 Most viewed - Saimyoji 西明寺 |
Oda Nobunaga burned Saimyoji right after scorching Enryakuji on Mt. Hiei. Fortunately, the main hall and the pagoda survived. 3-story pagoda, a National Treasure401 views
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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.327 views
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At the top of the stairs254 views
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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252 viewsIn 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.
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Incredibly beautiful246 views
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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235 views
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The following photos were taken years earlier. Something things look the same, others have changed. Map of temple grounds.222 viewsEstablished 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.
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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. MAP151 views
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3-story pagoda, a National Treasure145 viewsIn 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.
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Convenient shuttle bus. Visit Kongorinji temple next.144 viewsDuring 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.
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The path was a stunning showcase for autumn foilage.143 views
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Tourists come by the busloads141 views
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Saimyoji's 3-story pagoda, a National Treasure.140 views
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Saimyoji was my favorite Koto Sanzan temple138 views
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Inside Saimyoji temple's Hondo hall.136 views
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Hondo grounds127 views
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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125 views
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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117 views
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Horaitei garden116 views
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Cherry blossoms which bloom in Nov. Designated as a Natural Monument and Cultural Property of Shiga. 不断桜112 views
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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.103 views
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View from gate102 views
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Temple grounds102 views
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Hondo grounds101 views
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Miniature Kannon. Pay money to have your name under one of them.101 views
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Autumn leaves and stone wall100 views
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Nitenmon Gate to main temple (Hondo)100 views
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Closeup of pagoda98 views
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Miniature Kannon96 views
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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.)95 views
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Stairs to autumn heaven. Up to here, the path was just filled with colors. And more still awaited.94 views
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Temple bell93 views
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11-faced Kannon statue93 views
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View from gate91 views
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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.91 views
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3-story pagoda, a National Treasure90 views
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90 views
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3-story pagoda, a National Treasure90 views
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Temple bell, donate 50 yen to ring it90 views
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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.89 views
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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.42 viewsThe shuttle bus starts from Hikone Station, west exit.
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Front gate. This is where you pay the admission fee.41 views
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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. 40 viewsThe 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.
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Saimyoji Temple Hondo hall (National Treasure)25 views
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Saimyoji's autumn highlight is its stunning path to the temple.24 views
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11-faced Kannon statue24 views
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Nitenmon Gate has small waraji straw sandals. Coins stuck in the sandals.24 views
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About the Niten gods guarding the gate.24 views
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Saimyoji Temple Hondo hall (National Treasure)24 views
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Saimyoji Temple Hondo hall (National Treasure)24 views
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Saimyoji Temple Hondo hall (National Treasure)24 views
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Saimyoji's three-story pagoda, a National Treasure.24 views
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Colorful autumn path to Saimyoji Temple.23 views
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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.23 views
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The path was a stunning showcase for autumn foilage.23 views
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Wedded cedar trees.23 views
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Nitenmon Gate (rear).23 views
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Saimyoji Temple Hondo hall (National Treasure) in Kora, Shiga. 本堂23 views
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Saimyoji Temple Hondo hall (National Treasure)23 views
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Saimyoji Temple Hondo hall (National Treasure).23 views
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Saimyoji Temple Hondo hall (National Treasure)23 views
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Saimyoji Temple Hondo hall (National Treasure)23 views
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Saimyoji Temple Hondo hall (National Treasure)23 views
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Saimyoji Temple Hondo hall (National Treasure)23 views
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Water basin23 views
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Water basin23 views
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"Ever-blooming" cherry tree (fudan-zakura) in autumn.23 views
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Red maple leaves.23 views
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Tree roots23 views
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Red maples towering above.23 views
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So beautiful in autumn!22 views
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Wedded cedar trees.22 views
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Wedded cedar trees.22 views
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Niten god22 views
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Niten god22 views
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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. 22 views
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View from Saimyoji Temple Hondo hall (National Treasure).22 views
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Saimyoji temple bell22 views
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Saimyoji temple bell accented with red maples.22 views
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About the "ever-blooming" cherry tree (fudan-zakura).22 views
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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22 views
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"Ever-blooming" cherry tree (fudan-zakura) in autumn.22 views
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About Horai-tei Garden.22 views
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Horai-tei Garden22 views
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Green pine tree.21 views
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Stairs to autumn heaven. Up to here, the path was just filled with colors. And more still awaited.20 views
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Miniature Kannon20 views
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Nitenmon Gate to main temple (Hondo).20 views
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Nitenmon Gate.20 views
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Nitenmon Gate.19 views
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Saimyoji Temple Hondo hall (National Treasure)19 views
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