Deep in the contryside, Ohara,

 In Autumn, Japanese tourists flock here to enjoy Autumn leaves. 
 But in summer, not so many people come here.

Ohara is a little away from the center of the city. From the bus stop, let's walk in the field. Ohara area produce nice pickles called Shibazuke using red-shiso herb.

If you come here in the right season, you will see it. It is also used to make Umeboshi, or pickled plum, which is often used as a filling of onigiri!!

Let's keep walking in the contryside.

You will encounter such scenery, unlike the downtown.

And if you are lucky, you can chat with farmers.

15min walk brings you here.

Very quiet place.

It is Jakko-in temple, a nunnery.

In 12th century, the last part of the era of aristocracy, a daughter of the man in power as a samurai was in the sea battle. And at last moment of the battle, her family including her jumped into the sea.

All her family but her died in the sea. However, she was saved by the opponent.

She was the only survivor.

Her life was dramatic, She got married to the Emperor, and got a baby boy who became the Emperor too. But later, she lost all her family including her son.

She must have been so shocked and in despair. She moved here away from Kyoto and deep in the countryside where nobody visited her.

She spent the rest of her life just mourning her family.

One day, her father-in-law, the retired Emperor, Goshirakawa, visited her. When he arrived, he was very surprised to know that she lived so far away in the desolate place.

Please visit here imagining her life.

Jakko-in temple

From Kyoto station, Take Kyoto bus 17（not a city bus ) for Ohara.

From the final bus stop, 15 min walk.

Entrance fee 600 yen/person