basic information

Located in Kyoto's eastern mountain range on Mount Hieizan, Enryakuji is one of the most important monasteries in Japanese history. It is the headquarters of the Tendai sect of Japanese Buddhism, which served as the foundation for a number of later sects including the Pure Land (Jodo), Zen and Nichiren sects.

Enryakuji was founded in 788 by Saicho, the monk who used his learnings of Chinese Buddhism to found the Tendai sect. At its peak, Enryakuji had as many as 3000 subtemples and a powerful army of warrior monks who often engaged in power struggles with other monasteries and political leaders.

Main Hall (Todo)

Shaka Hall (Saito)

On his way to remove all potential rivals and unite the country, Oda Nobunaga attacked and destroyed most of Enryakuji's buildings in 1571. Therefore, most of today's temple buildings date back to the early Edo Period, when Enryakuji was rebuilt by the new rulers.

Enryakuji's attractions are concentrated in three areas: Todo (east area), Saito (west area) and Yokawa. The main area is the Todo area, where the temple was founded and where most of the main buildings are located, including the Main Hall (Kompon Chudo) and the Amida Hall, which was added to the complex in 1937.

Ninai Hall (Saito)

Yokawa Central Hall (Yokawa)

A pleasant walking trail through the forest connects the Todo with the Saito area, whose main building is the Shaka Hall, the oldest building on the mountain. Not far away stands the Ninai Hall, two halls connected to each other by a central corridor. A monk named Benkei, known for his legendary strength, is said to once have carried the hall on his shoulders.

The third main area, the Yokawa area, is located several kilometers north of the other two areas, and is visited by fewer people. Its main building, the Yokawa Central Hall, is partially built on a slope using pillars.

Enryakuji is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as one of the protected areas under the designated "Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto". The temple is a significant site in Japan's cultural history. Many influential monks studied at Enryakuji, and the temple is mentioned in works of art such as The Tale of Genji.

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how to get there

Getting there

Enryakuji is located on Mount Hieizan, which lies on the border of Kyoto Prefecture and Shiga Prefecture. The mountain can be ascended from either the Kyoto side by Eizan Cablecar, or from the Shiga side by Sakamoto Cablecar. There is also a toll road that leads up to the temple, which is used by buses.

By Eizan Cablecar and Ropeway

Take the Eizan Main Line from Demachi-yanagi Station in northeastern Kyoto to Yase-Hieizan-guchi Station (15 minutes, 260 yen). From there, take the Eizan Cablecar and Eizan Ropeway to the summit of Hieizan (15-20 minutes, 840 yen one way, 1640 yen round trip). From the summit, it is another 5 minute bus ride or 30 minute walk to the Todo area.

By Sakamoto Cablecar

Take the JR Kosei Line from Kyoto Station to Hiei-Sakamoto Station (15 minutes, 320 yen one way), from where it is a 15 minute walk or 5 minute bus ride to the lower station of the Sakamoto Cablecar. The cablecar ride takes 11 minutes and costs 840 yen one way or 1570 yen for a round trip. From the upper station, Hieizan's Todo area can be reached in a 5-10 minute walk.

By Bus

There are direct buses from Kyoto Station and Keihan Sanjo Station to Hieizan's Todo area. The one way trip takes about one hour and costs 750 yen from Kyoto Station. There are 8-11 buses per day, except from December through mid March, when there are only three buses per day.

Getting around

The Todo and Saito areas are connected with each other by a pleasant walking trail (about 20 minutes one way) through the forest.

Shuttle buses operate between the upper station of the Eizan Ropeway (at the mountain's summit), the upper station of the Sakamoto Cablecar, the Todo area, the Saito area and the Yokawa area about every 60 minutes on weekdays and about every 30 minutes on weekends. There are no buses from December to mid March.

Bus fares depend on the distance traveled. The one way trip from the Todo to the Yokawa area, for example, takes 15 minutes and costs 640 yen. A one day pass for unlimited use of the shuttle bus on one calendar day is available for 800 yen.

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hours and fees

Hours:	8:30 to 16:30 (March to November) 9:00 to 16:00 (December) 9:00 to 16:30 (January and February)
Closed:	No closing days
Admission:	550 yen (additional 450 yen for treasure house)

news and reports

	Kyoto Autumn Color Report: Arashiyama November 19, 2009
	Kyoto Autumn Color Report: Higashiyama November 18, 2009
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	Kyoto Cherry Blossom Report March 30, 2009
	Kyoto Cherry Blossom Report March 25, 2009

travel community

Popularity of Hieizan:
Users who have been to Kyoto: 1962
Users who have been to Hieizan: 133

31st of 46 most visited sights in Kyoto.
156th of 554 most visited sights nationwide.

Ratings for Hieizan:

japan-guide.com Rating:		outstanding
User Rating (by 62 users):	82/100	recommended

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hotels & ryokan

Guest Inn Chita A small traditional inn run by a very kind staff. From 3500yen per guest. 10 min from Kyoto Station. Renewed in 2006. Backpackers Hostel K's House Kyoto Voted No.1 hostel in Asia by Hostelworld customers. 9 mins walk from JR Kyoto station Bed from 2,500 yen. Gion Hatanaka A real Japanese inn in a quiet area of Gion, famous for Geisha. 15min walk to Kiyomizu-dera. 5min to Yasaka-jinja.

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