Kibune (貴船), a calm and tranquil town in the northern part of Kyoto city, a great place to relax and enjoy the nature. Kawadoko dining in Kibune, where visitors may enjoy having meal outdoors, just slightly above the river, hearing the river flows and the sound of the forest, brings calmness to one’s soul. If dining experience is not sufficient to sooth your stressful soul, stay a night or two in the many Ryokans that can be found across the road, parallel to the river.
Kibune, A Tranquil Little Town North of Kyoto
In the northern part of Kyoto, within a forested valley with a river running across it, a small and quiet town named Kibune, lies hidden in between the 2 mountains of Kibuneyama and Mount Kurama.
Being not really that far from the main Kyoto city, about 18km apart but still accessible using public transport, Kibune is a tranquil location, centered within the area of the Kifune shrine, a number of visitors and travelers make half-to-full day trip to this little town.
Kifune Shrine in Kibune
Kifune Shrine (貴船神社, the writing is same to Kibune, but pronounced as Kifune) is a Shinto shrine located in Kibune, which based on beliefs of the Japanese people, the shrine is strongly dedicated to their protector of those at the sea, the god of water and rain.
Legend has it mentioned that a long time ago, about 1600 years back, a goddess with the name Princess Tamayori (玉依姫尊) appeared on a particular yellow boat in Osaka Bay, and told the people to build a shrine at the place where the boat will stop at.
From bay, the boat had travelled up the Yodo river (淀川), going upstream and came to a complete stop at the present site of the Kifune Shrine, where it is said the boat still remains to these days, within Okunomiya, the inner sanctum of the original site of the Kifune Shrine, buried under a large rock, known as the boat stone.
Spot Information
- Spot name: Kifune Shrine
- Street address: 180 Kuramakibunecho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto 601-1112
- Access1: 4 minutes on bus from Kibuneguchi station (to Kifune Bus Stop)
- Access2: 7 minutes-walk from Kifune Bus Stop
Kawadoko in Kibune
One of the interesting things to be experienced by fellow tourists and visitors is the dining experience known as “Kawadoko (川床)”. Kawadoko can only be experienced during the summer time, from May to September. Kawadoko is an outdoor dining experience.
What is so special about Kawadoko? Being a remote town within a valley, a stream named Kibune River flows along the valley, the river provides a beautiful scenery of nature to be enjoyed while having your meal.
One might think, being in the summer, having to eat outdoors might be a very bad idea, but this is where Kawadoko shines. The restaurants in Kibune built a platform slightly above the river, without blocking the flow, where people will be dining on these platforms.
In short, with the river flows directly under them, the cold breeze of the river will be cooling enough to beat the heat of the summer, perhaps, you might feel a bit colder than expected.
Kibune’s Ryokan
Apart from the restaurants, along the road parallel to the Kibune River, the town is made up with many Ryokan (traditional styles Japanese-inn). Kibune is well known and popular destination during the summer, primarily due to the Kawadoko dining experience.
People who had been spending their busy life in the city, other make a retreat and take a break in Kibune for a change of pace and to enjoy the nature.
Here are some nice recommendations of Ryokans in Kibune:
Kibune Hiroya
- Street address: 56 Kuramakibunecho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto 601-1112
- Access1: About 5 minutes on bus from Kibuneguchi station (to Kifune Bus Stop)
- Access2: About 5 minutes-walk from Kifune Bus Stop
Kifune Ugenta
- Street address: 76 Kuramakibunecho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto 601-1112
- Access1: About 5 minutes on bus from Kibuneguchi station (to Kifune Bus Stop)
- Access2: About 10 minutes-walk from Kifune Bus Stop
Kibune Beniya
- Street address: 17 Kuramakibunecho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto 601-1112
- Access1: 4 minutes on bus from Kibuneguchi station (to Umemiya Bus Stop)
Comments