Many parts of Japan experience all four seasons very distinctly. There are the lush greens of summer after the rainy season, the glorious reds, yellows and oranges of autumn, snow in many regions during winter, and a spring characterized by various flowers in bloom. One place where you can get a good glimpse of all four seasons in Japan is Urasa's Bishamondo Temple, tucked away in the heart of what's often referred to as "snow country".
The temple grounds have azalea bushes that bloom in the spring, which give some wonderful pops of color. The summer months and their rain and humidity mean that the area is green as far as the eye can see. In autumn, the temple grounds are home to the the Urasa Chrysanthemum Festival, and in winter you'll struggle to even access the temple grounds on certain days because of the extreme amounts of snow.
Each season presents something unique to enjoy in this part of Japan.
Getting there
The Bishamondo Temple is approximately a five minute walk from Urasa Station, which is accessible via the Joetsu Shinkansen or the JR Joetsu local line.
The carvings on the gate is spectacular.