Miidera (Onjouji) temple in Shiga; the beautiful view of Japanese temple and Biwako lake

Miidera (Onjouji) temple is a representtive sightseeing spot in Otsu city, Shiga prefecture. You can see the beautiful view of Japanese temple and Biwako lake.

This is known as a temple of Tendaishu sect of Buddhism. It was built in 672 at first. You can enjoy a full-fledged old Japanese temple.

Kondo is one of the main buildings there.  The statue of Buddha Maitreya Bodhisattva is enshrined in it.

You can strike the bell. It is said that people can escape from hardship by hearing the sound that bell rings. Even now, the bell is used as time signal in some area.

You can see rotating shelf for sutras. It has solemn atmosphere.

 

You can take a rest with seeing Biwako lake which is the largest lake in Japan. It's so large that you can't see the opposite shore.

 

 

 

One scene of the movie "Samurai X (Rurouni Kenshin)" was filmed here. It's very famous movie in Japan.

You can access to there by foot from Miidera station.

Horyuji temple in Nara; the oldest wooden building in the world, world heritage

Horyuji temple in Nara prefecture is the oldest wooden building in the world, and it's registered as the world heritage.
Horyuji is built about 1300 years ago and this is one of the representative temples in Japan.

And I can recommend this spot because it' not crowded in spite of the preciousness. You can take your time there. It also be easy to take your picture.

It was built more than 1300 years ago, so you can see the state of old wooden building. 

And many precious old items which appears in school textbook are exhibited in the museum. 

 

The roads in the temple area have also nostalgic Japanese atmosphere. It might be beautiful and interesting for foreign traveller especally.

You can access to there by bus from Horyuji station of JR Line.