Japan Day 2, Part 4: Kadai-ji, Yasaka Pagoda, and the monsters within and near them

The entrance to Kadai-ji was notable for its lanterns depicting cyclopsian monsters. 

Inside the gates there was a building that housed an exhibit of scrolls depicting monsters of various kinds. The scrolls were in an older style but might have been modern. The temple grounds also contained lovely gardens and excellent views. 

As per Eurasian Hobo tradition, here is the obligatory self portrait in a graveyard. 

I enjoyed this traditional looking hut in the garden with its bamboo rain gutters...

... but not nearly as much as I loved this covered bridge. 

It continued into the trees and up hill to an outlying building.

I'm a fan of pedestrian bridges in general, and this one was particularly elegant. 

Among the several gardens was one of rocks.

I always appreciate the level of detail built into the structures, such as artistic curve of the roof and the symbols on the end caps of the roof tiles. 

The curved roofs are both functional and beautiful. 

Next door was another temple, this one containing an enormous statue. 

The surrounding neighborhood was filled with narrow alleys between old wooden buildings. 

It was a steep bike ride up to Yasaka Pagoda (though not as steep as the rest of the hill up past the pagoda).

The pagoda's enclosure was closed but it still looked impressive from outside the fence. A couple blocks further up the hill there was a shop that caught my eye. 

The grotesques were captivating, and certainly displayed a distinctive style. 

The view back towards the pagoda from the shop was captivating as well.