Gakuen-ji (Gakuen Temple)

Gakuen Temple is Izumo’s representative temple. The famous old temple was founded in 594. It is the most renowned spot in the prefecture for autumn foliage, and is superb in late autumn when the temple grounds are bathed in deep crimson as far as the eye can see. The annual “Autumn Foliage Festival” draws a large number of worshippers from inside and outside the prefecture. Long ago it was widely known as one of the Shugendo religion’s sacred sites, deep in the mountains. There are a large number of other things worth seeing in the area also, including a waterfall, Buddhist statues, paintings, and calligraphic works. A festival is also held at the temple on the last Sunday in April every year.