ADVERTISEMENT

Kyoto, the cultural capital of Japan, may be well known for its grand old temples and stately imperial villas, but one long-time resident decided to shine the spotlight on the beauty of the city's more humble architecture.

About a year ago, photographer and founder of Kyoto Journal magazine, John Einarsen, began shooting an Instagram series called "Small Buildings of Kyoto" on his iPhone during his daily bicycle journeys around town. He has since taken over 200 images of homes, businesses, workshops, as well as the odd neighborhood shrine and teahouse -- each one brimming with personality and charm. We told him we really ought to compile a book out of some of these photos. And that's just what he did.

More info: Instagram

#1

Red Roses On A Gray Day

Red Roses On A Gray Day

kyotojournal Report

Add photo comments
POST
Cat Meow
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As someone who doesn't like roses, I find this rather beautiful.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#2

Home On Big Street

Home On Big Street

kyotojournal Report

Add photo comments
POST
Jahnabi
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

woww. It doesn't need to have a big house bt a small one where there's love for you 😍💝

View more commentsArrow down menu
#4

Cut Salon Nagahara

Cut Salon Nagahara

kyotojournal Report

Add photo comments
POST
Jahnabi
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

shape is interesting and the color given to it makes it illuminating😍👍

View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#6

Kyoto Tsukemono (Pickle) Shop

Kyoto Tsukemono (Pickle) Shop

kyotojournal Report

#8

Aji-No-Tatehara Is Popular For Their Croquettes (West Of Kyoto Station)

Aji-No-Tatehara Is Popular For Their Croquettes (West Of Kyoto Station)

kyotojournal Report

Add photo comments
POST
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
#9

Airing Out Futon

Airing Out Futon

kyotojournal Report

Add photo comments
POST
#12

House With Hydrangeas

House With Hydrangeas

kyotojournal Report

Add photo comments
POST
#15

Corner Garden

Corner Garden

kyotojournal Report

Add photo comments
POST
ADVERTISEMENT
#16

Potted Plants

Potted Plants

kyotojournal Report

Add photo comments
POST
ADVERTISEMENT
#17

Esperanto Hall, The Place You Can Speak Esperanto In Kyoto

Esperanto Hall, The Place You Can Speak Esperanto In Kyoto

kyotojournal Report

#18

Chiffon Cake Cafe And Wedding Dress Shop

Chiffon Cake Cafe And Wedding Dress Shop

kyotojournal Report

#19

Shimadai Gallery On Oike St

Shimadai Gallery On Oike St

kyotojournal Report

#21

Garden Of Potted Plants

Garden Of Potted Plants

kyotojournal Report

Add photo comments
POST
Ana T.
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

in mexico people too in citys had potted plants sometimes in recycle containers like fruit tin cans or broken buckets

#22

Traditional Japanese Sweet Shop. They Must Have Two Boys Because Of The Two Koi-Nobori

Traditional Japanese Sweet Shop. They Must Have Two Boys Because Of The Two Koi-Nobori

kyotojournal Report

Add photo comments
POST
#23

Closed Tobacco Stand

Closed Tobacco Stand

kyotojournal Report

Add photo comments
POST
#24

Retro Kissaten Coffee Pocket With Matching Bike

Retro Kissaten Coffee Pocket With Matching Bike

kyotojournal Report

Add photo comments
POST
ADVERTISEMENT
#27

Kissa Apuriko

Kissa Apuriko

kyotojournal Report

Add photo comments
POST
Ged Maybury
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

'Apuriko'? (I read it twice on the awning - THEN looked at the title.) I believe it's a small clothing chain.

#28

Guesthouse Cafe With Pictures Of Audrey Hepburn Taped To Windows Of The Sliding Doors

Guesthouse Cafe With Pictures Of Audrey Hepburn Taped To Windows Of The Sliding Doors

kyotojournal Report

#29

Cute Small Building

Cute Small Building

kyotojournal Report

Add photo comments
POST
#30

Trash Day

Trash Day

kyotojournal Report

Add photo comments
POST
Deborah R.
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That house looks very Western to me -- esp the design of the door and windows. But charming nonetheless.

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#33

Arai Tofu-Ten, The Neighborhood Tofu Shop

Arai Tofu-Ten, The Neighborhood Tofu Shop

kyotojournal Report

Add photo comments
POST
Milena Matic
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I notice pots and pots of plants everywhere... very nice ... where I am from, someone would have already broken them or stole them, or the dogs would pee on them....

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#34

Ikebana Tools Kanetaka

Ikebana Tools Kanetaka

kyotojournal Report

Add photo comments
POST
Aunt Messy
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That is a GORGEOUS shop. I could have spent a whole lot of money there. The tools are amazing and the quality is better than anything I've ever seen.

#35

Corner Newsstand Near Ginkakuji Temple

Corner Newsstand Near Ginkakuji Temple

kyotojournal Report

Add photo comments
POST
#36

Satellite Dishes On The This Boutique Look Like Mickey Mouse Ears; And Look At That Noren On The Right!

Satellite Dishes On The This Boutique Look Like Mickey Mouse Ears; And Look At That Noren On The Right!

kyotojournal Report

#37

Interesting Doorway

Interesting Doorway

kyotojournal Report

Add photo comments
POST
#38

Gray House

Gray House

kyotojournal Report

Add photo comments
POST
#39

Onigiriya-San

Onigiriya-San

kyotojournal Report

Add photo comments
POST
#40

Friends Of Machiya

Friends Of Machiya

kyotojournal Report

Add photo comments
POST
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#42

House With Sudare On Second Floor To Block Strong South Sun

House With Sudare On Second Floor To Block Strong South Sun

kyotojournal Report

Add photo comments
POST
#43

Hirata Meat Shop

Hirata Meat Shop

kyotojournal Report

Add photo comments
POST
#44

Store Front

Store Front

kyotojournal Report

Add photo comments
POST
#45

Defunct Rubber Boot Shop Kobeya, Which Was The #1 Cheapest In Japan!

Defunct Rubber Boot Shop Kobeya, Which Was The #1 Cheapest In Japan!

kyotojournal Report

Add photo comments
POST
#46

Blue And Orange Curtains

Blue And Orange Curtains

kyotojournal Report

#47

Royal

Royal

kyotojournal Report

Add photo comments
POST
#48

Coffee Shop Mitsuwa On 7th Ave

Coffee Shop Mitsuwa On 7th Ave

kyotojournal Report

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda