After so many cycling-related posts lately, it's time I get back to my basics with some pretty photos.

最近僕のブログはサイクリング関係ばかりみたいので、やっぱりたまに美しい京都の写真にも戻らなければいけない。

I've been meaning to write about the Otagi Nenbutsuji Temple (愛宕念仏寺) temple for years, and indeed all the photos on this post are from 2012 (from visits to the temple in April and December of that year). A few of the photos appeared a year ago in “A Few Desktop Backgrounds from the Delightfully Whimsical Otaginenbutsuji Temple”, and one appears as the subject of my Photo-Development Challenge #2.

It's at the far north end of the Arashiyama area that is already filled with more temples and shrines than someone could see in a week, and it's sort of a hidden treasure, so it's not particularly crowded. Tourists who walk what they think is the full length of Arashiyama probably stop here because it simply looks like there's nothing beyond. But only a short distance farther is an amazing place.

The temple is most noted for its 1,200 often-whimsical statues carved from stone.

Sometimes they're scattered about haphazardly like those on Easter Island...

Sometimes they're packed in tightly like sardines in a can...

Each has its individual charm (and I believe each was carved by a different person), so there are always more fun things to notice each time you visit, or even each time you look at their photos. I just noticed that the subject of the aforementioned photo challenge can be found in the shot above.

The visit in December 2012 with Damien was at the end of a photographically-productive day that yielded a lovely rainbow, some stunning fall colors, autumn views of the Jojuji Temple, and assorted other beauty.

At the top of the entrance path are three bells that have the most lovely sound...

You can ring them freely. The deep, rich sound is sublime.

There's so much more there... most of the statues didn't appear here at all. Perhaps I'll have to return again...