UK
USA
Insider Experience: Sacred Mount Hiei
Join our Kyoto "Insider" for a hike to the top of sacred Mount Hiei, home of Buddhism's esoteric Tendai school.
Home of the 'marathon monks' of Buddhism's esoteric Tendai school, Mount Hiei is located just outside of Kyoto's city limits and is the location of Enryaku-ji, the head temple of the sect. To get the best Hiei experience, let us guide you along some of the same trails used by the marathon monks, from the base of Mount Hiei to the temple complex at the top - but don't worry, we're not expecting you to do the full marathon, just a hike of around 2.5 hours!
At the top you will explore the vast temple complex and learn about the mountain's fascinating Buddhist heritage. Afterwards you have the option of hiking back down to Kyoto or returning to the city by public transport.
You will be accompanied for the day by our one of our "Insiders", Richard Farmer. Now a resident of Kyoto, Richard studied Asian religion at the School of Oriental and African Studies in London and has spent extended periods living and training in Buddhist monasteries in the UK, Taiwan and Japan.
Although not a technically difficult hike, the mountain trail is unpaved and steep in parts, so you'll need to be of reasonable fitness and sturdy walking shoes are required.
When to go: We recommend only undertaking this hike from March to November. During the winter months you can visit Mount Hiei's temple complex, but we suggest taking public transport or a taxi to the summit instead.
For more information email us: [email protected] or call: + 61 7 3186 8800
Important notice: We are pleased to be able to offer so many amazing experiences in Japan. However, we are sorry that we can only include these as a part of a full Japan holiday package which includes your accommodation and transport alongside the experiences presented in this section of the web site.
Other Insider Experiences experiences
View more >
Insider Experience: Tokyo architecture tour
Let our "Insider" show you the wealth of cutting-edge architecture Tokyo has to offer.
Insider Experience: Meet a master swordsmith
Be introduced to one of Japan's few remaining swordsmiths. See the revered art of samurai sword making in action.
Insider Experience: Osaka street food
Take a street food tour of Osaka's exciting Nanba district with one of "Insider" experts
Insider Experience: Manga & Anime Tokyo tour
Join one of our "Insiders" for a tour of Tokyo's hottest manga and anime districts.
Insider Experience: Video games tour of Tokyo
Let us connect with you with our "Insider" expert of Tokyo's gaming scene for a very special day in the video game arcades.
Insider Experience: Tokyo art scene tour
If you are a lover of art, don't miss our "Insider" day tour of the Tokyo art scene.
Inside Japan UK office
Inside Japan US office
Inside Japan Australia office
Inside Japan - Japan office
