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Gallery: seeing red in Japan

July 11, 2025 / 54 Comments

I have many special memories of Japan. The scent of incense rising before a shrine, and the rattle of fortune sticks as a backdrop. The serenity of a temple garden even among the crowds. The simplicity of each room in a merchant’s house in Takayama. The time taken out of a busy day to extend the courtesy of a bow and to wait patiently in line. The care taken to ensure that everything, from a gift box to a manhole cover, is as beautiful as it can possibly be.

But one colour dominates all of these memories: red. So where better to feature in my second contribution to Becky’s Red Squares?

The colour red has many meanings in Japan. They include passion, strength, self-sacrifice, authority, prosperity, and happiness. Red is also the symbolic colour of the country, used on its flag as a full red circle representing the sun.

Red is also used often in Japanese architecture, especially at Shinto shrines. It is considered to offer protection from evil, and to strengthen the spiritual connection with the gods.

My feature photo was taken on a rainy day in Tokyo

Hozomon, or Treasury Gate, Senso-ji, Asakusa, Tokyo

At the Chingodo Temple, Asakusa, Tokyo

Torii gate by Lake Ashi, Hakone

Outside a restaurant on Dotonbori, the nightlife heart of Osaka

Paper cranes in the Peace Park, Hiroshima

Tourist at Kiyomizu-dera in Kyoto

Japanese tourists in particular like to dress up in kimonos to visit shrines and temples

Pagoda at Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Kyoto

Roof detail, Sanjūsangen-dō, Kyoto

In the strolling garden at Kinkaku-ji, Kyoto

Shopkeeper in Kyoto

Blessing for a new-born baby at Sakurayama Hachimangu, a Shinto shrine in Takayama

Parasols for sale in Takayama

Rainy day in Kamikochi National Park

Young nun at Futarasan, a Buddhist shrine in Nikko

One of the guardian deities at Omotemon, the first gate to Toshogu Shrine, Nikko

I visited Japan in 2013

54 Comments

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