Vista & View · Higashiyama / Sakyo

Daimonji-yama Hike 大文字山

A 45-minute forest hike from behind Ginkaku-ji to the giant "Dai" bonfire bed on the mountainside, with one of the best panoramas of Kyoto, especially at sunset.

About

On 16 August each year the Gozan Okuribi fires light giant characters on five mountains around Kyoto to see off the spirits of ancestors at the end of Obon, and the first and largest is the "Dai" (big) on Nyoigatake, called Daimonji-yama. The rest of the year you can hike up to the fire bed: the trail starts beside Ginkaku-ji and climbs through cedar forest and stone steps for about 40-50 minutes to the Hi-doko, the central hearth, where the view opens across the whole city, the Kamo river, Kyoto Gyoen and the mountains beyond to Arashiyama. Locals climb it for exercise and sunset. The summit, 465 m, is a further 20-30 minutes.

Highlights

• Panorama of Kyoto from the Dai fire bed
• Hearths of the Gozan Okuribi fire
• Forest trail starting at Ginkaku-ji
• Sunset over the western mountains
• Popular local exercise hike

Tips

• Bring water and a headlamp if staying for sunset; the trail is dark in the forest.
• The trailhead is to the left of Ginkaku-ji's gate, past the Hachijin Shrine.
• Avoid on 16 August: access is closed for the fire.
• Sturdy shoes; the steps are steep.

Open in Google Maps · Info checked 2026-10-09

Nearby

• Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion)Temple · 630 m away
• Honen-inTemple · 660 m away
• Omen GinkakujiRestaurant · 890 m away
• Philosopher's PathPark · 910 m away
• Hakusasonso Hashimoto Kansetsu Garden & MuseumGarden · 1.1 km away
• Hinode UdonRestaurant · 1.2 km away
• Shinnyo-do TempleTemple · 1.4 km away
• Eikando (Zenrin-ji)Temple · 1.4 km away