I had a chance to see Prime Minister Koizumi deliver a speech in Kobe before the lower house elections. I think he waved at me when I yelled out "Ganbare!" with my friend Yoshinori. 

Waka-chan! Wake up, we're almost there. 

Yep. That's me at Horyuji. Ahhhh...  

A shakka triad inside one of the image halls of Horyuji. 

There's the asymetric layout of Horyuji which was typical of Japanese structures before they began to be directly influenced by China. 

Up close to the image hall of Horyuji. 

Got a shot off of the inside of the main pagoda at Horyuji before one of the Buddhist priests yelled out "Camera, No!" 

The main pagoda of Horyuji. 

Horyuuji temple! This is one of the oldest temple complexes in Japan, dating back to the 7th century A.D.  

Owned by a deer. That dude ate our map.  

Another shot of Todaiji. Check out its enormous size relative to the people at its entrance. 

Jealous, Alex? 

Ahhh 

Koumokuten, a protector deity that guards the Daibutsu, stands guard. 

Side profile of Daibutsu. I've heard that he isn't too crazy about side profile shots, but I think he came out really great here. 

A shot of Dai-Butsu, the Great Buddha. This picture doesn't do it justice, as the sculpture is huge. 

Masaki, Waka, and I in front of Todaiji.  

Yeah... we're lighting incense.  

Here's the largest wooden structure ever built and still standing today. Breathtaking, isn't it? 

The inner-outer gate to Todaiji. Almost there... 

The other one. Sorry for the emasculating label, but you just don't look as badass as the other. I'll make it up to you. 

One of the protection deities which greets visitors of the temple. These tourists were too afraid to pass, so they turned around and went home. Pfft. 

The outer entrance to the great Todaiji temple. 

If I got any closer to this deer in order to take this shot, they would have me arrested for beastality. What a sad (hilarious for you) way to be kicked out of the country that would be.

Amida Buddha from the late Heian period. Notice the very effeminate features which represents a shift to a more Classical style of Buddhist art.