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No Smoking, flowers and Atago Shrine

Last Tuesday, I took an early, morning walk to Atago shrine. I hadn't been there in a while and being out at 6 a.m. was wonderful. The air was crisp and the streets were quiet. At the foot of the stairs, I saw this beautiful flowering tree overhanging from the house above. You can see a few subtle shadows here. According to my husband, those flowers smell wonderful. He had walked to the same shrine later. My allergies were really bad so I couldn't smell them ... pout!


Once I climbed all the stairs leading to the top, I came to the main shrine at the front of the property. The shrine is surrounded by all sorts of trees. The birds were singing too! Here are some shadows from the trees on the shrine.


At this hour in the morning, nobody was around except for the gardener who was using one of those gas-powered blowers. He was clearing the dirt and stairs of fallen leaves. Thankfully, he stayed at the front and I couldn't hear him while I was at the back of the shrine. I found a nice bench to sit and enjoy the view of the city through the trees. Seeing the blue sky and sitting under all the green trees really refreshed me.

I cracked up at the site of the fire extinguisher under the ashtray. I guess a person can hold off from smoking for only so long!



Comments

A Wild Thing said…
What ever became of the sound of a swishing broom clearing sidewalks for a days traversing...you can still hear it at my shrine...no smoking there either! Beautiful shots!
You are totally blessed to live in Japan! I've been so wanting to visit Japan for the longest. Lovely shots!
readingsully2 said…
Beautiful photos and Gallery....it must be so special to live somewhere that is just made for a camera. :)
Sylvia K said…
Really lovely shots and perfect for shadow shot! Happy SSS!

Have a great weekend!
Chubby Chieque said…
What a fabulous variety gallery! Really asian, am loving it!

hugs...
Poetic Artist said…
I love the tree. It is beautiful to look at but I am like you my allergies are terrible.
Thanks for sharing
Hey Harriet said…
The flowers are pretty but I think they'd send me into fits of sneezing. What a beautiful place to escape for a while and simply sit and enjoy the beauty around you! The ashtray and fire extinguisher kind of seem out of place. At least an ashtray is provided so people don't leave icky butts all over the ground :)
bobbie said…
Lovely post, beautiful pictures. The flowers look like white wisteria.
whizkid said…
Loved the shower of flowers in the first photograph. So very pretty! But your last photo really takes the cake!! :D

Btw, I'm really happy that I'll be getting one of your works of art as part of the SSS giveaway!

have a lovely week.
Amalou said…
My nose started to itch just thinking about those flowers. I love the bit of sunlight highlighting woodgrain texture on the wooden blinds.
Dorte said…
Sounds so lovely with the morning walk and feel a city waking up. Its not very often I get up that early though :-(
Really lovely photos ...
As I was reading I felt the serenity and then...the ashtray and fire extinguisher made me laugh!
PJ said…
From the sublime to the ridiculous. I loved the photo of the shrine, the architecture is so lovely. Happy SSS!
What wonderful pictures..That tree is beautiful and I bet it smelled wonderful. It is so nice to get out before everyone starts their day..nice and peaceful..Happy SSS..
I love the second shot with the shadows on the old wood of the fence/wall. Wonderful.
Sarah said…
It sounds as if you had a lovely early morning walk. That is one of the best times of day. I like the signs. They look so artistic. The fire extinguisher made me laugh too!
BLOGitse said…
i can imagine how it felt at 6 am...great shots!
Unknown said…
Nice collection of shadows...isn't it frustrating we could not travel..hopefully the flu will go away soon
The tree looks like wisteria. Beautiful. What a peaceful morning you had:)Lovely shadows.
GalleryJuana said…
Thanks for coming by everyone! So now I know what wisteria look like:)
Anonymous said…
That tree image is just divine. I have a 'thing' for white flowers, and the grace of this tree combined with the flowers really grabs me. Gorgeous.

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