Hiyoshi Taisha
The head shrine of over 3,800 Hiyoshi and Sanno shrines across Japan, nestled at the base of Mt Hiei. Founded before recorded history and rebuilt by Enryakuji's monks to guard Kyoto's northeastern demon gate. The unique "Hiyoshi torii" (a two-legged gate with a triangular third leg) is found only here.
45–60 min
¥500 (adult), ¥300 (junior high & high school), free for elementary and below
9:00–17:00; grounds always accessible
Year-round (April for Sanno Festival)
About 10 min walk from Keihan Sakamoto-Hieizanguchi Station; or about 20–25 min walk from JR Hieizan-Sakamoto Station (Biwako Line / Kosei Line)
Location
Why Visit
- 1
Head shrine of 3,800 Sanno shrines nationally — founded before the Nara period
- 2
The Hiyoshi-torii has a unique triangular top element found at no other shrine in Japan
- 3
Sacred monkeys roam the shrine grounds — the monkey is the messenger (shinshi) of the deity
Local Tips
Hiyoshi Taisha is the head shrine of some 3,800 Sanno-sha shrines across Japan. The Sanno Festival in April (boats with mikoshi cross Lake Biwa) is one of Japan's three great boat festivals. The cedar forest path to the upper sanctuary is quiet and atmospheric — often completely empty on weekdays.
Add to your AI itinerary
Let AI build a multi-day trip around this spot.
Advertisement
More in Shiga
Azuchi Castle Ruins
The ruins of Oda Nobunaga's revolutionary castle (1576–1582) — the first Japanese castle built with a seven-storey keep as a symbol of political power rather than pure defence. Destroyed after Nobunaga's assassination, only the stone foundations survive, climbing 198 metres above Lake Biwa. The panoramic views explain exactly why Nobunaga built here.
Chikubushima Island
A sacred island in Lake Biwa accessible only by boat — one of Japan's three major powerspot islands. The Hogonji temple and Tsukubusuma shrine share the tiny forested island, and throwing earthenware rings (kawa-rake) through the torii gate from a clifftop is a famous ritual for wish-granting. Cormorant fishing operates from the island in summer.
Hikone Castle
One of only five Japanese castles rated National Treasure — its three-storey keep is the original 1622 structure, never reconstructed. The castle sits on a hill above Lake Biwa with one of Japan's finest castle garden (Genkyuen) below, where the reflection of the keep on the pond creates a classical painting. 1,100 cherry trees surround the moats.