Overview
Mt. Hiei Enryakuji Todo Saito Walk
Walking the Path of Training,
from Todo to Saito.
The World Heritage site “Mt. Hiei Enryakuji” has preserved its tradition as a mountain of ascetic training for over 1,200 years. On this tour, you will explore the Todo area, where the central temple complex is located, before walking the mountain paths to the Saito area.
From the halls of Todo, including the National Treasure Konpon Chudo, follow the path associated with the Kaihyogyo training to Saito. Visiting sites such as Jodoin (the mausoleum of Dengyo Daishi Saicho), Ninai-do, and Shakado, this course allows you to experience the vastness of Mt. Hiei and the enduring culture of faith and training that can only be felt by walking.
WALK THE SACRED MOUNTAIN
From Temple to Temple: Discovering Mt. Hiei on Foot.
The mountain path connecting Todo and Saito is a vital highlight of this tour. Walking through the groves and following the Kaihyogyo path and Benkei-sui spring, you will experience firsthand that Mt. Hiei is not just a collection of temples, but that the entire mountain is a place of training.
SPECIAL EXPERIENCE
A Special Todo Experience Only Available During Renovations
At the National Treasure Konpon Chudo, you can view the major renovation work up close from the “Observation Stage” specially installed for the construction period.
Furthermore, the Manbaido specially enshrines the “Omaedachi Yakushi Nyorai” and the “Eternal Dharma Light,” which has burned for 1,200 years since the temple’s founding. Witness the Todo area in a unique state that can only be seen during these major renovations.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Central Garan of Todo | Visit the Daikodo, National Treasure Konpon Chudo, and Manbaido with a guide.
Walking the Path of Training | Follow the Kaihyogyo path and Benkei-sui spring from Todo to Saito.
To the Halls of Saito | Visit Jodoin, Ninai-do, Shakado, and more.
Walking Distance: Approx. 3.3km | Total walking distance for the tour, including sightseeing in Todo and Saito.
Basic Information
- Tour Dates
-
Daily from March 20 (Fri, Holiday) to December 6 (Sun), 2026
*Excluding specific days (services and events) - Time
-
■ Meeting at Cable Enryakuji Station: 9:15 AM – 12:30 PM
■ Meeting at Enryakuji Bus Center: 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM
[Duration: Approx. 3 hours]
*Please select your meeting point when booking: "Cable Enryakuji Station" if using the Sakamoto Cable, or "Enryakuji Bus Center" if arriving by car or other transportation. - Meeting Point
- Capacity
-
10 persons (Minimum 2 persons)
- Price
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5,400 yen (for 2 or more participants) / 9,000 yen (for 1 participant)
[Includes] Admission fees, commemorative gift, guide expenses, etc.
*The minimum number of participants for this tour is 2. If you wish to proceed with only 1 person, please book using the single-person rate. If other participants join and the group reaches 2 or more, the price difference will be refunded.
*English guide option available: 25,000 yen per session (for 1 guide)
Itinerary
Cable Enryakuji Station or Enryakuji Bus Center / Meeting
→
Todo Area / Konpon Chudo, Daikodo, Manbaido
→
Benkei-sui Spring
→
Saito Area / Jodoin, Ninai-do, Shakado
→
Saito Parking Area / Dismissal
Additional Details
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Main Highlights from Todo to Saito
TODO AREA
Todo Area
The central area of Mt. Hiei Enryakuji. It houses the main temple buildings, including the Konpon Chudo (Main Hall) and the Daikodo (Great Lecture Hall).
Daikodo Important Cultural Property
A training hall where monks study the Lotus Sutra and engage in scholarly debate. The founders of various Buddhist sects are enshrined here, allowing visitors to feel the significant role Mt. Hiei has played in Japanese Buddhism.
Konpon Chudo, Observation Stage, and Manbaido
The National Treasure Konpon Chudo is the main hall of Mt. Hiei Enryakuji. While internal worship is currently suspended due to major renovations, visitors can view the restoration work up close from the “Observation Stage.” Additionally, the Manbaido specially enshrines the “Omaedachi Yakushi Nyorai” (substitute statue of the main deity) and the “Eternal Dharma Light.”
MOUNTAIN PATH
Walking the Path of Kaihyogyo from Todo to Saito
After visiting the Todo area, we walk through the mountain grounds toward the Saito area. As you proceed along paths surrounded by rich nature, you will experience the unique atmosphere of Mt. Hiei as a mountain of ascetic training.
Benkei-sui Spring
Along the way is “Benkei-sui,” where the legendary warrior monk Musashibo Benkei is said to have quenched his thirst. This is one of the highlights found only by traversing the mountain from Todo to Saito on foot.
SAITO AREA
Saito Area
Away from the bustle of the Todo area, this is a quiet part of the mountain where the culture of training and faith still lives on today.
JODOIN
Jodoin
This is one of the most sacred sites on Mt. Hiei, housing the mausoleum of Dengyo Daishi Saicho. Here, the “Twelve-Year Mountain Seclusion Training”—a practice as rigorous as the Thousand-Day Kaihyogyo—continues to this day, with monks known as Jijin-so performing daily service. It is a place where the spirit of Mt. Hiei is tangibly passed down to the present.
NINAIDO
Ninai-do Important Cultural Property
Two identical halls, the Jogyodo and the Hokkedo, are connected by a corridor. It is called “Ninai-do” (Carrying Hall) due to the legend that Musashibo Benkei carried both halls on his shoulders like a balance beam. It remains a place of training for the Tendai sect.
SHAKADO
Shakado Important Cultural Property
Formally known as Tenryurin-do, this is the main hall of the Saito area. The main deity is Shakyamuni Nyorai. The current building was relocated from Miidera Temple by Toyotomi Hideyoshi and is the oldest surviving structure on Mt. Hiei.
KONPON CHUDO INFORMATION
Regarding Internal Worship at Konpon Chudo
Internal worship at the Konpon Chudo is currently suspended due to major renovations (scheduled from January 2026 to January 2028). The “Omaedachi Yakushi Nyorai” and the “Eternal Dharma Light” can be visited at the Manbaido.
The Observation Stage is scheduled to be available until December 2026.
*Please note that the itinerary and visited locations may change on the day depending on religious services, events, or congestion at the Manbaido.
INFORMATION
Please review before joining
Clothing and Walking
This tour involves a 3.3km walk through the mountain from Todo to Saito. As the route includes long staircases, slopes, and uneven terrain, please participate in comfortable clothing and well-worn walking shoes.
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.
Itinerary Changes
Visited locations and the itinerary may change on the day due to religious services, events, or congestion.
Day-of Information
This tour does not mail travel documents or final itineraries. Please check the “Booking Details” link in your reservation confirmation email for the final itinerary and day-of instructions.
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
