Kongorin-ji

Kongorin-ji, also referred to as Matsuo-dera, is a Tendai sect Buddhist temple located in Aisho, Shiga Prefecture. Its honzon, or main object of worship, is Kannon Bosatsu. Founded in the early Heian period, the temple is part of a group of three temples known as Koto-sanzan, along with Saimyo-ji in Kora and Hyakusai-ji in Higashiomi. The temple complex includes a Main Hall designated as a National Treasure, containing numerous statues dating from the Heian period and beyond that are recognised as Important Cultural Properties, as well as a garden designated as a National Place of Scenic Beauty.

Nitenmon

The main gate of the temple was constructed in the early Muromachi period. Initially, it was a two-story Romon tower gate but like the three-story pagoda, it fell into disrepair and lost its upper story. The gate was restored during the Edo period and has been designated as an Important Cultural Property.

Three-story Pagoda

The temple claims it was built in 1246, but its style dates back to the Namboku-cho period. The pagoda suffered significant damage in the Meiji period and was left to deteriorate, but was repaired and restored from 1975 to 1978, using the Saimyo-ji pagoda in the nearby town of Kora as a reference. This pagoda has been recognised as a National Important Cultural Property.

Gardens

The gardens are recognised as a National Place of Scenic Beauty. They comprise of three separate gardens. The first one dates back to the Momoyama period and features a stone bridge in the centre and a hokyointo from the Kamakura period. The second garden is from the early Edo period and showcases many stones, and the third, from the middle Edo period, has a pond with a stone in the center symbolizing a ship.

Main Hall (Hondo)

The Hondo of the temple is a National Treasure, marked by metal fittings on the altar inscribed with the year 1288. Historical records indicate it was built to commemorate the victory over the Mongol invasions of Japan. However, a 1988 investigation revealed that the Hondo was constructed during the Namboku-cho period and the metal fittings were reused from an earlier structure. The honzon is a rough, unfinished-looking hibutsu statue of Kannon Bosatsu called "Namami Kannon", attributed to Gyoki and belongs to the "hatchet statuary" genre from the latter half of the Heian period. The Hondo also houses several statues designated as Important Cultural Properties.