Keisoku-ji temple (鶏足寺) was re-built by the Venerable, Saicho (767-822 AD), and named after footmarks of a chicken left on accumulated snow. The monk found an Eleven-headed Deity of Mercy in burned-out ruins, and then opened tremendous area of many Buddhist temples. So, the area is said to have been called “MAHOROBA”, the most supreme of all lands.
Though the temple became deserted now, visitors can still touch and feel the healing of mind at the West Pure Land of Amida Buddha. So, the breath-taking beauty of hundreds of colored leaves at moss covered rock steps attracts so many people in foliage season of fall, just like the old days. Visitors can drop by KOKO-KAKU museum (己高閣) and YOSHIRO-KAKU museum (世代閣) nearby, where the principle image of standing image of Eleven-faced Kannon and other important cultural properties are exhibited.
Keisoku-ji Area
Local Guardian Deity for the Folks at Kinomoto (Jizo Budda; お地蔵さん)
Shizugatake
Shizugatake Mountain, the height of which is 421 m, and is a fine spot just between Lake Biwa and Lake Yogo. The name is renowned for one of the important battles in Japanese history, together with the Seven heroes of Hideyoshi’s side, which is often called “The Seven Spears” (七本槍). In Apr., 1583 AD, Hideyoshi and Katsuie fought at around the mountain and the lakeside of Yogo, for the next heir after Nobunaga. They say that Hideyoshi’s side had 60,000 military forces and Katsuie had 40,000. Though Katsuie’s side had the upper hand at first, but soon Hideyoshi upturned the military situation. The fierce battle was clearly settled within one day, making the small lake crimson red with the soldiers’ blood.
The local people here have a custom to climb up to the top of the mountain in early Apr., in order to comfort the braves of the both sides who fought at the hazard of their lives.
Overview
- Shiga
- 25,000 JPY
- 11 Hours
- 1~5 people
Itinerary
Meeting Point
JR Kinomoto Station- Kinomoto Guardian Deity for the Folks (Big Jizo Buddha)
- Keisokuji-temple (From the Middle of Nov. to the Middle of Dec.)
- Shakudoji-temple (From the Middle of Nov. to the Middle of Dec.)
- Koko-kaku (A Treasure House, Taking Custody of the Principle Image of Eleven-headed Deity and Other Important Properties)
- Yoshiro-kaku (A Treasure House, Taking Custody of the Buddist Statue of Curing All Illness, Buddist Paintings, etc.)
- Hokkeji-ruin (Renowned for the Encounter of Mitsunari ISHIDA with Hideyoshi HASHIBA Here)
- Shizugatake Old Battlefield
Ending Point
JR Kinomoto Station
What to Expect
Keisoku-ji was re-built by the Venerable, Saicho (767-822 AD), and named after footmarks of a chicken left on accumulated snow. The monk found an Eleven-headed Deity of Mercy in burned-out ruins, and then opened tremendous area of many Buddhist temples. Though the temple became deserted now, the breath-taking beauty of hundreds of colored leaves attracts so many people just like the old days.
Inclusions & Exclusions
[Inclusions]
Guide Fee
[Exclusions]
1) Admission / Entrance Fee (For Tourists): Approximately 500 (Five Hundred) JPY Each for One Day.
2) Transportation (For Tourists): Less than 1,000 (One Thousand) JPY Each at a Maximum for One Day.
3) Lunch and/or Dinner (For Tourists): Less than 1,500 (One Thousand and Five Hundred) JPY Each at a Maximum.
4) Any Unexpected Cost (For Tourists): Less than 1,000 (One Thousand) JPY Each at a Maximum.
Important Information
1) The tour consists of one day excursion, starting 8:30 AM to 19:30 (7:30 PM).
2) Meeting Schedule: At a guest staying hotel in Nagahama area or JR Kinomoto Station :
- 8:30 AM at your staying hotel in Nagahama area or JR Kinomoto station (Start)
- 19:30 PM at your staying hotel in Nagahama area or JR Kinomoto station: Arrive (Tour end)
3) The tour is a bit flexible, depending upon the guest’s interest, since it is an excursion-style, taking advantage of walking and public transportations such as a city bus and / or a taxi.
4) The season for appreciating autumnal foliage at Keisoku-ji area is from Middle of Nov. to Early Dec.
5) Lift service for the summit of Mt. Shizugatake is available as follows;
From 23, Apr., to 30, Nov. (Round-trip: 900 JPY)
(Others: Out of service)
6) Guests can enjoy local cuisines at a reasonable price at the downtown.
7) Peak Season: The destination spots may slightly change due to a seasonal situation, after getting an approval from the guests
8) Two-days or three-days tour is also available for other specific regions in KOHOKU, on your request.
Remark
[Cancellation Policy]
1) Free cancellation – 10 days prior to meeting time
2) 50% Refund – 9 to 3 days prior to meeting time
3) No Refund – Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time
Book Now!
Reviews
(1) July, 07 (Wed.)
That would be perfectly fine to send the pictures when you are ready. We will definitely let you know. That was a very nice article on your website. Leia especially thanks you for your kind compliments. We will take note of your recommendations for Nara and Osaka. We are very fortunate and blessed to have met you. Ramon, Leia and Victor
(2) July, 12 (Fri.)
Good morning from North Carolina, Yoshi-San,
We are safely home and are reminiscing our wonderful trip to Japan. Thank you for making our visit to Kyoto so memorable. We learned so much from you.
I finally downloaded all your photos of us. Thank you for these memories. I appreciate that you labeled the photos with the places they were taken.
With much gratitude,
Ramon, Leia and Victor
Ramon san, Leia san and Victor san. Good evening. It was a HEAT day today in Kyoto, too! Incredible! You selected Sapporo ramen, didn't you? That's very good! When you visit Nara and Osaka tomorrow, do not miss to see Ashura, a guardian god of Hachi Bushu (or Eight Legions, Protectors of Buddhist Teachings) in Buddhism, at the national treasure house of Kofuku-ji temple. And you must be amazed to see the HUGE power of Hideyoshi, when you visit Osaka-jo castle! Please enjoy! Yoshi
Hi, Yoshi! I just got home and did receive the photos. Thank you again and have a good rest of your week.
John
John san, Juan san, Ana san and Sophia san, good day!I strongly hope that all of your days in Japan this time will be unforgettably good memories.I was so glad to be able to meet all of you. I'll never forget the nicest family.From YoshiJuly 02 (Tue.), 2024; 11: 44 AM
Hi, Yoshi
We got back fine.
All of us had a great time. That's a very authentic trip. :)
Thanks,
Good day. I was so lucky and glad to know that you kindly selected the bike tour. (I wonder if you've already left Japan for your home country?) As I mentioned before, this tour was the first time for me. So, I have been worried that you might think all the spots in the KOHOKU area were just provincial and not so interesting. I've been so nervous too,since I'm a very amateurish and awkward tour guide. I felt extremely happy when I heard the young man told me at Yogo sta. that the tour was fantastic, especially the view from the mountain and the refreshing air when bikingalong the lake. I know the word is quite flattering, but we were really lucky enough to have acceptable weather,since we have almost entered into the long rainy season.I strongly hope that all of your days in Japan this time will be unforgettably good memories.I was so glad to be able to meet all of you. I'll never forget the nicest group.From YoshiJun.17th (Mon.), 2024; 21:14
Dear Yoshi san,
No words can convey to you how much we appreciate all the work you have put in the tour you gave us of your home country Kyoto, Japan. We most grateful for your guidance in imparting all your knowledge of the places we visited.
We are glad that you enjoyed our most humble gifts. The NY Yankee hat and the tote bag was selected because it was a reminder from your friends from New York. And the tote bag was selected because the pictures depicts some of the most iconic buildings around NY. And of course, the New York Times items were related to Lindsey san’s work place. Since we have little knowledge of sake, we hope you will enjoy the home brew one you unwittingly helped us select 😉.
Thank you again from the bottom of our hearts ❤️ for the most wonderful tour of your home country, and all the time and effort you have put in for us. We will not forget the wonderful time we had together and please stay in touch!
Most sincerely,
Nancy Mui Chew
[clink url="Re: The Warmest Thank-You Message from the American Family (先日、“古都巡り”にご一緒したご米国人ご家族からの温かい御礼メール） - KOHOKU Tour"]
I got the message this evening from one of the family members.It might be true that we were really lucky not to encounter any troubles and fully enjoyed ourselves during the 2 days' tour, but I haven't expected it at all to get such a heart-felt mail to this amateurish tour guide.I'm now thinking that a person who has to show an attitude of gratitude is I, not the guests....I mean, thanks to this nice opportunity, I was able to study a lot about the destinations and / or delve into the historical background, which must become useful knowledge for my guiding skill in the future. Thank you for your nice souvenirs to me from NYC, too. I will use all of them with deep care...I'd be really happy if your first visit to this Far Eastern country this time will become a good inspiration to have more interest in its history and culture.
Hi Yoshi
Thank you for everything. It’s very nice of you to capture our family memories. We really appreciate it.
Thank you very much for the pictures and yes go ahead and use as you please.
Hi, all the To san's family members.I strongly hope that all of your days in Japan this time will be unforgettable good memories.I was so glad to be able to meet all of you.I'll never forget the handsome families.From YoshiApr., 02 (Tue.), 2024
