I was on my way to do something when a pair of maple trees in full autumn color commanded my attention. There was a dark red torii gate between them and a stairway leading up the small hill the trees stood on. I couldn’t resist a look, and then I couldn’t believe what I’d stumbled upon. The name upon the gate’s plaque read, “Horide Shrine,” with the kanji for to dig and come or go out. Appropriate as this area used to be an oil field with quite a few wells. Walking up the stairs and into the shelter of some still green trees trees provided me some relief from the bucketing November rain. More color awaited me in the main grounds. Trees with leaves of lava provided a great backdrop to the shrine’s many statues, stone lanterns and tablets. But a burst of color in a stand of pine trees off to right yielded one of the sparkliest diamonds I’ve yet discovered in Niigata, a small and shallow pond ringed with maple trees, every single one burning red or yellow. It was exactly what was advertised in travel brochures in America.
- 2 min read
Horide Shrine
An autumn foliage gem stone
![Bryan Baier Bryan Baier](https://a2.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/u/436/240x240!/62949174821d82a499002ebc.jpg)
By Bryan Baier
Community writer
![This scene was straight out of a postcard](https://a2.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/3295-20229/1000/niigata-horide-shrine-20229.jpg)
This scene was straight out of a postcard
![The main gate](https://a2.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/3295-20230/1000/niigata-horide-shrine-20230.jpg)
The main gate
![](https://a2.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/3295-20231/1000/niigata-horide-shrine-20231.jpg)
![Leafy stairs](https://a2.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/3295-20232/1000/niigata-horide-shrine-20232.jpg)
Leafy stairs
![](https://a2.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/3295-20234/1000/niigata-horide-shrine-20234.jpg)
![The second gate](https://a2.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/3295-20233/1000/niigata-horide-shrine-20233.jpg)
The second gate
![Approaching the main building](https://a2.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/3295-20235/1000/niigata-horide-shrine-20235.jpg)
Approaching the main building
![The guard deities](https://a2.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/3295-20236/1000/niigata-horide-shrine-20236.jpg)
The guard deities
![The main building](https://a2.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/3295-20237/1000/niigata-horide-shrine-20237.jpg)
The main building
![What's that patch of color?](https://a2.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/3295-20238/1000/niigata-horide-shrine-20238.jpg)
What's that patch of color?
![It's easy to become obsessed with the beauty of this pond](https://a2.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/3295-20239/1000/niigata-horide-shrine-20239.jpg)
It's easy to become obsessed with the beauty of this pond
![On a subsequent visit the pond looked like this](https://a2.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/3295-20243/1000/niigata-horide-shrine-20243.jpg)
On a subsequent visit the pond looked like this
![Only these leaves were left, but the bare branches provided this different look](https://a2.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/3295-20244/1000/niigata-horide-shrine-20244.jpg)
Only these leaves were left, but the bare branches provided this different look
![The wall of color around the pond](https://a2.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/3295-20240/1000/niigata-horide-shrine-20240.jpg)
The wall of color around the pond
![Fiery Lion](https://a2.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/3295-20241/1000/niigata-horide-shrine-20241.jpg)
Fiery Lion
![Autumn fire and a stone plaque and lantern](https://a2.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/3295-20242/1000/niigata-horide-shrine-20242.jpg)
Autumn fire and a stone plaque and lantern
![Yellow ceiling](https://a2.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/3295-20245/1000/niigata-horide-shrine-20245.jpg)
Yellow ceiling
![Autumn's fire up close](https://a2.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/3295-20246/1000/niigata-horide-shrine-20246.jpg)
Autumn's fire up close
![The most awesome tree I've yet found](https://a2.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/3295-20247/1000/niigata-horide-shrine-20247.jpg)
The most awesome tree I've yet found
![Lava leaves](https://a2.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/3295-20248/1000/niigata-horide-shrine-20248.jpg)
Lava leaves
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Join the discussion
Kim
6 years ago
I'm always on the hunt for good koyo spots nearby and this looks incredible! Those colors are so vibrant.
Glad you enjoyed it, Ben. There's snow on the ground here now so I'll have to go and see it again. I feel another photo story coming
Ben Humphreys
11 years ago
Wonderful set Bryan. Both sakura and koyo seasons, my favourite times to be in Japan!
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