Japanese traditional architecture, bridge corridor

The wooden passages are among the most beautiful elements of Japanese traditional architecture. One variant, called kairo, are used more often in Buddhist temples, but also in some Shinto shrines, surrounding inner courtyards. Others, called hashirou, are used to connect two buildings.

The most spectacular hashirou are built as bridges across a pond, like in today's photo taken inside the Koko-en garden, in Himeji.