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Shiga: Sakamoto Walking Tour of Stone Walls Faith and History

By DeepExperience
Free cancellation available
The previous price was NT$7,836 and current price is NT$5,485 per adult* *Get lower prices by selecting more than 2 adults
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Features
  • Free cancellation available
  • 3h
  • Mobile voucher
  • Instant confirmation
Overview

Explore the historic town of Sakamoto at the foot of Mount Hiei, where faith and craftsmanship intertwine through centuries of tradition. This three-hour guided walking tour unveils the rich cultural landscape shaped by the Anō masons and the temple town of Enryaku-ji. Visit the Former Chikurin-in to admire serene gardens, then discover the Hiyoshi Taisha shrine, featuring unique Sannō torii gates and symbolic guardians. At Shigain Monzeki, learn about the residences of retired monks, and feel the devotion at Jigen-dō. This immersive experience showcases the inseparable bond between spirituality and daily life in Sakamoto.

  • Three-hour guided walking tour through Sakamoto's sacred sites
  • Visit the Former Chikurin-in and Hiyoshi Taisha shrine
  • Learn about the Anō masons and unique sato-bō system
  • Experience the living culture of faith, craftsmanship, and history

Activity location

  • Kyu Chikurinin Garden
    • 5-2-13 Sakamoto,
    • 520-0113, Otsu, Shiga Prefecture, Japan

Meeting/Redemption Point

  • Sakamoto kankō kyōkai
    • 13 1
    • 520-0113, Otsu, Shiga, Japan

Check availability

Shiga: Sakamoto Walking Tour of Stone Walls Faith and History
  • Activity duration is 3 hours3h
    3h
  • English
Language options: English
Price details
NT$7,835
NT$5,485 x 1 AdultNT$5,485
Total
The previous price was NT$7,835 and current price is NT$5,485
30% off
Until Tue, Nov 25
Return to your original page

What's included, what's not

  • What's includedWhat's included
    Guided walking tour in Sakamoto area
  • What's excludedWhat's excluded
    Food and drinks

Know before you book

  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Activity itinerary

Kyu Chikurinin Garden
  • 50m
  • Admission ticket included
Once a retreat for monks of Enryaku-ji, the Former Chikurin-in offers a glimpse into the refined culture of temple life in Sakamoto. Its elegant tatami rooms open onto a traditional strolling garden designed to harmonize with the surrounding landscape. Here visitors can sense how faith, architecture, and nature blended seamlessly in the daily lives of Buddhist priests at the foot of Mount Hiei.
Hiyoshi Taisha
  • 50m
  • Admission ticket included
Hiyoshi Taisha is the grand guardian shrine of Mount Hiei and the spiritual heart of Sakamoto. Famous for its unique Sannō torii gate and the presence of sacred monkeys known as “masaru,” the shrine reflects the syncretic beliefs of Shinto and Buddhism. Walking from the West Hall to the East Hall, visitors experience a sacred atmosphere that has protected the town and Enryaku-ji Temple for centuries.
Remains of Shigain-mon
  • 1h
  • Admission ticket included
Shigain Monzeki, historically linked to the head priests of the Tendai sect, is one of the most prestigious temples in Sakamoto. It also preserves the system of sato-bō—residences for monks who had retired from Enryaku-ji—which shaped the town’s distinctive character as a religious community. Inside, the refined architecture and quiet gardens reveal the deep connection between faith, governance, and daily life.
Jigando
  • 20m
Jigen-dō is a sacred hall dedicated to Saichō (Dengyō Daishi), the founder of the Tendai school. This site embodies the spiritual foundation of Enryaku-ji and the continuing devotion that defines Sakamoto. Visitors can sense the living tradition of faith that has endured for over a millennium, while also appreciating the town’s role as both a religious and cultural crossroads at the base of Mount Hiei.

Location

Activity location

  • LOB_ACTIVITIESLOB_ACTIVITIES
    Kyu Chikurinin Garden
    • 5-2-13 Sakamoto,
    • 520-0113, Otsu, Shiga Prefecture, Japan

Meeting/Redemption Point

  • PEOPLEPEOPLE
    Sakamoto kankō kyōkai
    • 13 1
    • 520-0113, Otsu, Shiga, Japan

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