Enryakuji was founded in 788 by Saicho, the monk who
introduced Tendai Buddhism from China into Japan. At its
peak, Enryakuji had as many as 3000 sub-temples and a
powerful army of warrior monks who often engaged in
power struggles with other monasteries and political
leaders. On his way to remove all potential rivals and
unite the country, Oda Nobunaga attacked and destroyed
most of Enryakuji's buildings and killed most of its
inhabitants in 1571. Therefore, most of today's temple
buildings date back to the early Edo Period, when
Enryakuji was rebuilt. Enryakuji's attractions are
concentrated in three areas: Todo (east area), Saito
(west area) and Yokawa.
The main area is the Todo area, where the monastery
was originally founded and where most of the main
buildings are located, including the Main Hall (Kompon
Chudo) and the Amida Hall, which was added to the
complex in 1937. A pleasant walking trail through the
forest connects the Todo with the Saito area, whose main
building is the Shaka Hall, the oldest building on the
mountain. Not far away stands the Ninai Hall, two halls
connected to each other by a central corridor. A monk
named Benkei, known for his legendary strength, is said
to once have carried the hall on his shoulders. The
Yokawa area is located several kilometers north of the
other two areas and is visited by fewer people. Its main
building, the Yokawa Central Hall, is partially built on a
slope using pillars.
