Enryaku-ji Temple near Kyoto

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Facts & Figures

Enryaku-ji Temple sits atop the sacred Mount Hiei, which is 848 m high, and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1994. As the headquarters of the Tendai sect of Japanese Buddhism, this ancient complex, surrounded by enormous cedar trees, spans more than 1700 hectares and includes over 150 buildings. There are three main areas within the temple grounds, which are To-do (Eastern Pagoda), Yokawa, and Sai-to (Western Pagoda), each with its own principal temple. More than 50 Important Cultural Properties and 10 National Treasures are preserved here, and buses connect these three zones except during winter. Several renowned monks trained at Enryaku-ji before founding their own schools, including Shinran Shonin (1173 – 1263), founder of the Jodo Shinshu sect, Honen (1133 – 1212), Eisai (1141 – 1215), founder of the Rinzai sect of Zen Buddhism, and Nichiren (1222 – 1282). Enryaku-ji lies on the outskirts of Otsu City, near Kyoto. If you’d like to explore more mountaintop temples in Japan, see also Mount Koya (Koyasan) in Wakayama Prefecture, Takaosan Yakuoin near Tokyo, and Kurama-dera in Kyoto. Another highlight of Enryaku-ji is the breathtaking view over Lake Biwa, Japan’s largest lake, and the city of Kyoto, from the summit of Mount Hiei.

• Enryaku-ji Temple:
• Opening Hours (To—do area) - 8:30 am to 4:30 pm (March - November), 9:00 am to 4:00 pm (December - February), Yokawa and Sai-to area open 30min earlier and close 30min earlier than To-do
• Closed - no closing days
• Admission - Entrance to all three areas (East Pagoda - To-do, West Pagoda - Sai-to, and Yokokawa): 1000 yen (Adults), 600 yen (Junior and High School Students), 300 yen (Children)
• Admission - Kokuho-den (Treasure Hall): 500 yen (Adults), 300 yen (Junior and High School Students), 100 yen (Children)

History

Enryaku-ji Temple dates back to 788. It was founded by the Japanese Buddhist monk Saicho (767 – 822), also known as Dengyo Daishi, who was trained at Todai-ji Temple. He established here the Tendai sect of Japanese Buddhism (Tendai-shu) and chose this location to protect Kyoto from evil forces. In 1571, the Japanese daimyo Oda Nobunaga (1534 – 1582) attacked Enryaku-ji and burned most of the buildings down. One of the few remaining sub-temples was the Ruri-do (Lapis Lazuli Hall), a beautiful example of Muromachi-period (1336 – 1573) architecture. It took years to recover, and the temple never again reached its peak of over 3000 sub-temples and 25000 monks. The oldest structures on the temple grounds date from the 16th and 17th centuries. In 1994, Enryaku-ji was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Sightseeing spots at Enryaku-ji Temple

Top:

1. To-do (Eastern Pagoda) - The highlights of this area are the Konpon Chu-do temple (a National Treasure), Kaidan-in temple (Ordination Hall, an Important cultural asset), Hokke So Ji-in, Dai Ko-do (Great Lecture Hall, an Important cultural asset) and Kokuho-den (a National Treasure).

Konpon Chu-do (Main Hall) - The central temple of To-do (East Pagoda) area dates back to 1642. Konpon Chu-do represents also the main hall of Enryaku-ji Temple. Important: The renovations of the hall started in 2016 and are expected to last until around 2026.

Fumetsu-no-Hoto (immortal light of Buddhism) - It is said that the flames on the three dharma lamps have been continuously burning for over 1200 years. Fumetsu-no-Hoto can be found inside Konpon Chu-do.

Amida-do - The beautiful building dates back to 1937. Here you can enjoy the sound of Suikinkutsu, where water drips through a small hole in a stone basin into a buried jar.

Yakushi Nyorai Statue - The Medicine Buddha statue created by monk Saicho (767 – 822) is located inside Konpon Chu-do. Shaka-do was originally based at the Mii-dera temple.

2. Sait-to (Western Pagoda) - This area can be reached after a 1km walk (20 min) from To-do (Eastern Pagoda). The highlights of this area are the Shaka-do, Ninai-do, and Jodo-in.

Shaka-do - It is the main hall of the Sai-to (Western Pagoda) area and the oldest structure (1595) of Enryaku-ji Temple.

Jodo-in - The mausoleum of priest Saicho (767 – 822) is located within a lovely Japanese Garden.

Ninai-do - The building is formed out of two connected halls with the names Jogyo-do and Hokke-do.

3. Yokawa Area - This area can be reached after a 4km walk from Sait-to (Western Pagoda). The highlights are Yokawa Chu-do Hall, Ganzan Daishido, and Joko-in.

Yokawa Chu-do Hall - The central temple of Yokawa area was originally built in 848 and rebuilt in 1971. The architecture is gorgeous and the hall serves as the final destination of pilgrims.

Festival & Events in Kyoto and Enryaku-ji(dates can change without notice)

April

Miyako Odori (1st - 31th)
The traditional annual spring dance of the Kyoto district Gion Kobu performed by Geiko and Maiko is a must-see on your Kyoto visit. Don't miss the most popular dances the Miyako Odori "Cherry Blossom Dances" or "Dances of the Old Capital" at the Gion Kobu Kaburenjo Theater (located close to Gion Corner).

Hiei-zan Himatsuri (21st)
The yearly Fire Festival at the summit of Mount Hiei, near Kyoto, features a torch-lit procession, ritual prayers, and a fire-walking ceremony, and the atmosphere is simply breathtaking.

May

Aoi Matsuri (15th)
The highlight of this festival is a large parade from the Imperial Palace through the Shimogamo Shrine to the Kamigamo Shrine. More than 500 people wearing aristocratic costumes from the Heian Period (794 - 1185). The Aoi Matsuri belongs with the Gion Matsuri and Jidai Matsuri as the three most famous festivals in Kyoto.

June

Aoba Matsuri (Green Leaf Festival) at Chishaku-in (15th)
The festival is an ancient ritual of followers of the Shingon sect of Buddhism, which is called Yamabushi. They participate in a series of ceremonies like celebrating the birth of founder Kobo-Daishi (744 - 835).

July

Gion Matsuri (whole month)
The month of July is full of different events like the Yoiyama - Kyoto's Magical Night (locals in kimonos look at the giant Gion floats the day before the parade) or the famous Yamaboko Junko (float procession on the 17th of July).

August

Yuki Shrine Festival at Enryaku-ji (second Sunday)
Here you can witness traditional Shinto rituals such as Kagura dances, a mikoshi (portable shrine) parade, the sound of taiko drums, and tea ceremony offerings.

October

Daihiei-zan Kangakue at Enryaku-ji (mid-October)
Enjoy this Buddhist ceremony and listen to the Sutra Chanting by the monks.

Jidai Matsuri ("Festival of Ages") (22nd)
People celebrate with a large parade between Imperial Palace to Heian Shrine the anniversary of the foundation of Kyoto. App. 2000 participants wearing historical costumes from different time periods. Enjoy this great festival which lasts around 2 hours.