Kyoto’s Hidden Gem in the Hills – The Buddhist Sanctuary of Mount Hiei

#summervacay

The meaning of travel might just lie in exploring places you long for — and stumbling upon people or destinations you never expected. Visiting Mount Hiei was a completely unplanned part of this Kyoto trip, but it turned out to be the most delightful surprise. 💫

After leaving the Old Chikurin-in Temple, I walked uphill a short distance to catch the quaint mountain railway. As the train ascended, I could already hear the resonant sound of temple bells echoing down from above — a deeply spiritual and calming experience. 🔔

Once at the top, the observation deck offers a breathtaking view over Lake Biwa. It was sunny down in the city that morning, but by the time I reached the summit, dark clouds had rolled in, casting an almost mystical atmosphere over the lake. ☁️🌊

At the peak lies Enryaku-ji, a temple with over a thousand years of history — regarded as the mother mountain of Japanese Buddhism. It’s divided into three main areas: Tō-tō (Eastern Pagoda), Sai-tō (Western Pagoda), and Yokokawa. Seeing all three could easily take a full day.

This time, due to limited time and weather changes, I only visited Tō-tō and Sai-tō. I didn’t reach the absolute summit or the third area, but even that glimpse was enough to leave a deep impression. There are shuttle buses connecting the temple areas (with a separate fee), but departures are infrequent, so plan accordingly. 🚌

#kyotohiddengems #mounthiei #enryakuji #lakebiwakoviews #buddhistheritage

Post by ChenJunLe | Jun 7, 2025