The Main Hall of Nagahama Gobo
The Daitsuji Temple Main Hall (大通寺本堂) is the main hall of Daitsuji, a branch temple of the Otani school of Shin Buddhism (Higashi Honganji) at Motohama-cho, Nagahama City, Shiga Prefecture, a large hip-and-gable hall built in 1657, and was designated an Important Cultural Property on March 26, 1915 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The Agency for Cultural Affairs records five bays across the front and nine at the back, eight bays deep, single storey, hip-and-gable roof with a one-bay canopy and a one-bay rear aisle, tiled roof; it is owned by the Honganji Betsuin Daitsuji of the Otani school.
Nagahama Gobo and the Fushimi Castle Legend
According to the Biwako Visitors Bureau, the temple's formal name is Mugechisan Daitsuji, but it is popularly called Nagahama Gobo. It began as a hall for spreading the teaching among the followers of northern Omi inside the old Nagahama Castle, became Daitsuji around the time Higashi Honganji was founded in Kyoto, and later moved to its present site. Daitsuji notes its close ties throughout the Edo period with the Ii family of Hikone.
Nagahama City relates a legend that the Daitsuji Temple Main Hall was a hall of Fushimi Castle given in 1604 by Tokugawa Ieyasu to Kyonyo of Honganji, who made it his founder's hall; when that hall was rebuilt, the old building was moved to Daitsuji as its main hall.
Value as an Important Cultural Property
The Daitsuji Temple Main Hall was designated an Important Cultural Property in 1915. Nagahama City describes it as a massive, well-proportioned and solid building, and Daitsuji says that its halls, said to come from Fushimi Castle, reveal the splendour of Momoyama culture throughout.
What to Look For
The Agency for Cultural Affairs notes a deep plan, five bays wide at the front widening to nine at the back and eight bays deep, with a one-bay canopy in front and a one-bay aisle along the rear, under a tiled hip-and-gable roof.
The ticket office is to the left of the Daitsuji Temple Main Hall, from where visitors tour the halls through to the Great Hall and the Ganzanken and Rantei (Daitsuji).
Visiting
According to Daitsuji, the grounds are open from 8:00 to 17:00 and the halls from 10:00 to 16:30 (last entry 16:00; from 9:00 between February 1 and December 20, 2026). Admission to the halls is charged, cash only, and wheelchair visits to the halls must be booked in advance (0749-62-0054).
The Daitsuji Temple Main Hall forms the cultural properties of Daitsuji with the Great Hall, the Ganzanken and Rantei, and their gardens. See the group page Daitsuji Temple (Nagahama Betsuin) for all four. The address is 32-9 Motohama-cho, Nagahama City.
- 📍 Plan Your Visit to Shiga
- Find tours, activities & transport passes near Daitsuji Temple Main Hall
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Q&A
- When was the main hall built?
- In 1657 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- What is the link with Fushimi Castle?
- A legend says it was a Fushimi Castle hall used by Kyonyo as his founder's hall and later moved to Daitsuji (Nagahama City).
- What kind of temple is Daitsuji?
- A branch temple of the Otani school of Shin Buddhism, popularly called Nagahama Gobo (Biwako Visitors Bureau).
- How large is the hall?
- Five bays at the front, nine at the back and eight deep (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- When was the Daitsuji Temple Main Hall designated?
- On March 26, 1915.
Basic Information
| Name | Daitsuji Temple Main Hall (大通寺本堂) |
|---|---|
| Location | 32-9 Motohama-cho, Nagahama City, Shiga Prefecture |
| Designation | Important Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Designated 1915/03/26 (Taisho 4) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Front five bays, rear nine bays, eight bays deep, single storey, hip-and-gable roof, one-bay canopy, rear aisle, tiled roof |
| Owner | Honganji Betsuin Daitsuji (Otani school) |
| Public Access | Paid admission to the halls, cash only |
References
- Daitsuji Temple Main Hall (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/102/1401
- Daitsuji Temple Great Hall (Database of National Cultural Properties)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/102/1402
- Daitsuji Temple Ganzanken and Rantei (Database of National Cultural Properties)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/102/1403
- Daitsuji Main Hall (Nagahama City)
- https://www.city.nagahama.lg.jp/section/bunkazai/sitei/daituuzi/hondou.html
- Nagahama Betsuin Daitsuji (official website)
- https://www.daitsuji.or.jp/daitsuji/
- Daitsuji (Biwako Visitors Bureau)
- https://www.biwako-visitors.jp/spot/detail/575/
Last verified: 2026.10.11
