“I have no idea why Mount Hiei isn’t mentioned more!“
As I visited Kyoto, I searched for nearby mountains to hike and found Mount Hiei was right at the edge of the Kyoto prefecture. Mount Hiei is known as a lower mountain compared to the rest of Japan (especially its alpines), but a regular place for the locals to visit on the weekends for nature. It boasts Eizan Cable Car and Ropeway, Garden Museum Hiei, Monument of Mizunomi Taijin, Kirarazaka Castle Ruins, Sekizan-Zenin Temple, Chigusa Tadaaki Memorial of course, it’s mountain top. An optional extra (if you decide to walk or public transport here separately) is the Shugakin Imperial Palace.
Mount Hiei History:
Once a year, Mount Hiei is populated by Buddist Monks completing the pilgrimage, Kaihogyo. This is a practice where Buddhist monks walk a route on Mount Hiei that can take up to 1,000 days to complete while offering prayers at sacred places such as halls, monuments and shrines. Know for Eizan Cable Car and Ropeway, Garden Museum Hiei, Monument of Mizunomi Taijin, Kirarazaka Castle Ruins, Sekizan-Zenin Temple, Chigusa Tadaaki Memorial
Eizan Cable car and Ropeway
Opening Hours: ~7:15 AM to 7:11 PM (depending on direction and day, check here)
Cost (as of 2023): Cable Car: Adult return ¥1,100 yen (Purchase through Klook), ¥550 yen one way. Ropeway: Adult ¥650 yen.
About: Opened in 1925, the Eizan Cable climbs 651 meters heading up Mount Hiei. A spectacular ride, with views overlooking the whole of Kyoto.
Gardens Museum Hiei
Opening Hours: 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM (may vary, closed early December to mid-April).
Cost (as of 2023): ¥1,200 yen for Adults & ¥600 yen for Children.
About: Over 1,500 different flower species, 100,000 flowers, ceramic tile impressions of masterpieces by Monet, Van Gogh, Pizarro, Cezanne and others. A cafe to fill the bellies and enjoy a reward. All of this is located at the top of the mountain, overlooking Otsu and Kyoto!
Mount Hiei Hike:
There are three ways to complete this (note they have different starting points to complete):
- Cable car return. The ropeway is optional along this path, you will miss the opportunity to see the Kirarazaka Castle Ruins and Monument of Mizunomi Taijin.
- Cable car up (optional ropeway) and walk down.
- Walk up and cable car down (option ropeway).
Option 1&2:
- Simply use Google Maps to catch the bus from your location to Cable Yase Station. The bus fare was ~¥270 yen. As of 2023, the
If you wish to take the ropeway, purchase those tickets here too.
Once you reach the top of the Cable car station, soak in the view overlooking the western side of Kyoto, next to the ropeway station. There is a game of good fortune where for ¥100 yen, you get 3 discs and you throw them through the ring to the left.
- From here, you can take the ropeway or walk. The ropeway is there and you would present your ticket, purchased from Cable Yase Station.
To walk, head towards the other building and you will see a wider path (that fits a car) leading into the trees before you enter the building. Follow this until you reach the paddock. I was lucky enough to see a 2m wide Eagle, roaming and watching a family walking down the hill (it might have been snackish?!). At this junction, follow the sealed path to your right. At the next section, head left towards the car park & Garden Museum Hiei entrance. - I highly recommend enjoying the car park views on both sides.
- To reach the top of Mount Hiei, follow the car park on the left-hand side and take the path that isn’t the road. Head up the walking. As you reach the stage it turns into a forest, keep your eyes on the right-hand side for a hidden track leading up the tree. I only found it by looking over my shoulder at one point! Take this short incline and you will circle around to face a large plain building. Before you pass it, again, look over your shoulder but on the left and you will see a small mound which a hidden path again. Walk up this and you will find the peak of Mount Hiei!
- Enjoy the Gardens if you wish to go in.
- Let’s head back down – Follow the path back down you walked up. Once you reach the building at the ropeway, walk through it and you will find the Hieizan signpost. Soak in the view once again. Directly to the left of this sign (the side I’m standing on) is stairs heading down. Follow this path.
- Option 1 (cable car): Head to the cable car station and enjoy the ride down. Catch the bus back into Kyoto for beer or six.
Option 2 (hike): The walk down can take anywhere from 1 hour to 2 hours, depending on your fitness. It’s relatively easy downhill. There are rest spots along the way, some with views. If you’re lucky, you might find a Cane Toad along the river. Listen for their croaky noise warning you, and follow the noise closer and closer. You will pass the Monument of Mizunomi Taijin, Kirarazaka Castle Ruins, Sekizan-Zenin Temple - As you come out, I would highly recommend the Shugakin Imperial Palace as you head down towards Shūgakuin Station to head back to Kyoto.
Option 3:
- Catch the bus to Shūgakuin Station, and walk to starting point here. You may wish to see the Shugakin Imperial Palace on your way to the starting point or after you make it back down. You will pass the Monument of Mizunomi Taijin and Kirarazaka Castle Ruins. Once you reach the Hieizan sign (as pictured in Option 2), walk through the building, see the left out to the left near the ropeway station. Turn back around and follow the wide pathway leading up the hill between the station and the building. Once you reach the paddock, stay to the right and follow this up the hill.
- Read through Option 2 to find the tip of Mount Hiei.
- Continue to follow the instructions to return back to Shūgakuin Station.
Any questions or feedback? Reach out!