Mount Hiei

This mountain is easy to climb in the winter. Quite possible to run uphill as well. Very near to Kyoto central and have public transport access on both sides of the mountain. Thoroughly enjoyed my time. - 30th December 2025

absolutely breathtaking SubhanALLAAH! really worth visiting using the cable car! if you only use the cable car you can't see lake biwa. you can use the ropeway to get better views from heigher up! if you use the ropeway you can see lake biwa! absolutely gorgeous! SubhanALLAAH!

This was a excellant hike , you get off two station before the train stops and follow the path beside the river and then it leads into trail.

A lesser known spot in Kyoto, and is definitely worth the visit! My Hiei is the home of Japanese Buddhism and so is steeped in history, gorgeous temples and amazing nature. Mt Hiei straddles the Kyoto and Shiga prefectures. The access from the Shiga prefecture offers stunning views of Lake Biwa, as well as the longest cable car in Japan, at over 2 kilometers. 🚃 Getting there: from Kyoto, take the Eizan railway, and if you're lucky, you can catch the Hiei special train that celebrates 100 years. From there you can walk or take the cable car + rope car. 🚠 The cable car + rope car is currently ¥2000 round trip for an adult. You need to walk about 300m between the two stops. You cannot pay with an IC card, but can use a credit card or cash at a kiosk machine. 🛕 To get to the temple complex from the Kyoto side, you can walk 30 minutes or take a bus (which does take an IC card and is about ¥280 each way). The Shiga side cable car is closer to the temples. Admission to the temple complex is currently ¥1000, ¥1500 if you want to do the temples and museum. As the home of Japanese Buddhism, monks have been living here and establishing temples since the year 800! 😲 🏃 Mt Hiei is famous for its marathon monks, who would walk a marathon a day, sometimes for years. 🚻 Toilets at key areas ☕ Cafe and souvenir shop located near the temple complex. 🥾 So good for hiking!

The summit site itself does not have a good view, but the area near the gardens is definitely spectacular. Not many signs around so just look out for the paths

Nice hike! Take train from Demachiyanagi station in Kyoto to Yase-hieizanguchi and then cable car. Hiking route starts behind cable car station. Signs in English, hike to Enryakuji temple and then Sakamoto cable car down to Otsu, from where you can get to Lake Biwa. Just a few points to be careful of: 1) Take at least ¥5000 cash in ¥1000 yen notes. No credit cards, Suica etc, are accepted on the mountain, for cable cars or anything else. 2) The ONLY hiking route to the Sakamoto cable car runs thru the temple grounds, so you need to pay another 1000 yen for the ticket, even if you don't want to visit the temple. 3) Take note of the last cable car times down!! Also, you can't buy food or drink on the mountain. Take it with you, and be sure to carry out all your trash, as normal in Japan.

Visited here 2025 Jan. During the winter you can only access here from Cable Sakamoto Station which is Biwa Lake side. Can not access from via Kyoto side ruring January 6 and March 19.It was freeing cold during Jan. only saw few foreign visitors. If you love Japanese temples and history, you will definitely enjoy this place.

I feel really bad about not climbing it on foot because of time limit and heat. Still, amazing experience to go up with the cable car and train, maybe a bit expensive for such a short ride but it's part of the thing. Very easy to walk from the first stop to the second so if you have time - do it cause it will be you and nature alone.