Northern Higashiyama - Kyoto - page 224

Distance About 6km

Duration Four hours

Start at Keage Station on the Tōzai subway line, walk downhill, cross the pedestrian overpass, head back uphill
and go through the tunnel under the old funicular tracks. This leads to a narrow street that winds toward
Konchi-in .

Just past Konchi-in, take a right on the main road and walk up through the gate into Nanzen-ji . Continue
east, up the slope and you'll soon see the brick Sōsui aqueduct on your right; cross under this, take a quick left
and walk up the hill toward the mountains. You'll come first to the lovely Kōtoku-an subtemple. Beyond

this, the trail enters the woods. Follow it up to the secluded Nanzen-ji Oku-no-in , a tiny shrine built

around a waterfall.

Return the way you came and exit the north side of Nanzen-ji, following the road through a gate. You'll soon
come to Eikan-dō , a large temple famous for its artworks and pagoda. At the corner just beyond Eikan-dō,
a sign in English and Japanese points up the hill (right) to the Path of Philosophy. If you're hungry, take a short
detour north to Hinode Udon , a fine noodle restaurant. Otherwise, head up the hill to the Path of

Philosophy (Tetsugaku-no-michi) , which is the pedestrian path that heads north along the canal.

From here, it's a straight shot up the lovely tree-lined canal for about 800m until you reach a small sign in Eng-
lish and Japanese pointing up the hill to Hōnen-in . Follow the sign, take a left at the top of the hill, walk
past a small park and you'll see the picturesque thatched gate of Hōnen-in. After checking out the temple (free),
exit via the thatched gate and take a quick right downhill.

From here, follow the narrow side streets north to Ginkaku-ji , the famed Silver Pavilion. Ginkaku-ji-Mi-
chi bus stop is near the intersection of Shirakawa-dōri and Imadegawa-dōri (bus 5, 56, 100, 203 or 204 from
Kyoto Station).

REIKAN-JI
OFFLINE MAP
( 霊鑑寺 ; 771-4040; Sakyō-ku, Shi-shigatani goshonodan-chō 12; admission ¥500; 10am-4pm spring & au-
tumn; 7min walk from Ginkaku-ji-Michi bus stop, bus 5 or 17 from Kyoto Station) Only open to the public
in spring and autumn, Reikan-ji is one of Kyoto's great lesser-visited attractions. During
the spring opening, you will find the grounds positively rioting with camellia. In autumn,
the brilliant reds of the maples will dazzle the eye. The small collection of artworks in the
main building is almost as good as the colours outside. Check with the Tourist Informa-
tion Center ( CLICK HERE ) for exact opening dates, as they vary by year.

| TEMPLE

GINKAKU-JI
OFFLINE MAP

| TEMPLE