Mt. Hiei
Day HikeKansai(Kyoto)
ModerateDistance
10 km
Elevation Gain
700m
Max Elevation
848m
Duration
4.5h
Sacred mountain between Kyoto and Shiga, home to Enryakuji Temple.
Mt. Hiei (848m) sits on the border of Kyoto and Shiga Prefectures, crowned by the vast Enryaku-ji Temple complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most important monasteries in Japanese Buddhism. The trail from Kyoto climbs through atmospheric cedar forests past ancient stone monuments, offering cultural immersion alongside natural beauty. Views extend over Kyoto to the west and Lake Biwa to the east.
Best Season
Year-round, autumn foliage spectacular
Highlights
Enryaku-ji Temple (UNESCO World Heritage Site); Cedar forests with ancient stone paths; Views of both Kyoto and Lake Biwa; Garden Museum Hiei; Atmospheric Yokawa and Saito temple areas
Access
From Kyoto, take the Eizan Railway to Yase-Hieizanguchi Station, then the cable car and ropeway. For hiking, start from Shugakuin or Yase. From the Shiga side, take the Sakamoto Cable from JR Hieizan-Sakamoto Station.
Warnings & Safety
Enryaku-ji requires a separate admission fee. Some trails are steep and can be slippery in rain. The Kyoto-side trail has limited waymarking in places. Winter brings snow and icy conditions. Cable car and bus services may be reduced in winter.