Japanese Architecture

Traditional Architecture
in Kansai Region

SHIGA Prefecture

Gokasho Town, Kanzaki-gun (Wealthy merchant's residence)

Omihachiman City(Row of houses in merchants'area)

Shiga Prefecture is located next to Nara and Kyoto, the two former capital regions that were the center of culture for centuries. Shiga, therefore, also shows similar cultural influences and dozens of temples from the Nara Period can be seen here. As for buildings constructed after the Heian Period, clustered on the east and west sides of Lake Biwa are many Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples belonging to the Tendai sect of Buddhism. The headquarters of the sect, Enryakuji Temple, is located on Mt. Hiei. This concentration of temples and shrines reflects how powerful Enryakuji Temple was in the past. Historical assets dated the Modern Period include Hikone Castle and its castle town, Gokasho Town, and Omihachiman City. Gokasho Town is said to have produced the famous Omi merchants. On a vast stretch of plain are farmers' villages, where stylistically unique farmhouse can be seen.

	Taho-to Pagoda of Ishiyamadera Temple (National Treasure) Ishiyamadera, Otsu City TEL 0775-37-0013
	Main Hall of Saikyoji Temple (Important Cultural Asset) Sakamoto-hommachi, Otsu City TEL 0775-78-0013
	Three-storied Pagoda of Jorakuji Temple (National Treasure) Ishibe Town, Koga-gun TEL 0748-77-3089
	Main Hall of Guzeiji Temple (Important Cultural Asset) Gokasho Town, Kanzaki-gun TEL 0748-48-2747
	Konpon-chudo Hall of Enryakuji Temple (National Treasure) Sakamoto-hommachi, Otsu City TEL 0775-78-0001
	Main Hall of Enjoji Temple Enjoji-cho, Otsu City TEL 0775-22-2238
	Main Hall of Tsukubusuma Shrine (National Treasure) Biwa Town, Higashiazai-gun Biwa Town Industry Section TEL 0749-72-3221
	Amanogawa-seki Tea House, former Chikurinin Temple Sakamoto, Otsu City Sakamoto Tourism Association TEL 0775-78-6565
	Ushiomiya Shrine, a subsidiary of Hiyoshi-taisha Shrine (Important Cultural Asset) Sakamoto-hommachi, Otsu City TEL 0775-78-0009
	Former MIYAJI Residence (Important Cultural Asset) (Kunitomo-cho, Nagahama City) The place to which the building was moved: Omi Fudoki-no-oka TEL 0748-46-2424
	Main Hall of Aburahi Shrine (Important Cultural Asset) Koga Town, Koga-gun TEL 0748-88-2106
	TSUJI Residence (Important Cultural Asset) Nishiazai Town, Ika-gun Nishiazai Town Industry and Tourism Section TEL 0749-89-1121