This temple is loved by people of Nagahama and they refer this temple as “Gobou-san”.  It is said the temple is from the remains of Fushimi Castle in Kyoto.  In the temple building, there are sliding door paintings by Oukyo Maruyama and painters of Kano school reflecting gorgeous atmosphere of Momoyama culture.  Temple garden is designated as a national scenic garden.  Along the street approaching Daitsuji, there are many shops in various Machiya style, the traditional merchants’ housing style.

Jinnshouji is the oldest temple in Nagahama and was founded in 895 (Kanpyo 7).  There are many valuable cultural assets such as statue of a multi-armed deity, and a Cetaka statue looking over his shoulder.  Specially, Kinginto Sukashibori Keko (flower basket motif in lace worked arabesque carving in gold and silver), a national treasure, is worth noting since it has been exhibited in the Boston Museum of Art and other overseas famous art museums.

The shrine has over 1000 year history, well protected by Lord Hideyoshi, Lord of Nagahama Castle. It is a shrine protecting the community of Nagahama.  On every April 15, the shrine’s festival, Hikiyama Matsuri (Float Festival), festival music can be heard together with news of cherry blossoms.  Needless to say, the gorgeous floats and sweet child kabuki are very impressive.

The gateway, said to be Karamete Gate of Nagahama Castle transferred to the temple, leads visitors to the main hall of Chizennin.  In the main hall, fantastic sculptures of 3 Amidasanzon statue and, on their left, a wooden statue of Lord Hideyoshi, brought out of Osaka Castle before it fell, are enshrined.  In the Kannon Hall of this temple, an eleven-faced Kannon statue is enshrined.

The large main hall of Shanain is located next to Hachimangu.  This temple was a Jinguji (during the Heian period, integration of Buddhism and Shintoism generated a Buddhist temple operating in the Shinto shrine and this type of temple is called Jinguji) of Hachimangu and was warmly protected by Lord Hideyoshi.  The old door used in the National Diet Building is used in the main hall.  The temple compound is filled with Fuyou (cotton roses) from early August to September. 

This shrine is enshrining Lord Hideyoshi Toyotomi, Lord of Nagahama Castle.  In the shrine, Ebisu Sama (deity of commerce) is enshrined together with Lord Hideyoshi.  In January, every year, the shrine is crowded with people coming for Touka Ebisu, the festival of Ebisu.  After visiting Houtaikou , a visit to Shusse Inari (shrine for success) may be a good idea.  In autumn, a Samurai Parade is also held.

This temple is well-known for peonies and its compound is filled with peonies from early April. The main Buddha image of the temple is Yakushi Nyorai Sama (Amitabha Tathagata-healing Buddha) and the temple is the 31th Saigoku Yakushi Reijyo (hallowed site of the Healing Buddha in Western Territory).  In the front garden of the main hall, a pine tree is growing on a Japanese apricot tree, known as “pine-apricot tree”, and it is known for bringing fortune for match-making.

The main Buddha image of this temple is Benzaiten (Sarasvati-Guardian goddess of Art & Study) and is known as the 3 Sarasvati together with that of Enoshima (an island in Kanagawa) and Itsukushima (an island in Hiroshima).  The Kannon (Goddess of Mercy) Hall of this temple is 30th temple of Saigoku 33 Kannon Reijyo (hallowed site of the Kannon in Western Territory) and there are many visitors to it.  The Karamon (Chinese gate) is designated as a national treasure and there are many other treasures stored in treasure hall.

The main hall (a national treasure) is from the remains of Fushimi jyo (Fushimi castle).  The essence of Momoyama culture can be seen on sliding doors, pillars, and fan light.  Especially, paintings of sliding doors and ceilings are said to be done by Mitsunobu Kanou.  From the front shrine, which is depicted in the Heike Monogatari (Tales of Heike), visitors can throw unglazed small dishes on which they have written their wish at a torii (a gateway to a shrine) standing on a rocky stretch and if the dish goes through the torii their wish will come true.

Ohmi Kohouan is a temple located in the tranquility of the mountains and greenery which consoles the spirit of Enshuu Kobori (1579 - 1647), Lord of Komuro Castle, known as one of the three great tea ceremony masters.  Enshuu constructed Kohouan in Daitoku Ji (temple) in Kyoto, and this temple in contrast is called Ohmi Kohouan.
The garden of this temple is well noted for using the natural environment applying Karesansui (dry garden style) and Chisen Kaiyuu Shiki Teien (Japanese garden style with layout of pond, miniature mountains, bridge, etc., where visitors can walk around).  The garden is designated as scenic spot by the prefectural government and is known as the best spot for autumn leaves in Kohoku (Northern part of Lake Biwa)

The temple was founded by Bucchi Zenshi (a zen priest) and its origins are found in the Anraku Shoujya (Vihara) in middle of the Kamakura era.  The site was the former villa of Fuhito Fujiwara.  The temple was burnt down during the Battle of Anegawa but it was reconstructed by a lord of Hikone, Naotaka Ii.  The vast garden designed by Musou Kokushi is in the form of Sansui Kaiyu Shiki Tsurukame Teien (cruising type of garden resembling landscape with a pond resembling a crane and a miniature hill resembling a turtle).  Also in the temple compound, there is the “nail tomb of Takauji Ashikaga” with a written record stating “…. By the will, it shall be rendered to this temple”.  Crythanthemum flowers, grown by people in the nearby community, are placed along the gateway to the temple in early November every year.