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)
99 images found
twitterlinkedinfacebook

Loading ()...

  • Happy Gorilla Pachinko Parlour - Pachinko is a mechanical game   - a kind of arcade game and  a discrete form of gambling.  Looking like vertical pinball machine, with no flippers and uses a large number of tiny balls and almost no skill whatsoever to play, rather it is a game of patience.
    signage-1.jpg
  • The Tree of Life or Happy Tree - is a deciduous tree widely cultivated in parts of China, and now around the world for its tumor and cancer treatment properties. These deciduous trees are usually included in the tupelo family Nyssaceae and also included in the dogwood family Cornaceae . Camptotheca is used to make cancer fighting drugs:  Irinotecan, Topotecan, 9-Aminocamptothecin and Camptothecin-1 and is consequently much sought after and cultivated.  In autumn curiously heads of oddly hued green and sharply angled fruit grow on the branches of the trees.
    camptotheca-acuminata.jpg
  • Gosho Shrine Matsuri, Kamakura - Japanese festivals are traditional festive occasions. Some festivals have their roots in Chinese festivals but have undergone dramatic changes as they mixed with local customs.  Matsuri is the Japanese word for a festival or holiday. In Japan, festivals are usually sponsored by a local shrine or temple, though they can be secular..There is no specific matsuri days for all of Japan; dates vary from area to area, and even within a specific area, but festival days do tend to cluster around traditional holidays such as Setsubun or Obon. Almost every locale has at least one matsuri in late summer or autumn, usually related to the harvests. Matsuri almost always feature processions which include elaborate floats and "mikoshi" or portable shrines which are paraded around the neighborhood, and sometimes even into the ocean along the coast.
    matsuri-preparations-01.jpg
  • 52.4 Henro 遍路 is the Japanese word for pilgrim - they are recognizable by their white clothing, sedge hats and special walking sticks with bells. Koyasan is linked to the Kii Kumano Kodo pilgrimage trails and the followers of Kobo Daishi who is buried at Koyasan.
    52.4.KII-KOYASAN-04.jpg
  • Thanaka also spelt thanakha is a yellowish white cosmetic paste made from ground bark. It is a distinctive feature of Myanmar  commonly applied to the face of women and girls and to a lesser extent men and boys.
    burmese-thanakha-1.jpg
  • Filipinos are a musical people, who love to sing.  Entertainers from the Philippines can be found in almost any hotel lobby or club from Tokyo to Shanghai.  Not only is there a long, musical history in the Philippines but the country is renowned for its hand-made accoustic guitars, especially those made on Mactan Island near Cebu.
    filipino-guitar-player-02.jpg
  • Filipino Guard
    filipino-guard.jpg
  • Much of the activity in Vientiane has always centred along the riverside.  Most evenings, people gather to play badmitten, stroll the riverbank, have a sundowner or even buy and sell printed artwork.
    vientiane-art.jpg
  • Young Vietnamese woman making an origami crane, with that stunning Vietnamese smile.  The Vietnam Delta region is famous not only for its abundant produce, labyrinth of canals and riverine activity, but the warm friendliness of its people.
    vietnamese-girl.jpg
  • Thanaka also spelt thanakha is a yellowish white cosmetic paste made from ground bark. It is a distinctive feature of Myanmar  commonly applied to the face of women and girls and to a lesser extent men and boys.
    burmese-thanakha-2.jpg
  • Lee Anu Chuepa is a young coffee entrepeneur speciaizling in fair-trade, organic coffee grown by his neighbors family and friends in Chiang Rai Province, and a cafe and distribution and roasting in Chiang Mai.
    lee-ayu-chuepa-3.jpg
  • Lee Anu Chuepa is a young coffee entrepeneur speciaizling in fair-trade, organic coffee grown by his neighbors, family and friends in Chiang Rai Province, and a cafe and distribution and roasting in Chiang Mai.
    lee-ayu-chuepa-5.jpg
  • Lee Anu Chuepa is a young coffee entrepeneur speciaizling in fair-trade, organic coffee grown by his neighbors family and friends in Chiang Rai Province, and a cafe and distribution and roasting in Chiang Mai.
    lee-ayu-chuepa-6.jpg
  • Rickshaws have made a big comeback in Japan, especially around traditional places such as Kyoto, though their use is more a photo opportunity than for real transportation.  Usually the ride consists of a quick, token 15 minute tour with an all-important photo opportunity at the end.
    japanese-rickshaw-driver-1.jpg
  • The Shikoku Pilgrimage is a trail of 88 temples on the island of Shikoku. It is believed all 88 temples were visited by the famous Buddhist monk Kukai, founder of the Shingon school, who was born in Zentsuji Temple in 774.  To complete the pilgrimage, it is not necessary to visit the temples in order.  The pilgrimage is traditionally completed on foot, but modern pilgrims use cars, taxis, buses, bicycles or motorcycles. The walking course is approximately 1200km long and can take anywhere from 30 to 60 days to complete. "Henro" is the Japanese word for pilgrim - they are recognizable by their white clothing, sedge hats, and walking sticks.
    henro-10.jpg
  • Nepali Woman with Flowers, The population of Nepal is a mosaic of diverse ethnic groups lncluding the Thakali, Tamangs, Newar, Sherpa, Tibetans and Gurung. As such the country is meeting place of Indo Aryan peoples plus Mongoloid people from the Himalaya regions.
    nepalese-woman.jpg
  • Nepalese Man in a Sherpa Hat  - The population of Nepal is made up of diverse ethnic groups lncluding the Newar, Sherpa, Thakali, Tamangs, Tibetans and the Gurung.  Nepal is meeting place of Indo-Aryan peoples from the Indian subcontinent as well as the Mongoloid people of the Himalaya regions.
    nepalese-man.jpg
  • Karen Hill Tribes living along the border with Myanmar in Thailand, The Padaung members of the Burmese Karen are also known as the Padaung or "long-necks" because of the heavy brass rings they wear around their necks. How they came to be "long-necks" is the stuff of legend. Long ago, the headman of the tribe had a dream in which he was told that a tiger was going to kill one of the children in the village, a child that had been born on a Wednesday.  Since tigers kill their victims by first breaking their necks, the headman decreed that all children born on a Wednesday should wear heavy brass rings round their necks.
    long-necks-3.jpg
  • Smiling Henro on the Shikoku Pilgrimage - the Pilgrimage is a trail of 88 temples on Shikoku and is believed that all 88 temples were visited by the famous Buddhist monk Kukai, founder of the Shingon school, who was born at Zentsuji Temple in 774.  To complete the pilgrimage, it is not necessary to visit the temples in order.  The pilgrimage is traditionally completed on foot, but modern pilgrims use cars, taxis, buses, bicycles or motorcycles. The walking course is approximately 1200km long and can take anywhere from 30 to 60 days to complete. "Henro" is the Japanese word for pilgrim - they are recognizable by their white clothing,  special walking sticks with bells and sedge hats.
    henro-7.jpg
  • Malatapay Market Rice Packets - a place where livestock growers, local farmers and fishermen converge to sell their fresh foods. Locals take part in the market day and among themselves sometimes use the traditional Filipino barter system.  On other days of the week besides Wednesday, Malatapay is an oddly quiet place with barely a hint of activity going on. The market's exclusive mid-week-only schedule always makes it something to look forward to for everybody.
    Dumaguete-Market-4.jpg
  • The Sanja Matsuri is the biggest of Tokyo's festivals.  Held at Asakusa Shrine the Sanja festival is a three-day blowout of boisterous processions through the streets, with plenty of drinking, dancing, music and other lively fun. Held near Sensoji Shrine in Tokyo, the huge parade draws over two million people into the streets.
    sanja-matsuri-2.jpg
  • Jochiji Hotei God of Happiness Cave - Jochiji ranks 4th of the five great Zen Buddhist temples of Kamakura -  a branch of Engakuji located a few hundred meters away. Jochi-ji was founded in 1283 by the ruling Hojo family, to honor the premature death of their son. This was once a large temple complex with many sub-temples but now it is calm.  Behind the temple a circular path leads through the temple garden past caves and a graveyard.  At the temple's entrance at the bottom of the hill is one of the ten celebrated wells of Kamakura.  Jochiji is unique in that it has a two storey main gate with a bell on the second floor, an unusual combination at Japanese temples.  In addition the shape of the windows are in the shape of bells. The bell itself was cast in 1340.  At its peak, the Temple had 11 different structures including the main hall as well as numerous sub-temples, with 500 residents in the temple precinct.  Many people are familiar with Jochiji as it is alongside the Daibutsu Hiking Trail.  Many visitors hiking or making pilgrimage to the Great Buddha of Kamakura along this trail pass by Jochiji and many stop for a visit en route.
    hotei-04.jpg
  • Jochiji Hotei God of Happiness Cave - Jochiji ranks 4th of the five great Zen Buddhist temples of Kamakura -  a branch of Engakuji located a few hundred meters away. Jochi-ji was founded in 1283 by the ruling Hojo family, to honor the premature death of their son. This was once a large temple complex with many sub-temples but now it is calm.  Behind the temple a circular path leads through the temple garden past caves and a graveyard.  At the temple's entrance at the bottom of the hill is one of the ten celebrated wells of Kamakura.  Jochiji is unique in that it has a two storey main gate with a bell on the second floor, an unusual combination at Japanese temples.  In addition the shape of the windows are in the shape of bells. The bell itself was cast in 1340.  At its peak, the Temple had 11 different structures including the main hall as well as numerous sub-temples, with 500 residents in the temple precinct.  Many people are familiar with Jochiji as it is alongside the Daibutsu Hiking Trail.  Many visitors hiking or making pilgrimage to the Great Buddha of Kamakura along this trail pass by Jochiji and many stop for a visit en route.
    hotei-03.jpg
  • Jochiji Hotei God of Happiness Cave - Jochiji ranks 4th of the five great Zen Buddhist temples of Kamakura -  a branch of Engakuji located a few hundred meters away. Jochi-ji was founded in 1283 by the ruling Hojo family, to honor the premature death of their son. This was once a large temple complex with many sub-temples but now it is calm.  Behind the temple a circular path leads through the temple garden past caves and a graveyard.  At the temple's entrance at the bottom of the hill is one of the ten celebrated wells of Kamakura.  Jochiji is unique in that it has a two storey main gate with a bell on the second floor, an unusual combination at Japanese temples.  In addition the shape of the windows are in the shape of bells. The bell itself was cast in 1340.  At its peak, the Temple had 11 different structures including the main hall as well as numerous sub-temples, with 500 residents in the temple precinct.  Many people are familiar with Jochiji as it is alongside the Daibutsu Hiking Trail.  Many visitors hiking or making pilgrimage to the Great Buddha of Kamakura along this trail pass by Jochiji and many stop for a visit en route.
    hotei-02.jpg
  • Jochiji Hotei God of Happiness Cave - Jochiji ranks 4th of the five great Zen Buddhist temples of Kamakura -  a branch of Engakuji located a few hundred meters away. Jochi-ji was founded in 1283 by the ruling Hojo family, to honor the premature death of their son. This was once a large temple complex with many sub-temples but now it is calm.  Behind the temple a circular path leads through the temple garden past caves and a graveyard.  At the temple's entrance at the bottom of the hill is one of the ten celebrated wells of Kamakura.  Jochiji is unique in that it has a two storey main gate with a bell on the second floor, an unusual combination at Japanese temples.  In addition the shape of the windows are in the shape of bells. The bell itself was cast in 1340.  At its peak, the Temple had 11 different structures including the main hall as well as numerous sub-temples, with 500 residents in the temple precinct.  Many people are familiar with Jochiji as it is alongside the Daibutsu Hiking Trail.  Many visitors hiking or making pilgrimage to the Great Buddha of Kamakura along this trail pass by Jochiji and many stop for a visit en route.
    hotei-01.jpg
  • Making Mochi Mochi is a Japanese rice cake made of glutinous rice pounded into paste and molded into shape. In Japan it is traditionally made in a ceremony called mochitsuki. While also eaten all year round, mochi is a traditional food for the Japanese New Year and is commonly sold and eaten during that time.
    new-years-mochi-1.jpg
  • Making Mochi Mochi is a Japanese rice cake made of glutinous rice pounded into paste and molded into shape. In Japan it is traditionally made in a ceremony called mochitsuki. While also eaten all year round, mochi is a traditional food for the Japanese New Year and is commonly sold and eaten during that time.
    new-years-mochi-2.jpg
  • Octopus Vendor at Ameyoko Market, Tokyo.  Ameyoko or Ameyocho as it is sometimes called was once Tokyo's black market district.  Nowadays it is given over to selling knockoff designer jeans, sunglasses, bulk food items, fish and just about anything you can think of.  It is liveliest at night with spillover passengers from nearby Ueno Station.
    ameyoko.jpg
  • Groups of choreographed dancers and musicians known as ren dance through the streets at summer festivals in Japan, typically accompanied by the shamisen lute, taiko drums, shinobue flute and the kane bell. Performers wear traditional obon dance costumes, or summer kimono, and chant and sing as they parade through the streets.  Originally from Tokushima, Shikoku, its popularity has spread through Japan and is now a standard feature of summer festivals throughout the country.
    awa-odori-7.jpg
  • Wearing a Harumaki at Kamakura Matsuri - Japanese festivals are traditional festive occasions with their roots in Chinese festivals having undergone dramatic changes as they mixed with local customs.  Such events are usually sponsored by the local shrine though they can occasionally be secular.
    kamakura-matsuri-2.jpg
  • Yanaka Rickshaw with Sakura or cherry blossoms overhead - A cherry blossom is the flower of any of several trees of genus Prunus, particularly the Japanese Cherry, Prunus serrulata, which is called sakura in Japanese.  Japan has a wide variety of cherry blossoms with well over 200 types can be found there.[ The most popular variety of cherry blossom in Japan is the Somei Yoshino. Its flowers are nearly white, tinged with the palest pink, and bloom and fall within a week, before the leaves come out.
    japanese-rickshaw-1.jpg
  • Kamakura Matsuri at Tsurugoaka Hachimangu Shrine - Japanese festivals are festive occasions often with their roots in Chinese festivals but have undergone changes as they mixed with local Japanese customs.  Matsuri is the Japanese word for a festival and are usually sponsored by a local shrine or temple, though they can be secular. There is no specific matsuri days for all of Japan.  Dates vary depending on area.
    kamakura-matsuri-1.jpg
  • Mochi is a Japanese rice cake made of glutinous rice pounded into paste and molded into shape. In Japan it is traditionally made in a ceremony called mochitsuki. While also eaten all year round, mochi is a traditional food for the Japanese New Year and is commonly sold and eaten during that time.
    mochi-6.jpg
  • Yushima Shrine Matsuri - Matsuri is the Japanese word for a festival which are usually sponsored by a local shrine or temple. There is no specific matsuri days for all of Japan.  Dates vary from area to area but festival days do tend to cluster around traditional holidays such as Setsubun or Obon. Almost every locale has at least one matsuri in late summer or early autumn, usually related to the rice harvest..Matsuri often feature processions which may include elaborate floats. Preparation for these processions is usually organized at the level of neighborhoods.  Prior to these, the local kami will be ritually installed in mikoshi, portable shrines, and paraded through the streets.
    yushima-shrine-festival-12.jpg
  • Fontaine Medicis - The Medici Fountain is an historical fountain designed like a grotto reminiscent of  Boboli Gardens in Italy where Marie de Medici grew up. Marie had this commissioned for the Jardin du Luxembourg when her palace was constructed in the 1600s.  Marie de Medici was the widow of King Henri IV and regent for King Louis XIII who was not happy living at The Louvre and wanted her own palace in Paris constructed in an Italian style that would remind her of where she grew up in the Palazzo Pitti in Florence.  The grounds of the Luxembourg Palais as well as the Medici Fountain are open to the public these days as a public park, even though Palais Luxembourg is where lawmakers and senators of France gather to enact and review laws.
    medici-fountain-3.jpg
  • Yu Garden or Yuyuen "Happy Garden"  is an extensive Chinese garden located beside the City God Temple in Shanghai. Yu Garden was first conceived in 1559 during the Ming Dynasty by Pan Yunduan as a comfort for his father minister Pan En, in his old age. The garden was the largest of its era but eventually its expense helped ruin the Pan family. The garden was opened to the public in 1961 and then declared a national monument in 1982.
    shanghai-yuyuan-8.jpg
  • Yu Garden or Yuyuen "Happy Garden"  is an extensive Chinese garden located beside the City God Temple in Shanghai. Yu Garden was first conceived in 1559 during the Ming Dynasty by Pan Yunduan as a comfort for his father minister Pan En, in his old age. The garden was the largest of its era but eventually its expense helped ruin the Pan family. The garden was opened to the public in 1961 and then declared a national monument in 1982.
    shanghai-yuyuan-6.jpg
  • Miyagawa Park at the tip of the Miura Peninsula is the largest wind farm in the Kanto area south of Tokyo.  The wind turbines produce 800 Kilowats of power per hour each, enough to supply the local villages in this part of Japan.  The towers stand at 35 metres, and each blade measures more than 15 metres in length, creating a whooshing sound with each pass.  Unlike other wind farms in many parts of the world, the locals are happy with it, as it has also become a tourist attraction in the area.
    miura-wind-farm.jpg
  • Japanese Slippers carefully placed for guests arrival at "engawa" or entrance.  Visitors to Japanese homes and temples are required to remove their shoes at the entrance, replacing them with hallway slippers such as these before entering.  Many young Japanese are happy to ignore the slippers and just walk around in ther sock or barefoot except in colder months.
    japanese-slippers-2.jpg
  • Fontaine Medicis - The Medici Fountain is an historical fountain designed like a grotto reminiscent of  Boboli Gardens in Italy where Marie de Medici grew up. Marie had this commissioned for the Jardin du Luxembourg when her palace was constructed in the 1600s.  Marie de Medici was the widow of King Henri IV and regent for King Louis XIII who was not happy living at The Louvre and wanted her own palace in Paris constructed in an Italian style that would remind her of where she grew up in the Palazzo Pitti in Florence.  The grounds of the Luxembourg Palais as well as the Medici Fountain are open to the public these days as a public park, even though Palais Luxembourg is where lawmakers and senators of France gather to enact and review laws.
    jardin-luxembourg-3.jpg
  • Yu Garden or Yuyuen "Happy Garden"  is an extensive Chinese garden located beside the City God Temple in Shanghai. Yu Garden was first conceived in 1559 during the Ming Dynasty by Pan Yunduan as a comfort for his father minister Pan En, in his old age. The garden was the largest of its era but eventually its expense helped ruin the Pan family. The garden was opened to the public in 1961 and then declared a national monument in 1982.
    shanghai-yuyuan-2.jpg
  • Yu Garden or Yuyuen "Happy Garden"  is an extensive Chinese garden located beside the City God Temple in Shanghai. Yu Garden was first conceived in 1559 during the Ming Dynasty by Pan Yunduan as a comfort for his father minister Pan En, in his old age. The garden was the largest of its era but eventually its expense helped ruin the Pan family. The garden was opened to the public in 1961 and then declared a national monument in 1982.
    shanghai-yuyuan-7.jpg
  • Yu Garden or Yuyuen "Happy Garden"  is an extensive Chinese garden located beside the City God Temple in Shanghai. Yu Garden was first conceived in 1559 during the Ming Dynasty by Pan Yunduan as a comfort for his father minister Pan En, in his old age. The garden was the largest of its era but eventually its expense helped ruin the Pan family. The garden was opened to the public in 1961 and then declared a national monument in 1982.
    shanghai-yuyuan-5.jpg
  • Yu Garden or Yuyuen "Happy Garden"  is an extensive Chinese garden located beside the City God Temple in Shanghai. Yu Garden was first conceived in 1559 during the Ming Dynasty by Pan Yunduan as a comfort for his father minister Pan En, in his old age. The garden was the largest of its era but eventually its expense helped ruin the Pan family. The garden was opened to the public in 1961 and then declared a national monument in 1982.
    shanghai-yuyuan-3.jpg
  • A Vietnamese mother giving her baby a sponge bath along the banks of the Mekong River.  Never mind the onlookers and photo happy tourists - this is just natural everyday life in Vietnam.
    vietnamese-baby-mother.jpg
  • Yu Garden or Yuyuen "Happy Garden"  is an extensive Chinese garden located beside the City God Temple in Shanghai. Yu Garden was first conceived in 1559 during the Ming Dynasty by Pan Yunduan as a comfort for his father minister Pan En, in his old age. The garden was the largest of its era but eventually its expense helped ruin the Pan family. The garden was opened to the public in 1961 and then declared a national monument in 1982.
    shanghai-yuyuan-4.jpg
  • Yu Garden or Yuyuen "Happy Garden"  is an extensive Chinese garden located beside the City God Temple in Shanghai. Yu Garden was first conceived in 1559 during the Ming Dynasty by Pan Yunduan as a comfort for his father minister Pan En, in his old age. The garden was the largest of its era but eventually its expense helped ruin the Pan family. The garden was opened to the public in 1961 and then declared a national monument in 1982.
    shanghai-yuyuan-1.jpg
  • Rinsenji Temple was established 500 years ago. It is dedicated to Fukurokuju, the god of happiness, wealth, and longevity, one of the Seven Lucky Gods of Ito. A must-see of Rinsenji Temple are the flowers of Japanese wisteria. Some of the wisteria plants are over 300 years old. People in the know gather in Rinsenji Temple between the beginning of April and the beginning of May to behold Wisteria flowers in full bloom.  Besides its famous wisteria, there are ample plum trees that blossom near the pond garden, an early harbinger of spring.
    Rinsenji-Izu--07.jpg
  • Rinsenji Temple was established 500 years ago. It is dedicated to Fukurokuju, the god of happiness, wealth, and longevity, one of the Seven Lucky Gods of Ito. A must-see of Rinsenji Temple are the flowers of Japanese wisteria. Some of the wisteria plants are over 300 years old. People in the know gather in Rinsenji Temple between the beginning of April and the beginning of May to behold Wisteria flowers in full bloom.  Besides its famous wisteria, there are ample plum trees that blossom near the pond garden, an early harbinger of spring.
    Rinsenji-Izu--03.jpg
  • Happi Coats at Kamakura Matsuri - Japanese festivals are traditional festive occasions. Some festivals have their roots in Chinese festivals but have undergone dramatic changes as they mixed with local customs.  Matsuri is the Japanese word for a festival or holiday. In Japan, festivals are usually sponsored by a local shrine or temple, though they can be secular.<br />
There is no specific matsuri days for all of Japan; dates vary from area to area, and even within a specific area, but festival days do tend to cluster around traditional holidays such as Setsubun or Obon. Almost every locale has at least one matsuri in late summer or autumn, usually related to the harvests. Matsuri almost always feature processions which include elaborate floats and "mikoshi" or portable shrines which are paraded around the neighborhood, and sometimes even into the ocean along the coast.
    kamakura-matsuri-4.jpg
  • Tokyo Bay Kannon is a 56m-high statue of Kannon built at the Minami Boso National Park at the top of Mt. Otsubo overlooking Tokyo Bay.<br />
This statue was erected in 1958 and has been a landmark ever since.  Its appearance is of a peaceful face that wishes for our happiness and a peaceful world.  The sculptor of Tokyo Wan Kannon is Mr. Ko Hasegawa, a sculptor who won the International Grand Prix. There are many other works by Mr. Hasegawa in Kannon's womb. The view of Tokyo Bay from the “heavenly world” the height of the crown) is superb, and on a clear day, Mt. Fuji and the sunset can be seen.
    tokyo-bay-kannon--02.jpg
  • Rinsenji Temple was established 500 years ago. It is dedicated to Fukurokuju, the god of happiness, wealth, and longevity, one of the Seven Lucky Gods of Ito. A must-see of Rinsenji Temple are the flowers of Japanese wisteria. Some of the wisteria plants are over 300 years old. People in the know gather in Rinsenji Temple between the beginning of April and the beginning of May to behold Wisteria flowers in full bloom.  Besides its famous wisteria, there are ample plum trees that blossom near the pond garden, an early harbinger of spring.
    Rinsenji-Izu--02.jpg
  • Rinsenji Temple was established 500 years ago. It is dedicated to Fukurokuju, the god of happiness, wealth, and longevity, one of the Seven Lucky Gods of Ito. A must-see of Rinsenji Temple are the flowers of Japanese wisteria. Some of the wisteria plants are over 300 years old. People in the know gather in Rinsenji Temple between the beginning of April and the beginning of May to behold Wisteria flowers in full bloom.  Besides its famous wisteria, there are ample plum trees that blossom near the pond garden, an early harbinger of spring.
    Rinsenji-Izu--01.jpg
  • Chigo Gyoretsu is a colourful children’s procession that promotes wishes for kids' happiness and health.  In Japanese, chigo means small child’and gyoretsu means procession - And so chigo-gyoretsu means exactly that – a procession of small children. At this festival, kids aged three to five dress up in orange and purple to wish for growth and health. Wearing matching costumes, the boys wear a stiff hat of lacquered gauze called an eboshi, while the girls wear a crown with a phoenix bird and bright metal pendants called a tenkan.  Although this ceremony is typically performed at shinto shrines, it is increasing praticied at Buddhist temples in Japan.  It is similar to 7-5-3 or Shichi Go San where kids of those ages are trotted out in their finest at the local shinto shrine on November 16.  Since Chigo Gyorentsu usually is performed in September or October, it would be repetitative to perform  similar rites at a shrine, which is probably why it is being celebrated at Buddhist temples.
    chigo-gyoretsu-12.jpg
  • Chigo Gyoretsu is a colourful children’s procession that promotes wishes for kids' happiness and health.  In Japanese, chigo means small child’and gyoretsu means procession - And so chigo-gyoretsu means exactly that – a procession of small children. At this festival, kids aged three to five dress up in orange and purple to wish for growth and health. Wearing matching costumes, the boys wear a stiff hat of lacquered gauze called an eboshi, while the girls wear a crown with a phoenix bird and bright metal pendants called a tenkan.  Although this ceremony is typically performed at shinto shrines, it is increasing praticied at Buddhist temples in Japan.  It is similar to 7-5-3 or Shichi Go San where kids of those ages are trotted out in their finest at the local shinto shrine on November 16.  Since Chigo Gyorentsu usually is performed in September or October, it would be repetitative to perform  similar rites at a shrine, which is probably why it is being celebrated at Buddhist temples.
    chigo-gyoretsu-02.jpg
  • Chigo Gyoretsu is a colourful children’s procession that promotes wishes for kids' happiness and health.  In Japanese, chigo means small child’and gyoretsu means procession - And so chigo-gyoretsu means exactly that – a procession of small children. At this festival, kids aged three to five dress up in orange and purple to wish for growth and health. Wearing matching costumes, the boys wear a stiff hat of lacquered gauze called an eboshi, while the girls wear a crown with a phoenix bird and bright metal pendants called a tenkan.  Although this ceremony is typically performed at shinto shrines, it is increasing praticied at Buddhist temples in Japan.  It is similar to 7-5-3 or Shichi Go San where kids of those ages are trotted out in their finest at the local shinto shrine on November 16.  Since Chigo Gyorentsu usually is performed in September or October, it would be repetitative to perform  similar rites at a shrine, which is probably why it is being celebrated at Buddhist temples.
    chigo-gyoretsu-03.jpg
  • Angel Road is in reality a sandbar that connects three tiny islands with Shodoshima. During low tide visitors can walk along the sandbar.  Local lore has it that couples who cross the sandbar hand in hand will find happiness together.  In this vein, some couples write their romantic wishes on small wooden ema plaques and hang them onto a tree branch for the wishes to become true.  Most people just stroll around the sandbar, or wait for the sun to go down as it is a favorite sunset viewing spot on the island of Shodoshima.
    angel-road-04.jpg
  • Japanese New Years cuisine is called osechi-ryori, and consists of many different kinds of dishes.  Traditionally, people finish cooking osechi dishes by New Year's Eve so they have food for a couple days without cooking. Most of the dishes can last a few days in the refrigerator or at cool room temperature. Colorful osechi-ryori dishes are packed in layers of lacquer boxes, called jubako.  Each dish and type of food in osechi has meaning, such as good health, fertility, good harvest, happiness, long life...
    osechi-ryori-06.jpg
  • Childrens Day Carp Banners - Children's Day or "Kodomo no hi" is a Japanese national holiday on May 5, the fifth day of the fifth month and is part of the Golden Week. It is a day set aside to respect children's personalities and to celebrate their happiness. Originally it was called "Boys Day", as the carp typically represent boys in Japan.
    carp-streamers-01.jpg
  • Japanese New Years cuisine is called osechi-ryori, and consists of many different kinds of dishes.  Traditionally, people finish cooking osechi dishes by New Year's Eve so they have food for a couple days without cooking. Most of the dishes can last a few days in the refrigerator or at cool room temperature. Colorful osechi-ryori dishes are packed in layers of lacquer boxes, called jubako.  Each dish and type of food in osechi has meaning, such as good health, fertility, good harvest, happiness, long life...
    osechi-ryori-1.jpg
  • Colorful Mural at Trieu Chau Assembly Hall,  built in honor of Fu Lu Shuo, the diety of Wealth, Happiness and Longetivity. Worshippers come here to make oaths or ask favors.
    trieu-chau-assembly-1.jpg
  • Japanese New Years cuisine is called osechi-ryori, and consists of many different kinds of dishes.  Traditionally, people finish cooking osechi dishes by New Year's Eve so they have food for a couple days without cooking. Most of the dishes can last a few days in the refrigerator or at cool room temperature. Colorful osechi-ryori dishes are packed in layers of lacquer boxes, called jubako.  Each dish and type of food in osechi has meaning, such as good health, fertility, good harvest, happiness, long life...
    osechi-ryori-3.jpg
  • Tokyo Bay Kannon is a 56m-high statue of Kannon built at the Minami Boso National Park at the top of Mt. Otsubo overlooking Tokyo Bay.<br />
This statue was erected in 1958 and has been a landmark ever since.  Its appearance is of a peaceful face that wishes for our happiness and a peaceful world.  The sculptor of Tokyo Wan Kannon is Mr. Ko Hasegawa, a sculptor who won the International Grand Prix. There are many other works by Mr. Hasegawa in Kannon's womb. The view of Tokyo Bay from the “heavenly world” the height of the crown) is superb, and on a clear day, Mt. Fuji and the sunset can be seen.
    tokyo-bay-kannon--03.jpg
  • Tokyo Bay Kannon is a 56m-high statue of Kannon built at the Minami Boso National Park at the top of Mt. Otsubo overlooking Tokyo Bay.<br />
This statue was erected in 1958 and has been a landmark ever since.  Its appearance is of a peaceful face that wishes for our happiness and a peaceful world.  The sculptor of Tokyo Wan Kannon is Mr. Ko Hasegawa, a sculptor who won the International Grand Prix. There are many other works by Mr. Hasegawa in Kannon's womb. The view of Tokyo Bay from the “heavenly world” the height of the crown) is superb, and on a clear day, Mt. Fuji and the sunset can be seen.
    tokyo-bay-kannon--01.jpg
  • Rinsenji Temple was established 500 years ago. It is dedicated to Fukurokuju, the god of happiness, wealth, and longevity, one of the Seven Lucky Gods of Ito. A must-see of Rinsenji Temple are the flowers of Japanese wisteria. Some of the wisteria plants are over 300 years old. People in the know gather in Rinsenji Temple between the beginning of April and the beginning of May to behold Wisteria flowers in full bloom.  Besides its famous wisteria, there are ample plum trees that blossom near the pond garden, an early harbinger of spring.
    Rinsenji-Izu--09.jpg
  • Rinsenji Temple was established 500 years ago. It is dedicated to Fukurokuju, the god of happiness, wealth, and longevity, one of the Seven Lucky Gods of Ito. A must-see of Rinsenji Temple are the flowers of Japanese wisteria. Some of the wisteria plants are over 300 years old. People in the know gather in Rinsenji Temple between the beginning of April and the beginning of May to behold Wisteria flowers in full bloom.  Besides its famous wisteria, there are ample plum trees that blossom near the pond garden, an early harbinger of spring.
    Rinsenji-Izu--10.jpg
  • Rinsenji Temple was established 500 years ago. It is dedicated to Fukurokuju, the god of happiness, wealth, and longevity, one of the Seven Lucky Gods of Ito. A must-see of Rinsenji Temple are the flowers of Japanese wisteria. Some of the wisteria plants are over 300 years old. People in the know gather in Rinsenji Temple between the beginning of April and the beginning of May to behold Wisteria flowers in full bloom.  Besides its famous wisteria, there are ample plum trees that blossom near the pond garden, an early harbinger of spring.
    Rinsenji-Izu--08.jpg
  • Rinsenji Temple was established 500 years ago. It is dedicated to Fukurokuju, the god of happiness, wealth, and longevity, one of the Seven Lucky Gods of Ito. A must-see of Rinsenji Temple are the flowers of Japanese wisteria. Some of the wisteria plants are over 300 years old. People in the know gather in Rinsenji Temple between the beginning of April and the beginning of May to behold Wisteria flowers in full bloom.  Besides its famous wisteria, there are ample plum trees that blossom near the pond garden, an early harbinger of spring.
    Rinsenji-Izu--06.jpg
  • Rinsenji Temple was established 500 years ago. It is dedicated to Fukurokuju, the god of happiness, wealth, and longevity, one of the Seven Lucky Gods of Ito. A must-see of Rinsenji Temple are the flowers of Japanese wisteria. Some of the wisteria plants are over 300 years old. People in the know gather in Rinsenji Temple between the beginning of April and the beginning of May to behold Wisteria flowers in full bloom.  Besides its famous wisteria, there are ample plum trees that blossom near the pond garden, an early harbinger of spring.
    Rinsenji-Izu--04.jpg
  • Chigo Gyoretsu is a colourful children’s procession that promotes wishes for kids' happiness and health.  In Japanese, chigo means small child’and gyoretsu means procession - And so chigo-gyoretsu means exactly that – a procession of small children. At this festival, kids aged three to five dress up in orange and purple to wish for growth and health. Wearing matching costumes, the boys wear a stiff hat of lacquered gauze called an eboshi, while the girls wear a crown with a phoenix bird and bright metal pendants called a tenkan.  Although this ceremony is typically performed at shinto shrines, it is increasing praticied at Buddhist temples in Japan.  It is similar to 7-5-3 or Shichi Go San where kids of those ages are trotted out in their finest at the local shinto shrine on November 16.  Since Chigo Gyorentsu usually is performed in September or October, it would be repetitative to perform  similar rites at a shrine, which is probably why it is being celebrated at Buddhist temples.
    chigo-gyoretsu-11.jpg
  • Chigo Gyoretsu is a colourful children’s procession that promotes wishes for kids' happiness and health.  In Japanese, chigo means small child’and gyoretsu means procession - And so chigo-gyoretsu means exactly that – a procession of small children. At this festival, kids aged three to five dress up in orange and purple to wish for growth and health. Wearing matching costumes, the boys wear a stiff hat of lacquered gauze called an eboshi, while the girls wear a crown with a phoenix bird and bright metal pendants called a tenkan.  Although this ceremony is typically performed at shinto shrines, it is increasing praticied at Buddhist temples in Japan.  It is similar to 7-5-3 or Shichi Go San where kids of those ages are trotted out in their finest at the local shinto shrine on November 16.  Since Chigo Gyorentsu usually is performed in September or October, it would be repetitative to perform  similar rites at a shrine, which is probably why it is being celebrated at Buddhist temples.
    chigo-gyoretsu-09.jpg
  • Chigo Gyoretsu is a colourful children’s procession that promotes wishes for kids' happiness and health.  In Japanese, chigo means small child’and gyoretsu means procession - And so chigo-gyoretsu means exactly that – a procession of small children. At this festival, kids aged three to five dress up in orange and purple to wish for growth and health. Wearing matching costumes, the boys wear a stiff hat of lacquered gauze called an eboshi, while the girls wear a crown with a phoenix bird and bright metal pendants called a tenkan.  Although this ceremony is typically performed at shinto shrines, it is increasing praticied at Buddhist temples in Japan.  It is similar to 7-5-3 or Shichi Go San where kids of those ages are trotted out in their finest at the local shinto shrine on November 16.  Since Chigo Gyorentsu usually is performed in September or October, it would be repetitative to perform  similar rites at a shrine, which is probably why it is being celebrated at Buddhist temples.
    chigo-gyoretsu-08.jpg
  • Chigo Gyoretsu is a colourful children’s procession that promotes wishes for kids' happiness and health.  In Japanese, chigo means small child’and gyoretsu means procession - And so chigo-gyoretsu means exactly that – a procession of small children. At this festival, kids aged three to five dress up in orange and purple to wish for growth and health. Wearing matching costumes, the boys wear a stiff hat of lacquered gauze called an eboshi, while the girls wear a crown with a phoenix bird and bright metal pendants called a tenkan.  Although this ceremony is typically performed at shinto shrines, it is increasing praticied at Buddhist temples in Japan.  It is similar to 7-5-3 or Shichi Go San where kids of those ages are trotted out in their finest at the local shinto shrine on November 16.  Since Chigo Gyorentsu usually is performed in September or October, it would be repetitative to perform  similar rites at a shrine, which is probably why it is being celebrated at Buddhist temples.
    chigo-gyoretsu-07.jpg
  • Chigo Gyoretsu is a colourful children’s procession that promotes wishes for kids' happiness and health.  In Japanese, chigo means small child’and gyoretsu means procession - And so chigo-gyoretsu means exactly that – a procession of small children. At this festival, kids aged three to five dress up in orange and purple to wish for growth and health. Wearing matching costumes, the boys wear a stiff hat of lacquered gauze called an eboshi, while the girls wear a crown with a phoenix bird and bright metal pendants called a tenkan.  Although this ceremony is typically performed at shinto shrines, it is increasing praticied at Buddhist temples in Japan.  It is similar to 7-5-3 or Shichi Go San where kids of those ages are trotted out in their finest at the local shinto shrine on November 16.  Since Chigo Gyorentsu usually is performed in September or October, it would be repetitative to perform  similar rites at a shrine, which is probably why it is being celebrated at Buddhist temples.
    chigo-gyoretsu-05.jpg
  • Angel Road is in reality a sandbar that connects three tiny islands with Shodoshima. During low tide visitors can walk along the sandbar.  Local lore has it that couples who cross the sandbar hand in hand will find happiness together.  In this vein, some couples write their romantic wishes on small wooden ema plaques and hang them onto a tree branch for the wishes to become true.  Most people just stroll around the sandbar, or wait for the sun to go down as it is a favorite sunset viewing spot on the island of Shodoshima.
    angel-road-03.jpg
  • Angel Road is in reality a sandbar that connects three tiny islands with Shodoshima. During low tide visitors can walk along the sandbar.  Local lore has it that couples who cross the sandbar hand in hand will find happiness together.  In this vein, some couples write their romantic wishes on small wooden ema plaques and hang them onto a tree branch for the wishes to become true.  Most people just stroll around the sandbar, or wait for the sun to go down as it is a favorite sunset viewing spot on the island of Shodoshima.
    angel-road-1.jpg
  • Koinobori Childrens Day Carp Banners - Children's Day or "Kodomo no hi" is a Japanese national holiday on May 5, the fifth day of the fifth month and is part of Golden Week. It is a day set aside to respect children's personalities and to celebrate their happiness. Originally it was called "Boys Day" as the carp typically represent boys in Japan.
    carp-banners-1.jpg
  • Japanese New Years cuisine is called osechi-ryori, and consists of many different kinds of dishes. Traditionally, people finish cooking osechi dishes by New Year's Eve so they have food for a couple days without cooking. Most of the dishes can last a few days in the refrigerator or at cool room temperature. Colorful osechi-ryori dishes are packed in layers of lacquer boxes, called jubako. Each dish and type of food in osechi has meaning, such as good health, fertility, good harvest, happiness, long life...
    osechi-ryori-22.jpg
  • Japanese New Years cuisine is called osechi-ryori, and consists of many different kinds of dishes. Traditionally, people finish cooking osechi dishes by New Year's Eve so they have food for a couple days without cooking. Most of the dishes can last a few days in the refrigerator or at cool room temperature. Colorful osechi-ryori dishes are packed in layers of lacquer boxes, called jubako. Each dish and type of food in osechi has meaning, such as good health, fertility, good harvest, happiness, long life...
    osechi-ryori-20.jpg
  • Japanese New Years cuisine is called osechi-ryori, and consists of many different kinds of dishes.  Traditionally, people finish cooking osechi dishes by New Year's Eve so they have food for a couple days without cooking. Most of the dishes can last a few days in the refrigerator or at cool room temperature. Colorful osechi-ryori dishes are packed in layers of lacquer boxes, called jubako.  Each dish and type of food in osechi has meaning, such as good health, fertility, good harvest, happiness, long life...
    osechi-ryori-05.jpg
  • Japanese New Years cuisine is called osechi-ryori, and consists of many different kinds of dishes.  Traditionally, people finish cooking osechi dishes by New Year's Eve so they have food for a couple days without cooking. Most of the dishes can last a few days in the refrigerator or at cool room temperature. Colorful osechi-ryori dishes are packed in layers of lacquer boxes, called jubako.  Each dish and type of food in osechi has meaning, such as good health, fertility, good harvest, happiness, long life...
    osechi-ryori-04.jpg
  • Kitain's origins began when the Buddhist monk Ennin founded Muryoju Temple in 830 A.D.  which was divided into three parts: Kitain, Nakain, and Minamiin. <br />
The temple was rebuilt in 1296 by the monk Sonkai. It became the head temple of the Tendai Sect  east Japan in 1300. The Chinese characters used to write Kitain were changed from those meaning North Temple, which has a rather dark image, to those meaning Temple of Happiness.
    kitain-temple-1.jpg
  • Daifukuji Soto Mission "Daifukuji" means The Temple of Great Happiness founded in 1914 in Honalo, Kona, on the Big Island of Hawaii.  It is the temple's vision to offer the teachings of the Buddha and Soto Zen practice to the community of Honalo, Kona, Hawaii.
    daifukuji-soto-mission-2.jpg
  • At Kodai-ji temple there are several formal gardens designed by Kobori Enshu, who was an architect and master Zen gardener, as well as a master of calligraphy, poetry, and tea ceremony.  The north garden at Kodaiji is a Tsukiyama, or constructed mountains garden with the turtle and crane as symbols of long life and happiness. The turtle island is to the south while the crane island is to the north.
    kodaiji-7.jpg
  • The popular symbolism associated with Daruma as a good luck charm comes from the founder of Daruma-Dera that New Year’s charms depicting Bodhidharma would bring happiness and prosperity and ward off accidents and misfortune. The charms were always given with an effectiveness of one year, so the people required new ones every year.
    daruma-statue.jpg
  • Trieu Chau Assembly Hall was built in honor of Phuc Ba, a god with the power to calm the sea. To the right and left are shrines to the god of money and the god of happiness. Worshippers come at night to make oaths or ask for favors.
    trieu-chau-assembly-3.jpg
  • Trieu Chau Assembly Hall was built in honor of Phuc Ba, a god with the power to calm the sea. To the right and left are shrines to the god of money and the god of happiness. Worshippers come at night to make oaths or ask for favors.
    trieu-chau-assembly-4.jpg
  • Childrens Day Carp Banners - Children's Day or "Kodomo no hi" is a Japanese national holiday on May 5, the fifth day of the fifth month and is part of the Golden Week. It is a day set aside to respect children's personalities and to celebrate their happiness. Originally it was called "Boys Day", as the carp typically represent boys in Japan.
    carp-banners.jpg
  • Japanese New Years cuisine is called osechi-ryori, and consists of many different kinds of dishes.  Traditionally, people finish cooking osechi dishes by New Year's Eve so they have food for a couple days without cooking. Most of the dishes can last a few days in the refrigerator or at cool room temperature. Colorful osechi-ryori dishes are packed in layers of lacquer boxes, called jubako.  Each dish and type of food in osechi has meaning, such as good health, fertility, good harvest, happiness, long life...
    osechi-ryori-2.jpg
  • Rinsenji Temple was established 500 years ago. It is dedicated to Fukurokuju, the god of happiness, wealth, and longevity, one of the Seven Lucky Gods of Ito. A must-see of Rinsenji Temple are the flowers of Japanese wisteria. Some of the wisteria plants are over 300 years old. People in the know gather in Rinsenji Temple between the beginning of April and the beginning of May to behold Wisteria flowers in full bloom.  Besides its famous wisteria, there are ample plum trees that blossom near the pond garden, an early harbinger of spring.
    Rinsenji-Izu--05.jpg
  • Chigo Gyoretsu is a colourful children’s procession that promotes wishes for kids' happiness and health.  In Japanese, chigo means small child’and gyoretsu means procession - And so chigo-gyoretsu means exactly that – a procession of small children. At this festival, kids aged three to five dress up in orange and purple to wish for growth and health. Wearing matching costumes, the boys wear a stiff hat of lacquered gauze called an eboshi, while the girls wear a crown with a phoenix bird and bright metal pendants called a tenkan.  Although this ceremony is typically performed at shinto shrines, it is increasing praticied at Buddhist temples in Japan.  It is similar to 7-5-3 or Shichi Go San where kids of those ages are trotted out in their finest at the local shinto shrine on November 16.  Since Chigo Gyorentsu usually is performed in September or October, it would be repetitative to perform  similar rites at a shrine, which is probably why it is being celebrated at Buddhist temples.
    chigo-gyoretsu-10.jpg
  • Chigo Gyoretsu is a colourful children’s procession that promotes wishes for kids' happiness and health.  In Japanese, chigo means small child’and gyoretsu means procession - And so chigo-gyoretsu means exactly that – a procession of small children. At this festival, kids aged three to five dress up in orange and purple to wish for growth and health. Wearing matching costumes, the boys wear a stiff hat of lacquered gauze called an eboshi, while the girls wear a crown with a phoenix bird and bright metal pendants called a tenkan.  Although this ceremony is typically performed at shinto shrines, it is increasing praticied at Buddhist temples in Japan.  It is similar to 7-5-3 or Shichi Go San where kids of those ages are trotted out in their finest at the local shinto shrine on November 16.  Since Chigo Gyorentsu usually is performed in September or October, it would be repetitative to perform  similar rites at a shrine, which is probably why it is being celebrated at Buddhist temples.
    chigo-gyoretsu-06.jpg
  • Angel Road is in reality a sandbar that connects three tiny islands with Shodoshima. During low tide visitors can walk along the sandbar.  Local lore has it that couples who cross the sandbar hand in hand will find happiness together.  In this vein, some couples write their romantic wishes on small wooden ema plaques and hang them onto a tree branch for the wishes to become true.  Most people just stroll around the sandbar, or wait for the sun to go down as it is a favorite sunset viewing spot on the island of Shodoshima.
    angel-road-2.jpg
  • Japanese New Years cuisine is called osechi-ryori, and consists of many different kinds of dishes. Traditionally, people finish cooking osechi dishes by New Year's Eve so they have food for a couple days without cooking. Most of the dishes can last a few days in the refrigerator or at cool room temperature. Colorful osechi-ryori dishes are packed in layers of lacquer boxes, called jubako. Each dish and type of food in osechi has meaning, such as good health, fertility, good harvest, happiness, long life...
    osechi-ryori-23.jpg
  • At Kodai-ji temple there are several formal gardens designed by Kobori Enshu, who was an architect and master Zen gardener, as well as a master of calligraphy, poetry, and tea ceremony.  The north garden at Kodaiji is a Tsukiyama, or constructed mountains garden with the turtle and crane as symbols of long life and happiness. The turtle island is to the south while the crane island is to the north.
    kodaiji-6.jpg
  • Trieu Chau Assembly Hall was built in honor of Phuc Ba, a god with the power to calm the sea. To the right and left are shrines to the god of money and the god of happiness. Worshippers come at night to make oaths or ask for favors.
    trieu-chau-assembly-5.jpg
  • Chigo Gyoretsu is a colourful children’s procession that promotes wishes for kids' happiness and health.  In Japanese, chigo means small child’and gyoretsu means procession - And so chigo-gyoretsu means exactly that – a procession of small children. At this festival, kids aged three to five dress up in orange and purple to wish for growth and health. Wearing matching costumes, the boys wear a stiff hat of lacquered gauze called an eboshi, while the girls wear a crown with a phoenix bird and bright metal pendants called a tenkan.  Although this ceremony is typically performed at shinto shrines, it is increasing praticied at Buddhist temples in Japan.  It is similar to 7-5-3 or Shichi Go San where kids of those ages are trotted out in their finest at the local shinto shrine on November 16.  Since Chigo Gyorentsu usually is performed in September or October, it would be repetitative to perform  similar rites at a shrine, which is probably why it is being celebrated at Buddhist temples.
    chigo-gyoretsu-04.jpg
  • Chigo Gyoretsu is a colourful children’s procession that promotes wishes for kids' happiness and health.  In Japanese, chigo means small child’and gyoretsu means procession - And so chigo-gyoretsu means exactly that – a procession of small children. At this festival, kids aged three to five dress up in orange and purple to wish for growth and health. Wearing matching costumes, the boys wear a stiff hat of lacquered gauze called an eboshi, while the girls wear a crown with a phoenix bird and bright metal pendants called a tenkan.  Although this ceremony is typically performed at shinto shrines, it is increasing praticied at Buddhist temples in Japan.  It is similar to 7-5-3 or Shichi Go San where kids of those ages are trotted out in their finest at the local shinto shrine on November 16.  Since Chigo Gyorentsu usually is performed in September or October, it would be repetitative to perform  similar rites at a shrine, which is probably why it is being celebrated at Buddhist temples.
    chigo-gyoretsu-01.jpg
  • Sakura or decorative cherry blossoms bloom each springtime in Japan, usually in early April. Not only are they beautiful, but they have significance to the Japanese as their bloom only lasts a few days and symbolize the temporariness of beauty or happiness.
    japanese-banners.jpg