観音正寺
Kannonshōji Temple
High on Mount Kinugasa, Kannonshōji is a solemn pilgrimage stop with sweeping lake views and centuries of warrior prayers echoing through the pines.
Attractions
Temple, Sacred Site, Pilgrimage Temple, Scenic View
MK Guide Recommends
One of the 33 temples of the Saigoku Kannon Pilgrimage, Kannonshōji Temple stands atop Mount Kinugasa above the Azuchi plains, offering solitude, historical depth, and panoramic vistas over Lake Biwa. Believed to have been founded in the 6th century by Prince Shōtoku, the temple later became a place of devotion for warriors, including the famed Oda Nobunaga. Although much of the complex was destroyed during Nobunaga’s Azuchi era, it was rebuilt and remains an active place of worship. The climb up is not for the faint of heart—via stone steps or a winding forest road—but the reward is a quiet, forest-wrapped hall filled with incense and the weight of generations.
Facilities & Services
Main hall with seated Kannon statue
Pilgrimage site (Saigoku #32)
Panoramic views from temple grounds
Steep approach via hiking path or toll road
Small gift shop with goshuin and omamori
Nagahama Roman Beer
A riverside brewpub set in a restored 100‑year‑old rice warehouse, pouring award‑winning malt beers and whisky, paired with Omi beef and local pub fare.
The Hideaway Factory Kusatsu Ritto
A sprawling, prohibition-era–inspired warehouse café and event space that doubles as a colorful hangout by day and a lively party venue by night.
Kanou Shojuan
A serene Satoyama garden complex where traditional wagashi meets kaiseki café, tea ceremony, seasonal strolls, and cultural workshops.
R Cafe at Marina
A resort-style café perched above Lake Biwa, serving Hawaiian-inspired plates, local fish and Omi beef, plus bright desserts—all in a glass-walled, marina-side setting.
Sumibi Kappou Tsurukikyou