Home > SHIGA 滋賀県 > Otsu 大津市 > Miidera Temple 三井寺

Most viewed - Miidera Temple 三井寺
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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. MAP520 views
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Nagara Jinja Shrine265 views
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Moon-viewing stage 勧月舞台 and cherry blossoms at Miidera with Lake Biwa in the background.260 views
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Miidera's Three-story pagoda (Sanju-no-to)221 views
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Miidera's Kondo Hall and cherry blossoms in Otsu.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.182 views
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In 860, Miidera Founder Enchin worshipped this shrine as the guardian deity of Miidera.178 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.178 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 Nio176 views
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Kannon-do complex at Miidera temple, Shiga.165 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155 views
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Cherry blossoms and the Niomon Gate at night in April.148 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.144 views
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Miidera cherry blossoms at night.142 views
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Miidera's cherry blossoms are also lit up at night. (See photos at bottom.)141 views
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These photos were taken in both April during cherry blossoms season and in summer.140 views
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Miidera's Three-story pagoda (Sanju-no-to)140 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137 views
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Kondo Hall134 views
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View from the bridge during cherry blossom season, looking toward the Kondo Hall.132 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127 views
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Hiroshige's woodblock print of Evening Bell at Miidera temple from his "Omi Hakkei" (Eight Views of Omi) series.125 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.113 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113 views
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This is the closest we can get to Kangaku-in Hall, a National Treasure at Miidera temple in Otsu.111 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105 views
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Gate to Kangaku-in Hall, school for priests at Miidera temple in Otsu. Closed to the public.104 views
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Back of Niomon Gate.103 views
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Inside Issaikyo-zo Hall is an octagonal, rotating Rinzo rack where the scriptures are stored.95 views
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Built in 1905, gate of Nagara Jinja Shrine.95 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.93 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.93 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91 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89 views
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Steps going up to the Kondo Hall.87 views
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Cherry blossoms and three-story pagoda at night.85 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.85 views
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Otsu-e picture. Details about Otsu-e here.84 views
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Hiroshige's woodblock print of Evening Bell at Miidera temple from his "Omi Hakkei" (Eight Views of Omi) series.84 views
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Vintage postcard view of the same scene in Miidera. Otsu was much less developed.83 views
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Inside the Miidera Bell Pavilion, the source of the "Evening Bell at Miidera temple."82 views
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Kondo Hall and cherry blossoms.82 views
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Miidera temple82 views
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Path to the To-in complex.79 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.79 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78 views
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Inside Kondo Hall.78 views
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Inside Kondo Hall, built in 1599. Miroku Bosatsu statue is the object of worship.78 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.77 views
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Kondo Hall 77 views
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In front of the Kannon-do Hall is the water basin for purification.76 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.75 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.75 views
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Steps going to Issaikyo-zo Hall.75 views
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There is a small opening where you can enter the bell pavilion to ring the gong. 鐘楼74 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74 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74 views
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Inside Kannon-do Hall74 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73 views
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Soroban (Abacus) Monument73 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73 views
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Kondo Hall and cherry blossoms.73 views
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Lotus pond72 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72 views
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Incense burner inside Kannon-do Hall72 views
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Another gate to Goho Zenjin-do Hall72 views
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About Kangaku-in Hall.71 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70 views
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Hydrangea in June70 views
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Built in 1616, Bishamon-do Hall is an Important Cultural Property. 毘沙門堂70 views
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Moon-viewing stage 勧月舞台69 views
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Inside Issaikyo-zo Hall68 views
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Inside bell tower68 views
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Ema tablet pavilion68 views
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Kondo Hall corner wood beam68 views
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Kannon-do on the left.68 views
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Kondo Hall carvings68 views
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Side view of Kannon-do Hall.67 views
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Steps leading to the Kannon-do Hall on a hill in the southern precinct of Miidera.67 views
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Kannon-do Hall, Miidera temple, Shiga67 views
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Inside Kannon-do Hall67 views
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Statue inside Kannon-do Hall67 views
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Ema tablet67 views
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Kondo Hall and cherry blossoms.67 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67 views
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Kondo Hall carvings67 views
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Hydrangea66 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66 views
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The stone marker on the right indicates where Emperor Meiji was when he visited here.66 views
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Cherry blossoms at Miidera temple, Shiga.66 views
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Behind the Kancho-do Hall is the Daishi-do Hall where Enchin is interred.66 views
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Kondo Hall66 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.66 views
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On the left in the back are steps going up to the lookout deck. A must-see vantage point.66 views
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Shuho Kannon. Worship her and become prosperous. 衆宝観音65 views
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Beautiful cherry blossoms at night.65 views
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Bishamon-do Hall. 毘沙門堂64 views
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Bell tower64 views
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Bell tower next to Kannon-do Hall.64 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64 views
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The lookout point is like a park with various monuments.64 views
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Kondo Hall veranda64 views
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Another building in the To-in area.63 views
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Tendai Daishi statue63 views
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On the fringe of Miidera is Somon Gate 総門63 views
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Kondo Hall roof63 views
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On the lookout deck.63 views
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Cherry blossoms in April.63 views
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Bishamon-do Hall and maple leaves. Should return in fall.62 views
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Gate to Goho Zenjin-do Hall62 views
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Monument dedicated to Shiga Prefectural police officers.60 views
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Miidera Station on the Keihan Ishiyama-Sakamoto Line is the closest station to Miidera temple (and Lake Biwa Canal).44 views
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Miidera Station platform.37 views
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Miidera Station platform.34 views
     
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