History:

is an old temple which is said to have been established in the Asuka period (7th century). It is one of the oldest temples in Japan and is located in the city of Otsu in Shiga Prefecture. The temple is renowned for its beautiful scenery of the mountain, the lake, and the valleys that surround it. In addition, it is famous for its numerous historical artifacts which date back to the ancient times. The temple is also home to many ancient structures including the Main Hall, the Five-Story Pagoda, and the Sacred Bell. It is one of the best temple in Japan which you must visit.

Facts:

1. Ishiyama-dera is a Buddhist temple located in Otsu, Shiga Prefecture, Japan, near Lake Biwa. 2. It was established in 749 by priest Enchin. 3. It is considered the 12th of the 33 temples in the Saigoku pilgrimage circuit. 4. It is part of the Shingon sect of Buddhism. 5. Ishiyama-dera is best known for its Daikokuten Hall, designated a national treasure in 1952. 6. The main hall houses a large statue of the Daikokuten deity, which dates back to the early 8th century. 7. The temple also boasts a three-story pagoda, originally built in the late 17th century. 8. The temple is surrounded by beautiful Japanese gardens and an ancient cedar grove. 9. Ishiyama-dera serves as a popular tourist attraction, and hosts various seasonal events throughout the year. 10. It is particularly known for its beautiful fall foliage and illuminated night scenery. Here are some facts about the Japan temple.These facts will help you understand why it is oldest temple list of the best temples in Japan

Worship Method:

The worship method of Ishiyama-dera in Japan is based on a practice called Obon. Obon is an ancestral reverence ceremony that is usually conducted in front of the temple every summer. On this day, Buddhist followers make pilgrimages to Ishiyama-dera and offer prayers and offerings in honor of past generations. The main focus of the pilgrimage is to pay homage to their ancestors and to ensure they have peaceful passage into the afterlife. The typical activities in an Obon service include chanting the Heart Sutra, offering incense, making offerings of flowers, lighting candles, and placing wooden markers with the names of deceased loved ones under the temple's bell. The service is said to bring peace and comfort to the spirits of the ancestors, and is meant to show gratitude for all the blessings that have been received from past generations. Additionally, a procession of youths called Moku-san typically accompany the pilgrims up to the temple. They dress in traditional attire and showcase their talent in traditional Japanese arts such as taiko drumming, dance, and theater. This serves as an offering of the pilgrims' dedication to their ancestors. Ishiyoma-dera also offers rituals specifically dedicated to certain deities, such as Amida Nyorai and Miroku Bosatsu. These rituals include the offering of woodcut images to temples, the release of paper lanterns with prayers written on them, and prayers recited in front of the image of the deity. Finally, pilgrims may also be asked to take part in a ritual of purification at the end of the pilgrimage. This ritual involves standing in a river or lake while chanting and making offerings. In this way, the pilgrims can spiritually cleanse their minds, bodies and spirits, demonstrating the importance of inner purification. This most visited temple in Japan

Opening Timing:

Ishiyama-dera, an historic Buddhist temple in Otsu, Japan, is open to the public from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm every day, except for New Year's Day (January 1st). top temples in Japan

How to reach:

Ishiyama-dera in Japan is located in Ōtsu, a city in the Shiga Prefecture in Honshu. By Train: The nearest train station to Ishiyama-dera is JR Ishiyama Station, which is accessible by the JR Biwako Line from Kyoto Station. It is about a 10 minute journey from Kyoto Station. Once at Ishiyama Station, Ishiyama-dera is about a 15 minutes walk. By Bus: The Ishiyama Sansen bus stop is closest to Ishiyama-dera and is accessible from JR Ishiyama Station and will take around 6 minutes. The bus number for this line is 20. famous temples in Japan