Joraku-ji Temple (常楽寺) is a Tendai Sect (天台宗) Buddhist temple located in Konan City, Shiga Prefecture.
It was built in the Wado era (708-715), the principal image is the Senju (Thousand-armed) Cannon.
It is one of the Konan Sanzan (Three Great Temple in Konan City) and Hon-do hall and Three-Storied Pagoda are both designated as a national treasure.
It is also famous for its beautiful autumn leaves.
History of Joraku-ji
Let’s study the history of this temple with me before introducing Joraku-ji.
I think that we can enjoy the sightseeing of this temple more by learning the history of it. XD
Joraku-ji was built in the Wado era (708-715) from Asuka period to Nara period.
Roben (良弁), the founder of Todai-ji Temple (東大寺), built this temple by direct order of the Empress Genmei (元明天皇).
There was a palace called ‘Shigaraki no Miya Palace (紫香楽宮)’ in this ground once.
So, this temple was located northeast of Shigaraki no Miya Palace, which to blocked the kimon (unlucky) direction.
About Joraku-ji
Information
Address：6-5-1, Nishitera, Konan Shi, Shiga Ken, 520-3121, Japan
Phone Number：+81-748-77-3089
Foundation：Wado era (708-715)
Founder：Roben (良弁)
Sect：Tendai sect (天台宗)
Principal image：Senju Kannon (千手観音)
Visit reservation
Visitors are required to book in advance on the phone.
(It is excluded during special admission in autumn.)
Open (Special admission in autumn)
10:00 – 16:00 (visitors must enter by 15:30)
Admission fee (Special admission in autumn)
| Adults | 500 yen |
| High and junior high school students | 300 yen |
Temple’s Website
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 highlights of this temple with me!
Highlights of Joraku-ji
- 境内*(Precincts*)
- 本堂【国宝】*(Hon-do hall【National Treasure】*)
- 石燈籠【重要文化財】*(Stone Lantern【Important cultural property】*)
- 三重塔【国宝】*(Three-Storied Pagoda【National Treasure】)*
- 西国三十三観音霊場石仏観音*(Stone statues of Kannon Bosatsu (Kannon Bodhisattva))*
- 薬師堂*(Yakushi-do hall)*
- 普賢堂*(Fugen-do hall)*
- 行者堂*(Gyoja-do hall)*
- 鐘楼堂*(Shoro-do (Bell tower))*
- 弁天堂*(Benten-do hall)*
This mark (*) is a pay area.
境内*(Precincts*)
本堂【国宝】*(Hon-do hall【National Treasure】*)
Hon-do hall was rebuilt in 1360 of the Muromachi Period (室町時代), designated a National Treasure in 1953.
Senju Kannon of the principal image of this temple and 28 Attendants of Senju Kannon are enshrined into the main hall.
(Senju Kannon is ordinarily kept hidden from view.)
石燈籠【重要文化財】*(Stone Lantern【Important cultural property】*)
Stone Lantern was built in 1406 of the Muromachi Period (室町時代), designated an Important cultural property.
三重塔【国宝】*(Three-Storied Pagoda【National Treasure】)*
Three-Storied Pagoda was rebuilt in 1400 of the Muromachi Period (室町時代), designated a National Treasure in 1953.
The height of this pagoda is approximately 22.8m.
Scripture of Buddhism “Hokke-kyo (法華経)” and sitting statue of Shaka Nyorai (釈迦如来) are enshrined into the pagoda.
西国三十三観音霊場石仏観音*(Stone statues of Kannon Bosatsu (Kannon Bodhisattva))*
Stone statue of 33 Kannon are put in the precincts here because it is the 1st temple of 33 Omi Saigoku Kannon Pilgrimage.
薬師堂*(Yakushi-do hall)*
Yakushi-do hall (薬師堂) is the name of a Buddha hall of which a statue of Yakushi Nyorai (Bhaisajyaguru) is the principal image.
普賢堂*(Fugen-do hall)*
Fugen-do hall (普賢堂) is the name of a Buddha hall of which a statue of Fugen Bosatsu (Samantabhadra) is the principal image.
行者堂*(Gyoja-do hall)*
Gyoja-do hall (行者堂) is the name of a Buddha hall of which a statue of En no Gyoja (役行者), the founder of the Shugendo (Japanese ascetic and shamanistic practice in mountainous sites), is the principal image.
鐘楼堂*(Shoro-do (Bell tower))*
弁天堂*(Benten-do hall)*
Autumn leaves of Joraku-ji
Video of Joraku-ji
Photos of Joraku-ji
Goshuin (Red ink stamp) of Joraku-ji
Goshuin of this temple is “Daihiden (大悲殿)” which is the word to express a heart of the mercy of the Kannon.
We can get this goshuin at entrance gate. (300 yen)
How to get to Joraku-ji
Nearest station is “JR Kusatsu Line Ishibe Station”.
The destination is far from the station, please take a bus or taxi.
From Osaka Sta. to Ishibe Sta. (by train)
Timetable and Route Search (train)
1.Get on the JR Kyoto Line (go through to the Biwako Line) from Osaka Station to Kusatsu Station and change to the JR Kusatsu Line.
2.Get on the JR Kusatsu Line from Kusatsu Station to Ishibe Station.
From Namba Sta. to Ishibe 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 Line.
2.Get on the JR Kyoto Line (go through to the Biwako Line) from Osaka Station to Kusatsu Station and change to the JR Kusatsu Line.
3.Get on the JR Kusatsu Line from Kusatsu Station to Ishibe Station.
From Kyoto Sta. to Ishibe Sta. (by train)
Timetable and Route Search (train)
1.Get on the JR Biwako Line from Kyoto Station to Kusatsu Station and change to the JR Kusatsu Line.
2.Get on the JR Kusatsu Line from Kusatsu Station to Ishibe Station.
Get on a Konan City Community Bus at Ishibe Station.
Please get on a Konan City Community Bus from Ishibe Station bus stop (Ishibe Roop Line) and get off Nishidera (Jorakuji) bus stop.
Bus company：Konan City Community Bus
Routes/Destination：Ishibe Roop Line
Boarding bus stop：Ishibe Sta.
Alighting bus stop：Nishidera (Jorakuji)
Bus fare：250 yen
Time required：About 12 min
Timetable (Weekday)
Timetable (Holiday)
Take a taxi
From Kusatsu Station：about 4,400 yen (30 minutes)
From Ishibe Station：about 1,600 yen (about 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 (Kusatsu Station)
Phone number of taxi dispatch (Ishibe Station)
Hotel search & reservation around Joraku-ji
How did you like it?
Have a nice trip!
