Usual hours and prices, checked 2026-10-07 against the sources under “What this place is”. They can change for holidays and events — confirm before you go. Official site
Our guide
Saimyō-ji, also called Kotō Sanzan Saimyō-ji or Ryūōzan Saimyō-ji, is a Tendai temple in the town of Kōra, Shiga, whose main image is Yakushi Nyorai, the Buddha of healing. Founded in the early Heian period, it forms with Kongōrin-ji in Aishō and Hyakusai-ji in Higashiōmi the group of three temples called Kotō Sanzan, “the three mountains east of the lake”. It has several National Treasures and a garden that is a Place of Scenic Beauty.
Kongōrin-ji is about 2.5 km away and Taga-taisha about 4.7 km. We have not checked opening hours, fees or a public-transport route.
Written by japan-spots.com (2026-09-22) from the sources credited on this page. Distances are straight lines between map positions.
Photos
Photos from Wikimedia Commons, each under its own licence — see credits
- Saimyoji Kora Shiga pref12bs4592 — 663highland · CC BY 2.5 · source · resized
- Saimyouji templegate — じゃんもどき · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source · resized
- Saimyoji Kora Shiga pref20n3900 — 663highland · CC BY 2.5 · source · resized
- Saimyoji Kora Shiga pref14n3900 — 663highland · CC BY 2.5 · source · resized
- Saimyoji Kora Shiga pref13n4592 — 663highland · CC BY 2.5 · source · resized
- Saimyoji Kora Shiga pref04n4592 — 663highland · CC BY 2.5 · source · resized
- Saimyoji Kora Shiga pref03n4592 — 663highland · CC BY 2.5 · source · resized
- Saimyoji Kora Shiga pref02n4592 — 663highland · CC BY 2.5 · source · resized
What this place is
Saimyō-ji (西明寺), also known as Kotō-sanzan Saimyōji (湖東三山西明寺) or as Ryūōzan Saimyōji (龍應山西明寺) is a Buddhist temple of the Tendai sect located in the town of Kōra, Shiga Prefecture, Japan. The honzon of the temple is Yakushi Nyōrai, the Buddha of healing. The temple was founded in the early Heian period and together with Kongōrin-ji in Aishō and Hyakusai-ji in Higashiōmi the temple forms a group of three temples known as Kotō-sanzan (湖東三山; lit. "three mountains east of the lake"). The complex includes several National Treasures and a garden designated as National Place of Scenic Beauty.
Visitor information checked: 2026-10-07 · Official visitor information · Official visitor information
Background text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
What to expect at this type of place: Temple
Getting there
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