It is a vast temple whose precincts are the area around Mt. Hiei (Hieizan) at the altitude of 848 meters and was built in 788 by Saicho, who opened the Tendai sect. Filling a role as a comprehensive Buddhist university, it has been called "the mother mountain of Japanese Buddhism" and has had a great influence on the history of Japan. Moreover, it also played a role in protecting Kyoto, which was the capital for 1000 years. It was registered as a World Cultural Heritage Site in 1994.
It consists of three areas, To-do(East pagoda), Sai-to(West pagoda), and Yokawa , and about 100 temples are dotted.
In “Konponchu-do ”, which is located in the main area of To-do (East pagoda) of Enryakuji Temple, designated as a national treasure, there is the “Fumetsu no Hoho” lit by Saicho has been lit for nearly 1200 years. Moreover, in the “Kokuho-den (National Treasure Hall)”, exhibits a number of valuable cultural assets such as Buddhist statues, Buddhist paintings, and handwritings that have been handed down to Enryakuji Temple. In Sai-to (West pagoda), there is the main hall "Shakado", the oldest building in Yamauchi and is an important cultural property of the country. In Yokawa, there is the main hall "Yokawachu-do", which is featured by building style of floating-ship, and the "Shikikodo", which is regarded as the originating place of the fortune-telling "Omikuji".
Since the mountain itself is used as a training dojo (training hall), there are many pilgrimage routes and temple-visiting routes in the mountain, and you may stroll in nature while feeling the religious solemnity and depth of history.
At each temple hall, you may get a Goshuin (red-colored stamp-seal) as proof that you visited the temple. There are all 11 types, and there is also a special version that may only be given on the Budda’s Ennichi, the very day of Budda’s temple festival.
The location is rich in nature, therefore, the seasonal landscape of Japan such as cherry blossoms in spring and the autumn leaves in autumn may be seen.
Highlights
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A vast temple whose precincts are the entire mountain at the altitude of 848m. The cityscape of Kyoto and Lake Biwa may be seen.
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It is divided into three areas, To-do (East pagoda), Sai-to (West pagoda), and Yokawa, and it takes almost a day to visit all of them.
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All 11 types of Goshuin (red-colored stamp-seals) may be collected.
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Visitors may enjoy the changes in the beautiful scenery of Japan throughout the year.
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It produced a large number of prominent monks in the history of Japanese religion.
