{"id":6665,"date":"2018-11-04T17:53:43","date_gmt":"2018-11-04T08:53:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/?p=6665"},"modified":"2021-11-04T20:22:51","modified_gmt":"2021-11-04T11:22:51","slug":"koto-sanzan-temple-trio-autumn-foliage-2018","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/shiga-ken.com\/blog\/2018\/11\/koto-sanzan-temple-trio-autumn-foliage-2018\/","title":{"rendered":"Koto Sanzan Temple Trio autumn foliage 2018"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"pagoda\"
Saimyoji’s 3-story pagoda, a National Treasure.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

For autumn foliage in 2021, click here.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

In 2018, the Koto Sanzan autumn foliage season will be November 17th\u201325th, 2018<\/strong>. Shuttle buses will run\u00a0<\/em>between Hikone Station<\/a> and the three\u00a0Koto Sanzan temples. The shuttle bus day pass is \u00a51,500 (Momiji kippu) sold at Hikone Station’s west exit bus stop.<\/em><\/i><\/p>\n

Koto Sanzan<\/em> (\u6e56\u6771\u4e09\u5c71) is a trio of\u00a0large Tendai Buddhist<\/a> temples\u00a0famous for autumn leaves in eastern Shiga. They are\u00a0Saimyoji<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0(\u897f\u660e\u5bfa) in Kora<\/a>,\u00a0Kongorinji<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0(\u91d1\u525b\u8f2a\u5bfa) in Aisho<\/a>, and\u00a0Hyakusaiji<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0(\u767e\u6e08\u5bfa) in Higashi-Omi<\/a>\u00a0(see map below). They are also famous for structures that are National Treasures or Important Cultural Properties.<\/p>\n

Each temple has its own unique characteristics. Saimyoji’s<\/strong> main\u00a0temple\u00a0and pagoda are both National Treasures that you can enter. It\u2019s also deservedly one of Japan\u2019s\u00a0100 Grand Autumn Foliage Sites<\/a>. Kongorinji<\/strong> has many colorfully dressed Jizo statues and\u00a0a National Treasure main temple housing an 11-faced Kannon statue and 13 other statues that are Important Cultural Properties. Hyakusaiji is famous for giant straw sandals on a gate and a Japanese garden.\u00a0Established by Shotoku Taishi<\/a> in 609, Hyakusaiji<\/strong>\u00a0is Shiga Prefecture\u2019s oldest temple and one of Japan\u2019s oldest. After entering the gate adorned with a pair of giant straw sandals, see the Hondo temple hall with an 11-faced Kannon statue carved by Shotoku Taishi, a prince credited with spreading Buddhism in Japan.<\/p>\n

Each temple charges admission \u00a5600 for adults.<\/p>\n

\"Kongorinji\"<\/a>
Kongorinji<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Hyakusaiji\"<\/a>
Hyakusaiji<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Autumn<\/a>
Autumn foliage shuttle bus<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

During this year’s autumn foliage season from\u00a0November 17\u201325, 2018, convenient, low-cost\u00a0shuttle buses<\/strong> (Koto Sanzan Shuttle Bus) run every day between\u00a0Hikone\u00a0Station<\/a>\u00a0and these three Koto Sanzan temples.\u00a0At Hikone Station, the first shuttle bus leaves at 9 a.m. and goes to Saimyoji, Kongorinji, and Hyakusaiji. From Hyakusaiji, the shuttle bus goes back to Hikone Station while stopping at the other temples along the way. (See the shuttle bus schedule below.) It will take most of the day to see all three temples so start as early as you can in the morning. (Unlike in previous years, the shuttle bus no longer runs to Eigenji and Yokaichi Station.)<\/p>\n

Although you can pay the shuttle bus fare per ride (costing \u00a5300 to \u00a5600), I recommend buying the day pass called\u00a0Momiji kippu<\/em>\u00a0(Maple ticket) for \u00a51,500 (\u00a5750 for kids). This day pass is good for riding the shuttle bus between Hikone Station and the three temples. Get on and off as much as you like for one day. So you start and end at Hikone Station. The\u00a0Momiji kippu<\/em> day pass is sold at Hikone Station’s bus stop at the west exit from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. If you like to take your time (for photography, etc.), you might not have time to\u00a0see all three temples in one day.<\/p>\n

There are also guided tour buses (teiki kanko bus)<\/a> departing Nagahama, Kyoto, Maibara, and Hikone Stations that are much more expensive (around \u00a58,000) and follow a set tour schedule. No English guides.<\/p>\nKoto Sanzan Foliage Shuttle Bus Schedule (Nov. 17th\u201325th, 2018), Hikone Station to Hyakusaiji (read down).<\/span>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
Bus Stop<\/th>Bus 1<\/th>Bus 2<\/th>Bus 3<\/th>Bus 4<\/th><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Hikone Station<\/a><\/td>9:00 am<\/td>9:35 am<\/td>10:35 am<\/td>11:35 am<\/td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Taga Town Hall<\/td>9:25 am<\/td>10:00 am<\/td>11:00 am<\/td>12:00 pm<\/td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Seseragi no Sato<\/td>9:30 am<\/td>10:05 am<\/td>11:05 am<\/td>12:05 pm<\/td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Saimyoji<\/a><\/td>9:35 am<\/td>10:10 am<\/td>11:10 am<\/td>12:10 pm<\/td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kongorinji<\/a><\/td><\/td>10:20 am<\/td>11:20 am<\/td>12:20 pm<\/td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kongoen-guchi<\/td><\/td><\/td>11:25 am<\/td>12:25 pm<\/td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Crefeel Koto<\/td><\/td><\/td>11:31 am<\/td>12:31 pm<\/td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Yomiaido<\/td><\/td><\/td>11:35 am<\/td>12:35 pm<\/td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Arrive Hyakusaiji<\/a><\/td><\/td><\/td>11:45 am<\/td>12:45 pm<\/td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\nKoto Sanzan Foliage Shuttle Bus Schedule (Nov. 17th\u201325th, 2018), return trip from Hyakusaiji to Hikone Station (Read down)<\/span>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
Bus Stop<\/th>Bus 1<\/th>Bus 2<\/th>Bus 3<\/th>Bus 4<\/th><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Depart Hyakusaiji<\/td>12:50 pm<\/td>1:50 pm<\/td>3:15 pm<\/td>4:15 pm<\/td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Yomiaido<\/td>12:55 pm<\/td>1:55 pm<\/td>3:20 pm<\/td>4:20 pm<\/td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Crefeel Koto<\/td>12:59 pm<\/td>1:59 pm<\/td>3:24 pm<\/td>4:24 pm<\/td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kongoen-guchi<\/td>1:05 pm<\/td>205 pm<\/td>3:30 pm<\/td>4:30 pm<\/td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kongorinji<\/a><\/td>1:10 pm<\/td>2:10 pm<\/td>3:35 pm<\/td>4:35 pm<\/td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Saimyoji<\/a><\/td>1:20 pm<\/td>2:20 pm<\/td>3:45 pm<\/td>4:45 pm<\/td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Seseragi no Sato<\/td>1:25 pm<\/td>2:25 pm<\/td>3:50 pm<\/td>4:50 pm<\/td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Taga Town Hall<\/td>1:30 pm<\/td>2:30 pm<\/td>3:55 pm<\/td>4:55 pm<\/td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Arrive Hikone Station<\/a><\/td>2:00 pm<\/td>3:00 pm<\/td>4:25 pm<\/td>5:25 pm<\/td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

If you have time on another day, also see Eigenji<\/a> temple (\u6c38\u6e90\u5bfa) in Higashi-Omi. Being a Zen Buddhist temple, it’s not part of the Koto Sanzan Trio and the shuttle buses do not run to\/from Eigenji. Buses run to Eigenji from\u00a0Yokaichi Station.<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Eigenji\"<\/a>
Eigenji<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u79cb\u306e\u6e56\u6771\u4e09\u5c71
\nShuttle bus info in Japanese:
\nhttp:\/\/www.ohmitetudo.co.jp\/bus\/2018.10.31kotousanzan\/index.html\/
\n<\/a>
\nOfficial temple sites:\u00a0Saimyoji<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Kongorinji<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Hyakusaiji<\/a><\/p>\n