Photo= Autumn deepens. Clear air enhances the brilliantly illuminated autumnal garden even more (November 10, Eikando, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto) = shot via drone

After the night opening ended at 9:00 p.m., tranquility returned to the famously beautiful spot for autumnal foliage, "Eikando," a temple in Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, which had been bustling with many visitors. A drone videoed the grounds for a short period of time until the lights were turned off.

At only five-meters from takeoff, the scenes showing vividly on the monitor were deeply fascinating. As the drone flew higher, another world opened up, differing a bit from the elegance on the ground. The autumnal color gradation emerged from the darkness, lit up by about 670 lights.

Eikando is officially called "Zenrin-ji Temple," and was named after "Yokan-risshi," a Buddhist monk in the Heian Period who contributed remarkably in the temple's development. The precincts hold approximately 3,000 maple trees, which has become almost a synonym for the temple since ancient times. The temple stated that the leaves have started turning earlier than usual.

Day by day, autumn is deepening into winter. Colorful and delicate leaves overlap, as if even the drone itself could have been tinted in the colors of gorgeous brocade, and engraving the beauty in memory.

The illumination will be held until December 6. The evening admission fee is 600 yen for junior high school students and older.

Unauthorized drone video-shooting over shrines, temples, public facilities, urban districts and other places is prohibited.

The Kyoto Shimbun uses drones to shoot videos with special permission and with due consideration for safety in the vicinity.