Shiga travel
Ishiyamadera Temple
Ishiyamadera Temple · 石山寺
Ishiyamadera's grounds contain the National Treasure main hall and Tahoto pagoda, alongside large rock formations. The temple tells of its connection with Murasaki Shikibu and The Tale of Genji, adding a literary story to the historic buildings.
Official sources Current fees and exceptions Official bus guidance
Visitor information
Admission
Grounds admission is JPY 600 for adults, JPY 350 for junior and senior secondary students and JPY 250 for primary-school students. The main hall's inner area costs JPY 500 for adults or JPY 250 for primary-school students separately. Hozoden costs JPY 300 for adults or JPY 150 for primary-school students, separate from grounds admission, and mainly opens for spring and autumn special exhibitions. A grounds, inner hall and Hozoden combined ticket is JPY 1,200 for adults, sold 19 March–30 June and 1 September–30 November. At other times, a grounds and inner hall combined ticket is JPY 1,000 for adults. Events may suspend combined-ticket sales.
Opening hours
Grounds hours are 8 am–4:30 pm, with last entry at 4 pm. The inner hall is open 9 am–4 pm. During special exhibitions, Hozoden opens 10 am–4 pm, with last entry at 3:45 pm.
What to see at Ishiyamadera Temple
National Treasure buildings and large rocks
Walk the grounds to see the National Treasure main hall, Tahoto pagoda and large rocks. The main hall's inner area can also be visited for a separate fee beyond grounds admission.
Main hall, Tahoto pagoda and grounds Current fees and exceptions
Murasaki Shikibu's connection with the temple
The temple tells of its connection with Murasaki Shikibu and The Tale of Genji. If interested in the novel, read the temple's account before exploring the grounds.
How to get to Ishiyamadera Temple
At JR Ishiyama Station stand 1, take Kojak bus route 1, 4, 14, 52, 54 or 55 to Ishiyamadera Sanmon-mae. The ride takes about 10 minutes and costs JPY 250 per adult one way. Return on an Ishiyama Station-bound bus from Sanmon-mae stop 2. Check the destination, as Otsu Station services are different.
Current fees and exceptions Official bus guidance Kojak bus fare table revised 1 March 2026 Ishiyama Station-bound timetable from Sanmon-mae stop 2 Walk from the station
On Keihan Railway, get off at Ishiyamadera Station and walk about 10 minutes to the temple.
Before you visit
Visiting the main hall's inner area
Check whether inner-hall visits are available on your date. They are suspended on 1–3 January, 6–8 December, 12–13 December and 28–31 December, and at other times for religious services or events. Hozoden does not open outside special-exhibition periods.
Questions about Ishiyamadera Temple
Where do I catch the bus back to Ishiyama Station?
Take an Ishiyama Station-bound bus from Ishiyamadera Sanmon-mae stop 2. Otsu Station services are different. Check your return departure in that stop's timetable.
Ishiyama Station-bound timetable from Sanmon-mae stop 2 Official bus guidance
Official sources
- Official sources ·
- Current fees and exceptions ·
- Official bus guidance ·
- Kojak bus fare table revised 1 March 2026 ·
- Ishiyama Station-bound timetable from Sanmon-mae stop 2 ·
- Walk from the station ·
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