There is a library near one of the most famous Shito shrines in Kyoto, Heian Shrine. The building looks very old, and as a big fan of antiques, I've always been curious about its architecture. The original one was constructed in 1909, but the Great Hanshin Earthquake in 1995 damaged it. So, it was rebuilt using some original parts.

One day, I entered the library to see inside. Even though I'm not a resident of Kyoto, everybody is allowed to enter there. However, if you're not a Kyoto resident, you can't borrow books.

The sign of the library looked so cool even though it's hard for modern Japanese people to read.

When I went inside, I spotted a ceiling decoration made in 1909. It was handmade by craftsmen back then. A beautiful chandelier used to hange from the center hole. It must have been breathtaking. Unfortunately, it was damaged by the earthquake, so it's now on display.

One more historical object was also displayed, which was a door. I wondered how many people had passed through this door to enter this library.

Unfortunately, photograph wasn't allowed inside, but the inside was very modern.

I tried to take a photo of the window and ceiling lights.

I'd like to write about one more thing. You can see a huge torii (a gate of shrine), and Heian Shrine is beyond it. In front of the torii, you can see a small sign saying Lake Biwa Canal.

The canal is continuing to my hometown, Otsu. My maternal grandparents used to live very close to the Lake Biwa end of the canal.

I also saw another sign saying that it takes 11 km (6.8 miles) to get Lake Biwa. Then, I realized that when I walk along the canal, I can reach my grandparents' place where they used to live. (Their house and land were sold by my mom and her siblings after they passed away , so the house is no longer there.) Eleven kilometers is nothing to me because I've been walking 8 km (5 miles) every day. I'd love to walk there when the weather get nicer. It must be so much fun!

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