Koto Sanzan Hyakusai-ji Temple (Shiga Prefecture) Complete Guide | History, Fall Foliage, and Highlights Thoroughly Explained
Hyakusai-ji Temple (ひゃくさいじ), located in Higashi-Omi City, Shiga Prefecture, is one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Omi, said to have been founded in the 14th year of Emperor Suiko’s reign (606 CE) by Prince Shotoku. Together with Kongori-ji and Saimyo-ji temples, it is known as one of the “Koto Sanzan” (Lake East Three Mountains), and its vast grounds spanning 83 hectares are designated as a National Historic Site.
This article comprehensively covers the history of Hyakusai-ji Temple, highlights, fall foliage information, and access methods—everything you should know before visiting.
History and Origin of Hyakusai-ji Temple
Founding by Prince Shotoku and Connection with Baekje
Shakasan Hyakusai-ji Temple was opened in the 14th year of the Asuka period (606 CE) at the imperial decree of Prince Shotoku. It is said that the temple was founded as a Buddhist center in Omi for immigrants from Baekje who came from the Korean Peninsula. This historical background became the origin of the temple’s name.
From its founding, it served as a hub for cultural exchange with the Korean Peninsula, playing an important role in transmitting advanced Buddhist culture from the continent to Japan. The principal image of the Eleven-faced Kannon has been worshipped as the center of faith since its founding.
Period of Prosperity Known as “Little Mount Hiei of Lake East”
In the Heian period, following the founding of Enryaku-ji Temple on Mount Hiei, Hyakusai-ji Temple also became a Tendai sect temple. Thereafter, its scale expanded dramatically, developing into a magnificent temple referred to as “Little Mount Hiei of Lake East” and “Tendai Annex.”
By the Kamakura period, it had become a colossal temple with 1,300 Buddhist monks living within the temple grounds, forming a great religious city with numerous pagodas and halls. The prosperity of that era can be glimpsed from the remains scattered throughout the temple grounds today.
Burning by Oda Nobunaga and History of Reconstruction
The greatest turning point in Hyakusai-ji’s history came with the burning of the temple by Oda Nobunaga on April 11, 1573 (Tensho 1). Following Nobunaga’s burning of Mount Hiei, his subsequent attacks on temples in Omi reduced most of the vast temple complex to ashes.
Reconstruction efforts gradually progressed during the Edo period. The current Main Hall was rebuilt in the middle of the Edo period and, while not matching the former grandeur, conveys a sense of historical weight. The Nio Gate and Mountain Gate were also rebuilt during this period, welcoming visitors.
“Paradise on Earth” as Praised by Luís Fróis
Missionary Luís Fróis visited Hyakusai-ji before its burning and described its beauty and grandeur as “Paradise on Earth.” The temple landscape, with its vast grounds harmonizing with nature, appeared as something awe-inspiring to Western eyes.
This evaluation demonstrates that Hyakusai-ji was not merely a religious facility but a comprehensive cultural space where nature and architecture were unified.
Highlights of Hyakusai-ji Temple
The Garden with the Name “Distant View of All Under Heaven”
A must-see at Hyakusai-ji is the garden known as the “Distant View of All Under Heaven” (*Tenka Enbo no Meiteien*). This garden is famous as a scenic spot from which one can overlook the Lake East Plain, a stage of Omi history, as well as Mount Hiei and the Hira Mountain Range.
As a shrine and temple garden, it boasts one of the largest scales in Shiga Prefecture, allowing visitors to enjoy the changes in nature through the four seasons. Particularly during the fall foliage season, the entire garden is colored in reds and yellows, a beauty that has been selected as one of the “100 Best Autumn Foliage Viewing Spots in Japan.”
The garden’s design philosophy employs a technique of incorporating distant landscapes as borrowed scenery, featuring a spatial composition unified with vast nature. On clear days, even Lake Biwa can be seen in the distance, truly justifying its name of “distant view of all under heaven.”
Main Hall and Buddhist Statues
The Main Hall, rebuilt during the Edo period, is a simple yet dignified structure. Inside, the principal image of Eleven-faced Kannon Standing Figure is enshrined, continuing to watch over visitors as the center of faith since the temple’s founding.
The Main Hall displays pictorial records depicting the former appearance of Hyakusai-ji and some of the temple treasures from before its burning, allowing visitors to feel the weight of history. Paying respects in this serene space allows one to reflect on the history of faith spanning over 1,400 years.
Nio Gate and Approach Path
The Nio Gate, which serves as the entrance to the temple grounds, welcomes visitors with powerful Nio guardian figures. Passing through this gate, a charming approach path lined with moss-covered stone steps begins.
Along the approach path, scattered stone foundations and building ruins evoke memories of former prosperity, allowing visitors to imagine the temple layout of old. Especially during the fresh greenery season or fall foliage season, one can experience an ethereal atmosphere as if passing through a tunnel of trees.
Vast Temple Grounds Designated as a National Historic Site
The Hyakusai-ji temple grounds span an impressive 83 hectares, with most of this area designated as a National Historic Site. Dense with tens of thousands of trees, the vast grounds offer beautiful natural scenery year-round.
Strolling through the grounds, one can see remains such as former hall sites, stone walls, and well foundations scattered throughout, evoking the appearance of the great temple of antiquity. Known particularly as the “Temple for Purifying the Heart,” the lush natural setting offers an experience that truly seems to cleanse one’s spirit.
Kigiin Garden
Beyond the Main Hall lies the Kigiin Garden, a strolling pond garden said to have been designed during the Edo period. In this garden, colorful flowers and autumn foliage reflect beautifully on the water’s surface through the changing seasons.
Walking the garden’s paths allows visitors to appreciate the garden from various angles, making it easy to lose track of time in leisurely contemplation.
Hyakusai-ji as a Famous Autumn Foliage Destination
Selected as One of Japan’s 100 Best Autumn Foliage Viewing Spots
Hyakusai-ji is designated as one of the “100 Best Autumn Foliage Viewing Spots in Japan” and is one of the premier fall foliage destinations in the Kansai region. Thousands of maples and Japanese maples planted throughout the vast grounds turn color in unison each autumn, painting the entire temple like a brocade picture.
The view of fall foliage from the “Distant View of All Under Heaven Garden” is particularly spectacular, with the garden’s foliage and that of distant mountains overlapping to create layered gradations of red.
Peak Foliage Season
Hyakusai-ji’s foliage typically peaks from mid-November through early December. Due to its relatively high elevation, it colors earlier than the surrounding lowlands.
During peak season, particularly on weekends, many tourists visit, but the vast grounds make crowding less noticeable. Early morning or weekday visits are recommended for quieter foliage appreciation.
Special Highlights During Foliage Season
The approach path’s stone steps create a tunnel of colored maples that is especially beautiful during foliage season and popular for photography. The moss-covered stone walls scattered with fallen leaves also possess great charm, allowing one to fully appreciate Japan’s autumn beauty.
In front of the Main Hall, the “inverted foliage reflection” mirrored in the pond is magnificent, creating a fantastical landscape in the water mirror.
Hyakusai-ji Through the Four Seasons
Spring Fresh Green
In spring, Hyakusai-ji’s newly budding leaves bathe the grounds in bright green. From April through May, the blooming maple leaves are refreshing, and one can feel the awakening energy of nature emerging from winter’s stillness.
Cherry blossoms are scattered throughout the grounds, and the contrast between spring’s cherries and fresh greenery is beautiful.
Summer Deep Green
Summer transforms Hyakusai-ji into a “temple of deep green.” With its high elevation, it is cooler than lower areas and serves well as a summer retreat. The breeze passing through the trees is pleasant, and one can spend meditative hours in the quiet grounds.
Winter Solitude
In winter, Hyakusai-ji’s leafless trees reveal their solemn forms, and the grounds are enveloped in a tranquil atmosphere. When snow falls, the temple becomes a fantastical world of white, offering particularly austere air among the four seasons.
Koto Sanzan (Lake East Three Mountains)
The Three Temples Comprising Koto Sanzan
Koto Sanzan is a collective term for three Tendai sect temples located in the Lake East region (east of Lake Biwa) of Shiga Prefecture. It refers to Hyakusai-ji, Kongori-ji, and Saimyo-ji temples, all known as ancient temples with rich natural surroundings.
All three mountains are famous as autumn foliage destinations, and many tourists enjoy “Koto Sanzan pilgrimage” tours in fall, visiting all three temples.
Hyakusai-ji’s Position
Among the Koto Sanzan, Hyakusai-ji holds the oldest history. Its founding in 606 is several centuries earlier than the other two temples, firmly establishing its position as one of Omi’s oldest temples.
Also, the temple grounds are the largest in scale among the three mountains, with the view from the “Distant View of All Under Heaven Garden” considered the finest among Koto Sanzan.
Recommendation for Three-Temple Pilgrimage
If time permits, visiting Kongori-ji and Saimyo-ji along with Hyakusai-ji is recommended. Each temple possesses distinct attractions, and visiting them comparatively allows deeper understanding of the Buddhist culture of the Lake East region.
The three temples are relatively close in distance, making it possible to visit all three in a day by car.
Visit Information
Basic Information
- Official Name: Tendai Sect, Shakasan Hyakusai-ji Temple
- Address: 323 Hyakusaiji-cho, Higashi-Omi City, Shiga Prefecture
- Phone: 0749-46-1036
- Visiting Hours: 8:30–17:00 (last entry 16:30, closing at 17:00)
- Closed: Open year-round except during severe weather
- Admission Fee: Adults 600 yen, middle school students 300 yen, elementary school students 200 yen
Access Methods
By Train and Bus
- From JR Biwako Line “Inashiki Station,” take Ohmi Railway “Aito Line” bus, get off at “Hyakusai-ji Honmachi,” then walk approximately 20 minutes
- From Ohmi Railway “Yokkaichi Station,” approximately 20 minutes by taxi
By Car
- Approximately 10 minutes from “Lake East Three Mountains Smart IC” on the Meishin Expressway via National Route 307
- Approximately 30 minutes from “Hikone IC” on the Meishin Expressway via National Route 306
- Approximately 20 minutes from “Yokkaichi IC” on the Meishin Expressway via National Routes 421 and 307
Parking
- Free parking on the temple grounds (approximately 200 regular vehicles, accommodates large buses)
- During weekend peak foliage season, early arrival is recommended due to congestion
Estimated Time for Visit
For leisurely exploring the grounds, plan approximately 1.5 to 2 hours. Main hall visits and garden appreciation alone can be done in about an hour, but allowing more time to fully enjoy the vast temple grounds is recommended.
Nearby Tourist Attractions
Kongori-ji Temple
One of the Koto Sanzan, approximately 15 minutes by car from Hyakusai-ji. Known as a famous foliage destination for its “blood-stained maples,” it also features a National Treasure main hall.
Saimyo-ji Temple
One of the Koto Sanzan, approximately 20 minutes by car from Hyakusai-ji. Possessing a National Treasure main hall and three-story pagoda, this temple is also beautiful for its Horai Garden.
Eishoji Temple
The head temple of the Eishoji branch of the Rinzai Zen sect, approximately 30 minutes by car from Hyakusai-ji. A celebrated temple known for its gorge beauty and autumn foliage.
Omi Merchants Museum
A museum where visitors can learn about the history of Higashi-Omi City and the culture of Omi merchants, located approximately 15 minutes by car from Hyakusai-ji.
Precautions When Visiting Hyakusai-ji Temple
Clothing and Belongings
The grounds are vast with numerous stone steps on the approach path, so comfortable walking shoes are recommended. Particular care is needed in rainy weather or during foliage season when fallen leaves may make paths slippery.
Insect repellent in summer and cold-weather protection in winter are advised.
Photography
Photography within the grounds is generally permitted, though there are some areas, such as inside the Main Hall, where photography is prohibited. Please observe photography etiquette and be considerate of other visitors.
Visit Etiquette
Hyakusai-ji continues to function as a place of worship. Please visit quietly and refrain from loud behavior. Also, be careful not to touch or damage plants and structures within the grounds.
Cultural Properties and Historical Value of Hyakusai-ji
Significance of National Historic Site Designation
Hyakusai-ji’s designation as a National Historic Site is not merely because it is an ancient temple but because the grounds preserve remains that tell multilayered history from the Asuka period through the present day in good condition.
The remains scattered throughout the vast temple domain—former hall sites, stone walls, and well foundations—are valuable historical materials that convey the appearance of the once-great temple. Additionally, the temple grounds harmonizing with nature hold important value in understanding traditional Japanese temple culture.
Historical Role in the Region
Hyakusai-ji functioned not merely as a religious facility but as a center of culture and education in the Lake East region. During the medieval period, many monks studied and transmitted Buddhist culture to the local populace.
Today, it continues to be cherished by many as a symbol of regional historical identity.
Conclusion
As one of the Koto Sanzan, Hyakusai-ji Temple, with its history spanning more than 1,400 years, stands as one of Omi’s oldest temples and a representative cultural property of Shiga Prefecture. While experiencing a tumultuous history of founding by Prince Shotoku, burning by Oda Nobunaga, and subsequent reconstruction, it continues to enchant many as the “Temple for Purifying the Heart.”
The spectacular views from the “Distant View of All Under Heaven Garden,” the autumn foliage selected as one of Japan’s 100 Best, and the vast National Historic Site grounds offer endless attractions. The harmonious blend of nature displaying different faces through the seasons and historical structures evoking the weight of the past will surely soothe the hearts of visitors.
When visiting Shiga Prefecture, be sure to visit Hyakusai-ji and touch the story woven by 1,400 years of history. Combined with a Koto Sanzan pilgrimage, you will gain deeper understanding of Omi’s Buddhist culture.
