Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
At the top, you can take a brief detour across the ridge to Ōsugi-gongen OFFLINE MAP , a
quiet shrine in a grove of trees. Those who want to continue to Kibune can take the trail
down the other side. It's a 1.2km, 30-minute hike from the Honden to the valley floor of
Kibune. On the way down are two mountain shrines, Sōjō-ga-dani Fudō-dō OFFLINE MAP
and Okuno-in Maō-den OFFLINE MAP , which make pleasant rest stops.
KURAMA ONSEN
OFFLINE MAP
( 鞍馬温泉 ; 741-2131; 520 Kurama Honmachi, Sakyō-ku; 10am-9pm; 10min walk from Kurama Sta-
tion, Eizan line) One of the few onsen within easy reach of Kyoto, Kurama Onsen is a great
place to relax after a hike. The outdoor bath has fine views of Kurama-yama and costs
¥1100/700 per adult/child. For ¥2300/1600 you get to use the indoor bath, sauna and re-
laxation areas as well. For both baths, buy a ticket from the machine outside the door of
the main building (instructions are in Japanese and English).
| ONSEN
To get to Kurama Onsen, walk straight out of Kurama Station and continue up the main
street, passing the entrance to Kurama-dera on your left. The onsen is about 10 minutes'
walk on the right. There's also a free shuttle bus between the station and the onsen, which
meets incoming trains.
Southeast Kyoto
| TEMPLE
DAIGO-JI
( 571-0002; 22 Higashiōji-chō, Daigo, Fushimi-ku; 9am-5pm Mar-Nov, to 4pm Dec-Feb; 10min walk
from Daigo Station, Tōzai subway line) Daigo-ji was founded in 874 by Shobo, who gave it the
name Daigo (meaning 'the ultimate essence of milk'). This refers to the five periods of
Buddha's teaching, which were compared to the five forms of milk prepared in India; the
highest form is called daigo in Japanese.
The temple was expanded into a vast complex on two levels, Shimo Daigo (lower) and
Kami Daigo (upper). Kami Daigo is atop Daigo-yama, behind the temple. During the 15th
century those buildings on the lower level were destroyed, with the sole exception of the
five-storey pagoda. Built in 951, this pagoda is treasured as the oldest of its kind in Japan
and is the oldest existing building in Kyoto.
In the late 16th century, Hideyoshi took a fancy to Daigo-ji and ordered extensive re-
building. It is now one of the Shingon school's main temples. To explore Daigo-ji thor-
 
 
 
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