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Enryaku-ji Temple

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Enryaku-ji Temple

What it is

Enryaku-ji is the headquarters of the Tendai school of Buddhism, spread across the wooded summit and slopes of Mount Hiei above Kyoto. Founded in 788 by the monk Saichō, it grew into one of the most influential monastic centres in Japanese history, training reformist monks and, at various points, fielding its own armed warrior-monks. The complex is divided into three precincts — Tōdō, Saitō, and Yokawa — spread across the mountain, each with its own halls, and connected by shuttle bus or hiking trails. The main hall, Konpon Chudo, in the Tōdō area, holds an oil lamp said to have burned continuously since the temple's founding.

Getting there

From central Kyoto, take the Eizan Cable Line and ropeway from Yase (reached by the Eizan Railway from Demachiyanagi Station) up to the summit, a combined trip of around an hour including the train ride. Alternatively, a bus route runs up from Kyoto Station or Sakamoto, on the Shiga side of the mountain, in roughly 50–70 minutes depending on the route and traffic.

Time to allow

Plan on at least half a day. Seeing just the Tōdō precinct takes about 1–1.5 hours; visiting all three precincts, which are spread apart and linked by shuttle bus, takes closer to 3–4 hours.

When to go

Go earlier in the day, since the mountain can cloud over or turn foggy by afternoon, and check weather before heading up. Autumn foliage draws heavy crowds and can mean queues for the cable car; a weekday visit is easier going. The mountain is noticeably cooler than the city, so bring a layer even in summer.

Combine with

Mii-dera Temple (6.5km) sits on the Shiga side of the mountain and pairs naturally with a Sakamoto-route visit. Ginkaku-ji (6.2km) and Nanzen-ji (7.9km) are both on the Kyoto side and can be combined with each other, though visiting them the same day as Enryaku-ji makes for a long day given the travel time up and down the mountain.

Updated September 20, 2026 · Edited by the World by City editors

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Good to visit alongside

Ginkaku-ji Temple

Temples & religious sites

Ginkaku-ji Temple

Ginkaku-ji, formally named Jisho-ji, is a Zen temple that epitomizes the Higashiyama culture of the Muromachi period. Despite its name ("Silver Pavilion"), its exterior is not actually covered in silver leaf; instead, its modest wooden pavilion and meticulously groomed garden define the temple. A cone-shaped sand mound and moss-covered paths come together to create a restrained, understated atmosphere rather than one of opulence.

6.2 km away
Mii-dera Temple

Temples & religious sites

Mii-dera Temple

Mii-dera, formally known as Onjo-ji, is a temple at the foot of Mount Hiei. It is the head temple of the Jimon school of Tendai Buddhism and shares a sister-temple relationship with Enryaku-ji atop the mountain. With some 40 halls scattered across its grounds, it's best enjoyed by strolling leisurely among the buildings and gardens rather than seeking out a single highlight.

6.5 km away
Shimogamo Shrine

Temples & religious sites

Shimogamo Shrine

Shimogamo Shrine is located in Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, and its formal name is Kamo-mioya Shrine. It's one of Japan's oldest shrines, with a history dating back to the 6th century, and is believed to predate the nearby Kamigamo Shrine. It's part of the UNESCO World Heritage site "Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto."

7.1 km away
Nanzen-ji Temple

Temples & religious sites

Nanzen-ji Temple

Nanzenji is the head temple of the Rinzai Nanzenji school, founded in 1291 when Emperor Kameyama converted his villa into a temple. It ranks among the most prestigious Zen temples in Japan, and its highlights include the imposing Sanmon gate and the red-brick Suirokaku aqueduct.

7.9 km away
Heian Jingū

Temples & religious sites

Heian Jingū

Heian Jingu was built in 1895 to commemorate the 1,100th anniversary of the founding of Heian-kyo, and its buildings are a scaled-down recreation of the old Heian imperial palace. The grand Ōtenmon gate and Daigokuden hall, with their striking combination of red pillars and green tiles, stand within the spacious grounds, giving the shrine a vivid, colorful look unlike other Kyoto temples.

8.0 km away
Kamigamo Shrine

Temples & religious sites

Kamigamo Shrine

Kamigamo Shrine stands along the Kamo River and is said to have been founded in 678. Its formal name is Kamowakeikazuchi Shrine, and together with Shimogamo Shrine, it is known as a guardian shrine of the Kamo clan, protecting Kyoto as a whole.

8.1 km away