Hyakusai-ji Temple was established in 606, the Asuka period, by the order of Prince Shotoku.
Some roofing tiles having the appearance of cloth, called “nunome-gawara”, were unearthed in the temple. Those roofing tiles were analyzed made in the Hakuho Period (645-710). This shows that the temple existed in this period. According to a book of Echi District, this temple is the oldest temple in Omi Province, current Shiga Prefecture.
In the Heian Period, the temple belonged to the Tendai sect.
According to the To-ji Kanchi-in Chronicle, in 1444, the temple was named as Hyakusai-ji, a branch temple of the Tendai sect.
According to the Genpei Seisuiki, the Rise of the Minamoto family and the Fall of the Taira family, in 1183, Hyakusai-ji Temple donated military meal provisions, 500 koku, to Yoshinaka Kiso.
In 1498, the fire originated in the temple and lost the main hall and all records. Due to the fire, there is no history record of this temple since then.
Additionally, in 1573, Nobunaga Oda attacked and burned the temple. Hyakusai-ji Temple more and more declined. The current main hall was rebuilt in 1650 during the Edo period.
The Main Gate
Hyakusai-ji Temple is also famous for its beautiful autumn leaves same as other Koto-Sanzan Temples, Saimyo-ji Temple and Kongorin-ji Temple.
The best season to visit is autumn.
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