Seek out some of the best autumn foliage in the temples of Kyoto Prefecture

Iwashimizu Hachimangu is one of the three major Hachimangu shrines. This majestic shrine, with a nearly 1,200-year history, is considered Japan's second most important shrine after Ise Jingu (Ise Shrine). The shrine is dedicated to Hachiman Okami, believed to be ancestors of the emperors of Japan. Since ancient times, Hachiman Okami have been deeply revered as guardian deities of Kyoto and the nation in this shrine. This profound reverence has been passed down through generations of emperors as well. It was also a sacred place of worship for some of the most famous samurai warriors in history. The Minamoto clan (Genji), who established the Kamakura shogunate (1185-1333), highly respected Hachiman Okami as their tutelary deities. Even after the fall of the Minamoto clan, Iwashimizu Hachimangu has remained one of Japan's most important shrines to this day. Moreover, it has National Treasures including the main building of the complex, which is adorned with intricate, colorful carvings. In its long history, the building complex was renovated by Oda Nobunaga, and the cloisters were built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Hideyori. The current complex was rebuilt by Tokugawa Iemitsu and completed in 1634. It is the oldest and one of the largest surviving Hachiman-zukuri (a traditional Japanese architectural style seen at Hachimangu shrines) in Japan. The shrine holds a special place in Japanese history, and is also a visually stunning place. It offers amazing views of cherry blossoms in spring, and a beautiful contrast of fall foliage and evergreen trees in fall. At the entrance of the shrine at the foot of the mountain, there is a 9-meter-tall stone gate called Ichi-no-Torii. On the upper part of it, you'll find a tablet with kanji (a Chinese character) of “hachi (八)”, in “Hachimangu (八幡宮)”, written in the shape of two pigeons. Actually, pigeons are considered as messengers of the deities, Hachiman Okami. Pigeons can be found hidden as motifs throughout the shrine. You can even find adorable pigeon-shaped omikuji (small items containing fortune-telling slips) and omamori (Japanese amulets).

Zenporitsu-ji Temple, located in the southeast of Iwashimizu Hachimangu Shrine in Yawata City, Kyoto, was donated by Zenpoujikyusei, the officer of Iwashimizu Hachimangu Shrine, in 1257 as a dormitory for the monks. Jissou-Shonin, a master from Todai-ji Temple in Nara, was invited to be the founder of the temple. It is said that Ryoko, the great-granddaughter of Zenpoujikyusei, married Ashikaga Yoshiakira and gave birth to the third generation Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, and was deeply tied to the Muromachi Shogun family. Many maple trees (momiji) donated by Ryoko are planted in the gardens, and in autumn, nearly 100 maple trees turn red, creating beautiful scenery that has earned the temple the name of “Momiji Temple.” The main hall and the front gate are designated as cultural assets of Kyoto Prefecture. In addition, the temple has a total of 9 designated cultural assets of Yawata City, such as its seated statue of Amida Buddha (Amida Nyorai) with jewel crown and the seated statue of the Yawata Buddhist monk (Reservations are required for visits of the interior of the main hall).

This Soto Zen temple was a training monastery opened in Fukakusa (Fushimi) by the Buddhist monk Dogen Zenji in 1233. It was rebuilt in Uji in 1645 by Nagai Naomasa, the lord of Yodo Castle at that time. Interestingly, the temple was built using the remains of Fushimi Castle. In addition to the seven-hall complex, the Kotosaka slope is wonderful as well. It’s the quaint approach from the stone gate to the Sanmon gate, where many visitors enjoy the tunnel of fall foliage or summer greenery. Other highlights include the Sanmon gate built in Ryugu-zukuri (architectural style reminiscent of Dragon Palace Castle that appears in Japanese folklore); the corridor of Uguisu-bari (squeaking hallway floor making a sound like the chirp of a nightingale, which is said to have been made to alert those within earshot to the danger of an intruder) and the Chitenjo (bloody ceiling); the Tenarai Kannon bodhisattva that is believed to have been enshrined at a historical site of the classic literature, The Tale of Genji.

Kuwata-jinja Shrine in located in Yamamoto, Kameoka City, Kyoto Prefecture. It was listed in the government's official compliation of shrines, the "Engi-shiki Jinmyo-cho," and it was formerly ranked as a "village shrine." The mountainside behind Kuwata-jinja Shrine, which stretches to the entrance to the Hozukyo Gorge, is covered in an forest of evergreen beeches and oaks, which, together with the Hozu-gawa River flowing below, makes for some marvelously soothing scenery.

The Sagano Romantic Train is a sightseeing train that uses the old Sanin train line. From Torokko Saga Station to Torokko Kameoka Station, the train covers 7.3 kilometers in about 25 minutes, with mountain cherry blossoms and fresh green in the springtime, the voices of cicadas and the sound of the rain and river in the summer, brilliant autumn leaves in the fall, and snowy scenery in the winter—perfect for taking in the best of the seasonal scenery along the Hozukyo Gorge.