Discover a Quiet and Peaceful side of Kyoto
The Kibune area, a popular summer retreat, is located about 30 minutes from central Kyoto and features restaurants along the river that offer *kawadoko* dining—meals served on platforms built over the flowing water.
Kifune Shrine, dedicated to the deity of water, is considered one of the oldest shrines in Kyoto.
Location
After leaving Sanzen-in Temple in Ohara and crossing the bridge over the Ritsu River, you will find Shorin-in Temple.
This temple is the birthplace of *Tendai Shomyo* (Buddhist chanting), which is considered the origin of Japanese music; it was established as a training ground for the Tendai sect’s *Nembutsu* practices involving this chanting. In the main hall, you can listen to *Shomyo* by pressing a button.
Nearby, there is also a stone known as the “Sitting Stone” of the priest Honen.
Location
Sanzen-in is a Tendai sect temple located in Ohara, Sakyo Ward—about a 30-minute drive from central Kyoto—yet it is enveloped in tranquility, and the garden of cedar trees and moss spreading out before the Ojo Gokuraku-in Hall is truly beautiful.
Location
Myoman-ji Temple is located in the Iwakura area of Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, and is famous for its “Snow Garden” (*Yuki no Niwa*). This is a dry landscape garden designed by Matsunaga Teitoku—considered the father of *haikai* poetry—and it offers a beautiful view that incorporates the snow-capped Mount Hiei as “borrowed scenery.”
Location
Ninna-ji Temple is famous for its late-blooming “Omuro cherry blossoms,” but the fresh greenery of early summer is also stunningly beautiful.
The temple grounds offer a serene atmosphere, with the fresh foliage and the five-story pagoda creating a truly beautiful scene.
On this particular day, special effects—such as the use of smoke—added an even more mystical air to the setting.
