Mount Hiei
比叡山
At a glance
A proper mountain day out on Kyoto's doorstep. Take the Eizan cable car from Yase, the steepest in Japan, then the ropeway to the 848-metre summit.
Getting there
Eizan Railway from Demachiyanagi to Yase-Hieizanguchi, then Hiei Cable Car and Hiei Ropeway to the summit.
Best time to visit
Morning start. Best in autumn for colour. Allow a full day.
Price
Free (transport extra)
Nearby
- Enryakuji Temple
- Rurikoin Temple Garden
- Tentenyu Ichijoji Ramen
- Shimogamo Shrine Shrine
Mentioned in our guides
- How to Explore Kyoto on Your Own: A Local's Case for Independent Travel
Kyoto is one of the best cities in the world to explore on your own. Why you don't need a guide, what to watch for if you hire one, and 2/3/5-day itineraries.
- Golden Week in Kyoto 2026: Where the Crowds Go and Where They Don't
Golden Week brings millions to Kyoto. Here's where the crowds hit hardest, the best times to avoid them, and the quieter places locals go instead.
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