Myotsuji

Serene Buddhist temple tucked into the forested hills of Obama city in Fukui Prefecture, originally founded in 806 at the request of Emperor Kanmu. The temple complex harbors two designated National Treasures: the three-story pagoda, one of the oldest wooden structures in the Hokuriku region, and the main hall with its gracefully curved cypress-bark roof. Unlike heavily touristed temples elsewhere, Myotsuji receives relatively few visitors, lending the grounds a contemplative atmosphere where birdsong and wind through cedar trees are the primary sounds. The approach trail through dense forest builds anticipation, and the temple's autumn foliage framing the ancient pagoda ranks among the most photographed scenes in Fukui.