Enryaku-ji Temple

Very nice quiet tourist destination away from busy Kyoto. Amazing view of Lake Biwa. Recommend coming in fall or Sakura season. Reminder to be quiet and respectful on Temple grounds. When going, recommend to take the cable car in Sakamoto(坂本), it is the longest cable car in Japan.

From religious point of view: very important place and definitely worth it of you are interested in Japanese branch pf Buddhism and Japanese history and culture in general. General tourist point of view: there is really nothing special about it that would justify the entrance fee of 1000¥ + the cable or ropeway if you decide to take it for 1800¥ roundway. Any smaller temple in nature is just as beautiful. It really depends on what kind of tourist you are.

Beautiful place, very peaceful and spiritual. The architecture is quite marvelous and to think they built it so high up in the mountains is astonishing.

Impressive Temple embedded in the hills overlooking Biwa-Ko. A number of temples make up the entire collection. They can be reached via a Ropeway (Japan's longest at 2025m), or via a pleasant hike through the forest. A admission fee applies, but this goes towards the restoration efforts. At present, one of the main temples is undergoing restoration efforts, however it can still be viewed from within the protective structure.

Enryakuji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site on Mount Hieizan, is a treasure trove of history, spirituality, and stunning natural beauty. As the birthplace of Japanese Tendai Buddhism, it holds immense cultural and religious significance. The temple complex is vast, with beautifully preserved buildings spread across serene forested grounds. Each area offers a unique glimpse into its rich history. The peaceful atmosphere is perfect for reflection, and the views of Lake Biwa from the mountain are breathtaking. Whether you’re interested in history, Buddhism, or simply seeking tranquility, Enryakuji Temple is a must-visit destination near Kyoto!

A fantastic place where this temple sits on Mount Hiei , a quite and beautiful place to worship God. The east temple is accessible via the cable car from Otsu city. Buy the package ticket because it definitely will save you a lot . It covers transportation from Kyoto, cable car, entrance to the temple and the bus around Mt. Hiei. There are 3 temples which you need to take the bus to get there. one trip is not cheap. End to end costs you 800 yen , so package ticket is useful here.

Hidden gem of a temple at the top of Mt Hiei. Very historic temple at the top with many Japanese locals visiting. Also a great view of Lake Biwa and the surrounding towns. To get to the temple, take the Sakamoto cable car up (Japan's longest cable car!)

I went here after exploring Hiei Garden Museum. It rained so hard while I was riding the bus going to this temple, so I decided to buy souvenirs first. After the weather calmed down, I started touring around the temple. There is an admission fee of ￥1,000 to enter Enryaku-ji. There is a lot to see here, plus they also have shops, restaurants, a museum, and they also have a hotel inside the temple grounds. By the way, there is also an ongoing stamp rally here and if you collect 8 or 12 stamps, you can redeem it for cool prizes. Check their website for information and future events around the area. You can reach Enryaku-ji either by car, bus, or cable car (Sakamoto Cable). The temple is also majical during rainy days, however if you don't want a hassle trip, then I suggest checking if the weather is good.

This temple was founded by Saicho, and I learned this religious sect called Tendaishu has strict disciple compared with other Buddhist temples. My mother's parental house believed True Pure Land sect called Jodo-Shinshu. At the memorial service of my grandma, Buddhist priest said to me trainee monks of Tendaishu can eat only one meal a day. But its vegetarian diet was so delicious and nutritious that it satisfied their bellies. By the way the Buddhist monk of our religious sect ate fish and meat to his heart content, even drank beer!! Their sect was not so strict and allowed them to do so. I am sure that each sect has each mind. Therefore if I became a nun, I would choose True Pure Land sect. Sorry, back to the main topic, Enryakuji temple is located in the Mt. Hiei, the border of Kyoto and Shiga. I have long been skeptical whether its address is in Shiga or in Kyoto. Correctly in Shiga. We can see the panorama of Kyoto city and Lake Biwa. It is inconvenient if you don't come here by car. If you come here to use public transportation, you may get on a cable car or bus. The easiest way to arrive here is to get on a bus at JR Kyoto station, Keihan Sanjyo or Demachiyanagi station. You need not change transportation. It is also a famous spot for hikers. However it seems to be dangerous if a young lady hikes the mountain alone. In the past some miserable accidents happened. It boasts vast ground with about 150 halls, where I couldn't see the whole temple in a day. In the battleship period there were more than 3000 temples. But do you know this temple was set fired by Nobunaga Oda, and Buddhist halls were burnt down to ashes? Terrible incident!! Later it was restored with the support of other warriors such as Hideyoshi Toyotomi or relatives of Tokugawa family. Now it was designated as world heritage. I enjoyed not only its scenic beauty but also historical valuables. Note: Every year night worshipping was held during summer season, but this year it is regrettably not held. The illuminated lit up in the mountain was a taste for summer and must for sightseers.