Mt Hiei

Mt Hiei in on the border of Shiga and Kyoto prefectures. Mt Hiei features the World Heritage Site of Enryakuji Temple. Located in the border between Kyoto and Shiga prefecture, Mt Hiei has been a sacred mountain for Japanese people from the ancient time. Originally it was thought to be the home of gods of Shinto. In 788, a famous monk called Saicho (Dengyo) established Enryakuji Temple here. Since then, Mt Hiei has been taking a significant role in Japanese Buddhism. Yase (name of town) When you go to Mt Hiei, you can catch a Eizan Railway from Demachiyanagi Station. This one-carriage train provides you a 15-minute scenic trip. This line finishes at Yase station. Yase is a pretty rural town located at the edge of Kyoto. Kyoto people go to Yase for hiking and bbq on weekends. There are a few traditional tea houses near the Yase station. You catch a cable car here then a ropeway to Mt Hiei. Tradtional Japanese Tea Houses Near Yase Station Enryakuji Temple Enryakuji Temple is a World Heritage Site and a National Treasure, which overlooks Kyoto, but technically is in Shiga Prefecture. Station/Stop Transport Duration Places to visit JR Kyoto Kyoto city bus #4 15min Demachiyanagi Eizan Railway 15min Yase Eizan Cable & Ropeway 15min Yase Mt Hiei Mt Hiei Shuttle Bus 5min Todo Mt Hiei Shuttle Bus 4min Enryakuji Temple (Daikodo, Kaidan-in, Hokkesoji-in, Suikinkutsu) Saito Mt Hiei Shuttle Bus 10min Enryakuji Temple (Shakado, Bussokuseki) Yokawa Mt Hiei Shuttle Bus 19min Enryakuji Temple (Ryugaike Benzaiten Shrine, Yokawa Chudo, Keishin-in, Gansan Daishi-do) Mt Hiei Eizan Cable & Ropeway 15min Yase Eizan Railway 15min Demachiyanagi Kyoto city bus #4 15min JR Kyoto | | |