Stone Lanterns and Fall Foliage
先日は上山田の紅葉名所、智識寺を紹介しました。実は、紅葉が負けないぐらいに綺麗な場所、もう一つあります: 温泉街の裏手にある城山の善光寺別院。
温泉街から歩いて約25分、車で3～4分で登れます。登る道こそ、林の中通って行くので紅葉のトンネルの様になる。途中で展望台があるし、登って行くこと実体は楽しめる。
そして、お寺さんで雄大なモミジやイチョウの木があります。私はその葉っぱの色と行燈のコントラストが大好きです。
善光寺別院は展望台にもなっています。見下ろせば戸倉上山田温泉が見れて、千曲川がクネクネ伸びていて、周辺の山々も見えます。今の時期はその山が紅葉で色彩に富んだパッチワークとなっています。
一年に一度しかない紅葉の時期はたっぷりと楽しましょう！
The other day I wrote about Kamiyamada's most famous spot for Fall Foliage, Chishiki-ji Temple. Actually, though, there is another spot even closer to our onsen town with leaves that may be even more colorful. It is the Zenkoji Branch Temple on Jyo-Yama, the mountain right behind our onsen town.
From Togura-Kamiyamada Onsen, the temple is a 25 minute walk or 3-4 minute drive. The road up to the temple passes through a lush forest that becomes a yellow-orange tunnel this time of year. Along the way there is an outlook with expansive views of the valley below.
The temple grounds have some giant maple and ginkgo trees that turn brilliant shades of red and yellow in the fall. I particularly like the contrast of their leaves with the stone lanterns.
The temple's deck also overlooks the Chikuma River valley and the onsen town below, plus there is a great view of the surrounding hills and mountains. The hills are a patchwork of colors this time of year.
The time of fall colors only comes once a year, so take advantage of this season and enjoy the colors to the fullest!
