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

Uji River Islands Tonoshima & Tachibanajima

Tonoshima and Tachibanajima Islands are collectively called Nakanoshima (islands in the middle of the river). There is a beautiful 13-story pagoda around 15 meters tall on Tonoshima. It was built in the Late Kamakura period (1192-1333) by the monk Eison, of Nara's Saidai-ji Temple, to pray for the souls of fish. The pagoda, which was buried by the river in a flood in 1756, was rediscovered and rebuilt towards the end of the Meiji period (1868-1912).
The flood levees are famous for the cherry trees that flower there. In early April, the Ujigawa Cherry Blossom Festival is held on the island, which has now become a park.

投稿タイプ：sightseeing

Yodo River Park Sewaritei District

This park is located to the north of Iwashimizu Hachimangu Station on the Keihan Line, just across Goko Bridge. Here, you'll find a line of cherry blossom trees that extends for about 1.4 kilometers. The trees were planted at the separation levee where the Kizu-gawa and Uji-gawa Rivers merge, forming a band of flowers in early April. The surrounding area is a riverside park with a large lawn and a lookout 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 / Kasagi-yama Maple Park

Mt. Kasagi in Kasagi rises 288 meters about the south bank of the Kizu River. It is home to many strange and mysterious rock formations giving it the nickname “Megalith Theme Park” and is designated as a historic scenic spot in Japan. Although it is not an easy hike, anyone with average ability can reach the top and enjoy the spectacular views.
From the top of the mountain, it looks like you are on an island floating in a sea of clouds. The view from the top of the mountain was a popular place to moon gaze during the Edo Period. The view is particular spectacular during the autumn season when the entire 3,000 sq. meter river valley is covered in carpet of red maple leaves
Mt. Kasagi is of great historical significance. It is home to a Shingon Buddhist temple of the Chisan School with historic connections to Todaiji on nearby Nara. Famous monks such as Jokei have lived at the temple and Yamabushi, or warrior hermits said to be imbued with supernatural powers, are said to have trained here; making it an important part of Japanese Buddhist history. What’s more, in the late Kamakura period (1185–1333), it was also the stage of foiled plot kill the shogun by the 96th Emperor Go-Daigo.

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 Art Museum

Shokado Garden Art Museum is associated with Shokado Shojo (1584-1639), who was a buddhist priest from Iwashimizu Hachimangu Shrine.
Shokado Garden has an area of approximately 20,000㎡, and the Soan Shokado, where Shojo lived after his retirement (currently closed to visitors due to the earthquake of June 18, 2018). The garden is also home to three tearooms, Sho-in, Chiku-in, and Bai-in. In the garden, in addition to more than 40 kinds of bamboo and nearly 200 camellia trees, plum trees, cherry trees, green maple trees and Japanese maple trees can also be found, creating beautiful scenery across all four seasons.
Shokado Art Museum has special exhibitions held in spring and autumn each year, and exhibitions focused on the museum collections around 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.