The Mysterious Legends of Mt. Hiei Stamp Rally Walk, featuring legends and anecdotes from Mt. Hiei and the surrounding foothills, is starting once again in 2025.
It’s been over 1,200 years since Saicho (also known as Dengyō Daishi, 767-822) founded Enryakuji Temple on Mt. Hiei. . .
A great number of strange, mysterious legends from Mt. Hiei’s long history remain in this area, transmitted as an oral tradition, passed from monk to monk over the generations to the present day.
We have a new selection of legends in this year’s stamp rally, illustrated by the Kyoto painter Tamaju Isayama and students from Seian University of Art and Design.
Now in its fourth year, the Mt. Hiei stamp rally is even better than before, with fun for both children and adults!
There are prizes based on the number of stamps you collect.
For those of you who completed the stamp rally in past years, we welcome you to try it once more.
We hope you take this opportunity to become familiar with a few of Mt. Hiei’s many mysteries.
Dates of Event
From April 19, 2025(Sat) to December 7, 2025(Sun)
[ Please Note: ]
- There is no particular order you need to follow when collecting the stamps.
- In each stamp location you can find a stamp and stamp rally sheets. In locations where the stamping table is separated from the legend signboard, directions will be posted on the sign.
- The stamp rally sheets and stamps will only be available during pilgrimage or business hours. Please check the hours in advance and plan accordingly.
- Only one prize per person; the offer will end when prizes run out.
Stamp Rally Legend Locations
| Legend | Location of Stamping Station | |
|---|---|---|
| On Mt. Hiei | The One-Eyed Monk [Hitotsume-Kozō] |
Inside Konpon Chū-dō (Main temple) |
| The Old Eggplant Woman [Nasubi-baba] |
Inside Daikō-dō | |
| The Mist Ship of Funasaka [Funasaka no Moyafune] |
First floor entrance of Enryakuji Kaikan Hotel | |
| Benkei’s Carrying Pole Corridor [Benkei no Ninai-dō] |
Inside Shaka-dō
*The legend signboard is in Ninai-do |
|
| The Spirit of Karigome Hill [Chimimōryō Karigome no Oka] |
Entrance of Minemichi Restaurant | |
| The Great Horned Master [Tsuno Daishi] |
Entrance of Ganzan Daishi-dō | |
| The Soba-Eating Statue [Soba-Kui Mokuzou] |
Cable Enryakuji Station | |
| Masakado’s Rock [Masakado-Iwa] |
In front of Garden Museum Hiei | |
| In the Foothills | The Divine Monkeys [Masaru] |
West Main Sanctuary (Nishihon-gū) of Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine (map) |
| The Holy White-Handed Monkey [Shōnin no Tejiro no Mashira] |
Saikyōji Temple (map) | |
| The Iron Rat [Tesso] |
Inside Kon-dō of Miidera Temple (map) | |
| The Ant’s Waterfall [Arigataki] |
Cable Sakamoto Station | |
| Tenjin’s Ascent to the Heavens [Tōten Tenmangū] |
Kitano Tenmangū Shrine, Kyoto (map) | |
The stamp rally sheet
There are 8 locations on Mt. Hiei and 5 locations in the foothills for a total of 13 locations.
*The map above shows locations of illustrated legend signboards.
The illustrated legend signboards will indicate where the stamping tables are.
*There is a possibility that placement of legend signboards could change.
*Please note that pilgrimage fees (admission fees) are required to enter each of the temples and shrines.
The Mysterious Legends
The Prizes
*Available only while supplies last. The offer may end when prizes run out.
Of the 13 total locations…
- If you collect stamps from 6 locations, you can get a “mystery postcard”.
- If you collect stamps from 9 locations, you can get a plastic folder with an original design.
- If you collect stamps from 12 or more locations, you can get a “mystery” design shopping bag.
Where to collect your prize
*Stamp rally sheets can be redeemed for prizes at the following locations only during business hours.
-
Okuhiei Driveway Office (Inside Enryakuji Temple Bus Center in Parking Lot 1)
Open 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
-
Cable Sakamoto Station
Open 8:30 am to 4:00 pm
-
Kansai Tourist Information Center Kyoto, on the 3rd floor of Kyoto Tower
Open 10:00 am to 5:30 pm
