Daimonji-yama
Ginkakuji, Kyoto
The hill above Ginkaku-ji is Nyoigatake, better known as Daimonji-yama, where a giant 大 is lit on the night of 16 August for the Gozan Okuribi. Ginkaku-ji's own history says Ashikaga Yoshimasa had the first one laid out in 1489 to send off the spirit of his son Yoshihisa. A path climbs through the Ginkakuji-yama national forest to the fire beds, and from the crossing of the 大 you look out over the whole city, with the green of the Imperial Palace in the middle.
Insider tip
The path has handrails in places, and the last stretch to the fire beds is stone steps. Kyoto City Tourism Association's longer hiking course starts at Keage Station, crosses the mountain and comes down past Reikan-ji toward Ginkaku-ji. Pick a clear day for the view.
What's on near Daimonji-yama
Upcoming events within a ten-minute walk of Daimonji-yama, from the weekly Kyoto events calendar.
Gozan Okuribi (Daimonji Bonfires)
京都五山送り火
Time From 20:00 Station Demachiyanagi (Keihan) for the Kamo River banks
Bonfires in the shape of characters are lit on five mountains to send the spirits of the dead back after Obon, from the Daimonji on Higashiyama at 20:00 to the Toriigata torii in Saga at 20:20. Each burns for about 30 minutes, the city dims its signs, and you'll get the classic view of the Daimonji from the Kamo River banks between Marutamachi and Misono bridges.
Pumpkin Memorial at Anraku-ji
鹿ケ谷カボチャ供養（安楽寺）
Time 9:00 to 15:00 Station Kinrinshako-mae bus stop (City Bus 5), 7 min walk
For about 230 years this small temple near the Philosopher's Path has served simmered Shishigatani pumpkin on 25 July, from a revelation that eating it in midsummer keeps strokes away. Entry is ¥1,000 that day with the pumpkin included, the temple's scrolls are on show, and Kyoto vegetables are sold at the gate.
Honen-in Spring Opening
春季 伽藍内特別公開（法然院）
Time 9:30 to 16:00 Station Kinrin-shako-mae bus stop (City Bus 5)
The temple's buildings, normally closed, open for a week in spring (and again in autumn), when the three famous camellias in the inner garden are out.
Tetsuhiro Terada, CC BY 2.0 Ginkaku-ji Autumn Special Opening of the Togudo
銀閣寺 秋の特別公開 国宝 東求堂
Time Guided visits at 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 13:30, 14:30 and 15:30 (about 30 minutes) Station Ginkakuji-michi bus stop (City Bus 5, 7), 10 min walk
Ginkaku-ji opens its main hall and the National Treasure Togudo, whose four-and-a-half-mat study, Dojinsai, is where tea, flower and incense culture took shape, on guided visits of about 20 people, in Japanese only. Sign the sheet in front of the main hall about an hour before your slot, and it's ¥2,000 on top of the usual ¥1,000 entry.
Reginald Pentinio, CC BY 2.0 Ginkaku-ji Spring Special Viewing of the Togudo
銀閣寺 春の特別拝観 国宝東求堂
Time Tours at 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 13:30, 14:30 and 15:30 Station Ginkakuji-michi bus stop (City Bus 5, 7, 203)
A guided 30-minute visit inside the main hall and the Togudo, whose four-and-a-half-mat study, Dojinsai, is seen as the starting point of tea, flower arranging and incense. Groups are capped and you can't take photos.
Reginald Pentinio, CC BY 2.0 Nearby
Around Ginkakuji
Temple gardens along a canal path, under the Daimonji hill
Get to Ginkaku-ji for its 8:30 opening, because the temple fills up as the day goes on. Then walk south on the Philosopher's Path, about 1.8 km of stone path beside a branch of the Lake Biwa Canal, and turn off it for the temples on either side. Honen-in's grounds open at 6:00, and you don't pay to go in.
Ginkakuji has 15 places on the Roam Kyoto map: 7 shrines and temples, 2 museums, 2 restaurants, 1 viewpoint, 1 shop, 1 neighbourhood and 1 bathhouse. Read the Ginkakuji guide.
Good to know
- How do I get to Daimonji-yama?
- The nearest station is Ginkakuji-michi bus stop (City Bus 5, 7, 32, 102, 203, 204). Daimonji-yama is in Ginkakuji, Kyoto.
- How much does Daimonji-yama cost?
- Nothing. Daimonji-yama is free to visit.
- How long do you need at Daimonji-yama?
- Plan for 2 hours.
- When is the best time to visit Daimonji-yama?
- A clear morning.
Stay near Daimonji-yama
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