The official name of this charming temple set in the beautiful Nara countryside is Kongosen-ji, but it is usually called Yata-no-ojizosan, or simply, Yata-dera. Many ojizo statues stand around the temple grounds with mossy growths and red aprons. The temple is famous for hydrangeas, but I visited in autumn when cherry and maple leaves were scattered over the ground.
- 1 min read
Autumn at Yatadera
Colorful autumn leaves and ojizo statues

By Cathy Cawood
Community writer

Sutras written on a statue's red apron

There is a long straight path from the gate

Cleanse your hands here

One of the temple buildings

Wonderful Japanese roof tiles on the bell tower!

The color of the maple echoes the statue's apron

Glorious red maple overhanging the wall

Striking statue on the verandah

I can never decide whether I prefer the natural wooden halls or the painted ones

Three o-jizo stand over a water basin

A maple tree stands over a thick walled storehouse

Just look at the wonderful roof tiles on this gate!

Red leaf floating in a water basin

Autumn leaves on the path

A row of O-jizo statues

Pond with a bridge
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