Posts Tagged ‘Asia’

Workshop buildings at abandoned Fukuoka History Town

360° VR panorama of a street of empty buildings in the abandoned Fukuoka Rekishi no Machi History Town (福岡歴史の町骨董村), Japan. Vines grow into a nearby open building, while numerous plants have sprung up on both sides of the street.

Behind the buildings on the south side of the street can be seen the thatched roof of a large building that was used as a teahouse (峠の茶屋). To the east of that is a large building designed to hold a takarabune treasure ship (博多七福神宝船), possibly in the form of a large float. The buildings on the street were used for workshops demonstrating crafts (体験工房).

The theme park was designed to educate visitors about the local history and culture, as well as providing entertainment. There were over 30 buildings offering a variety of displays and activities, with potters, weavers, and paper-makers exhibiting and selling their wares.

It appears that the park partially closed in 2005, with a small section of buildings near the entrance being kept open, selling antiques and pottery. The park was likely closed completely sometime in 2012 or 2013.

Fushimi Inari Taisha 7

360° VR panorama of a small shrine on the path through Fushimi-Inari shrine, in Kyoto, Japan. Fushimi Inari Taisha (伏見稲荷大社) is a large shrine dedicated to the Kami Inari.

Many businesses pay their respects to Inari in order to achieve wealth and business success. The hill that Fushimi Inari is located on is crossed with paths lined with thousands of torii (鳥居) gates, painted in bright vermillion. These torii are donated by business and business people from across Japan. Each gate bears the name of the business or person that donated it.

Nara – Kofuku-ji Temple

360° VR panorama of Kōfuku-ji (興福寺) temple in Nara, Japan. It is one of the eight Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara, which is listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. It is also the headquarters of the Hossō school of Buddhism.

In this panorama you can see the East Golden Hall (東金堂; Tōkon-dō) built in 1425. Just to the south of the hall is the Five-storied pagoda (五重塔; gojū-no-tō), which was built in 1426 and is listed as a National Treasure of Japan. To the west is a large area where the Central Golden Hall (東金堂; Chūkon-dō) is being reconstructed.

The temple was originally founded in 669 by the wife of Fujiwara no Kamatari, in Kyoto (at the time called Yamashina). It was then moved to Fujiwara-kyō in 672 and moved again to its present location in 710. Since then the buildings have been destroyed by fire and rebuilt many times.

However, not all of the important buildings have been reconstructed. Of the three golden halls there is only one currently rebuilt, while another is still under construction. The nandaimon, chūmon, and corridor have not been reconstructed, and are currently missing from the temple.

Nara – Street outside Jokyoji Temple

360° VR panorama of a street in Nara, Japan. Nearby is a building used as offices for Nippon Telegraph and Telephone West (NTT 西日本), while on the opposite side of the street is Jōkyōji (浄教寺) temple. Looking east along the street, Mount Wakakusa can be seen in the distance.

Heian Jingu Shrine, Kyoto

360° VR panorama inside Heian Shrine (平安神宮; Heian-jingū) in the Sakyo-ku ward of Kyoto, Japan. Heian Shrine was originally built in 1895, as a partial replica of the Heian Palace to celebrate the 1100th anniversary of the founding of Heian-kyō.

The shrine is registered as an important cultural property of Japan. In 1976 some of the shrine buildings were burnt down, but these have since been rebuilt.

Chion-in Temple – Upper Graveyard

360° VR panorama of the northern end of the top graveyard at Chion-in (知恩院) temple, in Kyoto, Japan. The temple is built on Higashi-yama (East mountain).

In this image you can see the Nuregami shrine (濡髪大明神; Nuregami Daimyojin), and the large grave of Lady Sen (千姫; Senhime).

Chion-in is the headquarters of the Jōdo-shū (Pure Land Sect) of Japanese Buddhism, which was founded by Hōnen. Genchi, Hōnen’s disciple, founded the temple in 1234 in memory of his master. Many of the temple buildings were burnt down in 1633, and were subsequently rebuilt with help from the shogun Tokugawa Iemitsu.

Chion-in Temple – Area outside Seishi-do

360° VR panorama of the area in front of Seishi Hall at Chion-in (知恩院) temple, in Kyoto, Japan. The temple is built on Higashi-yama (East mountain).

Chion-in is the headquarters of the Jōdo-shū (Pure Land Sect) of Japanese Buddhism, which was founded by Hōnen. Genchi, Hōnen’s disciple, founded the temple in 1234 in memory of his master. Many of the temple buildings were burnt down in 1633, and were subsequently rebuilt with help from the shogun Tokugawa Iemitsu.

Seishi Hall (勢至堂; Seishidō) is the oldest building in Chion-in, rebuilt in 1530. It is named after the bodhisattva Seishi. Seishi is said to be the original form of Hōnen, so the hall is also known by the name Honjidō (本地堂), which means Hall of the Original Form.

Chion-in Temple – Bridge over pond near Nokotsu-do

360° VR panorama of a bridge over a lily pond at Chion-in (知恩院) temple, in Kyoto, Japan. The bridge leads to a columbarium (納骨堂; Nōkotsu-dō).

Chion-in is the headquarters of the Jōdo-shū (Pure Land Sect) of Japanese Buddhism, which was founded by Hōnen. Genchi, Hōnen’s disciple, founded the temple in 1234 in memory of his master. Many of the temple buildings were burnt down in 1633, and were subsequently rebuilt with help from the shogun Tokugawa Iemitsu.

Maruyama Park, Kyoto

360° VR panorama of the pond at Maruyama Park, in Kyoto, Japan. Maruyama Park (円山公園; Maruyama kōen) is famous for its cherry blossoms in Spring, and is a nationally-designated Place of Scenic Beauty. It is located near the Chion-in temple and Yasaka shrine, in the Higashiyama-ku district in the south of Kyoto.

Zen Garden – Ryousokuin, Kenninji

360° VR panorama of a Zen Garden in Ryousokuin (両足院), part of Kenninji (建仁寺) temple in Kyoto, Japan. Kenninji is part of the Zen sect of Japanese Buddhism, and is the oldest Zen temple in Kyoto.

It was founded in 1202 by the monk Eisai (Yousai), who introduced Zen Buddhism and the tea ceremony to Japan.