Mount Hiei

Overview

Mount Hiei straddles the western part of Otsu in Shiga Prefecture and the northeastern part of Kyoto, and is also known by names such as Eizan, Hokurei and Tendaisan. It is a twin-peaked mountain consisting of Daihiei, about 848 meters high on the prefectural border, and Shimeigatake in Sakyo-ku. Alongside Mount Koya it flourished as an object of religious devotion from ancient times.

Highlights

• ●A twin-peaked mountain formed by the two summits of Daihiei and Shimeigatake
• ●An elevation of about 848 meters at Daihiei
• ●Enryaku-ji, head temple of the Tendai school, on the mountainside
• ●A long history of worship, with Hiyoshi Taisha shrine at its foot

History

In 788 the monk Saicho founded Enryaku-ji atop Mount Hiei as the first outpost of the Japanese Tendai school, and it grew into a sprawling complex divided into the Todo, Saito and Yokawa areas. Lying to the northeast of the ancient capital of Heian-kyo, the mountain was regarded as a protective bulwark for the capital, and together with the rise of the Tendai school in the Heian period it became highly influential. Later founders of Japanese Buddhism such as Honen, Nichiren, Dogen and Shinran are all said to have studied here before leaving to establish their own schools. The complex was razed by Oda Nobunaga in 1571, but was later rebuilt and remains the headquarters of the Tendai school to this day.

Map

35.0667, 135.8383 · Wikidata

Suggested itinerary

1. 1Take in the twin-peaked form from Daihiei on the prefectural border
2. 2Visit Enryaku-ji, head temple of the Tendai school, on the mountainside
3. 3Follow the Todo, Saito and Yokawa areas to grasp the scale of the temple complex
4. 4Stop at Hiyoshi Taisha shrine at the foot to learn of the history of worship

Did you know?

💡 Mount Hiei is counted among the 300 Famous Japanese Mountains and the 100 Famous Kansai Mountains.

Nearby spots