Jun 2, 20212 min read

Emlog #09 ～Kyoto Trail～

Updated: Jun 4, 2021

Hello. This is Yoriko.

One of my hobbies is Mountain-climbing. Almost every weekend I spend my time climbing mountains around the Kansai Area, eating Bento or cooking with my mountain cooking kit at the top of mountain. One of my desires is to eat something nice so it makes sense for me to do both together.

Did you know 75% of Japanese land is mountainous? Youtube videos and TV shows about Japan often show train conductors are pushing people into the trains, many people walking the Shibuya crossing, etc. it might be hard to imagine that we have surrounded by nature.

Kyoto city is also surrounded by mountains (though they are not very high); we have a trail called Kyoto Trail around Kyoto city - starting South East of Kyoto city “Fushimi Momoyama”, North East “higashiyama” including Hiei Mountain, North side “Ohara” “Kurama” “Takao” to West side “Arashiyama”. The Total distance is 83.3km (50 miles). There is also another a section in the north of the Kyoto city area, called Keihoku, which is 48.7km (30miles) and has countryside views such as rice farms and old-style houses.

The good thing about walking along the Kyoto trail is that while you feel the nature, you will see hidden temples and shrines on the way. You can arrange the time yourself: make it to full day or half day, just go to the course you choose.

The Course is divided into 6 sections.

Here is the map of the Kyoto trail.