Saimyo-ji Sanjunoto (Three Story Pagoda) — Local services in Kora

(Trip was made back then on 27 Nov 2019, 2 years before the Covid-19 Pandemic hit)

Saimyo-ji is one of the three Koto Sanzan Temples of the Tendai Sect which is famous for autumns leaves in eastern Shiga, the other two being Kongorin-ji and Hyakusai-ji.

Saimyo-Jo’s main temple building was named as Japan’s first national treasure, and subsequently the pagoda was also listed as a national treasure. It is also one of Japan’s 100 grand autumn foliage sites.

The temple has more than 1000 maple trees and scattered among them are fudan zakura (a different species of cherry tree related to cherry blossom), which bloom in autumn. It is one of the only places in the world where you can witness both cherry blossoms and autumn foliage together.

Saimyoji’s autumn foliage might not seem as lush or intense as Eigenji at first glance, its beauty is depicted in a myriad of different style and is by no means any less spectacular. Each is distinct and has their own charm.

Saimyoji has a beautiful garden with a pond that blends harmoniously with nature, with lush green moss covering the ground and rocks, giving a striking contrast to the warm autumn colours. It also has a trail lined with maple trees which forms a beautiful canopy for you to appreciate while you trek about.

With such magnificent beauty, it being one of Japan’s 100 grand autumn foliage sites is well deserved and we were very grateful that we had the opportunity to experience it 2 years ago.

Unfortunately by the day we arrived, the autumn viewing season had just ended so their shuttle bus service was not longer available. Thankfully the helpful staff at Hikone’s tourist information centre (just beside Hikone station) helped us to secure a special taxi service that provides shuttling service to 2 of the 3 temples.

Would love to revisit once the Covid-19 pandemic settles and Japan opens up to...

西明寺三重塔は、高さ23.7mで様式上鎌倉時代後期の建立とみなされているそうです。初重内部は四天柱内を須弥壇に作り、本尊大日如来を安置しています。須弥壇と床板を除く全面に、菩薩像・仏具・花鳥文・法華経変相図が極彩飾で描かれています。内部は特別公開の際に2度...

西明寺(国宝)の歴史のこと仏さまのこと お住職が丁寧にご説明してくれます。 ご自身の比叡山での修行の数々の3年間のお話　びっくりすることも 楽しく聞き入ってしまいました。 皆さんも1...