''Welcome to Japan''

This is my personal "postcard" photo so far, from everything I've shot here in Japan. It just speaks volumes to me about the region we're in (rather rural), tradition, history, and of course, iconic symbols of Japan.

This shrine is a small one, very near to our apartment, but what impresses me more than anything is how 'normal' of an occurrence it is. It is mind-boggling to me, I guess, as a Westerner, to just see these buildings around, still well tended, but given little second thought.