 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 Treasure408 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.329 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257 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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At the top of the stairs255 views
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Incredibly beautiful248 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240 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. MAP153 views
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The path was a stunning showcase for autumn foilage.145 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.145 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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Saimyoji's 3-story pagoda, a National Treasure.143 views
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Tourists come by the busloads143 views
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Inside Saimyoji temple's Hondo hall.139 views
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Saimyoji was my favorite Koto Sanzan temple139 views
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Hondo grounds128 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126 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118 views
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Horaitei garden117 views
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Cherry blossoms which bloom in Nov. Designated as a Natural Monument and Cultural Property of Shiga. 不断桜114 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.105 views
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View from gate104 views
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Temple grounds103 views
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Hondo grounds102 views
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Miniature Kannon. Pay money to have your name under one of them.102 views
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Autumn leaves and stone wall101 views
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Nitenmon Gate to main temple (Hondo)101 views
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Closeup of pagoda99 views
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Miniature Kannon97 views
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Stairs to autumn heaven. Up to here, the path was just filled with colors. And more still awaited.96 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.)96 views
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Temple bell95 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.94 views
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11-faced Kannon statue94 views
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Temple bell, donate 50 yen to ring it93 views
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View from gate92 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.92 views
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3-story pagoda, a National Treasure91 views
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3-story pagoda, a National Treasure91 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.46 viewsThe shuttle bus starts from Hikone Station, west exit.
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Front gate. This is where you pay the admission fee.45 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. 43 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)31 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.30 views
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11-faced Kannon statue30 views
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Saimyoji Temple Hondo hall (National Treasure)30 views
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Saimyoji's three-story pagoda, a National Treasure.30 views
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Red maple leaves.30 views
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The path was a stunning showcase for autumn foilage.29 views
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Wedded cedar trees.29 views
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Nitenmon Gate has small waraji straw sandals. Coins stuck in the sandals.29 views
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Saimyoji Temple Hondo hall (National Treasure)29 views
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Saimyoji Temple Hondo hall (National Treasure)29 views
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Water basin29 views
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Water basin29 views
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Saimyoji's autumn highlight is its stunning path to the temple.28 views
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About the Niten gods guarding the gate.28 views
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Saimyoji Temple Hondo hall (National Treasure).28 views
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Saimyoji Temple Hondo hall (National Treasure)28 views
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Saimyoji Temple Hondo hall (National Treasure)28 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28 views
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Tree roots28 views
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Red maples towering above.28 views
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Nitenmon Gate.27 views
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Niten god27 views
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Saimyoji Temple Hondo hall (National Treasure) in Kora, Shiga. 本堂27 views
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View from Saimyoji Temple Hondo hall (National Treasure).27 views
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Saimyoji temple bell accented with red maples.27 views
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"Ever-blooming" cherry tree (fudan-zakura) in autumn.27 views
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Colorful autumn path to Saimyoji Temple.26 views
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Stairs to autumn heaven. Up to here, the path was just filled with colors. And more still awaited.26 views
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So beautiful in autumn!26 views
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Wedded cedar trees.26 views
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Nitenmon Gate to main temple (Hondo).26 views
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Niten god26 views
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Nitenmon Gate (rear).26 views
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Saimyoji Temple Hondo hall (National Treasure)26 views
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Saimyoji Temple Hondo hall (National Treasure)26 views
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Saimyoji Temple Hondo hall (National Treasure)26 views
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Saimyoji temple bell26 views
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Horai-tei Garden26 views
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Wedded cedar trees.25 views
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Nitenmon Gate.25 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. 25 views
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About the "ever-blooming" cherry tree (fudan-zakura).25 views
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"Ever-blooming" cherry tree (fudan-zakura) in autumn.25 views
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Miniature Kannon24 views
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Green pine tree.24 views
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About Horai-tei Garden.24 views
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Saimyoji Temple Hondo hall (National Treasure)21 views
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