On our visit to Takayama in late September 2023, our guides took us to the Higashiyama (meaning eastern mountain) temple area which is the starting point of the Higashiyama Walking Course. This is the area on the eastern hill slope where Nagachika Kanamori ordered temples to be built or relocated to on the eastern side of Enako River outside of the castle town perimeter. This is the same as Kyoto’s Higashiyama housing temples such as the famous Ginkakuji Temple. Starting from Kyushoji Temple (Soto sect: originally a subsidiary temple of Unryuuji), we visited the temples of Unryuji (Soto sect: one of the oldest and most prestigious temples in Takayama), Daioji (Jodo sect: relocated from nearby to this place in the late 16th century), Touun-in (Jodo sect: established in the early 17th century), Sogenji (Soto sect: established in 1609 to house the grave of Nagachika Kanamori, the first feudal lord of Takayama), Tenshoji (originally a Tendai sect temple converted to Jodo sect in the early 16th century), Hokkeji (Hokke sect: established in 1558) , Zennoji (Soto sect: made a subsidiary of Sogenji), and Soyuji (Rinzai sect: established in the early 17th century). The majority of temples are zen Buddhism temples (Soto and Rinzai sects) which provided the spiritual backbone to samurai warriors, and the Jodo sect that received patronage from the Tokugawa Familiy. All the temples have a long history as well as noted buildings and gardens. Particularly interesting were the bell tower of Unryuji Temple and the grand Sanmon Gate of Daioji Temple. I understand that the former was not originally a bell tower but a building in Takayama Castle before it was dismantled, built in memory of Nagachika Kanamori’s eldest son, who lost his life at the age of 19 at Nijo Castle in Kyoto when Nobunaga Oda, the then superior of Nagachika was assassinated in 1582. Well worth visiting the temple area even if not walking the entire route.

The trail is well marked and takes in many beautiful temples and views. There are public toilets on the circuit. Look out for the small cafe called coffee sen 152 Souyuuji Chou. ( next to the souyuuji temple). We stopped for a hot chocolate and the charming man who runs it gave us free snacks, a photo to commemorate our visit and played the Japanese guitar.

We did the walk in early morning around 6+am. None of the Shrines and temple were open. The round trip around Shiroyama Park have slopes and uphill so it is slightly challenging but doable. There are also bear bells for you go ring (locals will bring/wear a bell). Nothing really interesting in this park. Overall, is a good route to exercise, but in my opinion, not a must do. The whole route is around 2hrs.