the Ifugao minority community that has occupied these mountains for thousands of years and passed on their skills from generation to generation. The Banaue Ifugao Rice Terraces represent an enduring illustration of an ancient civilization that has survived despite modernization.
    hapao-rice-terraces-3.jpg
  • Hungduan Hapao rice terraces near Banaue is expansive with scattered village huts between the paddy.  The rice terraces of the Ifugao have been built to follow the contours of the mountains. The knowledge handed down from one generation of Ifugao to the next, sacred traditions, and a delicate social balance have created this beautiful landscape that expresses the harmony between humans and the environment. The Banaue Rice Terraces are a great example of a living cultural landscape that can be traced as far back as two millennia ago in pre-colonial Philippines. They are the result of efforts of the Ifugao minority community that has occupied these mountains for thousands of years and passed on their skills from generation to generation. The Banaue Ifugao Rice Terraces represent an enduring illustration of an ancient civilization that has survived despite modernization.
    hapao-rice-terraces-1.jpg
  • Batad rice terraces have an amphitheatre semi-circular quality with a village at its base.<br />
The rice terraces of the Ifugao have been built to follow the contours of the mountains. The knowledge handed down from one generation of Ifugao to the next, sacred traditions, and a delicate social balance have created this beautiful landscape that expresses the harmony between humans and the environment. The Banaue Rice Terraces are a great example of a living cultural landscape that can be traced as far back as two millennia ago in pre-colonial Philippines. They are the result of efforts of the Ifugao minority community that has occupied these mountains for thousands of years and passed on their skills from generation to generation. The Banaue Ifugao Rice Terraces represent an enduring illustration of an ancient civilization that has survived despite modernization.
    batad-rice-terraces-3.jpg
  • Batad rice terraces have an amphitheatre semi-circular quality with a village at its base.<br />
The rice terraces of the Ifugao have been built to follow the contours of the mountains. The knowledge handed down from one generation of Ifugao to the next, sacred traditions, and a delicate social balance have created this beautiful landscape that expresses the harmony between humans and the environment. The Banaue Rice Terraces are a great example of a living cultural landscape that can be traced as far back as two millennia ago in pre-colonial Philippines. They are the result of efforts of the Ifugao minority community that has occupied these mountains for thousands of years and passed on their skills from generation to generation. The Banaue Ifugao Rice Terraces represent an enduring illustration of an ancient civilization that has survived despite modernization.
    batad-rice-terraces-1.jpg
  • Bangaan rice terraces in Banaue. The rice terraces of the Ifugao have been built to follow the contours of the mountains. The knowledge handed down from one generation of Ifugao to the next, sacred traditions, and a delicate social balance have created this beautiful landscape that expresses the harmony between humans and the environment. The Banaue Rice Terraces are a great example of a living cultural landscape that can be traced as far back as two millennia ago in pre-colonial Philippines. They are the result of efforts of the Ifugao minority community that has occupied these mountains for thousands of years and passed on their skills from generation to generation. The Banaue Ifugao Rice Terraces represent an enduring illustration of an ancient civilization that has survived despite modernization.
    banga-an-rice-terraces-1.jpg
  • The Banaue Rice Terraces are a great example of a living cultural landscape that can be traced as far back as two millennia ago in pre-colonial Philippines. They are the result of efforts of the Ifugao minority community that has occupied these mountains for thousands of years and passed on their skills from generation to generation. The Banaue Ifugao Rice Terraces represent an enduring illustration of an ancient civilization that has survived despite modernization. The rice terraces of the Ifugao have been built to follow the contours of the mountains. The knowledge handed down from one generation of Ifugao to the next, sacred traditions, and a delicate social balance have created this beautiful landscape that expresses the harmony between humans and the environment.
    banaue-rice-terraces-17.jpg
  • The Banaue Rice Terraces are a great example of a living cultural landscape that can be traced as far back as two millennia ago in pre-colonial Philippines. They are the result of efforts of the Ifugao minority community that has occupied these mountains for thousands of years and passed on their skills from generation to generation. The Banaue Ifugao Rice Terraces represent an enduring illustration of an ancient civilization that has survived despite modernization. The rice terraces of the Ifugao have been built to follow the contours of the mountains. The knowledge handed down from one generation of Ifugao to the next, sacred traditions, and a delicate social balance have created this beautiful landscape that expresses the harmony between humans and the environment.
    banaue-rice-terraces-13.jpg
  • The Banaue Rice Terraces are a great example of a living cultural landscape that can be traced as far back as two millennia ago in pre-colonial Philippines. They are the result of efforts of the Ifugao minority community that has occupied these mountains for thousands of years and passed on their skills from generation to generation. The Banaue Ifugao Rice Terraces represent an enduring illustration of an ancient civilization that has survived despite modernization. The rice terraces of the Ifugao have been built to follow the contours of the mountains. The knowledge handed down from one generation of Ifugao to the next, sacred traditions, and a delicate social balance have created this beautiful landscape that expresses the harmony between humans and the environment.
    banaue-rice-terraces-12.jpg
  • The Banaue Rice Terraces are a great example of a living cultural landscape that can be traced as far back as two millennia ago in pre-colonial Philippines. They are the result of efforts of the Ifugao minority community that has occupied these mountains for thousands of years and passed on their skills from generation to generation. The Banaue Ifugao Rice Terraces represent an enduring illustration of an ancient civilization that has survived despite modernization. The rice terraces of the Ifugao have been built to follow the contours of the mountains. The knowledge handed down from one generation of Ifugao to the next, sacred traditions, and a delicate social balance have created this beautiful landscape that expresses the harmony between humans and the environment.
    banaue-rice-terraces-11.jpg
  • The Banaue Rice Terraces are a great example of a living cultural landscape that can be traced as far back as two millennia ago in pre-colonial Philippines. They are the result of efforts of the Ifugao minority community that has occupied these mountains for thousands of years and passed on their skills from generation to generation. The Banaue Ifugao Rice Terraces represent an enduring illustration of an ancient civilization that has survived despite modernization. The rice terraces of the Ifugao have been built to follow the contours of the mountains. The knowledge handed down from one generation of Ifugao to the next, sacred traditions, and a delicate social balance have created this beautiful landscape that expresses the harmony between humans and the environment.
    banaue-rice-terraces-9.jpg
  • The Banaue Rice Terraces are a great example of a living cultural landscape that can be traced as far back as two millennia ago in pre-colonial Philippines. They are the result of efforts of the Ifugao minority community that has occupied these mountains for thousands of years and passed on their skills from generation to generation. The Banaue Ifugao Rice Terraces represent an enduring illustration of an ancient civilization that has survived despite modernization. The rice terraces of the Ifugao have been built to follow the contours of the mountains. The knowledge handed down from one generation of Ifugao to the next, sacred traditions, and a delicate social balance have created this beautiful landscape that expresses the harmony between humans and the environment.
    banaue-rice-terraces-7.jpg
  • The Banaue Rice Terraces are a great example of a living cultural landscape that can be traced as far back as two millennia ago in pre-colonial Philippines. They are the result of efforts of the Ifugao minority community that has occupied these mountains for thousands of years and passed on their skills from generation to generation. The Banaue Ifugao Rice Terraces represent an enduring illustration of an ancient civilization that has survived despite modernization. The rice terraces of the Ifugao have been built to follow the contours of the mountains. The knowledge handed down from one generation of Ifugao to the next, sacred traditions, and a delicate social balance have created this beautiful landscape that expresses the harmony between humans and the environment.
    banaue-rice-terraces-5.jpg
  • The Banaue Rice Terraces are a great example of a living cultural landscape that can be traced as far back as two millennia ago in pre-colonial Philippines. They are the result of efforts of the Ifugao minority community that has occupied these mountains for thousands of years and passed on their skills from generation to generation. The Banaue Ifugao Rice Terraces represent an enduring illustration of an ancient civilization that has survived despite modernization. The rice terraces of the Ifugao have been built to follow the contours of the mountains. The knowledge handed down from one generation of Ifugao to the next, sacred traditions, and a delicate social balance have created this beautiful landscape that expresses the harmony between humans and the environment.
    banaue-rice-farmer-2.jpg
  • Shinkyo Bridge -  When Monk Shoto came to Nikko in order to civilize the mountains he could not cross over the Daiya river. Jinjaou, the God of Snakes,  appeared from the cloud when Shoto burned a holy fire to ask help. The Jinjaou threw two snakes and these transformed themselves into the bridge. Shinkyo Bridge was lacquered vermilion in  1636 but the bridge was washed away by a flood in 1902, and was rebuilt in 1904.
    shinkyo-bridge-3.jpg
  • Named after Manjushri, wisest of the Bodhisattva, Monju Senji Temple on the Kunisaki Peninsula in Kyushu thrived as the early hub of Buddhist culture in Japan. Countless stone statues, many carved into cliffs, still survive into the present day. This area contains more than 60% of Japan's Buddhist images carved on large rock outcrops, cliffs or in caves and movable statues carved from stone. Kyushu is credited as the source of Japanese civilization, from which the seeds of culture were planted throughout the islands. Archaeological findings suggest that Kyushu was the earliest inhabited area of Japan. Records show that first contact with mainland Asia and Buddhism originated in Kyushu.
    kunisaki.jpg
  • Shinjuku Times Square southern terrace decorated this year with Christmas illuminations constructed entirely out of discarded PET bottles and LED lights. The results, which include a PET bottle Christmas tree, UFO and giant man transforming the space into a clear plastic paradise. Hiroyuki Moriwaki, a professor of Information Design at Tama Art University created this Christmas display with the themes of civilization, the future, and imagination with used PET plastic bottles and LED lighting - Moriwaki is well known in Japan for his work with LED lights
    christmas-illuminations-5.jpg
  • Shinjuku Times Square southern terrace decorated this year with Christmas illuminations constructed entirely out of discarded PET bottles and LED lights. The results, which include a PET bottle Christmas tree, UFO and giant man transforming the space into a clear plastic paradise. Hiroyuki Moriwaki, a professor of Information Design at Tama Art University created this Christmas display with the themes of civilization, the future, and imagination with used PET plastic bottles and LED lighting - Moriwaki is well known in Japan for his work with LED lights
    christmas-illuminations-2.jpg
  • Shinjuku Times Square southern terrace decorated this year with Christmas illuminations constructed entirely out of discarded PET bottles and LED lights. The results, which include a PET bottle Christmas tree, UFO and giant man transforming the space into a clear plastic paradise. Hiroyuki Moriwaki, a professor of Information Design at Tama Art University created this Christmas display with the themes of civilization, the future, and imagination with used PET plastic bottles and LED lighting - Moriwaki is well known in Japan for his work with LED lights
    christmas-illuminations-3.jpg
  • Shinkyo Bridge -  When Monk Shoto came to Nikko in order to civilize the mountains he could not cross over the Daiya river. Jinjaou, the God of Snakes,  appeared from the cloud when Shoto burned a holy fire to ask help. The Jinjaou threw two snakes and these transformed themselves into the bridge. Shinkyo Bridge was lacquered vermilion in  1636 but the bridge was washed away by a flood in 1902, and was rebuilt in 1904.
    shinkyo-bridge-2.jpg
  • Yakusugiland - although it may sound like a tacky theme park devoted to trees, it is really more of a nature hiking park.  There are short trails that have wooden steps and you don't have to go far before you're surrounded by the quiet cedar forest and enjoy the tranquility of nature left mostly undisturbed. On the longer trail routes, the forest becomes denser, leaving civilization far behind. Some of these trees are thousands of years old so you feel like an explorer. Everywhere there are fallen trees and stumps, exposed roots, trees overgrown with moss and lichens, ferns sprouting from the sides of trees and from overhanging branches, growth upon growth.
    yakusugiland-23.jpg
  • Yakusugiland - although it may sound like a tacky theme park devoted to trees, it is really more of a nature hiking park.  There are short trails that have wooden steps and you don't have to go far before you're surrounded by the quiet cedar forest and enjoy the tranquility of nature left mostly undisturbed. On the longer trail routes, the forest becomes denser, leaving civilization far behind. Some of these trees are thousands of years old so you feel like an explorer. Everywhere there are fallen trees and stumps, exposed roots, trees overgrown with moss and lichens, ferns sprouting from the sides of trees and from overhanging branches, growth upon growth.
    yakusugiland-20.jpg
  • Yakusugiland - although it may sound like a tacky theme park devoted to trees, it is really more of a nature hiking park.  There are short trails that have wooden steps and you don't have to go far before you're surrounded by the quiet cedar forest and enjoy the tranquility of nature left mostly undisturbed. On the longer trail routes, the forest becomes denser, leaving civilization far behind. Some of these trees are thousands of years old so you feel like an explorer. Everywhere there are fallen trees and stumps, exposed roots, trees overgrown with moss and lichens, ferns sprouting from the sides of trees and from overhanging branches, growth upon growth.
    yakusugiland-14.jpg
  • Yakusugiland - although it may sound like a tacky theme park devoted to trees, it is really more of a nature hiking park.  There are short trails that have wooden steps and you don't have to go far before you're surrounded by the quiet cedar forest and enjoy the tranquility of nature left mostly undisturbed. On the longer trail routes, the forest becomes denser, leaving civilization far behind. Some of these trees are thousands of years old so you feel like an explorer. Everywhere there are fallen trees and stumps, exposed roots, trees overgrown with moss and lichens, ferns sprouting from the sides of trees and from overhanging branches, growth upon growth.
    yakusugiland-10.jpg
  • Yakusugiland - although it may sound like a tacky theme park devoted to trees, it is really more of a nature hiking park.  There are short trails that have wooden steps and you don't have to go far before you're surrounded by the quiet cedar forest and enjoy the tranquility of nature left mostly undisturbed. On the longer trail routes, the forest becomes denser, leaving civilization far behind. Some of these trees are thousands of years old so you feel like an explorer. Everywhere there are fallen trees and stumps, exposed roots, trees overgrown with moss and lichens, ferns sprouting from the sides of trees and from overhanging branches, growth upon growth.
    yakusugiland-09.jpg
  • Yakusugiland - although it may sound like a tacky theme park devoted to trees, it is really more of a nature hiking park.  There are short trails that have wooden steps and you don't have to go far before you're surrounded by the quiet cedar forest and enjoy the tranquility of nature left mostly undisturbed. On the longer trail routes, the forest becomes denser, leaving civilization far behind. Some of these trees are thousands of years old so you feel like an explorer. Everywhere there are fallen trees and stumps, exposed roots, trees overgrown with moss and lichens, ferns sprouting from the sides of trees and from overhanging branches, growth upon growth.
    yakusugiland-07.jpg
  • Yakusugiland - although it may sound like a tacky theme park devoted to trees, it is really more of a nature hiking park.  There are short trails that have wooden steps and you don't have to go far before you're surrounded by the quiet cedar forest and enjoy the tranquility of nature left mostly undisturbed. On the longer trail routes, the forest becomes denser, leaving civilization far behind. Some of these trees are thousands of years old so you feel like an explorer. Everywhere there are fallen trees and stumps, exposed roots, trees overgrown with moss and lichens, ferns sprouting from the sides of trees and from overhanging branches, growth upon growth.
    yakusugiland-05.jpg
  • Shibuya Crossing Scramble - On average, half a million people pass through Shibuya Crossing every day and 3000 per crossing cycle, peaking at around 4 in the afternoon.  Amazingly, there are few collisions between people, considering that everyone is walking at cross-purposes, so to speak.  This is quite possibly a testament to Japanese civility.  Or is it simply care and cautiousness?  One thing for sure is that Tokyo people do know how to handle being in a crowded place, and are accustomed to dodging oncoming humanity.  The scene fascinates foreigners who are not used to such crowds without the situation becoming a riot.  Instead, the Shibuya Scramble is more like a ballet of precision timing and graceful movements at its best, and a frantic struggle to get to the other side as efficiently as possible.  After that hectic hustle across the intersection, pause to catch your breath at the famous statue of dear old Hachiko in front of the station.
    shibuya-crossing-3.jpg
Next