Zensui-ji Temple (善水寺) is a Tendai Sect Buddhist temple located in Konan City, Shiga Prefecture.
It was built in the Wado era (708-715), the principal image is the Yakushi Nyorai (薬師如来).
This Buddha is worshiped especially as a the Buddha of Healing.
And this temple is one of the Konan Sanzan (Three Great Temple in Konan City) and Hon-do hall is designated as a national treasure.
It is also famous for its beautiful autumn leaves.
History of Zensui-ji
Let’s study the history of this temple with me before introducing Zensui-ji.
I think that we can enjoy the sightseeing of this temple more by learning the history of it. XD
Zensui-ji was built in the Wado era (708-715) from Asuka period to Nara period.
In Buddhism, the idea of national defense was strengthened in this era.
So, this temple was constructed due to the wishes of Empress Genmei (元明天皇) on the pretext of Kokka Chingo (defending and maintaining the nation).
In the Heian period, Saicho (最澄), the sect founder of the Tendai sect, converted this temple to the Tendai sect.
The Japanese word ‘善水 (Zensui)’ means ‘Miraculous water’.
It is said that when Emperor Kanmu (桓武天皇) became sick, he cured by drinking miraculous water that springs from this temple.
About Zensui-ji
Information
Address：3518, Iwane, Konan Shi, Shiga Ken, 520-3252, Japan
Phone Number：+81-748-72-3730
Foundation：Wado era (708-715)
Founder：Empress Genmei (元明天皇)
Sect：Tendai sect (天台宗)
Principal image：Yakushi Nyorai (薬師如来)
Open
| March – October | 9:00 – 17:00 |
| November – February | 9:00 – 16:00 |
Admission fee
| Adults | 500 yen |
| High and junior high school students | 300 yen |
| Elementary school students | Free |
Temple’s Website
Other information
・It is information as of November, 2019.
・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 Zensui-ji
- 鐘楼堂*(Shoro-do hall)*
- 元三大師堂*(Ganzandaishi-do hall)*
- 本堂【国宝】*(Hon-do hall【National Treasure】)*
- 庭園*(Garden)*
- 百伝弁才天*(Momotsute Benzai-ten Shrine)*
- 善水元水*(Miraculous water)*
- 六所権現社*(Rokusho Gongen-sha Shrine)*
- 行者堂*(Gyoja-do hall)*
- 観音堂(Kannon-do hall)
- 善水寺僧房跡(Priests’ living quarters trace)
This mark (*) is a pay area.
鐘楼堂*(Shoro-do hall)*
Shoro-do hall (鐘楼堂) was rebuilt in 1663 of the Edo Period.
元三大師堂*(Ganzandaishi-do hall)*
Ganzandaishi-do hall (元三大師堂) was rebuilt in 1713 of the Edo Period.
Jiei Daishi Ryogen (良源), the 18th Tendai-zasu (head priest of the Tendai sect) and commonly known as Ganzan Daishi, is enshrined in this hall.
本堂【国宝】*(Hon-do hall【National Treasure】)*
Hon-do hall (本堂) was built in 1366 of the Period of Northern and Southern Courts, designated a National Treasure.
庭園*(Garden)*
It is the Japanese style garden with a path around a central pond and spring.
百伝弁才天*(Momotsute Benzai-ten Shrine)*
善水元水*(Miraculous water)*
It is said that the miraculous water that cures sick springs out of this pond.
六所権現社*(Rokusho Gongen-sha Shrine)*
行者堂*(Gyoja-do hall)*
Gyoja-do hall (行者堂) is the name of a 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.
観音堂(Kannon-do hall)
Kannon-do hall (観音堂) is the name of a hall of which a statue of Kannon Bosatsu (Kannon Bodhisattva) is the principal image.
善水寺僧房跡(Priests’ living quarters trace)
There were more than 20 priests’ living quarters around this temple.
Autumn leaves of Zensui-ji
Video of Zensui-ji
Photos of Zensui-ji
Goshuin (Red ink stamp) of Zensui-ji
Goshuin of this temple is “Yakushi Nyorai (薬師如来)” which is the principal image of this temple.
We can get this goshuin at entrance gate. (300 yen)
How to get to Zensui-ji
Nearest station is “JR Kusatsu Line Kosei Station”.
Destination is far from the station, please take a Konan City Community Bus or taxi.
From Osaka Sta. to Kosei 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 Kosei Station.
From Namba Sta. to Kosei 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 Kosei Station.
From Kyoto Sta. to Kosei 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 Kosei Station.
Get on a Konan City Community Bus at Kosei Station.
Please get on a Konan City Community Bus from Kosei Station north exit bus stop (Shimoda Line Kosei Station root) and get off Iwane (Zensuiji) bus stop.
Bus company：Konan City Community Bus
Routes/Destination：’Shimoda Line Kosei Station root’ or ‘Hibarigaoka root’
Boarding bus stop：Kosei Station North Exit
Alighting bus stop：Iwane (Zensuiji)
Bus fare：250 yen
Time required：About 8 min
Take a taxi
From Kusatsu Station：about 5,900 yen (40 minutes)
From Kosei Station：about 1,500 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 (Kosei Station)
Hotel search & reservation around Zensui-ji
How did you like it?
Have a nice trip!
