Japan Walk: Exploring the Hidden Daiyuzan Saijoji Temple in the Mystical Autumn Forest • 4K UHD
I have been exploring Daiyuzan Saijoji Temple in Ashigara City, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. This is a timeless spiritual area with a history of 600 years. When you stand at the entrance of the temple, you will be greeted by the scent of damp earth, the sound of cedar leaves rustling, and the sound of calm water flowing, creating a space far removed from the hustle and bustle of the city.
As you walk along the stone-paved approach, you will see giant trees towering on both sides covering the sky, and the vermilion-painted Sanmon Gate appearing in the mist. In autumn, the shrine grounds are engulfed in the flames of autumn leaves, and when the wind blows, fallen leaves fly around, painting the stone pavement beneath your feet vermilion. As you climb the endless stone steps, you will see a statue of a large tengu, which appears to be looking down on visitors with its sharp eyes.
This temple is far from the city center, and there are few tourists from overseas. However, that is precisely why there is “genuine silence” here. It is not a decorated tourist spot, but a place where Japanese spiritual culture lives on. If you are heading towards Hakone, you should make a conscious effort to visit this temple, not just as a side trip. Let’s take a virtual walk through this mysterious space together.
Daiyuzan Saijoji is an old temple of the Soto sect, founded in 1416 by Ryoan Keimyo Zen Master during the Muromachi period, and is known as a temple where the legend of the tengu lives on. There are many giant “Tengu geta” enshrined within the shrine grounds, and it is said that they were dedicated to monks in training to receive power.
There are 48 halls scattered around the temple, and the path to the Okunoin temple is particularly steep but filled with a sacred atmosphere. In autumn, the shrine grounds are colored with autumn leaves, and the most beautiful season is from mid-November to early December. When lit up at night, the fiery red lights of the trees sway, creating a magical world amidst the silence.
This temple receives few tourists due to its inconvenience of access, but perhaps that is part of Saijoji’s charm. This is not just a trip, but a place where you can face yourself. In silence and prayer, we have time to communicate with the thoughts that lie deep within our hearts. If you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and feel the real Japan, join us on this journey.
■Photography date
2024/11/29
■How to get there
58 minutes walk from Daiyuzan Station on the Izu-Hakone Railway Daiyuzan Line in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan
MAP: https://maps.app.goo.gl/XFdHxKyCgpuH82fL7
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■Photography tools
Osmo Pocket3 DJI
DSC-RX100M3 SONY
*Shot in 4k60p HLG HDR.
*Google Translate is used to translate subtitles for each country.
■Chapter list
00:00 1.Opening
05:42 2. Arrive at Daiyuzan Saijoji Temple
30:11 3. Okunoin
41:09 4. Keishun nunnery
■Hashtag
#japantravel#daiyusansaijojitemple#japanwalk#kanagawa#japantrip#japan