Sakamoto flourished as the temple town for Hieizan Enryakuji Temple, including the homes for monks from approximately 50 different temples, and the townscape retains the elegance of that history even today. The monk's homes have incredible gardens, with beautiful azalea, crimson leaves and moss combining to form a wonderful symphony of color. Furthermore, the Sakamoto region was designated as a Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings in 1997.