Anoshuzumi Stone Walls

"A three-minute walk from Sakamoto-hieizanguchi Station on the Keihan Electric Railway, and 10 minutes from JR Hieizan-Sakamoto Station. These stone walls were built using techniques devised by the Anoshu stonemason group which operated out of the town of Ano adjoining Sakamoto, a temple town which grew around the Enryakuji Temple. The walls were created by ""listening to and abiding by"" the stones, and are constructed of natural stones in all shapes and sizes. The walls are veritable works of art. They were praised for their strength by the powerful samurai lord Oda Nobunaga after they withstood the fires of Mt. Hiei during the Warring States period. The same techniques were also famously employed in the construction of the ramparts of Azuchi Castle. Today, these beautiful stone walls can still be seen throughout the area."