Nomiyama kannonji Temple

For ages, it has been affectionately referred to as "Nomiyama-san" and stands as an exceptional main temple of the Koyasan Shingon Sect. Accompanied by the Tenno-in sub-temple, it is the sixteenth stop on the Chikuzen Sasaguri Pilgrimage route. Recognized for its efficacy in realizing wishes and providing protection from misfortunes, the temple welcomes over a million visitors each year.

The temple complex, centered around the main hall that enshrines the Thousand-Armed Kannon, sprawls across an elevation of 450 meters in the mountains. Throughout the year, it offers an abundant array of natural wonders, from spring blossoms like cherry blossoms, rhododendrons, and magnolias to summer hydrangeas and fresh greenery, and from breathtaking autumn foliage to serene snowscapes in winter.

Autumn, in particular, is unparalleled. The Japanese maples around Tenno-in turn a brilliant red, creating a spectacle that is simply overwhelming. Near the Kannon Hall, the deep crimson leaves of a thousand Enkianthus perulatus shrubs paint a scene akin to a framed masterpiece. Additionally, the autumn colors of other trees like mountain maples, wild cherry trees, hazels, and oaks add to the beauty. Every year, between October 28th and November 23rd, during the Autumn Foliage Festival, the temple grounds come alive with the "Kannon Market", drawing numerous pilgrims and visitors.