Mid-November Autumn Foliage – Eiheiji Temple and Seidaiji Temple in Fukui
In Autumn 2024, I had a guest from the U.S. who gave me a request to do a tour in Eiheiji Temple and Seidaiji Temple in Fukui Prefecture. As it is completely a rare case for a interpreter guide in Toyama like me to receive such a request, I was very excited to bring my guest to the nice autumn foliage sites there.
My guest Andrew was very interested in Japanese Buddhist architecture and statues, and was especially enjoying a leisurely stroll around the Seidaiji Temple, where the Echizen Great Buddha can be seen.
Eiheiji Temple
Eiheiji Temple is the head temple of Soto sect which is located in Eiheiji-cho Town in Fukui Prefecture. It is a huge temple with a total area of 33 hectares. It has over 70 halls, 19 of which are designated as Important Cultural Properties.
You can see various types of autumn leaves, such as maples and zelkova trees, and the scenery, combined with the historical architecture, makes for beautiful views.
Seidaiji Temple
Seidaiji Temple is a Rinzai sect temple, which belongs to the Zen Buddhism as well as Eiheiji Temple from Soto sect. It is known for housing Japan’s largest Buddha statue called Echizen Daibutsu, standing at 56 feet (17 metres) tall.
Although it is a newer Buddha statue that was erected in 1987 with funding from a businessman, it is modeled after Vairocana Buddha and along with the whole structure of the temple, it makes for a magnificent space reminiscent of the vast universe.
Gassho-Zukuri Houses in Shirakawago & Gokayama
He was also looking forward to visiting the Gassho-style villages in Shirakawa-go and Gokayama. With winter just around the corner and the weather getting a little chilly, he seemed to enjoy a soothing moment looking at the simple Gassho-style houses.
He also captured many scenes of the beautiful Gassho-style villages enveloped in autumn leaves on camera, and shared some of the works with me.
