page_title: Ōtsu
section_title: Temples
hierarchical_section_title: Ōtsu / Notable places / Temples
caption_attribution_description: English: Mii-dera (Onjoji) in Otsu, Shiga prefecture, Japan. 日本語: 三井寺（園城寺） 衆宝観音, 滋賀県大津市。 Camera: Sony NEX-5Lens: Sony SEL1855
context_page_description: Ōtsu is the capital city of Shiga Prefecture, Japan. Ōtsu is known as the main port of Lake Biwa, the largest lake in Japan. It briefly served as the capital of Japan from 667 to 672 AD during the Asuka period. The city is home to numerous sites of historical importance, notably the temples of Mii-dera, Ishiyama-dera, and Enryaku-ji and the Hiyoshi Taisha shrine. Enryaku-ji is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site "Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto". Ōtsu was incorporated as a town on April 1, 1889. In October 1, 1898, Ōtsu-town was officially changed to Ōtsu-city.
  As of October 1, 2017, the city has an estimated population of 341,187 and a population density of 730 persons per km². The total area is 464.51 km².
context_section_description: Ōtsu is home to three temples with structures designated as National Treasures.
  Enryaku-ji is a Tendai monastery is located on Mount Hiei and overlooks Kyoto. The temple was founded by Saichō (767 – 822), and remains both the headquarters of the Tendai sect and part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site "Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto (Kyoto, Uji and Otsu Cities)". Mii-dera, formally known as Onjō-ji, is the head temple of the Tendai Jimon sect. Mii-dera, which sits near the central area of the city, is one of the four largest temples in Japan. It has 40 buildings within its sprawling temple precinct.Ishiyama-dera, a Shingon temple, was founded in 749 by the monk Rōben (689 – 773). Ishiyama-dera is traditionally thought to be the site where Murasaki Shikibu (c. 973 – c. 1014 or 1025) began writing The Tale of Genji. The temple is noted for its large collection of early Buddhist manuscripts.
caption: Mii-dera
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