■Higashiyama Course (from Fushimi Inari Station to Hiei Station of Cable Car, 24.6km)

From Himukai-Daijingu Shrine to Ginkaku-ji michi (Trail Board Number from 32 to 52-1)

Left: Himukai-Daijingu Shrine (outer shrine), Right: Shiandokoro (Shiangatsuji; the path splits into 6 directions at this point.)

Go through Nejiri-Manpo (a peculiar tunnel made up of red bricks) in Keage to Trail Board Number 31. From Trail Board Number 31, take a slope along the stone wall of Incline. There are aqueducts of the power plant. After seeing the bronze statue of Dr. Sakuro Tanabe who is the architect of the Lake Biwa Canal on your left, cross the rails of Incline. There is a big stone lantern. Turn left at Trail Board Number 32 by this lantern and go up the approach of Himukai-Daijingu Shrine. Soon, you will see Seiryuzan Anyo-ji Temple. Himukai-Daijingu Shrine is located at the top of the paved steep slope. This shrine is also called Asahi-gu, Hinooka Shinmei-gu or Motoise. As there is no toilet facilities further ahead to Ginkaku-ji Temple, it is recommended to use toilet facilities on the left side of the stone stairs in front of the shrine building. There are two paths; old and new paths. If you take an old Trail path, pass in front of the shrine and go up the mossy stone stairs seeing the bamboo grove on your left. If you take a new path, go through the shrine grounds and go up a mountain path from the left side of the main hall of Inner Shrine. Go up and round the hairpin like curve at Trail Board Number 33-2 to “Amano Iwato (Cave of heaven)”. It is a rock cave with about 10 meter length. Pass through the hole of the cave and go up the mountain path to the junction of three streets (Trail Board Number 33-3). If you take the path which goes down to the left, you will be led to the upside of Suirokaku (a high-rise waterway structure) in Nanzenj-ji Temple. The Trail Course goes to the right to Shiandokoro (Shiangatsuji) where the new path joins together with the old path at Trail Board Number 38 and Number 39. The old path goes up from the stone stairs to the top of the slope. It is a small pass and here Trail Board Number 34 is placed. Go up the left very steep slope carefully from Trail Board Number 34. The path is slippery and rockery and has an Alpine like atmosphere. Especially when you go down the slope, you need to pay full attention. If you go straight both at Trail Board Number 35 and No. 36, you will reach Yamashina. Go down the right steep slope at Trail Board Number 37 to Shiandokoro (Shiangatsuji). This place does not have a good view, but is very good for a rest.

Left: Yamashina Basin (view from the ridgeway heading for Mt. Daimonji-yama), Right: Romon-no-taki Falls

Head for Trail Board Number 39 on the well-trodden path. Soon you can enjoy the prospect of Yamashina area.. Turn to the right at Trail Board Number 40 and go straight at Trail Board Number 41. The right path is connected to a forestry road which goes to JR Yamashina Station through Gosankairyo and Bishamon-do Monzeki Temple. The path becomes smooth from the middle and on the way you can enjoy the fine prospect of Kyoto City with the Shrine Gate of Heian-Jingu at the front. If you go to the left from Trail Board Number 42, you can go down to the Nyakoji Cemetery where Dr. Jo Niijima and Mr. Soho Tokutomi are laid to rest and to Nyakoji-jinjya Shrine. Turn the ridge road to the right at Trail Board Number 43-2 and go down to Trail Board Number 44-2. Turn to the left at the fork of Trail Board Number 44-2. If you turn to the right, you will arrive at JR Yamashina Station through Gosankairyo and Bishamon-do Monzeki Temple. Trail Board Number 45-1 is placed at Yotsutsuji of Mt. Daimonji-yama. If you go straight to the west on the steep slope, you will get to the triangulation point of Mt. Daimonji-yama (465.3 m). This is the best viewing platform. From here you can enjoy the view of Yamashina Basin in the south and the view of Kyoto Basin in the west. The Trail Course goes to the left at Trail Board Number 45 on the path along Dango-dani Valley to Romon-no-taki Falls. Go down about 800 meters to Trail Board Number 46 where the Monument of Shunkan Sozu is placed. Down there is Romon-no-taki Falls, which is also called “Nyoi-daki Falls”. In the late Heian era, Nyoi-Ji Temple (branch temple of Mii-dera Temple) was in its ascendancy. If you go down the moss-covered steep stone stairs from the monument, the path meets the Trail Course at Trail Board Number 47-2 after Nanamagari. Please pay attention to the wet slippery stone stairs. Go down the steep paved slope, and you will reach Reikan-ji Temple. Trail Board Number 48 is placed at the corner of the temple. This temple is a monzeki temple (a prestigious temple whose chief priest is a member of the Imperial family) belonging to the Nanzen-ji school of Rinzai Sect. In 1654, the temple was founded by the imperial princess of Emperor Gomizunoo. The Temple is also called “Tani no Gosho” and “Shishigatani Bikuni Gosho” because the successive head priests who serve at the temple have been related to the Imperial Princesses. The Course turns to the north. After passing Anraku-ji Temple which is known for a pagodas erected in memory of pine crickets and autumn insects, you will be led to Honen-in Temple which is surrounded by many trees in a quiet atmosphere. Turn to the left at Trail Board Number 49, cross the canal and go to the north along Tetsugaku no Michi (Philosopher's Walk). Then you will reach the street from the front gate of Ginkaka-ji Temple. The path along the canal to Shirakawa-dori Street is always crowded with many sightseers. The season of cherry blossoms is highly recommended. 《Approximate time required》 Keage Station of the Tozai Subway(1min.← →1min.) Nejiri-Manpo (No.30-2) (15min.← →20min.) Himukai Daijingu Shrine (No.33-1) (20min.← →20min.) Shiandokoro (Shiangatsuji) (No.39) (30min.← →30min.) the fork to Nyakoji Cemetery (No.42) (30min.← →35min.) the fork to Mt. Daimoni-yama (Yotsutsuji) (No.45) (60min.← →35min.) Namikiri Hudo (No.47-2) (45min.← →25mn.) Ginkaku-ji michi (No.51) Keage Station of the Tozai Subway （3hours and 25min← →2 hours and 50分min.）Ginkaku-ji michi (No.51)

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