Peak-season foliage made Chion-in a standout stop during my Kyoto trip. The temple began in the early 1200s under Honen, whose Pure Land teachings shaped its role across the region. The Sanmon Gate is its landmark feature, known as the largest surviving wooden gate in Japan and built in the early Edo period. Chion-in also holds Japan’s heaviest temple bell, the one struck by monks each New Year’s Eve in a rhythm known throughout the city. The Hojo Garden was filled with vivid maple trees during my visit, with colour gathered around the ponds and stone paths. Location: Chion-in Temple 400 Rinka-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto #KyotoJapan #Chionin #AutumnInJapan