In the illuminated Genkyu-en, listen to the sound of insects and enjoy the gentle passage of time in a manner impossible in any city.

More than 2,000 lanterns create an illusory and ethereal world inside the temple grounds.

A “Sentoe” lantern festival is held in order to pray for wishes to be fulfilled.

As spring blooms once again it is joined by the 1,200 cherry trees in the vicinity of Hikone Castle, marking the most beautiful time of year to visit the castle and its grounds.

The “Evening bell at Mii-dera Temple” is famous for being one of the Three Bells of Japan, and also as one of The Eight Views of Omi.

The New Year’s Bells and Ceremony to Exorcise Evil are annual traditions for New Year’s Eve at Hieizan.

The main shrine is a national treasure, and was constructed in the Muromachi period (1336 to 1573).

This small island, with a circumference of just 2km, is located in the offing of Lake Biwa, approximately 6km from shore.

The main shrine at Tsukubusuma-jinja Shrine is a National Treasure, decorated inside with elegant and gorgeous décor representative of the Azuchi-Momoyama period (1573 – 1603).

Kongourinji Temple is one of the three Koto Sanzan temples of the Tendai Sect.

Hikone Castle is a National Treasure and counted among the greatest castles in the world.

The main temple at Saimyoji Temple is one of the three Koto Sanzan temples of the Tendai Sect.

The statue of Eleven Faced Kannon located in the Doganji Temple Kannondo is said to be the greatest masterpiece in Japanese sculpting history, and the most beautiful from all seven of the Eleven Faced Kannon statues that are designated as National Treasures.

Ishiyamadera is the 13th location on the Saigoku Kannon Pilgrimage of 33 Buddhist Temples.

Hieizan Enryakuji Temple, with its sprawling grounds across Mt.

Jorakuji Temple is one the three mountains of Konan that are famous for their leaves in fall.