Overview
THREE HEAD TEMPLES OF TENDAI
Tour three head temples
and meet monks—an exceptional autumn experience.
This is a special one-day journey visiting the three head temples in Otsu City that bear the name “Tendai”: “Japan’s Three Head Temples of Tendai”—Enryaku-ji Temple on Mt. Hiei, Mii-dera Temple, and Saikyo-ji Temple.
At each temple, monks from each head temple will guide you in person through the highlights of the special autumn openings. Enjoy limited-time visits available only now, along with Saikyo-ji’s specialty “Kikugozan.”
SPECIAL AUTUMN JOURNEY
Experience each head temple’s “only now,” together with monks.
At Enryaku-ji Temple on Mt. Hiei, monks will guide you through the National Treasure Konpon Chudo Hall “Study Platform” and the special enshrinement at Manpai-do Hall of the attendant statue “Yakushi Nyorai Sacred Statue” and the “Eternal Dharma Lamp.” At Saikyo-ji Temple, enjoy the first-ever exclusive opening of the “Fushimi Castle Remains Guest Hall,” and at Mii-dera Temple, an exclusive viewing in the inner sanctum of the National Treasure Kondo Hall. Travel through a special autumn that only each head temple can offer.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Enryaku-ji Temple on Mt. Hiei｜Monk-guided tour of the National Treasure Konpon Chudo Hall “Study Platform” and the special enshrinement at Manpai-do Hall
Saikyo-ji Temple｜First-ever exclusive opening: “Fushimi Castle Remains Guest Hall” + autumn-only “Kikugozan”
Mii-dera Temple｜Exclusive viewing of a normally non-public Buddhist statue in the inner sanctum of the National Treasure Kondo Hall
Basic Information
- Tour Dates
-
November 15 (Sun) and 21 (Sat), 2026
- Time
-
9:30 AM–around 4:20 PM
- Capacity
-
30 people (minimum 15 participants)
- Price
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¥14,800 per person
Includes: admission fees, food and drink, chartered bus, and guide-related expenses
Itinerary
09:20 JR Otsu Station／Meet in front of Shiga Bank (north exit side) →
10:00 Enryaku-ji Temple on Mt. Hiei／National Treasure: Konpon Chudo Hall “Study Platform”／Special enshrinement at Manpai-do Hall／Guided by a monk →
12:00 Saikyo-ji Temple／Exclusive opening of the “Fushimi Castle Remains Guest Hall” and “Seishi Bosatsu (Mahasthamaprapta)”／Guided by a monk／Lunch: “Kikugozan” →
14:30 Mii-dera Temple (Onjo-ji)／Exclusive viewing of the National Treasure: the principal sanctuary of the Kondo Hall (inner sanctum) and the “Seated Shaka Triad”／Exhibition of a “Letter by Toyotomi Hideyoshi”／Guided by a monk →
16:20 JR Otsu Station／Arrive and disperse
* Travel between temples will be by chartered bus.
Additional Details
THREE SACRED TEMPLES
Exclusive openings at each of the three head temples
HIEIZAN ENRYAKUJI
Enryaku-ji Temple on Mt. Hiei
Visit the Konpon Chudo Hall under major restoration and the special enshrinement at Manpai-do Hall with a monk
With guidance from a monk, you will tour the National Treasure Konpon Chudo Hall, currently undergoing major restoration, from the “Study Platform” set up during the construction period. This special opportunity—available only during the works—lets you ascend to nearly the same height as the eaves and see the restoration up close.
In addition, at Manpai-do Hall, there will be a special enshrinement of the Konpon Chudo Hall’s principal image’s attendant statue, the “Yakushi Nyorai Sacred Statue,” as well as the “Eternal Dharma Lamp,” passed down for more than 1,200 years since the temple’s founding. A monk will guide you through both sites, allowing you to pay your respects and encounter the Eastern Pagoda area as it can be seen only during this major restoration.
* The “Study Platform” is scheduled to be available for viewing until around December 2026.
SAIKYOJI
Saikyo-ji Temple
First-ever exclusive opening of the “Fushimi Castle Remains Guest Hall” and the autumn-only “Kikugozan”
Known as the “Momoyama Palace,” this guest hall is said to be a remnant of Fushimi Castle, the residence of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. The interior of this “Fushimi Castle Remains Guest Hall” will be opened to the public exclusively for this occasion.
In addition, the temple will offer an exclusive viewing of the main statue of Seishi Bosatsu (Mahasthamaprapta), the guardian deity for those born in the Year of the Horse—previously not shown to anyone outside those connected with the temple. You will view it under the guidance of a monk.
For lunch, we will prepare Saikyo-ji’s specialty “Kikugozan,” served only during the autumn foliage season. Enjoy both temple culture and the flavours of autumn.
MIIDERA
Mii-dera Temple (Onjo-ji)
The “Seated Shaka Triad,” viewed in the inner sanctum of the National Treasure Kondo Hall
In the inner sanctum of the National Treasure Kondo Hall, you will have an exclusive viewing—under the guidance of a monk—of the “Seated Shaka Triad,” a normally non-public Buddhist statue owned by Mii-dera Temple.
In addition, a “Letter by Toyotomi Hideyoshi” and books owned by Mii-dera Temple will be exhibited, introducing the temple’s connections with figures associated with it. Discover Mii-dera’s history from a perspective different from usual.
* The “Letter by Toyotomi Hideyoshi” is held by the Historiographical Institute, The University of Tokyo.
AUTUMN TASTE
Autumn-only: Saikyo-ji’s specialty “Kikugozan”
This journey is not only about temple visits—seasonal flavours are also part of the enjoyment. At Saikyo-ji Temple, you will savour the specialty “Kikugozan,” served to coincide with the autumn foliage season. During your day touring the three head temples, take time to enjoy the tastes of autumn at a relaxed pace.
THREE HEAD TEMPLES OF TENDAI
Otsu is home to the three head temples of Tendai.
Otsu City is home to the head temples of three Tendai-related schools: Enryaku-ji Temple on Mt. Hiei, the head temple of the Tendai sect; Mii-dera Temple (Onjo-ji), the head temple of the Tendai Jimon sect; and Saikyo-ji Temple, the head temple of the Tendai Shinsei sect.
The unique appeal of this tour is that you can visit all three head temples in a single day and, through guidance from monks, experience each temple’s history, teachings, and culture.
LEARN MORE
INFORMATION
Please review before joining
■ Tour conductor accompanying the group
■ Bus operator: Koko Kotsu
Information for the day
We do not mail travel documents or the final itinerary for this tour. Please check the day-of information (final itinerary) under “Reservation Details” in your booking confirmation email.
Tour Operator
Registered Travel Agency with the Governor of Shiga Prefecture: No. 2-243
Full Member of All Nippon Travel Agents Association (ANTA)
Biwako Otsu Tourism Association
Civic Cultural Center 2F, 2-3 Goryo-cho, Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture
