Home > SHIGA 滋賀県 > Kora 甲良町 > Saimyoji 西明寺

Last additions - Saimyoji 西明寺
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Red maples towering above.Nov 04, 2021
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Tree rootsNov 04, 2021
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Horai-tei GardenNov 04, 2021
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About Horai-tei Garden.Nov 04, 2021
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Green pine tree.Nov 04, 2021
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Red maple leaves.Nov 04, 2021
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"Ever-blooming" cherry tree (fudan-zakura) in autumn.Nov 04, 2021
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"Ever-blooming" cherry tree (fudan-zakura) in autumn.Nov 04, 2021
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"Ever-blooming" cherry tree (fudan-zakura) planted next to a tree showing fall colors. This special cherry tree blooms in Nov. during the fall colors. 不断桜Nov 04, 2021
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About the "ever-blooming" cherry tree (fudan-zakura).Nov 04, 2021
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Saimyoji's three-story pagoda, a National Treasure.Nov 04, 2021
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Saimyoji temple bell accented with red maples.Nov 04, 2021
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Saimyoji temple bellNov 04, 2021
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Water basinNov 04, 2021
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Water basinNov 04, 2021
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Saimyoji Temple Hondo hall (National Treasure)Nov 04, 2021
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View from Saimyoji Temple Hondo hall (National Treasure).Nov 04, 2021
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Saimyoji Temple Hondo hall (National Treasure)Nov 04, 2021
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In 1571, Oda Nobunaga ordered Saimyoji to be burned down right after torching Enryakuji on Mt. Hiei. Fortunately, this Kamakura-Period main hall and the pagoda survived. Nov 04, 2021
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Saimyoji Temple Hondo hall (National Treasure)Nov 04, 2021
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Saimyoji Temple Hondo hall (National Treasure)Nov 04, 2021
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Saimyoji Temple Hondo hall (National Treasure)Nov 04, 2021
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Saimyoji Temple Hondo hall (National Treasure)Nov 04, 2021
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Saimyoji Temple Hondo hall (National Treasure)Nov 04, 2021
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Saimyoji Temple Hondo hall (National Treasure).Nov 04, 2021
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Saimyoji Temple Hondo hall (National Treasure)Nov 04, 2021
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Saimyoji Temple Hondo hall (National Treasure)Nov 04, 2021
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Saimyoji Temple Hondo hall (National Treasure)Nov 04, 2021
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Saimyoji Temple Hondo hall (National Treasure) in Kora, Shiga. 本堂Nov 04, 2021
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Nitenmon Gate (rear).Nov 04, 2021
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Niten godNov 04, 2021
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Niten godNov 04, 2021
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About the Niten gods guarding the gate.Nov 04, 2021
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Nitenmon Gate has small waraji straw sandals. Coins stuck in the sandals.Nov 04, 2021
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Nitenmon Gate.Nov 04, 2021
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Nitenmon Gate.Nov 04, 2021
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Nitenmon Gate to main temple (Hondo).Nov 04, 2021
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Wedded cedar trees.Nov 04, 2021
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Wedded cedar trees.Nov 04, 2021
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Wedded cedar trees.Nov 04, 2021
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So beautiful in autumn!Nov 04, 2021
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Miniature KannonNov 04, 2021
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11-faced Kannon statueNov 04, 2021
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Stairs to autumn heaven. Up to here, the path was just filled with colors. And more still awaited.Nov 04, 2021
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Saimyoji's autumn highlight is its stunning path to the temple.Nov 04, 2021
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The path was a stunning showcase for autumn foilage.Nov 04, 2021
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Crossing the Meishin expressway. There's a bridge over a busy and noisy expressway which you cross to get to the other side of the temple grounds.Nov 04, 2021
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Front gate. This is where you pay the admission fee.Nov 04, 2021
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Colorful autumn path to Saimyoji Temple.Nov 04, 2021
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In mid-November, a shuttle bus runs to Saimyoji and two other temples of the Koto Sanzan Temple Trio of Tendai temples. All three are famous for fall foliage.The shuttle bus starts from Hikone Station, west exit.Nov 04, 2021
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Established in 834 and located in Kora-cho town, Saimyoji is a Tendai Buddhist temple and the northern-most one in the Koto Sanzan Temple Trio. The main temple hall, designated as Japan's first National Treasure, houses statues of gods with a carving of the 12 Oriental Zodiac signs on the head. Accessible by bus from Amago Station on the Omi Railway Line.Nov 04, 2021
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Tourists come by the busloadsDec 08, 2005
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Miniature Kannon. Pay money to have your name under one of them.Dec 08, 2005
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Convenient shuttle bus. Visit Kongorinji temple next.During the peak fall season from mid-Nov., you can buy an Omi Railway train/bus pass for only 1,800 yen to visit all three Koto Sanzan temples plus Eigenji Temple. Ride on the Omi Railway Line to the closest train station (Hikone or Yokaichi) and hop on a shuttle bus like this one to visit the Koto Sanzan Temple Trio, plus Eigenji. There's a shuttle bus every hour or so that shuttle between the four temples. The pass is good for 1 day.Dec 08, 2005
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Saimyoji was my favorite Koto Sanzan templeDec 08, 2005
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Horaitei gardenDec 08, 2005
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Temple bell, donate 50 yen to ring itDec 08, 2005
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Miniature KannonDec 08, 2005
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I thought the fall colors were most abundant at Saimyoji. We could also enter the 3-story pagoda, a National Treasure. (You cannot enter the pagoda at the other temples.)Dec 08, 2005
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3-story pagoda and fall colors. Photography is not allowed inside, but I highly recommend going inside. Admission 1,000 yen.Dec 08, 2005
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Closeup of pagodaDec 08, 2005
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11-faced Kannon statueDec 08, 2005
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Temple bellDec 08, 2005
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3-story pagoda, a National TreasureDec 08, 2005
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Saimyoji's 3-story pagoda, a National Treasure.Dec 08, 2005
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During the peak autumn season in Nov., the public is allowed to enter the pagoda to view the precious paintings on the wooden walls and pillars.Dec 08, 2005
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3-story pagoda, a National TreasureIn 1571, Oda Nobunaga ordered Saimyoji to be burned down right after scorching Enryakuji on Mt. Hiei. Fortunately, this Kamakura-Period main hall and the pagoda survived. The pagoda is 23.7 meters high.Dec 08, 2005
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Hondo groundsDec 08, 2005
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Veil of autumn leaves. Only several people can fit inside the first floor of the pagoda at one time, so you may have to wait in line.Dec 08, 2005
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Oda Nobunaga burned Saimyoji right after scorching Enryakuji on Mt. Hiei. Fortunately, the main hall and the pagoda survived. 3-story pagoda, a National TreasureDec 08, 2005
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Saimyoji temple Hondo Hall (National Treasure) in Kora, Shiga. In 1571, Oda Nobunaga ordered Saimyoji to be burned down right after torching Enryakuji on Mt. Hiei. Fortunately, this Kamakura-Period main hall and the pagoda survived. 本堂Dec 08, 2005
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3-story pagoda, a National TreasureDec 08, 2005
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Inside Saimyoji temple's Hondo hall.Dec 08, 2005
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Temple groundsDec 08, 2005
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View from gateDec 08, 2005
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Hondo groundsDec 08, 2005
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View from gateDec 08, 2005
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Japan's first National Treasure undergoing renovation of the roof. Saimyoji temple's Hondo hall (National Treasure) in Kora, Shiga. 本堂In 1571, Oda Nobunaga ordered Saimyoji to be burned down right after scorching Enryakuji on Mt. Hiei. Fortunately, this Kamakura-Period main hall and the pagoda survived.Dec 08, 2005
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At the top of the stairsDec 08, 2005
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Nitenmon Gate to main temple (Hondo)Dec 08, 2005
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Stairs to autumn heaven. Up to here, the path was just filled with colors. And more still awaited.Dec 08, 2005
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Autumn leaves and stone wallDec 08, 2005
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The path was a stunning showcase for autumn foilage.Dec 08, 2005
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Cherry blossoms which bloom in Nov. This is full bloom. Not as glorious as the cherries in spring, but unusual to see them in Nov. 不断桜Dec 08, 2005
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Crossing the Meishin expressway. There's a bridge over a busy and noisy expressway which you cross to get to the other side of the temple grounds.Dec 08, 2005
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Incredibly beautifulDec 08, 2005
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Cherry blossoms which bloom in Nov. Designated as a Natural Monument and Cultural Property of Shiga. 不断桜Dec 08, 2005
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Front gate. This is where you pay the admission fee of 500 yen. During fall, the autumn leaves are brilliant, and you can enter the three-story pagoda (National Treasure) to see the wall paintings. MAPDec 08, 2005
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The following photos were taken years earlier. Something things look the same, others have changed. Map of temple grounds.Established in 834 and located in Kora-cho town, Saimyoji is a Tendai Buddhist temple and the northern-most one in the Koto Sanzan Temple Trio.

The main temple hall, designated as Japan's first National Treasure, houses statues of gods with a carving of the 12 Oriental Zodiac signs on the head. Accessible by bus from Amago Station on the Omi Railway Line.
Dec 08, 2005
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Soon after you enter the temple, you see this "continuously blooming" cherry tree (fudan-zakura) planted next to a tree showing fall colors. This special cherry tree blooms in Nov. during the fall colors. 不断桜Dec 08, 2005
 
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