Winter Wonders in Nostalgic Ohara
Quiet temples, gardens, farmers & the nostalgic life of people
Ohara is one of the most beautiful areas of Kyoto any time of the year. Although it is true that the temperature gets lower than the central part of Kyoto city and it even snows, it is a popular winter destination for the stunning red of its maples and onsen hot springs.
Besides its famous temples and rich natural environment, Ohara is also a fine example of rural Japanese living. Exploration of the area will yield numerous surprises — thatched farm houses, men and women in traditional colorful farming clothes, ancient gardens and unique settings.
Access to Ohara: Take Kyoto Bus #17 or #18 from JR Kyoto Station. It is about a 1-hour trip and the fare is ¥630. It is also possible to take Kyoto Bus #16 or #17 from the Sanjo Keihan-mae bus stop on Kawabata, south of Sanjo.
Sanzen-in Temple
The most famous place in Ohara is Sanzen-in Temple, which is famous for its trees, moss gardens and especially cool and refreshing surroundings. The approach from the
Ohara bus stop to Sanzen-in Temple is lined with shops and restaurants catering to temple visitors, and there are a number of smaller temples in the neighborhood.
Sanzenin Temple itself has large temple grounds and a variety of buildings, gardens and walking paths. Located in the middle of the moss garden, there stands the Ojo Gokuraku-in Hall, which is the oldest temple building in the precinct. The hall was first built in 985 and most recently rebuilt in 1143. It holds a statue of Amida Buddha, which is the temple’s most valued treasure. The statue of Amida is accompanied by two attendant deities, Kannon on one side and Seishi on the other.
From the Ojo Gokuraku-in Hall there is a path that leads to the back of the temple grounds, where there are a few temple buildings of more recent construction. One interesting spot has rows of miniature statues of Kannon that were donated to the temple by visitors. On the way back to the front gate stands a treasure house that displays a few more of Sanzenin’s artifacts.
Sanzen-in Temple: 9:00-16:30 (Dec.-Feb.); Admission: ¥700; www.sanzenin.or.jp
Hosen-in Temple
The highlight of Hosen-in Temple is its carefully maintained garden. The trimmed shrubs, flowering trees and mosscovered rocks stand before a bamboo grove that admit
a few glimpses of mountains in the background. The highlight of the garden is a 700-year-old pine tree, whose aged branches are held up with the help of wooden supports. Visitors are able to sip green tea while contemplating the garden from the main hall.
Hosen-in Temple: 9:00-17:00; Admission: ¥900 (including matcha green tea); www.hosenin.net
Jakko-in Temple
Jakko-in Temple lies at the top of a steep flight of stone steps. With its soft backdrop of tree-covered mountains, it seems a perfect refuge from which to contemplate the transience of existence. There is an understated elegance to the small weathered structures that punctuate the grounds.
The scale of the garden is small and intimate. The gentle sound of a waterfall resonant as it drops in three stages into a small pond. The main image housed in the Hon-do(main hall) is of Jizo Bosatsu, the guardian deity of children, and is said to have been carved in the 7th century by Prince Shotoku.
Jakko-in Temple: 9:00-16:30 (Dec.-Feb.), Jan. 1-3: 10:00-16:00; Admission: ¥600; www.jakkoin.jp
Shiba-zuke Pickles
Ohara is famous as one of the largest production areas for Kyoto’s famous pickles. There is a factory where people still continue the old hand-made way of making Japanese pickles. There is a huge shiso (a kind of Japanese herb) field behind the shop which is the principle ingredient of their pickles. The shiso are planted in spring and harvested in early July. Ohara’s climate matches this plant and almost no modification was necessary, therefore, this is what people ate more than 1,000 years ago.
Onsen Hot Spring in Ohara
Ohara no Sato is a traditional Japanese-style ryokan located in Ohara that serves fine Kyoto cuisine and offers excellent bathing. Ohara no Sato’s other specialty is a delicious miso-nabe hot pot prepared with home-made miso (salty soy bean paste). Chicken sukiyaki, yu-dofu (boiled tofu in a hotpot) and other hot pot dishes can be enjoyed at Ohara no Sato.
Seryo is a perfectly pleasant countryside getaway in Ohara. There are a total of 10 guest rooms; both western and Japanese styles are available with beautiful garden views as well as indoor and private outdoor hot spring baths. A delicious Kyoto style cuisine using the freshest of Kyoto’s ingredients from the mountains and farms will complete your day in Ohara.