Mount Hiei

★ 4.6 (23K+ reviews) • 16K+ booked
Overview
Things to do
Restaurants
Hotels

Mount Hiei Tickets & Tours

Kyoto Romantic Day Trip: Kifune Shrine & Eizan Railway
Tours • From Osaka

Kyoto Romantic Day Trip: Kifune Shrine & Eizan Railway

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Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
RON 265.89
Save RON 113.91
Shiga Day Tour | Lake Biwa Shirahige Shrine & Miho Museum & Kyu-Chikurin-in (Departing from Osaka/Kyoto)
Tours • From Osaka, Kyoto

Shiga Day Tour | Lake Biwa Shirahige Shrine & Miho Museum & Kyu-Chikurin-in (Departing from Osaka/Kyoto)

English guided
Free cancellation
4.3 / 5
(319) • 4K+ booked
RON 303.85
Shiga Lake Biwa Day Trip | Lake Biwa Observation Deck / Kyoto Sanzen-in Temple & Shirahige Shrine & La Collina Omihachiman
RON 243.09
Lake Biwa in Four Seasons & La Collina Omihachiman & Nara Day Trip
Tours • From Osaka

Lake Biwa in Four Seasons & La Collina Omihachiman & Nara Day Trip

Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
RON 552.99
Lake Biwa in Four Seasons, La Collina Omihachiman, and a Day Trip to Nara (from Osaka)
Tours • From Osaka

Lake Biwa in Four Seasons, La Collina Omihachiman, and a Day Trip to Nara (from Osaka)

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English guided
Free cancellation
RON 691.25
Kyoto: Authentic Knife-Making Experience at a Blacksmith Shop
Cultural experiences • Kyoto

Kyoto: Authentic Knife-Making Experience at a Blacksmith Shop

English guided
Morning departure
Up to 3 hrs
4.9 / 5
(137) • 3K+ booked
RON 698.85
Kimono Rental Experience (Kyoto / Kyoto Kimono Rei Gion Branch)
Klook's choice
Cultural experiences • Kyoto

Kimono Rental Experience (Kyoto / Kyoto Kimono Rei Gion Branch)

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English guided
Free cancellation
4.9 / 5
(332) • 5K+ booked
RON 72.95
Save RON 18.20
Kyoto: Craft Your Own Ninja Weapon/ Shōgun Mask Workshop
Klook's choice
Cultural experiences • Kyoto

Kyoto: Craft Your Own Ninja Weapon/ Shōgun Mask Workshop

English guided
Up to 3 hrs
Free cancellation
4.9 / 5
(70) • 800+ booked
RON 486.15
Kendo and Samurai Experience with Uniform and Gear in Kyoto
Cultural experiences • Kyoto

Kendo and Samurai Experience with Uniform and Gear in Kyoto

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English guided
Morning departure
4.9 / 5
(152) • 3K+ booked
RON 486.15
Original Japanese Chopstick Making Experience in Kyoto Gion (CHOPSTICKS LAB MISAKI)
Cultural experiences • Kyoto

Original Japanese Chopstick Making Experience in Kyoto Gion (CHOPSTICKS LAB MISAKI)

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English guided
Up to 3 hrs
4.9 / 5
(26) • New Activity
RON 30.39
Authentic Ninja Weapon Forging Experience in Kyoto
Cultural experiences • Kyoto

Authentic Ninja Weapon Forging Experience in Kyoto

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English guided
Up to 3 hrs
4.9 / 5
(116) • 2K+ booked
RON 698.85

Where to stay in Mount Hiei

Kamo Residences by Reflections
Hotels • Kyoto

Kamo Residences by Reflections

Instant confirmation
5.0 / 5
(25)
From
RON 2,681.25
The Screen
Hotels • Kyoto

The Screen

Instant confirmation
4.7 / 5
(450)
From
RON 419.00
Ryokan Yoshida-sanso
Hotels • Kyoto

Ryokan Yoshida-sanso

Instant confirmation
4.8 / 5
(73)
From
RON 5,420.14
Fufu Kyoto
Hotels • Kyoto

Fufu Kyoto

Instant confirmation
From
RON 2,329.49
Ohara no Sato
Hotels • Kyoto

Ohara no Sato

Instant confirmation
4.2 / 5
(262)
From
RON 643.32
Nanzenji sando KIKUSUI
Hotels • Kyoto

Nanzenji sando KIKUSUI

Instant confirmation
4.8 / 5
(26)
From
RON 2,848.40
HOTEL LEGASTA Kyoto Higashiyama Sanjo
Hotels • Kyoto

HOTEL LEGASTA Kyoto Higashiyama Sanjo

Instant confirmation
4.8 / 5
(76)
From
RON 296.40
The Prince Kyoto Takaragaike, Autograph Collection
Hotels • Kyoto

The Prince Kyoto Takaragaike, Autograph Collection

Instant confirmation
4.4 / 5
(969)
From
RON 440.94
Ryokan KANADE
Hotels • Kyoto

Ryokan KANADE

Instant confirmation
4.7 / 5
(267)
From
RON 621.53
Ryokan Sawaya Honten
Hotels • Kyoto

Ryokan Sawaya Honten

Instant confirmation
4.7 / 5
(548)
From
RON 644.09
AKEKURE KYOTO SHIRAKAWA
Hotels • Kyoto

AKEKURE KYOTO SHIRAKAWA

Instant confirmation
5.0 / 5
(29)
From
RON 1,113.81
RON 1,233.03
Hotel Okura Kyoto
Hotels • Kyoto

Hotel Okura Kyoto

Instant confirmation
4.7 / 5
(1.0K)
From
RON 463.14

Restaurants near Mount Hiei

Nanzenji Junsei Traditional Tofu Kaiseki Cuisine - Kyoto
Food & dining • Kyoto

Nanzenji Junsei Traditional Tofu Kaiseki Cuisine - Kyoto

Book now for tomorrow
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
4.5 / 5
(265) • 9K+ booked
RON 121.20
【Michelin One-Star Kaiseki Cuisine】Shimogamosaro - Shimogamo Saryo (Kyoto Main Store)
Food & dining • Kyoto

【Michelin One-Star Kaiseki Cuisine】Shimogamosaro - Shimogamo Saryo (Kyoto Main Store)

Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
RON 477.95
Yamabana Heihachidiya in Kyoto - Centuries old Japanese Traditional Kaiseki
Food & dining • Kyoto

Yamabana Heihachidiya in Kyoto - Centuries old Japanese Traditional Kaiseki

Free cancellation
4.8 / 5
(21) • 900+ booked
RON 170.15
Michelin Starred Kaiseki Mizuki  at Ritz Carlton Kyoto
Food & dining • Kyoto

Michelin Starred Kaiseki Mizuki at Ritz Carlton Kyoto

Free cancellation
100+ booked
RON 635.05
Kichisen in Kyoto Gion - Michelin Three Starred Kaiseki Restaurant
Food & dining • Kyoto

Kichisen in Kyoto Gion - Michelin Three Starred Kaiseki Restaurant

Set menu
24-hour confirmation
4.4 / 5
(16) • 1K+ booked
RON 692.79
【Michelin Star French Cuisine】Kyoto Dominique Bouchet Kyoto Le RESTAURANT
Food & dining • Kyoto

【Michelin Star French Cuisine】Kyoto Dominique Bouchet Kyoto Le RESTAURANT

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Free cancellation
RON 1,069.55
One-Michelin star Toku (Kaiseki, Washoku) in Kyoto
Food & dining • Kyoto

One-Michelin star Toku (Kaiseki, Washoku) in Kyoto

Free cancellation
RON 834.85
Dominique Bouchet Kyoto Le Teppanyaki - Teppanyaki in Kyoto, Higashiyama
RON 1,111.75
Tempura Endo Okazaki Residence - Tempura in Kyoto
Food & dining • Kyoto

Tempura Endo Okazaki Residence - Tempura in Kyoto

Free cancellation
50+ booked
RON 264.15
Retail: RON 273.49
KangaAN - Fucha Cooking in Kyoto
Food & dining • Kyoto

KangaAN - Fucha Cooking in Kyoto

Free cancellation
RON 282.39
Minokichi Honten Takeshigerou in Kyoto Higashiyama - Japanese Traditional Kaiseki
Food & dining • Kyoto

Minokichi Honten Takeshigerou in Kyoto Higashiyama - Japanese Traditional Kaiseki

Free cancellation
200+ booked
RON 559.09

More to explore

Hieizan Free Pass (Unlimited 1-Day Rides on 6 Types of Transport)
Rail passes • Kyoto

Hieizan Free Pass (Unlimited 1-Day Rides on 6 Types of Transport)

Book now for tomorrow
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
New Activity
RON 106.35
Eizan Electric Railway 1-Day Pass “Ee Kippu” & Kurama Onsen Set Ticket
Train tickets • Kyoto

Eizan Electric Railway 1-Day Pass “Ee Kippu” & Kurama Onsen Set Ticket

Book now for tomorrow
Instant confirmation
4.1 / 5
(8) • 200+ booked
From
RON 77.49

Mount Hiei Reviews

Jie *********
2026-11-06 13:53:41
Fantastic 5.0
5 out of 5 stars rating, if you like Japanese zen garden and nature scenery this is the best itinerary for Kyoto day trip! Kudos to Sunnan for his excellent service and perfect arrangement 👍🏼
Klook User
2026-10-24 03:39:08
Fantastic 5.0
Wonderful day trip to the Miho Museum Our bus trip to the Miho Museum was one of the highlights of our time in Kyoto. Kangfu was both our driver and our guide, and he did a great job at both. He drove safely and comfortably, and he made the day easy and enjoyable from start to finish. The itinerary was perfect: not too long, not too short. We had enough time to enjoy the museum without feeling rushed, and we were back without being worn out. Thank you, Kangfu, for a memorable day. We'd happily recommend this trip to anyone visiting Kyoto.
CHIAO ********
2026-10-16 11:18:50
Fantastic 5.0
Tour guide Zhang Yanjin was extremely nice 👍 He drove smoothly, provided just the right amount of information, and kindly answered all our questions. I felt the time allocated for each stop was well planned. Also, thank you to all the fellow travelers who joined today—even though there were only 8 of us, everyone was quite punctual! ✅ I recommend renting an audio guide at Miho Museum ✅ (The last photo of Shirahige Shrine was edited because of bad weather 🤣)
Klook客路用户
2026-09-22 21:28:24
Fantastic 5.0
Today, due to the holiday, there were heavy crowds and severe traffic congestion. Fortunately, the weather was clear and the scenic beauty far exceeded our expectations. Our tour guide, Yafei, gave us detailed introductions on the bus in advance regarding the cultural history, local cuisine, and great photo spots for each attraction, which was extremely helpful. Despite the heavy traffic, the guide continuously communicated with the driver to estimate our arrival time and constantly kept us updated on the estimated arrival times and duration of our visits, allowing us to adjust our expectations accordingly. She was very dedicated and responsible. As for the scenery, Lake Biwa is truly stunning with its sparkling waters. Exploring, checking in, and taking photos on the mountain yielded amazing pictures. We experienced both the cable car and the Sky Bridge; the scenery on the mountain was pleasant and expansive, and we had a wonderful time. The only thing to note is that it is windy at the top of the mountain, so it is best to wear a windbreaker and long pants to avoid getting cold. Due to the traffic jams, we only had half an hour to explore and shop at our last stop, La Collina Omihachiman. The tour guide efficiently led us quickly to the cake factory at the very back, allowing us to catch the core scenery just before sunset. The experience was still quite good overall. Generally speaking, thanks to the clear weather and comfortable temperatures, this trip greatly exceeded expectations. The only minor drawback was the traffic, which compressed the time available at each attraction, making it feel a bit like a rushed "special forces" style tour, and the return trip was a bit late. However, overall we had a thoroughly enjoyable and comfortable time. Special thanks to our dedicated tour guide Yafei, and to the experienced and smooth driver who warmly greeted each of us when getting on and off the bus and helped us with our luggage!
light ********
2026-05-14 19:52:01
Fantastic 5.0
Absolutely loved this kimono rental experience 🫶 The kimonos were so pretty with so many beautiful designs to choose from, and the makeup was soft, elegant, and done so nicely ✨ The staff were incredibly kind and helpful throughout the whole process, which made everything feel comfortable and special. I truly felt so pretty and confident walking around Kyoto in my kimono 💕 Highly recommend!
Dakota ******
2026-08-09 06:37:05
Fantastic 5.0
Really cool experience! My oldest son turned 13 while in Kyoto, we also have a 8 and 10 year old that complete our family of 5, we did this for his birthday following a samurai experience EVERYONE really enjoyed it! It was not to hard for our youngest; as long as it’s the ninja stars or kunai knife, my husband and I did the masks and they need more attention to detail so maybe not for the 8-10 year old range.
Albert ****
2026-06-15 04:39:36
Fantastic 5.0
Need a kitchen knife? Make your own. This is it! As a family of 5, it was well worth it to learn an aspect of culture and have your kids participate. This business in particular, is tailored to your group so there is no large corporate awkwardness. As a small business they are able assist you one on one, as necessary. Learn to make a knife: heating, pounding to shape, grinding and sharpening; all in one. I'm from the US and have toured a lot if places.....this one is fun, enjoyable, and most everyone can get something out of this experience.
Klook User
2026-11-05 09:04:26
Fantastic 5.0
Had the best time! This was one of my favorite experiences in Japan, absolutely worth the money. The vibe was great, and everyone was so welcoming. Highly recommend if you’re visiting Kyoto!
Klook User
2026-10-04 08:03:17
Fantastic 5.0
Great experience. Gaining insight on the Samauri history and learning how to weild and unsheath a Katana, dress as a Kenzo warrior and having a fight in full gear. We had a 9yr old with us and he loved it. Great for all the family!! A must when visiting Kyoto!

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FAQs about Mount Hiei

Is Mount Hiei worth visiting?

Why is Mount Hiei important?

What is the folklore of Mount Hiei?

What to know about Mount Hiei

Mount Hiei is a sacred mountain to the northeast of Kyoto, right on the border of Kyoto and Shiga prefectures. You'll find the Enryaku-ji Temple grounds here, a UNESCO World Heritage, group of temples and buildings that have played a huge role in Japanese Buddhism and culture over the years. More than its stunning views of Kyoto, the temple is also famous for its "marathon monks," who take on the incredible 1,000-day challenge called "kaihogyo" in their quest for enlightenment. Nowadays, people come to Mount Hiei to check out its religious spots, take in nature, and catch some amazing views.
Mount Hiei, Ichijoji Idegadanichosenguchi, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, 606-0000, Japan

Must-Visit Attractions in Mount Hiei

Enryaku-ji Temple

Enryaku-ji or Enryakuji Temple is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the main temple of the legendary warrior monk Benkei. Uncover the deep history and cultural importance of this iconic temple on Mount Hiei. Back in its prime, Enryakuji had around 3,000 sub-temples and housed thousands of monks.

Hiking Trails

Go on a hiking adventure through the forests of Mount Hiei. Take the Kyoto Isshu Trail to go up the mountain, offering breathtaking views and a chance to relax in nature. While exploring this journey, consider visiting Ginkakuji in nearby Kyoto, known as the Silver Pavilion, where you can walk through beautiful Zen gardens and admire traditional architecture.

Sakamoto Cable Car

Experience a scenic ride on the Sakamoto Cable Car, where you can enjoy panoramic views as you go down from Mount Hiei to Otsu City in Shiga prefecture. Enjoy a convenient and picturesque journey back to Kyoto.

Garden Museum Hiei

Located on a mountaintop with stunning views of Kyoto and Lake Biwa, this garden art museum is a must-visit. Explore six beautiful gardens inspired by Provence, France, including an aromatic garden, a rose garden, a lily pond, and a flower garden, that can remind you of Monet's home. With 100,000 flowers blooming year-round, you're in for a visual treat. Plus, see the museum's highlight: ceramic tile replicas of 12 famous impressionist paintings by artists like Monet, Van Gogh, and Degas.

Tips for Your Mount Hiei Visit

When is the best time to visit Mount Hiei?

Plan your visit to Mount Hiei during the spring or autumn seasons to enjoy pleasant weather and stunning natural scenery. Avoid the summer crowds and winter chill for a more peaceful experience.

How to go to Mount Hiei?

Reach Mount Hiei by toll road for hikers or take the Eizan Cable Car or Sakamoto Cable Car for a scenic journey to the top. Regular buses connect the attractions on the mountain, providing convenient transportation for visitors. Alternatively, you can take the train from JR Kyoto Station.

How long is the hike up Mount Hiei?

It takes an 11.1-mile round-trip trail to Mount Hiei near Kyoto. Known for its challenging terrain, it typically takes around 6 hours and 4 minutes to finish. Perfect for hiking, running, and leisurely walks, you'll enjoy a peaceful journey with minimal crowds along the way.