Image search results - "maples" - JAPAN PHOTOS by Philbert Ono

Image search results - "maples"

Eikando is a Jodo-shu Buddhist temple famous for autumn foliage, especially red maples. One of Kyoto's most photogenic spots for fall leaves.

When you first enter Eikando temple in Kyoto, this is what you see. A hint of more to come.

This path of maples would be redder a several days earlier. Path to Miei-do Hall.

Everywhere you look in Eikando is so utterly photogenic, or should I say paint-genic since they didn’t have cameras when the temple was built. Everywhere looks like a scene from a classic Japanese painting.

Even the shape and placement of the trees are so artistic.

Eikando temple, Kyoto

Whoever landscaped or designed the temple grounds was an artistic genius.

Main entrance to the temple.

Courtyard garden

Courtyard garden seen from the Shaka-do Hall.

Roof of the Mieei-do Hall.We were not allowed to photograph inside the temple buildings.

Amida-do Hall

Temple bell

Yasuragi Kannon at Eikando

Yasuragi Kannon statue at the bottom of the steps of Amida-do Hall.

Miei-do Hall (Daiden)

Hojo-ike Pond. Notice the two-story pagoda (Tahoto) in the distance.

Hojo-ike Pond. The two-story pagoda (Tahoto) in the distance.

The two-story pagoda (Tahoto) is a short climb up the stairs. Worth the view.

View from the two-story pagoda on the hillside. This would be a sea of red during the peak period. I have to come back here.

View from the two-story Tahoto pagoda on the hillside at Eikando.

Bridge to Benten-shima on Hojo-ike Pond.

Miei-do Hall in the distance.

Gasen-do Hall

Eikando

Bridge to Benten-shima on Hojo-ike Pond.

Eikando

JPN Cafe

They also had a rest area where they served tea and sweets amid the foliage. Brisk business.

Eikando

Eikando, Kyoto

I was a few days too late to see the peak. Will return again in autumn.

Gujo-Hachiman Castle is on a small mountain named Mt. Hachiman in central Gujo-Hachiman. The main tenshu tower is a 1933 reconstruction made of wood and surrounded by autumn foliage in November.Takes about 15 minutes to climb up. It's a fairly easy climb. The castle has a commanding view of the city.

The main tower is now a museum exhibiting local history and culture. The top floor gives commanding views of Gujo-Hachiman.

Small admission is charged to enter the castle's main tower. A combination ticket ¥700 is recommended to also see Jion-zenji Temple

Map around Gujo-Hachiman Castle. The castle is a short uphill hike from the bus stop at Gujo-Hachiman Jokamachi Plaza, a local tourist shop. Gujo-Hachiman used to be a separate town (municipality) called "Hachiman-cho" until it merged with several neighboring towns and villages to form the city of Gujo (pop. 38,000) in 2004.

Entrance to the road going up to the castle. Both cars and pedestrians use this narrow, single-lane road, so we all need to be careful.

Takes about 15 min. of uphill walking. Cars can go up to the parking lot near the castle. People in wheelchairs should take a taxi. However, the castle grounds still has a lot of stone steps. Castle tower has no elevator.

The road snakes up the mountain, but pedestrians can also go up a few shortcuts. Steeper than the road though.

Unusual rock formations.

Finally reached the bottom of the castle grounds. Fall leaves already pretty in mid-November.

Gujo-Hachiman Castle has lots of red maples.

Nice red momiji maple leaf gradation from light to dark.

The pedestrian approach to the castle entrance is also pretty with autumn leaves.

Major spot to view and photograph the castle. The stone monument is connected with Nichiren.

View of Gujo-Hachiman Castle and fall leaves.

Gujo-Hachiman Castle and red maple leaves.

Gujo-Hachiman Castle and autumn foliage.

Gujo-Hachiman Castle corner turret.

Autumn view of Gujo-Hachiman Castle from a path along the castle wall.

Another corner turret.

Gujo-Hachiman Castle turret and autumn foliage.

Gujo-Hachiman Castle turret and autumn foliage still green.

Gujo-Hachiman Castle corner turret and autumn foliage.

Gujo-Hachiman Castle main tower.

Chikara-ishi stones.

Steps to the castle's main keep.

Lots of autumn colors along the way.

Prime spot to view and photograph the castle.

Path along the castle wall leading to another turret.

Corner turret.

Main tower.

Castle wall with openings for weapons.

About Gujo-Hachiman Castle in Japanese. Gujo-Hachiman Castle was first built in 1555 by Lord Endo Morikazu as his base when he was battling another feudal lord, Tono Tsuneyoshi, for the control of the Gujo domain. Morikazu's son Yoshitaka then unified the Gujo domain and built the castle and castle town.

The succeeding lord, Inaba Sadamichi, built the castle main tower. The castle later had other samurai clans as occupants such as the Endo, Inoue, and Kanamori Clans.

Near the gate to the main tenshukaku tower.

View of Gujo-Hachiman in autumn, south of Yoshida River.

Main tower and red maples.

Castle tower had a tree growing in the foundation.

Another gate.

Main gate to the castle's main tower.

Gujo-Hachiman Castle corner turret. Not open to the public.

Defensive wall with holes for weapons.

Inside Gujo-Hachiman Castle's main tower, a museum exhibiting local historical artifacts. This is the first floor. In the background, you can see Koinobori carp streamers made by local artists.

Scroll painting of Chiyo, famous wife of Yamauchi Kazutoyo in the 16th century. Chiyo was supposedly the daughter of the Gujo-Hachiman Castle's first lord, Endo Morikazu.

Historical letters and documents.

Scale model of Gujo-Hachiman Castle town during the samurai days. The castle is on the top of the mountain.

Wooden stairways to go up to the upper floors. High heels and short skirts not recommended.

Wooden stairways to go up to the upper floors.

Top floor of the castle tower is a lookout deck with open windows (no glass). Very breezy.

Great views of Gujo-Hachiman from the top floor of the castle tower. This is looking south (Minami-machi) and that's Yoshida River.

View of Gujo-Hachiman from the castle. Looking south with Yoshida River in the foreground. Miyagase Bridge over Yoshida River can also be seen.

Jokamachi (castle town) area of Gujo-Hachiman. The large temple roof would be Anyoji Temple.

Main gate to the castle tower.

Corner turret.

Back view of Gujo-Hachiman. Ono district with Yoshida River on the right. The covered stadium on the right of the river is Sogo Sports Center. (郡上市総合スポーツセンター)

Lower floor in the castle tower.

Panel display of local activities on the river.

View from the lower floor.

The much photographed corner turret.

Corridor on a lower floor of the main castle tower.

Photo gallery of other castles.

First floor.

Corner turret and main tower.

Corner turret.

Another turret. Not open to the public.

Red maples behind the main tower.

Turret sprinkled with red maple leaves.

Castle wall and red maples.

Lots and lots of autumn colors at Gujo-Hachiman Castle.

Some leaves on the way back down the mounatin.

At the foot of the castle mountain, there's this statue of samurai Yamauchi Kazutoyo and his loyal and loving wife Chiyo and the fine horse she bought for him (in Kinomoto or Azuchi, Shiga Prefecture) with her own money in the 16th century.

Chiyo was supposedly the daughter of the Gujo-Hachiman Castle's first lord, Endo Morikazu. Kazutoyo later became lord of Kochi Castle in Shikoku. This statue was erected in 1991 by local donors. (Gujo-Hachiman Castle can be seen in the background.)

Kazutoyo and Chiyo were made nationally famous by the year-long NHK Taiga Drama series Kōmyō ga Tsuji (功名が辻) in 2006.

About Chiyo and Kazutoyo in Japanese.

On the way to the castle, you will pass by Anyoji Temple. Jodo Shinshu Buddhist Sect, Otani School. Founded in 1256. 安養寺

Anyoji Temple's main Hondo worship hall is the largest wooden building in Gifu Prefecture. Small admission charged to enter the worship hall. 安養寺

View of Anyoji Temple's main hall. One of Gujo-Hachiman's major temples. 安養寺

One good starting point for touring Gujo-Hachiman is here, Gujo-Hachiman Jokamachi Plaza. A small tourist shop with a large parking lot for bus stops and tour buses. Centrally located. Hike up to the castle from here.

During the autumn foliage, Gujo-Hachiman Castle and autumn leaves are lit up in the evening from 5 pm. No admission charged.

It was kind of tiring to climb up the mountain for the second on the same day to see the evening light-up. But it was worth it. Took 20 min. to take some quick photos before going back down to catch the bus back to Gifu Station.

Gujo-Hachiman Castle and autumn leaves are lit up in the evening.

View of Gujo-Hachiman and autumn leaves.

Gujo-Hachiman Castle's corner turret and autumn leaves lit up in the evening

Running through the heart of Gujo-Hachiman, scenic Yoshida River is lined with tourist sights. The castle is on the top of the mountain. The rivers serve as natural moats for the castle.

Yoshida River in Gujo-Hachiman looking upstream as seen from Miyagase Bridge. In summer, people fish for ayu sweetfish or swim in the river.

Yoshida River in Gujo-Hachiman looking upstream. There are also cherry blossoms in spring.

Yoshida River in Gujo-Hachiman looking downstream toward Nagara River.

Yoshida River's clear and clean water.

Shinbashi Bridge over Yoshida River. Cross this bridge to the Former Hachiman Town Hall and you will be in Minami-machi or the southern part of town.

Yoshida River as seen from Shinbashi Bridge.

Looking downstream on Yoshida River. Miyagase Bridge can be seen.

Looking downstream on Yoshida River from Shinbashi Bridge.

Little Shinto shrine and red maples.

I had a great autumn photo shoot this day at Tokugen-in.

In Sept. 2018, this front wall of Tokugen-in temple collapsed due to a strong typhoon.

Tofukuji is a Zen Buddhist temple famous for red maple leaves. Quite spectacular and photogenic landscapes. One of the five great Zen temples of Kyoto. Tofukuji temple is the easiest way to see autumn leaves in Kyoto. From Kyoto Station, it's only one train stop (JR Nara Line) away (get off at Tofukuji Station and walk 10 min.). But the trains get sardine-packed in the morning. Expect large crowds during late Nov.

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