Eigen-ji Temple, Buddhist temple in Higashiōmi, Japan.
Eigen-ji is the head temple of the Eigen-ji branch of Rinzai Zen, in the Eigenji-Takano neighborhood of Higashiōmi, Shiga Prefecture. Its main hall, the Hōjō, was rebuilt in 1765 and has a roof thatched with reeds from Lake Biwa, re-laid about every ten years. A framed plaque reading "Zuishizan" in Jakushitsu Genkō's hand hangs there, and a stone marked with a dot stands in front.
The temple was founded in 1361 by Zen master Jakushitsu Genkō and grew into a major religious center. It suffered severe fires in 1492 and 1563 but was reconstructed afterward.
The temple houses the Yotsugi Kannon, a hidden Buddhist statue revealed to the public only once every 25 years during special ceremonies. This rare event draws devotees who wait for the next viewing opportunity.
The temple is about 1.5 km from Eigenji Dam and can be reached by Omi Railway bus from Yokaichi Station, alighting at Eigenji-mae. The approach includes a broad stone stairway with a wooden railing on the right, so allow time for the climb. The main hall's thatched roof is rethatched roughly every ten years.
The temple's name combines characters from the founder-patron Sasaki Ujinori: 'ei' from his dharma name Sessō Sōei and 'gen' because he was head of the Ōmi Genji lineage. The mountain name Reisekizan recalls stones: a huge base stone moved with little manpower during construction, and the Kannon appeared on a boulder.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 93,248 contributors worldwide.
