Travel north from Kyoto Station to Ohara, where people go when they want to escape the noise of the city and crowds. While technically part of Kyoto, Ohara is known as a rural village, with many farms, festivals and plenty of fresh produce to enjoy. Let’s go!
Ohara Kyoto in Autumn
Travel to Ohara and spend an entire day exploring! There are many local specialties and places to see. In autumn, the orange and green leaves are lit by the sunlight, and the fresh air of the mountain forests is rejuvenating. It’s both a pleasure for your eyes and your other senses.
Kyoto Ohara Sanzen-in
One of the top spots to escape the summer heat of central Kyoto, Sanzen-in Temple is also a popular place to visit in Ohara for autumn garden viewing. There are three gardens; Shuheki-en with its carp pond, Yusei-en, and Jigen, among the many scenic spots in the temple where you can sit down and rest or meditate.
The Ojo Gokuraku-in Hall is one of the oldest buildings at Sanzen-in Temple. It houses the gilded wooden statue of Amida Buddha flanked by two kneeling attendant deities, Kannon and Seishi, a national treasure carved in 1148.
In the first half of July, you can see hydrangeas in bloom during the Ajisai Matsuri.
Information
- Name: Sanzen-in Monzeki
- Street address: 540 Raigoin-cho, Ōhara, Sakyō, Kyōto, Kyoto 601-1242
- Access: Take the Kyoto Bus bound for Ohara, Kodeishi, departing from bus stop C3 in front of Kokusaikaikan Station. (23 minutes). Approximately 10-minute walk from Ohara bus stop to Sanzen-in. Visiting hours: From March to December 7, 8:30 am-5:00 pm , closes at 5:30pm. From December 8 to February, 9:00 am - 4:30 pm, door closes at 5:00 pm Admission fee: 700 yen for adults, 400 yen for high school and junior high school students, and 150 yen for elementary school students.
Ohara No Sato Onsen Kyoto
Take a dip in the local hot spring! Open air baths with ionized alkaline water that makes your skin smooth and healthy. Underground spring water supplies the baths. Visitors are required to make a reservation to prevent overcrowding at the onsen. The onsen is a relaxing soak while you take in the tranquil view of the green countryside. Let your aches and weariness slip away.
Entry to the onsen is free for those staying at the minshuku (pension-style family run hotel). They also limit use of the open-air bath to four people at a time so that you can experience the onsen comfortably.
Ohara No Sato Ryokan Kyoto
Minshuku Ohara no Sato is a Japanese-style minshuku near the Ohara no Sato onsen. The hot springs, bathrooms and toilets are shared. You can contact the hotel staff and request a free shuttle service to the hotel. There are two temples near the onsen, the closest is Jakko-in, just four minutes-walk away, and Sanzen-in which is around a 20-minute walk.
One night's stay at the Ohara no Sato is around 11,000 yen per night for a single guest. The package includes a delicious hot pot meal with fish and fresh vegetables. Reserve at their official site for this low price!
Information
- Name: Minshuku Ohara no Sato and Ohara no sato onsen
- Street address: 41 Ōharakusaochō, Sakyō, Kyōto, Kyōto 601-1248
- Access: From Kokusaikaikan Station, take the bus line number 19 to Ohara, Kyoto at the C3 bus stop. The first bus leaves at 7.02 am on weekdays. It is a 13-minute walk from the bus stop.
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