Kyoto Prefecture Countryside Cherry Blossom Events Miyazu City
Home to famous Amano Hashidate, a unique, 3.6 km-long, white-sand spit, Miyazu City also has excellent cherry groves. The annual area cherry festival (sometime during the 1st two weeks of April; call for details), at nearby Takigami Park, will feature a Karaoke competition, and many stalls selling food. Tel: (0772) 22-0670. To get there: Miyazu City can be reached by a direct train from JR Kyoto Station (5 times a day; the trip takes about 95 min.; for JR schedule information call 06-6452-3730). The park is near Sanno Bashi, a short bus ride from the station.
Mineyama Town
On a hill covered with cherry blossoms, Yakushigaoka Mori Sakura Park will be the venue for a small concert, street stalls and other lively events. Tel: (0772) 62-7701. To get there: take the JR Sanin line Hashidate Ltd. Express (departs 5 times a day) to Amano Hashidate, transfer to the KTR Miyazu line to Mineyama. and then transfer to a Tankai bus to central Mineyama. The park is 5 to 10 minutes from the bus stop.
Ayabe City
At local Yamaga Joshi Park under blooming cherry trees, Japanese taiko drumming, karaoke, local food and craft stalls will be featured. Tel: (0773) 42-9550. To get there: Take the JR Sanin kaisoku limited-semi-express train to Sonobe, then transfer to kakueki local train to Yamaga Stn.
Miyama Town
Miyama Town has breathtaking rural scenery, the most thatched roof houses of any place in Japan (about 250), and the Ashu virgin forest is a hiking paradise. Ohno Dam Sakura Matsuri: Over 1,000 cherry trees are open for viewing (day and night!) along the Ohno Dam; there will be a fireworks display ; the sale of fresh vegetables and a photo contest will also featured. Tel: (0771) 75-1906. To get there: take the JR Sanin line and get off at Wachi Stn., transfer to the local town bus (about 20 minutes) and get off at Ohno Dam.
Muko City
Though small, this city, is rich in nature and history. At Muko Shrine a cherry festival will be held featuring outdoor tea ceremony, flower arrangement displays, and numerous stalls selling food, etc. A fire will be lit in the garden of the shrine. To get there: Take a JR Tokaido kakueki local train from JR Kyoto Stn. (10 min.) to Muko, or the Hankyu kakueki local train to Higashi or Nishi Muko (15 min.) then transfer to a local bus.
Uji City
Uji has been attracting writers since ancient times. Perfectly set along the Uji River, the area has two UNESCO World Heritage sites. English volunteer guides are available between 9:00-17:00 (reserve 7 days in advance; Tel: (0774) 22-5083). Uji River Sakura Matsuri: A tea ceremony and pottery market will be held in a cherry tree covered island park (Uji Nakanoshima Park). Tel: (0774) 23-3334. To get there: take the JR Nara line to Uji (kyuko semi-express train; 17 minutes) or Keihan Uji line (local; 40 minutes). The park is about 13 minutes walk from either station. Yawata City
Located between Kyoto and Osaka, Yawata developed as a prosperous town on the river transport system between Kyoto and Osaka. A 1.4 km stretch of the river, the Sewaritei area, is lined with about 250 cherry trees. Bring your lunch and relax outdoors here. Tel: 983-1111. Otokoyama Sakura Matsuri: Iwasihmizu Hachiman-gu Shrine (built in 1634) has an amazing Main Hall exquisitely decorated with animal and plants carvings. Every year a wide range of cherry blossom celebratory events are held here, including: 1) Sogetsu School flower arrangement exhibition ; imperial court dance; shakuhachi and koto concert; outdoor tea ceremony ; free tea ceremony . Schedules subject to change, so call (Tel: 981-3001) to make sure. To get there: take the Keihan line to Yawata (fast train, 20 minutes). Sewaritei is about 10-min; the shrine is about 20-min. walk from the station.
Kasagi Town
Kasagi Town is a peaceful rural area famous for its many, ancient, open-air stone Buddha statues, important temples, shrines and ruins, all spread out over an area of gently rolling countryside. In spring, Kasagi is famed for its cherry blossoms, and the Izumi-ji Sakura Festival, featuring traditional plays, live music, food, and stalls, is held in front of the train station (near Kasagi Mountain; one of the top 100 cherry viewing places in Japan). Tel: (0774) 76-3611. To get there: Take the JR Nara line to Kizu Stn.; transfer to the Kansai-honsen line and get off at Kasagi Stn.
Ujidawara Town
Over 80% of this town is green with endless tea bush plantations. A local rural road, Yasuragi no Michi, lined with cherry trees, is open to the public. Tel: (0774) 88-4180. To get there: Take a JR Nara local train from Kyoto Stn. to Uji Stn. or a Kintetsu Kyoto train to Shintanabe Stn. Transfer at either station to a Keihan Uji Kotsu bus bound for Ichu-mae. Get out at Ujidawara.
Ide Town
This forest and hill surrounded town is home to an extensive range of historical ruins dating from the Nara and Heian periods. In the spring, the very old weeping cherry trees at Jizozen-in Temple attract many admirers, and in early April (for about 10 days), along the Tamagawa River, cherry blossom viewing events and street stalls will be open. Tel: (0774) 82-2001. To get there: take a JR Nara kakueki local train to Yamashiro Taga or Tamamizu stn. (40 min.), and walk for about 5 minutes.
Kizu Town
This town will hold the Midori to Fureai Sakura Matsuri featuring a tea ceremony and a koto, shakuhachi concert. A small handmade plate and flower seeds will be given to the first 500 visitors. Tel: (0774) 72-6050. To get there: take the JR Nara line from Kyoto Stn. to Kizu (40 minutes by kyuko semi-express train).
April Festival Highlights
Fukuchiyama Castle Festival: a historical parade with traditional costumes, dance, etc. Near JR Fukuchiyama Stn. Tel: (0773) 22-2108. Tsutsukawa Festival: traditional dance at a 16th-century. In Ine Town. Tel: (0772) 32-0277. Kayadani Festival : this festival features all kinds of traditional events and performances. In Kaya Town (Tel: (0772) 43-2191) and Nodagawa Town (Tel: (0772) 44-2086).