Few hikes come close to the breathtaking beauty of Kyoto’s Mt. Hiei route, but when hiking in winter, be prepared for a whole new experience!
Offering scenic views of Lake Biwa, Kyoto’s largest body of water, the summit of Mt. Hiei is a sought-after hike for explorers of Japan. During winter, you’ll almost certainly be walking through snowy slopes during the hike, particularly the further along the route you go as the mountain ascends.
Ankle-Deep Snow!
Particularly toward the second half of the route up Hieizan, you will encounter paths like the one above. Thick, powdery snow that completely engulfs your feet, you’d better be wearing thick hiking shoes for this one! Also, if you thought you had Mt. Hiei covered in the fitness realm, be prepared to put in twice the effort per footstep when trekking these harsh, snowy slopes.
Mandatory Wizard Staff!
Some parts of Mt. Hiei, where the path is not so snowy, may introduce a slippery challenge for hikers, particularly with the icy surface of the ground.
In all honesty, some of these paths were simply unwalkable, and I had to get on all fours in order to crawl up these slippery slopes!
That is until I picked up this beautiful wizard staff (or tree branch for you mortals), which made for a super handy hiking stick!
Of course, if you’re a seasoned hiker with better equipment than me, you’ll want to make sure you bring your professional hiking stick (or two!) for this one.
It’s also common for Japanese hikers to use bells tied to their belts in order to ward off wild bears.
Don’t worry, bear attacks are practically non-existent on Mt. Hiei, but better to be safe than sorry I suppose.
Beautiful Monk Paintings
The UNESCO World Heritage Site Enryaku-ji Temple is an iconic landmark of the Mt. Hiei hike, and entry is free for hikers entering through the back way. Quick note: don’t exit the front gates and try to come back in again, you will be charged 1,000 yen to re-enter (talking from experience).
In any case, Enryaku-ji Temple also takes on a new look in the winter as everything is decorated with lovely blankets of snow. I particularly liked the big portraits depicting paintings of Enryaku-ji Temple’s early founders and Buddhist monks, made all the more epic as they stick out of the piles of snow.
Stunning Views of Lake Biwa
One thing that hasn’t changed during winter is the stunning views of Lake Biwa at the peak of Mt. Hiei. With the exception of a snowy tree branch here and there, the view remains undisturbed as the clear winter skies bring out all the small details of the surrounding cityscape.
All-in-all, Mt. Hiei is a scenic hike all year round. However, winter is the one season when a little extra precaution should be taken into consideration. Snow jackets, hiking sticks, and a phone battery charger (because the cold drains the battery fast!) should all be prepared for a seamless hike through the snowy slopes of Kyoto’s iconic Hieizan!
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!