Ishiyamadera is a temple of the Buddhist-sect Shingon, sitting on the bank of Seta River in the south end of Ōtsu city. This temple is counted as the 13th holy site of the Saikoku 33 Kannon Pilgrimage, the pilgrimage of thirty-three temples dedicated to Kannon (the deity of compassion) dotted around the Saikoku (Kansai) region. The Reverend Rouben founded this temple in 747 CE to fulfill the pious wish of Emperor Shōmu. In the Heian period (794-1185) this temple was a famous place for the Kannon devotees. The Imperial as well as noble family members often visited this temple to worship Kannon, and it is popularly known as the ‘Ishiyama-moude’, pilgrimage to the Ishiyamadera Temple.
Legend says that the noblewoman Murasaki Shikibu confined herself at this temple for seven days, and observing the full moon of August 1004 CE, she conceived the concept of writing the “Genji Monogatari”, the oldest novel of the world that tells the tale of Genji. This scene is revived as “The Room of Genji” at Hondō, the main shrine.
The natural beauty of Ishiyamadera, built on the sacred large wollastonite, is beyond words. One can enjoy various flowers that bloom at the temple courtyard in all seasons, such as plum, sakura, Kirishima azaleas, peony, autumn leaves and camellia etc. And thus this temple is also called as ‘Temple of Flowers’. In addition, the autumn moon from the Ishiyamadera Hill is included in the eight most beautiful spots of Ōmi region.
Ishiyamadera is the house of countless treasures since the 8th century. Hondō and two-storied Tahōtō Pagoda are the finest remaining example of Japanese traditional architecture, and have won the status of National Treasures. This temple also preserves exceptional artistic Painting scrolls, Buddhist scriptures, statues and numerous cultural properties.
Ishiyamadera is a historic temple of sacred stone where you can feel nature and experience religious culture. It is not hard to spend hours wandering around this temple.