At Otsuyama Jisso-ji Temple in rural Japan, cherry blossoms (sakura) bloom gracefully behind a weathered stone wall, accompanied by the delicate elegance of a manicured matsu pine. In the distance, the snow-capped peak of Mt. Kaikoma towers above the landscape, adding a touch of grandeur to the serene temple grounds.
Although Otsuyama's highlands rest at just 643 m (2,110 ft), the early morning air was frigid when I arrived just before sunrise. By 7:00 a.m., sunlight began to spill over the horizon behind me, warming the gardens in a gentle glow. The contrast was striking with the warmth of spring blossoms against the backdrop of Mt. Kaikoma's snow-dusted peak, which rises to 2,300 m (7,545 ft).
Standing here, I couldn’t help but feel the sense of tranquility that the Jisso-ji Temple landscape emanates where nature and history exist in harmony.
Location: Hokuto, Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan
Timestamp: 2025/04/08・07:09
Pentax K-1 II + DFA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6 + CP
95 mm ISO 100 for 1/200 sec. at ƒ/9
Links to Google Maps and references for a deeper dive:
by pix4japan
AloJapan.com