Higashiyama Walking Course
Higashiyama Walking Course
4.5
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Temples and shrines, a castle and private homes are among the sights along this 3.5 kilometer self-paced walking tour.
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- tomizuta1953Funabashi, Japan1,375 contributionsWell worth visiting the temple area even if not walking the entire route.On our visit to Takayama in late September 2023, our guides took us to the Higashiyama (meaning eastern mountain) temple area which is the starting point of the Higashiyama Walking Course. This is the area on the eastern hill slope where Nagachika Kanamori ordered temples to be built or relocated to on the eastern side of Enako River outside of the castle town perimeter. This is the same as Kyoto’s Higashiyama housing temples such as the famous Ginkakuji Temple. Starting from Kyushoji Temple (Soto sect: originally a subsidiary temple of Unryuuji), we visited the temples of Unryuji (Soto sect: one of the oldest and most prestigious temples in Takayama), Daioji (Jodo sect: relocated from nearby to this place in the late 16th century), Touun-in (Jodo sect: established in the early 17th century), Sogenji (Soto sect: established in 1609 to house the grave of Nagachika Kanamori, the first feudal lord of Takayama), Tenshoji (originally a Tendai sect temple converted to Jodo sect in the early 16th century), Hokkeji (Hokke sect: established in 1558) , Zennoji (Soto sect: made a subsidiary of Sogenji), and Soyuji (Rinzai sect: established in the early 17th century). The majority of temples are zen Buddhism temples (Soto and Rinzai sects) which provided the spiritual backbone to samurai warriors, and the Jodo sect that received patronage from the Tokugawa Familiy. All the temples have a long history as well as noted buildings and gardens. Particularly interesting were the bell tower of Unryuji Temple and the grand Sanmon Gate of Daioji Temple. I understand that the former was not originally a bell tower but a building in Takayama Castle before it was dismantled, built in memory of Nagachika Kanamori’s eldest son, who lost his life at the age of 19 at Nijo Castle in Kyoto when Nobunaga Oda, the then superior of Nagachika was assassinated in 1582. Well worth visiting the temple area even if not walking the entire route.Visited August 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 17 November 2023
- Suzie ABournemouth, United Kingdom15 contributionsBeautiful temples and gentle walkThe trail is well marked and takes in many beautiful temples and views. There are public toilets on the circuit. Look out for the small cafe called coffee sen 152 Souyuuji Chou. ( next to the souyuuji temple). We stopped for a hot chocolate and the charming man who runs it gave us free snacks, a photo to commemorate our visit and played the Japanese guitar.Visited March 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 6 March 2024
- JohnstannoSingapore, Singapore526 contributionsGood hike and exercise but not a must doWe did the walk in early morning around 6+am. None of the Shrines and temple were open. The round trip around Shiroyama Park have slopes and uphill so it is slightly challenging but doable. There are also bear bells for you go ring (locals will bring/wear a bell). Nothing really interesting in this park. Overall, is a good route to exercise, but in my opinion, not a must do. The whole route is around 2hrs.Visited May 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 18 May 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Biffro
London, UK1,422 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
We had a couple of days in Takayama and as the weather was a bit unsettled, we decided to stay in the town rather than venture out. We decided to walk this trail which takes you around Takayama, past a number of beautiful shrines and temples and out to the quieter parts of the town. We really enjoyed our walk and whilst the trail is signposted, it wasn’t consistent and at points we got a bit lost. The trail is pretty easy to walk and not challenging but there are a few inclines. Worth doing this to get a different perspective on the town and the surrounding area.
Written 22 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tomizuta1953
Funabashi, Japan1,375 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
On our visit to Takayama in late September 2023, our guides took us to the Higashiyama (meaning eastern mountain) temple area which is the starting point of the Higashiyama Walking Course. This is the area on the eastern hill slope where Nagachika Kanamori ordered temples to be built or relocated to on the eastern side of Enako River outside of the castle town perimeter. This is the same as Kyoto’s Higashiyama housing temples such as the famous Ginkakuji Temple. Starting from Kyushoji Temple (Soto sect: originally a subsidiary temple of Unryuuji), we visited the temples of Unryuji (Soto sect: one of the oldest and most prestigious temples in Takayama), Daioji (Jodo sect: relocated from nearby to this place in the late 16th century), Touun-in (Jodo sect: established in the early 17th century), Sogenji (Soto sect: established in 1609 to house the grave of Nagachika Kanamori, the first feudal lord of Takayama), Tenshoji (originally a Tendai sect temple converted to Jodo sect in the early 16th century), Hokkeji (Hokke sect: established in 1558) , Zennoji (Soto sect: made a subsidiary of Sogenji), and Soyuji (Rinzai sect: established in the early 17th century). The majority of temples are zen Buddhism temples (Soto and Rinzai sects) which provided the spiritual backbone to samurai warriors, and the Jodo sect that received patronage from the Tokugawa Familiy. All the temples have a long history as well as noted buildings and gardens. Particularly interesting were the bell tower of Unryuji Temple and the grand Sanmon Gate of Daioji Temple. I understand that the former was not originally a bell tower but a building in Takayama Castle before it was dismantled, built in memory of Nagachika Kanamori’s eldest son, who lost his life at the age of 19 at Nijo Castle in Kyoto when Nobunaga Oda, the then superior of Nagachika was assassinated in 1582. Well worth visiting the temple area even if not walking the entire route.
Written 17 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Suzie A
Bournemouth, UK15 contributions
Mar 2024 • Couples
The trail is well marked and takes in many beautiful temples and views. There are public toilets on the circuit. Look out for the small cafe called coffee sen 152 Souyuuji Chou. ( next to the souyuuji temple). We stopped for a hot chocolate and the charming man who runs it gave us free snacks, a photo to commemorate our visit and played the Japanese guitar.
Written 6 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
chowso
Gloucester, UK1,750 contributions
Mar 2024 • Couples
Maybe it was the rain that soured this walk, but we only enjoyed parts of it. The further we got from the town centre the less interesting the walk became. Some of the shrines were not worth seeing and there is no 'castle', just a couple of rocks in a forest where there are 'beware of bears' signs and no people. The view on the way down from the forest was nice over Takayama, but I would recommend only doing parts of this walk unless you really want to see the outskirts of the town and some closed down grocery stores.
Written 1 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Arotake
Royal Tunbridge Wells, UK816 contributions
Nov 2019
Must do. Gives a real feel for old Japan, is a nice, not difficult walk and you will see a lot of shrines and temples (too many?). Be prepared to go off track a little bit.
Written 7 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Johnstanno
Singapore, Singapore526 contributions
May 2024 • Couples
We did the walk in early morning around 6+am. None of the Shrines and temple were open. The round trip around Shiroyama Park have slopes and uphill so it is slightly challenging but doable. There are also bear bells for you go ring (locals will bring/wear a bell). Nothing really interesting in this park.
Overall, is a good route to exercise, but in my opinion, not a must do. The whole route is around 2hrs.
Overall, is a good route to exercise, but in my opinion, not a must do. The whole route is around 2hrs.
Written 19 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GGVB
Le Vesinet, France1,707 contributions
Nov 2023 • Friends
We must be bad because we had a lot of trouble following the route with an imprecise plan and original signage. And yet I have gone on treks with lousy plans!
Overall we saw some pretty places, but especially temples, closed…
Overall we saw some pretty places, but especially temples, closed…
Written 2 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mandy N
Sorrento, Australia81 contributions
Sept 2018
I loved this hiking course, even though I got lost a few times, but that's all part of the adventure isn't it? The shrines and temples along the way were so majestic and peaceful and they gave me the chance to get more Go-shuin-chou in my book. The one thing that really surprised me was the "Beware of the Bears" signs. I'd had no idea that there were bears so close to town. So travellers in autumn beware. Bears do come into town to forage before they hibernate.
Written 2 October 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lexi
Issaquah, WA11 contributions
Jan 2021
You might wander off and go into unintended direction as there are no signpostings around. Be aware of cultural sensitivities.
Written 11 February 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
A_Screw_Loose
Penang Island, Malaysia202 contributions
Jul 2014 • Friends
Great walking course around Takayama as it worms around the many shrines at Takayama with lots of opportunities for great picture shots and pleasant stroll. At Ninomaru Park, take a deep breath if you have intention to see the Takayama Castle ruins as it is a stiff climb and the view from there as well as the ruins (nothing more than markers) is short of dissappointing. Thus, wander around the course but skip the ruins.
Written 15 July 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi, we will be staying for 2 nites in takayama.
How do I get to the Shinhotaka rope way.?
Besides miyagawa morning market, we also like to walk another trail.
Any suggestions?
Written 2 April 2017
Hi, the Higashiyama Walking Course is a great option. It is walking distance from major attractions and hotels downtown and rings the eastern hillside. It visits a variety of temples and begins (or ends, depending on the direction you walk it) in a secluded, wooded public park on a hilltop where the foundations of an early fort can be found. Nearby are wonderful antique shops. I both walked it with my family, which took about 1.5 -2 hours, than ran most of it the next morning.
Written 2 April 2017
Hi,
I will be reaching Takayama around 2pm (Tuesday). The planning was to stay one night there and join the famous tour - Shirakawago with Nohi bus then heading to Kyoto with train.
My question: Is it still possible to walk here around 3pm, should you have any other suggestion to spend the afternoon would be wonderful. Thanks a lot!
Written 25 March 2017
Hi.. i went in mid Oct and started the walk at 3pm.. as it was late autumn, sun sets around 4-4.30pm.. so I planned to start the walk from the Park (to make use of the daylight) and end of at the town (so even if it's dark it's still ok to walk around and have dinner there!).. I went with 2 young kids and we just wanted to talk our time to enjoy the walk at leisure... you may like to do likewise if you are worried about the daylight...
Another suggestion is to go to the Folk Museum (Hida-no-sato).. it's at the other side of the village... just google for info and directions. we had a good time there.. i would suggest do this as priority over the walk if you would like to see gassho houses and enjoy visiting the interior of each of them... it's beautiful there.. and you should cater around 2 hours there. there's also a craft centre and shops opposite...
another suggestion : next morning, do visit the Miyagawa morning market along the river... (the one at the Takayama Jinya is smaller). it's open from 6.30am...
Takayama is nice! enjoy your trip!
Written 28 March 2017
Hi! May I just ask where the trail starts? so I could reach the castle ruins? And also, during late January, is it safe to take a stroll to the castle ruins?
Thank you!
Written 19 December 2016
You can join the trail at any point at the rear of the old town. To walk the entire trail to up the castle ruins is around 4-5 kms of country terrain making up of small roads, foot path and pavements. Since it is a circuit, you could go directly to the castle ruins if you so wish. What you need is a Takayama map which is part of the Takayama guide, easily available at most hotels for free. You will come across other tourists walking along the same trail. Not sure if in winter, the trail would be easy to walk as it would have snowed.
Written 20 December 2016
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