Miniature Gion Matsuri! An Ancient Dance. A Spectacular Canyon. And a Mikoshi Portable Shrine Parade
Kameoka City
Less than 30 minutes from Kyoto Station, Kameoka has a lot to offer. Every year in October the Kameoka Festival is held at Kuwayama Shrine. This festival, also known the ‘Miniature Gion Festival,’ features eleven 300-year-old hoko floats. The traditionally decorated hoko can be viewed on the evening. A parade will be held in the morning. Local Yuno Hana Onsen, a luxurious hot spa area, is only 20 min. by bus from Kameoka Stn. For more info call the Kameoka Tourist Association. Tel: (0771) 25-5034. To get to Kameoka, take the JR Sanin (Sagano) local line to Kameoka (30 minutes).Kyotanabe City
On October 14th, at Kyotanabe City’s Tsukiyomi Shrine, a special traditional dance, the Hayato Mai, featuring ancient costumes and live music, will be performed. Local Ikkyu Temple, rebuilt by Ikkyu, one of Japan’s most famous and controversial Zen monks, serves Zen vegetarian lunches (reservation required) and has an exquisite Zen garden. Tel: (0774) 62-0193. And Kannabi Mountain offers a fine hiking course with panoramic views of the surrounding area. To get to Kyotanabe, take the Kintetsu Nara line from Kyoto Stn. to Shin Tanabe (25 minutes by express train).
Sonobe Town
Sonobe, an old castle town, has many historical assets. The 300-year-old Sonobe Castle Ruins are still a popular attraction. Local Ruri Canyon, a 500-meter-deep canyon, is one of the 100 most beautiful places in Japan. It is 4 kilometers long and has an amazing variety of waterfalls and unusual wildlife. Ruri Canyon Flower Garden has more than 10,000 seasonal flowers and trees (as well as lodging, tennis, roller skating and a hot spa). Sonobe is on the JR Sanin line (40 min.).
Kizu Town
Kizu, which means "wood port" supplied much of the wood used to build Heijo-kyo (the capital of Japan, 710-784). Along the Kizu River, in the north part of the town, visitors 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. The Futon Daiko Dai Matsuri Festival, a traditional rice harvest featuring beautifully carved portable mikoshi shrines, will be held in Kizu Town. 12 children ride on each of the six mikoshi, as people parade them around the town. To get to Kizu, take the JR Nara line from Kyoto Stn. to Kizu (40 minutes by express train).