Nov 24, 2014 - 1 min read

Daikozen Temple

Saga's top mountain temple for maple leaves

By Mandy Bartok

Community writer

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The temple's bell tower is framed by colorful maples

The precincts of the entire temple are awash with fall color

A shrine to the left of the temple's entrance gate

The leaves here are at their peak in late November

Fall color lasts into early December here and in other parts of Saga

The bell tower is one of the best spots for photos

A view out through the leaves of the surrounding countryside

The 1300-year-old mountaintop temple of Daikozen-ji has been a place of pilgrimage for centuries, but today's pilgrims mostly come in autumn. That's when the maples and gingkos that litter the temple's precincts turn glorious shades of red and yellow. A long staircase is the only way to reach the temple groups but the foliage is more than worth the effort. A large parking area is a five-minute walk down the road.

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Find out more about Daikozen Temple.

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By Mandy Bartok

Community writer

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Diana Vardanashvili 9 years ago

very beautiful photos! Respect

Mandy Bartok Photographer 9 years ago

Thank you! I can't wait to go back there in the spring for the azaleas.

Masayoshi Hirose 9 years ago

It is splendid bell tower and colored leaves! I wanted to go to Daikozenji next year.

Mandy Bartok Photographer 9 years ago

I was so surprised to find such a beautiful spot for momiji in Saga. But if you can, try to go in April or May as well. This temple is also a tsutsuji-dera.

Mandy Bartok Photographer 9 years ago

I wondered that too, Yui! It reminded me of dried cornstalks in the US being used as decorations around harvest time.

Yui Yamaguchi 9 years ago

It seems this is a very popular spot. I wonder why dried bamboo around the gate.

6 comments in total

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Information

Daikozen Temple

3628 Sonobe, Kiyama, Miyaki District, Saga (Directions)

daikouzenji.com

Diana Vardanashvili 9 years ago

very beautiful photos! Respect

Mandy Bartok Photographer 9 years ago

Thank you! I can't wait to go back there in the spring for the azaleas.

Masayoshi Hirose 9 years ago

It is splendid bell tower and colored leaves! I wanted to go to Daikozenji next year.

Mandy Bartok Photographer 9 years ago

I was so surprised to find such a beautiful spot for momiji in Saga. But if you can, try to go in April or May as well. This temple is also a tsutsuji-dera.