The city of Ōtsu has many stunning scenery and one of them is at the northern Ōtsu close to Biwako Bridge (琵琶湖大橋). The view of the worship hall of Mangetsu-ji Temple Ukimi-dō (満月寺 浮御堂) sticking out of Lake Biwa is one of the Eight Views of Ōmi (近江八景). Because of its fame, it is a […]
Mangetsu-ji Temple Ukimi-dō and the Eight Views of Ōmi Read More »
The Seta River (瀬田川), south of Lake Biwa, is the only waterway from which the lake’s water can flow. The river stretches all the way to Kyoto and Osaka and has the 260-meter Seta no Karahashi Bridge (瀬田の唐橋) built across it. Not only is the bridge an important military and transportation hub, but it is
Seta no Karahashi Bridge and One of the Eight Views of Ōmi Read More »
Saitō (西塔) is a quiet place deep in Mt. Hiei in beautiful cedar forests in the west founded by Enchō (円澄), also known as Jikukō Daishi (寂光大師). While the number of attractions here isn’t as many as in the Tōdō area, we loved our visit to Saitō. It wasn’t as busy as Tōdō. The atmosphere here
The Ultimate Guide to Mt. Hiei Enryakuji Temple’s Saitō Area 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 »
Traveling further south from Seta no Karahashi Bridge (a bridge that appeared in many historical took place) in Ōtsu City, you will find Ishiyama-dera (石山寺). The temple is one of the three Kannon sanctuaries in the Heian period (the other two are Kyoto‘s Kiyomizu-dera (清水寺) and Nara‘s Hase-dera (長谷寺)). Another title earned by the temple
Ishiyama-dera: The Stunning Kannon and Literature Sanctuary Read More »
At the west shore of Lake Biwa on the Hira Mountain Range (比良山系), the Biwako Valley (びわ湖バレイ), situated at an elevation of 1,100 meters, is a famous ski resort in Kansai. From spring to autumn, it is also a well-known mountain resort. In addition, in July 2016, a long-waited observatory called Biwako Terrace (びわ湖テラス) was
Biwako Valley: The Best Place to Adore Lake Biwa Read More »
The Sakamoto Area (坂本) in Ōtsu City in Shiga Prefecture is located at the foot of Mt. Hiei. In the good old days, this is where the monks of Mt. Hiei’s Enryakuji lived after they were put out to pasture following their “retirement”. Shaped by all the Satobō (里坊), which are the temples/residences of the
Sakamoto – The Town that Thrived at the Foot of Mt. Hiei Read More »