© Eigenji Temple
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Bring your camera and capture the bright fall colors of Eigenji Temple and the mountain village of Okueigenji in Shiga Prefecture
Biwako Visitors Bureau
Eigenji Temple is the head temple of the Eigenji branch of Rinzai Zen Buddhism and is known as one of the Kansai region’s best spots for enjoying the fall leaves, with trees that turn crimson, orange, and gold.
They are nurtured by the deep waters of the nearby Echigawa River, and it is said that the monks here incorporated the sound of the waters flowing in the gorge into their Zen training.
The temple grounds, including the approach, are covered with a large variety of deciduous trees, including various types of maples and bright gingkoes, which create a tapestry of blazing autumnal colors. The best time to view the leaves is around November, when the area is lit up after dark and various seasonal events take place, including the opportunity to visit the second floor of the temple gate, which is normally closed to the public.
Nearby Okueigenji offers mountain village scenery amid the waterways of the Echigawa River, the water source for Lake Biwa itself, and looks like it has not changed in centuries.
How to get there
From Shin-Osaka Station, take the JR Line to Omi Hachiman Station (about 1 hour), then switch to the Kintetsu Line and disembark at Yokaichi Station (about 20 minutes). From there, ride a bus for about 35 minutes to the Eigenjimae bus stop.
41 Eigenji Takano-cho, Higashiomi-shi, Shiga-ken
