Ishiyamadera
石山寺
Temple
Otsu, Shiga
Ishiyamadera is a large temple complex built on a massive outcrop of rare wollastonite rock, which gives the site its name. Founded in the 8th century, it’s known as the place where Murasaki Shikibu began writing the famous novel The Tale of Genji in the early 11th century during the Heian period.
Interestingly, Ishiyamadera has a small room called Genji no Ma (源氏の間) that is traditionally said to be the place where she began writing the novel.
