Towards the end of the Kyōbashi Castle Road, there is a temple with an unusual red gate. Sōan-ji Temple’s (宗安寺) gate stands out from its surroundings because it was moved from Sawayama castle’s (佐和山城) Ōtemon Gate (大手門). With the gate relocated in 1603, it was the only castle structure that survived the enormous fire of […]
Sōan-ji: The Must-Visit Temple Close to Hikone Castle Read More »
At the foot of Mt. Sawa (佐和山), not too far away from Hikone Station, there are three temples that have a deep connection with the Ii clan, which is in charge of the Hikone Domain. Because of their history, these temples are popular tourist destinations after visiting Hikone Castle. If you have more than half
Ryōtan-ji and the Surrounding Temples Related to the Ii Clan Read More »
In the south of Hikone City in Shiga Prefecture, Taga Taisha (多賀大社) is one of the most prominent shrines in the region. It is one of those shrines that can still woo you even if you are tired of visiting Japanese shrines. With a history of more than 1,300 years, it is one of the
Taga Taisha Shrine and the Parents of the Goddess of the Sun Read More »
You might have heard about the Former Nakasendō (旧中山道), one of the five major government routes of the Edo period (1603 – 1867). The once mountainous road of 534 km connected Kyoto to Tokyo and went through 7 prefectures (Tokyo, Saitama, Gunma, Nagano, Gifu, Shiga, and Kyoto). The route constructed in 1602 has 69 post
The Old Post Towns on the Former Nakasendō in Hikone Read More »
On Japan’s biggest lake, Lake Biwa, there are a total of four islands, and one of them belongs to Hikone City‘s administrative area. Takei Island (多景島) is a small island with a circumference of about 600 meters, floating about 6.5 km off the city’s coast. Similar to Chikubu Island, which isn’t too far away, the
Takei Island – The Small Sacred Island on Lake Biwa Read More »
Chikubu Island (竹生島), floating on the northern Lake Biwa, has been a sacred island since ancient times. Together with the Benzaiten in Enoshima (江ノ島) and Miyajima (宮島), the Benzaiten enshrined on the island are together known as the Three Great Benzaiten in Japan. Also, the Hōngon-ji Temple (宝厳寺) on the island is the 30th temple
Chikubu Island – The Mysterious Sacred Island on Lake Biwa Read More »
Just a 30-minute train ride away from Kyoto, Mii-dera Temple (三井寺), formally Nagarasan Onjō-ji (長等山園城寺), overlooks the gorgeous Lake Biwa, is the headquarters of the Tendaijimonshū sect (天台寺門宗). It has been a renowned temple since its establishment, which occurred during the five years when Ōtsu was the capital of Japan. In addition to its rich
Mii-dera – A Temple with Rich History and Stunning Scenery Read More »
Ōtsu, the capital of Shiga Prefecture, is filled with rich cultural and historical elements. What many aren’t aware of is the fact that Ōtsu was once Japan’s capital. Although it only lasted for five years, we are sure after you admire the scenery of Japan’s biggest lake, Lake Biwa, it won’t be hard to understand
Ōtsu – A City that Has a History and Stunning Scenery Read More »
Takebe Shrine (建部大社), close to Seta no Karahashi Bridge (瀬田の唐橋), was the most important shrine in Ōmi Province. Why? Because it has Yamato Takeru no Mikoto (日本武尊) enshrined as the main god. While that might not mean much to you, we still think that Takebe Shrine is still worth a visit. There are a couple
Takebe Shrine: The Shrine That Was on the 1,000 Yen Note Read More »
You probably assume that all the shrines in Japan would have a minimum of a few centuries of history. However, this isn’t the case for Ōmi Jingū (近江神宮), close to Lake Biwa in Ōtsu City! Although it was founded only in 1940, the shrine’s location and the god enshrined hold some important Japanese history dating
Ōmi Jingū – A New Shrine with a Long History Read More »