That bright red Kompon Daito really knows how to make an entrance - it's like a giant exclamation point in Koyasan's skyline! The fact that we could explore it for free was a bonus, but honestly, they could charge good money and it'd still be worth it. That shade of vermillion red against the mountain backdrop is just stunning.

But the exterior is just the warm-up act. Step inside and it's a whole other level of wow - we're talking intricately painted pillars and gold statues that'll make your neck hurt from staring up at them. The central Buddha figure commands the space in a way that photos just can't capture.