2 weeks ago we took a drive up into the mountains near where Shimane and Hiroshima Prefectures meet. We were heading for Hikimi Gorge to see the Fall colors as down where we lived the leaves had only just started to turn.
On the way we stopped at several shrines that I had not visited before and I was please to find Gingko trees in their full golden brilliance.
I prefer the gold of the gingko to the scarlet of the maples, especially the carpets of leaves that cover the steps and ground.
Originally from China, the gingko is often planted at shrines and temples.