Kyoto Walking Courses

The real charm of Kyoto is not found in any single landmark, but in the way everything weaves together as you walk from one place to the next. Here are our recommended walking courses to help you experience the best of Kyoto on foot.

Ginkaku-ji, Philosopher's Path & Nanzen-ji Walk

Start by walking along the Philosopher's Path from Ginkaku-ji-michi. The path got its name because Kyoto School philosophers like Nishida Kitaro and Tanabe Hajime used to stroll along here, lost in c...

Northern Kyoto: Shisen-do & Shugakuin Imperial Villa Walk

The main attraction on this course is Shugakuin Imperial Villa. You can't just walk in — make sure to apply for a visit in advance through the Imperial Household Agency website (http://sankan.kunaicho...

Kinkaku-ji, Ryoan-ji & Ninna-ji Walk

Kinugake-no-michi is the road that runs west along the mountain base from Hidari-Daimonji-yama, which has Kinkaku-ji at its foot. The main route here takes you from Kinkaku-ji along the Kinugasa/Kinug...

Sagano & Arashiyama Walk

If you're using the train, you can really go either direction, but since the mountains are close in the Arashiyama/Sagano area and it gets dark earlier, if you're starting your walk in the afternoon, ...

Kiyomizu-dera & Higashiyama Walk

This course goes from south to north: starting at Kiyomizu-dera (famous for its wooden stage), through Sannen-zaka (Sannei-zaka), Ninen-zaka, Kodai-ji, Yasui Konpiragu, and on to Yasaka Shrine, Chion-...