Just when you think you've seen enough torii gates in Japan, a random path of vermillion gates led us to this absolute jewel. Following the gates through the forest opened up to this stunning little shrine, made even more magical by the deer wandering freely around the grounds.

What made it special was the solitude - while most of Koyasan's famous spots had plenty of visitors, here it was just us and the deer in this perfectly preserved slice of sacred Japan. The contrast between the bright red gates and the deep forest green created this otherworldly atmosphere that felt more authentic than some of the more famous sites.

This is exactly the kind of place that makes wandering off the main path in Koyasan so rewarding.