Returning to the siren that is Yahiko Shrine, from the moment you pass through the torii, or outer temple grounds gate, a sense of calm washes over you.  Torii are usually placed at the entrance of Shinto shrines, and Yahiko is no exception.  Yahiko’s enormous fire red gate serves as the separation point from the everyday world and the spiritual, a marker for entering a power spot vortex.  Another of Yahiko Shrine’s appeals is the extended path leading to the shrine’s main hall.  In any season, the path is an extravaganza of photo worthy locations for you to enjoy.  And that is just the shrine.  Mt. Yahiko itself is also considered a sacred location, making it a local power spot and attraction for visitors from across Japan and internationally as well to visit and take photographs every autumn.  Standing 634 meters tall, it is precisely the same height as the Tokyo Skytree, but in my opinion, the photographs taken while adventuring in Yahiko are much more gratifying.  Nature abounds in the area, and the spirituality that emanates from the shrine and the mountain make the location a must see for anyone in the Niigata area.  There is a ropeway to take, but I enjoy hiking the mountainside as part of a mini-pilgrimage while I photograph some of the most breathtaking Japanese maples in red, gold, and orange.