The Bishamondo-Monzeki is a Buddhist Tendai temple in Yamashina, a quiet suburb in Kyoto Prefecture. The temple grounds feature many Japanese maple trees, known as Momiji, and the area comes to life with a festival during this time of year!
The temple has a long history – it was first built in the North of Kyoto the year 703, but after much damage and destruction from years of war, the temple was later moved and rebuilt in Yamashina in 1665. One of the seven gods of Luck, Bishamon, is the main deity of this temple, who used to be a god of war. After the end of the feudal system in Japan, Bishamon is now associated with general good luck, abundance in harvest, marriages, and births.
This temple is famous because of a connection to the 47 Rōnin, an event from the early 18th century when a band of samurai avenged their lord. One of the last survivors of the attack hid in Yamashina until he was found and forced to commit ritual suicide. To commemorate him and the rest of his band, every December, the Yamashina Gishi Matsuri is held. A troop of reenactors dressed in old samurai uniform parade from Bishamondo throughout Yamashina City!
This year, the event will take place on Saturday, December 14, 2024. The event will be held from 10:00 – 15:00, and will feature live performances, dances, and a photo contest will also be held throughout the event! It is an experience that is not to be missed!
Getting there
If you’re coming from the Kansai region (Kobe, Osaka, Kyoto) or from further West, make your way to Kyoto Station!
From Kyoto Station, you can catch the JR West Tokaido-Sanyo Line (otherwise known as the Biwako Line) bound for Maibara, and Yamashina is only one stop away!
You can also catch the Tozai Subway Line if you’re in downtown Kyoto, from Kyoto Shiyakusho-mae Station direct to Yamashina Station (5 stops away).
If you are coming from Nagoya, or Tokyo, catch a Kodama or Hikari Tokaido Shinkansen to Maibara Station, and transfer to the JR West Biwako Line bound for Otsu or Kyoto. A Special Rapid service can get you to Yamashina in about 50 minutes (10 stops).
From Yamashina Station, the Bishamondo Temple is a 15 – 20 minute walk north of the station.
rachel teo @teo.rachel
Hi! I'm a writer living in Hikone, Shiga Prefecture. Avid picnicker, nature lover, and coffee drinker.
