1-Day Eastern Kyoto Itinerary: Ginkaku-ji to Nanzen-ji
Last Updated on March 24, 2026 by Charlotte
With mossy shrines and quiet temples tucked around every corner, Northern Higashiyama is one of Kyoto’s best neighborhoods to explore on foot. This area is home to the stunning Ginkaku-ji (silver pavilion) and the peaceful Honen-in shrine, all connected by the canal-side Philosopher’s Path, which becomes legendary during cherry blossom season. This itinerary is temple-heavy, but you can choose to visit whichever ones you wish until your feet get tired.
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Northern Higashiyama 1-Day Itinerary Overview
This itinerary covers between 2 and 4 stops in roughly 2–6 hours. It’s a gentler day than some of the others in this Kyoto itinerary series, which makes it a good one to schedule mid-trip when your feet need a break from the bigger, busier sights.
Map of 1-Day Northern Higashiyama Itinerary
Note that I’ve marked some stops below, like Honen-In temple with a * as an optional stop. You can visit these places if you wish, or skip them entirely for a shorter day.
Ginkaku-ji (The Silver Pavilion)
Despite its name, Ginkaku-ji was never actually covered in silver. As the story goes, the shogun who commissioned Ginkaku-ji in 1482 intended to coat it in silver leaf like his grandfather’s famous Golden Pavilion, but the plan was never carried out. Today, the temple sits with dark weathered wood, a perfectly composed moss garden, and a raked white sand cone called the Kogetsudai.
Even in December, when many of the maples were almost past their prime, the moss gardens at Ginkaku-ji were healthy and green, and a few camellia plants were in bloom. The garden path climbs gently up the hill behind the pavilion to a viewpoint overlooking the entire complex and the city beyond, making the short hike worthwhile.
Visiting Information
- Admission: 500 yen
- Hours: 8:30am–5:00pm (March–November); 9:00am–4:30pm (December–February)
- Time needed: 45 minutes–1 hour
From Ginkaku-ji, it’s a short 3-minute walk down to the Philosopher’s Path.
The Philosopher’s Path
The Philosopher’s Path runs about 2 kilometers along a canal. The pathway is lined with cherry trees and connects Ginkaku-ji in the north to Nanzenji in the south. It’s named after Kyoto University philosophy professor Nishida Kitaro, who reportedly walked this route daily for meditation.
But if you can visit in spring, the cherry trees create a tunnel of pink blossoms over the canal, and in autumn, the fiery Japanese maples overhang the waterway. That said, the path is worth strolling regardless of season for the small cafes, independent shops, and hidden shrines tucked along the way.
Walk Information
- Distance: Approximately 2 kilometers one way (~1.2 miles)
- Time needed: 30–45 minutes at a relaxed pace, longer if you stop along the way
- Free to walk
About halfway along the Philosopher’s Path, a small stone path leads off to the left toward Honen-in Temple, and it’s easy to walk straight past it if you’re not paying attention.
Honen-in Temple *
Honen-in Temple is a small and mossy temple, and it’s completely free to visit. I really liked how this temple felt secluded in comparison to the bigger temples in Kyoto, like Kiyomizu-dera.
My other favorite thing was the moss gardens at this temple, where we saw a monk painstakingly sweep up every fallen autumn leaf. The main hall is usually closed to the public, but the grounds are peaceful and shaded, a lovely place to catch your breath before continuing along the Philosopher’s Path.
Visiting Information
- Admission: Free (special exhibitions may charge entry)
- Hours: 6:00am–4:00pm
- Time needed: 15–20 minutes
- Getting there: Look for the stone steps leading off the Philosopher’s Path, approximately halfway between Ginkaku-ji and Nanzenji.
A 13-minute walk south of Honen-in brings you to Eikando, one of Kyoto’s most celebrated autumn foliage spots.
Eikan-do Temple *
Around 3,000 maple trees cover the grounds of Eikan-do temple, and in mid to late November, the whole place turns a spectacular shade of red. The cool things to see at this temple include a two-story pagoda and a Buddha statue that has its head turned sideways, looking back over its shoulder.
Outside of the autumn leaf peeping season, the temple is quieter and considerably cheaper to visit.
Visiting Information
- Admission: 600 yen (1,000 yen during peak autumn season, roughly mid-November–early December; evening illuminations 700 yen)
- Hours: 9:00am–5:00pm (last entry 4:00pm); evening autumn illuminations 5:30pm–9:00pm during the autumn season
- Time needed: 45 minutes–1 hour
Our last and final step of the day is Nanzenji Temple, which is a 5-minute walk south of Eikando. I am embarrassed to say that we did not make it all the way to Nanzen-ji because of my Travel Buddy’s foot injury, but it is certainly worth a visit!
Nanzen-ji Temple
Nanzenji is one of the most important Zen temples in all of Japan, and its grounds are large enough to spend an entire afternoon in without running out of things to see. The massive Sanmon gate is one of the tallest in Kyoto, and climbing to the top offers a birds-eye view over the city and temple complex below.
Photos of Nanzen-ji temple (left image) and the red brick aqueduct (right image) are by my lovely friend Reid.
The most unexpected sight on the grounds is a 19th-century red brick aqueduct passing right through the middle of the temple that looks like it should belong in Rome. The aqueduct was built during the Meiji era to carry water from Lake Biwa to Kyoto, and it’s still in use today.
Visiting Information
- Admission: Main grounds free; Hojo garden 600 yen; Sanmon gate 600 yen; Nanzen-in subtemple 400 yen
- Hours: 8:40am–5:00pm (March–November); 8:40am–4:30pm (December–February). Last entry 20 minutes before closing.
- Time needed: 1–2 hours
Keep Exploring Northern Higashiyama *
The northern Higashiyama area is absolutely packed with smaller shrines, sub-temples, and hidden corners that don’t make it onto most itineraries. If you have the time and energy, this is a great neighborhood to explore and wander without a plan. I encourage you to turn down an interesting-looking lane, peek through a temple gate, and see what you find. Some of the best Kyoto moments happen when you stop following a map.
Plan Your Visit to Northern Higashiyama
Northern Higashiyama is one of the more straightforward areas of Kyoto to navigate on foot, though getting here from Kyoto Station requires a bus ride.
How to Get to Northern Higashiyama
- From Kyoto Station: Take Bus #5 or #17 to Ginkakuji-michi (about 35–40 minutes, 230 yen). From the bus stop, it’s a 10-minute walk to Ginkaku-ji.
- From Downtown Kyoto or Gion: Bus #5 connects directly to Ginkaku-ji, or a taxi takes about 10–15 minutes.
- Once you’re at Ginkaku-ji, the rest of the itinerary is entirely walkable along the Philosopher’s Path.
Best Time to Visit
- Spring (late March–early April) is the undisputed highlight. The cherry trees lining the Philosopher’s Path bloom in late March to early April, but this is one of the busiest spots in Kyoto during sakura season.
- Autumn (mid-October–early December) is the second-best season, with maples turning along the path and in the Ginkaku-ji gardens.
- Winter (January-March): Ginkaku-ji’s moss gardens hold up beautifully, but the Philosopher’s Path loses most of its charm when the trees are bare. Still worth doing, if you know what to expect.
What to Pack
- Comfortable walking shoes: This itinerary has A LOT of walking, so you’ll want a good pair of walking shoes for your trip.
- Cash: Small temples, vending machines, and cafes along the path may not accept credit card.
- Portable charger: because you’ll likely be using a lot of phone battery for Google Maps on this itinerary.
This is what the gardens at Ginkaku-ji Temple look like in mid to late December. Still some greenery!
Where to Stay in Eastern Kyoto
If you can, stay in the Higashiyama area rather than near Kyoto Station. Yes, the station area is convenient, but Higashiyama is where Kyoto actually feels like Kyoto.
In Higashiyama, there’s lantern-lit streets, traditional machiya townhouses, and the ability to walk to most of the sights on this itinerary.
Ready to Plan Your Trip to Kyoto?
Check out our guide on where to stay in Kyoto for the best hotels and neighborhoods. And if you’d like a laugh, check out my post about the deer in Nara, Japan.
