Anrakuji ~ Mt.Daimonji
Anrakuji Temple ~ Mt.Daimonji
The rainy season has not finished yet. It usually continues until the middle of July.
After finishing, severe summer heat season starts. It’s really really terrible (incredibly humid).
Actually it not a very good season for enjoying a mountain walk. It’s too hot to walk.
So, this month’s so so recommended walk is not tough but nice to enjoy a temple summer event.
You can start this walk tour from Anrakuji Temple (安楽寺) located in the Higashiyama area of Kyoto.
This temple is famous for a summer event called Kabochakuyou (かぼちゃ供養), serving pumpkin.
Eating cooked pumpkin, in particular a brand pumpkin called Shishigatani pumpkin produced in this area, on day of the ox in midsummer is said to keep a healthy condition.
(In 2016, the pumpkin serving event will be held on July 25th. The entree fee is 500 yen. Pumpkin? Free!)
After charging the energy, let’s walk to the north on the Philosopher’s Path (哲学の道) towards Honein Temple.
You may like such a rustic atmosphere temple, aren’t you?
In Honenin, you can see not only a cool shaped sand objects but also a nice exhibition if you’re lucky.
There is a contemporary gallery in a old warehouse in the temple ground. The admission is free of charge.
After that, you can find Ginkakuji Temple or Silver Pavilion (銀閣寺) and Mt.Daimonji. It takes just 10 minutes from Honenin.
The city view from the famous point on Mt.Daimonji is breathtakingly beautiful.
“The famous point” is the place where the most important event called Daimonji no okuribi is held on August 16th.
As I wrote first, Kyoto summer is not good for a mountain walk. So if you think you’re strong in summer, you can go up this mountain with about 400m altitude.
Don’t forget to bring a big bottle of water!!
