Ukimido (Mangetsuji Temple)

Kaimonsan Mangetsuji Temple, a Zen temple of the Daitokuji branch of the Rinzai sect, is located on the southern shore of the Biwako Bridge. A hall at the end of a bridge over Lake Biwa is called Ukimido (floating hall) because it looks like it is floating on the lake. It is one of the most scenic spots in Lake Biwa.

It is said that it was built during the Heian period by the monk Genshin (Eshin Sozu), one of the seven high monks of the Jodo-Shinshu sect, to pray for safety on the lake and the salvation of all living beings. The current building, which was rebuilt in 1937 after being destroyed by the Muroto typhoon in 1934, is a National Tangible Cultural Property. It was repaired in 1982, and the original ambiance has been preserved. In the hall, there are 1,000 statues of Amida Buddha, which are said to have been carved by Genshin.

This place is also famous as “Katata-no-rakugan”, one of the eight sceneries of Omi since the Muromachi period. It has been loved by many haiku poets, writers and artists, including Matsuo Basho, and they have written poems and created artworks about Ukimido.

The beautiful scenery has remained the same, even though the surrounding area and townscapes on the lakeshore have changed over the centuries. Among them, the view of the hall against the backdrop of the sunrise is breathtaking, and you can see the vast panorama of Lake Biwa without obstruction from the hall. You can enjoy the magnificent view in peace, just as haiku poets, writers and artists did.