Main Hall of Okafuto Shrine

Tranquil beauty with gorgeous autumn leaves

Takako Sakamoto Dec 05, 2014 - 1 min read

<p>Bronze lantern hanging from the roof of the main hall with the burning red autumn leaves in the backdrop</p>

<p>Gorgeous orange autumn leaves on the grounds of Okafuto Shrine</p>

<p>Stone torii standing at the entrance to Okafuto Shrine from Kakyo Park</p>

<p>Colorful autumn leaves and bare trees under the blue sky, viewed from the grounds of Okafuto Shrine</p>

<p>Mossy stone lanterns line the pathway to the main hall of Okafuto Shrine</p>

<p>Bronze lantern surrounded by tall cedar trees</p>

<p>Stone torii  decorated with red leaves. You'll pass this gate when you come to the main hall from Mikoshi-den Hall</p>

<p>Stone and wooden lanterns, beautiful red maple leaves and tall trees on the shrine grounds</p>

<p>The second torii  to the main hall</p>

<p>Front view of the main hall. It's protected by the stone fence and entry is forbidden.</p>

<p>Somewhat flattened face of a guardian dog with autumn leaves and tall cedar trees in the background</p>

<p>Holy-looking main hall of Okafuto Shrine</p>

<p>A wild red maple tree looking like a living creature greeted me when I reached the entrance to the main hall</p>

<p>Beautiful main hall of Okafuto Shrine on a sunny autumn day</p>

<p>Water purification font of the main hall and colorful trees decorating the shrine grounds</p>

During a three-day holiday in late November of 2014, I visited Kakyo Park in Echizen City to enjoy the autumn leaves there. When I was climbing the long stone stairs I found a shrine on my left. Since I didn't expect to see a shrine inside the park, I decided to explore it. I was rewarded when the sublime, graceful beauty of Okafuto Shrine spread in front of me. Since I entered the shrine from the park side, the first thing I saw was the Main Hall, the most beautiful of all buildings of the shrine. The whole place was decorated with brilliant autumn leaves, yet it was quiet, and I enjoyed the tranquil beauty of the shrine almost to myself. What joy!

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Takako Sakamoto @takako.sakamoto

I was born in and grew up in Tokushima prefecture, and have lived in many places since then: Nishinomiya, Kyoto, Nara, Mie, Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama, Chiba, Fukuoka and Fukui. I am currently living in Yokohama City. All the places I lived, all the places I visited, I have loved dearly. The histor...