Ohara, Yase, Hieizan area, Kyoto Sightseeing Route, Japan

Temples are scattered in the mountain village at the foot of Mt. Hiei in the Ohara area, and the production area of ​​red is indispensable for pickling the famous Shibazuke. Northeastern part of Kyoto city. If you follow National Route 367 along the Takano River, you will see the scenery of a satoyama at the western foot of Mt. Hiei, as if you were surrounded by a mountain. This is Ohara. In the idyllic rural landscape that shows the beauty of the four seasons, there are historic temples such as Sanzen-in Temple, which originated in the Enryaku era (782-806), and Jakko-in Temple, which is said to have been built by Prince Shotoku. doing. Ohara’s red perilla is indispensable for shibazuke, which is one of the three major pickles in Kyoto. Most of the leaves produced in Ohara are “chirimen red perilla” with curly leaves, which are characterized by their good fragrance and color. In addition, Oharame, who went on a peddler to the town of Kyoto with firewood on her head, is also known, and her appearance appears in the Jidai Matsuri era procession.

The Yase area, an area rich in nature surrounded by the greenery of Mt. Hiei, which can be visited by train from the town. At the foot of Mt. Hiei, the area is dotted with villages on both sides of the Takano River, and the origin of the place name comes from the arrow on the back of the Prince of the Sea during the Jinshin War (first year of Emperor Tenmu, 672 AD). It is also said that he was injured. In Yase, there is Yase-Hieizanguchi Station of Eizan Electric Railway, which is easily accessible from the city center. In addition to the cherry blossoms and autumn leaves, the early summer when the greenery of the mountains is bright is also beautiful, so you can easily enjoy the changes of the four seasons. In addition, the Eiyama Cable Yase Station, which connects Yase and the summit of Mt. Hiei, is near Hiei Yamaguchi Station, and if you take the cable car or ropeway, you can enjoy sightseeing that feels closer to nature.

While enjoying the scenery of the Mt. Hiei area, head to the northern end of the 36 peaks of Higashiyama, and on the summit there is a spot where you can see the world heritage Enryakuji Temple and beautiful flowers. Looking east from downtown Kyoto, you can see the gentle mountains that stretch 12 kilometers north and south. The phrase that describes this shape as “a figure sleeping in a futon and Higashiyama” (Hattori Ransetsu) is also famous. The generic name for these mountains is Higashiyama 36 peaks, and Mt. Hiei is located at the northern end. When going out by bus, take the train bound for Hiei-sancho from JR Kyoto Station, Keihan Sanjo Station, etc. It is also possible to transfer by connecting to Eizan Electric Railway, cable, and ropeway. Both routes are also attractive because you can enjoy the scenery rich in nature. At the top of the mountain, you can visit Enryakuji Temple, a World Heritage Site, or stop by the Garden Museum Hiei, where you can see 100,000 flowers of 1500 species.

Ohara
Ohara is a place name located in the northeastern part of Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture. It is located at the northwestern foot of Mt. Hiei, in the upper reaches of the Takano River. The Ohara basin is surrounded by mountains on all sides, and the Wakasa Highway runs along the Takano River. Ohara Village once belonged to Otagi-gun, Yamashiro Province, and was also called “Yase Ohara” together with Yase next to the south. In ancient times, it was read as “Ohara” and was also written as Ohara. The place name Ohara has been seen since the Heian period, and is said to be derived from Oharaji Temple (a general term for Daigenji, Shorin-in, and Raigo-in), which was opened as a training dojo by Ennin, a Jikaku Daishi in the early Heian period. Since it is located at the northwestern foot of Mt. Hiei, the influence of Enryakuji is strong, and many Tendai sect temples such as Shorin-in, Raigo-in, Sanzen-in, and Jakko-in were built. Ohara during the Heian period prospered as a relay point for the Wakasa Highway connecting Heiankyo and Wakasa Bay.

Originally it was an area visited by tourists because of the Sanzen-in Temple, but it was in 1965 (Showa 40) that Duke Aces of the choir group came to visit as many tourists as it is now. The influence of the sung “Onna Hitori” and the 1972 (1972) taiga drama “Shin Heike Monogatari” is significant. Ohara Momoi-cho, which borders Hanase Pass, and Ohara Omi-cho and Ohara Ogoshi-cho, which are located at the foot of Mt. Minako and Mt. Minetoko, became designated areas of Kyoto Tanba-Kogen National Monument in 2016 (Heisei 28).

Hitoshi Komatsu, a Japanese-style painter, moved to Ohara in his later years and was touted as “Ohara’s painting hermit”, leaving behind many landscape paintings of Ohara. On November 2, 1990, after Komatsu’s death, the Hitoshi Komatsu Museum of Art opened in his old home. Duke Aces of the choir sings Ohara in the 1965 song “One Woman”, and Sanzen-in appears in the lyrics. This song is one of the forerunners of local songs. In 1996, British herb researcher Benicia Stanley Smith moved to Ohara. Since 2009, “Cat’s Tail Frog’s Hand Kyoto Ohara Benicia’s Handmade Life” focusing on Stanley Smith has been broadcast on NHK BS Premium.

Yase
Yase is a place name located in Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture. Here, “Yase” is used as a wide-area place name that covers each town in Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City. It is located in a valley between the Hiei Mountains to the east and the Wakatan Mountains to the west. The Yasse River (Takano River) flows from north to south, and the Tsuruga Highway runs along the Yasse River.

According to the village biography, Yase has been called “arrow spine” since ancient times, and it is said that it is derived from the fact that Emperor Tenmu suffered an arrow injury on his back during the Jinshin War. It is denied from the point of view. In addition, it is said that it was called “Yase” because there are many steep “se” in the Yasse River such as Nanase, Yoze, and Minose. During the year of Engi (901-923), the notation was changed to “Yase”.

Mt. Hiei
Mt. Hiei is a mountain that straddles the western part of Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture and the northeastern part of Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture. It is a general term for two ear peaks consisting of two peaks, Mt. Hiei (848.3m) located on the prefectural border between Otsu City and Sakyo Ward in Kyoto City, and Shimegatake (838m) located in Sakyo Ward. Along with Mt. Koya, it has been a mountain of worship since ancient times, and it prospered with Enryakuji Temple and Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine. It may be included in the 36 peaks of Higashiyama. Also known as Mt. Eiyama, Mt. Hokurei, Mt. Mt. Hiei is a mountain with an altitude of 848m, located on the border between Shiga and Kyoto prefectures, southwest of Otsu city, Shiga prefecture. In the Kojiki, it is described as the mountain of Hie in the Oumi, and it has been the object of mountain worship since ancient times.

According to the survey results by the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan, the eastern peak is Mt. Hiei, the western peak is Mt. Shimegatake, and the generic name is Mt. Hiei. In “Notes of points”, the name of the first-class triangulation station located at the eastern peak is “Mt. Hiei”. This triangulation station is located on the border between Otsu City and Kyoto City, but it is located in Otsu City. The altitude of this first-class triangulation station “Mt. Hiei” was revised in May 2014 to 848.1m. Since Mt. Hiei is separated from the Tamba Highlands and the Hira Mountains by the Hanaori Fault, it is said to belong to the Hiei Mountains or the Hiei Daigo Mountains.

When viewed from the Kyoto side, both Shimegatake and Mt. Hiei can be seen, giving a heavy impression. However, if you look at Mt. Hiei from the Kyoto Basin, you can see Mt. Shimegatake, but the top of Mt. Hiei is hidden by Mt. Shimegatake. The well-balanced triangular appearance at this time is also called “Miyako Fuji”. If you cannot see Mt. Hiei, you may consider Mt. Hiei to be the summit of Mt. Hiei, and the Keifuku Electric Railroad Eizan Ropeway sets the summit of Mt. Hiei as the summit station of Mt. Hiei.

From the summit of Mt. Hiei, you can see Lake Biwa, the city of Kyoto, and Kitayama, Kyoto such as the Hira mountain range. If the conditions are good, you can see Mt. Ontake on the border between Nagano and Gifu prefectures. On the east side of the mountain is Enryakuji Temple, the head temple of the Tendai sect. In addition, since “Okuhiei” in the north of the summit is said to be “forbidden to kill”, you can see the appearance of precious wild animals and plants, and it is especially famous as a breeding ground for birds. It is said that the temperature in Kyoto city in midsummer and near the summit of Mt. Hiei differ by 5 to 6 degrees Celsius.

Many tourists visit on holidays because they can reach the summit by toll road, fixed-route bus, cable car, and ropeway. At the middle plaza of Cable Hiei Station of Eiyama Cable (the connecting plaza of the cable car and the ropeway), the Keifuku Electric Railroad operates the “Hiei YAMA Beer Garden” every August. Obon festivals may be open at night. There used to be a Hiei mountaintop amusement park and a Hiei mountain artificial ski resort, but they were completely closed in 2000 (2000) and 2002 (2002), respectively, and the site of the mountaintop amusement park is the museum “Garden Museum Hiei”. The site of the ski resort is a cosmos garden. There was also Sports Valley Kyoto (Mori no Yuenchi) at the foot of the Kyoto side, but this was also closed on November 30, 2001 (Heisei 13). A membership resort hotel was built on the site by Resorttrust.

Tourist attractions

Hiei Cable
The total length of the Hiei cable with curves and steep slopes is 1.3km. The height difference is 561m, which is the highest in Japan, and it takes 9 minutes to connect between them. In addition to enjoying a great view of Kyoto city, cherry blossoms in spring and colored leaves in autumn decorate the side of the line. Operates every 15 to 30 minutes. From the end of the cable to the summit of Mt. Hiei, you can enjoy a 3-minute walk in the air on the ropeway. Convenience of 10 minutes from the foot to the summit.

Mt. Minako
It is the easternmost part of the Kitayama mountain range. At an altitude of 971.5 meters, it is the highest peak in the Kyoto city area. Climbing is hard. Go back to Kyoto from the headwaters of the Azumi River, leave the main stream of the Azumi River, and reach the summit from the steep slope of Teraya via the ridgeline. Yamana is said to have been named by the late Kinji Imanishi, an adviser to the Kyoto branch of the Japanese Alpine Club. The old name seems to be Kasumigatake.

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Shizuhara Campground
An educational campsite for children and students to provide group life guidance and outdoor learning through basic outdoor life.

Famous places and historic sites

Sanzenin Garden
At Sanzen-in’s Jubien, the voluminous cutting of Satsuki is beautiful. In Ariseien, there is a single-story gabled house that houses the national treasure Amitabha triad, and a persimmon-roofed Ojo Gokurakuin. The moss all over the garden is also wonderful. You can enjoy seasonal flowers all year round.

Maple of Kochidani
Takao maple of the Aceraceae family located on the south side of the approach to Amitabha Temple in Kochidani, Sakyo-ku. As a Takao maple, it is a rare giant tree and shows a peculiar shape with many roots entwined in the trunk. It is the largest old tree in Kochidani, a famous place for autumn leaves, since the temple was built. There is also a tradition that white snakes live there. City-designated natural monument.

Hosenin Garden
The garden of Hosen-in is a garden with beautiful views of the mountains of Ohara over the bamboo grove. The building and nature are integrated into a picture frame garden. In front of the guest hall is a huge five-leaf pine tree that is over 700 years old. Pinus parviflora of the Pinaceae family in the garden of Hosen-in Temple. It occupies the southern part of the Japanese garden, which is almost flat. The height of the tree is 11m, the branching is 11.5m north-south, and 14m east-west, and it has a fan-shaped canopy. The tree shape is extremely excellent, and the tree vigor is vigorous, making it valuable as a large five-leaf pine tree. City-designated natural monument.

Jakkoin Garden
The garden of Jakko-in retains the remnants of the Heike story, such as Shinji pond or shore pond, millennial princess Komatsu, mossy stones, and shore cherry blossoms. The north garden is a strolling garden with a pond in front of all sides, and is a masterpiece garden with a forest spring grove and a water-clear pond. The three-tiered waterfall is called Tamadare no Izumi, and it has a perfect balance of height and angle, and it seems that different tones are ensemble in one.

Jikkoin Garden
The garden of Jikko-in consists of a garden called “Keishinen” (formerly Fugenin Garden) that spreads to the south of the guesthouse and a garden that is located on the west side of the guesthouse (formerly Rigakuin Garden). Has been done. At the guest hall, you can enjoy the three-dimensional scenery of the Horai stone group of Takiguchi and the five-storied stone pagoda of the artificial hill in harmony with the stone wall while enjoying matcha. In the northwest corner of the garden, there is a tea room “Rikakuan”, and many other tea flowers that can be enjoyed throughout the four seasons are planted. In particular, the perennial cherry blossoms in the center of the garden are rare and bloom from early autumn to spring of the following year.

Shugakuin Imperial Villa
A vast mountain villa built by Emperor Gomizuo at the foot of Mt. Hiei after the 2nd year of the Meireki to the 2nd year of Manji (1656-59). It is composed of three detached palace, upper, middle and lower, on a site of about 545,000 square meters, and all of them stand beside a pond surrounded by a quiet atmosphere such as a teahouse with a strange taste. The harmony between nature and the building is exquisite.

Ruriko-in
Known for its beautiful autumn colors reflected on its polished floors and desks, it is visited by many during the spring and autumn public opening. It is recorded that the ruins of the successive gates of Honganji Temple were often visited, and the hermitage named “Kizuru-tei” by Sanjo Sanetomi, the lord of the Meiji era, still exists. From the Taisho era to the beginning of the Showa era, this was renovated into a sukiya-style building with a total area of ​​240 tsubo, and a famous garden with a view of nature was built. It is said that the builder who built the building was made by Sotoji Nakamura, who was known as a master of Kyoto Sukiya-zukuri, and the garden was made by Toemon Sano. It is known that it has become a battleground for Go Honinbo, which is familiar to many people as a famous architecture and garden full of Japanese atmosphere.

Temples and shrines

Bujoji Temple
Kibune Shrine
Hatae Hachimangu
Daejeon Shrine
Kamigamo Betsurai Shrine
Myomanji Temple
Kuga Shrine
Hudarakuji Temple (Komachiji Temple)
Jisso-in Gate Ruins
Jinko-in
Myoenji
Sudo Shrine
Rinkyuji Temple
Ichiyoin
Fujiki Shrine
Entsuji Temple
Shodenji Temple
Kojakuji Temple
Shikofuchi Shrine
Hounji Temple
Miyake Hachimangu
Kurama Temple
Needle Shrine
Yuki Shrine
Akayama Zenin
Rengeji Temple

Museums

Garden Museum Hiei
A garden museum on the summit of Mt. Hiei at an altitude of 840m. The Garden Museum Hiei, where 100,000 flowers of 1,500 species bloom in a 1.7ha garden, was opened in 2001 by a French designer. The garden is divided into 6 gardens, such as the “Scented Garden” which is the image of the hills of Provence in Southern France, the Taiko Bridge with wisteria, and the pond where water lilies bloom. “Garden”, “Komorebi no Niwa”, a flower corridor where pergola blooms, “Fuji no Oka” with wisteria trellis and seasonal flowers, “Flower garden” with Monet’s home garden as a motif, from mid-June to October There is a “Rose Garden” where you can appreciate various kinds of roses without interruption, and you can enjoy the flowers of each season. In addition, 45 works by French Impressionist painters such as Monet, Renoir, and Van Gogh are displayed as porcelain panel paintings in the park, and the flowers that change their expressions depending on the season attract the hearts of visitors.

Hitoshi Komatsu Museum
The residence of the late Hitoshi Komatsu, a Japanese-style painter who was said to be a person of cultural merit in Ohara, was opened as an art museum. Mainly on the three major series of Ohara scenery, Mogami River, and Mt. Fuji, the masterpieces from the early years to the later years are exhibited.

Events / festivals

Forgiveness dance
Taishan Prefectural Festival, Tango Daigoma offering
Star Festival
Kutamiyanocho Matsuage
Autumn equinoctial week
A memorial service for the number of beads
Kannon Grand Festival Hyakumi memorial service
Asthma sealed loofah
Ohara Woman Festival
Hatsuuma Festival, radish burning
New Year 8,000 pieces Daigoma offering
Sagicho
Sudo Shrine Grand Festival
Kuta Hanagasa Dance
Fudo Grand Festival Opening Light Daigoma offering

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