Mount Hiei

This is a mountain sanctuary between the Kyoto and Shiga prefectures, in which the famous Enryakuji is located. It's actually not a temple, but a set of them. There are many other sacred sites along the hillside, too, and although it was very busy when I went, it still exuded tranquility. It has been a centre for the teaching of Buddhism, Zen meditation, and sutras for generations. A great place to pass a bit of time quietly. To get there, I recommend the funicular, which you can take from Hieizan-Sakamoto station.