Subscribe via RSS
9Dec/160

Getting from Kyoto to Otsu the long way…

I love Kyoto. I'd be happy to write a post that only said that. Usually when I'm in Kyoto, I'll either be found at the Railway Museum (actually, it's been twice now and I haven't visited it since it has been renovated!) or up at Mt. Kurama via the Eiden (Railway). This time, I was on the Eiden, but I veered right.

Demachiyanagi Station to Mount Hiei

Hiei-zan is the mountain range to the north-east of Kyoto and forms a dividing range between it and Otsu. As with all mountains in the Kyoto area, Hiei-zan has multiple shrines, multiple temples and multiple transport methods for conquering it. Fortunately, one of those is the famous Eizan Dentetsu (shortened to Eiden) which starts at Demachiyanagi station and ventures to the base of the mountain. Of course, Eiden also heads of north-west towards Mt Kurama and I recommend this trip too.

Anyway, back to tackling Mt. Hiei. Our journey starts at Demachiyanagi Station. We got here from Temmabashi in Osaka via Keihan which has a subway station right across the road.

DSC07801

DSC07803 DSC07805 DSC07809

DSC07811 DSC07816 DSC07813

The trip to the base of Hiei-zan is quick and you'll end up at Yasehieizanguchi station in around 20 minutes. The track splits at Takaragaike; left takes you off to Mt Kurama and right to Mt Hiei. Make sure you turn right :)

DSC07819 DSC07824 DSC07829

DSC07830 DSC07831 DSC07834

The garden around the station is also picturesque! Autumn was a great time to come. Turns out I was there a week before the snow.

DSC07833 DSC07835 DSC07836

DSC07839

DSC07838 DSC07841 DSC07843 DSC07844 DSC07847

The autumn colours were so very different from the colours experienced in Nichinan a few days earlier!

Hiei-zan Cablecar

After hopping off the train, we're off to the cable car. This is a standard vertical mountain climber, like the peak tram in Hong Kong. It passes the opposing car half way and offers amazing views the whole way!

DSC07850 DSC07853 DSC07854

DSC07855 DSC07857 DSC07863

There's enough seats, but I'd recommend getting up as high as possible. It'll give you a better view out the front.

DSC07868 DSC07872 DSC07877

The view out the side isn't bad either!

DSC07885 DSC07890 DSC07887

DSC07897 DSC07898 DSC07902

At the top, the attendants will politely ask you all to get off as quickly as possible... please follow their instructions and do this!

Hiei-zan Ropeway

Are we at the top yet? Not quite. There's one more mode of transport to go! Let's just take in that view first.

DSC07910

That's north-east Kyoto in the left of that picture above. The loop hanging in the foreground is a target. Buy some rocks for 100yen and throw them. Make a wish and it'll come true if your lobbed rocks make it through the middle. Anyway, back to the mountain climbing.

DSC07907

Welcome to the Ropeway! This is a suspended cabin that'll take you to the very top of the mountain.

DSC07912 DSC07914 DSC07917

DSC07920 DSC07921 DSC07922

You've made it! You're at the top of the mountain! How crisp is that air? It's now a short walk to the bus stop... so enjoy the scenery. Don't worry about the main building of the ropeway machinery, it's perfectly structurally sound.

DSC07923 DSC07925 DSC07926

Follow the signs and you'll end up at a bus-stop/carpark/kiosk/garden-museum.

DSC07927 DSC07928 DSC07932

If you head right once you're at the carpark, you'll find the toilet and a great view of Otsu city.

DSC07934

Heading then to the other side of the kiosk, you'll see a nice view of Lake Biwako to the north.

DSC07939 DSC07940 DSC07941

Follow the bus timetable and work out when the next one is. They're about 30mins apart. If you have time, grab a frankfurt with sauce from the kiosk. Yum!

DSC07944

Notice that set of white lines on the right of the image above? That's actually where you are meant to line up! We followed the tourists in front and lined up in the wrong spot! Either way, the bus is uneventful and you're going to want to get off at the first stop.

Sakamoto Cable Car

From here, there's only one mode of transport down. You'll hear it a few times, but it's only one method because it's the longest cable car in Japan. There's even tunnels! Before that though, there's a 20min walk to get to the station. Check out Enrakuji while you're up here!

DSC07946 DSC07947 DSC07949

Jump into the station and buy a ticket... but don't forget to check out the surrounds!

DSC07950 DSC07951 DSC07954

DSC07952 DSC07953 DSC07964

There's a cool display on the second floor of the station. The stairs up are inside.

DSC07967 DSC07963 DSC07968

Check out the times and line up prior to departure, you'll want a good seat!

DSC07970 DSC07959 DSC07974

The view down is fantastic and mainly out the left. There are a few bits to the right too though.

DSC07976 DSC07981 DSC07984

DSC07987 DSC07988 DSC07993

The last picture above is of the road through to JR Hiei-zan Sakamoto Station. After exiting the station, turn left and follow the road. It'll curve right and then head straight down towards Lake Biwako. The station is about 20mins down the road. (So are a few good places for lunch!)

JR Hiei-zan Sakamoto Station

This is a suburban raised station along the lake, north of Otsu. It's appropriately named as it is the closest JR station to the Sakamoto Cable Car. Some freight trains come through here, but most travel down the other side of Lake Biwako. The JR West Thunderbird express runs through this station.

DSC08004 DSC08007 DSC08042

DSC08030 DSC08033 DSC08038

A total of around 35 minutes was spent on the platform. This saw 3 local trains (green), a freight loco hauling a diesel and a Thunderbird express.

DSC08012 DSC08024 DSC08026

DSC08053DSC08057 DSC08061

From here it was a quick ride home via Kyoto.

Filed under: JPN Leave a comment
Comments (0) Trackbacks (0)

No comments yet.


Leave a comment


*

No trackbacks yet.