Lesser-Known Attractions in Kyoto, Japan

Kawai Kanjiro’s house
Image: tripadvisor.com

Benjamin “Ben” Perlin is involved in various industries. At his core, he is a talented photographer who enjoys giving back to his community through various philanthropic efforts. However, he also dabbles in science, music, engineering, and computer programming. In his free time, Benjamin Perlin loves traveling and has visited such places as Kyoto, Japan.

Kyoto has quickly become one of Japan’s most popular tourist cities thanks in part to its many well-known shrines and temples. However the city also houses numerous hidden sites and attractions that tourists can enjoy with fewer crowds. Below are just a few examples:

– Kawai Kanjiro’s house: located near the famous Kyo-mizu Temple, Kawai Kanjiro’s house has been a public attraction since 1973. It is the former home of the famous potter, poet, and Folk Art movement leader Kawai Kanjiro and features a collection of the artist’s unique wood carvings and pottery.

– Gio-ji Temple: this temple is often ignored by tourists due to its distance from the main Arashiyama sightseeing route. However, Gio-ji Temple’s remoteness makes it a great place to escape the crowds and enjoy an awe-inspiring moss garden. The moss garden at the temple is even regarded as a strong rival to Saiho-ji Temple’s famous moss garden.

– Yasui Konpira Shrine: home to the “Stone of Breaking and Bonding,” an igloo-esque rock that supposedly affects the success of relationships, Yasui Konpira Shrine is often overshadowed by the nearby Kiyomizu-dera Temple. Visitors to the shrine write their wishes on a piece of paper before crawling through the igloo-shaped stone in an attempt to fulfill their desires.

Three Popular Film Cameras

Olympus Pen

 

 

Benjamin (“Ben”) Perlin actively participates in charity work as a volunteer of Habitat for Humanity and Tennessee State Veterans’ Homes. As an expression of his artistry, Benjamin Perlin took up photography and now features many of the images he has captured using film cameras on his photography blog.

While some photographers opt for the convenience of digital cameras, others prefer film cameras. Here are some film cameras widely used by film photographers:

– Olympus Pen. This film camera utilizes 35 mm film. With its half frame, the Olympus Pen doubles the exposures of a roll of film. Although the majority of these cameras are rangefinders, some are SLR.

– Canon AE-1. First produced in 1976, the Canon AE-1 was the first Through The Lens (TTL)-metering camera available at a cheaper cost. This camera’s features include the auto exposure mode and shutter-speed settings.

– Leica M7. The camera features a TTL flash capacity with a classic 35 mm rangefinder. Retaining the classic Leica M functions, the Leica M7 is also equipped with modern conveniences such as an extremely bright viewfinder.

Three Useful Innovations in Robotics

Robotic pharmacist
Image: ucsf.edu

Benjamin (“Ben”) Perlin works at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore, which resells building materials at affordable prices. With a focus on disciplines such as neuroscience and computer engineering during his postsecondary education, Benjamin Perlin developed and maintains an interest in robotics.

The integration of artificial intelligence and robotics has led to the creation of useful robotic innovations, including the following:

– Robotic pharmacist. Since 2011, the University of California, San Francisco, has used an automated hospital pharmacy that safely dispenses medication. The system was recognized for reducing the risk of human error, which mostly manifests itself during the selection and delivery of medication. The robotic pharmacist packages, labels, and stores the medication according to a patient’s needs.

– Japan’s robot hotel. The Henn-na Hotel in Japan integrates advanced technology to make all of its services efficient and automated. From its multilingual robot receptionists to its porter robots, Japan’s robot hotel has revolutionized customer service. The Henn-na Hotel also utilizes a face recognition program for hassle-free registration and room access.

– Digital barista. Coffee company and manufacturer Briggo replaced baristas with automated coffee kiosks capable of delivering brewed coffee in less than 30 seconds. Through an online account, customers can customize their coffee preferences and order it at any Briggo machine.