Overview
LOCAL CULTURE WALK
Walk Sakamoto, the gateway town to Mount Hiei,
with a local guide.
Sakamoto has flourished as the gateway town to Mount Hiei’s Enryaku-ji Temple. Throughout the town remain satobō where Enryaku-ji monks lived and stone walls built by the stonemason guild known as the Anotshū, still shaping the historic townscape today.
On this tour, you will walk through the gateway town with a local guide well-versed in Sakamoto’s history and culture. Visit Shōgen-ji Temple, Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine, Kyū-Chikurin-in, and other sites while experiencing the history and culture of Sakamoto, which has walked alongside Mount Hiei.
LOCAL STORY
Read the gateway town’s stories preserved in stone walls and alleyways.
Sakamoto’s appeal extends beyond famous temples and shrines. The town’s history remains in Anotshū stonework, the presence of satobō, and even unassuming alleyways. Walking while listening to the local guide reveals the deep connection between Mount Hiei and Sakamoto.
WALK HIGHLIGHTS
Walk with a Local Guide | Guided commentary incorporating locally rooted stories about connections to Mount Hiei, satobō culture, festivals, and more
Anotshū Stonework Townscape | Walk through Sakamoto’s distinctive landscape of skillfully assembled natural stone walls
Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine | Tour the head shrine of all Hiyoshi, Hie, and Sannō shrines nationwide with guide commentary
History of Saichō and the Sannō Festival | Visit Shōgen-ji Temple and Yoimiya-ba to learn about the deep connection between Mount Hiei and Sakamoto
Kyū-Chikurin-in | Enjoy the atmosphere of a satobō and a garden with Mount Hachōji as borrowed scenery
Walking Distance: Approx. 3.5 km | A leisurely walking tour of Sakamoto with a local guide
WALKING MAP
Route through Sakamoto, the gateway town
Basic Information
- Tour Dates
-
Tuesday through Sunday every week *Operates on Mondays when they fall on national holidays *Excluding year-end/New Year period and special dates (festivals and events)
*Tour bookings will be suspended from July 1 to September 30, 2026 (Reiwa 8) due to the temporary closure of Kyū-Chikurin-in. - Time
-
9:30–12:15
13:30–16:15
Duration: Approximately 3 hours - Meeting Point
- Capacity
-
Maximum 10 participants (minimum 2 participants required)
- Price
-
¥3,200 (when 2 or more participants) / ¥5,200 (single-participant tour)
Includes: Admission fees (Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine, Kyū-Chikurin-in), guide expenses, etc.
*Minimum 2 participants required for this tour. If you wish to participate alone, please book at the single-participant rate. If other participants join and the minimum number (2 or more) is reached, the difference will be refunded.
Itinerary
JR Hieizan-Sakamoto Station / Meet local guide and depart
→
Keihan Sakamoto-Hieizanguchi Station
→
Shōgen-ji Temple
→
Shiga-in Monzeki / Anotshū stonework walls
→
Jigen-dō
→
Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine / Sannō Seven Shrines tour
→
Yoimiya-ba
→
Kyū-Chikurin-in / Enter garden
→
Keihan Sakamoto-Hieizanguchi Station / Tour ends
Additional Details
DISCOVER SAKAMOTO
Trace the stories of Sakamoto, the gateway town, with a local guide
LOCAL GUIDE EXPERIENCE
Stone walls, faith, festivals. Explore the town’s stories with your guide.
The Anotshū stonework that defines Sakamoto’s townscape, the deep connection between Mount Hiei and Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine, the satobō culture, and the Sannō Festival passed down by local people. Walking while listening to a local guide brings the history and culture layered within the town’s landscape into clearer view.
Shōgen-ji Temple, associated with Dengyō Daishi Saichō
A temple said to be the birthplace of Saichō, founder of the Tendai sect. The grounds preserve a well believed to have been used for Saichō’s first bath. Through the guide’s commentary, you will encounter the history of the deep bond between Mount Hiei and Sakamoto since ancient times.
Shiga-in Monzeki and the “Anotshū stonework” that adorns Sakamoto
Around Shiga-in Monzeki, stone walls built using “Anotshū stonework”—skillfully assembled natural stones—remain. Walk through Sakamoto’s distinctive townscape created by satobō and stone walls while listening to the local guide’s explanations.
Jigen-dō, associated with Jigen Daishi Tenkai
Jigen-dō enshrines Tenkai, a Tendai monk who greatly influenced the Edo shogunate’s religious policies. Visit one of the key sites for tracing the history of Sakamoto and Mount Hiei, along with the surrounding stonework and satobō landscape.
Tour the Sannō Seven Shrines at Hiyoshi Taisha
Hiyoshi Taisha is the head shrine of all Hiyoshi, Hie, and Sannō shrines nationwide and has been worshiped as the guardian deity of Mount Hiei’s Enryaku-ji Temple. As you tour the grounds, the local guide will provide clear explanations of the history of syncretism between Shinto and Buddhism and the Sannō faith rooted in Sakamoto.
Admission Included
Yoimiya-ba, stage of the Sannō Festival
The site where the important “Yoimiya Otoshi” ritual of the Sannō Festival—one of the three great festivals of the Lake Country—takes place. Trace the meaning embedded in the festival and the culture of the Sannō Festival that the people of Sakamoto have preserved, accompanied by the guide’s explanations.
*Photo shows the Sannō Festival in progress.
Kyū-Chikurin-in, preserving the atmosphere of a satobō
One of the satobō where Enryaku-ji monks lived after retirement. A garden with waterfalls and artificial hills spreads out against the backdrop of Mount Hachōji. Enjoy the satobō culture and tranquil presence passed down in Sakamoto while viewing the garden from the main building.
Admission Included
INFORMATION
Please review before joining
About the Guide
A local guide well-versed in Sakamoto’s history, culture, and connections to Mount Hiei will accompany you from departure to the end of the tour.
About the Sannō Seven Shrines Tour
Of the Sannō Seven Shrines, Sannomiya and Ushinoo-gū are located on the mountain, so this tour visits their remote worship sites at the base.
About Walking
This walking tour covers approximately 3.5 km. Please wear comfortable clothing and shoes.
About the Itinerary
Stops and itinerary may be partially modified due to facility closures, temple/shrine events, etc.
In Case of Rain
The tour will proceed in the rain. Please bring your own rain gear. However, the tour may be canceled if it is determined that safe operation is difficult due to severe weather.
Information for the day
We do not mail travel documents or the final itinerary for this tour. Please check the day-of information (final itinerary) under “Reservation Details” in your booking confirmation email.
Tour Operator
Registered Travel Agency with the Governor of Shiga Prefecture: No. 2-243
Full Member of All Nippon Travel Agents Association (ANTA)
Biwako Otsu Tourism Association
Civic Cultural Center 2F, 2-3 Goryo-cho, Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture
