Kyoto: Rabbit Shrine Hopping with Cute Cosmopolitan Charm

KYOTO — After entering the grounds of Higashi-Tenno Okazaki Shrine through the torii gate and walking along the stone pavement, visitors are soon greeted by stone rabbits. Usually, lion-dog statues, called koma inu, stand as shrine guardians, but visitors here find a pair of “koma usagi” rabbits instead. Standing on their hind legs with long ears stretching out and bright red eyes, they look adorable.