On Wednesday, November 11, 2026, Enryaku-ji (比叡山延暦寺) on Mt. Hiei, a World Heritage Site and the head temple of the Tendai sect, will hold a special program. In a single day, participants can tour the major renovation site of Konpon Chudo (根本中堂), visit cultural property buildings, have lunch, and try zazen (座禅, seated meditation).
The program is held as part of the 4th Japan International Art Festival (第4回日本国際芸術祭), which runs from September 1 to November 30, 2026.
Event Details
- Date and time: Wednesday, November 11, 2026, 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
- Venue: Enryaku-ji (World Heritage Site, head temple of the Tendai sect), 4220 Sakamotohonmachi, Otsu, Shiga
- Organizer: Yumeshima New Industry and City Creation Organization (一般社団法人夢洲新産業・都市創造機構)
- Special cooperation: Enryaku-ji
- Fee: ¥10,000
Schedule
- 10:00 AM: Gather at Enryaku Kaikan (延暦寺会館)
- 10:15 AM: Tour of the Konpon Chudo renovation site
- 11:45 AM: Lunch (shojin kaiseki set at Enryaku Kaikan)
- 12:45 PM: Viewing of the normally closed Daishoin (大書院) and zazen (those who find it difficult to sit on the floor can take part on a chair)
- 2:00 PM: Dismissal
What the Program Includes
Konpon Chudo Renovation Site Tour
Since 2016 (Heisei 28), a major renovation of Konpon Chudo, a National Treasure, has been underway. It is one of the largest cultural property conservation projects carried out in Japan. Participants enter the temporary construction enclosure (素屋根) that is normally off limits and can see the re-roofed roof, the sculptures with freshly repainted colors, and the area under the eaves up close. Participants wear a helmet during the tour.
The enclosure is scheduled to be dismantled in the future, so this is a chance to see the exterior as the exterior work nears completion.
Temple Grounds Guide
Because Konpon Chudo is closed for the construction work, the Yakushi Nyorai (薬師如来) statue that stands before the principal image and the "Fumetsu no Hoto" (不滅の法灯, the eternal flame of the Dharma), which has burned continuously for 1,200 years, are specially enshrined in Manpaido (万拝堂). They can be viewed up close only while Konpon Chudo is closed. The 1,200-year-old flame is often seen as the heart of a pilgrimage to Mt. Hiei.
Lunch
Lunch is a shojin kaiseki set (精進懐石膳) served at Enryaku Kaikan. Shojin cuisine (精進料理) has been eaten since the Nara period by people devoted to Buddhism, and it conveys the preciousness of life. The image is for illustration purposes.
Viewing of the Normally Closed Daishoin
Daishoin, located east of Konpon Chudo, is a Registered Tangible Cultural Property that serves as the guest hall (迎賓館) of Enryaku-ji. It was relocated from Sannoso (山王荘), which belonged to Mr. Murai (村井氏), in Akasaka, Tokyo, to coincide with the visit of Emperor Showa. It was designed by Dr. Takeda Goichi (武田吾一), known as the father of modern architecture in Kansai. The refined shoin-zukuri (書院造り) building consists of an entrance wing with a karahafu (唐破風) gabled carriage porch (車寄), a large reception room wing called Kyokko-no-ma (旭光の間), and a two-story living room wing with a moon-viewing platform (観月台). It is a high-quality example of Japanese-style architecture.
Zazen
Enryaku-ji prepares the cushions (座布団) for zazen. Those who find it difficult to sit on the floor can take part on a chair. It is a time to calm the mind and spend a quiet moment.
Access
Nearest station: About 25 minutes by taxi from Otsukyo Station (大津京駅) on the JR Kosei Line.
By cable car: When passing the pilgrimage reception (巡拝受付所), tell the staff that you are attending the "Japan International Art Festival" (日本国際芸術祭), and you can pass without paying the pilgrimage fee (巡拝料金).
By car (including taxi): You can drive up to the front of Enryaku Kaikan, the meeting place. Tell the staff at the guard station (詰所) that you are attending the "Japan International Art Festival" (日本国際芸術祭).
About Enryaku-ji
Enryaku-ji was founded in 788 by Saicho (最澄, Dengyo Daishi). Its main hall, Konpon Chudo (Ichijo Shikan-in), a National Treasure, serves as a training hall for the protection of the nation and guards the kimon (鬼門, demon gate) of the capital, Kyoto. Mt. Hiei is also called the mother mountain of Japanese Buddhism, and the founders of many Japanese Buddhist schools, including Honen, Shinran, Ryonin, Ippen, Shinsei, Eisai, Dogen, and Nichiren, studied or took the tonsure here. The mountain overlooks Lake Biwa to the east and the townscape of Kyoto to the west. In 1994 (Heisei 6), Enryaku-ji was registered as a World Cultural Heritage Site.
Related Links
- Official event page: https://yumeshimakikou.org/jiaf4-2026/jiaf2026-enryakuji/
- Access to Mt. Hiei (other than by taxi): https://www.hieizan.or.jp/access/
- 4th Japan International Art Festival official website: https://yumeshimakikou.org/jiaf2026-top/
