88 Temples Hike
Eighty-Eight Temple Hike 八十八ヶ所
Overview
Behind Ninnaji Temple, in western Kyoto, there is a wonderful, short, and not very hard hike called "88 Kasho."
The trail is a replica of the 88 Temples Route in Shikoku. The real 88 Temples route is the best known pilgrimage route in Japan. It is roughly 1200 kilometers long, and takes pilgrims about two months to walk.
The legendary monk Kukai is believed to have completed the walk around the year 800 C.E.
Within Japan, there are several shorter versions of the hike, one of which is in Kyoto.
Getting to the Starting Point
Walk through or around Ninnaji Temple to the back of the temple. On the west side, there is a gate. Go out this and turn right.
From there, it is a five-minute walk to the final, or 88th, temple. You can either do the hike in reverse order - 88 to 87 to 86, etc. - or walk farther west to the first temple.
The hike takes you through some deciduous forests and then into cedar stands.
At the top, you will be afforded a panoramic view of Kyoto city.
Directions
Just follow the trail. The 88 temples are spaced roughly 100 - 200 meters apart. You cannot get lost.
Total Hiking Time
30 minutes to one hour.
More Information
Ninnaji Temple
075 461 1155
Entrance Fee: free except for sub-temple that is a World Heritage Site (500 yen); last entry at 4 pm.
Map
88 Kasho Hiking Route
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