Travel in Shiga
Ishiyamadera
Ishiyamadera · Ishiyamadera Temple · 石山寺
At Ishiyamadera, explore the National Treasure Main Hall and Tahoto pagoda and large rocks in the grounds. The temple preserves a tradition linking Murasaki Shikibu with The Tale of Genji. Read its literary stories alongside your visit to the historic buildings.
Official sources Current fees and exceptions Official bus information
Visitor information
Admission
Ordinary admission costs 600 yen for adults, 350 yen for junior high and high school students, or 250 yen for elementary school children. The inner sanctuary adds 500 yen for adults or 250 yen for elementary school children. Hozoden costs 300 yen and 150 yen respectively, separate from ordinary admission, and opens mainly for spring and autumn exhibitions. The adult 1,200-yen combined ticket for grounds, inner sanctuary and Hozoden is sold March 19–June 30 and September 1–November 30. Outside these periods, the grounds and inner sanctuary combined ticket costs 1,000 yen. Events may suspend combined-ticket sales.
Opening hours
Grounds open 08:00–16:30, last admission 16:00. The inner sanctuary opens 09:00–16:00. During special exhibitions, Hozoden opens 10:00–16:00, with last admission at 15:45.
What to see at Ishiyamadera
Grounds with National Treasure buildings and large rocks
Explore the grounds for the Main Hall, Tahoto and large rocks. Visits inside the Main Hall are also available, with admission separate from the ordinary grounds fee.
Main Hall, Tahoto and grounds highlights Current fees and exceptions
The connection with Murasaki Shikibu
The temple tells of its connection with Murasaki Shikibu and The Tale of Genji. If the work interests you, read the temple’s account as you explore the grounds.
How to get to Ishiyamadera
From stand 1 at JR Ishiyama, take Kojak Bus route 1, 4, 14, 52, 54 or 55 to Ishiyamadera-Sanmon-mae. The ride takes about ten minutes and costs 250 yen per adult each way. Return from Sanmon-mae stop 2 on an Ishiyama Station-bound bus. Check the destination, as Otsu-bound services differ.
Current fees and exceptions Official bus information Kojak Bus fares revised March 1, 2026 Sanmon-mae stop 2: Ishiyama Station-bound timetable Walking from the station
If using Keihan, alight at Ishiyamadera Station and walk about ten minutes to the temple.
Before you visit
For a visit inside the Main Hall
Check that inner sanctuary visits are available on your date. They are suspended January 1–3, December 6–8, December 12–13 and December 28–31. Buddhist services and events can suspend access at other times too. Hozoden is closed outside special exhibition periods.
Questions about Ishiyamadera
Where should I catch a bus back from Ishiyamadera to Ishiyama?
Take an Ishiyama Station-bound bus from Ishiyamadera-Sanmon-mae stop 2. Otsu-bound buses are different services. Check the stop’s timetable for your return departure.
Sanmon-mae stop 2: Ishiyama Station-bound timetable Official bus information
Official sources
- Official sources ·
- Current fees and exceptions ·
- Official bus information ·
- Kojak Bus fares revised March 1, 2026 ·
- Sanmon-mae stop 2: Ishiyama Station-bound timetable ·
- Walking from the station ·
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