 Most viewed - Ishiyama-dera Temple 石山寺 |
Ishiyama-dera temple is a 10-min. walk from Ishiyama-dera Station on the Keihan Ishisaka Line. You can transfer to the Keihan Line at JR Ishiyama Station on the Tokaido Line.405 views
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Sculpture of Lady Murasaki Shikibu.402 views
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Cherry blossoms along Seta River in Otsu, Lake Biwa's only outflowing river.372 views
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PR poster320 views
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Heading back through the Yume Kairo path.307 views
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Sculpture of Lady Murasaki Shikibu at Ishiyama-dera, Otsu, Shiga.304 views
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During early or mid-April, you can see cherry blossoms while walking from the station to the Ishiyama-dera along the Seta River.293 views
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Otsu Hikaru-kun, official mascot of Otsu. He is based on the Hikaru Genji character in the Genji Monogatari (Tale of Genji) novel. おおつ光ルくん256 views
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View of Seta River in spring from Ishiyama-dera. Ahead is Lake Biwa.252 views
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Ishiyama-dera's Moon-viewing Pavilion and cherry blossoms. Not open to the public. 月見亭237 views
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Mannequin of Lady Murasaki Shikibu writing Tale of Genji. 紫式部源氏の間221 views
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Keihan Ishiyama Station with a sign showing Lady Murasaki Shikubu saying "Welcome to Otsu, Lake Capital."214 views
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Cherry blossoms and Tahoto pagoda at Ishiyama-dera.214 views
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Ishiyama-dera's weeping cherries and azalea bushes to bloom in late April.191 views
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At Ishiyama-dera, inside Room of Genji is a lifesize doll of Lady Murasaki Shikibu who wrote Tale of Genji, one of Japan's most famous novels.186 views
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Hiroshige's woodblock print of Ishiyama-dera from his "Famous Views of the 60 Provinces" series. Looking toward Lake Biwa.186 views
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The stone in fall.177 views
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Tahoto's ground floor has a dome-shaped ceiling and a square pent roof, a round second floor and square roof.175 views
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The bridges are for the highway and shinkansen trains.174 views
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Official mascot greets visitors on the main path to Ishiyama-dera temple.173 views
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Ishiyama-dera's Hondo Hall, a National Treasure. 本堂173 views
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Lady Murasaki supposedly wrote the novel in this room at Ishiyama-dera in Otsu.172 views
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Near the entrance to the Hondo main hall is this Genji Monogatari folding screen replica.168 views
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167 views
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After passing through Todamon Gate, there is the Sando path leading to the temple complex. See fall leaves in Nov. 参道166 views
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Inside Ishiyama-dera's Hondo Hall 本堂165 views
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Finally we see Ishiyama-dera's beautiful Tahoto pagoda, a National Treasure in Otsu.165 views
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Moss on roof159 views
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The Tahoto was built in 1194 upon the patronage of Minamoto Yoritomo. It is Japan's oldest Tahoto and one of the three most famous ones.155 views
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Entrance gate to Genji Millennium exhibitions. Admission 1000 yen to see both the exhibitions and temple.152 views
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Straight ahead is the huge slab of black stone which gave the temple its name. Ishiyama-dera means "Stone Mountain Temple." The pagoda above is the Tahoto, a National Treasure and positioned perfectly for our line of sight from below.152 views
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151 views
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Ishiyama-dera's Hondo Hall 本堂151 views
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Inside the room of Murasaki Shikibu is a mannequin of Lady Murasaki Shikibu writing Tale of Genji. 紫式部源氏の間150 views
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150 views
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Map of Ishiyama-dera150 views
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明王院149 views
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Statue of Lady Murasaki Shikibu.148 views
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Continuing on the Yume Kairo path.147 views
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Genji Monogatari folding screen replica.147 views
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147 views
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Inside Ishiyama-dera's Hondo Hall 本堂146 views
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Ishiyama-dera's Hondo Hall altar. 本堂146 views
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Inside 世尊院. When I was there, beautiful embroidery showing scenes from the Tale of Genji was displayed.145 views
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San-mon Gate Deva King (right side).145 views
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Walk further down the Yume Kairo path and see the gate to another garden called 拾翠園.144 views
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The garden has a building called 淳浄館 which is an exhibition space. Buildings like this are usually not open to the public.144 views
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Go up the stone steps and pass by a Shinto shrine. 144 views
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Impressive San-mon Gate, also called Todaimon. The defacto front gate of the temple. 東大門 MAP144 views
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密蔵院.143 views
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Room of Murasaki Shikibu and Genji. 紫式部源氏の間143 views
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143 views
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Closeup of embroidery.142 views
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Mannequin of Lady Murasaki Shikibu writing Tale of Genji. 紫式部源氏の間142 views
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Tahoto pagoda, Ishiyama-dera142 views
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Ishiyama-dera Hondo Hall, a National Treasure.141 views
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Lady Murasaki on a postcard.141 views
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140 views
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Ishiyama-dera is a temple complex of numerous buildings. This is the Kannon-do Hall.140 views
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Genji Millenium sign with "Genji Yume" (Genji Dream) kanji logo on the right. Otsu is not the only place celebrating the Genji Millenium. Kyoto and other places are also celebrating.139 views
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139 views
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Souvenir shop and rest space.138 views
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Sculpture of Lady Murasaki Shikibu.138 views
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The Sando path also has cherry trees in April. Late April brings azaleas.138 views
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138 views
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This is what you see at the top of the stone steps. Founded in 749, Ishiyama-dera, belonging to the Shingon Buddhist Sect, is the 13th Temple of the Saigoku Pilgrimage.137 views
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Keihan Ishiyama-dera Station with Genji Millenium banners. Tale of Genji Millennium was held in 2008 in Otsu. 源氏物語千年紀136 views
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Cherry trees also greet you at the temple.136 views
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136 views
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Mieido Hall dedicated to Kobo Daishi who founded Shingon Sect, to Roben 良弁僧正, the founder of Ishiyama-dera, and to Shunnyu Naiku 淳祐内供, the third head priest of Ishiyama-dera. 御影堂136 views
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Inside Bishamon-do Hall is Bishamon.136 views
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136 views
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Another room in the 世尊院 showed more embroidery, mainly of flowers. The exhibition here will change a few times during 2008.135 views
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Inside Rennyo-do Hall.135 views
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Hiroshige's woodblock print of Autumn Moon at Ishiyama from his "Omi Hakkei" (Eight Views of Omi) series. The temple on stilts and Moon-viewing Pavilion is visible.135 views
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The Hondo also has this Room of Genji.134 views
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Inside 淳浄館. A collection of hanging scrolls written with waka love poems from Genji Monogatari. Free admission.133 views
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Daikokudendo temple dedicated to Daikokuten. 大黒天堂133 views
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Inside 明王院 is an exhibition space showing works by award-winning novelist Tanabe Seiko 田辺聖子 who wrote a new version of Genji Monogatari.133 views
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Omido Hall 御影堂133 views
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A Tahoto pagoda has two stories, a square roof, and a round building. 多宝塔133 views
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Entrance to Cafe de Genji, an open-air garden where you can sit and have tea.132 views
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Cafe de Genji, which is actually a Japanese-style garden called Kofuen 公風園.131 views
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There's also the 金龍社 shrine in a pond.131 views
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Inside Daikokudo temple.131 views
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Next, we go out and head for the 明王院.131 views
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131 views
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Ishiyama-dera's stone is a National Natural Monument.131 views
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Next to the Kannon-do is the Bishamon-do Hall.131 views
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The main path to Ishiyama-dera temple has been converted to the Genji Yume Kairo (Genji Dream Path). Along the way are a few buildings open to the public. 源氏夢回廊130 views
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Ishiyama-dera temple Hondo main hall 本堂130 views
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Ishiyama-dera's stone is wollastonite (硅灰石) which looks gray or white when dry and black when wet. Tahoto pagoda can also be seen.130 views
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Path to Ishiyama-dera temple with Genji Millenium banners. In Otsu, the Genji Millenium event will be held from March 18 to Dec. 14, 2008.129 views
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Further along the Yume Kairo path.129 views
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Entrance to 世尊院.129 views
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Ishiyama-dera stone marker during sakura season in April.129 views
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Walls with excerpts from the novel.128 views
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Next is the 明王院, another temple building.128 views
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Entering 明王院.128 views
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Rennyo-do Hall, dedicated to Rennyo, prominent priest of the Jodo Shinshu Sect. 蓮如堂128 views
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Bishamon-do Hall was built in 1773. 毘沙門堂128 views
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View as we head toward the Tahoto pagoda.128 views
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Well127 views
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Inside 密蔵院 was a robot exhibition. Only two robots on display, no resemblance to anything.127 views
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Lady Murasaki Shikibu's inkstone case.127 views
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Steps going to the Hondo Hall, Ishiyama-dera's main worship hall and a National Treasure.127 views
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San-mon Gate Deva King (left side)127 views
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The Kannon-do Hall stores many Kannon statues.127 views
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Gate to 密蔵院.126 views
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Sculpture of Lady Murasaki Shikibu.126 views
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Closeup of the stone, designated as a Natural Monument.126 views
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Ishiyama-dera temple Hondo main hall 本堂125 views
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125 views
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Hiroshige's woodblock print of Autumn Moon at Ishiyama from his "Omi Hakkei" (Eight Views of Omi) series. The Moon-viewing Pavilion is visible.125 views
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There's also a fine view of a rock garden outside.124 views
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密蔵院 is another building with an exhibition.124 views
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124 views
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Soon you see the gate to Daikokudendo temple on the right.123 views
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First you enter this building called 世尊院.123 views
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Waterwheel123 views
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123 views
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Waterwheel123 views
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View of 明王院.122 views
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密蔵院121 views
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120 views
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In fall120 views
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Memorials next to Tahoto dedicated to Minamoto Yoritomo and Kamegayatsu. 源頼朝 亀ケ谷禅尼120 views
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Steps to 密蔵院.119 views
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119 views
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119 views
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Plum blossoms.118 views
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Early-blooming cherry blossoms.118 views
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118 views
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118 views
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Inside the Tahoto is this altar for Dainichi Nyorai. 大日如来118 views
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One-yen coins are stuffed into the cracks of the stone.117 views
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117 views
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If you're a woman and sit on the rock under the Sutra Repository, you"re supposed be able to give birth safely. So don't be surprised to see a woman sitting under the building.117 views
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Japanese garden116 views
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Inside 豊浄院 is more Genji-related exhibits.115 views
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Bell tower 鐘楼115 views
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In fall.115 views
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115 views
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Ishiyama-dera also has a grove of plum blossoms which bloom in Feb.115 views
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In winter. The Omido Hall is on the left, and Bishamon-do on the right.114 views
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About the Tahoto114 views
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Sutra Repository 経蔵114 views
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View of fall leaves below Hondo Hall 本堂114 views
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Hall to Moon-viewing Pavilion. 113 views
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About the memorials.112 views
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About the altar inside the Tahoto.110 views
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Sign explaining the Natural Monument.110 views
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Ishiyama-dera's Japanese garden in spring.110 views
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Plum blossoms110 views
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110 views
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110 views
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Plum tree109 views
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109 views
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Painting of a scene from Tale of Genji on square paper.108 views
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107 views
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Ema votive tablets on which you write your prayers and wishes.106 views
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In fall104 views
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103 views
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Ishiyama-dera's hidden, giant Buddha (Kannon) is visible through the altar. 103 views
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Lady Murasaki Shikibu's diary.102 views
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Ishiyama-dera in fall102 views
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Fall leaves on a rock formation.102 views
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102 views
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Normally, you cannot see this Buddha through the altar since the Buddha is housed behind closed doors. We were allowed to walk behind the altar to see the giant Buddha in its shelter with the doors open. 102 viewsA large, impressive Buddha. No photos were allowed.
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98 views
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Keihan Ishiyama-dera Station95 views
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The line to see the hidden Buddha.92 views
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91 views
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This smaller Buddha was used to obstruct the view of the hidden Buddha from non-paying visitors.91 views
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Keihan Line at Ishiyama Station.91 views
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Path to 豊浄院90 views
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Admission was charged to see the hidden Buddha. 89 views
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89 views
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心経堂89 views
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豊浄院88 views
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Inside 豊浄院88 views
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Hondo main temple hall88 views
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It didn't that long to see the hidden Buddha.88 views
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88 views
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88 views
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豊浄院 temple museum88 views
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87 views
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Room of Genji87 views
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Sit on the rock under the Sutra Repository,87 views
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Statue of Lady Murasaki writing Tale of Genji (Genji Monogatari).87 views
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87 views
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Keihan Ishiyama-dera Station87 views
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From March 18 to Dec. 4, 2016, Ishiyama-dera held a special display of their hidden Buddha. Shown only once every 33 years.86 views
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Inside Hondo86 views
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86 views
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心経堂86 views
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85 views
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85 views
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Room of Genji (源氏の間)85 views
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At Ishiyama-dera, inside Room of Genji is a lifesize doll of Lady Murasaki Shikibu who in the 11th century wrote Tale of Genji, one of Japan's most famous novels.85 views
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85 views
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Ishiyama-dera's bell85 views
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85 views
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Dainichi Nyorai. 大日如来85 views
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85 views
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85 views
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85 views
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Statue of Lady Murasaki writing Tale of Genji (Genji Monogatari).85 views
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Statue of Lady Murasaki writing Tale of Genji (Genji Monogatari).85 views
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Inside Keihan Line train.85 views
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As of spring 2023, Ishiyama-dera's head priest is a woman, the 53rd zasu abbot. Washio Ryuge (鷲尾龍華) is Ishiyama-dera's first woman abbot taking over from her father who preceded her. She's in her mid-30s..84 views
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Ishiyama-dera is also noted for autumn leaves.84 views
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84 views
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84 views
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Inside 豊浄院84 views
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Keihan Ishiyama Station84 views
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TripAdvisor certificate displayed at Ishiyama-dera.84 views
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After staying in the temple for seven days, this is the room where Lady Murasaki Shikibu got inspired by an autumn moonlit night and started writing Genji Monogatari.83 views
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83 views
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During Ishiyama-dera's display of the hidden Kannon Buddha, they also allowed the public to ring the temple bell for a small fee.83 views
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83 views
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83 views
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Omikuji paper fortunes82 views
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82 views
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Inside the Tahoto is this altar for Dainichi Nyorai. 大日如来82 views
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Statue of Lady Murasaki writing Tale of Genji (Genji Monogatari).82 views
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Path to Ishiyama-dera in autumn.81 views
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The large, hidden Buddha also had smaller Kannon statues inside. These were also displayed.81 views
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Hondo81 views
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81 views
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81 views
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80 views
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Tahoto in autumn80 views
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Lots of autumn colors in Ishiyama-dera.80 views
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