May Kyoto Prefecture HighlightsKameoka City, Oyamazaki Town, and Kamo Town
May Event Highlights
Festivals, dances and competitions
Sonobe Renge Flower Festival: Set up at a 9-hectare renge park, this festival will feature many special events, a kid’s garden, and a small zoo. About one hour from Kyoto on the JR Sagano line. Tel: 0771-62-0550. Migouchi Hikiyama Festival: Known as the Gion Festival of the Tango Peninsula, this colorful, local event is well worth seeing. About 2.5 hours from Kyoto on the JR Sanin line and KTR lines. Tel: 0772-44-2086. Matsuno Temple Buddha Dance : This traditional dance, in which people cover their faces with all kinds of masks is held in Matsuno, in northern Kyoto Prefecture near the seaside town of Obama (JR or bus). Tel: 0773-62-2900. Japan Green Tea Competition (mid May): This competition, near Uji’s Obaku Stn. (JR or Keihan), is attended by more than 2,500 people each year. Tel: 0774-32-3900.Maizuru International Durathon Competition: Featuring a 10-km run, a 60-km bicycle race, and then another 10-km run, is the biggest event of its kind in Japan. Maizuru, on the Japan Sea, can be accessed by bus or JR. Tel: 0773-66-1093. Kizu River Canoe Festival: Canoe marathon and other water games. Reservation required for competition. Near Kamo; see below for directions. Tel: 0743-95-2159.
Kameoka City
A charming old castle town full of surprises
Kameoka City, with a population of about 100,000, is located about 20 kilometers west of Kyoto. The city has served as a key transport hub for lumber shipments, and as vital link between Kyoto/Osaka and the Sanin region (Yamaguchi, Shimane and Tottori Prefectures) since the 8th century. And like many smaller, rural Japanese cities, Kameoka has largely managed to preserve its special sense of heritage. Kameoka Highlights—Galleria Kameoka: Kameoka City declared itself as a “lifelong learning city” in 1988. Showcasing this ideal, Galleria Kameoka opened last year. It has a convention hall, library, handicraft and cooking studios, a restaurant and a comprehensive information corner open to the public. Tel: 0771-25-5034. Nonbiri Castletown Historical Walk: This relaxing historical walk will take you past wonderfully preserved temples and shrines and the heart of old Kameoka. Kameoka Athletic Park: This spacious park has a huge leisure pool, a track field area, tennis courts, a gymnasium and a baseball field. You can get to the park (in 10 min.) on a free shuttle bus from Kameoka JR Stn. Kameoka International Exchange Memorial Park and Center: This huge area of greenery and open space is made up of several zones connected with Kameoka’s sister cities. The Kameoka International Center has an excellent library and many other fun facilities. Yuno Hana Hot Springs: These springs have a reputation for healing neuroses, rheumatism, skin diseases, and stomach aches.
Getting to and returning from Kameoka is all part of the fun. The scenic way to get to Kameoka is on the romantic, open-air Torokko train, which departs at 27 minutes past the hour from Torokko Saga and Arashiyama Stns. The train follows the Hozugawa River, offering excellent views of the river and the surrounding mountains. When returning from Kameoka, always be sure to take the hozugawa kudari, the Japanese name for the fun boat trip down the Hozugawa River from Kameoka to Arashiyama. It takes about two hours for the 16 km trip. Thirty thousand tourists travel down the river each year. Each boat seats about 15 people and is equipped with a roof, should it rain.
Oyamazaki Town
A cultural walking paradise
Centered around Mount Tennozan, the Oyamazaki area is located at the point where the historical regions of Kyoto, Osaka and Tamba meet. The area was the scene of an important battle in which warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi revenged the murder of his master Oda Nobunaga in 1582. Today, a well-marked hiking course called “Hideyoshi Street” leads past most of the area’s main attractions, which include Kannon Temple, Oyamazaki Sanso Villa, and the Oyamazaki Historical Museum (which has excellent videos and models, and reconstruction of the famous Irori-an tea house).
Oyamazaki Sanso Villa, a classical Taisho-period (1912-26) English-style mountain villa, is well worth visiting. The main wooden building, surrounded by a large garden area, is preserved in its original elegant state, with black wooden arched beams, high ceilings, and a huge fire place. The museum contains several collections, including impressionist and Chinese works, and a fine collection of Japanese tea ceramics. A modern museum designed by world-famous architect Tadao Ando, which has one of Monet's exquisite water lily paintings, is located next door. Open 10:00-17:00, closed on Mondays; entry ¥600. Other Attractions—Muko Shrine: This important cultural asset, was first built in the early Nara period (710-794). The shrine will hold a big traditional festival. Nagaoka Tenjin Shrine: This shrine is famous for its beautiful garden scenery, ancient pond, and a 150-year-old azalea tree. Suntory Yamazaki Whiskey Distillery: This distillery is where the history of Japanese whiskey began. The tour of the facilities is popular (reservation required). Tel: 075-962-1423.
To reach the area, take a local Hankyu (to Oyamazaki Stn.) or JR (to Yamazaki Stn., about 25 minutes) train. The walk connects the two JR stations. There is a free shuttle bus from from JR Yamazaki or Hankyu Oyamazaki to Oyamazaki Sanso Villa.
Kamo Town
Rural walking and relaxation
The Kamo area, located in the southeastern part of Kyoto Prefecture, is a peaceful rural area famous for its many, ancient, open-air stone Buddha statues dating from the Kamakura period (1185-1333), a period generally regarded to represent the height of sculpture mastery. The area is also home to a number of important temples, shrines and ruins, all spread out over an area of gently rolling countryside. Area Highlights—Gansen Temple: Said to have been built in 729, this fine temple is located in the center of a forest. It is wellknown for its hydrangea flowers in June. Stone Buddha Walking Path: This path, bordered by rice fields and farms, leads past countless exquisite Buddha statues from the Kamakura period, and open-air, unmanned stalls selling produce. The walk takes about 40 minutes. Jyo-ruri Temple: This impressive temple has a number of artefacts remaining from the Fujiwara period (10th-12th century). The main hall has nine superb Amida Nyorai statues. Kaiju-sen Temple: Located at the top of Kaiju Mountain, this temple, with its rare five-story pagoda, is famous for its health-blessed amulets. Kunikyo Ruins: These ancient stone ruins of a short-lived imperial palace date from the middle of the Nara period (740-744).
Kamo Town can be reached via the JR Nara line from Kyoto Stn. (in about 50 min.), transfer at Kizu, and take the Kansai Honsen line to Kamo. For local tourist information in Japanese call 0774-76-2970.