Old Style Japanese Gate

I love Japanese gates. This is one of my favorite that came across while walking around Otawara in Tochigi-ken. I'm not sure if this is an old style but it looks like it.

I particularly like this gate because it is not solid, you can see through the slats into the beautiful inner garden. Also, the wall on each side is not high and imposing, further allowing visibility into the inner garden.

Koyasan Buddhist Temple Los Angeles

A Fine Looking Alley

I found this fine looking alley during one of my walks around the Otawara, Tochigi-ken neighborhood.  What really caught my eye was the beautiful looking stone sidewalk or walkway. On one side was a fine looking wall that contained peoples yards or entryways.

Notice the interesting texture of the walkway with the white stone with red flecks and spots. Very pretty. On the left of the bottom photo is what is left of an older stone wall that collapsed during the March 2011 earthquake. The wall contains a cemetery.