Daitokuji Temple

Located about 50 minutes by bus from the center of Kishiwada City, Daitokuji Temple is nestled in the lush natural surroundings of Mt. Ushitaki, a famed destination for catching views of autumn foliage. This mountain temple is said to have been founded by En no Gyoja, the founder of Shugendo, a Japanese mountain asceticism tradition.

Daitokuji is part of the Katsuragi Shugendo, a series of sacred sites along the 112-kilometer-long Katsuragi Mountain Range, which extends from Tomogashima Island in Wakayama Prefecture to Oji Town in Nara Prefecture. These sacred sites include sutra mounds, waterfalls, and massive rocks, and were historically significant training grounds, even for the renowned monk Kobo Daishi (Kukai).

Although the temple grounds were devastated by warfare during the Sengoku period, the Tahoto Pagoda, built during the Muromachi period, still stands and is designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan. The 13-meter-high vermilion pagoda is especially striking against the backdrop of the mountain's autumn leaves, creating a picturesque scene. The best time to view the autumn foliage is from mid to late November, during the season for Ushitakiyama Momiji Festival, featuring local specialties and temple stamps (goshuin) for sale. Additionally, visitors can enjoy a hiking course starting from the back of the temple grounds, taking about an hour to explore various waterfalls and suspension bridges amid the natural landscape.