Keage Incline

🏛️ Historic Site

📍

Prefecture

Kyoto

🏛️

Type

Historic Site

⭐

N/A

1 review

🎟️

Free

Entry Fee

🆓 Free Entry 🚃 Train Access

About This Destination

An abandoned 582-meter railway incline from 1891, once used to transport boats between canal levels. In spring, walk the old tracks under 90 cherry trees—a popular photography spot during bloom season.

The Keage Incline is a 582-meter stretch of railway tracks built in 1891 as part of the Lake Biwa Canal system. This ingenious engineering solution transported boats on wheeled carts between different water levels of the canal, allowing goods to move between Lake Biwa and Kyoto. The incline operated until 1948, when truck transport made it obsolete. Today the tracks have been preserved as a historic site and planted with approximately 90 Yoshino cherry trees. During peak bloom (typically late March to early April), visitors can walk directly on the old railway tracks under a canopy of pink blossoms. The gentle slope makes for easy walking, and the old rails, stone walls, and cherry trees give the path a mix of industrial and seasonal scenery that draws many visitors during bloom season. From the incline, you can walk to Nanzen-ji Temple and continue on to the Philosopher's Path, making this a convenient starting point for exploring eastern Kyoto. At the top of the incline, a restored boat on its original cart shows how the system worked.

Location

Prefecture: Kyoto

Address: Kyoto, Japan

Nearest Station: Keage Station (Tozai Subway Line)

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Visitor Information

Credit Cards: Unknown

Food Options: No dining at the incline itself. The Keage area has a few cafes, and the nearby Nanzen-ji Temple area has several restaurants serving traditional Kyoto cuisine including yudofu (tofu hot pot).

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to see cherry blossoms at Keage Incline?

Peak bloom is typically late March to early April, often around April 1-7. The site is open 24 hours, and early morning (before 8am) or evening visits avoid the worst crowds. Check Kyoto cherry blossom forecasts for the current year's predictions.

Can I walk on the train tracks?

Yes, the tracks are no longer in use and walking on them is allowed and encouraged. The 582-meter walk takes about 10-15 minutes at a leisurely pace. The surface is uneven gravel and old wooden sleepers, so wear comfortable shoes.

How do I combine Keage Incline with other Higashiyama sights?

Walk up the incline, then visit Nanzen-ji Temple (5 min). Continue north along the Philosopher's Path to Ginkaku-ji (2km, 40 min). Or walk south from Nanzen-ji to Eikan-do and Heian Shrine. The incline is the perfect starting point for a full day in eastern Kyoto.