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Discover Kyoto's ancient Onigawara roof tiles and explore the historic Oyamazaki Tile Kiln Site, a fascinating Heian-period archaeological destination.

Discover Jojima Onigawara in Kurume, Fukuoka. Explore the history, design, and cultural symbolism of Kyushu's famous protective demon roof tiles.

What are shachihoko, the tiger-headed fish on Japanese castle roofs? Their fire-protection legend, why they come in pairs, and what a 2026 study found hidden in the golden scales of Nagoya Castle.

What is an onigawara? What Japan's demon-faced roof tiles mean, where the design came from, and how to spot them on Kyoto's temple and townhouse roofs.

AI生成イメージ / AI-generated illustration (not a photograph of the actual place) Introduction to Kyoto's Guardian Roof Tiles Kyoto, a city renowned for its historic temples and traditional architecture, is home to a unique feature that adorns many of its roofs: the onigawara. These distinctive roof tiles,…

AI生成イメージ / AI-generated illustration (not a photograph of the actual place) Introduction to Kawara and OnigawaraKyoto, renowned for its rich cultural heritage and traditional architecture, owes much of its historic charm to the unique roof tiles known as kawara and their decorative counterparts, onigawara. These tiles…

Why do Japanese roofs have demon faces? What onigawara are, how roof tiles arrived with Buddhism, how lotus designs turned into oni faces, and where to see Japan's oldest roof tiles still in use.