Pilgrimage fee to the various halls of Enryaku-ji Temple on Mount Hiei (Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture)

You can spend a refreshing time strolling through the lush grounds and coming into contact with the historic buildings and Buddhist statues.

About Enryaku-ji Temple on Mount Hiei

The head temple of the Tendai sect, founded by Dengyo Daishi Saicho in 788. It is also known as the mother mountain of Japanese Buddhism and was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994.

Temple Grounds

The temple grounds cover the entire area of Mount Hiei and are made up of three areas: Todo, Saito, and Yokawa.

East Pagoda

The East Pagoda is the birthplace of Enryaku-ji Temple and is an area centered around the main hall, the Konponchudo Hall. In the East Pagoda area, there is the Enryakuji Bus Center, where you can take shuttle buses to the summit of Mount Hiei.

West Pagoda

The West Pagoda is an area centered around the Shakado Hall, which is the main hall.

Yokokawa Area

Yokokawa is an area centered around Yokokawa Chudo, the main hall. The main hall is Yokokawa Chudo, which has a stage modeled after a Japanese envoy ship to the Tang Dynasty. Other buildings include Eshindo, where the monk Genshin, author of the Ojoyoshu, retired, and Shikikodo (Gansandaishido), which enshrines Gansandaishi Ryogen, famous for his fortune-telling and talismanic horns.

Pilgrimage Hours

Enryakuji Temple Pilgrimage Hours:

• East Pagoda area and Shigain Shogenji Temple at the foot of the mountain: Year-round 9:00-16:00
• Saito and Yokokawa districts: December to February: 9:30 to 16:00, March to November: 9:00 to 16:00
• Due to unforeseen circumstances, strong winds, snowfall, etc., the closing time of the temple may be earlier or the pilgrimage time for the various temples may be changed.

About the National Treasure Hall

Located near the Toto Area Enryakuji Temple Bus Center, this facility is used to store the numerous Buddhist statues, paintings, calligraphy and other cultural assets that have been passed down to Enryakuji Temple. Many of the items are designated as national treasures or important cultural properties, allowing you to get a glimpse of the history of Enryaku-ji Temple.