Ishiyama-dera Temple

Ishiyama-dera is the 13th temple of the Saigoku 33 Kannon Pilgrimage and was founded in the late Nara period. Its National Treasure Tahoto Pagoda is regarded as the oldest tahoto in Japan, and is said to have been donated by Minamoto no Yoritomo. During the Heian period, when “Ishiyama pilgrimages” became popular among aristocrats, Ishiyama-dera frequently appeared in literature of the time such as Makura no Soshi (The Pillow Book) and Kagero Nikki. In particular, a space called the “Genji-no-Ma” (The Tale of Genji Room) beside the main hall’s Ai-no-Ma is said to be where Murasaki Shikibu conceived the ideas for The Tale of Genji, and the temple became known as a place associated with her. Many other famous writers, including Matsuo Basho and Shimazaki Toson, also visited here. Ishiyama-dera is also renowned as a “temple of flowers,” where you can enjoy blooms throughout the year—cherry blossoms, plum blossoms, irises, fragrant olive (kinmokusei), winter camellias, and more. It is also known for one of the Eight Views of Omi, “Autumn Moon at Ishiyama,” and in the autumn foliage season you can see the temple beautifully illuminated at night. The nearest station is Ishiyama-dera Station on the Keihan Railway, about a 10-minute walk away. By car, Meishin Expressway Seta East IC or Seta West IC are the closest.