Yamazaki - Kyoto. | EveryTrail

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Difficulty: Moderate
Length: 2.2 miles / 3.5 km
Duration: 1-3 hours

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Overview: On June 21st 1582, Akechi Mitsuhide, a retainer of Lord Oda Nobunaga, attacked Nobunaga as he rested and forced him to commit seppuku (a form of Japanese ritual suicide),in what came known as the Battle of Yamazaki (sometimes referred to as the Battle of Tennou).Thirteen days later Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1536-1598), a daimyo during the Sengoku Period, avenged his Lords (Nobunaga) death by defeating Mitsuhide and assuming Nobunaga's authority and power for himself.

Today, Yamazaki has the atmosphere of a quiet peaceful village and is a popular destination for hikers and those interested in the history of the area.There are Shrines and Temples to visit, where you can take-in the serenity that comes with visiting such complexes. There are two museums, one dedicated to the history of Yamazaki, and the other a Museum of Art. Also there is the Myoki-an (Taian) tea-house,designated as a national treasure.After your days sightseeing, why not relax with a drink and a bite-to-eat at one of the many cafes and restaurants in the area.But, before you leave, wander up to the Suntory Yamazaki Whisky Distillery and take the tour through the factory, taste the whisky and relax in the library sampling some of the 4000 or so Whiskeys.

Tips: Access to Yamazaki is very-easy,as it is serviced by two rail links - J.R's Yamazaki Station, and Hankyu's Oyamazaki Station. Both lines operate between Osaka and Kyoto and will take about 30-minutes from each city. A reminder that you will need to take the "Local Train" as most other trains will pass-through.

Any-time of year is a good time to visit Yamazaki. But I would highly recommend you plan your visit in Spring (April/May), for the Cherry Blossoms, or Autumn(October/November) for the colours that are abound at this time of year.Also, the weekend would be the better time of the week, that way most facilities will be open.

There are shops here for you to purchase something to eat/drink, especially if you plan to climb Tennozan.

If you are driving here, and you plan to do the Suntory Whisky tour, you will have to declare this to the staff as you will not be able to partake in any of the sampling.Japan has very-strict laws regarding drinking-and-driving.

Points of Interest

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Hankyu Oyamazaki Station.

I have commenced this trail from the Hankyu Oyamazaki Station as, I assume, you will be arriving/departing from here.
The Hankyu trains are not the only ones that pass through here. Immediately behind the Hankyu line is the Shinkansen Line. These guys are probably travelling around 250kmph as they pass this point.
Out the front of the station is a sign giving you a history of the area as well as a route map.

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Oyamazaki Museum of History.

The museum is divided into five sections - Antiquity,The Middle Ages,the Yamazaki War,Rikyutaian and Modern Ages.
Admittance is 200-yen.
In the attached photo, you will see the Hankyu Oyamazaki Station in the distance.

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Buo'no Cafe.

As mentioned in the introduction, there are many cafes/restaurants in the area.
The Buo'no Cafe offers you a menu of Pasta and Pizza and, on occasion,live music.

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Hermit Green Cafe.

The Hermit Green cafe is a new addition to the Yamazaki cafe scene offering a more light snack.

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Monument.

I have included this landmark to help with the directions. This wee alley is so easily missed.

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Warning.

At this point I need to make you aware that you will have to cross 10-rail lines and, as this is the Japan Rail Main Line, it is very busy.
Once across, the environment changes from commercial to residential.From this point continue up the hill to Dainen-ji Temple and Hashaku-ji Temple.

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Approach to Dainen-ji Temple.

This, if anything, is a slight-detour. But, don't be put-off by the photo. There are only a hundred-or-so steps to climb.

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Dianen-ji Temple.

I am afraid to say that I can't provide any information regarding Dainen-ji, just to say that it is a nice detour before continuing onto the next POI.

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Hoshaku-ji Temple, also known as Takaradera Temple.

The main attractions of this complex are the statue of Buddha, created during the Kamakura Era (1185-1333), and a 3-storyed Pagoda with links to the Samurai hero, Hashiba Hideyoshi (1536-1598).

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Three-storyed Pagoda.

The Pagoda has links to the Samurai Hashiba Hedeyoshi (check-out his biography on Wikipedia)who became famous as the creator of Osaka-jo (Osaka Castle).He is also regarded as Japan's second "great unifier".

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Hoshaku-ji Temple.

The complex is a wonderful venue to relax, take-in the serenity and view the statue of Buddha, before continuing-on with your walk.
The temple is open from 9am to 4pm and admittance is 400-yen.

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Small Shrine.

You have now arrived at a junction. If you are following this course, you next destination will be the Asahi Museum of Art. If you are feeling energetic and have a spare hour, continue on up towards the summit of Tennozan. There are two observation points where you will get a good view down the Yodagawa (Yoda River)and, on a good clear day, Osaka City and, a bit further on, you will reach a big concrete Tori and a view of Kyoto City.
Before you continue take-in the wee shrine and sekibutsu nestled-into the trees.

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Asahi Beer Oyamazaki Villa Museum of Art.

What can I say about this complex. It has everything - the Museum of Art, perfectly maintained grounds and gardens. Don't rush you visit it is worth the time spent wandering through the facility and, if you have bought lunch, a great place to take a rest.The architecture of the museum consists both old and new. The existing Western Tudor-style Villa was built in the 1920's, where the new addition was built in 1995.The museum houses many collections, including impressionist and Chinese works, as well as a fine collection of Japanese Tea Ceramics. Check-out the attached link for further information.
I must apologize for the lack of photos. The complex was closed for renovation.

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J.R Yamazaki Station.

If you are arriving/departing via the J.R. Line, it won't be a problem connecting to the trail from here.
As you arrive at this point you will be greeted with the "Village Square" feeling.
There is also another sign giving you more details of the area.

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Myokian (Taian) Tea-house.

The Taian tea-house is one of only three in Japan and is the oldest of all three.
Said to be the creation of Sen-no-Rikyu, who first perfected the "Japanese Tea-Ceremony", the Taian tea-house is designated a "National Treasure".
Said to be built in the 16th century, the tea-house measures only two-tatami mats in size (1.91m x 1.91m).
Advanced reservations are required to view the tea-house, with a months notice. Admittance is 1000-yen.

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Cafe Tabi Tabi and Relish.

This is my favourite cafe in Yamazaki. You can either sit indoors, or sit outdoors and take-in the atmosphere of the square.
Make sure you have something substantial to eat because your next destination is the Whisky distillery.
While here take the stairs up to Relish and search for that wee-something to take home.

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Suntory Yamazaki Whisky Distillery.

Again I need to warn you about the rail-crossing, especially when you depart (need I say why).
Upon arrival you need to check-in at the entrance, especially if you are planning on doing the tour. If you are not doing the tour, you can proceed to the building that houses the museum, shop and library/bar.
I would suggest you take the tour. It is free,spectacular, takes about an hour, and, at the end, you get to sample the whisky.

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Suntory Museum, Shop and Library/bar.

I suggest you take-in the museum first as this will lead you to the shop. From here move-onto the library/bar and sample to your hearts content.If it is a nice day, take your drinks outside and view the well maintained gardens.

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Bien Sport Cafe.

Just to let you know you are still on the right track, in case you overindulged at Suntory.

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Rikyu Hachiman-gu Shrine.

At the beginning of the "Heian Era" (794-1185)the Emperor Seiwa ordered Gyokyo, a Buddhist Priest, to remove the devine symbol of the USA-Hachiman-gu from Kyushu and enshrine it somewhere in Kyoto.When Gyokyo stopped by Yamazaki, he saw that a holy light eminated from the mountain at night. He then dug at the place and found spring water gushing out of a rock. He then decided to enshrine the god there and later a shrine was built for the prosperity of Japan.
Rikyu Hachiman-gu shrine is also the birthplace of "Egoma" (labiate)oil making in Japan, and, at first was used for lighting-up the Imperial Court, Shrines and Temples, before being used by the general public.