Chikubu Island, Sacred island in Lake Biwa, Japan

Chikubu Island is a granite rock formation in Lake Biwa with steep cliffs, natural caves, and a single beach on the northwest shore. Walking paths wind through the rocky terrain to temple buildings set among pine trees and stone outcrops.

Gyoki is said to have installed statues of the Four Heavenly Kings on the island during the Nara period. The shrine claims foundation in 420 AD and Hogon-ji in 724 AD. Toyotomi Hideyori moved the Kannon-do and Karamon gate here from Toyotomi Hideyoshi's gravesite in Kyoto's Higashiyama; both are Azuchi-Momoyama architecture, and the gate is a National Treasure.

Pilgrims follow a walking route that links temple halls and shrine buildings, pausing at stone lanterns to offer prayers. Visitors join locals in ringing bronze bells and lighting incense sticks before the altars.

Ferries depart from Nagahama, Imazu, and Hikone, taking between 25 and 40 minutes depending on the port. The island is small enough to explore on foot, with stairs leading to higher areas.

The temple's Karamon gate and the shrine's honden are both National Treasures. The gate and the Kannon-dō were brought here by Toyotomi Hideyori from the Toyokuni-byō, the gravesite of his father Toyotomi Hideyoshi in Kyoto's Higashiyama ward, and are counted as fine examples of Azuchi-Momoyama architecture.