Decemberis busiest month of the year. It is called Shiwasu which means even Buddhist monks are running. People will be busy for great cleaning called "Osoji" before New Year begins. Also, they have to write Negajo letters. Some people write several hundreds Nengajo letters every year.
December is the first month of Japanese winter, so there is few rain, and air getting so clear. Even from Tokyo, Mt. Fuji is clearly visible. It is very cold, but the weather is mostly sunny, so nice time to travel.
In the Christmas time, many cities will have great Christmas light up show. New Year's Eve is called "Omisoka." People start visiting shrine and temple at night just before the mid-night. This new year's worship is called "Ninenmairi" which means having worship for over years.
National Holiday:
- 12/23 "Emperor's Birthday" (天皇誕生日)
Major Event:
- 12/24 Christmas Eve
- 12/31 New Year's Eve.
Weather: Mostly Sunny (rains 56mm per month)
Ave. temperature and humidity of Tokyo: 7.4 degrees C, 57%
Enryakuji is designated as the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Saicho travel to China to study Tendai Buddhism in 804 A.C.E. Many famous Buddhist Priests were trained at Enryakuji here. This temple was the first official Buddhist school established next to Koyasam. The main hole, Komponchudo, is registered as the national treasure. It was constructed in 1642 donated by Tokugawa Iemitsu.
Visitor's Info.
There are parking and restroom.
Time: 9:00 to 16:00 (Mar.to Nov.), 9:30 to 15:30 (Dec.), 9:00 to 16:00 (Jan. and Feb.)
Admission: 1,000 Yen.
Access
0. at Kusatsu Station.
1. use JR Tokaido Line to Yamashina Station.
2. use JR Kosai Line to Hieizan Sakamoto Station.
3. use a local bus to Cable Car Satamoto Station.
4. use a cable car to Hieizan Enryakuji.
1000 JPY
3 hr.
