Hiking in Kyoto: Daimonji Yama (Mt. Daimonji)

Daimonji-yama, part of the East Mountains, or Higashiyama, as they are called in Japanese, is a great place for a memorable and not too challenging hike. Daimonji-yama offers the most accessible and expansive view of the city. It is so high that on a clear day the skyscrapers of distant Osaka can be seen.

Daimonji-yama, or more properly known as Nyoigatake, is the mountain on which the largest of the five giant bonfires of Daimonji-yaki is burned in late summer. The character, ‘大’ meaning great, is gigantic. The hike up this slope comes out right at the center of the great character.

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Hiking in Kyoto: Daimonji Yama (Mt. Daimonji) — Daimonji Yaki: This is what it looks like on the night of August 16.

The hike up the mountain takes about 40 minutes and can be accomplished by most anyone that is reasonably fit. On the day I was there most of the Japanese that I met on the mountain looked to be in their 50’s and 60’s. I even met one lady, with a cane, that looked like she should have been 80! If you are not a hardcore hiker or mountain climber but want see experience a bird’s eye view of Kyoto, Daimonji-yama is about your only option. Also, this is the place where you can experience first hand everything from the details such as fire pits and steep steps to the full length and breadth of where this spectacular bonfire is burned.

How to Get There
Getting to the head of the trail isn’t too complicated but there are no English signs. Here is what you do:

Get to the gate of Ginkaku-ji, the Silver Pavilion and turn left and walk toward to stone torii gate for about 1 minute.
Just before the stone torii gate, turn right.
Walk up into the mountain for about 2 or 3 minutes and you will come to a V in the path at a small shrine, take the path to the right.
Fill your water bottle at the little spring just up from the head of the trail, this is the taste of Higashiyama.