Before gas lighting was introduced to Japan at the beginning of the Meiji Period, the public illumination in Japan was provided by oil burning lanterns made of bamboo and covered by paper.

Of course, after the introduction of gas lighting, new, modern glass and metal lamps were needed. In Kyoto, these new gas lamps were often inspired by the traditional tōrō lanterns from temples, shrines or gardens.

Some of them survived until today and Kyoto is proud of these old but stylish lamps, which are considered to fit well with the machiya townhouses… And while visiting Kyoto, you may found them still lighting the streets, although today they are, of course, electric…

Higashiyama, Kyoto

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Yesterday’s Japan Photo: Perfect scenery, Sakurajima