Begin your journey at Cable Sakamoto Station, where your guide will greet you with a yellow sign marked “DeepExperience.” Ascend the wooded slopes by cable car and step into the temple’s beating heart: the Tōtō area.

Here stands the majestic Konpon Chūdō, home to the eternal flame that has burned for over 1,200 years—an unbroken symbol of devotion. Surrounding this main hall are sacred structures such as the Daikōdō (Great Lecture Hall) and Kaidan-in, reflecting the foundations of Buddhist study and ordination. This is where Enryakuji’s spiritual lineage began, founded by the great monk Saichō.

Next, a shuttle brings you to the serene Saitō area, where ancient cedar forests shelter mossy paths and historic halls. At the Shakadō (Shakyamuni Hall), the mountain's oldest surviving building, and the iconic Ninai-dō, a pair of twin halls—Jōgyō-dō (Hall of Constant Walking Meditation) and Hokke-dō (Hall of the Lotus Sutra)—connected by a covered corridor, you’ll experience the deep harmony between physical discipline and doctrinal devotion. Legend holds that Benkei, the warrior monk, once shouldered these two halls—hence the name Ninai (“to carry”).

Finally, venture to the secluded Yokokawa area, a lesser-visited but profoundly meditative precinct. The elevated Yokokawa Chūdō emerges from the forest with an air of serene dignity, offering quiet space for reflection. Nearby, the Shikikōdō (Four Seasons Hall) evokes impermanence through nature’s cycle, while the Ganzan Daishidō, built by Saichō to honor his mother, adds a deeply human touch to this sacred ground.

Returning once more to the Eastern Pagoda area, you’ll descend by cable car, carrying with you not only vivid memories but also a renewed sense of spiritual stillness.