Myohoji

Just gorgeous during green season

One of the perks of living in a lesser-visited prefecture is getting a lot of world-class places to yourself, and Myohoji in Nagaoka offers all of the visual appeal of more well-known temples and shrines but without the crowds. During spring the temple grounds are known as being a sakura spot, but I think the lush summer months are one of the best times to visit -- you get to enjoy all the vibrant greens and moss-covered stairs. They host a variety of events here throughout the year, including a bon festival in summer, a fire festival in autumn, and standard new year's events during the winter.