 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. MAP525 views
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Nagara Jinja Shrine271 views
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Moon-viewing stage 勧月舞台 and cherry blossoms at Miidera with Lake Biwa in the background.265 views
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Miidera's Three-story pagoda (Sanju-no-to)226 views
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Miidera's Kondo Hall and cherry blossoms in Otsu.192 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.185 views
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In 860, Miidera Founder Enchin worshipped this shrine as the guardian deity of Miidera.182 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.181 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 Nio181 views
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Kannon-do complex at Miidera temple, Shiga.168 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158 views
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Cherry blossoms and the Niomon Gate at night in April.153 views
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Miidera cherry blossoms at night.147 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.147 views
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Miidera's cherry blossoms are also lit up at night. (See photos at bottom.)146 views
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Miidera's Three-story pagoda (Sanju-no-to)145 views
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These photos were taken in both April during cherry blossoms season and in summer.144 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140 views
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Kondo Hall139 views
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View from the bridge during cherry blossom season, looking toward the Kondo Hall.137 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130 views
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Hiroshige's woodblock print of Evening Bell at Miidera temple from his "Omi Hakkei" (Eight Views of Omi) series.128 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.116 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116 views
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This is the closest we can get to Kangaku-in Hall, a National Treasure at Miidera temple in Otsu.114 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108 views
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Gate to Kangaku-in Hall, school for priests at Miidera temple in Otsu. Closed to the public.108 views
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Back of Niomon Gate.106 views
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Built in 1905, gate of Nagara Jinja Shrine.98 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.96 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.96 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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About Kojo-in Kyakuden. It also has a Japanese garden not open to the public. 光浄院客殿94 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92 views
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Steps going up to the Kondo Hall.90 views
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Vintage postcard view of the same scene in Miidera. Otsu was much less developed.88 views
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Cherry blossoms and three-story pagoda at night.88 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.88 views
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87 views
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Hiroshige's woodblock print of Evening Bell at Miidera temple from his "Omi Hakkei" (Eight Views of Omi) series.87 views
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Inside the Miidera Bell Pavilion, the source of the "Evening Bell at Miidera temple."85 views
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Kondo Hall and cherry blossoms.85 views
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Miidera temple85 views
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Path to the To-in complex.82 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.82 views
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Inside Kondo Hall, built in 1599. Miroku Bosatsu statue is the object of worship.82 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81 views
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Inside Kondo Hall.81 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.80 views
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Kondo Hall 80 views
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In front of the Kannon-do Hall is the water basin for purification.79 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.78 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.78 views
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Steps going to Issaikyo-zo Hall.78 views
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There is a small opening where you can enter the bell pavilion to ring the gong. 鐘楼77 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77 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77 views
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Inside Kannon-do Hall77 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76 views
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Soroban (Abacus) Monument76 views
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Another gate to Goho Zenjin-do Hall76 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76 views
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Kondo Hall and cherry blossoms.76 views
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Lotus pond75 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75 views
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Incense burner inside Kannon-do Hall75 views
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About Kangaku-in Hall.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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Hydrangea in June73 views
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73 views
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Built in 1616, Bishamon-do Hall is an Important Cultural Property. 毘沙門堂72 views
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Ema tablet pavilion72 views
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Moon-viewing stage 勧月舞台72 views
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Inside Issaikyo-zo Hall71 views
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71 views
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Inside bell tower71 views
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Kondo Hall corner wood beam71 views
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Kannon-do on the left.71 views
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71 views
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Kondo Hall carvings71 views
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Kondo Hall and cherry blossoms.71 views
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71 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.71 views
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Side view of Kannon-do Hall.70 views
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Steps leading to the Kannon-do Hall on a hill in the southern precinct of Miidera.70 views
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Kannon-do Hall, Miidera temple, Shiga70 views
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Inside Kannon-do Hall70 views
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Statue inside Kannon-do Hall70 views
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Ema tablet70 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70 views
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Kondo Hall carvings70 views
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70 views
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Hydrangea69 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69 views
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The stone marker on the right indicates where Emperor Meiji was when he visited here.69 views
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Cherry blossoms at Miidera temple, Shiga.69 views
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69 views
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Behind the Kancho-do Hall is the Daishi-do Hall where Enchin is interred.69 views
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Kondo Hall69 views
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On the left in the back are steps going up to the lookout deck. A must-see vantage point.69 views
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Shuho Kannon. Worship her and become prosperous. 衆宝観音68 views
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Beautiful cherry blossoms at night.68 views
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Bishamon-do Hall. 毘沙門堂67 views
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Bell tower67 views
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Bell tower next to Kannon-do Hall.67 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67 views
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The lookout point is like a park with various monuments.67 views
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Kondo Hall veranda67 views
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67 views
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Another building in the To-in area.66 views
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Tendai Daishi statue66 views
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On the fringe of Miidera is Somon Gate 総門66 views
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Kondo Hall roof66 views
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66 views
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On the lookout deck.66 views
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Cherry blossoms in April.66 views
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Bishamon-do Hall and maple leaves. Should return in fall.65 views
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Gate to Goho Zenjin-do Hall65 views
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65 views
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Monument dedicated to Shiga Prefectural police officers.63 views
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61 views
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Miidera Station on the Keihan Ishiyama-Sakamoto Line is the closest station to Miidera temple (and Lake Biwa Canal).47 views
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Miidera Station platform.40 views
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Miidera Station platform.37 views
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