Hieizan Enryaku-ji Temple is located between Kyoto and Shiga (Otsu).
Therefore, to visit Enryaku-ji Temple, you can either go up the mountain from the Kyoto side or from the Otsu side.
The tickets for the pilgrimage before going up the mountain are relatively expensive, but both sides have transportation options.
The new version of the pilgrimage ticket is now divided into two versions, the Keihan Line and the Otsu Line, which are suitable for visitors going up the mountain from the Kyoto side and the Otsu side respectively.
In addition, for detailed transportation methods and routes to Hieizan Enryaku-ji Temple, you can refer to this article: Transportation to Mount Hiei – This article only introduces tickets.
Ticket Name
Depending on the version, the names may vary.
The version for visiting Mt. Hiei Enryaku-ji Temple on the Keihan Line (hereinafter referred to as the Keihan Line version) and the version for visiting Mt. Hiei Enryaku-ji Temple on the Otsu Line (hereinafter referred to as the Otsu Line version).
Ticket Versions and Prices
According to the route, it is divided into the Keihan Line version and the Otsu Line version.
According to the age group, it is divided into the adult version (12 years old and above) and the children’s version (6-11 years old).
Keihan Line Version: Adults ¥3700, Children ¥1700
Otsu Line Version: Adults ¥2900, Children ¥1300
Ticket Information
1. One transportation ticket/card.
With the card, you can take unlimited rides on the transportation within the designated area (excluding Premium Car on the Keihan Electric Railway).
(The above photos are the tickets for the Mt. Hiei crossing ticket. The appearance of the tickets for the Keihan Line pilgrimage is the same as this one, both are purchased and made on-site. This picture is provided by a user named rositala.)
2. Ticket for Enryaku-ji Temple
When entering Enryaku-ji Temple, please present your ticket to receive one admission ticket.
3. Facilities coupons in the surrounding area of Mount Hiei and the Keihan Railway Line
■ Hieizan Enryaku-ji Kaikan
Tea House offers a 10% discount at the store. Enjoy a 5% discount.
■ Garden Museum Hieizan
Admission Ticket (4/22～11/23) Adult discount ￥200 JPY, Child (elementary school student) discount ￥100 JPY
Admission fee (11/24～12/3) Adult discount ￥100 JPY, Child (elementary school student) discount ￥50 JPY
For more details on other coupons, please click here.
Release period
March 18th to December 3rd
(mid-late March to early December every year)
Validity period
1. Keihan Line version, valid for purchase on the same day only!!
2. Otsu Line version, you can choose any day you like to use (within the issuance period)
Range of Use for Enryaku-ji Temple Pilgrimage Tickets
The following transportation sections are all open for boarding and alighting.
When reading the text, please also refer to the route map for better clarity!
■ Keihan Line
1. Keihan Electric Railway: Keihan Line (including Uji Line and other branch lines), Iwashimizu Hachimangu Sando Cable
2. Eizan Electric Railway: Demachiyanagi ~ Yase-Hieizanguchi (cannot go to Mount Kurama or Kibune)
3. Eizan Cable Car: Keburu Yase ~ Keburu Hieizan
4. Eizan Ropeway: Ropeway Hieizan ~ Mount Hieizan Summit
5. Hieizan Shuttle Bus: Mount Hieizan Summit ~ Yokogawa and Mount Hieizan Summit ~ Hotel de Hiei
Route Map:
(The yellow sections highlighted in the image below are the areas where passengers can freely get on and off the bus.)
■ Otsu Line
1. Keihan Electric Railway: Keishin Line (Misasagi ~ Biwako-Hamaotsu), Ishiyama Sakamoto Line (Ishiyamadera ~ Sakamoto-Hiei-Yamaguchi)
2. Kojaku Bus: Hieizan Sakamoto Station ~ Keburu Sakamoto
3. Sakamoto Ropeway: Keburu Sakamoto ~ Keburu Enryaku-ji
4. Hieizan Shuttle Bus: Mount Hieizan Summit ~ Yokogawa and Mount Hieizan Summit ~ Hotel de Hiei
Sales Locations
■ Keihan Line
Only available for sale at the following Keihan Electric Railway stations:
Nakanoshima, Yodoyabashi, Temmabashi, Kyobashi, Moriguchi-shi, Neyagawa-shi, Korien, Hirakata-shi, Kuzuha, Chushojima, Tambabashi, Gion-Shijo, Sanjo, Demachiyanagi.
The following is the station office.
■ Otsu Line
Only available for sale at the following stations:
Keihan-Yamashina, Keihan-Ishiyama, Keihan-Zeze, Biwako-Hamaōtsu, Keihan-Otsukyo, Sakamoto-Hiei-Yamaguchi.
How to Use the Pilgrimage Ticket for Visiting Enryaku-ji Temple on Mount Hiei
1. When entering or exiting the train station of Keihan Electric Railway, please use the automatic ticket gate.
2. For the Eizan Electric Railway, please use the automatic ticket gate when entering or exiting at a manned station. When there is no staff, please exit through the front door and show your ticket to the driver before getting off.
3. When boarding the Hieizan Ropeway, Hieizan Cable Car, or Sakamoto Ropeway, please present your ticket before entering the station. The station staff will verify the date.
4. When taking the shuttle bus inside Mount Hiei, please present your ticket when getting off the bus.
5. When riding on the Kojaku Bus, please present your ticket when getting off the bus.
Additional Explanation
1. The Otsu Line is the collective term for the Keihan Electric Railway Keishin Line and the Ishiyama Sakamoto Line.
Due to limited manpower, tickets for the Otsu Line can only be purchased during station staff service hours!
Please refer to the table below for detailed times, but be sure to double-check on the official website for confirmation.
2. For the schedule of various mountain buses, cable cars, as well as the Kojaku Bus and the Hieizan Shuttle Bus, please refer to the official website.
You can download the 2023 schedule for the Shuttle Bus on the mountain here.
3. Currently, there is a digital version of the old pilgrimage ticket called “Hieizan-Biwako Digital Ticket” available. It is priced at only ¥3500.
However, please note that it does not cover the Keihan Electric Railway. It can only be used for the Eizan Electric Railway, Eizan Ropeway, Eizan Cable Car, shuttle bus on the mountain, Sakamoto Ropeway, and the Kojaku Bus on the lower part of the mountain. For more detailed information, please click here.
Reference Materials
Enryaku-ji Temple Pilgrimage Ticket
『Original Source：https://nicklee.tw/1181/』
