Maple Paths

Nagaokakyo offers a serene blend of nature and history just outside Kyoto. Komyo-ji Temple, the head of the Seizan Jodo sect, is renowned for its 200-meter Momiji-sando—a maple-lined approach that transforms into a tunnel of crimson foliage from mid to late November. Nearby, Nagaoka Tenmangu Shrine honors Sugawara no Michizane, the deity of scholarship, and is celebrated for its seasonal beauty, including azaleas in spring and vibrant autumn colors. The shrine's vermilion main hall, transferred from Kyoto's Heian Shrine, stands as a striking centerpiece amid tranquil gardens