Hidden Gems & Scenic Spots Near Shuon-an Ikkyu-ji Temple
1. Purchase Local Agricultural Products at Fugenji Fureai-no-Eki.
This greengrocer sells locally produced fresh fruits and vegetables, Japanese tea, lunchboxes, bread and other light snacks. It is a good place for locals to buy vegetables and is one of the resting spots for cyclists. Those who need to buy from here should remember to go shopping early to avoid missing out on products. In particular, the fruits and vegetables that are picked and sold on the day are usually sold out by the locals very quickly!
Gyokuro Tea Hand-Kneading Experience (Fugenji Fureai no Eki)
The best gyokuro maker in Japan, Toshikazu Yamashita, and his students will teach you how to make gyokuro, the finest green tea. Gyokuro, which you will knead from raw tea leaves yourself during this experience, is truly one of the best in the world. You can also bring the kneaded tea leaves back with you, and a Japanese tea instructor will teach you how to brew the finest gyokuro.
Fugenji Fureai no Eki sells local goods directly from farmers, including fresh vegetables, fruit, flowers, tea, pickled goods, miso, and other processed products; as well as handmade bento lunches, bread, and sweets.
2. The Historic Omido Kannon-ji Temple
Next, we arrive at Omido Kannon-ji Temple, which was established under the order of Emperor Tenmu in the seventh century. The temple enshrines a standing statue of the Eleven-faced Kannon, which is one of the representative Buddha statues of the Nara period (710-784) and is listed as a national treasure of Japan.
When Omido Kannon-ji Temple was established, its buildings were complete and magnificent in scale. Within its boundaries, there were around thirty three buildings in total, including a main hall, lecture hall, and monastery. For this reason, Omido Kannon-ji Temple was once known as “the great temple of Tsutsuki.” However, years later, the temple was hit by numerous fires, which burnt down almost all of its buildings. Today, the main hall still stands as it was rebuilt in 1953.
Omido Kannonji Temple
Omido Kannonji Temple is located in Kyotanabe City in the Kyoto Tea Country region. The temple is believed to have been founded over 1,300 years ago at the request of Emperor Tenmu. It has suffered fr …
3. Enjoy Gyokuro Tea at the Maiko Tea Boutique
Other than its beautiful sceneries, Kyotanabe is also well known for being a producer of gyokuro tea in Japan. The hand-made gyokuro tea has a distinct aroma, gentle texture, and rich sweetness, which have garnered it many positive reviews from tea lovers in Japan and abroad. We recommend you to visit the “Maiko Tea Boutique,” which is directly operated by “Maiko no cha-Honpo” (Maiko Tea Japan). Here, you can purchase the highest-grade gyokuro and other Uji teas that have been granted an award from the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries in Japan. Also, in the attached tea room, you can slowly enjoy a wide range of desserts and teas, including matcha shiratama zenzai (matcha red bean soup with mochi), matcha sundae, matcha cappuccino, as well as gyokuro soba (gyokuro buckwheat noodles), which is hard to find in Kyoto!
Maiko Tea Boutique
Maiko Tea Boutique is directly managed by Maiko no Cha (“Apprentice Geisha’s Tea”), a popular gyokuro (high quality green tea) shop in Kyotanabe City. There is a selection of teas for different occasi …
