Ishiyamadera Temple 石山寺

Ishiyamadera Temple is a gorgeous temple complex that played a major role in the history of Japan. It was constructed around 747 and takes its name "stone mountain" from the unusual stone outcropping on which it is built.

Ishiyamadera is accessible by JR and Keihan trains.

From Kyoto or other locations, you can take the JR Tokaido Main Line to Ishiyama Station and change there for the Keihan Ishiyama Sakamoto Line to Ishiyamadera Station. From the station, walk 10 minutes to Ishiyamadera.

The temple looms large in Japanese cultural history. This is where a full moon inspired Murasaki Shikibu to begin writing her book, “The Tale of Genji,” in 1004, giving Japan, and perhaps the world, its first novel. The temple maintains a room and statues in her honor.

The moonlight on Lake Biwa as seen from Ishiyamadera, has also been memorialized as one of the Eight Views of Omi, a motif in Japanese art for centuries. The view was captured in ukiyoe woodcut prints by Harunobo and the legendary Hiroshige, who is said to have inspired Vincent van Gogh.

Ishiyamadera is one of the 33 temples in the Kansai region making up a pilgrimage dedicated to Kannon, the Buddhist deity of mercy and compassion. Given its spiritual significance, it also houses numerous National Treasures and important works of religious art.