■Nishiyama Course (from Kiyotaki to Kokedera-dani, 10.7 km)

From Kiyotaki to Arashiyama (from Board Number. 1 to Number. 24)

Left: Kiyotaki-gawa River, Right: Kinreikyo

Nishiyama Course of the Kyoto Trail starts from Kinrei-kyo Bridge at Kitayama Board No. 94. Nishiyama Course starts from Nishiyama Board No. 1 placed beside Toen-kyo Bridge. To go to Kinrei-kyo Bridge, go down to the right paved road from Kiyotaki Bus Stop. If you take the left downward steep slope, you can reach directly Toen-kyo Bridge. Going down the stone stairs beside the bridge, you will reach the path on the stacked stone revetments. Watch your steps when the path is slippery with rain. After seeing the Guide Board of the Trail, cross the narrow iron bridge of Hotaru-bashi Bridge to the right bank. Go down the stairs from Board No. 2 to the path along the right bank of Kiyotaki-gawa River among trees. Cross the bridge over Myojindani at Board No. 3 and walk on rocks along the bank. Please be careful when the rocks are wet. After the river becomes broader, you will reach the light open space. Board No. 4 is placed at the fork point to Komekai-michi path, which runs from Nagasaka-dani to Mizuo through Nagasaka-toge pass (Kojin-toge Pass). Cross over the concrete bridge of Senbotsu-bashi Bridge to the left bank. You will reach Ochiai-bashi Bridge (Board No. 5-1) soon after.

Left: Hozu-gawa River, Right: Atago-jinjya Shrine Ichi-no Torii shrine gate (Torii-moto)

Cross Ochiai-bashi Bridge with red railings, go through the tunnel and turn to the left at Board No. 5-2. You will be treated to a spectacular view of Hozu-kyo Gorge. There is a lofty chart Shomotsu-iwa Rock on the bank of Hozu-gawa River. The top of the cliff is the best place for rest. The junction of Hozu-gawa River and Kiyotaki-gawa River is called Ochiai. Go through the tunnel again and return to Board No. 5-1. If you go to the southwest at Board No. 5-2, you can go to Hozu-kyo Torokko Station and Hozu-kyo Station of JR Saga line. The steep upward slope of Rokucho-toge Pass (Shimo rokucho-toge) starts from Ochiai-bashi Bridge. Enjoy the marvelous view of Hozu-kyo Gorge. Soon after you see the bridge of Nishiyama Drive Way, you will reach the pass (Board No. 6).

Left: Machinami Hozon-kan, Sagatoriimoto-cho, Right: Jyojyakko-ji Temple

Go down the wooded shadowy slope. Watch out for cars. The path merges with the approach way to the Imperial mausoleum of Tachibana-no Kachiko (the Empress Danrin) the Empress of Emperor Saga at Board No. 7. After seeing rows of houses, you will reach the three road junction of Toriimoto at Board No. 8. There are famous ayu (sweet fish) restaurants, Tsutaya and Hiranoya in front of the torii and beside the torii (shrine gate). The massive thatched roofs of the restaurants have a historical air. If you go to the Kiyotaki district from Board No. 8, you will reach Otagi-ji Temple, and if you go down to the east, you will arrive at Adashino Nenbutsu-ji Temple, which is a Pure Land Sect Buddhist temple. This place was an old place for funeral since Heian era same as Toribeno in Higashiyama. Toriimoto Machinami Hozon-kan beyond the temple displays traditional folk handicrafts in the old private house. Clean toilet facilities are available. If you take the right path from Board No. 9, you reach Jizo-no-tsuji. If you go straight, you will reach Daikaku-ji Temple and Hirosawano-ike Pond district. If you go the stone path further, the path becomes T-junction. There are many stone markers with temples' names. Turn to the left to go the trail path. If you turn to the right you can visit Danrin-ji-monzeki Temple, Gio-ji Temple and Takiguchi-dera Temple on your right. Nison-in Temple is beyond Board No. 11. It is formally known as Ogurayama Nison-kyo-in Kedai-ji Temple. Nison-in (two Images Temple) derives its name from the fact that there are two principal image statues; Hokke no Shaka and Raigei no Amida. Just after passing the gate of the temple, the path becomes narrow. On the left side there are toilet facilities. Near here, there is the grave yard of Kyorai Mukai, who was one of the disciples of Basho Matsuo. Rakushi-sha (the hut of Fallen Persimmons) was a cottage where Kyorai lived in seclusion. In the agricultural field in front of the hut, azuki (red) beans are grown and there is a wooden plate that says “here is the birth place of the Ogura azuki paste”. Turn to the right at Board No. 12 and you will see Jyojyakko-ji ahead of you. This is a temple of the Nichiren Sect and is one of the most famous places for its beautiful autumn leaves in Kyoto. Go straight further, and you will see Mikami-jinjya Shrine on the opposite bank. This is the only one shrine in Japan that enshrines Fujiwaraunemenosukemasayuki as a founder of hairdresser. If you go up the right slope in front of Arashiyama Torokko Station, you can reach Okochi-sanso Villa through the path among bamboo trees

Left: Bamboo trees of Nonomiya, Right: Nonomiya-jinjya Shrine

If you go down the path among the bamboo trees from the junction of three paths in front of the Villa and turn to the left at the rear gate of Tenryu-ji Temple, you will be led to Nonomiya-jinjya Shrine. The enshrined deity is Nonomiya Okami (Amaterasu Omikami). This is a short cut way to Arashiyama Station of Keifuku-densha line and Saga Arashiyama Station of JR Saga line. Also you can get to Togetsu-kyo Bridge.

Left: Stone monument with an inscription of a poem called Uchu Ranzan (rainy Arashiyama) in Kameyama-koen Park, Right: Togetsu-kyo Bridge and Mt. Atago-yama (Mt. Ogura-yama is on the right foreground of the photo)

If you go straight in front of the Villa at Board No. 15, you will reach the entrance of Mt. Ogura-yama (Kameyama-koen Park). Turn to the right at the stone pavement ahead of Board No. 16 and go up further to the junction of three paths (Board No. 17). If you turn to the right, you will be led to the observation deck. There is a stone monument written by Enlai Zhou who studied in Japan ahead of Board No. 19. If you go down the stone stairs, you can get to the bank of Oi-gawa River. If you turn to the left, you will find Togetsu-kyo Bridge. Cross the bridge which is crowded with many tourists to Nakanoshima. There is Board No. 22 beside the bus stop. Arashiyama has been known as a scenic area since the ancient days. In Heian era, boat excursions were held by aristocrats many times. Mifune Matsuri Festival held in spring and autumn is considered as relics of those excursions. 《Approximate time required》 Kinrei-kyo Bridge (Kitayama Board No. 94) (5min.← →5min.) Toen-bashi Bridge (Nishiyama Board No. 1) (30min.← →30min.) Ochiai (No.5-1) (5min.← →5min.) Hozukyo viewing point (No.5-2) / Ochiai (No.5-1) (15min.← →20min.) Rokucho-toge Pass (No.6) (15min.← →10min.) Toriimoto (No.8) (25min.← →25min.) Arashiyama Torokko Station (No.14) (25min.← →20min.) Togestu-kyo Bridge (10min.← →10min.) Arashiyama Station of Hankyu line (No.24) Kinrei-kyo Bridge (Kitayama Board No. 94) (2hours and 15min.← →2hours and 10min.) Arashiyama Station of Hankyu line (No.24)

→ Western Kitayama Course (Trail Board Number 68 to 94 of Kitayama Course)

→ Nishiyama Course (Trail Board Number 24 to 51 of Nishiyama Course)

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