Kyoto is a land of mountainous greenery, stunning natural landscapes, and of course, amazing hiking trails!
1. Kameoka Fog Terrace (Difficulty: Easy)
Kicking off the list with an easy one, Kameoka Fog Terrace is only a one-hour trek from Kameoka station and offers incredible views of one of the most scenic districts in Kyoto. The hiking trail is a gradual incline with plenty of rest stops along the way. If you get there in the early hours of the morning during Japan’s colder seasons, you may see the entire valley covered in a misty fog!
2. Kurama to Kibune (Difficulty: Intermediate)
Another relatively easy hike that is popular among tourists is the Kurama to Kibune hike. It takes roughly 2 hours for the average hiker to complete and is best accessed via Kurama station. This hike is known for its thousands of vermilion lamp posts and heritage temples and shrines along the way. When you reach Kibune, you’ll have the option of dining at one of the many “floating river restaurants” where you can enjoy a meal on a river platform.
3. Mt. Daimonji (Difficulty: Intermediate)
Now we get into the mountain hikes, and things are about to get more challenging. Mt. Daimonji is certainly the easiest of Kyoto’s mountain hikes (in my opinion), though it’s definitely on the upper end of “intermediate.” You will need about 2–3 hours to reach the summit of Mt. Daimonji where you can enjoy stunning views of Kyoto city and Higashiyama’s mountain ranges. Fortunately, the journey back down is a lot faster on the decline, typically taking about half the time that it took to reach the top.
4. Mt. Otowa (Difficulty: Expert)
Mt. Otowa is perhaps the most difficult yet most rewarding hiking trails in Kyoto. The terrain can be quite rough at times and the incline is sometimes just plain brutal. However, the view at the summit is so spectacular that it is reminiscent of Japan’s Nihon Sankei or “Three Most Scenic Places.” In particular, it resembles Amanohashidate with its amazing mountain and lake views. Mt. Otowa overlooks Kyoto and Shiga prefectures with stunning scenery of Lake Biwa.
5. Mt. Hiei (Difficulty: Expert)
Last but certainly not least is my personal favorite hiking trail – Mt. Hiei or Hieizan as it’s known by the Japanese. This hike is around the same difficulty as Mt. Otowa, though the terrain is a little more friendly. You’ll find the Enrakyu-ji Temple along the way up which is a famous UNESCO site in Kyoto. It’ll take about 2–3 hours to reach the top of Mt. Hiei from Sakamoto station, but the view promises an unforgettable memory of Mother Nature’s beauty. What I love most about Mt. Hiei is how it stands above all the surrounding mountains to give you that “flying like a bird” feeling!
Of course, if you are planning to visit Japan, you’ll need a way to get around the country as efficiently and affordably as possible. Japan Rail provides an abundance of travel passes to suit your travel needs. So whether you are traveling individually or as a group, the JR Pass is every traveler’s go-to for getting around and making the most of your time in Japan!