Otsu is an ancient city that is rich in both history and culture. You are sure to experience the depth and wonder of real Japan once you walk the serene and widespread temple grounds at Enryakuji Temple (a World Cultural Heritage Site on Mt. Hiei,) Miidera Temple (famous for cherry blossoms in the Spring,) Ishiyamadera Temple (the location where Japan’s oldest romance novel “The Tale of Genji,” was written,) and Saikyoji Temple and Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine, where a spectacular variety colors can be seen on the trees in the autumn. Another convenient aspect of Otsu is the fact that within an hour from Kyoto, you can easily travel to enjoy many different activities such as ski and golf. Recently, one popular activity is “biwa-ichi,” or cycling around the circumference of Lake Biwa within a day. To meet all tastes, a variety of accommodations are scattered beside Lake Biwa such as Resort hotels, hot-spring Ryokans and renovated Machiya-style guesthouses. Were you aware that such resorts were so close to Kyoto?
三井寺 西教寺 Miidera Temple Saikyo-ji Temple この国の記憶12
琵琶湖東岸の寺院 三井寺と西教寺を紹介。この国の記憶12。Miidera Temple Saikyo - ji Temple
Saikyo-ji is Tendai Mamorimune Soyama where it is said that monk Jichi was founded for the sake of Zen.
It was a temple that had been devastated for a long time, but it began to prosper from the place where Jie Daishi Ryogenjo was restored and the Edo Monk capital began to enter the temple. However, Nobunaga Oda burnt down Mt. Hiei in 1571, and it is also the result that the West Temple also suffers from disaster. However, Saikyo-ji, where Akechi Mitsuhide, the castle owner of Sakamoto Castle, who was built right after that, became a student of Saikyo-ji and made way for reconstruction again. Today, it is a tourist attraction in Otsu City with Hiyoshi Taisha, which is nearby, and it has become a temple visited by many people during high seasons such as colored leaves.