History, Faith, and Nature in Harmony
Kongōrin-ji Temple, located in Aishō, Shiga, is an ancient temple of the Tendai sect and one of the three historic temples collectively known as the Kotō Sanzan east of Lake Biwa.
It is a place where history, faith, and nature come together.
Tradition holds that it was founded in the Nara period (8th century) by the monk Gyōki at the request of Emperor Shōmu, and through its long history it has left behind a wealth of cultural treasures and architectural heritage.
The temple’s centerpiece is the Daihikaku Main Hall, designated a National Treasure and preserving the refined style of Kamakura-period architecture.
The precincts also include the Important Cultural Property three-story pagoda and Niten-mon Gate, forming a historically significant ensemble of medieval architecture.
The approach to the main hall is one of the temple’s most memorable experiences: about 1,900 Jizō statues line the main path and its side approaches, each with a unique expression and many adorned with red pinwheels dedicated as prayers, especially for children.
Equally captivating is the temple’s traditional strolling pond garden, designed around a central pond, created between the Momoyama and mid-Edo periods.
Designed for walking and contemplation, it reveals new beauty with every season.
In autumn, the entire temple precincts are transformed into a sea of crimson and gold, drawing countless visitors to witness one of Shiga’s most celebrated displays of natural beauty.
Kongōrin-ji remains a place where history, culture, and nature exist in harmony, making it one of the prefecture’s most treasured destinations.
