A moss-covered approach. Covered with heavy stone walls, it still retains the charm of being called the last mountain castle. Hyakusai-ji Temple on Mt.Shaka, one of the Koto Sanzan, has attracted the faith of the people of Omi as the historical stage of a famous people.

Climb the stone steps that extend from the front gate while gazing at the stone walls covered in bright green moss.
Hyakusai-ji Temple is said to be the oldest Buddhist temple in Omi, founded in the 14th year of Suiko (606) during the Asuka period, at the request of Prince Shotoku. It is called Hyakusai-ji Temple because it was built after Yongun-ji Temple in Kudara (Kudara means Hyakusai in Japanese) on the Korean Peninsula, and at the time it was built, it developed as a clan temple for immigrant monks and immigrant clans who brought Buddhism to Japan.

When Enryaku-ji Temple on Mt. Hiei was founded in the Heian period, Hyakusai-ji Temple soon became a Tendai sect, expanding its scale and becoming a magnificent temple called 'Tendai Branch Temple.'

At the end of the approach, you can see the Deva Gate and the large straw sandals. It has long been said that touching these large straw sandals will bring good health and disease-free longevity. And also said that the straw sandals used to be the size worn by Kongo Rikishi statues who protect the gate, but have grown to their current size in proportion to the size of people's wishes.

After passing the Deva Gate, the main hall with a gabled roof and cypress bark roof appears.
It is said that Prince Shotoku once found a sacred cedar tree emitting light in the mountains to the east of Kawaraya Zenji Temple, and built a hall around Eleven-headed-Avalokiteshvara carved from a standing tree. When the temple was destroyed by fire, this statue was brought out safely and is still enshrined in the inner shrine as a hidden Buddha.

During the Muromachi and Sengoku periods, many of the buildings were destroyed by fires and wars. In particular, Luis Frois laments the disappearance of "Heaven on Earth: Facusangi Ichibo" after it was set on fire by Nobunaga Oda in the first year of Tensho.

Hyakusai-ji Temple has a magnificent Chisen circuit style garden. With the Suzuka Mountains in the background, the garden of Kimi-in Temple is famous for its large pond and huge rock formations. Also known as the "Famous Garden with a Distant View of the World". The flat stones on the shore of the pond are called "worship stones", and the stones placed at the source of the mountain stream are called "fudo stones". , Many carp are swimming vigorously.

The view from the observatory, which is part of the garden. You can look down on the Koto Plain, and on sunny days you can even see Mt. Hiei. The sun setting over the fields and mountains must be very beautiful.

If you go down from the front gate in the opposite direction, you can also see the bright red Gokuraku Bridge (Heaven Vridge) and Akamon (Red Gate), the main gate of Hyakusai-ji Temple. A place chosen as one of Japan's top 100 autumn foliage spots. I would also like to see the autumn leaves with the Akamon in the background.

Hyakusai-ji Temple once boasted prosperity and served as the stage for many historical events. Overcoming repeated disasters, it still shines as a refuge for the people of Omi.