Recommendation for a Slow Morning Walk in Kyoto

When hearing “Kyoto” one might imagine the traditional Japanese shrines, temples and many famous tourist destinations like the Golden Pavilion, Fushimi Inari-shrine or the Kiyomizu Temple and their surrounding areas bustling with tourists from around the world.

But a few parts of Kyoto, specifically the northern area of Nishijin, show a very different characteristic of Kyoto one might typically imagine; crowds thin out, temple walls grow longer, and mornings unfold more slowly beneath the tress around Mt. Funaoka. These are mostly hidden away in within the quiet residential area, which just happens to be located north of the neighborhood of our Machiya Style Share Houses of SAKURA HOUSE KYOTO.

Today we would like to suggest a Morning Walk through this lovely area.

Early Morning in Mt. Funaoka

A reward awaits those who wake up early for a morning walk!

The first place we recommend going is to Mt. Funaoka, which despite its name is a small hill with great views of the northern part of Kyoto City (location map). On your way there, you may notice that the narrow streets are mostly empty, free for you to enjoy the traditional Machiya Houses lining the streets of Nishijin. During your morning walk, you could perhaps enjoy a warm cup of coffee or some freshly baked bread at any of the many local bakeries and cafes tucked away in between the traditional houses.

After making your way up the mountain trail, you may encounter elderly locals exercising under the filtered morning sunlight and cool air flowing through the tress of the mountain. From the top, you can see the traditional tiled rooftops of the nearby area stretching in all directions, making the sight Kyoto feel unusually quiet.

A Morning Zazen at Daitoku-ji

After enjoying a slow hike on Mt. Funaoka, you can head further north to stumble upon Daitoku-ji, a unique history rich temple complex with many sub-temples hidden behind its walls (location map). The main path of the temple complex is open to the public, making it an easy place to walk in during your morning walks. The scent of incense drifts through the temple grounds, and the quiet atmosphere absorbs anyone who sets foot inside.

For more information about the rich history and visuals of temple complex, check out our previous blog on Daitoku-ji Temple!

Vistors can also make a reservation in advance for the Morning “Zazen” (座禅), in which participants can relax their body and mind under the guidance of a Monk.

A Final Stop at Imamiya Shrine

After a meditative experience at Daitokuji-temple, you may notice the neighborhood shops opening for the day after stepping out of the temple complex.

A couple of these shops are Ichiwa and Kazariya, both over the course of a few hundred years have served Aburi Mochi, which are roasted rice cakes dusted with kinako powder served with miso sauce. The tasty scent carried along with the smoke from the grilling mochi attracts many locals and visitors. After a tasty snack, you can visit Imamiya Shrine located just next to these old storefronts (location map).

There are several sub-shrines located all within the shrine grounds, one of which enshrines a deity known as “Takuhatachijihime no Mikoto” the Goddess of Fabric and sewing. This god has been especially popular among the locals of Nishijin who have practiced the Nishijin-Ori (西陣織), a traditional high-quality Japanese silk weaving technique that has been passed down through generations for more than 500 years. In the middle of the shrine grounds, you can also see the three Imamiya Shrine Mikoshi (portable shrines) which are used in the annual Imamiya Festival held in May! After a prayer at this shrine, you can head back to start your day feeling refreshed!

If you are planning your stay in Kyoto for study, work, research, or just traveling, perhaps a morning walk around Northern Nishijin could offer you one of the most memorable unique Kyoto life experiences!