I would like to introduce the beautiful Autumn color leaves in Kyoto Nanzenji temple where I visited recently.
Nanzenji temple is located in the north-east side of Kyoto which is the headquarter of Rinzai school of Zen Buddhism.
This temple used to be an Imperial villa for Monk-emperor Kameyama. This temple is widely spread over the foot of Mt.Higashiyama which are covered with lots of green trees. The area of precincts is almost same with three times of Tokyo dome (baseball stadium).
In the precincts, various temple halls are lined up in a straight line such as Chokushimon-gate, Sanmon-gate, Lecture hall, Abbot’s chamber and Canal branch bridge made by red bricks. In autumn season, about 200 numbers of maple trees are colored with red and yellow on those area.
Sanmon gate is an important cultural property and one the greatest gate in Japan. Two others are Kuonji gate in Yamanashi prefecture and Nanzenji gate in Kyoto. The height is 22meter and you walk through this gate to attain enlightenment.
After entering the gate and climbing up the steep stairs to reach the upper stories, you can see the marvelous view including Kyoto city and various temple buildings in the precincts. 
In the approach path to Hatto building, you can see and enjoy the beautiful green trees and autumn color of leaves.
Hatto is the building located in the center of this temple and formal Buddhist memorial services are held.
Hojo is the building where the chief priests live and became a National treasure.
The building attracts people with the beautiful contact between black and white. The roof of the building is covered with shingles.
You can appreciate a dry landscape garden created by Kobori Enshu who was one of the greatest garden designer in Edo- period from the broad veranda of Large- Hojo.
Huge stones laid on the garden look like tigers who cross over a river, the garden is called “ garden as managing of hard living”.
The garden which can be appreciated from the broad veranda of small-Hojyo is called “Nyoshin-tei garden”.
The garden is a dry landscape garden where the garden stones are arranged with the figure of “mind” of Japanese Kanji word.
By moving toward the edge of this building, you can find the garden named “Garden of six states of existence”.
This garden is said to have people taught about the transmigration of the soul made by six states of existence.
There is beautiful hair moss arranged in the garden.
The corridor of the building is made by wood floors.
The figure of honorific mountain prefix is written and hanged in the large entrance.
You can appreciate the beautiful autumn color of leaves from the room of main building.
A large entrance located just left side of the main building is the one where special ceremony is held. The scenery of the Stone pavements and gravels on the path to the entrance combined with autumn color leaves on the background are very beautiful.
Suirokaku in the precinct of Nanzenji temple was built in 1888 to recover Kyoto after Meiji restoration accompanied with the project of Lake Biwa canal that aim to draw the water of Lake Biwa to Kyoto.
This bridge is made by red bricks with the heigh of 9 meter and penetrate the precinct with 100 meter length.
The water from Lake Biwa flow through the path Suirokaku to north side of Kyoto.
If you become interested in visiting these Kyoto tour spots, please contact me. I can support you and I recommend Autumn color leaves tour in Kyoto.
By Kashima
