Enryaku-ji Temple

Shiga

Cultural Immersion & Activities

Shrines & Temples

# Scenic View

# Temple

# Temple Lodging

# Hiking

# World Heritage

The Konpon Chudo main hall of Enryaku-ji Temple, featuring a large roof and outer corridor structure, surrounded by dense cedar forest.

Key Points

Founded in 788 by Saicho, the birthplace of the Tendai sect of Buddhism in Japan
Temple buildings rebuilt in the Edo period with Tokugawa support
UNESCO World Heritage Site, with zen meditation and temple lodging experiences

Perched high on Mt. Hiei, straddling the border of Kyoto and Shiga, Enryaku-ji Temple has been a spiritually and culturally important site for more than 1,200 years. Founded in 788 by the monk Saicho, it became the head temple of the Tendai sect and trained many of the founders of later Japanese Buddhist traditions, earning it the nickname the “Mother Mountain of Japanese Buddhism.”

At its peak, the temple had 3,000 subtemples. However, in 1571 (during the Warring States period), the entire mountain was burned down by Oda Nobunaga (a warlord who aimed to unify Japan). It was later restored under Toyotomi Hideyoshi (the warlord who succeeded Nobunaga and unified Japan) and Tokugawa Ieyasu. Today, the site encompasses more than 100 halls and buildings, housing over 50 Important Cultural Properties, including both buildings and crafts. In 1994, it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

When you visit, you can experience the temple’s traditions firsthand through zazen meditation, or even an overnight stay at temple lodgings. The mountain setting is also incredibly beautiful: to the east, Lake Biwa – the largest in Japan – stretches out like a mirror, while to the west lies a sweeping view of Kyoto.

Information

Spot information including address, access, and website
Address	4220 Sakamotohonmachi, Otsu City, Shiga
Access from Tokyo	(1) From Tokyo Station, take the Tokaido Shinkansen Nozomi to Kyoto Station (approx. 2 hr 12 min). (2) At Kyoto Station, transfer to the Tokaido-Sanyo Line Local (via Kosei Line) to Hieizan-Sakamoto Station (approx. 16 min). (3) From Hieizan-Sakamoto Station, walk to the Hieizan-Sakamoto Eki bus stop (approx. 2 minutes). (4) From Hieizan-Sakamoto Eki bus stop, take the Cable Sakamoto Line bus (bound for Cable Sakamoto-eki to Cable Sakamotoeki Bus Stop (approx. 7 min). (5) From Cable Sakamotoeki Bus Stop, walk to Cable Sakamoto Station (approx. 1 minute). (6) From Cable Sakamoto Station, take the Hieizan-Sakamoto Cable to Motate Yama Station (approx. 9 min). (7) From Motate Yama Station, walk to the Enryaku-ji Temple (approx. 8 minutes). Show route from Tokyo Station
Website	https://www.hieizan.gr.jp/en/
Official SNS Accounts
Note	The exterior of the Main Hall is not visible due to renovation work until 2030.
Related Information	This spot is included in our Refined Kamigata Culture of Kansai itinerary, which highlights the region’s history and culture. Feel free to check it out to help plan your trip. If you want to learn more about the Edo period near Kyoto, we also suggest visiting the Kyoto Imperial Palace, where you can discover the history of the Imperial Court. You can also dive deeper into Kansai’s history by visiting Todai-ji Temple, a major Buddhist site, and Hikone Castle, which shares the story of Omi.