Koutoku-ji Temple

Highlights & Introduction

Koutoku-ji Temple is known for its connection to the Buddhist priest Rennyo and the famous story of “Katata Genbei’s Head.”
It is said that long ago, when Rennyo visited Miidera Temple to retrieve a portrait of the sect’s founder, Shinran, he was asked to provide a freshly severed human head in exchange. Genbei is said to have voluntarily taken his own life to offer his head. Today, Genbei’s head is enshrined at Koutoku-ji Temple, where bronze statues of Genbei and his father, Genuemon, also stand.

Access

Address

1-22-20 Honkatata, Otsu, Shiga 520-0242, Japan

By car: Approx. 10 min by car from the Mano Interchange on the Kosei Road
By train: Approx. 5 min walk from the Katata Demachi bus stop (accessible via bus from JR Katata Station on the Kosei Line)
(Bus service to Ukimido-mae is available on Saturdays and holidays)
By bus: 5 min walk from Katata Demachi bus stop, reached by bus from JR Katata Station
(On Saturdays and Holidays, busses going as far as Ukimido-mae bus stop are also available)