投稿タイプ：column

Mt. Tennozan: A Historic Hike on the Edge of Kyoto

投稿タイプ：column

Suburban Hospitality: Immersive homestyle stays in Kyoto

投稿タイプ：column

Beautiful blossoms: Kyoto’s most stunning seasonal flowers and where to admire them

投稿タイプ：pamphlets

Educational Travel Guide

投稿タイプ：column

Temples, shrines and abundant natural beauty: Six of the most photogenic spots in Otokuni

投稿タイプ：videos

Welcome back to Kyoto

投稿タイプ：sightseeing

Myokian Temple

Myokian, located in the Otokuni Bamboo Grove area of Kyoto Prefecture, is the branch temple of the Tofukuji school of Rinsai Buddhism which was built between 1492 and 1501 during the Muromachi period.
The temple is famous for its tea room called “Taian” which is the only existing tea room that is said to have been made by Sen no Rikyu, the founder of Japanese tea ceremony, and is designated as a national treasure. In 1582, there was a battle between Hideyoshi Hashiba (Toyotomi) and Mitsuhide Akechi. After his victory, Hideyoshi built a castle on the summit of Mt. Tenno and it is said that he lived for a while and invited Sen no Rikyu to build several tea rooms in the area.
The building is gabled and has a thatched roof. The room is only 2 tatami mats (approx. 3m2), which is different from standard of 4 and a half tatami mats at that time. It was also the first tea room with a small entrance and exit for customers, or “Nijiriguchi”, and was the origin of one of the Japanese architectural styles called "Sukiya-zukuri," thus influencing many later tea rooms.

投稿タイプ：restaurants

Unir – The Japanese Barista Champion

Unir is a specialty coffee roaster and cafe run by Tomoko Yamamoto and her husband. Tomoko represented Japan in the "World Barista Championship 2019", which decides the best barista in the world. In the store, you can purchase Unir's carefully selected specialty coffee while watching the roasting machine at work. You can also enjoy lunch made by a professional chef, sweets made by a pastry chef, and of course Unir coffee brewed by one of the best baristas in Japan.

投稿タイプ：sightseeing

Mt Tenno Hatatatematsu Observatory and Yamazaki Castle Ruins

Hatatatematsu Observatory and Yamazaki Castle Ruins are located on Mt Tenno in Oyamazaki City in "Kyoto Otokuni Bamboo Grove" area of Kyoto Prefecture. The mountain has well maintained trails that even the elderly and children can enjoy and the area has been named as one of the “200 Best Nature Spots in Kyoto.” In 1582, Mitsuhide Akechi and Hideyoshi Toyotomi fought a battle for control of Mt. Tenno at the battle of Yamazaki. During the battle, it is said that Hideyoshi raised his flag from the top of an old pine tree; raising the morale of his army and turned the tide of the battle. At the 8th station along the Tennozan hiking course, a pine tree stands in this location along with an observatory that allows you to look out over valley where three rivers; the Katsura, the Uji, and the Kizu merge.

After winning the battle, Hideyaoshi build Yamazaki Castle at the top of Mt. Tenno which allowed him to cement his control over the region and eventually helped him unify Japan. It is said that Hideyoshi held a tea ceremony with Sen no Rikyu who is considered the founder of Japanese tea ceremony as we know it today. The castle site still contains many parts of the castle such as; the castle tower, earthworks, moat, well, and stone walls.

投稿タイプ：sightseeing

Hoshakuji Temple

Hoshakuji Temple is located on the south side of Mt. Tenno (270m) near Oyamazaki Town on the border between Kyoto and Osaka Prefectures. The temple is beautiful year round with cherry blossoms in spring and autumn leaves in autumn. Every year on the third saturday in April, a large festival called "Oni Kusube" is held to smoke out bad demons and dispel disasters which culminates in the Fukumochi ceremony, which is said to grant health, wisdom, and wealth.
According to temple records, Hoshakuji was built by the monk Gyoki who received the decree from Emperor Shomu in 724 (Jinki 1), and the "Uchide" and "Kozuchi" enshrined at the temple were given to Emperor Shomu by the dragon god in a dream. In Japanese folk tales, these mallet like items are is said to create anything you want when used, and are often seen as a symbol of wealth. By praying with them, the worshipers hope to have good luck, making the temple known as the "Treasure Temple."
In addition, the temple hold many other treasures, such as the three-storied pagoda, which is said to have been built overnight by Toyotomi Hideyoshi during the Momoyama period, the eleven-faced Kannon Bodhisattva principal statue, and the Enma Daio sitting statue are powerful and overwhelming. This collection lead to the temple being designated as an “Important National Cultural Property.”
The area has also been a major transportation and military hub since ancient times. In 1582 (Tensho 10), the mountain was the stage of the "Battle of Yamazaki" where Hideyoshi Hashiba (Toyotomi Hideyoshi) and Mitsuhide Akechi fought and it is said that Hideyoshi's headquarters was located at Hoshakuji Temple. At the side of the main hall, there is a stone called "Syuuse-ishi" or "Success Stone", which is said to have been used by Hideyoshi to sit down and think about the unification of the world. Because of its importance you need permission to actually sit down.

投稿タイプ：sightseeing

Otokuni-dera Temple

Otokunidera is said to have been built by Prince Shotoku and is the oldest temple in Nagaokakyo City. Kukai and Saicho are also said to have met for the first time at this temple and exchanged ideas about Esoteric Buddhism. It is also famous as "Peony Temple". Every year around late April, about 2000 peony flowers from 30 different species are in full bloom and you can enjoy the elegant scenery of white Japanese umbrellas and colorful peony flowers.

投稿タイプ：sightseeing

Shoryuji Castle Park

Shoryuji Castle in Nagaokakyo City is a castle with an intriguing history. It was rebuilt in 1571 by Fujitaka Hosokawa, who was ordered by Oda Nobunaga to build the most advanced castle at that time. It became the cornerstone of Kyoto’s defense and is an excellent example of Oda Nobunaga's style of castle building.
Furthermore, Akechi Mitsuhide's daughter, Garasha, married Tadaoki Hosokawa and spent two years in Shoryuji Castle. Mitsuhide himself, after losing to Hideyoshi Hashiba in the Battle of Yamazaki, returned to Shoryuji Castle to spend his last night.
Shoryuji Castle is currently maintained as a park and has been selected as one of the "100 Best Historical Parks in Japan". Every year on the second Sunday of November, the Nagaokakyo Garasha Festival is held which includes a historical prossession parade through the city.
The commemorative "Gojo-in" stamp from the castle is also very popular.