Chōmei-ji, Buddhist temple in Omihachiman, Japan

Chōmei-ji is a Tendai Buddhist temple on the southwestern slope of Mount Chōmei at about 250 meters, above Lake Biwa. Its main hall, rebuilt in 1524, is a 7-by-6-bay irimoya-zukuri building with cypress-bark roofing, connected by a covered corridor to the Sanbutsu-dō. The three-story pagoda (1597) stands east of the main hall, and the bell tower (1608) occupies a high western spot.

The complex is said to have been founded during the reign of Emperor Keiko when Take no Uchi no Sukune built it for prayers of longevity. Over the centuries the temple was renewed several times and the current buildings mostly date from later periods.

The temple serves as the 31st station on the Saigoku Kannon Pilgrimage route and draws believers who come here to pray. Visitors can observe pilgrims pausing before the halls and lighting incense sticks as they continue their spiritual journey.

Visitors must climb 808 stone steps and need roughly 25 minutes to ascend from the base to the upper buildings. The stairway is steep and can become slippery when wet so sturdy shoes are recommended.

The three main Kannon statues are hibutsu, kept strictly hidden; the central Thousand-Armed Kannon (91.8 cm, late 12th century) was last shown in October 2009, the first opening since 1948. A standing Thousand-Armed Kannon made in 1731 by the sculptor Murata Yosobe stands in front of the closed cabinet.