Most viewed - Miidera Temple 三井寺 |
Main entrance to Miidera (Onjoji) temple. It is the headquarters temple of the Tendai Jimon Buddhist Sect (founded by Priest Enchin) and former rival of Enryakuji temple on Mt. Hiei, also in Shiga. MAP548 views
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Nagara Jinja Shrine275 views
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Moon-viewing stage 勧月舞台 and cherry blossoms at Miidera with Lake Biwa in the background.270 views
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Miidera's Three-story pagoda (Sanju-no-to)229 views
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Miidera's Kondo Hall and cherry blossoms in Otsu.195 views
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In 860, Miidera Founder Enchin worshipped this shrine as the guardian deity of Miidera.187 views
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Nagara Shrine Honden Hall. The original shrine was atop the mountain, but it was later moved here in 1054 at the foot of Mt. Nagara to make it more accessible to worshippers.187 views
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Map of Miidera temple showing a variety of structures at the foot of Mt. Nagara (not Mt. Hiei). There are about 40 buildings, but you can enter only a few of them. It's not a huge complex, but allow at least 90 min. to see the major things.186 views
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Priest Enchin (Chisho-daishi) also used the sacred well water for a succession ceremony and called the temple, "Miidera" using the kanji for "three wells." The official name of "Onjoji" was given by Emperor Temmu. Back of Nio186 views
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Kannon-do complex at Miidera temple, Shiga.172 views
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Daimon Gate (also called Niomon Gate) is the temple's front gate. Built in 1452 and transferred here from Jorakuji temple in Koka by Tokugawa Ieyasu in 1601. Important Cultural Property. 仁王門160 views
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Cherry blossoms and the Niomon Gate at night in April.156 views
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These photos were taken in both April during cherry blossoms season and in summer.149 views
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Miidera cherry blossoms at night.149 views
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Somewhat away from the central area of Miidera is another National Treasure called Kojo-in Kyakuden. Unfortunately, it's closed to the public. All you see is this wall and a roof.149 views
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Miidera's Three-story pagoda (Sanju-no-to)149 views
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Miidera's cherry blossoms are also lit up at night. (See photos at bottom.)148 views
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Kondo Hall143 views
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Miidera temple's Kondo Hall, a National Treasure and Miidera's main worship hall built in 1599 in Otsu. 金堂141 views
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View from the bridge during cherry blossom season, looking toward the Kondo Hall.139 views
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Issaikyo-zo Hall is a storehouse for all of the temple's Buddhist scriptures and valuable books. Built in the Muromachi Period and moved here from Yamaguchi Pref. in 1602 by Lord Mori Terumoto. Important Cultural Property. 一切経蔵133 views
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Hiroshige's woodblock print of Evening Bell at Miidera temple from his "Omi Hakkei" (Eight Views of Omi) series.129 views
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Front of Niomon Gate. The name Miidera literally means "Three-Well Temple." It refers to three Emperors (Tenchi, Temmu, and Jito) who as newborns bathed in the temple's Akaiya well. "Mii" 御井 originally meant "sacred well.120 views
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Stone wall and gate to Kangaku-in Hall at Miidera temple (Onjoji), school for priests and a National Treasure but closed to the public. 勧学院118 views
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This is the closest we can get to Kangaku-in Hall, a National Treasure at Miidera temple in Otsu.117 views
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Next to Miidera temple's southern boundary is Nagara Shrine. The shrine is not part of Miidera, but it is often included in maps of Miidera temple. 長等神社113 views
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Gate to Kangaku-in Hall, school for priests at Miidera temple in Otsu. Closed to the public.113 views
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Back of Niomon Gate.109 views
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Built in 1905, gate of Nagara Jinja Shrine.100 views
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Inside Issaikyo-zo Hall is an octagonal, rotating Rinzo rack where the scriptures are stored.99 views
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Near the Niomon Gate is the Shaka-do Hall (also called Jiki-do 食堂) which worships the Shaka Nyorai statue. Dating from the early Muromachi Period, an Important Cultural Property. Photography is not allowed inside.99 views
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It's a huge bell. After hearing the sound of the bell on Mt. Hiei, Benkei was disgusted with how it sounded and threw the bell back down the mountain.98 views
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About Kojo-in Kyakuden. It also has a Japanese garden not open to the public. 光浄院客殿96 views
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Kondo Main Hall, a National Treasure and Miidera's largest building. However, it was undergoing roof repairs in June 2008. Completed in fall 2008. 金堂93 views
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Vintage postcard view of the same scene in Miidera. Otsu was much less developed.91 views
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Cherry blossoms and three-story pagoda at night.91 views
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Steps going up to the Kondo Hall.90 views
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Hiroshige's woodblock print of Evening Bell at Miidera temple from his "Omi Hakkei" (Eight Views of Omi) series.90 views
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89 views
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Inside Onjoji Akaiya is the sacred spring whose water is drawn to be offered in front of the temple altar. The water was also used to bathe the newborn Emperor Tenji, Tenmu, and Jito. The name Miidera (Three Wells) comes from this spring.89 views
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Inside the Miidera Bell Pavilion, the source of the "Evening Bell at Miidera temple."88 views
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Miidera temple88 views
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This small building houses a temple bell which, according to legend, warrior monk Benkei from Enryakuji stole from Miidera and carried up to Enryakuji on Mt. Hiei.87 views
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Inside Kondo Hall, built in 1599. Miroku Bosatsu statue is the object of worship.86 views
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Kondo Hall and cherry blossoms.85 views
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Path to the To-in complex.84 views
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Next to Kondo Hall is a small building called the Onjoji Akaiya, an Important Cultural Property. 閼伽井屋84 views
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The lookout point gives the best views. The Kannon-do is on the left. Central Otsu can be seen in the distance as well as Lake Biwa.83 views
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Kondo Hall 83 views
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Inside Kondo Hall.82 views
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Steps going to Issaikyo-zo Hall.81 views
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In front of the Kannon-do Hall is the water basin for purification.80 views
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Mii Bell Pavilion (Mii-no-Bansho) on the right. The small building on the left is a gift shop where you buy a ticket to ring the bell.80 views
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There is a small opening where you can enter the bell pavilion to ring the gong. 鐘楼79 views
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It costs 300 yen to ring this bell once. (Not supposed to ring it more than once unless you pay again.) Also see my YouTube video here. 三井晩鐘79 views
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Next to the Kondo hall is the famous Mii Bell Pavilion (Mii-no-Bansho). It is one of the Omi Hakkei (Eight Views of Omi) depicted in ukiyoe woodblock prints. Dating from the Momoyama period, it is an Important Cultural Property.79 views
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On the left of the Kancho-do is the Chonichi Goma-do Hall. Important Cultural Property. 長日護摩堂78 views
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Inside Kannon-do Hall78 views
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Incense burner inside Kannon-do Hall78 views
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Gate to the To-in complex, Miidera's most sacred area where Enchin (Chisho-Daishi) is buried and enshrined. All the buildings are Important Cultural Properties. 唐院77 views
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When the temple founder was crossing this bridge, a temple in China was ablaze. When he sprinkled water from a well, a mist arose from beneath the bridge and flew to extinguish the burning temple in China. 村雲橋77 views
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Soroban (Abacus) Monument77 views
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Another gate to Goho Zenjin-do Hall77 views
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Goho Zenjin-do Hall worships a guardian deity for children. Pray here for a safe childbirth and healthy growth of your kids. 護法善神堂77 views
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About Kangaku-in Hall.77 views
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Lotus pond76 views
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Kondo Hall and cherry blossoms.76 views
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Built in 1616, Bishamon-do Hall is an Important Cultural Property. 毘沙門堂75 views
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Inside Issaikyo-zo Hall74 views
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Hydrangea in June74 views
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Inside bell tower74 views
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Ema tablet pavilion74 views
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Moon-viewing stage 勧月舞台74 views
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74 views
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View of central Otsu which is experiencing a building boom along the lake shore. This has prompted local residents to seek a building height limit, otherwise the lake would disappear from view.74 views
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In the center of the To-in complex is the Kancho-do Hall. Its a dojo exercise hall for entering the priesthood and conducting Buddhist initiation ceremonies. 潅頂堂73 views
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73 views
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Kondo Hall corner wood beam73 views
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Kannon-do on the left.73 views
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On the right of the Kancho-do is the three-story pagoda (Sanju-no-to). It was moved from Fushimi Castle in Kyoto in 1601 by Tokugawa Ieyasu. Important Cultural Property. 三重塔73 views
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73 views
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Side view of Kannon-do Hall.72 views
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Kannon-do Hall, Miidera temple, Shiga72 views
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Inside Kannon-do Hall72 views
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Statue inside Kannon-do Hall72 views
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Ema tablet72 views
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The stone marker on the right indicates where Emperor Meiji was when he visited here.72 views
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Kondo Hall72 views
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Kondo Hall carvings72 views
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Kondo Hall and cherry blossoms.72 views
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72 views
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Kondo Hall carvings72 views
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Hydrangea71 views
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Going toward the southern precinct of the temple, you see this Bimyoji temple with an 11-faced Kannon statue, an Important Cultural Property. The building was reconstructed in 1776. 微妙寺71 views
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Steps leading to the Kannon-do Hall on a hill in the southern precinct of Miidera.71 views
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Behind the Kancho-do Hall is the Daishi-do Hall where Enchin is interred.71 views
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71 views
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On the left in the back are steps going up to the lookout deck. A must-see vantage point.71 views
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Shuho Kannon. Worship her and become prosperous. 衆宝観音70 views
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Kannon-do Hall is the 14th temple in the Saigoku (Western Japan) pilgrimage circuit of 33 temples. Important Cultural Property 観音堂70 views
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Cherry blossoms at Miidera temple, Shiga.70 views
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70 views
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Tendai Daishi statue69 views
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Bishamon-do Hall. 毘沙門堂69 views
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The lookout point is like a park with various monuments.69 views
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Beautiful cherry blossoms at night.69 views
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On the lookout deck.69 views
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Bell tower68 views
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Bell tower next to Kannon-do Hall.68 views
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Kondo Hall veranda68 views
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Kondo Hall roof68 views
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On the fringe of Miidera is Somon Gate 総門67 views
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67 views
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Cherry blossoms in April.67 views
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67 views
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Another building in the To-in area.66 views
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Bishamon-do Hall and maple leaves. Should return in fall.66 views
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Gate to Goho Zenjin-do Hall66 views
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66 views
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Monument dedicated to Shiga Prefectural police officers.65 views
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62 views
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Miidera Station on the Keihan Ishiyama-Sakamoto Line is the closest station to Miidera temple (and Lake Biwa Canal).49 views
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Miidera Station platform.44 views
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Miidera Station platform.42 views
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