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Ishiyama Temple

March 24, 2012

Ishiyama Temple （石山寺） in Shiga Prefecture, said to have been constructed around 762, is the place where Murasaki Shikibu began writing The Tale of Genji, a well known Japanese literature piece. The Temple can be reached easily from Kyoto Station traveling on the Keihan Railway. The large rock formations and well preserved temple structures make for a nice visit.

Ishiyama Temple
The main entrance to Ishiyamadera
I think I was here on a National Holiday Day
I think I was here on a National Holiday Day
Nice long pathways extending to the main temple area
Nice long pathways extending to the main temple area
Taking a brief look back at the main gate
Taking a brief look back at the main gate
Nice mix of red and black here
Nice mix of red and black here
Simple but elegant
Simple but elegant
Temple in the pond?
Temple in the pond?
Washing the hands before proceeding to the temple
Washing the hands before proceeding to the temple
It was quite a walk up these stairs
It was quite a walk up these stairs
There were a number of small structures at the top of the stairs
There were a number of small structures at the top of the stairs
As the name says, this is the temple of Rock Mountain
As the name says, this is the temple of Rock Mountain
The trees were just turning a nice color
The trees were just turning a nice color
One of the temple buildings
One of the temple buildings
Ishiyama Temple
Ishiyama Temple
The red in the wooded areas came out great
The red in the wooded areas came out great
More red hidden in the foliage
More red hidden in the foliage
The doors of the main temple
The doors of the main temple
Hopes and wishes pinned up. What did I wish for? mmm, good question
Hopes and wishes pinned up. What did I wish for? mmm, good question
Entering the temple building
Entering the temple building
The tale of Hikaru Genji was said to be written here
The tale of Hikaru Genji was said to be written here
Outside the main temple building
Outside the main temple building
The wood and green work in well
The wood and green work in well
A building seemingly lost in the forest
A building seemingly lost in the forest
The path back to the main road
The path back to the main road
Small shrine along the way
Small shrine along the way
The train to Ishiyama Temple
The train to Ishiyama Temple

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