Hyakusaiji

Founded in 606 by Prince Shotoku, Hyakusaiji sits on a mountainside in eastern Shiga and lives up to its name, "temple of a hundred colors", with some of the most vivid autumn foliage in the Kansai region, typically peaking in mid-to-late November. The approach through towering cedar trees, past stone Buddhist statues and a series of peaceful water gardens, builds anticipation beautifully. Beyond autumn, the temple is known for its hydrangea gardens in early summer and fresh greenery in spring. The quiet, meditative atmosphere and relatively few visitors make it feel like a well-kept local treasure.