When visiting Shiga Prefecture, Lake Biwa is a must-see. On the lakeside, a building quietly rises above the water: the Ukimido Temple. This Buddhist temple is not only a representative attraction of Shiga but also the setting for "Katata Rakugan," one of the Eight Scenic Views of Omi. Standing at the lakeside, the stone bridge stretches to the center, and the temple appears to float on the water, making you forget the passage of time.
A thousand-year-old wish
The history of Ukimido dates back to the late Heian period (approximately the 10th century AD). The monk Genshin (Eshin Shōto) built it to pray for the safety of ships traveling on the lake. Over the millennia, the building has undergone destruction and reconstruction. The current building was rebuilt in 1937 and renovated in 1982, but its spirit of "protecting the lake" remains unchanged.
The hall houses the Important Cultural Property "Seated Statue of Kannon" and a thousand statues of Amida Buddha, many of which are said to have been carved by Genshin himself. As light falls on the statues, the reflection of the lake's waters blends with the tranquil atmosphere of the temple, inspiring awe.
Landscape Poems on the Lake
In the early morning, when the mist still lingers, the Ukimido Hall blends seamlessly with the water vapor of Lake Biwa, appearing to emerge from the water. At dusk, the setting sun reflects on the lake, creating a shimmering effect that complements the silhouette of the temple. And on full-moon nights, the entire temple appears to float on the lake of light, making it a breathtaking sight for photographers, travelers, and poets alike.
The Edo-period haiku master Matsuo Basho also visited this area and left a poem describing the twilight scene of wild geese returning to their nests, using the phrase "falling geese." This scene remains one of the most iconic images in the Eight Views of Omi.
The pace of the journey
When visiting the Ukimido Hall, the stone bridge is the only way into the temple. Stepping onto the bridge, a lake breeze greets you, the air carrying a light mist and the fragrance of pine. As you approach the hall, the sounds around you seem to slow down, leaving only the lapping of the lake and the occasional chirping of birds.
There are no bustling crowds or overly commercial atmosphere here, but rather a sense of tranquility. If you visit in the early morning or evening, the interweaving of light and shadow, the lake, and the wooden Buddhist temple will leave you with a memorable moment of peace.
Useful Information
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Address : 1-16-18 Honkata, Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture
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Opening hours : 08:00–17:00 (until 16:30 in December), open year-round
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Ticket price : 300 yen
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Transportation : Take the bus from Katada Station on the JR Kosei Line to Katada Demachi Station, then walk about 5 minutes. There is a direct bus on weekends.
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Tip : The area around Ukimido is mostly residential, so please pay attention to the tranquility of the environment and the privacy of the residents when taking photos and visiting.
For me, Ukimido is more than just a legacy of history and culture; it serves as a reminder—a reminder to pause during our journeys, to experience the sound of the lake, the texture of the wooden bridge, and the tranquility of the shifting light and shadows. There's no extravagant landscape here, only pure scenery and the traces left by time.
If Kyoto is a traveler's poem, then Ukimido Temple on the shores of Lake Biwa in Shiga is a brief yet moving haiku. It reminds us that the meaning of travel may not lie in how many places we visit, but in whether, at a certain moment, we can truly breathe in the landscape.
