Ishiyama-dera

Ishiyama-dera was founded in the 8th century and is one of the head temples of the Shingon sect, standing on a hill above the Seta River where it flows out of Lake Biwa. The temple takes its name from the great outcrop of wollastonite that rises beside the main hall, a designated natural monument. Its main hall, the oldest wooden building in Shiga, houses a hidden image of Nyoirin Kannon, and a small room called the Genji-no-ma recalls the tradition that Murasaki Shikibu began writing The Tale of Genji here while watching the moon over the lake. The wooded grounds are known for plum and cherry blossoms in spring and for vivid, illuminated maples in autumn.