Enman-in Monzeki is one of a Monzeki temple located in Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture.
Monzeki temple is a temple in which the head priest was traditionally a member of the imperial family or regent family.
Originally this temple belonged to Tendaijimon sect, it is an independent temple of Tendai Sect now.
Highlight of this temple is the garden with scenic beauty which has a calm atmosphere.
There is this temple next to the Mii-dera Temple (三井寺) which is famous for cherry blossoms and autumn leaves.
Mii-dera Temple is crowded very much during a season of cherry blossoms and autumn leaves, but this temple is always not crowded.
If you get tired of sightseeing in Mii-dera Temple, let’s take a short break here.
History of Enman-in Monzeki
Let’s study the history of this temple with me before introducing of Enman-in Monzeki.
I think that we can enjoy the sightseeing of this temple more by learning the history of it. XD
It was founded in 987 of the Heian period by Imperial Prince Munehira (致平親王) who was the third prince of the Emperor Murakami (村上天皇).
This temple is ‘Monzeki’.
Monzeki is a temple in which the head priest was traditionally a member of the imperial family or regent family.
‘Shoren-in Temple‘, ‘Daikaku-ji Temple‘ and ‘Ninna-ji Temple‘ are famous as Monzeki temples.
Originally, “Monzeki” means the formal successor of the founder of a Buddhist sect in Japan.
But since the Kamakura period it has come to mean the high-class temple itself, or in other words the status of the temple, and those temples have come to be called Monzeki temples.
Information for visitors
Website
Information
Address：33, Onjojicho, Otsu-shi, Shiga, 520-0036, Japan
Phone number：+81-77-522-3690
Foundation：987
Founder：Imperial Prince Munehira (致平親王)
Sect：Independent temple of Tendai Sect
Principal image：Konjiki Fudomyoo (金色不動明王)
Open
9:00 ~ 16:30
Admission fee
| Adults | 500 yen |
| High school students | 300 yen |
Other information
・Please ask temple’s staff where you can take photos and videos.
・Worship method of a shinto shrine and a buddhist temple, please refer to the following article.
Next, let’s see the highlights of this temple!
Highlights of Enman-in Monzeki
- 勅使門:Chokushi-mon gate
- 御常御殿:Otsune-goten
- 湧き水「三井の名水」*:Well-Conserved spring water*
- 宸殿 (重要文化財)*:Shin-den hall (Important cultural property)*
- 三井の名庭 (名勝･史跡)*:Mii-no-Meitei (Historic sites･Special places of scenic beauty)*
- 本堂*:Hon-do hall*
- 大津絵美術館*:Otsue Museum*
- 不動尊「三心殿」:Fudo-son ‘Sanshin-den’
This mark ‘*‘ is a pay area.
勅使門:Chokushi-mon gate
This is the Chokushi-mon gate which has the role as a entrance of this temple.
御常御殿:Otsune-goten
湧き水「三井の名水」*:Well-Conserved spring water*
宸殿 (重要文化財)*:Shin-den hall (Important cultural property)*
Shin-den hall was reconstructed from the Kinri (the Imperial Palace) in 1647 of the Edo period.
This building was granted by Empress Meisho (明正天皇) and designated as an important cultural property.
Fusuma painting drawn by the Kano school is displayed in this building.
三井の名庭 (名勝･史跡)*:Mii-no-Meitei (Historic sites･Special places of scenic beauty)*
There is a garden called ‘Mii-no-Meitei‘.
This garden has been designated as a historic site and a scenic spot.
It is the chisen-kanshoshiki-teien garden (literally, pond appreciation style garden).
It was designed by Soami (相阿弥) who is a great artist of the Muromachi period.
Garden’s cherry tree is so beautiful.
本堂*:Hon-do hall*
大津絵美術館*:Otsue Museum*
There is the art museum of Otsu-e (Otsu paintings) in the precincts of this temple.
Otsu-e is one of the Buddhist pictures and has a comical design.
不動尊「三心殿」:Fudo-son ‘Sanshin-den’
Konjiki Fudomyoo (金色不動明王) is enshrined in this building.
Video of Enman-in Monzeki
Photos of Enman-in Monzeki
Goshuin (Red ink stamp) of Enman-in Monzeki
Goshuin of this temple is “Konjiki Fudomyoo (金色不動明王)” which is the principal image of this temple.
We can get this goshuin in the reception desk of entrance. (300 yen)
How to get to Enman-in Monzeki
Nearest station of Enman-in Monzeki is Keihan Ishiyama-Sakamoto-Line Miidera station.
We can also go by bus from JR Otsu Station.
From Osaka Sta. (by train)
Timetable and Route Search (train)
1.Get on the JR Kyoto/Biwako Line from Osaka Station to Yamashina Station and change to the Keihan Keishin Line.
2.Get on the Keihan Keishin Line from Keihan Yamashina Station to Hamaotsu Station and change to the Keihan Ishiyama-Sakamoto Line.
2.Get on the Keihan Ishiyama-Sakamoto Line from Hamaotsu Station to Miidera Station.
From Namba Sta. (by train)
Timetable and Route Search (train)
1.Get on the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line from Namba Station to Umeda Station and change to the JR Kyoto/Biwako Line.
2.Get on the JR Kyoto/Biwako Line from Osaka Station to Yamashina Station and change to the Keihan Keishin Line.
3.Get on the Keihan Keishin Line from Keihan Yamashina Station to Hamaotsu Station and change to the Keihan Ishiyama-Sakamoto Line.
4.Get on the Keihan Ishiyama-Sakamoto Line from Hamaotsu Station to Miidera Station.
From Kyoto Sta. (by train)
Timetable and Route Search (train)
1.Get on the JR Biwako Line from Kyoto Station to Zeze Station and change to the Keihan Ishiyama-Sakamoto Line.
2.Get on the Keihan Ishiyama-Sakamoto Line from Zeze Station to Miidera Station.
From Miidera station (on foot)
It’s about 10 minutes (600m) on foot.
Get on a bus from JR Otsu Station
Timetable and Route Search (bus)
Please get on a Keihan Bus No.26, 66, 66A (Otsu Sta. [3]) and get off Miidera (Mii-dera Temple).
Bus company：Keihan Bus
Routes/Destination：
･Route No.26 [Bound for Otsukyo Sta.]
･Route No. 66,66A [Bound for Hieidaira]
Boarding bus stop：Otsu Sta. [3]
Alighting bus stop：Miidera (Mii-dera Temple)
Bus fare：210 yen
Time required：About 10 min
Take a taxi
From Kyoto Station：about 5,500 yen (25 minutes)
From Gion-Shijo Station：about 5,000 yen (20 minutes)
From JR Ishiyama Station：about 1,000 yen (10 minutes)
・Let’s show a taxi driver the following phrase.
・If you want to call a taxi, let’s show the following phrase.
Phone number of taxi dispatch (Kyoto Station)
Phone number of taxi dispatch (Otsu Station)
Hotel search & reservation around Enman-in Monzeki
How did you like it?
Have a nice trip!
