The
Natuarl Wonders of Kyoto PrefectureA shrine for pregnant women & a fantasic limestone cave
There are many attractions around Kyoto City and one of the biggest is the natural wonder of Kyoto Prefecture. In an hour or less from the city center, the visitor can discover the charms and wonders of Old Japan, including living villages, fine forests, excellent rivers and stunning coastal fishing towns and scenes. This month two special places where visitors can experience some events and activities are introduced.
Obara Shrine in Miwa Town
Obara Shrine was built in 852 in the area of Kyoto Prefecture known as Miyama today. The shrine was moved to Miwa Town in 1279. The main hall of the shrine, built in 1796, is decorated with magnificent carvings of stylized lions and phoenixes. The hall used to be a stage for Bunraku and Kyogen plays. In the hall, ema, votive picture tablets on which people write their prayers or to expressions of gratitude after their wishes came true, are on display. These colorful pictures are an interesting form of art.
Every year on May 2nd and 3rd, the shrine holds a special festival. On the first day, sacred drums are played and ema pictures painted by local children are displayed. When the hall is lighted up, the atmosphere is beautiful. On the second day, the Nerikomi Gyoretsu ( nerikomi means parade) procession takes place. In the procession people wear traditional costumes and play instruments. They pull a mikoshi, portable shrine, on a cart. There are food stalls along the street and the atmosphere is quite festive.
It is home to a female deity, and it extremely well known for helping pregnant women safely deliver their children and for ensuring good harvests. Since ancient times, many people, including high-ranking nobles, came to the shrine to pray for the safe delivery of their babies. Some even came to the shrine to delivery their children in a special hut called the ubuya. When an expecting mother finally gives birth to her baby, she stays in this small hut for 7 days to recover. Being in the hut is said to help the mother feel free from housework or family stress. The hut was believed to be very sacred, and that the deity actually descended from heaven into the hut when the child was born. This custom was held until early the Taisho period (1912-1926). Now the hut is preserved as a valuable heritage of the local traditions.
Shrine entry: free. To get to the shrine, take the JR Sai-in Line from Kyoto Stn. to Ayabe Stn. Then take a town bus to Tamba Obara Stop (about 20 min.). Tel: 0773-58-4324.
Shizushi
Limestone Cave in Mizuho TownMizuho Town, located in the center of Kyoto Prefecture, is almost 80% forest (pine, cedar and oak). It is also home to the amazing Shizushi Limestone Cave Park. The cave, the only one of its kind in Kyoto Prefecture, was discovered in 1927. It has four main sections. In total, it is 52.5 meters long, 4 wide and 25 deep. It is an exciting space to enter. The stairs that lead to the cave go straight down, almost like an elevator shaft. Along the way down are incredible rock formations created over hundreds of thousands of years. Limestone formations only grow 6 mm in a hundred years. The most popular formation is called the Golden Pillar. It is 2 meters around and 5 meters long. The cave is very cool all year round, even in the middle of summer. It feels like another world: a world of mystery, excitement and adventure. The cave is set in a wonderful outdoor setting, home to many types of birds and insects and the kind of fresh air city people dream of. A campground (with full facilities) is also there, so you can stay over night and enjoy these exquisite natural surroundings.
Cave entry:¥510. Open: 10:00-17:00. To get there, take the JR San-in Line from Kyoto Stn. to Sonobe Stn. and then a JR Bus to Hiyama (about 30 min.). From Hiyama take a town bus Shonyudo-guchi Stop (about 15 min.). Tel: 0771-86-7125.