https://www.facebook.com/yoshi.kirihata/posts/1526485380775610?pnref=story
Both of the temples used to be two of the biggest and mightiest Buddhists Meccas built at Kodakami-yama mountain (己高山) in Heian period (about 1,200 years ago). Since the area was believed most peaceful and divine place, it is said that they called it "Paradise under the sun". There must have been many Buddhist monks walking up and down the holly mountain so often in those days. But, as time went by, the temples and the surroundings had been devastated day by day, due to some political reasons, and now the temples became the ones with no monks, only the village people have exerted themselves to keep the Buddhist images and the buildings. In every late fall season, however, the idyllic countryside develops into the busiest streets with a lot of sightseers, just like the old Heian days. Yes, the area has now become renowned as the best vista of breathtaking autumnal leaves.
I headed to the spot today, since they say that the best season seems to be a bit earlier than a usual year. Though I thought it may take some days more till the peak season, many tourists (mostly the elderly, like me... (^_-)-☆ ) were coming in order to enjoy the natural beauty of the late fall.