[2025 Kyoto Attraction] Travel Guide for Mount Hiei (Updated Jun)

The Mount Hiei Forest Cable Car is one of Kyoto's must-visit attractions, taking visitors through lush forests while experiencing the beauty of nature and overlooking the magnificent cityscape of Kyoto. As the cable car ascends, the dense forest layers create a dreamlike forest sanctuary. At dusk, you can enjoy the enchanting view of the sunset painting the sky red, a moment not to be missed by photography enthusiasts. At the top of Mount Hiei, you can also gaze at the shimmering waters of Lake Biwa, providing a refreshing sense of tranquility. This cable car route combines the fusion of nature and cityscapes, offering a unique experience in Kyoto travel!

If you are climbing Mt. Hiei from the Shiga Prefecture side, the most common way to access it by public transport is to take the cable car from Cable Sakamoto Station in Otsu City to Cable Enryakuji Station! The area near Cable Sakamoto Station is located at the foot of Mt. Hiei. There is a large shrine called Hiyoshi Taisha. The autumn leaves on the large street in front of Hiyoshi Taisha were beautiful✨🍁 (3rd photo) As soon as you arrive at Cable Enryakuji Station and get off the cable car, you can see the whole of Otsu city and Lake Biwa (1st photo) #Breathtaking view #Autumn leaves #Mountain climbing

"Rotel de Hiei" is located on the top of Mt. Hiei in Kyoto. It offers a beautiful view of Lake Biwa. The hotel is integrated into nature, and you can feel the blue sky, white clouds, and forests at any time, giving urban people a relaxing vacation experience. "Rotel de Hiei" has guest rooms with unique architectural style and a Japanese garden, and uses abundant and fresh ingredients to carefully prepare a variety of French dishes! The hotel has two floors in total. French place names are written on the doors of each room. The rooms have unique architectural styles and Japanese gardens. The room I stayed in this time was a standard double room with an area of ​​about 32 square meters. It had two large single beds. From the design of the room, every corner was very practical. The restaurant's French cuisine uses ingredients from Lake Biwa and Omi, and each dish is delicious and has a rich and diverse taste. The cooking methods of the restaurant's dishes are derived from the unique fermentation culture of the Omi region, infusing new ideas into the dishes and bringing forth new ideas. #Overseas Travel #Hotel #Japan

#summervacay The meaning of travel might just lie in exploring places you long for — and stumbling upon people or destinations you never expected. Visiting Mount Hiei was a completely unplanned part of this Kyoto trip, but it turned out to be the most delightful surprise. 💫 After leaving the Old Chikurin-in Temple, I walked uphill a short distance to catch the quaint mountain railway. As the train ascended, I could already hear the resonant sound of temple bells echoing down from above — a deeply spiritual and calming experience. 🔔 Once at the top, the observation deck offers a breathtaking view over Lake Biwa. It was sunny down in the city that morning, but by the time I reached the summit, dark clouds had rolled in, casting an almost mystical atmosphere over the lake. ☁️🌊 At the peak lies Enryaku-ji, a temple with over a thousand years of history — regarded as the mother mountain of Japanese Buddhism. It’s divided into three main areas: Tō-tō (Eastern Pagoda), Sai-tō (Western Pagoda), and Yokokawa. Seeing all three could easily take a full day. This time, due to limited time and weather changes, I only visited Tō-tō and Sai-tō. I didn’t reach the absolute summit or the third area, but even that glimpse was enough to leave a deep impression. There are shuttle buses connecting the temple areas (with a separate fee), but departures are infrequent, so plan accordingly. 🚌 #KyotoHiddenGems #MountHiei #Enryakuji #LakeBiwakoViews #BuddhistHeritage

🌄⛩ [Kyoto/Shiga | Mt. Hiei] Silence like standing above the clouds. To a sacred place in the sky where "a thousand years of prayer" lives on. Only 30 minutes by train from Kyoto. But the moment you climb Mt. Hiei, the world suddenly changes. Elevation 848 meters. This mountain overlooking Lake Biwa is the location of **Enryaku-ji, the head temple of the Tendai sect, founded by Saicho. A "mountain of prayer and training" that has continued since the Heian period, many monks once trained their minds here and fostered Japanese Buddhist culture. ⛩Enryaku-ji's grounds cover a whopping 1,700 hectares, and you will be overwhelmed by its vastness and solemn atmosphere. Among them, Konponchudo Hall is where the eternal flame of the law lit by Saicho still flickers gently, and it feels as if our hearts are connected across time and space. 🌿 Along the way, you will find the silence of the rows of cedar trees, the sound of the wind, and the chirping of birds. Just this will ease the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Even though I didn't come here to "find something", I suddenly found my heart lighter. In autumn, the mountainside is colored with autumn leaves, and in winter, snow quietly covers the temple grounds. A mountain that seems to embrace the four seasons in their entirety. Prayer, nature, and history quietly blend together here. ⸻ 📍 Mt. Hiei, Enryakuji Temple 4220 Sakamoto Honmachi, Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture 🚃 Example of access: Kyoto Station → Eizan Electric Railway "Yase Hiei-Zanguchi" → Eizan Cable + Ropeway to the summit (about 1 hour) 🕒 Visiting hours: 9:00-16:30 (varies depending on the season) 🎟 Admission fee: 1,000 yen (common ticket for East Tower, West Tower, and Yokokawa) ※Also accessible via "Mt. Hiei Driveway" and "Sakamoto Cable" ※Shuttle buses operate within Mt. Hiei ⸻ 🔖 #Mt. Hiei #Enryakuji Temple #Head temple of the Tendai sect #Power spot tour #Heart-relaxing trip #Discover with TRIP #Domestic travel #Couple trip #Couple trip #Solo trip #Absolutely free trip ##Shiga #Shiga sightseeing #Shiga trip ⸻ 📌 A place where you can experience "1000 years of prayers" in just one day of hiking.

A Kyoto local shared with me a perfect summer cool down route🗺️! Enchanting green landscapes, secret forest spots, and foot baths with tea🍵. Say goodbye to the summer heat🔥 and experience the refreshing greenery of Kyoto in a day. - 🚩【Kyoto Cool Down Itinerary】 🌲 10:40 Rurikoin Temple (Limited-time Green Wonderland) 🗿 12:00 Sanzen-in Temple (Enjoying Japanese sweets on a moss carpet) ⛩ 15:00 Kifune Shrine (Foot bath and riverbed dining experience) - 💁🏻‍♀️【Quick Guide to Attractions】 🌲Rurikoin Temple – A Real-life Fantasy 📅Dates: April 13th ~ June 16th 🕙Hours: 10:00~17:00 (Last entry at 16:30) 🎫Admission: 2000 yen/person Address: 55 Higashiyama, Kamitakano, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto Open only twice a year in spring🌳 and autumn🍁. Named "Rurikoin" for its vibrant green moss and the beautiful interplay of light and shadow in the garden. 👉🏻Take photos on the reflective table! You'll be surrounded by the lush green waves🌊 of Mount Hiei. . 🗿Sanzen-in Temple – A Gathering of Adorable Deities 🕙Hours: 9:00~17:00 🎫Admission: 700 yen/person Address: 540 Raigoin-cho, Ohara, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto Hidden among the moss carpet are small Jizo statues, posing with their cheeks resting on their hands, sitting in meditation, or daydreaming... absolutely adorable! They blend seamlessly with the moss🌱 of the Yuseien Garden, like little spirits🧚 guarding the temple. ✨Hidden Gem: Look for the "Warabe Jizo" near the waterfall. It's said that touching its head brings good luck. . ⛩Kifune Shrine – The Joy of Foot Baths and Matcha Highly recommend trying the riverbed afternoon tea🫖 for just 600 yen per person. Soak your feet in the chilled stream, enjoy flowing somen noodles and matcha, and let the summer heat melt away. This ancient shrine, over 1600 years old, is famous for its path lined with red wooden lanterns🏮, surrounded by a lush🌳 forest in summer, making it particularly cool. Place your fortune slip in the spring water to reveal the hidden message. - 🍱Riverbed Dining Tips: ▪ Hirobun's Flowing Somen (Reservation required!) ▪ Hyoue Cafe's Matcha Parfait ▪ Kibuneya (High-end Kaiseki cuisine) 👘Outfit: Light-colored kimono👘 + Straw bag - 💡Chinese Tour Guide Service in Japan🇯🇵 📝More fun guides coming soon~

In Kyoto, the summit of Mount Hiei, standing at 848 meters, offers an unforgettable adventure. Early in the morning, I took a cable car that slowly ascended, allowing me to enjoy the magnificent mountain scenery and lush forests along the way. As the altitude increased, the air became fresher, and my mood lifted accordingly. Upon reaching the summit, the view before me was breathtaking. The distant Kyoto cityscape was shrouded in a thin mist, creating a dreamlike world. Standing on the observation deck, the surrounding mountains stretched endlessly, making me feel the grandeur and vastness of nature. This is an ideal place for contemplation and relaxation, where I couldn't help but take deep breaths to feel the essence of nature. Mount Hiei not only boasts beautiful scenery but also has a rich cultural heritage. Enryaku-ji Temple, one of Japan's most important Buddhist temples, is located on the mountain. The ancient architecture and serene environment convey a sense of historical depth. As I strolled through the temple, listening to the monks' chanting, I felt a profound sense of peace. In this tranquil haven, I experienced both physical and mental relaxation and rejuvenation. The beauty and culture of Mount Hiei will forever remain in my memory, becoming a sanctuary in my heart. If given the chance to visit again, I would undoubtedly embark on this wonderful journey once more.

The following is an introduction to Urban Hotel Minami Kusatsu, Kusatsu, Japan: Basic Information - Location: Located in Kusatsu, Shiga, Japan, right in front of the roundabout at the west exit of JR Minami-Kusatsu Station, about 17 minutes from Kyoto Station, with convenient transportation. - Star Rating: 3-star hotel. Hotel Facilities - Room Facilities: The rooms are decorated in a simple style that pursues safety and functionality, and are equipped with world-famous Simmons beds and soft indirect lighting. Each room has air conditioning, heating, carpeted floors, shower, bathtub, hairdryer, toilet, bathroom, slippers, flat-screen TV, refrigerator, electric kettle, etc. Some rooms also offer a minibar, desk, blackout curtains, etc. - Public Facilities: The hotel has a 24-hour front desk, laundry room, dryer, conference hall, and free Wi-Fi. In addition, the hotel also has a parking lot for the convenience of self-driving guests. - Dining Facilities: The hotel's Cafe Restaurant Lavender offers buffet breakfast, lunch, coffee, and alcoholic beverages. Nearby Attractions - Mount Hiei: About 40 minutes by car from the hotel, it is the head temple of the Japanese Buddhist Tendai sect and has many historic temple buildings. - Hikone Castle: About 65 minutes by car from the hotel, it is a national treasure castle in Japan, built by the Ii family, surrounded by a moat, and retains a strong historical atmosphere. - Ishiyama-dera Temple: About 50 minutes by car from the hotel, it is a branch temple of Enryaku-ji Temple on Mount Hiei, famous for its beautiful autumn leaves. Check-in Policy - Check-in and Check-out Time: Check-in time is from 3:00 pm to 11:00 pm, and check-out time is before 10:00 am. - Child Policy: The child policy is relatively relaxed, and the charging policy for children of different ages is different. Please check when booking. - Pet Policy: Pets are not allowed.

Mount Hiei, located on the border between Kyoto and Shiga, is also known as the mountain where deities reside. The vast area is divided into regions such as the East Pagoda, West Pagoda, and Yokawa, requiring bus transportation to explore fully; otherwise, walking would be quite a challenge. This site is also historically significant as the location where Oda Nobunaga set fire to Mount Hiei. Viewing Mount Hiei through the lens of history adds a deeper sense of appreciation. The East Pagoda area features the Main Hall, the Manpuku Hall, and a bell tower where you can ring away 108 worldly desires. This area exudes grandeur, while the West Pagoda area is serene and green, resembling a hidden temple in the mountains. If you're starting from Kyoto, you can take the Keihan Electric Railway to Yase, transfer to a cable car up the mountain, and then switch to a bus. Along the way, you'll see the beautiful Lake Biwa. Another route is to ascend from Shiga, taking the Sakamoto Cable Car to reach the vicinity of the East Pagoda. It's recommended to dedicate a full day to experience the thousand-year-old charm of Mount Hiei.

Hiei-san Sakamoto is famous for Enryaku-ji Temple and Saigyo-ji Temple. It's close to Lake Biwa, and it's easily accessible from Kyoto, about 15-20 train rides away. It's a town you should stop by when you visit Lake Biwa or Kyoto! It has a lot of history as the town of Enryaku-ji Temple, and there are many temples and shrines in the surrounding area. It's especially recommended for those who like temples and shrines and collect goshuin stamps. I took a walk along the straight road from Hiei-san Sakamoto Station to Cable Sakamoto Station. The famous spot on this road is the former Chikurin-in Temple, but there are also other Japanese architecture that give off a sense of history, such as the torii gates that span the road, and a wonderful atmosphere. Please come and experience the history of Mt. Hiei~ ✈︎---------------------------------------------✈︎ 📍: Mt. Hiei Sakamoto, Shiga 📸: iPhone 13 Pro, Canon EOS 5D MarkⅣ ✈︎---------------------------------------------✈︎ #DomesticTravelRecord #Shiga #ShigaTourism #ShigaTrip #Mt.Hiei #Mt.HieiSakamotoStation #Mt.HieiSakamoto

Walk forward for seven or eight minutes from the bottom of Mount Hiei and you will reach Rurikoin 🟡🔴. The colors here are like a dream 🍁🍁. Although there were a few more people, I still liked it very much. #WinterTravelCollection #Rurikoin #2024MyInterestFocus #Kyoto #Travelersnotebook #KyotoTravel #handbooker #KyotoRedLeaves #RedLeaves #Travel

The trip to Kyoto was planned half a year ago. But the only thing that remains unchanged in this world is that it keeps changing. Who knew Fenghong was late? So I came to Kyoto in mid-November, Basically, you can only see sparse half-green and half-yellow maple leaves. After searching for a long time, It seems that only Mount Hiei near Kyoto, There is only a little bit of "seeing moment", Isn’t this trip meant to capture the autumn of Japan? So, I changed my plans. However, it is not easy to see the beauty of Mount Hiei. I have to change four modes of transportation. Buses, trains, limousines and taxis, I got lost several times along the way. But for that glimpse of red maple leaves, It's still worth it. #Kyoto #Kyoto Mt. Hiei #Enryakuji Temple

Today we plan to go on a day trip to Mt. Hiei We took the hotel bus to Katada Station, and then took the train to Hieisan Sakamoto. We walked from Hieisan Sakamoto Station to the cable car Sakamoto Station at the foot of the mountain (there are also buses in front of the station), strolled about 2 kilometers along the way, took the cable car up the mountain, and then followed the crowd to the East Tower bus station. As a result, we took the wrong bus haha ​​😃. We got off the bus quickly at the West Tower, explained the situation to the driver and did not ask for the fare, and then waited for a long time for the bus to the mountaintop observation deck [Facepalm]… Mount Hiei is the general name for the north-south mountain range centered on the two peaks of Shimei and Ōhiei, which straddle Sakyo-ku, Kyoto City, and Ōtsu City, Shiga Prefecture. The main attractions of Mount Hiei are divided into three areas: East Pagoda, West Pagoda, and Yokogawa…

#SpecialHotelAccommodationEvent #Kyoto #EizanElectricLine The EizanElectricLine that connects northern Kyoto is not a train going to Kurama, but the other side is YaseiEizanguchi Station~ When you arrive, you can take the cable car to Mt. Hiei or take the bus to Ohara! Since it is the final stop, various events using the train are held, so it is also fun to watch.

#Fly and travel with trip The sightseeing train "Sightseeing Train HIEI" was originally built as a pilgrimage route to Hieizan Enryaku-ji Temple, which is about 5 minutes from the final station Yase-Hieizanguchi. But now, it "emphasizes the view, emphasizes the travel" with a luxurious interior design with a stylish baguette seat design. 🚞 This train runs as a local Starting from Demachiyanagi Station (E01) in the city... to the end at Yase-Hieizanguchi Station (E08) on the "Eizan Railway" line, which is full of nature and beautiful countryside. 🍀 The highlight of the train is the large glass windows. In fact, it's not just the windows that are good. More than 80% of the train is clear glass, revealing different panoramic views. Whether you turn left, right, front, back, up, down, the entire view is a distance of 5.6 kilometers, taking about 45 minutes. 🚉 When you reach the final destination Yase-Hieizanguchi, it will be the end of the train track. You can hear the sound of flowing water. Yes, that's right... This station is located along the Takano-gawa River and surrounded by forests from the Hiei mountains... There's nowhere else but nature. 🌿 Now that we're here, let's walk to Hieizan Enryaku-ji Temple. See the river, see nature, I can't help but think how beautiful it will be during the changing leaves. 🥹

#SpringGood Places2024 Mount Hiei is definitely a good place to visit in spring. You can do some exercise in this place because you have to walk a lot and the way to get there is quite simple. From Osaka Umeda Station or Kyoto Station, take the Hankyu Electric Railway for about 1 hour to reach Hiroyama Kurama Temple. Climbing this high mountain, being among the sea of ​​clouds, and enjoying the magnificent scenery of nature is one of life's great pleasures!

Coming out of the Yasuguchi Station of the Eizan Electric Railway, the maple path to the Rurikoin Temple is incredibly beautiful, and it's free of charge, which is even better. Even if you don't have a prior appointment to the special worship at the Rurikoin Temple, it's very worth it to visit here. Guaranteed to be worth the tram fare.

Mount Hiei is located in Shiga, and is an important practice place for the Tendai sect of Buddhism in Japan. Mount Hiei is not a mountain, it is scattered with about 150 temples and pagodas, collectively known as Enryakuji, so Enryakuji does not refer to a single temple. The World Heritage Site, the national treasure buildings of Enryakuji on Mount Hiei (East Tower). The main hall is a national treasure of Japan, enshrining the Medicine Buddha. Its predecessor was the Ichijo Shikanin built in 788 AD, which was rebuilt by Tokugawa Iemitsu in 1642 (the 19th year of Kanei) after Oda Nobunaga burned the mountain. It is a Japanese-style Irimoya construction, the inner formation is 3 meters lower than the outer formation, with a unique structure. The Manjusri Tower is the gate of Enryakuji, and the Manjusri Bodhisattva is enshrined inside. It was built in imitation of the Manjusri Bodhisattva Hall in our Wutai Mountain. The Great Lecture Hall was built in 1634 and is a dojo for monks to discuss knowledge. Now the main hall is under renovation, and the main building is surrounded by steel structure color board houses, with scaffolding guardrails for visitors to visit.

I don't like crowds, so I took the Hiei Mountain Cable Car, a hidden spot for viewing autumn leaves with few people. The scenery on both sides of the cable car window is a stunning gradation of red, yellow, and green. The area around Yase Cable Station has a promenade, and the gradation of red was particularly beautiful. The cable car🚠, which is said to have the highest elevation difference in Japan, has a steep slope. I enjoyed the announcements about the highlights. It was a moment when I thought I was glad to be born Japanese♪ #AutumnLeaves #Kyoto #MountHiei #CableCar #Yase

Arashiyama, Kyoto Prefecture, is currently at its reddest autumn leaves #Weekend outing

A one-day ticket for unlimited rides on buses from Mt. Hiei Sakamoto Station and the Sakamoto Cable Car is 1,700 yen! Surprisingly, many people don't know about this, and many people pay in cash each time💦 You can save a little on the entrance fee to Mt. Hiei, and you can also stop by Hiyoshi Shrine⛩️, so you should definitely buy the unlimited ride ticket🉐! You can also walk to the Sakamoto Cable Car station without taking the 🚌, but it's quite a steep hill😆 On the way there, I recommend the lowest seat because you can see Lake Biwa below you! (Station staff information❤️) It's the longest cable car in Japan at 2,025m! A wonderful view awaits you when you arrive😊 #SakamotoCable #Mt.HieiSakamotoStation #Japan'sBest #CableCar #AmazingView

Located at the foot of Mount Hiei, one of the seven highest peaks in Japan, there is a building called "Cat Temple", which houses many different types of cat-shaped products, artworks, and furniture, allowing visitors to completely immerse themselves in the world of cats. The owner runs the store like an art gallery. Visitors need to pay an 💵entrance fee💵 to enter. Most of the cat products inside are available for purchase, and there is always one that suits you with a wide variety of items. #Japan must-visit check-in spots

Hiei Mountain Climbing I went during the autumn foliage season The colorful leaves were beautiful, Mountain climbing was good exercise. ...

I went mountain climbing. There were many places with poor footing, so it was tough, but there were also places with good views, and if you get tired, you can always take the cable car home, so it was reassuring for a beginner. I'd been there a few times before by driving, but I was happy to see a completely different Mt. Hiei by hiking! I saw a wild deer on the way, so it might be necessary to take measures against bears. #AutumnTrip #Halloween #AccommodationReview #AmazingView #Gourmet #KyotoTourism

Send a group of beautiful pictures of the Ruishan Temple. Birui Mountain Yanli Temple is the total mountain of Tiantai Zong, created by the master of Buddhist missions. Birui Mountain belongs to the temple area as a whole, and the three places of East Tower, West Tower and Yokogawa are collectively called the Birui Mountain Yanli Temple. In 1994, Yanli Temple was registered as one of the world cultural heritages as one of the cultural properties of the ancient capital Kyoto. I have been here three years ago and I am very impressed by the beauty of the place. If Ise Shrine is one of the best places in the shrine, then its status in Japanese Buddhism is similar. Only staying at the L'hotel de Hiei and the hotel of the Jangye Temple can make an appointment to attend the morning ritual. This is definitely an experience of washing your soul.