Approaching mountains by Eiden at Kyoto

Eiden is Eizan Line at Kyoto that runs from Demachiyanagi, which is on the meeting area of Kamo-gawa and Takano-gawa to North area of Kyoto city on the single track. Eiden has two lines which branch at Takaragaike Station. One of them is Eizan main line which goes to Mt. Hiei, the other is Kurama line which leads to Mt. Kurama.

I approached mountains side of the autumn tint by Eiden, because I like trains better than buses. Of course, at weekdays. The weather was unfavorable, because it sprinkled on and off all day.

When I got on the train which has only two cars at Demachiyanagi Station, there were　not many people. The foreigner guest was not found except that the couple who are speaking Chinese was sitting on the opposite side of me. I guessed that because a lot of people had the pamphlet, they were getting on the train using the One Day Free Ticket (1,000 yen) of Eiden.

First I got off at Shugakuin Station. Mountains side from Shugakuin Station to Ichijoji Station will do for a walking, and has a lot of sightseeing points. I recommend enjoy walking around there bringing a picnic lunch all day.

I went to Sekizanzen-in Temple which is one of good lesser known spots. Because I hate crowd, I always aim to go to places that have not crowd. Sekizanzen-in Temple had a feel of a quiet temple in the mountains.

My attention was engaged by mossy stone images of 16 arhats (buddha’s disciples) are having eloquent expression.

I went to Saginomori-jinjya Shrine which also is one of good lesser known spots, casting an envious look at Shugakuin-rikyu imperial villa. But I waver because the women who I met at corner said “You should go to Manshu-in Temple, because the maple leaf there is so beautiful”. And my aim turned to Manshu-in Temple. I thought there must be a crowd. That was right. Then many taxis and cars ran the country road which leads to the temple gate where the red and yellow maple leaves were beautiful.

I collected myself and I walked to Saginomori-jinjya Shrine again. It was quiet because there were not lots of people, but unfortunately the maple leaves were not at their best then. It took around 2 hours for this stroll.

I got on train bound for Kurama in order to look at “Momiji no tunnel” (The tunnel of the maple leaf) again. The fields increased around Iwakura Station, a train approached mountains that became the autumn tint around Nikenchaya Station. After that a train ran along mountains side.

The information about “Momiji no tunnel” was announced at a point that passed Ichihara Station. Then, the train slowed down for watching it during 250 meters. It was very short, but passengers shouted for joy and took photos.

I got off at Kurama Station that is the end of Kurama line, and it was in the mountains. Kurama is famous for Hi-matsuri (Fire festival) is held 22nd October every year. There is hot spring (There is shuttle bus from Kurama Station to Kurama Onsen).

If you like a hiking, I recommend a course which leads from Kurama-dera Temple to Kifune-jinjya Shrine. It takes about 1.5 hours not including sightseeing. You can see Sojo-ga-tani on the way. It is said that Tengu (Japanese long-nosed goblin) trained Ushiwakamaru (Minamoto no Yoshitsune) for swordplay there. There are other some hiking courses too.

The sun went down, it got dark. It became time to enjoy that the maple leaf was lighted up. I got on Eiden at Kurama Station and arrived at Kibuneguchi Station which is the next station. I change from Eiden to small Keihan bus (160 yen). It took only 4 minutes to the end. I got off the bus, and walked along the street of Kibune restaurants and Ryokan (Japanese-style inn) which illuminated by lanterns for 15 minutes. In hot summer, you are able to have a meal on “Yuka (the platform over the Kibune-River)” in this ravine, enjoying the evening cool. People were fascinated with the maple leaf that was lighted up at Kifune-jinjya Shrine. Live events (Gagaku etc.) are held at precincts of shrine on Saturday, Sunday and holiday during “Kibune Momiji and Lantern” (November every year).

A return train that left Kibuneguchi Station slowed down from a point that passed Ninose Station and turned off almost lights of the cars. A splendid and fantastic “Momiji no tunnel” view which was different from daytime a great deal was unfolded in car windows.

Going there and back using One Day Free Ticket, you will be able to be satisfied with a beautiful view, if you have enough time.

Approach mountains along the Eiden, and you can enjoy a walking and a hiking at not only the autumn tint but also any season, I think. And Sansho-mochi (Japanese sweets with Japanese pepper) that I bought at Kurama Station looked homely, but was peppery, flavored and very delicious.

[Time]
[Eizan main line] about 14minutes from Demachiyanagi Station to Yase-Hieizanguchi Station
[Kurama line] about 30 minutes from Demachiyanagi Station to Kurama Station

[The sightseeing points along the Eiden]

[Eiden main line]
Demachiyanagi Station >>> Shimogamo-jinjya Shrine
Ichijoji Station >>> Shisen-do Temple, Konpuku-ji Temple, Enko-ji Temple, Tanukidaniyama-Fufo-in Temple
Shugakuin Station >>> Manshu-in Temple, Shugakuin-rikyu imperial villa (Application is necessary to visit), Sekizanaen-in Temple, Saginomori-jinjya Shrine, Matugasaki-Daikoku-ten (Myoen-ji Temple)
MiyakeHachiman Station >>> Renge-ji Temple, Sudo-jinjyaShrine
Yase-Hieizanguti Station >>> Ruriko-in Temple >>> change to cable cars and ropeways >>> Garden museum Hiei, Mt. Hiei >>> change to buses >>> Enryaku-ji temple

[Kurama line]
Hachimanmae Station >>> MiyakeHachiman-gu Shrine
Iwakura Station >>> Jisso-in Temple
Kino Station >>> Myoman-ji Temple
Kibuneguchi Station >>> Kifune-jinjya Shrine
Kurama Station >>> Kurama-dera Temple, Yuki-jinjya Shrine, Kurama-Onsen (hot springs)

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