Gonshō-ji, Buddhist temple in Otsu, Japan
Gonshō-ji is a Buddhist temple in Otsu that forms part of the larger Mii-dera temple complex with traditional Japanese architecture. The grounds are lined with approximately 1,500 cherry trees that grow along a canal beside Lake Biwa.
Buddhist monk Annen founded Gonshō-ji in 904 as a branch temple of Onjo-ji, establishing it as a center for religious study and practice. Over the centuries, it grew into an important site within the broader Mii-dera temple network.
The temple serves as one of the thirty-three sacred pilgrimage sites in the Kinki region, where visitors encounter active religious practices and devotional routines. People from across the area come here to participate in traditional Buddhist ceremonies that shape the spiritual life of the community.
The temple is easily accessible on foot from nearby train stations, taking about 20 minutes from JR Otsu Station or 10 minutes from Keihan Kamisakaemachi Station. The route is well marked and passes through pleasant surroundings before reaching the temple grounds.
An observation platform on the grounds offers sweeping views across the temple rooftops and over Otsu city toward the surrounding landscape. This elevated vantage point reveals a panoramic perspective that many visitors overlook.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
