A Merrill's first trip home (A)

In the latter part of last month I had the pleasure of a trip to Japan with the Merrill and the 17-70 in hand.

A youthful drum corps performing under the middle gate of Nara's popular temple Tōdai-ji

Tōdai-ji's famed spotted deer... they apparently subsist on rice crackers and affection

Shōren-in, the "town house" of the abbot of the great Tendai monastery on Mt. Hiei (the photo records the abbot hosting the emperor and empress)

Shōren-in's garden

Ameyayokocho, a popular street market near Tokyo's Ueno station

Same: the visual clutter of sub-prime commercial space

Hōnen-in, on Kyoto's eastern hills

Roofs of Chūzen-ji, namesake of the lake (Nikko National Park)

Another gem of Kyoto's eastern hills, the Silver Pavilion

Ginkaku-ji 2 (the compliant pine was subject A... note to Sigma: please add bi-directional virtual horizon)