I am not sure if it’s kind of surprising, that many of my postcards from Japan do not actually picture its modern city views but rather the old parts of it where the ancient temples have been around since centuries ago. And these temples are located in some kind of beautiful garden with colorful trees and flowers, with small neat paths… they seem to be preserved well to give an atmosphere as if you really come back to the era of historic Japanese Emperors. And it really reminds me the Sohma family in the Fruits Basket anime.. especially the fact that they live in a traditional huge house inside a garden.. and that guy wearing kimono..

Shigure: “Hi! Are you talking about me??”
OK OK.. nevermind. Let’s go back to postcards!!!
From Anzuume. This is the Rokkakudo Temple in Kyoto. Rokkaku mean hexagon, and if you look from above, the roof is hexagonal. This temple is said to be founded in thr 6th century, while the main hall was rebuilt in the 19th century.
From Cockie. Another temple in Kyoto.. this is the Kenniji temple. It was founded in 1202. And these bush are tea plants! I have seen tea farm in Cameron Highlands here, but I didn’t know that they can actually blossom with flowers!
From Little_Flower. The Nikko Toshogu shrine was built in 1617, during the Edo period. And this is its Kara-mon Gate. It was made with various kinds of foreign timbers with exquisite carvings. This shrine is part of the “Shrines and Temples of Nikkō”, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Japan.



You are so adorable! I love how you threw in the Sohma family with these GORGEOUS postcards! I know this series so well so you gave me HUGE smiles this morning! Hooray!