This temple is one of the three 'Koto Sanzan' (old Tendai Bhuddist temples) located in the Suzuka mountain range in Shiga Prefecture. It is a very beautiful temple, especially when the colors of autumn light up the trees in and around the grounds. There is a three tier pagoda and a pretty enclosed garden with a pond.
- 1 min read
Autumn leaves at Saimyo-ji
Colorful maples illuminate an old temple in Shiga
![Cathy Cawood Cathy Cawood](https://a1.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/u/1713/240x240!/61d020bdef751f611f5e3c02.jpg)
By Cathy Cawood
Community writer
![The grey wall and gate contrast with fiery colors](https://a1.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/15276-91256/1000/shiga-autumn-leaves-at-saimyoji-91256.jpg)
The grey wall and gate contrast with fiery colors
![Two tour guides climbing the steps to the gate](https://a0.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/15276-91246/1000/shiga-autumn-leaves-at-saimyoji-91246.jpg)
Two tour guides climbing the steps to the gate
![Blood red maple behind the bell tower](https://a3.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/15276-91254/1000/shiga-autumn-leaves-at-saimyoji-91254.jpg)
Blood red maple behind the bell tower
![Statue with red maple leaves](https://a3.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/15276-91245/1000/shiga-autumn-leaves-at-saimyoji-91245.jpg)
Statue with red maple leaves
![Maple leaves, moss and stones](https://a2.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/15276-91253/1000/shiga-autumn-leaves-at-saimyoji-91253.jpg)
Maple leaves, moss and stones
![Graceful three-tier pagoda](https://a3.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/15276-91250/1000/shiga-autumn-leaves-at-saimyoji-91250.jpg)
Graceful three-tier pagoda
![Yellow leaves around the pagoda](https://a1.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/15276-91252/1000/shiga-autumn-leaves-at-saimyoji-91252.jpg)
Yellow leaves around the pagoda
![Maple leaves on thick green moss](https://a0.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/15276-91255/1000/shiga-autumn-leaves-at-saimyoji-91255.jpg)
Maple leaves on thick green moss
![Maple and early sakura together in early December](https://a3.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/15276-91258/1000/shiga-autumn-leaves-at-saimyoji-91258.jpg)
Maple and early sakura together in early December
![Maple trees blaze behind the wall](https://a1.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/15276-91261/1000/shiga-autumn-leaves-at-saimyoji-91261.jpg)
Maple trees blaze behind the wall
![Stepping stones draw the eye toward bursts of color among the trees](https://a2.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/15276-91262/1000/shiga-autumn-leaves-at-saimyoji-91262.jpg)
Stepping stones draw the eye toward bursts of color among the trees
![A scattering of maple leaves](https://a0.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/15276-91264/1000/shiga-autumn-leaves-at-saimyoji-91264.jpg)
A scattering of maple leaves
![A tapestry of color almost covers the pond under the maple trees](https://a1.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/15276-91265/1000/shiga-autumn-leaves-at-saimyoji-91265.jpg)
A tapestry of color almost covers the pond under the maple trees
Join the discussion
Mandy Bartok
10 years ago
I must have missed this in autumn, Cathy. Beautiful photos and it looks fairly uncrowded, too.
Thanks Mandy! Actually there were busloads of tourists coming and going, but this temple was pretty big, so it didn't feel crowded.
2 comments in total
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