Hōgon-ji

Hōgon-ji is a temple on Chikubushima Island in Lake Biwa and connects several buildings through a raised walkway known as the Funa-roka. The complex includes the Karamon Gate, the Kannon Hall, and other structures distributed in tiers along the hillside.

Emperor Shōmu and the monk Gyōki founded the temple in 724 as a center of Buddhist devotion on the small lake island. The site later received National Treasure status for its buildings from different periods.

The temple holds regular Fudo Goma fire rituals and offers shojin ryori vegetarian cuisine experiences, maintaining traditional Buddhist practices.

Boats depart from Nagahama or Imazu and bring visitors to the island, where they climb steps to reach the temple. The site is not accessible to wheelchairs, and a visit usually takes one to two hours.

The Karamon Gate came from Osaka Castle and was built under Toyotomi Hideyoshi in the late 16th century. Today it is the only surviving element from that original fortress.

Location: Nagahama

Inception: 724

Founders: Shōmu, Gyōki

Part of: Saigoku Kannon Pilgrimage, Shinbutsu Reijō Junpai no Michi, Three Great Shrines of Benzaiten

Address: 〒526-0124　滋賀県長浜市早崎町1664

Opening Hours: Monday-Sunday 09:30-16:00

Phone: 0749634410

Website: https://chikubushima.jp/english

GPS coordinates: 35.42112,136.14323

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:27