The town was named after a famous temple Eigen-ji and it is a key spot for viewing the momiji leaves turn red in the autumn. Mountain villages in east of the town is famous for rare green tea and had been a base of traditional woodworkers since 9th century.
References
^"沿革 | 東近江市ホームページ". 東近江市 (in Japanese). Retrieved 2024-02-14. 平成17年2月11日には、1市4町(八日市市・永源寺町・五個荘町・愛東町・湖東町)が合併し「東近江市」が誕生しました。