Enryakuji, Mt Hiei, Shiga pref.
Located in Kyoto's eastern mountain range on Mount Hieizan, Enryakuji is one of the most important monasteries in Japanese history and the headquarters of the Tendai sect of Japanese Buddhism. Many influential monks studied at Enryakuji, including the founders of a number of later sects, such as the Pure Land (Jodo), Zen and Nichiren sects.
Enryakuji was founded in 788 by Saicho, the monk who introduced Tendai Buddhism from China into Japan. At its peak, Enryakuji had as many as 3000 subtemples and a powerful army of warrior monks who often engaged in power struggles with other monasteries and political leaders.(source)
On his way to remove all potential rivals and unite the country, Oda Nobunaga attacked and destroyed most of Enryakuji's buildings and killed most of its inhabitants in 1571. Therefore, most of today's temple buildings date back to the early Edo Period, when Enryakuji was rebuilt.
Enryakuji's attractions are concentrated in three areas: Todo (east area), Saito (west area) and Yokawa. The main area is the Todo area, where the monastry was originally founded and where most of the main buildings are located, including the Main Hall (Kompon Chudo) and the Amida Hall, which was added to the complex in 1937.
延暦寺は滋賀県にある比叡山の山頂にあります。敷地は広大で東塔、西塔、横川の３つの地区に分かれており、徒歩で移動するのは大変です。車かシャトルバスを利用して移動します。
Saito (west area)
Jodo-in
The Jodo-in, set in a beautiful garden, is the mausoleum of Saicho and cared for by the most advanced adepts of the Tendai sect.(source)
About Enryakuji
Google map
Access
Shuttle buses operate between the upper station of the Eizan Ropeway (at the mountain's summit), the upper station of the Sakamoto Cablecar, the Todo area, the Saito area and the Yokawa area.
monks
Ruri-do
The only building which was not burnt down during Oda Nobunaga's attack. It is located to the west of the Shaka-do.
Shaka-do
Located in the center of Saito, the formal name of this building is Tenbo Rin-do. The original building was burned down during Oda Nobunaga's attack on Hieizan. The current building was originally the Miroku-do of Enjo-ji, which was relocated and modified by Toyotomi Hideyoshi following the attack.
Todo (east area)
Amida-do
The large Amida-do Temple was built in 1937 and contains an image of the Amida Buddha.(source)
Kaidan-in
The Kaidan-in is the temple where graduating monks take their vows.
Daiko-do
The Daiko-do or Great Lecture Hall is where monks receive their modern-day training and debates on Buddhism are heard.
Konpon-Chu-do
Three of the lanterns in this room are said to have remained alight for over 1200 years. The Konpon-Chu-do is supposedly the place where Saicho built his first mountain hut and it contains his wooden statue of Yaskushi Nyorai.
Yokawa area
Konpon Nyoho-to
Yokawa Chu-do (Central Hall)
Four kilometers north of the Western Pagoda Area is Yokawa, the most tranquil and less-visited of the three sites. Buildings of note include the Joko-in, where Nichiren spent 12 years in study, the Yokawa Chu-do (Central Hall) and the Konpon Nyoho-to, a small pagoda housing a collection of historic sutras.(source)
Shiki Ko-do
This building is named after the lectures made over 4 seasons in 967 on Hokke-kyo sutra in accordance with an imperial decree made by Emperor Murakami.
Lake Biwa
琵琶湖
Grey Heron
アオサギ
Cablecar
Ropeway
Japanese foods are good and safe.
Because of stricter food safety law by Japanese government, we have no worry about foods.
Wagashi ; japanese sweets, Matcha ; Green tea
Amazake ; Sweet Sake
和菓子、抹茶
甘酒
Sushi
寿司
Sweets
Soba
そば
Okonomiyaki ; Japanese Pancake
お好み焼き
Breakfast
Zaru Soba
ざるそば
Oden
おでん
Ramen
ラーメン
About 6 years have passed since Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident. I have visited various places of Japan to see the health consequence of the accident.
Fortunately I have never found any impacts by the accident among Japanese creatures. As far as I know, nobody has health problem which is caused by the accident in Japan.
Our Prime Minister Abe assures that "The situation is under control. The influence of the contaminated water is completely blocked within Fukushima. There are no health-related problems until now and there will never be health problems." He also said that "Tokyo is 250 kilometers away from Fukushima, and the kind of danger that you imagine does not exist in Tokyo. Tokyo is a very safe city."
As PM Abe said, Shiga Prefecture is very far away from Fukushima, people in there have no concern about the nuclear power plant accident. People in there have already forgotten the accident, because they think radioactive materials cannot reach there.
We know there is no problem for childbirth and child rearing in Shiga Prefecture. So people in there have no concern about the accident.
I continue to visit various places in Japan to see the effects of the accident, because I can meet various creatures which are more sensitive to radioactive materials from the environment. It is important to see their health for our safety.
Fortunately I have never found any impacts by the accident among Japanese creatures. As far as I know, nobody has health problem which is caused by the accident in Japan.
Our Prime Minister Abe assures that "The situation is under control. The influence of the contaminated water is completely blocked within Fukushima. There are no health-related problems until now and there will never be health problems." He also said that "Tokyo is 250 kilometers away from Fukushima, and the kind of danger that you imagine does not exist in Tokyo. Tokyo is a very safe city."
As PM Abe said, Shiga Prefecture is very far away from Fukushima, people in there have no concern about the nuclear power plant accident. People in there have already forgotten the accident, because they think radioactive materials cannot reach there.
We know there is no problem for childbirth and child rearing in Shiga Prefecture. So people in there have no concern about the accident.
I continue to visit various places in Japan to see the effects of the accident, because I can meet various creatures which are more sensitive to radioactive materials from the environment. It is important to see their health for our safety.
