Trip to Japan - Buddhist and Shinto Temples in Nara

Shinto temples, we learned are typically painted bright orange while the Buddhist temples are more understated.

These torches were prepared for a special lighting ceremony at night, to be carried by monks. We heard that many a temple had had a history of being burned to the ground and rebuilt and burned again...

The long pathway into the temple was strewn by stone laterns on both sides, donated by believers.