Keihoku
TownCool summer destination
Keihoku Town lies in the center of Kyoto Prefecture. It is the second largest of all the towns and villages in the prefecture. More than 90% of town’s surface is covered with forests and many rushing rivers and streams. Even in the heat of summer, Keihoku Town is cool and refreshing. Because of its unique climate, the town has a very active and prosperous forest industry. It is also blessed with a long and rich historical heritage. Evidence, including a lot of earthen ware and many bronze mirrors, indicates that the area has been inhabited for over 10,000 years. Below is an introduction to one spot and an August event where visitors can experience the wonders of Keihoku Town.
Seryo no Sato (Seryo Village)
This village spreads out across a valley at the upper end of the Haiya River. It is the perfect destination in the summer to avoid the heat and humidity that makes Kyoto so intense in the day time. The village is a famous setting for well-known kabuki and joruri (traditional Japanese doll theatre) plays. The characters are the people related to Michizane Sugawara (845-903) who is the deity enshrined at Tenmangu Shrine (N-5, pg 8 map). Many people enjoy hiking here in the fresh air along a long route that leads southwest to Kyoto, past marvelous sights such as Kibune Shrine (b-6, on pg 7 map), Joshoko-ji Temple. To get to Seryo no Sato, take a JR Bus from JR Kyoto Stn. to Shuzan, the last stop (1.5 hours). Then take a Keihoku Town Bus to Haiya (20 min.). Since there are few buses for Haiya,(only 5 on weekdays, 3 on Sat., and 2 on Sun. & nat. hols), taking a taxi or your own car is recommended. Seryo no Sato is 1.5-hour walk from Haiya, along a well marked path.
Oshio no Agematsu
Oshio no Agematsu is a spectacular event that is held at Keihoku Town’s Hiyoshi Shrine every August (it is on the 21st this year). This annual ritual involves the lighting of a sacred fire in honor of the Fire Deity at Atago Shrine (the highest peak on the west side of Kyoto). The most exciting part of the ritual is the Agematsu Ichiban competition. First, a thick, 15-meter long cedar pole (torogi) is erected. At the top, a basket (moji) full of old cedar needles and dry grass is attached. The competitors make special torches using small pieces of pine wood (which has lots of sap). They then try to throw the torches into the basket to light the fire. In the darkness, it is a fine sight to see all the bright orange traces of the torches flying through the air. To get to Hiyoshi Shrine, take a JR Bus from Kyoto Stn to Shuzan (the last stop). Then take a Keihoku town bus to Oshio (only 4 on weekdays, 3 on Sun. & national holiday). Note: The Oshio no Agematsu ritual is held from 20:00 and there is no public transportation back to Kyoto. Please take a taxi or your own transportation to get to there. It is about 20 min. drive from Shuzan and is difficult to get a taxi in Oshio to return to Kyoto. Therefore it is better to go to Oshio by taxi and stay one night there. However, the hotels are not experienced with foreign tourists, so it is recommended for foreign tourists to go with someone who can speak Japanese or Japanese friends/guide. Keihoku Town Hall Tel: 0771-52-0300 (Japanese only)