A wooden temple hall seemingly afloat on Lake Biwa—Ukimidō blends timeless tranquility with imagery straight out of a classical poem.
MK Guide Recommends
Set along the western shore of Lake Biwa, Mangetsu-ji’s Ukimidō (Floating Hall) is one of Japan’s most iconic waterside temples. Originally built in the Heian period and reconstructed several times since, the small wooden hall extends out over the lake on stilts, creating a serene silhouette that has inspired poets, monks, and painters for centuries. It appears in the famed Ōmi Hakkei (Eight Views of Ōmi), particularly “Wild Geese Returning at Katata.” Visitors can stroll a peaceful garden path to the hall, listen to the lapping waves, and gaze across Biwa’s vast surface toward distant mountains. At sunrise or dusk, Ukimidō becomes a mirror of the sky—a moment of stillness both seen and felt.
Facilities & Services
- Floating wooden temple hall on Lake Biwa
- Garden path, small amulet shop, and benches
- Photography and quiet meditation encouraged
- Close to Katata Station (JR Kosei Line)
- Best viewed at sunrise or sunset
Contact
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