Enryakuji Temple
4.3 (7766)
4220 Sakamotohonmachi, Otsu, Shiga 520-0116, Japan
This sprawling Tendai Buddhist monastery dates to the 7th century but was rebuilt centuries later.
Duration: 04h00min
+81 77-578-0001
outdoor
indoor
free
paid
daytime
traditional
temples
nature
Opening hours
Mondays: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Tuesdays: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Wednesdays: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Thursdays: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Fridays: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Saturdays: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Sundays: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
review(s)
7766 review(s)
Anne Fernando 3 weeks ago
Located in Hieizan, one of the most sacred mountains in Japan. This temple is very significant especially in the history of Japan. Main hall is under renovation but visitors can still enter. I am in awe how structures from its founding in 788 are still present, and how they try to preserve the originalsl structures and artifacts. Visited during autumn of 2023 and the surrounding nature scenery was really beautiful.
YY 4 months ago
Get ti enjoy some autumn colours here while i was there. Very well liked by the elderly, huge area to explore and expose in the religion in another country. Really interesting to see the similarities and differences of japanese buddism.
M S 11 months ago
Spectacular views from the top of Hieizan! But if you're visiting in the winter, make sure you've got the right kind of shoes, the roads will be iced over and extremely slippery! Still an amazing experience though!
Kahori Kita a year ago
What a holy place it is. Enryakuji is not one temple but temple complex around Mt. Hiei. The main one is under renovation but you can see inside and roofs as well which usually you can’t see. During my visit, I knew about the two hardest ancient practice there, one is the 1000 day 'Kaihogyo' which is circling the mountain 20km~ per day and other is 12 years training alone in Mt. Hiei, and both have been kept alive by the monks. That’s too impressive and unbelievable.
Ibe a year ago
To get to this place you will have to drive up Mount Hiei North East of Kyoto. This incredible complex is a 45 min drive to 3 historical areas; Todo, Saito, and Yokawa areas. Each are a short distance drive from the next. There are tolls up the mountain, total cost is approximately 2000 Yen. Each area costs approximately 500 to 1000 yen per person to enter and parking is free. Enryakuji, the birthplace of Buddhism in Japan where many monks trained. It was also a famous battle site during the late 1500 civil war of Japan due to its strategic location from Kyoto City. The site is remembered for many things amongst which was the famous massacre of 1571 by warlord Oda Nobunaga. The views of the city on the way up are incredible during the fall, so stop by in the rest areas up or down Mount Hiei.