Rakuya-ji Temple

Overview

Rakuya-ji is a temple of the Tendai school located in Ichino, Koka-cho, in the city of Koka, Shiga Prefecture. Its mountain name is Fukusho-zan and its cloister name Jisho-in. The principal image is an Eleven-faced Kannon, affectionately known as the 'Ichino Kannon,' a commanding statue said to be among the largest seated Eleven-faced Kannon images in Japan. The precincts also enshrine a Yakushi Nyorai (Medicine Buddha) statue counted among the Three Great Buddhas of Koka, and the temple is one of the Six Great Temples of Koka as well as a sacred site of the Lake Biwa 108 Pilgrimage. As a treasure house of Buddhist culture preserving many statues, it offers a solemn space of prayer within a quiet countryside setting.

Highlights

• ●The principal image 'Ichino Kannon,' among the largest seated Eleven-faced Kannon statues in Japan
• ●A Yakushi Nyorai statue counted among the Three Great Buddhas of Koka
• ●Its heritage as one of the Six Great Temples of Koka and a Lake Biwa 108 Pilgrimage site
• ●A Tendai temple in a quiet countryside, preserving many Buddhist statues

History

Rakuya-ji is a Tendai temple with the mountain name Fukusho-zan and cloister name Jisho-in. Its principal image, the Eleven-faced Kannon, has long drawn devotion as the 'Ichino Kannon' and is regarded as one of the largest seated Eleven-faced Kannon statues in Japan. The temple also preserves a Yakushi Nyorai statue counted among the Three Great Buddhas of Koka, and has been known as one of the Six Great Temples of Koka and a site of the Lake Biwa 108 Pilgrimage. The very history of guarding and handing down so many statues speaks to the depth of faith here. For detailed history and viewing periods for the statues, it is best to check official information.

Map

34.8971, 136.2524 · Wikidata

Suggested itinerary

1. 1Head to Ichino by car from the Koka area on the JR Kusatsu Line or an expressway interchange
2. 2Visit Rakuya-ji and view the principal 'Ichino Kannon' and the Yakushi Nyorai statue
3. 3Extend to a temple-and-shrine pilgrimage around the Six Great Temples of Koka or the Lake Biwa 108 sites
4. 4Combine with nearby sightseeing such as the satoyama of Koka or ninja-related sites

Did you know?

💡 The principal image, said to be among the largest seated Eleven-faced Kannon statues in Japan, is called the 'Ichino Kannon' and has been deeply beloved by local people. A Yakushi Nyorai statue counted among the Three Great Buddhas of Koka is also preserved here, and encountering several renowned statues at a single temple is a charm unique to Rakuya-ji, which has safeguarded so many images.

Nearby spots