Welcome to

ENRYAKUJI

ABOUT

Rising above Japan’s largest lake, straddling the border between Kyoto and Shiga prefectures, the majestic Mt. Hiei is home to one of the most important temples in the history of Japan. Hidden amongst its heavily forested hills are the many sacred buildings of Enryakuji, a mystical Tendai Buddhist monastery that attracts monks from across Japan to its famously rigorous training.

A photo of a mountain path leading to Jodoin

The Birthplace
of Tendai Buddhism

Enryakuji is a sprawling temple complex with a history dating back before the year 800. It was founded by a monk called Saicho, who introduced the Tendai sect of Buddhism to Japan from China. The buildings in existence today were mainly built in and after the 1500s, when the temple was once destroyed in an attack. Today, the grounds and buildings are divided into three areas: Todo (east), Saito (west), and Yokawa, which is further removed from the other two. Visitors to the temple are encouraged to not only take in the Todo area with its main hall (Kompon Chudo), but to also explore some of the lesser-known structures, as well as the beautiful forest paths that wind between them.

A photo of a couple looking out the window from their room

More Than
a Temple Stay

The best, most comprehensive way to experience the deeply meaningful scenery of Mt. Hiei is with an overnight stay at Enryakuji Kaikan. Staying guests not only get to see the temple without other visitors, but will also immerse themselves in cultural activities, as recommended to them by the monks. Candlelight meditation, walking the many forested paths, practicing the traditional art of Japanese calligraphy, experiencing the unique world of incense… all are possible at Enraykuji, and are activities that will stay with you for years to come.

The newly renovated rooms at Enryakuji Kaikan provide modern amenities just steps away from the temple buildings, ensuring a stay that is both comfortable and one of a kind. The hotel’s onsite restaurant prepares flavorful, healthy meals that are based on the traditional vegetarian Buddhist cuisine known as shojin ryori.

EXPERIENCE

Consultation
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Candlelight Meditation
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Incense Making
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Calligraphy
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Prayer Bracelet Making
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Fire Ritual
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Mountain Trekking
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Sutra Chanting
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Zen Garden Creation
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Temple Night Walk
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Consultation
All immersion experiences at Enryakuji begin with a conversation with one of the monks that works at the temple. Through a series of questions and observations regarding your own unique goals, preferences, motivations and struggles, the monk will design and customize a program specifically for you, so that each guest is ensured the best, most impactful experience.
Candlelight Meditation
After a short explanation, experience a unique type of zazen seated meditation. Unlike other temples, Enryakuji provides modern, comfortable meditation cushions that make staying in a seated position for an extended period of time comfortable for anyone. By focusing your gaze on the flame of a candle, you will look within yourself and find moments of peace, relaxation and introspection. Those who stay at Enryakuji Kaikan will be able to experience zazen in different settings and at different times of day.
Incense Making
Like many major temples in Japan, Enryakuji has its own original blend of incense created by the monks who call it home. In this experience, each guest will also mix their own unique scent from up to five of the most meaningful and popular incense ingredients. Rather than sticks or cones, this is incense in its most pure form, created from raw materials such as wood and crystallized tree sap. Once you have decided on your blend, you will enclose it in a silk sachet to be enjoyed whenever and wherever you wish.
Calligraphy
Learn the basics of Japanese calligraphy in a meditative manner, beginning by tracing the characters with your brush before trying to recreate them on your own. The monks will choose the best characters for each individual, based on your earlier consultation. You will also be able to choose ones whose meaning speak to you, and at the end of the experience your calligraphy sheets will be carefully packaged for you to take home as a souvenir.
Prayer Bracelet Making
Buddhist prayer beads can be found at temples across Japan, and each type has its own unique meaning. In this experience, you will choose beads made from different types of stones and wood, based both on their meanings and appearances. After laying them out in the order that you choose, you will string them together to create your own original and meaningful piece of jewelry to take home with you.
Fire Ritual
Also known as goma taki, this fire ceremony is performed daily at temples across Japan. Guests of the Enryakuji immersion will have the opportunity to experience this moving ritual in a private setting. After writing your prayers or wishes on special wooden tablets, you will watch as the monk chants, recites the prayers and then burns the tablets in the fire, burning away negative energy and purifying your mind, body and spirit with the smoke.
Mountain Trekking
The monks of Enryakuji participate in a unique form of training that requires them to walk a total of roughly 40,000 kilometers in 1,000 days over a 7-year period. The route of these walks primarily follows the forested paths of Mt. Hiei, which circle the mountain and even lead to destinations as far as Kyoto. Visitors to the temple can get a small taste of this rigorous training and immerse themselves in a forest bathing experience by following some of the same paths between various temple buildings, sacred sites, and lookout points.
Sutra Chanting
While staying at Enryakuji Kaikan, rise early in the morning and join the monks for their daily prayer service. After an explanation of the meaning behind the sutras, you will watch and listen as the monks chant in unison. For those who wish to participate in the experience themselves, printed copies of the sutras with their phonetic readings are provided.
Zen Garden Creation
Calm your mind by creating simplistic beauty in nature. One of Enryakuji’s monks will teach you the art of creating a zen rock garden using a specially designed rake. Once you have learned the technique, you will be able to freely create your own design of straight or curved lines, concentric circles, or any other element of your choosing.
Temple Night Walk
When participating in their 1,000 days of walking for their rigorous training, the monks of Enryakuji walk the temple paths at all times of the day and night. After the sun falls below the horizon, the only light they use is from small lanterns made of metal and paper, each of which holds a single candle. After dusk, follow the monk around the temple grounds, feeling the spirituality of the forest with heightened senses.

TEMPLE STAY

Rooms
Some newly renovated rooms (autumn 2024)
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Facilities
Public bath, vending machines, cafe/lounge, souvenir shop, meeting/event spaces
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Dining
Modern shojin, western option as well - menu designed by Atsushi Nakahigashi
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Retail

On the first floor of Enryakuji Kaikan is a shop selling Buddhist prayer items such as incense and amulets, as well as original souvenirs inspired by the natural beauty of Mt. Hiei. You will also find a variety of special items that you encountered in your experiences at the temple, such as the candles and stand used in meditation, and the incense ingredients used to make your own scent. In addition to being beautiful and useful in continuing your wellness journey beyond the slopes of Mt. Hiei, these items make wonderful gifts and memorabilia from your stay.