Enryakuji Temple on Mt Hiei

Enryakuji is one of the most consequential temples in Japanese history. Founded on Mt Hiei above Kyoto more than twelve centuries ago, this World Heritage monastery trained the monks who went on to establish most of Japan’s major Buddhist schools, and its mountaintop forests still hold an atmosphere that city temples cannot match.

What you will see

The complex spreads across three precincts along the ridgeline. The eastern precinct holds the Konpon Chudo, the great central hall where a flame is said to have been kept burning since the temple’s founding. The western precinct is quieter, its halls linked by cryptomeria lined paths, while the Yokawa area feels close to wilderness. Enryakuji’s history has teeth, too: its warrior monks once intimidated emperors, until the warlord Oda Nobunaga burned the mountain in 1571, and most buildings date from the rebuilding that followed.

Getting there

From Kyoto, take the Eizan Railway to Yase-Hieizanguchi, then the cable car and ropeway up the mountain. From the Shiga side, the Sakamoto cable car climbs from near Hieizan-Sakamoto Station on the JR Kosei Line. Seasonal buses also run from Kyoto Station to the summit area, and a shuttle links the three precincts.

Frequently asked questions

How long does a visit take? Two hours covers the eastern precinct; a proper circuit of all three areas fills most of a day.

When should I go? Autumn colour is superb and summer is cooler than the city below. Winter visits are atmospheric but check transport operations, as the mountain gets genuine snow.

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