[Gold-Guide] A day trip from Kyoto! A tour of Enryakuji Temple on Mount Hiei, also known as the mother mountain of Japanese Buddhism, and the surrounding area!

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1-day Shiga Tour: World Heritage Temple, Cozy Priest Lodge, and Sacred Shrine

This tour is a mix of history and nature, taking you from Enryaku-ji Temple on Mount Hiei to Kyu-Chikurin-in Temple and Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine. At Enryaku-ji Temple on Mount Hiei, just outside Kyoto, you'll take a cable car ride to the top of the mountain. Marvel at the beautiful architecture and serene gardens that are steeped in centuries of ritual. Afterwards, enjoy a seasonal lunch, sampling the local delicacies. Next, you'll head to Kyu-Chikurin-in Temple, a historic retreat nestled in the lush hills. The beautiful pathways and traditional Japanese gardens are a real tranquil haven. The tour concludes with a visit to Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine, a sacred place where Shiga culture lives on. Pass through the torii gates and feel the spiritual energy as you experience inner peace.

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Hieizan Enryakuji Temple

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The Former Bamboo Grove was one of the retreats known as satobou (retirements) for the monks of Enryakuji Temple, and was a prestigious temple. These satobou create a streetscape unique to the historic town of Sakamoto. Many satobou remain to this day, with the most famous being the Former Chikurin-in. Within the estate, a garden of approximately 3,300 m2 spreads out to the southwest of the main house, and includes two teahouses and a gazebo. The garden, which makes use of Mt. Hachioji in its scenery, skillfully uses the terrain to arrange a waterfall and artificial hills, creating a different atmosphere in every season.

The head shrine of 3,800 Hiyoshi, Hie and Sanno shrines nationwide. The guardian deity of the Tendai sect and Heian-kyo. Nearly 40 shrine buildings stand in the vast grounds, and the main shrines of the east and west shrines have many national treasures and important cultural properties. The Sanno Festival, held in April, is one of the three major festivals in Lake Country, and is also famous as one of the best places in Shiga Prefecture to see autumn leaves. When talking about shrines that ward off evil and bad luck, it is essential to mention the divine monkey, Masaru, who is the messenger of the god of Hiyoshi Taisha. Originally, monkeys lived in large numbers on Mount Hiei, but at some point they became a symbol of warding off evil. The name Masaru was given to the monkey, which sounds like "evil goes away" or "win," and it is a lucky monkey. The divine monkey is said to be beneficial for warding off evil, warding off bad luck, praying for victory, and praying for success.

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