Enryaku-ji, founded in 788 by the monk Saicho, is the headquarters temple of the Tendai school and one of the most influential religious sites in Japanese history, having trained founders of several later Buddhist sects. The temple complex is spread across Mt. Hiei's summit in three precincts connected by shuttle bus, with the Konponchudo hall at its center housing a flame said to have burned continuously since the temple's founding. Sakamoto, the lakeside town at the mountain's base, grew up as Enryaku-ji's approach town and has a district of stone-walled priest's retirement residences (satobo) as well as Hiyoshi Taisha, a major Shinto shrine tied to the temple.
| Distance | 10 km northwest of central Otsu |
|---|---|
| Travel time | 20 min by JR Kosei Line to Hieizan-Sakamoto Station, then 11-min cable car |
| Getting there | JR Kosei Line from Otsu (or Kyoto) to Hieizan-Sakamoto Station (~15–20 min, ¥330/$2.10 from Kyoto), then a 10-min walk to the Sakamoto Cable base station, followed by the funicular ride up (11 min, ¥880/$5.50 one way) to Enryaku-ji Temple. |
| Address | 4220 Sakamoto Honmachi, Otsu, Shiga 520-0116 |
How to get there
- Mode
- JR Kosei Line + Sakamoto Cable
- Duration
- 20 min train + 11 min cable car
- Cost
- ¥330 ($2.10) train + ¥1,760 ($11.10) cable car round trip
- Notes
- Longest cable car line in Japan; departs twice hourly
- Mode
- Rental car / seasonal bus (Kyoto route)
- Duration
- ~50 min drive via Hiei Driveway
- Cost
- ¥840 ($5.30) seasonal bus fare or toll road fee by car
- Notes
- Seasonal bus runs from Kyoto Station to Hieizancho during peak seasons
Location
4220 Sakamoto Honmachi, Otsu, Shiga 520-0116
35.0714, 135.8409 View on map
Highlights
- Konponchudo Hall — Enryaku-ji's central hall, housing the temple's continuously tended sacred flame
- Todo (Eastern Precinct) — the temple's founding area, including the Konponchudo and the treasure hall
- Sakamoto's satobo district — Edo-era stone-walled residences built for retired Enryaku-ji priests
- Hiyoshi Taisha — large Shinto shrine complex at the mountain's foot, historically paired with Enryaku-ji