Nestled in the mountainous ranges of Kyoto’s Hieizan (Mt. Hiei), Enryaku-ji Temple is one of the most significant sites in Japanese history.
During my recent hike up Mt. Hiei, I was amazed to stumble upon a UNESCO World Heritage Site as I approached the mountain’s summit. Enryaku-ji is one of Kyoto’s oldest Tendai temples (Shinto-Buddhism) and is part of the “Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto” category.
Beautiful Architecture
In many ways, the color scheme and architecture of Enryaku-ji temple reminded me of Fushimi Inari-Taisha, one of Japan’s most popular shrines also located in Kyoto.
The color scheme of reddish-orange (or vermillion) is believed to counteract evil spirits and is used in most shrines across Japan.
Personally, I loved walking through the corridors of Enryaku-ji temple and feeling like I’d gone back in time to the samurai days.
The Place Where The Sun Shines
Being at such a high altitude toward the top of Mt. Hiei (or Hieizan as known by the Japanese), temperatures can get cold, and the weather can be windy and wild at Enryaku-ji (especially in the winter).
On the plus side, being this high up also means you get to experience the full strength of Japan’s rising sun, particularly if you’re here in the early hours of the morning.
I took the opportunity to sit and relax in this beautiful atmosphere after hiking for 2 hours, and it was nice to use the nearby restrooms before continuing to the summit!
30-Minute Hike To Mt. Hiei’s Summit!
There are many ways to get to Enryaku-ji Temple including a bus ride, a cable car, and my personal favorite, a good old hike through the mountains.
From Enryaku-ji Temple, there are multiple routes you can take to reach the summit of Mt. Hiei, ranging from a 10-minute bus ride to a 40-minute “scenic route.”
Once you get to the top, you can enjoy an incredible view of Kyoto city from the observation decks and even see the Garden Museum during the months of April to November.
Of course, if you are planning to visit Japan, you’ll need a way to get around the country as efficiently and affordably as possible. Japan Rail provides an abundance of travel passes to suit your travel needs. So whether you are traveling individually or as a group, the JR Pass is every traveler’s go-to for getting around and making the most of your time in Japan!