For the ultimate experience of mind, body, and soul, hiking up Kyoto’s iconic Mt. Hiei allows you to appreciate Japan like never before!
I’ve done my fair share of hiking up mountains in Japan, but Mt. Hiei stands out to me as offering the most spiritually uplifting experience of them all.
There are several reasons (good and bad) that led me to this conclusion.
As you read through this guide to hiking Mt. Hiei, I will teach you all that I know about how to get there, what to bring, and things to watch out for.
Most importantly, I hope this guide inspires you to start your own journey to the summit of Mt. Hiei!
Preparing For The Journey
The best way to get to Mt. Hiei’s hiking trail is via public transport.
There are two train stations you can get off at – Hieizan Sakamoto station or Sakamoto-hieizanguchi station (seriously, could the names be any more similar?).
While Sakamoto-hieizanguchi is closer to the hiking trail, I’d recommend taking the train to Hieizan Sakamoto station as it is closer to the 7-Eleven i.e. the last convenience store before the hike begins.
This will allow you to stock up on food and drink and hit the toilets before embarking on your journey.
Getting To The Entrance
The Sakamoto area is quite easy to navigate, regardless of which station you decide to get off at.
It’s essentially one straight road with a walking path and cycle track that leads straight into the mountains.
Keep going until you see the big silver torii gate indicating that you are now within proximity of Mt. Hiei.
Finding the exact location of the hiking trail starting point can be a bit tricky. Just know that it is located right next to Hieizan High School.
I was fortunate enough to be assisted by a friendly English-speaking student of that high school who offered me help and guided me to the starting point of the hike (they must get a lot of visitors coming past!).
Look For The Big Staircase!
The first kilometer or so of the hike can also be a little confusing, as Google Maps led me to a locked gate barricading the hiking trail of Mt. Hiei.
If this happens to you, don’t give up! Simply look for Nanzembo Temple on your navigator and head in that direction up the road.
Once you arrive at this big staircase, that’s when the hike really begins!
This long flight of stairs will take you past Nanzembo Temple and right into the thick of the Mt. Hiei hiking trail!
Enjoy The Views Along The Way
Not long into the hike, you’ll find astonishing views of Kyoto’s natural landscape on your right-hand side.
Endless green trees and thick bushes encompass the city of Sakamoto as the buildings become ants the higher you go!
You can also see misty mountains in the distance and a stunning view of the iconic Lake Biwa, a large body of water stretching across the Kyoto and Shiga prefectures.
Watch Out For Bears!
Realistically, the likelihood of you encountering a bear on your hike up Mt. Hiei is extremely low, and it’s even more unlikely that you’d be attacked by one.
Nevertheless, bear sightings in Japan have been on the rise as of 2024, and Mt. Hiei is no exception.
The good news is Kyoto is on the lower end of the bear sighting statistics with the most significant bear situation occurring 14 years ago in Fukuchiyama city, resulting in two people with minor injuries.
It can be a good idea to bring bear bells with you which are designed to scare off bears. In fact, you’ll hear the sound of fellow hikers’ bells ringing throughout your hike!
In the extremely unlikely event that you’re attacked by a bear (God forbid), then your best course of action is to assert dominance by yelling as loud as you can and striking the bear repeatedly with a hammer fist technique (basically summon your inner caveman).
It sounds silly, but many bear attacks have been prevented using this method, some of which are even caught on tape!
Stay Hydrated
The bear warning signs definitely gave me a good scare, but I was relieved to see fellow hikers along the way, many of whom were doing God’s work of ringing their bells and helping me feel safe.
You want to make sure to bring plenty of fluids with you to stay hydrated and energized, not only to complete the long 2-3 hour hike but also to fight off a bear if it comes down to it!
Okay bear talk aside, I’d recommend stocking up on a few different drinks to keep you going.
Personally, I took a bottle of water for basic hydration, a Pocari Sweat for ion replenishment, a bottle of black coffee to keep me caffeinated and energized, and a green tea drink to go with my food.
Bring Plenty Of Nutrition
Regardless of how big you think your breakfast is, this hike will certainly leave you with hunger pains if you’re not properly equipped with nutrition.
Luckily, Japan is a country of cheap combini carbs, featuring nutritious onigiri rice balls, sweet melon pan bread, and tasty egg sandwiches at any convenience store.
I brought two big onigiri rice balls and a large melon pan for my hike.
Combined with the many drinks I brought along, I found this to be a sufficient amount of food to last me for the hike to the top and the journey back down too.
Rest At Enryaku-ji Temple
There aren’t many spots along the Mt. Hiei hiking trail that are designed for resting, and after seeing the signs about bears (sorry for bringing it up again!), I wasn’t too keen on being stationary in the bushes for too long.
Fortunately, there’s a point of civilization during the hike where you will find many visitors hanging around the iconic Enryaku-ji Temple, a popular sightseeing destination for locals and tourists.
Most people reach this point via cable car or bus, but the real legends are the hikers like yourself who are just passing through.
A fantastic rest stop that offers toilets, shops, vending machines, and seating areas, Enryaku-ji Temple is the perfect way to re-energize before the final stretch to the summit while also enjoying another major attraction of Kyoto prefecture (talk about two birds with one stone!).
Enjoy The Summit Of Mt. Hiei!
Slap on another 30 minutes or so of walking and you’ll find yourself at the peak of Mt. Hiei! Congratulations. Use this time to pat yourself on the back and take in the incredible view of endless mountains stretched across Kyoto and Shiga prefectures.
Be sure to wear (or pack) a warm jacket with you because the winds at the summit are cold and strong! There are a few seats at the summit where you can sit down, relax, and enjoy the view.
A Journey To Remember
Now to address the point I made at the start of this guide about Mt. Hiei giving me the most spiritually uplifting hiking experience.
In all honesty, I’m not exactly sure.
Perhaps it was the difficulty of the climb, the consistent contemplation and danger awareness of possibly sighting a bear, the added touch of spiritual vibes when passing through Enryaku-ji Temple, the unbeatable view at the summit, or a combination of all these elements that led to such a fulfilling experience.
Regardless of what turns your crank, hiking up Mt. Hiei is a journey that will allow you to experience Japan like never before. So get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and embark on an exciting adventure in Kyoto’s beautiful countryside!
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!
