Oike-dera Temple captivates visitors with its "Hourai Teien" dry landscape garden, designed to resemble a Shichifukujin (Seven Gods of Fortune) treasure ship, and its Shaka Nyorai seated statue, one of the three great Buddhas of Koka. Find tranquility and rejuvenation in this serene space.
Shrines and Temples
Highlights
The "Hourai Teien" dry landscape garden, designed to resemble a Shichifukujin (Seven Gods of Fortune) treasure ship
The Shaka Nyorai seated statue, one of the three great Buddhas of Koka
Benten Pond with its submerged torii gate
A serene and rejuvenating space for peaceful relaxation
By Car
Approximately 15 minutes from Koka-Tsuchiyama IC on the Shin-Meishin Expressway
Approximately 20 minutes from Shigaraki IC on the Shin-Meishin Expressway
Approximately 25 minutes from Ritto-Konan IC on the Meishin Expressway
Approximately 20 minutes from Gamo-SIC on the Meishin Expressway
By Public Transportation
Get off at Kiogawa Station on the JR Kusatsu Line → Take the Komyunitibasu Hirono-dai Line to Oike-dera stop (immediate access) or a 15-minute taxi ride.
Get off at Minamiguchi Station on the Omi Railway → 30-minute walk or 8-minute taxi ride. Show route
Op.Hours
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Cld.Days
Open every day
Fee
Admission fee: ¥400
INFO
Restrooms are available before the reception. After checking in, you'll watch a short video explaining the temple before your visit.
Oike-dera Temple is a Rinzai sect Myoshin-ji school temple located in Minamiguchi-cho, Koka City, Shiga Prefecture. Its mountain name is Ryugozan. The principal image is Shaka Nyorai (the historical Buddha), one of the three great Buddhas of Koka. The kare sansui Hourai Teien garden, believed to have been designed by Kobori Enshu, is modeled after a treasure ship of the Seven Gods of Fortune and is said to have been created to celebrate the construction of Minamiguchi Castle.
The Hourai Teien garden creates a fantastical atmosphere with its arrangement of ponds, stones, and sand, making it seem as if a treasure ship sailing across the sea appears before you. The meticulous detail extends to the stones representing each of the Seven Gods of Fortune, making it a captivating garden to explore.
Furthermore, the submerged torii gate in Benten Pond adds to the temple's mystical ambiance and captivates many visitors. The torii gate standing by the pond, combined with its reflection on the water, creates a surreal and enchanting world.
Surrounded by tranquility, Oike-dera offers a peaceful and calming environment. Why not spend some time strolling through the gardens, admiring the Shaka Nyorai seated statue, and simply relaxing?