[Ritto City, Shiga Prefecture] Konsho-ji Temple, a moss-covered hidden village nestled on Mount Konsho.

Konsho-ji Temple is a Tendai sect temple nestled near the summit of Mount Kinsho, exuding a tranquil atmosphere. Stepping inside, you'll find yourself surrounded by deep green trees and a single, moss-covered path leading to the temple. It's like entering another world. Why not experience the power of nature at this historic temple, built approximately 1300 years ago?

Written by

Ritto City Tourism Association

Historical heritage sites such as temples, shrines, and burial mounds can be found throughout the city, including along the old Tokaido and Nakasendo routes. In addition, the Kanakatsu Mountain Range in the southern part of the city is a beautiful area rich in nature and historical sites that has been selected as one of the top 100 forests for forest bathing in Japan, and there are hiking trails.

This service includes sponsored advertisements.

Table of Contents
What is Konshoji Temple?
Activities (Zen meditation / Moss field work / Forest bathing yoga)
How to access
Recommended spots around Konshoji Temple
Escape the hustle and bustle and find healing in nature.

What is Konshoji Temple?

Konshoji Temple is a Tendai sect temple located in Ritto City, Shiga Prefecture, about a 45-minute drive from Kyoto.

Experience the tranquil atmosphere, the ever-changing beauty of nature throughout the seasons, and the crisp, clean air near the summit of Mt. Kinsho.

Stepping inside, you're greeted by a lush green landscape and a single, moss-covered path leading to the shrine. This is truly another world.

Why not experience the power of nature at this historic temple, built approximately 1300 years ago?

basic information

Visiting hours: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (however, from December to March, 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM)

Admission fee: 600 yen

Parking: Available (more than 10 spaces)

～Kakure Sato～Konshoji Temple

1394 Arahari, Ritto City, Shiga Prefecture 520-3003

It was founded by the priest Ryoben during the Nara period. The main statues of important cultural properties, such as the wooden seated Shaka Nyorai statue, the wooden Gundari Myo King standing statue, the wooden Kokuzo Bodhisattva half-prostrate statue, the wooden Bishamonten standing statue, and the wooden Jizo Bodhisattva seated statue are enshrined here. There are famous trees such as Sennen cedar and maple in the precincts.

Main Hall

Wooden seated statue of Shakyamuni Buddha

The temple houses important cultural properties such as a wooden seated statue of Shakyamuni Buddha, a standing statue of Hayagriva Bodhisattva, and a standing statue of Fudo Myoo.

Niomon Gate

Activities (Zen meditation / Moss field work / Forest bathing yoga)

Zen meditation experience

Its true significance lies in "quietly reflecting on one's own heart."

Simply be yourself as you are, and feel the energy of nature.

Zen meditation is a Buddhist practice that involves sitting with correct posture and focusing one's mind to confront oneself.

Enjoy a moment of mindfulness with a Zen meditation experience held in the main hall.

Moss Fieldwork

Konshoji Temple, which has recently become known in Japan as a famous spot for moss, is home to over 70 different types of moss.

We will conduct fieldwork with a professional guide to observe a wide variety of mosses.

With a magnifying glass and a Konshoji moss guide map in hand, you can enjoy the delicate and mysterious microscopic world.

Forest bathing yoga

We will practice yoga at the site of the former Great Lecture Hall, which is located at the highest point on the temple grounds.

In a quiet space surrounded by trees, you can escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and immerse yourself in nature.

Why not liberate your body and mind?

How to access

If you are coming by car

Approximately 30 minutes from Ritto Interchange on the Meishin Expressway.

It's about a 10-minute drive from the forest road entrance located across from the "Konze no Sato Ritto" roadside station, along Prefectural Road 12 (Ritto-Shigaraki Line). The road becomes very narrow once you enter the forest road.

If you are coming by bus

The "Konze Meguri-chan Bus," which operates on weekends and holidays during spring (April-June) and autumn (September-October), is a convenient option!

JR Tehara Station to Konshoji Temple: Convenient access to the area.

Recommended spots around Konshoji Temple

tenguiwa

520-3003 Arahari, Ritto City, Shiga Prefecture

Experience an adventure at Tenguiw, the symbol of Mt. Kinkatsuyama. Enjoy rice ball time while overlooking Lake Biwa.

Kubon no taki waterfall

520-3006 Inoue, Ritto City, Shiga Prefecture

It is said that the name derives from the fact that the water cascades down in three steps, which is reminiscent of the Buddhist term Kubon no taki waterfall Pure Land. It is the largest waterfall in the Konan region, with a total height of about 20 meters and a length of about 100 meters including the mountain stream.

Escape the hustle and bustle and find healing in nature.

This time, we introduced the charms of Kinsho-ji Temple.

This is a recommended healing spot in Ritto City where you can feel the power of nature. Please visit it at least once!

Written by

Ritto City Tourism Association

Shiga

The information presented in this article is based on the time it was written. Note that there may be changes in the merchandise, services, and prices that have occurred after this article was published. Please contact the facility or facilities in this article directly before visiting. Some of our articles contain affiliate links. We kindly ask our readers to exercise careful judgement when making a purchase or booking a service online.

The contents on this page may partially contain automatic translation.