Circular hike around Eastern Kyoto
The walk starts from Ginkaku-ji. Take a left at the temple entrance and then a right and find the path that climbs up through the forest to Diamonjiyama. This is the clearing on the mountainside where a one of the five okuribi bonfires is lit during the mid August fire festival. From here, there are excellent views across Kyoto and a small rustic shrine if you want to say a prayer. Climbing up from the bonfire site you reach the forested ridge and can follow a signposted path towards Nanzen-ji. This is a relaxing trail and leaves you feeling immersed in nature even through you are on the outskirts of Kyoto city. On the way, you will pass Shichifuku-shiandokoro described by the Lonely planet Hiking Japan as the seven fortunes thinking spot and the Nanzen Oku-no-in a shrine where pilgrims pray naked beneath the waterfall.
The path finally emerges in the Nanzen-ji temple complex. There is plenty to see here and you cannot miss the enormous San-mon entrance gate built in 1628. Within the temple complex there is a rather delicious looking resturant specialising in tofu. Upon leaving the complex follow signs for the Philosopher's Path. This 2 km canalside path shaded by cherry trees leads back to Ginkaku-ji. Practice meditation, draft a haiku, catch pokemon or pop in the craft shops along the way, the choice is yours.
The round trip is easy and can be completed in a morning.
