I have no doubt that Yasaka will win again, against super Typhoon 16 that is about to hit Kyushu and perhaps veer toward us. Most recently rebuilt in 1440, Yasaka-no-to and other 5-story pagodas like this, despite looking unstable, actually have exceptional strength and rigidity from the central pillar, and can withstand calamities like earthquakes and typhoons admirably. I’ve been inside up to the second level. (It doesn’t have “floors” to speak of, just mostly structural elements inside.)

I love this view looking toward Higashiyama from the Gion area, this view which must have been quite similar and breathtaking 400 years ago.