Travel to Japan and discover its people, history, cuisine, scenery, culture & arts.

Chochin ( 堤灯 ) — pronounced “cho・cheen” — lanterns.  Of course back in the day they were all candlelit.  I have an old one somewhere, one that used a candle.  Years ago, I so often expressed my fascination with them during my stint working at a middle school in rural Hyogo Prefecture that, as part of a “going away” load of gifts given to me by the town and teachers, I was presented with red lantern (akachochin・赤堤灯) with my name written on in in akachochin restaurant style (click the link just provided and look at the top photo, just over the fellow’s shoulder; in that style).  Chochin are, as mentioned, used to advertise restaurants, as store “billboards,” at shrines and temples (often all lined-up, on display, with shrine or temple donors’ names prettily painted on them), for festivals and holidays, or just general, around-town decoration.  Below are just a few of the very many chochin photos I’ve taken over the years.  Most are recently taken, from just the past five or six years and the photo quality varies. Click for larger image.

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Okazaki Shrine, Kyoto. 2007.

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Todai-ji, Nara. 2008.

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Yasaka Shrine, Kyoto. 2008.

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や。き。と。り。Restaurant, Tokyo. 2005.

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Kabuki Theater, Shi-jo・Kawabata-dori, Kyoto. 2005.

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Gift Shop, Kyoto. 2005.

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Ryoan-ji Temple, Kyoto. 2010.

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Along Marutamachi, at Okazaki Shrine. 2009.

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“Akahige” – “Red Beard.” Restaurant on Kiyamachi. Kyoto, 2007.

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Fushimi-Inari Taisha, Fushimi. 2008.

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Yurakucho “Gahdohshita” restaurant, Tokyo. 2007.

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“Takoyaki” (octopus fritters) hole-in-the-wall. Kyoto. 2007.

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Gion – Kyoto – Chochin. 2007.

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Kyo[to] Udon, Soba. Near Heian Shrine. 2003.

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Just one more . . .

This is an “old one,” from 2003, out front of Nanzen-ji Temple in Kyoto –

Restaurant on way to Nanzen-ji Temple, Kyoto. Late Summer, 2003.