Eizan Cable Car Tickets

The Eizan Cable Car climbs the Kyoto side of Mt Hiei, hauling passengers up a steep forested incline from Yase at the city’s northeastern edge. It is a proper piece of vintage mountain transport, covering one of the greatest height gains of any cable railway in Japan, and it forms the scenic first leg of the pilgrimage route up to Enryaku-ji, the vast temple complex that has crowned the mountain for over 1200 years.

The ride and the mountain

From the lower station beside the Takano River valley, the car rises through cedar and maple forest with widening glimpses back over Kyoto. At the top you can connect to a short ropeway that continues to the summit area, from where paths lead toward the Enryaku-ji precincts and viewpoints across Lake Biwa on the far side. In autumn the whole route runs through remarkable colour, and Yase itself is one of Kyoto’s quieter maple spots.

Planning the trip

Services are seasonal, generally pausing in winter, so check operating calendars before building your day around it. Combining the cable car with Enryaku-ji makes a satisfying half to full day out of the mountain, and you can descend the Shiga side by a separate funicular toward Sakamoto to make a loop. Wear walking shoes; summit paths are real forest trails.

Getting there

Take the Eizan Railway from Demachiyanagi Station in Kyoto to Yase-Hieizanguchi, the end of the line, about 15 minutes. The cable car base station is a short walk across the river from the platform. Demachiyanagi connects to central Kyoto via the Keihan Line.

Frequently asked questions

Does it run all year? No, operations pause over winter, so check seasonal schedules.

Can you reach Enryaku-ji this way? Yes, via the connecting ropeway and a walk, which is the classic Kyoto side approach.

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