Mount Hiei, Sacred mountain in Kyoto, Japan
Mount Hiei is a forested peak between Kyoto and Shiga prefectures that reaches 848 meters (2782 feet). From the top, one sees Lake Biwa to the east and the Kyoto basin to the west.
Saichō founded a temple complex here in the eighth century that became the headquarters of the Tendai school. Oda Nobunaga destroyed most buildings in the 16th century during military campaigns.
The peak has drawn Buddhists for centuries and served as a training ground for monks of the Tendai school. Hikers today still encounter temple buildings and prayer sites along the forested trails.
Two cable car systems reach the summit station, one from the Kyoto side and one from the Lake Biwa side. Visitors can choose between different routes depending on where they start and how much time they have.
Some monks complete a spiritual practice called kaihōgyō here, walking mountain paths for 1000 days spread over seven years. The total distance covered adds up to more than the length of the equator.
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