Sakamoto is an historical town at the base of Mt. Hiei standing on Lake Biwa. Sakamoto has been developed as a temple town of Enryakuji Temple.

Many branch temples of Enryakuji Temple were located in Sakamoto in the middle Age.
One of the key branch temples was "Shiga-In".

As branch temples were fortresses, these temples were protected by stone walls. Shiga-In was originally built in 1615. The name of "Shiga-In" was granted by Emperor "GOMIZUO" in 1655.

Buildings of "Shiga-In" were destroyed by fire in 1878. Two years later because of the fire, buildings in Enryakuji Temple were moved for reconstruction.

Not only "Shiga-In" but also other areas in Sakamoto remain in their atmosphere as they were. Sakamoto is designated as an "Important Preservation District of Historic Buildings".

AT the end of the Azuchi-Momoyama Age, the lord of Sakamoto was AKECHI Mitsuhide, who assassinated ODA Nobunaga in 1582. His castle was located on Lake Biwa.

There is nothing left of ruins of Sakamoto Castle, except for a couple of pieces of stone used as for stone walls of the castle. Statue of AKECHI Mitsuhide was recently built.

After AKECHI Mitsuhide assassinated ODA Nobunaga, Mitsuhide conquered the whole country. However, just eleven days after the death of Nobinaga, Mitsuhide was beaten by a Nobunaga's retainer, HASHIBA Hideyoshi (Later TOYOTOMI Hideyoshi), at Tenno-zan. The tomb of AKECHI Mitsuhide is located at Saikyoji Temple to the north of Sakamoto.

Saikyoji Temple is a historical temple. Many buildings in Saikyoji Temple are from the 16th century and designated as important cultural properties of Japan.

How to get there
Take Ishiyama-Sakamoto Line of Keihan Railway to Sakamoto Terminal. "Shiga-In" is a 10 minute walk from Sakamoto Station.

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