What to do and see in Shiga Prefecture, Kinki: The Best Sacred & Religious Sites

January 17, 2022 Marianna Hollaway

Discover the best top things to do in Shiga Prefecture, Japan including Hieizan Enryaku-ji Temple, Tarobogu Shrine (Aga Shrine), Ishiyamadera Temple, Doganji Kannondo, Mii-dera Temple (Onjo-ji Temple), Shakudoji Temple, Kyorimbo Temple, Keisoku-ji Temple, Kannon-ji Temple, Ryuo-gu.
Restaurants in Shiga Prefecture

1. Hieizan Enryaku-ji Temple

4220 Sakamoto Hommachi, Otsu 520-0116 Shiga Prefecture +81 77-578-0001 http://www.hieizan.or.jp
Excellent
48%
Good
42%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 592 reviews

Hieizan Enryaku-ji Temple

Reviewed By audreevisits - Canada, null

This is the birthplace of Zen Buddhism. The Enryaku hotel was, traditional Japanese style, very clean and comfortable- staff was very pleasant and helpful. The food breakfast and dinner was included and extraordinary! Beautiful views of the lake and distant mountains, some days we could see My Fuji in the distance. The Japanese baths were clean and hot. 7am we walked to the main temple to participate in the morning ceremonies. We hiked the mountain and visited the ancient temples, some original and hundreds of years old- learning the story of Zen Buddhism and how it came to be on this sacred mountain.Lots of local pilgrims making offerings and praying- so peaceful

2. Tarobogu Shrine (Aga Shrine)

2247 Owakicho, Higashiomi 527-0091 Shiga Prefecture +81 748-23-1341 http://www.tarobo.sakura.ne.jp/
Excellent
41%
Good
51%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 59 reviews

Tarobogu Shrine (Aga Shrine)

3. Ishiyamadera Temple

1-1-1 Ishiyamadera, Otsu 520-0861 Shiga Prefecture +81 77-537-0013 http://www.ishiyamadera.or.jp/
Excellent
42%
Good
47%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 351 reviews

Ishiyamadera Temple

Ishiyamadera is a temple of the Buddhist sect Shingon, sitting on the bank of Seta River in the south end of Otsu city. It is one of the renowned temples of Kannon, the deity of compassion, in Japan. The Reverend Rouben founded this Temple in 747 CE to fulfill the pious wish of Emperor Shomu. In the Heian period this Temple was a famous place for the Kannon devotees. The Imperial as well as noble family members often visited this temple to worship Kannon, and it is popularly known as the ‘Ishiyama-moude’, pilgrimage to the Ishiyamadera Temple. Legend says that the noblewoman Murasaki Shikibu confined herself at this temple for seven days, and observing the full moon of August 15, 1004 CE, she conceived the concept of writing the Tale of Genji.

Reviewed By Global_Traveller_Pat - Hong Kong, China

This place is more like a garden with lots of beautiful flowers than a temple. The environment is quiet and peaceful, not like other parks with too many tourists from other places. Be prepared to walk a bit uphill and downhill as the garden and the temple are built along the slopes. High recommended for a visit in spring time with the cherry blossoms and other flowers blooming.

4. Doganji Kannondo

50 Doganji, Nagahama 529-0233 Shiga Prefecture +81 749-85-2632 http://www.biwako-visitors.jp/spot/detail/657
Excellent
63%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 46 reviews

Doganji Kannondo

Reviewed By PeterTokyoPeter

I believe this Eleven Face Kannon is the most beautiful in Japan and there is no place like here to see Kannon with very close distance. Unfortunately taking photo is prohibited, but I think everyone will feel the calm and happiness from this Kannon.

5. Mii-dera Temple (Onjo-ji Temple)

246 Onjojicho, Otsu 520-0036 Shiga Prefecture +81 77-522-2238 http://www.shiga-miidera.or.jp/index.htm
Excellent
41%
Good
51%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 269 reviews

Mii-dera Temple (Onjo-ji Temple)

Reviewed By gibot143

+ no crowds + rich history + they have peacocks + great views of lake biwa and otsu city + loved the grand canal on the way to this temple

6. Shakudoji Temple

419 Kinomotochoishimichi, Nagahama 529-0412 Shiga Prefecture +81 749-82-3730
Excellent
41%
Good
48%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 27 reviews

Shakudoji Temple

7. Kyorimbo Temple

1145 Azuchicho Ishidera, Omihachiman 521-1331 Shiga Prefecture +81 748-46-5400 http://kyourinbo.jimdofree.com/
Excellent
41%
Good
52%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
3%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 29 reviews

Kyorimbo Temple

8. Keisoku-ji Temple

Kinomotocho Furuhashi, Nagahama 529-0411 Shiga Prefecture +81 749-82-5909 http://kitabiwako.jp/spot/spot_967
Excellent
38%
Good
49%
Satisfactory
13%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 79 reviews

Keisoku-ji Temple

9. Kannon-ji Temple

848 Oguchi, Ryuo-cho, Gamo-gun 520-2552 Shiga Prefecture +81 748-58-0217 http://www.facebook.com/kannonzenji/
Excellent
75%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
25%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 4 reviews

Kannon-ji Temple

10. Ryuo-gu

2390 Kagamiyama, Ryuo-cho, Gamo-gun 520-2573 Shiga Prefecture
Excellent
50%
Good
50%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2 reviews

Ryuo-gu

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