July Kyoto Prefecture HighlightsEvent highlights
Great countryside festivals*
Takara-sha Festival : In this dynamic event, also known as the Taiko Festival, held every year in Yawata City (southern Kyoto), mikoshi with drums and drummers on them are paraded around the city and then taken to Takara Shrine. Tel: (075) 983-1111. Miyazu City Amano Hashidate Fire Bridge: Starting with a huge fireworks display, about 2.5 km along this 3.6-km, pine-forested land bridge, will be lit up with about 200 fire torches. Tel: (0772) 22-2121. Ine Festival: Held for over 300 years, this festival, also called the Gion Festival of the sea, is held to pray for rich fishing harvests and ocean health. A children’s dance, sword performance and festival boats will be featured. Tel: (0772) 32-0502. Miyazu City Kanabiki Waterfall Fire Festival: Based on a local legend in which a Buddhist deity sets a waterfall on fire with a flaming arrow to get rid of a nasty red oni demon, this festival features miko dances, taiko drum music, and fantastic display of fire cascading down a 40-meter high waterfall. Tel: (0772) 22-0670.
Getting to the Beach*
So many choices and so much fun!
Northern Kyoto Prefecture, with its almost endless coastline of beaches and stunning scenery, is one of Japan’s most popular and famous summer destinations. And the beaches are only part of the attraction. The Japan Sea is also one of Japan’s richest fishing grounds and in summer countless tourists get up early to take in all the pleasures of the region’s many fresh fish markets. And remember summer bathing traditionally begins on July 1. Get away and see the sea. Get away and see the wonders of the Kyoto Prefecture countryside! To get to the following cities and towns you can take a direct train from Kyoto Stn. (for JR schedule information call 06-6452-3730), or take a combination of the JR Sanin, Maizuru and KTR Miyafuku/Miyazu lines (depending on your destination, you may have to change trains one or twice).
Amino Town
If you want to go to the perfect beach, then Kotobiki Beach is it. This beach, famous for the squeaking sound the sand makes when you step on it, is a masterpiece. And there is a public hot spa right on the beach! At nearby Amity Tango, visitors will be able to find all of the region’s local handicrafts and have a chance to experience traditional loom weaving and natural dyeing. Tel: (0772) 72-5261. Amino Tourism Office: (0772) 72-0900.
Ine Town
This quiet little part of the Tango Penninsula has a great beach: Tomari Beach is private, has an outdoor hotspring, and excellent fishing places.
Urashima Shrine and Urashima Park are both connected to a famous folktale about a boy that rides to a magical sea kingdom on the back of a turtle and returns to his village as an old man. In these historically rich and well-preserved surroundings, visitors can view ancient treasures, eat great seafood and soba, and enjoy all kinds of visual entertainment. Tel: (0772) 33-5225. Ine Tourism Office: (0772) 32-0277.
Kumihama Town
Over 6 kilometers long, the pure, fine white sand of Shotenkyo Beach is a popular summer beach destination. The water is shallow and safe for children of all ages. Tel: (0772) 83-0149. And just down the coast, visitors can enjoy Kumi no Beach Hot Spring Village, surrounded by picturesque Kumihama Bay and the comforts of three hot springs (and a number of fine ryokan). The odorless, clear water at these spas is wellknown. One, Kumihama Onsen, is very popular with women and other people trying to avoid ageing. Kumihama Town Information Center: (0772) 82-1781.
Maizuru City
The wild atmosphere of rugged Ryu-gu Beach has superb views out onto a number of smaller islands. Also be sure to visit Maizuru’s interesting Red Brick Museum, formerly a torpedo warehouse used by the old Japanese Navy. It was built in 1904 out of iron and brick, and is the oldest building of its kind in Japan. Today, it serves as an interesting museum, full of exhibits on great civilizations of the world (enter by 16:30). Maizuru City Tourism Information Center: (0773) 66-1024.
Miyazu City
Miyazu’s Amano Hashidate is ranked as one of the 3-most beautiful places in Japan. This legendary land bridge, said to have been formed by two of Shinto’s most powerful dieties as a way to get to heaven, is made of 3.6 kilometers of white sand covered by 8,000 pine trees, and has beaches and great cycling routes. Overlooking the land bridge on the opposite coast, fabulous Nariai Temple can be either reached on foot (a very long walk) or by cable car and mountain bus. The temple, built in 704, and located in huge natural setting, has a serene Buddhist Goddess of Mercy statue, a mysterious atmosphere, and fantastic views out over the sea and the surrounding area. Miyazu City Tourism Office: (0772) 22-2121.
Tango Town
The Japanese Environment Agency has selected Hei Beach, in Tango Town, among the top 55 beaches in the country. The water is amazingly clear, there are unique rock formations to swim around, and the coastal landscape is breathtaking. Camping, shower and toilet facilities are conveniently set up near the beach. And at nearby Tenki Tenki Village visitors can experience authentic rural Japanese life. Here you will find all kinds of attractions, camping facilities, and the superb Hashi-udo Villa (Tel: (0772) 75-2212). Tango Town Tourism Association: (0772)75-0437.