Stopping by Onoji temple on my way back from Muroji to see the giant Miroku Magaibutsu carving onto a cliff along the river of Udagawa. While popular during the cherry blossom season, the autumn delights in the temple is also not to be missed.

Awed by the Tozai Monjuzou group of statues worshipped in this shrine, centering on the Monju Bosatsu statue sculpted by the famous Kaikei, mounted on a lion. The birthplace of Abe no Seimei, the famous onmyouji of Japanese esoteric cosmology, the shichimairi experience in Ukimido Pavilion was one-of-a-kind.

Visiting the vast complex of Muroji located on Mount Muro in Uda, Nara Prefecture. Also known as Nyonin Koya (Women's Koyasan) due to its acceptance of woman worshippers back in the day when most temples forbade women, the temple is a popular spot for autumn chasers thanks to its fiery red maple leaves.

Catching autumn colors at Hasedera, also known as Flower Temple and famous for its 7000 peonies which blooms from mid April to early May.

A visit to Heijo-kyo, capital of Ancient Nara, and Kofukuji, one of Nara's most important temples.

Two Budhhist temples in Nara within walking distance to each other - Toshodai-ji, an otherworldly trip and Yakushiji, a look at how serious reconstruction is.

A visit to Kasuga Taisha, a temples with variety of lanterns, and first encounter with the famed deer of Nara.

A trip to Horyuji, a Buddhist temple housing some of the oldest wooden building in the world, and Shin-Yakushiji, a less visited temple in Nara.