19‏/11‏/2013

Autumn at Shimabuji Temple

Experience autumn foliage at Shimabuji Temple, Chichibu

By Febry Fawzi

Community writer

Buddha is sitting in front of main building

Meet this statue on the way up the hillock

Stone monument in the hillock behind the temple

A view of Tochiya town from the hillock behind Shimabuji temple

Talk about the richness of Chichibu’s culture and history - this kind of pilgrimage route of temples cannot be forgotten easily. This pilgrimage route has existed since the Muromachi Period (1336–1573) and attracts a lot of Japanese tourists. There are 34 temples on Chichibu’s pilgrimage route and you can start here at the very first of them. Shimabuji Temple abides in the tranquil hills, in the town of Tochiya. You can access this temple from the main road and of course by public bus from Seibu-Chichibu Station towards Minano Station (the journey takes 30 minutes). It is worth making a visit during the autumn season because you’ll see the temple covered by the gradation of red-tangerine color of maple trees.