 Most viewed - Ishiyama-dera Temple 石山寺 |
Ishiyama-dera temple is a 10-min. walk from Ishiyama-dera Station on the Keihan Ishisaka Line. You can transfer to the Keihan Line at JR Ishiyama Station on the Tokaido Line.389 views
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Sculpture of Lady Murasaki Shikibu.386 views
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Cherry blossoms along Seta River in Otsu, Lake Biwa's only outflowing river.353 views
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PR poster307 views
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Heading back through the Yume Kairo path.294 views
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Sculpture of Lady Murasaki Shikibu at Ishiyama-dera, Otsu, Shiga.293 views
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During early or mid-April, you can see cherry blossoms while walking from the station to the Ishiyama-dera along the Seta River.275 views
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Otsu Hikaru-kun, official mascot of Otsu. He is based on the Hikaru Genji character in the Genji Monogatari (Tale of Genji) novel. おおつ光ルくん242 views
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View of Seta River in spring from Ishiyama-dera. Ahead is Lake Biwa.241 views
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Ishiyama-dera's Moon-viewing Pavilion and cherry blossoms. Not open to the public. 月見亭221 views
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Mannequin of Lady Murasaki Shikibu writing Tale of Genji. 紫式部源氏の間207 views
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Cherry blossoms and Tahoto pagoda at Ishiyama-dera.198 views
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Keihan Ishiyama Station with a sign showing Lady Murasaki Shikubu saying "Welcome to Otsu, Lake Capital."191 views
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Ishiyama-dera's weeping cherries and azalea bushes to bloom in late April.179 views
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At Ishiyama-dera, inside Room of Genji is a lifesize doll of Lady Murasaki Shikibu who wrote Tale of Genji, one of Japan's most famous novels.171 views
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Hiroshige's woodblock print of Ishiyama-dera from his "Famous Views of the 60 Provinces" series. Looking toward Lake Biwa.171 views
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Official mascot greets visitors on the main path to Ishiyama-dera temple.162 views
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The stone in fall.160 views
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The bridges are for the highway and shinkansen trains.160 views
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Tahoto's ground floor has a dome-shaped ceiling and a square pent roof, a round second floor and square roof.160 views
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Ishiyama-dera's Hondo Hall, a National Treasure. 本堂160 views
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Near the entrance to the Hondo main hall is this Genji Monogatari folding screen replica.155 views
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Lady Murasaki supposedly wrote the novel in this room at Ishiyama-dera in Otsu.155 views
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After passing through Todamon Gate, there is the Sando path leading to the temple complex. See fall leaves in Nov. 参道155 views
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Inside Ishiyama-dera's Hondo Hall 本堂155 views
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Finally we see Ishiyama-dera's beautiful Tahoto pagoda, a National Treasure in Otsu.152 views
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152 views
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Moss on roof147 views
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The Tahoto was built in 1194 upon the patronage of Minamoto Yoritomo. It is Japan's oldest Tahoto and one of the three most famous ones.142 views
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Entrance gate to Genji Millennium exhibitions. Admission 1000 yen to see both the exhibitions and temple.140 views
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Straight ahead is the huge slab of black stone which gave the temple its name. Ishiyama-dera means "Stone Mountain Temple." The pagoda above is the Tahoto, a National Treasure and positioned perfectly for our line of sight from below.140 views
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Map of Ishiyama-dera137 views
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Continuing on the Yume Kairo path.136 views
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明王院136 views
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Inside the room of Murasaki Shikibu is a mannequin of Lady Murasaki Shikibu writing Tale of Genji. 紫式部源氏の間136 views
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136 views
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Statue of Lady Murasaki Shikibu.136 views
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Ishiyama-dera's Hondo Hall 本堂136 views
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Genji Monogatari folding screen replica.135 views
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Go up the stone steps and pass by a Shinto shrine. 135 views
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135 views
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Inside Ishiyama-dera's Hondo Hall 本堂135 views
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134 views
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San-mon Gate Deva King (right side).134 views
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Walk further down the Yume Kairo path and see the gate to another garden called 拾翠園.133 views
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The garden has a building called 淳浄館 which is an exhibition space. Buildings like this are usually not open to the public.133 views
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Inside 世尊院. When I was there, beautiful embroidery showing scenes from the Tale of Genji was displayed.133 views
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Ishiyama-dera's Hondo Hall altar. 本堂133 views
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Mannequin of Lady Murasaki Shikibu writing Tale of Genji. 紫式部源氏の間132 views
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Impressive San-mon Gate, also called Todaimon. The defacto front gate of the temple. 東大門 MAP132 views
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Genji Millenium sign with "Genji Yume" (Genji Dream) kanji logo on the right. Otsu is not the only place celebrating the Genji Millenium. Kyoto and other places are also celebrating.131 views
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130 views
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Lady Murasaki on a postcard.130 views
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Closeup of embroidery.129 views
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密蔵院.129 views
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Tahoto pagoda, Ishiyama-dera129 views
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Room of Murasaki Shikibu and Genji. 紫式部源氏の間128 views
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Ishiyama-dera Hondo Hall, a National Treasure.128 views
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Sculpture of Lady Murasaki Shikibu.127 views
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Ishiyama-dera is a temple complex of numerous buildings. This is the Kannon-do Hall.127 views
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127 views
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The Sando path also has cherry trees in April. Late April brings azaleas.127 views
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127 views
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Cherry trees also greet you at the temple.126 views
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126 views
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126 views
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Souvenir shop and rest space.125 views
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This is what you see at the top of the stone steps. Founded in 749, Ishiyama-dera, belonging to the Shingon Buddhist Sect, is the 13th Temple of the Saigoku Pilgrimage.125 views
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125 views
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Keihan Ishiyama-dera Station with Genji Millenium banners. Tale of Genji Millennium was held in 2008 in Otsu. 源氏物語千年紀124 views
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Inside 淳浄館. A collection of hanging scrolls written with waka love poems from Genji Monogatari. Free admission.124 views
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Another room in the 世尊院 showed more embroidery, mainly of flowers. The exhibition here will change a few times during 2008.124 views
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Mieido Hall dedicated to Kobo Daishi who founded Shingon Sect, to Roben 良弁僧正, the founder of Ishiyama-dera, and to Shunnyu Naiku 淳祐内供, the third head priest of Ishiyama-dera. 御影堂123 views
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Inside Bishamon-do Hall is Bishamon.123 views
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The Hondo also has this Room of Genji.123 views
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Entrance to Cafe de Genji, an open-air garden where you can sit and have tea.122 views
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Omido Hall 御影堂122 views
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Inside Rennyo-do Hall.122 views
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A Tahoto pagoda has two stories, a square roof, and a round building. 多宝塔122 views
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Hiroshige's woodblock print of Autumn Moon at Ishiyama from his "Omi Hakkei" (Eight Views of Omi) series. The temple on stilts and Moon-viewing Pavilion is visible.122 views
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Cafe de Genji, which is actually a Japanese-style garden called Kofuen 公風園.121 views
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There's also the 金龍社 shrine in a pond.120 views
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Daikokudendo temple dedicated to Daikokuten. 大黒天堂120 views
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Ishiyama-dera's stone is wollastonite (硅灰石) which looks gray or white when dry and black when wet. Tahoto pagoda can also be seen.120 views
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Inside Daikokudo temple.119 views
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Next to the Kannon-do is the Bishamon-do Hall.119 views
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Path to Ishiyama-dera temple with Genji Millenium banners. In Otsu, the Genji Millenium event will be held from March 18 to Dec. 14, 2008.118 views
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The main path to Ishiyama-dera temple has been converted to the Genji Yume Kairo (Genji Dream Path). Along the way are a few buildings open to the public. 源氏夢回廊118 views
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Next is the 明王院, another temple building.118 views
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Rennyo-do Hall, dedicated to Rennyo, prominent priest of the Jodo Shinshu Sect. 蓮如堂118 views
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118 views
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Ishiyama-dera's stone is a National Natural Monument.118 views
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Walls with excerpts from the novel.117 views
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Next, we go out and head for the 明王院.117 views
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Steps going to the Hondo Hall, Ishiyama-dera's main worship hall and a National Treasure.117 views
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View as we head toward the Tahoto pagoda.117 views
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Further along the Yume Kairo path.116 views
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Inside 明王院 is an exhibition space showing works by award-winning novelist Tanabe Seiko 田辺聖子 who wrote a new version of Genji Monogatari.116 views
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Ishiyama-dera temple Hondo main hall 本堂116 views
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Lady Murasaki Shikibu's inkstone case.116 views
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Bishamon-do Hall was built in 1773. 毘沙門堂116 views
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Ishiyama-dera stone marker during sakura season in April.116 views
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The Kannon-do Hall stores many Kannon statues.116 views
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Entrance to 世尊院.115 views
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San-mon Gate Deva King (left side)115 views
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Entering 明王院.114 views
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Inside 密蔵院 was a robot exhibition. Only two robots on display, no resemblance to anything.114 views
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Sculpture of Lady Murasaki Shikibu.114 views
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Closeup of the stone, designated as a Natural Monument.114 views
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Hiroshige's woodblock print of Autumn Moon at Ishiyama from his "Omi Hakkei" (Eight Views of Omi) series. The Moon-viewing Pavilion is visible.114 views
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Soon you see the gate to Daikokudendo temple on the right.113 views
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Gate to 密蔵院.113 views
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Ishiyama-dera temple Hondo main hall 本堂113 views
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113 views
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113 views
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Well112 views
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112 views
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Waterwheel112 views
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First you enter this building called 世尊院.111 views
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There's also a fine view of a rock garden outside.111 views
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密蔵院 is another building with an exhibition.111 views
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View of 明王院.110 views
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Waterwheel110 views
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Steps to 密蔵院.109 views
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密蔵院108 views
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Early-blooming cherry blossoms.108 views
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108 views
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Inside the Tahoto is this altar for Dainichi Nyorai. 大日如来107 views
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106 views
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Bell tower 鐘楼106 views
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If you're a woman and sit on the rock under the Sutra Repository, you"re supposed be able to give birth safely. So don't be surprised to see a woman sitting under the building.106 views
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106 views
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106 views
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In winter. The Omido Hall is on the left, and Bishamon-do on the right.105 views
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Plum blossoms.105 views
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One-yen coins are stuffed into the cracks of the stone.105 views
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105 views
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In fall105 views
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Memorials next to Tahoto dedicated to Minamoto Yoritomo and Kamegayatsu. 源頼朝 亀ケ谷禅尼105 views
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105 views
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Japanese garden104 views
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104 views
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Inside 豊浄院 is more Genji-related exhibits.103 views
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103 views
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In fall.103 views
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Sutra Repository 経蔵103 views
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103 views
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View of fall leaves below Hondo Hall 本堂102 views
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Ishiyama-dera also has a grove of plum blossoms which bloom in Feb.102 views
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101 views
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101 views
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Sign explaining the Natural Monument.100 views
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100 views
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About the altar inside the Tahoto.99 views
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99 views
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About the Tahoto99 views
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Hall to Moon-viewing Pavilion. 99 views
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Plum blossoms99 views
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99 views
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99 views
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99 views
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Ishiyama-dera's Japanese garden in spring.98 views
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About the memorials.98 views
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98 views
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Painting of a scene from Tale of Genji on square paper.97 views
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97 views
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Plum tree97 views
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Ema votive tablets on which you write your prayers and wishes.97 views
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94 views
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93 views
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Lady Murasaki Shikibu's diary.92 views
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92 views
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Fall leaves on a rock formation.92 views
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92 views
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In fall91 views
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Ishiyama-dera in fall91 views
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90 views
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Normally, you cannot see this Buddha through the altar since the Buddha is housed behind closed doors. We were allowed to walk behind the altar to see the giant Buddha in its shelter with the doors open. 89 viewsA large, impressive Buddha. No photos were allowed.
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Ishiyama-dera's hidden, giant Buddha (Kannon) is visible through the altar. 83 views
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Admission was charged to see the hidden Buddha. 81 views
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The line to see the hidden Buddha.81 views
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This smaller Buddha was used to obstruct the view of the hidden Buddha from non-paying visitors.80 views
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豊浄院78 views
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Path to 豊浄院78 views
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78 views
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It didn't that long to see the hidden Buddha.78 views
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Inside 豊浄院77 views
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At Ishiyama-dera, inside Room of Genji is a lifesize doll of Lady Murasaki Shikibu who in the 11th century wrote Tale of Genji, one of Japan's most famous novels.77 views
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Hondo main temple hall76 views
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76 views
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76 views
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Inside Hondo75 views
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Room of Genji (源氏の間)75 views
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75 views
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心経堂75 views
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Sit on the rock under the Sutra Repository,74 views
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74 views
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Keihan Ishiyama Station74 views
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As of spring 2023, Ishiyama-dera's head priest is a woman, the 53rd zasu abbot. Washio Ryuge (鷲尾龍華) is Ishiyama-dera's first woman abbot taking over from her father who preceded her. She's in her mid-30s..73 views
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From March 18 to Dec. 4, 2016, Ishiyama-dera held a special display of their hidden Buddha. Shown only once every 33 years.73 views
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73 views
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Room of Genji73 views
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After staying in the temple for seven days, this is the room where Lady Murasaki Shikibu got inspired by an autumn moonlit night and started writing Genji Monogatari.73 views
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Omikuji paper fortunes73 views
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73 views
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73 views
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73 views
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73 views
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心経堂73 views
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Statue of Lady Murasaki writing Tale of Genji (Genji Monogatari).73 views
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72 views
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Hondo72 views
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Ishiyama-dera's bell72 views
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Dainichi Nyorai. 大日如来72 views
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豊浄院 temple museum72 views
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Inside 豊浄院72 views
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Statue of Lady Murasaki writing Tale of Genji (Genji Monogatari).72 views
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Statue of Lady Murasaki writing Tale of Genji (Genji Monogatari).72 views
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Keihan Line at Ishiyama Station.72 views
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TripAdvisor certificate displayed at Ishiyama-dera.72 views
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During Ishiyama-dera's display of the hidden Kannon Buddha, they also allowed the public to ring the temple bell for a small fee.71 views
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Inside the Tahoto is this altar for Dainichi Nyorai. 大日如来71 views
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71 views
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71 views
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71 views
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Inside Keihan Line train.71 views
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Path to Ishiyama-dera in autumn.70 views
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70 views
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The large, hidden Buddha also had smaller Kannon statues inside. These were also displayed.70 views
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70 views
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70 views
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Ishiyama-dera is also noted for autumn leaves.70 views
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70 views
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70 views
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70 views
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70 views
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70 views
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Keihan Ishiyama-dera Station70 views
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Ema prayer tablet69 views
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69 views
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69 views
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Inside the Tahoto is this altar for Dainichi Nyorai. 大日如来69 views
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69 views
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