©Arukikata. Co. , Ltd.  |  ©Bringer Japan Z Inc.

Mii-dera Temple (Onjo-ji Temple)

Verified [Verified] denotes information that has been published with confirmation of its owing parties.

Mii-dera Temple (Onjo-ji Temple)

The head temple of the Tendai Jimon sect in Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture, home to numerous cultural properties, including the National Treasure Kondo Hall.

3.30 3

Last update :
Supervised by :  Mii-dera Temple

Officially named Nagarasan Onjo-ji, this head temple of the Tendai Jimon sect was founded in 686 and has a history spanning more than 1,200 years.

The temple is home to more than 100 National Treasures and cultural properties. Its expansive grounds are lined with numerous temple buildings, including the Kondo Hall, a National Treasure. Special viewings of the National Treasure Kojoin Reception Hall and Kangakuin Reception Hall are also available with a reservation made at least one week in advance for groups of three or more. The grounds also feature four gardens created during three different periods: the Muromachi, Momoyama, and Edo periods. Among them, Kojoin Garden is designated both a Place of Scenic Beauty and a Historic Site. The Mii Evening Bell, a cultural property designated by Shiga Prefecture, dates from the Momoyama period and is counted among the Eight Views of Omi.

The atmospheric temple grounds have served as filming locations for many movies and television dramas, making it possible to tour a variety of filming sites without leaving Mii-dera. Visitors can also take part in activities such as a yamabushi ascetic monk experience, zazen meditation, sutra copying, Buddhist image tracing, and prayer bead bracelet making. Temple lodging is available at Waqoo Mii-dera, housed in former monks’ quarters.

Mii-dera has also been known as a cherry blossom destination since the time of the Man’yoshu, and its grounds are illuminated at night in spring. More than 1,000 Somei Yoshino, wild cherry, and weeping cherry trees are bathed in enchanting light for visitors to admire.

Highlights

  • The head temple of the Tendai Jimon sect, with a history spanning more than 1,200 years.
  • Home to more than 100 National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties, including the National Treasure Kondo Hall.
  • The temple bell is known as the Mii Evening Bell and is counted among the Eight Views of Omi.
  • Experiences such as zazen meditation and sutra copying are available.

Photos

  • Known for its cherry blossoms, the temple is also illuminated at night in spring.

    Known for its cherry blossoms, the temple is also illuminated at night in spring.

  • The National Treasure Kondo Hall enshrines the temple’s principal image, a hidden statue of Maitreya Bodhisattva.

    The National Treasure Kondo Hall enshrines the temple’s principal image, a hidden statue of Maitreya Bodhisattva.

  • The Mii Evening Bell, counted among the Eight Views of Omi.

    The Mii Evening Bell, counted among the Eight Views of Omi.

  • Waqoo Mii-dera, a former monks’ quarters where guests can experience a temple stay.

    Waqoo Mii-dera, a former monks’ quarters where guests can experience a temple stay.

  • Visitors can also experience training as a yamabushi ascetic monk at this head temple of Shugendo.

    Visitors can also experience training as a yamabushi ascetic monk at this head temple of Shugendo.

Reviews

3

Some reviews are AI-translated.

  • Rita
    See More

    Take the Keihan Ishiyama-Sakamoto Line and get off at Miidera Station. As you follow the walking path, you can see Mii-dera Temple standing on the hill in the distance. Along the way, you pass the Lake Biwa Canal, where visitors leisurely cruise in boats.
    The temple grounds are vast. Stepping inside, you feel an old-fashioned simplicity and tranquility that is difficult to put into words. There are many different goshuin available at the entrance, drawing the attention of travelers. Walking up the stone steps surrounded by the refreshing scent of the trees, I surprisingly did not feel tired at all. The wooden temple buildings truly seem to have the magical power to cleanse away the troubles of the world. Looking down from the high ground beside the main hall, the breathtaking beauty of Lake Biwa fills your view like a magnificent landscape painting.

  • John Wong
    See More

    There are lots of temples to explore and the environment is great. You can also see Lake Biwa from here.

  • 陳曉雯
    See More

    The temple houses many national treasures and important cultural properties, especially one of Japan's three famous bells. It's also one of the Eight Views of Omi.

Details

Name in Japanese
三井寺（園城寺）
Postal Code
520-0036
Address
246 Onjoji-cho, Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture
Phone
077-522-2238
Closed on
Open year-round
Hours
9:00am–4:30pm; Cultural Property Repository: 9:30am–4:30pm (last admission at 4:00pm)
Admission
Temple admission: Adults ¥800, junior high and high school students ¥500, elementary school students ¥300
Special viewing of the National Treasure Kojoin Reception Hall and Kangakuin Reception Hall: ¥1,000. Reservations are available for groups of four or more and must be made at least one week in advance.
Access
1. 7-minute walk from Mii-dera Station on the Keihan Ishiyama Sakamoto Line
2. 12-minute walk from Otsu-shiyakusho-mae Station on the Keihan Ishiyama Sakamoto Line
3. From Otsu Station on the JR Tokaido Main Line (Biwako Line) or Otsukyo Station on the JR Kosei Line, take a Keihan Bus to the Mii-dera bus stop, then walk a short distance
Credit Cards
Not accepted
Official website
Official website (Japanese)
Hokkaido Tohoku Kanto Chubu Hokuriku Kansai Chugoku Shikoku Kyushu Okinawa