Northern Higashiyama - Kyoto - page 222

Located directly behind Ginkaku-ji ( CLICK HERE ), Daimonji-yama is the main site of the the Daimon-ji Gozan
Okuribi ( CLICK HERE ). From almost anywhere in town the Chinese character for 'great' ( 大 ; dai ) is visible in
the middle of a bare patch on the face of this mountain. On 16 August, this character is set ablaze to guide the
spirits of the dead on their journey home. The view of Kyoto from the top is unparalleled.

Take bus 5 to the Ginkaku-ji Michi stop and walk up to Ginkaku-ji. Here, you have the option of visiting the
temple or starting the hike immediately. To find the trailhead, turn left in front of the temple and head north for
about 50m toward a stone torii (shrine gate). Just before the torii, turn right up the hill.

The trail proper starts just after a small car park on the right. It's a broad avenue through the trees. A few
minutes of walking brings you to a red banner hanging over the trail (warning of forest fires). Soon after this
you must cross a bridge to the right then continue up a smaller, switchback trail. When the trail reaches a saddle
not far from the top, go to the left. You'll climb a long flight of steps before coming out at the top of the bald
patch. The sunset from here is great, but bring a torch.

EIKAN-DŌ
OFFLINE MAP
( 永観堂 ; 761-0007; 48 Eikandō-chō, Sakyō-ku; admission ¥600; 9am-5pm; 15min walk from Keage
Station, Tōzai subway line) Perhaps Kyoto's most famous (and most crowded) autumn foliage
destination, Eikan-dō should probably be avoided in November, but is worth a visit at oth-
er times of year.

| TEMPLE

This temple is made interesting by its varied architecture, its gardens and its works of
art. A fabulous spot for viewing the autumn colours, the temple was founded as Zenrin-ji
in 855 by the priest Shinshō, but the name was changed to Eikan-dō in the 11th century to
honour the philanthropic priest Eikan.

In the Amida-dō hall at the southern end of the complex is a famous statue of Mikaeri
Amida Buddha glancing backwards.

From Amida-dō, head north to the end of the curving covered garyūrō (walkway).
Change into the sandals provided, then climb the steep steps up the mountainside to the
Tahō-tō pagoda , from where there's a fine view across the city.

PATH OF PHILOSOPHY (TETSUGAKU-NO-MICHI)
OFFLINE MAP
( 哲学の道 ; Sakyō-ku, Ginkaku-ji; 7min walk from Ginkakuji-michi bus stop, bus 5 or 17 from Kyoto Station)
The Tetsugaku-no-Michi is one of the most pleasant walks in all of Kyoto. Lined with a
great variety of flowering plants, bushes and trees, it is a corridor of colour throughout
most of the year. The path takes its name from one of its most famous strollers: 20th-cen-

| NEIGHBOURHOOD