Onjyoji Temple is located on Mt. Nagara at the foot of Mt. Hiei.
Onjyoji Temple was built in the seventh century in order to mourn for the Prince OTOMO, died at Jinshin War against Prince OOAMA who later became Emperor TENMU.

Onjyoji Temple consists of a very wide area. Also, the temple has more than ten branch temples inside.
In the middle age, the power of temples was very strong. They had extraterritorial rights from Emperors and governments. They kept their own soldiers (they were known as monk soldiers). They were not under tax control or police authority. Enryakuji Temple and Kofukuji Temple were two extraordinary examples and called "Nanto Hokurei", but Onjyoji Temple was also known as a temple with such political influence.

If you go south from the Daimon (Another name is the Deva Gate), you will see Suiganji Temple and Bishamon-Do Hall. These are branch temples of Onjyoji Temple.

After going up further stone stairs, you will arrive at Kangetsu-Do Hall.

Kangetsu-Do Hall was originally built by the wish of Emperor GOSANJYO in 1072. The current Kangetsu-Do building was rebuilt in 1689.

Lake Biwa can be seen from Kangetsu-Do. Kangetsu-Do means moon viewing in Japanese. In the past, people of nobility seemed to enjoy seeing the moon shining on the lake.

Walking west from Kangetsu-Do, a couple of branch temples are located. These temples are surrounded by stone walls and these look like fortresses. In the middle age, Onjyoji Temple had conflicts against Enryakuji Temple on Mt. Hieizan. Monk soldiers of Enryakuji Temple attacked Onjyoji Temple many times.

Kangaku-In is one of branch temples of Onjyoji Temple. and the main hall of Kangaku-In is designated as a national treasure of Japan. To the north of Kangaku-In, Kara-In is located. Kancho-Do, Tashi-Do and Karamon Gate are located at Kara-In.

You will see a Three-Storied Pagoda behind Kancho-Do Hall. These old buildings are important cultural properties of Japan. The three-storied pagoda was originally located at Hiso Temple in Nara. TOYOTOMI Hideyoshi moved the pagoda to Fushimi Castle. After the era of TOYOTOMI finished, TOKUGAWA Ieyasu moved the pagoda to Onjyoji Temple.

To the north of Kangaku-In, Issaikyo-Zo Hall is located. The hall was moved from Yamaguchi Prefecture by MOORI Motonari in 1602.

Sacred scriptures were stored in Issaikyo-Zo. A large bell and a bowl are also displayed inside of Reisho-Do Hall. To the north of Issaikyo-Zo Hall, Kondo, the main hall of Onjyoji is located. The Kondo is a national treasure of Japan.

When I visited Onjyoji Temple in April 2007, Kondo Hall was under repair.

On the west side of Kondo Hall, a well is located at a small hall named "Akaiya". The water for the baby's first baths of three Emperors was from this well. The three Emperors were TENCHI, TENMU and JITO.
Because of this fact, Onjyoji Temple has another name, "Miidera Temple". "Miidera" means a noble well.

How to get there
Onjyoji Temple is a 10 minute walk from Miidera Station on Ishiyama-Sakamoto Line of Keihan Railway.

Official English Website: http://www.shiga-miidera.or.jp/
translation/eng.html

Other Historical Sites near by:
Enryakuji Temple
Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine
Sakamoto