The Yahiko Shrine is one of the cornerstones of Niigata’s history and a location I love to explore during my private or group Niigata Photography Expeditions.  Temples and shrines in Japan can sometimes have founding dates that are thousands of years old.  In the case of the Yahiko Shrine, it was referred to as ‘ancient’ even in a poem written during the Nara Period in Japan (710 - 794).  If referred to as ancient even then, you know the shrine carries a nearly unparalleled importance as a power spot and spiritual vortex for Niigata and all of Japan.  Yahiko Shrine’s power spots are focused on energy related to love and good fortune, but I encourage you to investigate with me on a Niigata Photo Workshop to engage with the power spot on your own.  The shrine is home to several ‘Important Cultural Properties of Japan’ such as armor and swords either donated by the samurai from the Minamoto clan or by Uesugi Kenshin himself.  It’s also home to the Shida-no-Otachi, the longest sword in Japan, at 2.2 meters.

The shrine skirts the northern edge of city limits and serves as a gateway to spirituality nestled away in the lush forests that surround the shrine.  Once you cross from the city onto the shrine’s grounds, you will already feel the energy emanating from this one of a kind power spot.  For the inexperienced traveler, the amount of potential photo ops can be overwhelming with the natural beauty and abundance of Japanese architecture.  Spots like the ‘Divine bridge’, the Shinen Garden, and the Rokuen Garden are all important destinations, but visiting at the right times and going to the correct spots inside the gardens themselves is key.  As a Niigata native, I have scouted this location for years, and I know it like the back of my hand, so I can recommend locations and perspectives to help you immortalize the time you spend at Yahiko with gallery worthy photographs.

If you choose to visit in November, you will be greeted by thousands of chrysanthemums.  The event boasts more than 4,000 pots filled with the most beautiful, emblematic chrysanthemums cultivated from all over the prefecture.  And several of the botanists choose to cultivate different styles of chrysanthemums, large-sized, cascade style, small-sized, and even bonsai-styled chrysanthemums.  In one location in particular, there is a themed showcase where approximately 30,000 chrysanthemums are assembled to create a landscape to communicate a message.  I look forward to visiting each year to see the annual theme.  It’s even better if I can take friends, family, and clients along as well.

Yahiko is also home to autumn leaves are breathtaking and bring people from all over Niigata, all over Japan, and even some international visitors to witness the beautiful reds, golds, and oranges that arrive each year.  Yahiko Shrine is nestled perfectly along the mountainside for a day balanced among capturing photos of the most brilliant autumn leaves.  I have spent days visiting and re-visiting Mt. Yahiko on Niigata Photo Workshops and personal scouting missions, and I have several locations that I recommend for capturing awe-inspiring photos.  Autumn leaves coupled with the historic Yahiko Shrine and the chrysanthemums in November make Yahiko a destination that everyone should visit at least once.