Shiga & Lake Biwa · Sights

Best Temple in Shiga & Lake Biwa

6 places, each checked by our team.

• Enryakuji Temple (Mount Hiei) 延暦寺Mount Hiei / Sakamoto — Head temple of Tendai Buddhism founded in 788 on Mount Hiei, spread over three forested precincts; part of the Kyoto World Heritage site.
• Ishiyamadera Temple 石山寺Ishiyama (Otsu) — Temple on wollastonite rock above the Seta River in Otsu, where Murasaki Shikibu is said to have begun The Tale of Genji.
• Kongorinji Temple 金剛輪寺Koto Sanzan (Aisho) — Koto Sanzan temple in Aisho with a National Treasure main hall, a path lined with thousands of small Jizo, and 'blood-red' autumn maples.
• Miidera Temple (Onjoji) 園城寺Otsu — Large Tendai-Jimon head temple on the hills above Otsu, known for the 'evening bell of Mii' and many National Treasure buildings.
• Saimyoji Temple (Koto Sanzan) 西明寺Koto Sanzan (Kora) — Tendai mountain temple in Kora, one of Shiga's Koto Sanzan, with a National Treasure main hall and three-storied pagoda among autumn maples.
• Ukimido Floating Pavilion (Mangetsuji) 満月寺Katata (Otsu) — Small Zen temple hall built on piles over Lake Biwa at Katata, one of the classic Eight Views of Omi.