Ukimido (Mangetsu-ji Temple) – One of the Scenic Eight Views of Omi on Lake Biwa 【Highlights】 ・Picturesque views of Ukimido standing at the end of a bridge extending over Lake Biwa. ・Expansive vistas across the lake, including Mount Ibuki, Oki…

Northern / North central

Ishiyamadera Temple – A Literary Site Connected to Murasaki Shikibu 【Highlights】 ・A striking view of the National Treasure Tahoto Pagoda set against the temple’s Natural Monument wollastonite formations. ・A celebrated literary site where Murasaki Shikibu is said to have conceived…

Southern

Mii-dera Temple – An Ancient Temple of National Treasures and the Evening Bell of Mii 【Highlights】 ・The “Evening Bell of Mii,” celebrated as one of Japan’s three most famous bells for its beautiful tone ・The National Treasure Kondo Hall, rebuilt…

Central

Omi Jingu Shrine – Honoring Time and the Home of Competitive Karuta 【Highlights】 ・A striking vermilion two-story gate and Omi-style main hall set within serene, forested grounds. ・Emperor Tenji’s water clock and sundial, along with the Clock Museum Treasure Hall.…

Central

Hieizan Enryaku-ji Temple – A World Heritage Site Alive with 1,200 Years of Prayer 【Highlights】 ・A historic mountain temple with a 1,200-year legacy, registered as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. ・Vast temple grounds spread across Mount Hiei, said to…

Northern / North central

Takebe Taisha Shrine – Omi Province’s Principle Shrine Dedicated to Yamato Takeru no Mikoto 【Highlights】 ・Lush green grounds that convey the dignity of Omi Province’s premier shrine. ・The Main Hall and Auxiliary Hall, dedicated to Yamato Takeru no Mikoto and…

Southern

Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine – A Treasure Trove of Cultural Assets Adorned by Autumn Leaves 【Highlights】 ・A vast shrine precinct at the foot of Mount Hiei, rich in water and home to nearly 40 shrine buildings. ・The East and West Main…

Northern / North central

Sekisemimaru Shrine – Echoing Prayers for the Performing Arts at Osaka Pass – 【Highlights】 ・A highway shrine enshrined at the checkpoint of Osaka Pass, with deep ties to the old roads ・A sacred site for music and performing arts, dedicated…

Central

Saikyo-ji Temple – A Historic Sakamoto Temple Connected to Akechi Mitsuhide and His Family 【Highlights】 ・A historic temple in Sakamoto, home to the graves of Akechi Mitsuhide and his family. ・Peaceful temple grounds at the foot of Mount Hiei, with…

Northern / North central

Iwama-dera Temple (Iwamaseiho-dera Temple) – Home of the Sweating Kannon and Basho’s Mountain Retreat 【Highlights】 ・The Main Hall, which welcomes pilgrims as the 12th temple of the Saigoku Kannon Pilgrimage. ・The principal image, known as the “Sweating Kannon,” said to…

Southern

Sakamoto Castle Ruins Park – A Lakeside Castle Site Connected to Akechi Mitsuhide 【Highlights】 ・A park surrounding the ruins of Sakamoto Castle, built by Akechi Mitsuhide on the shores of Lake Biwa. ・A historic Sengoku-period castle site, once said to…

North central

The Lake Biwa Canal – A Meiji-Era Waterway Adorned with Cherry Blossoms and Bricks 【Highlights】 ・The Otsu Lock and the East Entrance of the First Tunnel, where preserved brickwork and stonework reveal Meiji-era engineering design. ・Cherry trees lining both banks…

Central