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Difficulty:
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Size:
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This cache is located in the beautiful wooded surroundings of Kyoto’s Yoshida Shrine, dedicated to driving away evil spirits. The walk itself is one for everyone – it’s a delightful walk with some great views over Kyoto and though it goes along Yoshida-yama (mountain), the path is clear and not too steep, and mostly stepped. There is, however, a small steep slope leading up to the cache.
This is quiet but interesting walk I did, and as I enjoyed I thought you might want to give it a try. Start at Higashiyama Metro station and walk east along Sanjo-dori. Turn right onto Jingu michi in the direction of Heian Shrine, passing through its large gateway or torii. Directly in front of the shrine, turn right (east) then take the next left (Okazaki dori) and walk in a northerly direction up to Marutamachi dori. Cross to the north side of the road and proceed east for about 5 minutes. Look out for a narrow alley to the west of Okazaki-jinga shrine. Walk up the alley, climb the steps (beginning your climb of Yoshida-yama, or Mt. Yoshida), and continue straight on until you reach the base of the Kurodani cemetery. On the right, you’ll see a long flight of steps – it’s not necessary for the walk, but climbing these will take you to a wooden pagoda and a brilliant view of Kyoto. Return to the bottom of the steps, cross the bridge opposite you and turn right up the steps to Kurodani Temple. It’s one of my favourites, and if you turn south on the large plaza in front of it you’ll see its impressive wooden main gate or san-mon. Facing the main hall of the temple, turn left then quickly, right and out of the plaza, passing a statue of a seated Buddha and then another cemetery on the right. Continue straight for about 200m, pass through a wooden gate, then continue on for a further 100m or so. Then turn left onto a small road with a stone torii at its end. Climb the steps through the torii, cross through a second stone torii and reach Mureta-jinga. Then turn right and you’ll find yourself walking uphill through a small procession of orange torii. As you pass through these, look to the right for a view of the large dai (meaning “big”, it looks a little like a stick man) symbol cut into the mountain-side opposite. At the end of the torii, you will have reached Takenaka-Inari-sha, a small shrine near the top of Yoshida-yama, guarded by stone foxes. The shrine is dedicated to the Shinto god of grain, Inari, and foxes are his messengers. Enter the shrine itself, and turn left at the main building. Take the steps that lead west over the crest of the hill and this brings you to a small park. From here, you will proceed downhill and the cache is close at hand. It’s probably easiest to let your GPS guide you once you reach the wooded park – it’s not much further, and directions are complicated. The cache is hidden just up a steep bank at the left edge of a path when walking downhill. It’s pretty difficult to see as the hiding place is obscured by leaves, sticks etc., but with some rummaging around you should be able to find it. Once you’ve managed that, make your way back to the path. If you continue to follow the path down, it will bring you to the main area of Yoshida Shrine. If you’re there around the 3rd February, their evening celebration of Sebutsan, the driving away of evil spirits for the coming of spring should not be missed - the atmosphere is just incredible. After exploring the shrine, descend its main steps, pass through the large torii, turn right and walk west to Higashioji-dori. Buses run from there to most areas of Kyoto.
Good luck :D
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Vg vf uvqqra oruvaq gur onfr bs n gerr gehax