September Kyoto Prefecture HighlightsKansai Science City Area
Seika Town, Kizu Town, Kyotanabe City
Southern Kyoto Prefecture—especially Seika Town, Kizu Town and Kyotanabe City— has a key role in the development of the Kansai Science City, an immense research and culture zone covering a large area where Kyoto, Osaka, and Nara Prefectures meet. Covering an overall area of approximately 15,000 hectares, the “city” is scheduled for completion in the early part of the 21st century. It will have a residential population of about 400,000, made up of researchers, educators, service sector employees, and so on. Facilities include universities, private research and development facilities, and laboratories of governmental, educational, and cooperating organizations. At present about 200,000 people live in the zone, and many of the planned facilities are in operation.
In addition to playing important roles in the overall plan of the Kansai Science City, Seika Town, Kizu Town and Kyotanabe City are rich in historical, rural and natural assests. Take a ride to southern Kyoto Prefecture and have a look for yourself how the past is changing into the future!
Seika Town
Research, flowers and agriculture
Located in the southwest corner of Kyoto Prefecture, Seika Town is home to a number of key Kansai Science City facilities. It is also famous for its strawberries, traditional vegetables and organic rice. Here are a few things to look for. Keihanna (Kyoto, Osaka and Nara) Memorial Park: featuring a huge Japanese garden, stressing symbiosis with nature and 500 incredible garden stones. Open 9:00-17:00; ¥200. Keihanna Plaza: conference facilities (1000-seat and 300-seat halls), a hotel (singles from ¥9,800) and a tennis courts. Tel: (0774) 95-5111. Kansai Academic City Exhibition Hall: learn about this growing city through amazing computer graphics and other high-tech displays. Open 10:00-16:00; closed on weekends and holidays; free. Kyoto Flower Center: a wonderful world of flowers featuring greenhouses, ponds, etc. Open 9:00-17:00 (until 16:00 Nov.-Feb.); closed on the 2nd and 4th Thurs. of the month. Louis Leloup Museum: a collection of work by world-famous Belgian crystal master, Louis Leloup. Open 10:30-17:00; closed Mon; ¥500. Tel: (0774) 93-1230. To get to Seika Town, take the Kintetsu Kyoto line from Kyoto Stn. to Shin Hosono (35 minutes by semi-express). Kizu Town
High-tech research, the great outdoors and history
Kizu Town is home to the largely up-and-running High Touch Research Park. The park is made up of 13 companies (high tech to traditional) doing research related to improving daily living. It is possible to visit the facilities here, if you make a reservation in advance. Tel: (0774) 73-0600. But Kizu also has an attractive traditional side that attracts visitors year-round. Kizu, which means “wood port”, supplied much of the wood used to build Heijo-kyo (the capital of Japan, 710-784), and major temples like To-daiji in Nara. Along the Kizu River running through the north part of the town, vistors can see many old temples and historical assets. Local Daichi-ji Temple has a Kamakura-period (1185-1333) Bosatsu statue said to be carved from the giant pillars of an ancient bridge. And mysterious Anpuku-ji Temple has many legends associated with it. For example, kaki (persimmon) trees planted by the temple pond have never bloomed, even though they are planted again and again. To get to Kizu, take the JR Nara from Kyoto Stn. to Kizu (40 minutes by express train).
Kyotanabe City
21st-century research, temples and hiking
An important, still developing center of the Kansai Science City, Kyotanabe City is home to the leading-edge research facilities of Doshisha University (two campuses). It is also home to the Kyoto Welfare Annuity Resort Center. Set amidst an area of rich forest, the center has several conferecnce rooms, tennis courts, a huge outdoor pool (open in the summer only), and a number of other leisure facilities. And if you are looking for a relaxing place to spend the night, then this is the place. Tel: (0774) 62-3500. Moreover, Kyotanabe City, located on the ancient route that linked Kyoto, Nara and Osaka, has a fascinating and long history. Ikkyu Temple, rebuilt by Ikkyu, one of Japan’s most famous and controversial Zen monk, when he was 63 years old, serves Zen vegetarian lunches (¥1,800; reservations required) and has an exquisite Hojo-style garden. Tel: (0774) 62-0193. Nearby Kannon Temple, said to be built in the 7th century, has an excellent national-treasure, 11-faced Kannon statue with a serene expression. The temple atmosphere reflects the elegance of the Tenpyo period. Tel: (0774) 62-0668. Finally, nearby Kannabi Mountain has a fine hiking course that offers panoramic views of the surrounding area. It takes about one hour to get to the top. To get to Kyotanabe, take Kintetsu Nara line from Kyoto Stn. to Shin Tanabe (25 minutes by express train).
September Festival Highlights
Moto Ise Hassaku Festival: This festival originated in the Edo period (1600-1868), when a drought hit this town (located in Oe Town, northwest of Kyoto City) and special prayers for rain were made; a parade and a famous spear throwing event will be featured. Tel: (0773) 56-1011. Iwashimizu Festival (9/15): This is festival (in Yawata City, about 30 minutes south of Kyoto by Keihan train) was ordered by the emperor to pray for the peace of Japan in 863. A parade of the ages, featuring authentic, colorful costumes, will proceed up to the shrine on the mountain at midnight. Tel: 981-3001. Moon Festival Music Concert: This festival at Shoryu-ji Temple, Nagaoka-kyo City (southwest of Kyoto) will feature traditional Japanese instruments, dancing and poetry; 18:00-20:30. Tel: 952-1146.