I spotted this snail on a small tiled “roof” on top of a short wall outside Giouji Temple in western Kyoto. He seemed quite photogenic, as did the wall. Gioujo temple has all kinds of pretty walls of various different constructions, although this external wall (seen in the left of this picture) is likely the least interesting.

Most of the old nails put in to secure the tiles were sticking out like this one. Perhaps the wood underneath got wet, expanded, and squeezed the nail out? It seemed quite odd to me.

The temple itself is small and not very well known. I've heard that its fall foliage is excellent, but I remember it for its moss and its ferns.

Both moss and ferns tend to be below eye level, drawing one's gaze down, which is why I almost smacked face first into this snail hovering right at eye level....

I'd love to know how that little guy got there. He's on a small branch hanging over the path, attached to a huge, long, sweeping branch that arcs way around, over, then down to the ground. The snail in question is a fuzzy blob on the leaves hanging over the path in the photo below, which doesn't show very well just how long the branch really is.

Here's another little guy nearing the top of this stone lantern...

Meanwhile, back at the front, the little trouper from the first photos has traveled about a foot in the last hour, has made a U-turn, and is heading back up toward the top of the roof...