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

Most viewed - Saimyoji 西明寺
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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 Treasure398 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.324 views
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At the top of the stairs251 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249 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 beautiful234 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232 views
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The following photos were taken years earlier. Something things look the same, others have changed. Map of temple grounds.218 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. MAP146 views
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3-story pagoda, a National Treasure142 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.141 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.140 views
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Saimyoji's 3-story pagoda, a National Treasure.137 views
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Tourists come by the busloads137 views
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Saimyoji was my favorite Koto Sanzan temple135 views
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Inside Saimyoji temple's Hondo hall.133 views
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Hondo grounds124 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122 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114 views
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Horaitei garden114 views
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Cherry blossoms which bloom in Nov. Designated as a Natural Monument and Cultural Property of Shiga. 不断桜107 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.100 views
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View from gate99 views
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Temple grounds99 views
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Hondo grounds98 views
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Miniature Kannon. Pay money to have your name under one of them.98 views
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Autumn leaves and stone wall97 views
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Nitenmon Gate to main temple (Hondo)96 views
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Closeup of pagoda95 views
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Miniature Kannon93 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.)92 views
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Stairs to autumn heaven. Up to here, the path was just filled with colors. And more still awaited.91 views
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Temple bell90 views
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11-faced Kannon statue90 views
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View from gate88 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.88 views
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3-story pagoda, a National Treasure87 views
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3-story pagoda, a National Treasure87 views
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Temple bell, donate 50 yen to ring it87 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.86 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.41 viewsThe shuttle bus starts from Hikone Station, west exit.
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Front gate. This is where you pay the admission fee.38 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. 37 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)22 views
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Saimyoji's autumn highlight is its stunning path to the temple.21 views
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11-faced Kannon statue21 views
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Nitenmon Gate has small waraji straw sandals. Coins stuck in the sandals.21 views
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About the Niten gods guarding the gate.21 views
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Saimyoji Temple Hondo hall (National Treasure)21 views
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Saimyoji Temple Hondo hall (National Treasure)21 views
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Saimyoji Temple Hondo hall (National Treasure)21 views
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Saimyoji's three-story pagoda, a National Treasure.21 views
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Colorful autumn path to Saimyoji Temple.20 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.20 views
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The path was a stunning showcase for autumn foilage.20 views
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Wedded cedar trees.20 views
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Nitenmon Gate (rear).20 views
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Saimyoji Temple Hondo hall (National Treasure) in Kora, Shiga. 本堂20 views
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Saimyoji Temple Hondo hall (National Treasure)20 views
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Saimyoji Temple Hondo hall (National Treasure)20 views
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Saimyoji Temple Hondo hall (National Treasure)20 views
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Saimyoji Temple Hondo hall (National Treasure)20 views
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Saimyoji Temple Hondo hall (National Treasure)20 views
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Water basin20 views
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Water basin20 views
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"Ever-blooming" cherry tree (fudan-zakura) in autumn.20 views
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Tree roots20 views
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Red maples towering above.20 views
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Miniature Kannon19 views
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So beautiful in autumn!19 views
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Wedded cedar trees.19 views
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Niten god19 views
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Niten god19 views
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Saimyoji Temple Hondo hall (National Treasure).19 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. 19 views
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View from Saimyoji Temple Hondo hall (National Treasure).19 views
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Saimyoji temple bell19 views
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Saimyoji temple bell accented with red maples.19 views
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About the "ever-blooming" cherry tree (fudan-zakura).19 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19 views
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"Ever-blooming" cherry tree (fudan-zakura) in autumn.19 views
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Red maple leaves.19 views
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About Horai-tei Garden.19 views
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Horai-tei Garden19 views
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Wedded cedar trees.18 views
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Green pine tree.18 views
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Stairs to autumn heaven. Up to here, the path was just filled with colors. And more still awaited.17 views
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Nitenmon Gate to main temple (Hondo).17 views
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Nitenmon Gate.17 views
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Nitenmon Gate.16 views
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Saimyoji Temple Hondo hall (National Treasure)16 views
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