Verified in Japan

Koura, Shiga / 湖東三山 西明寺（池寺）

Saimyoji Temple (Koto Sanzan)

A Tendai temple, one of the three Koto Sanzan temples, said to have been founded by the monk Sanshu at the wish of Emperor Ninmyo in the Heian period. Having escaped Oda Nobunaga's fires, its main hall, three-storey pagoda and Niten-mon gate, built by Hida craftsmen, survive. The main hall, built in the early Kamakura period without a single nail, was designated among the first National Treasures; the all-cypress three-storey pagoda to the right of the main hall is also a National Treasure with Kamakura-period paintings inside. It is famous for autumn leaves, and its "fudan-zakura" cherry lets you see leaves and blossoms together.

Last official check

26 Sept 2026

Traveler reports

0

Reports open in Phase 2

Next scheduled check

25 Dec 2026

Decide before you go

A short summary made from the official facts below. Check the rows for details.

Getting there
Train / Bus / Car
Admission
Paid (see the price below)

Before you go

Only facts we confirmed on official sources are shown. Anything else is marked “Not checked yet”.

Opening hours

8:30-17:00 (last admission 30 minutes before closing; until 15:00 on December 31).

Checked 26 Sept 2026 on the official site
Closed

Not checked yet — we have not confirmed this on an official source yet. Check with the spot before you go.

Admission

Admission: adults (high school and up) 800 yen, junior high 500 yen, elementary 300 yen.

Checked 26 Sept 2026 on the official site
Getting there

Bus from JR Kawase Station to Kanaya, then 20 minutes on foot; 15 minutes by car from Hikone IC on the Meishin Expressway (along Route 307).

Checked 26 Sept 2026 on the official site
Parking

Free: 300 cars, 30 buses.

Checked 26 Sept 2026 on the official site
Payment

Not checked yet — we have not confirmed this on an official source yet. Check with the spot before you go.

Accessibility

Many slopes and stone steps make wheelchair visits difficult (a helper is needed); no wheelchair loan.

Checked 26 Sept 2026 on the official site

Found wrong or outdated information? Let us know

Address: Koura, Shiga (Japanese address: 滋賀県甲良町)

Official site: https://www.biwako-visitors.jp/spot/detail/1206/?active=spot

Location

Smaller pins are other spots nearby.

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Nearby spots

Distances are straight-line distances, not travel distances.

Crowds

Crowd level

Not checked yet — no official source yet, and not enough traveler reports.

Best time to visit

Not checked yet — no official source yet, and not enough traveler reports.

Peak time

Not checked yet — no official source yet, and not enough traveler reports.

Busiest days

Not checked yet — no official source yet, and not enough traveler reports.

Busiest season

Not checked yet — no official source yet, and not enough traveler reports.

Latest traveler report
None yet

Traveler crowd data by time of day appears after 5 traveler reports (0 so far).

You can check typical busy hours in Google Maps ("Popular times" on the place's page). Open this spot in Google Maps

Visiting respectfully

  • RulesEating and drinking food brought in is prohibited in the grounds (except for heatstroke prevention); no smoking.Checked 26 Sept 2026 on the official site
  • RulesTripods and monopods are prohibited in the garden and on the moss; pets cannot be taken into the halls (including the outer corridors).Checked 26 Sept 2026 on the official site
  • Local etiquetteVisitors are asked to carry pets or keep them in a carrier.Checked 26 Sept 2026 on the official site

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