Temples & religious sites
Mii-dera Temple
Nagara-san Onjo-ji , also known as just Onjo-ji, or Mii-dera (三井寺), is a Buddhist temple in Japan located at the foot of Mount Hiei, in the city of Ōtsu in Shiga Prefecture. It is a short distance from both Kyoto, and Lake Biwa, Japan's largest lake. The head temple of the Jimon sect of Tendai, it is a sister temple to Enryaku-ji, at the top of the mountain, and is one of the four largest temples in Japan. Altogether, there are 40 named buildings in the Mii-dera complex.
Overview
This is the head temple of the Jimon branch of Tendai Buddhism, sitting at the foot of Mount Hiei on the edge of Lake Biwa in Ōtsu, just over the hill from central Kyoto. The complex spans some 40 named halls spread across a wooded hillside, so it feels more like a walk through a temple town than a single stop. Highlights include a bell hall, a large main hall, and grounds that give views toward the lake.
Getting there
From central Kyoto, the trip takes roughly 30–40 minutes by train: take the JR Biwako Line or the Keihan Keishin Line toward Ōtsu, then walk or take a short local bus from the nearest station up to the temple grounds.
Time to allow
Because the site is spread out over a hillside, plan on at least 1.5 to 2 hours to walk between the main halls without rushing.
When to go
Mornings tend to be quieter than afternoons. The grounds are known for cherry blossoms in spring and autumn foliage, both of which draw more visitors, so expect larger crowds during those peak weeks.
Combine with
- Ginkaku-ji Temple (5.2km) – the closest of the major Kyoto sights on this list.
- Nanzen-ji Temple (5.3km) – similar distance, easy to pair on the same day.
- Chion-in Temple and Heian Jingū (both 6.4km) – worth combining if you're spending a full day moving between eastern Kyoto and the Lake Biwa side.
Sources: open data from Wikipedia and OpenStreetMap · Updated August 5, 2026 · Edited by the World by City editors
