投稿タイプ：sightseeing

Aodani-Bairin Plum Grove

This ume (Japanese plum) grove, sprawling across the gentle hill along the Aodani River, has been a renowned plum blossom viewing spot since olden times. It’s even seen in poetry written by Emperor Godaigo’s son in the 14th century, which tells us that the grove has a very long history.
Covering approximately 20 hectares with many plum trees, it boasts the highest plum fruit production in Kyoto Prefecture.
The plum varieties grown in this grove include Joshuhaku, whose fruit is known as the local specialty of Joyo City. People enjoy the large, thick-fleshed and fragrant fruit as umeboshi (pickled ume fruit that is very sour and salty, often enjoyed with rice), jams, sweets, alcoholic beverages, and more.
This area is rich in nature and has a warm, cozy atmosphere. Near the grove, there is Naka Tenman Shrine, too. You can enjoy leisurely strolls around here.
Every year around late February to mid-March, there is the Plum Blossom Festival around the ume grove, celebrating the blooming of the flowers and the arrival of spring. In this season, you can find pretty white and pink blossoms with a delicate sweet fragrance in the city.

投稿タイプ：sightseeing

Tonoshima Island & Tachibanajima Island on Uji River

On Uji River, there are Tonoshima Island and Tachibanajima Island. They are collectively called Nakanoshima Island. Nakanoshima Island and Yorimichi Park on the left bank are collectively called Uji Park. Four bridges (Asagiri Bridge, Kisen Bridge, Tachibana Bridge and Nakajima Bridge) connect the two islands and both riverbanks.
This area is renowned as a great hanami (cherry-blossom viewing) spot, and in early April, Ujigawa Sakura Festival is held on and around the islands.
In the summer, “Cormorant Fishing on the Uji River” is held. (Cormorants are birds. Cormorant masters wearing traditional clothing manipulate them to catch fish.) This is why you can see a cormorant shed on Tonoshima Island.
In early October, Uji Tea Festival is held in this area, too.
On Tonoshima Island, there stands a beautiful 13-story pagoda that is around 15 meters tall. It was built by Eison in 1286, praying for the souls of fish. Eison was a Buddhist monk of Saidaiji Temple in Nara. In 1756, a great flood caused the pagoda to collapse and become buried. Around the end of the Meiji Period (1868-1912), a large part of it was excavated, and the entire pagoda was rebuilt.

投稿タイプ：sightseeing

The Sewaritei Area in Yodogawa Riverside Park

The Sewaritei area is located north of Iwashimizu-hachimangu Station (Keihan Main Line), immediately after crossing Goko-bashi Bridge. The cherry blossom tunnel stretches for approximately 1.4 kilometers in a narrow area sandwiched between the Kizu River and Uji River. These two rivers merge with the Katsura River shortly after their confluence, changing their names to the Yodo River and flowing through Osaka. In spring, the Sewaritei bank offers a breathtaking experience of walking through the tunnel of cherry blossoms. In this season, Sewaritei Sakura Festival is held, featuring food, drinks, and many other attractions. It is a very popular hanami (cherry-blossom viewing) spot for people of all ages, from children and young people to the elderly. Additionally, the observation tower of the Sakura-deai Visitor Center offers a spectacular view of the long cherry blossom carpet. It's also enjoyable to simply relax in the spacious grassy area.

投稿タイプ：sightseeing

Zenporitsu-ji Temple (Maple Temple)

Zenporitsu-ji Temple, located in the southeast of Iwashimizu Hachimangu Shrine in Yawata City, Kyoto, was donated by Zenpoujikyusei, the officer of Iwashimizu Hachimangu Shrine, in 1257 as a dormitory for the monks. Jissou-Shonin, a master from Todai-ji Temple in Nara, was invited to be the founder of the temple.
It is said that Ryoko, the great-granddaughter of Zenpoujikyusei, married Ashikaga Yoshiakira and gave birth to the third generation Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, and was deeply tied to the Muromachi Shogun family.
Many maple trees (momiji) donated by Ryoko are planted in the gardens, and in autumn, nearly 100 maple trees turn red, creating beautiful scenery that has earned the temple the name of “Momiji Temple.”
The main hall and the front gate are designated as cultural assets of Kyoto Prefecture. In addition, the temple has a total of 9 designated cultural assets of Yawata City, such as its seated statue of Amida Buddha (Amida Nyorai) with jewel crown and the seated statue of the Yawata Buddhist monk (Reservations are required for visits of the interior of the main hall).

投稿タイプ：sightseeing

Mt. Kasagi / Kasagiyama Nature Park

Kasagiyama Nature Park, located in Kasagi Town, is an area rich in nature, including Mt. Kasagi. The mountain, on the south bank of the Kizu River, is about 288 meters tall and known for its mystical, gigantic rock formations, earning it the nickname of the “Theme Park of Giant Rocks.” It is a nationally designated Historic Site and Place of Scenic Beauty. The mountain paths offer a challenging yet rewarding climb with spectacular views from the summit. Most people with average physical fitness can reach the top.
If you're lucky, you also might see a sea of clouds from the top of the mountain in the cold season. The fantastic sight creates the sensation of being on an island floating in the sky. The mountaintop was also a renowned spot for moon gazing in the Edo Period (around 1603-1868). Today, the mountain is famous for its fall foliage, with about 3,000 sq. meter Kasagi-yama Momiji Park transforming into a breathtaking tapestry of crimson leaves of Japanese maple trees.
The mountain holds great historical significance. It has long been home to a temple of the Chisan school of Shingon Buddhism, Kasagidera Temple, which has ties to Todaiji Temple in Nara. The place also served as a residence for prominent monks like Jokei (1155-1213), as well as a training ground for yamabushi (Japanese mountain ascetic hermits who are believed to possess supernatural powers). The weight of the history including these solidified the place in Japanese Buddhism. Furthermore, at the end of Kamakura Period (1185-1333), it played a pivotal role as a location of the 96th emperor Godaigo's foiled plan to overthrow the Kamakura shogunate.

投稿タイプ：sightseeing

Sarumaru Shrine

The shrine is dedicated to Sarumaru Dayu, who was a traditional waka poet. One of his famous poems was included in Hyakunin Isshu (a classical anthology): “Autumn at its saddest - Rustling through the leaves and moving on alone deep into the mountains, I hear a lonely stag belling for his doe.” Currently, the shrine's deity is widely worshipped as a deity "to remove bumps" and “to prevent cancer." The shrine's monthly festival is held on the 13th of every month, and the main festival (Taisai) on April 13th and September 13th. The fire festival will be held on June 13th and December 13th.
Autumn leaves around the temple grounds turn red in late November, a sight which is well worth seeing.

投稿タイプ：sightseeing

Shokado Garden and Art Museum

Shokado Garden and Art Museum is associated with Shokado Shojo (1584-1639), a Buddhist priest of Takimotobo, one of the small temples that comprised Iwashimizu Hachimangu at that time.
The garden spans over 20,000 square meters and includes the Shokado hermitage, where Shojo lived after his retirement. (Please note that as of February 2025, the hermitage is generally not open to the public except on special opening days.) The garden also features three chashitsu (houses for tea ceremony): Shoin, Chikuin, and Baiin. With over 40 species of bamboo, more than 300 camellia trees, and a variety of other plants such as hydrangeas, plum, cherry, and maple trees, the garden offers beautiful scenery throughout the four seasons.
Inside the museum, visitors can enjoy works by Shojo and other artists. Special exhibitions are held in spring and fall every year, and exhibitions focusing on the museum’s collection are presented about three times a year.

投稿タイプ：sightseeing

Jindo-ji Temple

Located in the mountains of the Tea infused region of Kyoto, just outskirts of Kizugawa city, Jindo-ji Temple is home to a many hidden treasures. The grounds turn various shades of pink and purple with cherry blossoms and azaleas which form a tunnel of flowers over the stone steps leading up to the bell tower in spring. The temple also houses numerous important cultural properties which can be seen via a guided tour with a priest.
Jindo-ji is said to have been built by Prince Shotoku in 596 and later prospered as a dojo for the Shugendo School of mountain asceticism. The mountain where it resides once was home to many temples but all were burned down in a fire with only Jindo-ji being rebuilt in 1406. It is said that the main statue of the temple was carved when the founder of Shugendo, En no Gyoja, while he practiced on the mountain.
Including the main hall (Zao-do), built in the Muromachi period, there are six important cultural properties in the storage: the wooden Fudo Myo-ou statue, the wooden Aizen Myo-ou sitting statue, the wooden Amida Nyorai sitting statue, the Bishamon Ten standing statue, the Nikko Bosatsu statue, and the Gekko (Moonlight) Bodhisattva statue.
It is recommended you walk to the temple from Tanakura station on the JR Nara line so you can enjoy the view of the tea fields and refreshing mountain air.

投稿タイプ：sightseeing

Ikkyuji Temple

In ancient times, there was a Zen training monastery here, but it was destroyed in a war. In the Muromachi Period (1336-1573), the Buddhist priest and Zen master Ikkyu Sojun restored it. He is widely known in Japan for his wit and wisdom, and is the subject of various fun stories.
The temple is also known for its beautiful Shuon’an Rock Gardens that are designated as a Place of Scenic Beauty. It includes the Hojo Garden that consists of the north, east, and south gardens. Each garden has its own distinctive features and is a superb example of karesansui (traditional Japanese Zen rock garden). Also, the temple houses 9 Important Cultural Properties such as the main hall, the abbot’s hall and the seated Ikkyu Osho statue.
At the temple, visitors can enjoy traditional Shojin Ryori (Buddhist Vegetarian Cuisine), as Japanese Buddhist monks have had for centuries. There are options from tenshin (a light meal) to Makunouchi (a popular type of Japanese boxed meals) and Honzen (a classic multi-course meal). This temple’s signature, fermented soybeans called Ikkyuji Natto, is interesting, too. It is popular for its rich, unique flavor, and many visitors purchase it to bring home. Traditionally, making Ikkyuji Natto is one of the tasks for the temple’s incumbent chief priest.

投稿タイプ：sightseeing

Shoho-ji Temple (Wazuka-cho)

The temple is believed to have been established by the monk Gyoki in order to console the spirit of Prince Asaka, son of Emperor Shomu.
Ginkgo and maple trees are planted throughout the approach on the temple grounds, and their autumn leaves give a festive atmosphere to the normally quiet old temple.

投稿タイプ：sightseeing

Kaijusenji Temple

Legend has it that Fujioyama Kannonji Temple was founded in 735 when Emperor Shomu ordered the Buddhist monk Roben to build a hall and enshrined the Eleven-Headed Kannon Bodhisattva to pray for the safe construction of the Great Buddha statue of Todai-ji Temple.
Unfortunately, the temple was burnt down in 1137. In 1208, Jokei, a monk of Kasagidera Temple, moved to the ruins, and built a hermitage for Buddhist practice. The place was renamed Fudarakusan Kaijusenji Temple and revived.
The five-storied pagoda is designated as a National Treasure. The vermilion pagoda, standing 17.7 meters tall, is a precious relic completed in 1214. The temple houses many other treasures. For example, there are many Important Cultural Properties, including the principal image of the Standing Eleven-Headed Kannon Bodhisattva, the Monjudo hall, a Mandala (a sacred geometric design) of the Lotus Sutra painted in color on silk, and documents about the temple.
The temple precincts offer much more to see. The eggplant-shaped bench is believed to fulfill wishes when sitting on it. You can also see a huge Yamamomo (Japanese Bayberry) tree that is one of the “200 Selected Nature Sites of Kyoto.”
Moreover, nestled in the mountains at a height of approximately 200 meters, the temple offers a great view of the Mikanohara area, where the “phantom capital” of Kunikyo was located. On a clear day, you can even see the ruins of Heijo Palace in Nara. The scenery is even more beautiful when viewed with the fall foliage. The temple is also amazing in spring, with cherry blossoms in bloom.

投稿タイプ：sightseeing

The Tale of Genji Museum,Uji City

Known as a masterpiece in classical Japanese literature, "The Tale of Genji" tells the story of an extremely handsome nobleman and his love affairs in Heian period (794-1185), and the final 10 chapters take place in Uji City. This museum presents explanations, movies, and interactive games available in English, making it a lot of fun to experience the glamorous world of Genji.