Enryaku-ji
比叡山延暦寺35°04′ N 135°50′ ETempleFounded 788 by Saicho; Konpon Chudo…UNESCO
Enryaku-ji suits anyone who wants to see where Japanese Buddhism trained its founders, on a mountaintop above Lake Biwa, though its main hall is under renovation and snow can close the halls early in winter.
Photo 663highland · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.5 and others, credited in the gallery
Where things stand
The Konpon Chudo is under major renovation.
Visiting with care · Partly open
The shuttle bus linking Todo, Saito and Yokawa doesn't run in winter.
- Halls may limit entry during services and ceremonies.
- The Konpon Chudo is under renovation; follow the visitor route the temple marks.
- These halls are places of daily practice. Keep your voice low and follow any sign or monk asking you not to photograph.
- Bow at the threshold of a hall and keep to the edges if a service is under way.
Saicho founded the temple on Mt. Hiei in 788, and it trained so many great monks that people call it the mother mountain of Japanese Buddhism. The temple is part of the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto World Heritage listing. Enryaku-ji is the name for the halls spread across three areas of the mountain: Todo, Saito and Yokawa. One ticket at ¥1,000 for adults covers all three.
Todo holds the Konpon Chudo, the main hall that Tokugawa Iemitsu had rebuilt in 1642. Its Eternal Dharma Light has burned for about 1,200 years. The hall is under a long renovation, and the temple runs visits to see the work. From 8 January 2026, for a limited time, the stand-in for the hall's hidden Yakushi image and the Eternal Light sit in the Manpaido, where you can see them up close.
From the lake side, take the Sakamoto cable car up from near JR Hieizan-Sakamoto or Keihan Sakamoto-Hieizanguchi, about 40 minutes to the temple. The shuttle bus between the three areas stops in winter, so plan to walk between them or keep to Todo. The temple lodge, Enryakuji Kaikan, serves shojin vegetarian meals and offers zazen and sutra copying with a booking.
Worth knowing
- Hall reception closes at 15:45 all year.
- Saito and Yokawa open at 9:30 in December, January and February.
- Ogoto Onsen sits at the foot of the mountain if you want a bath after the cable car down.
Quick answers about Enryaku-jiよくある質問
How much does it cost to visit Enryaku-ji?
The common ticket for Todo, Saito and Yokawa costs ¥1,000 for adults, ¥600 for junior high and high school students and ¥300 for elementary pupils. The National Treasure Hall costs ¥500 extra for adults.
Can I see the Konpon Chudo at Enryaku-ji during the renovation?
The temple runs visits to see the renovation work. From 8 January 2026, for a limited period, the Manpaido holds the stand-in for the main image and the Eternal Dharma Light.
Can you visit Enryaku-ji?
Partly open. Halls may limit entry during services and ceremonies. The Konpon Chudo is under renovation; follow the visitor route the temple marks.
What are the opening hours of Enryaku-ji?
Enryaku-ji keeps these hours: Mon–Sun 09:00–16:00.
How should you behave at Enryaku-ji?
At Enryaku-ji: These halls are places of daily practice. Keep your voice low and follow any sign or monk asking you not to photograph. Bow at the threshold of a hall and keep to the edges if a service is under way.
Within 12 km
Sights nearby見どころ
Within 12 km
Places to eat and drink nearby食
Within 12 km
