Something Weird I Saw Today

The historic Osaka castle. Over the centuries the moat has filled with shrubs and ivy.

Whale shark ice cream, whale shark latte, and a garden eel hot dog at the Osaka Aquarium.

Halloween display at the mall next to Osaka Aquarium

Cat cafes in Japan sometimes sell catnip lollipops.

Frogs at Fushimi Inari shrine.

Fox shaped ema (wooden prayer tablets) at Fushimi Inari Shrine.

Fireworks at the Kamo River Delta

Finally got to visit Kinkakuji this time.

I got to have a wonderful 12 course kaiseki dinner with my friend at one of these places in Kibune, Kyoto.

Staircase to Kibune Shrine

These amazing creatures are very rare and usually difficult to find. Seeing this one in the city is incredibly unusual.

The grounds of Anrakuji Temple.

This rock and moss garden near Anrakuji Temple in Kyoto deviates from tradition by including pillars and slabs of quartz into the landscape.

The boat didn’t sink, so that’s a relief.

This aqueduct was built in Kyoto in the late 1800′s to carry water from Lake Biwa to the city.

However even when it’s not sakura season it’s still a lovely place to stroll. I peaceful place where nature and history combine to make something beautiful.