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Amazing bamboo, the charms of NW Kyoto Prefecture, Kansai Science City

A bamboo grove can be so many things in Japan!

This post begins with something new in Kyoto that will appeal to shutterbugs or photography fans: the Leica Gallery Kyoto.

Though it's hard to believe, the location of the Leica Gallery Kyoto is right in the heart of Kyoto's world famous Gion geisha district (made even more famous by Athur Golden's 1997 bestseller novel, Memoirs of a Geisha, which became a major Hollywood movie in 2005; my daughter was Mr Golden's Japanese teacher in 2022!).

Kyoto’s Leica Store is right on Hanamikoji street, which runs through the very heart of the Gion district (Kyoto has 5 geisha or geiko districts). The gallery is on the 2nd floor of the building, a century-old teahouse or chaya. You could walk right by and not have clue what's behind the entrance noren curtains (emblazoned with the Leica red dot logo!).

The ground floor is full of Leica cameras displayed on bright red shelves as if they were works of art. The rest of the room is subdued and simple as all teahouses are.

On the second floor you enter an all-wood patina-rich world full of stunning photographic images by famous photographers like Ihei Kimura, Shinya Fujiwara and Saul Leiter. Even if you don't like cameras you will be blown away by the impact of this contemporary world set in the surroundings of ancient Japanese architectural aesthetics.

Details: https://leica-camera.com/ja-JP/Leica-Galleries/Leica-Gallery-Kyoto .

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Content by Ian Martin Ropke, owner of Your Japan Private Tours (est. 1990). I have been planning, designing, and making custom Japan private tours on all five Japanese islands since the early 1990s. I work closely with Japan private tour clients and have worked for all kinds of families, companies, and individuals since 1990. Clients find me mostly via organic search, and I advertise my custom Japan private tours & travel services on www.japan-guide.com, which has the best all-Japan English content & maps in Japan! If you are going to Japan and you understand the advantages of private travel, consider my services for your next trip. And thank you for reading my content. I, Ian Martin Ropke (unique on Google Search), am also a serious nonfiction and fiction writer, a startup founder (NexussPlus.com), and a spiritual wood sculptor. Learn more!

The old & new wonders of bamboo

Bamboo has played a important part in Japanese civilization from the very beginning. An incredibly hard and versatile material, there is almost nothing you can’t do with bamboo. Today, it is still used for everything from building construction, landscaping structures and food delicacy (bamboo shoots) to food wrapping, tea ceremony utensils, and high-end woven baskets (mostly on the island of Kyushu). Bamboo has also proven to be a useful material when turned to charcoal or ground into powder. Learn more!

Bamboo powder's amazing properties: Bamboo powder was traditionally used to great effect in the stalls of horses, because of its soft cushioning effect and its exceptional antibacterial properties. Horses housed in such stalls just didn’t get sick very often. Bamboo powder, compared to soil or sand, is lighter, absorbs water exceptionally well and acts simultaneously as a deodorant, antiseptic and insect repellent. Because of these properties, bamboo powder has many useful applications. It can be used to prevent weeds from growing wildly in gardens. It can also be used as a highly useful material for road and building construction. Recently, it has even been used with excellent results in garbage recycling machines. Bamboo powder tea and aromatherapy products have also yielded excellent results.

Takehei Shoten: Now in their 4th generation, Takehei Shoten is known by many as Japan's bamboo specialist. They stock about 100 different kinds of specialty bamboo, ranging from the standard to the very exotic. Takehei also exports bamboo materials overseas (mainly to antique dealers, interior decorators, landscaping specialists and architects). On the west side of Omiya, north of Gojo. Open 9:00-17:30, except Sundays and public holidays. Tel: 801-6453.

Kagoshin: This shop has been known for nearly 130 years as one of the best bamboo flower vase makers in Japan. The most elegant and expensive of these bamboo vases are made from bamboo aged and darkened by the smoke of cooking fires in old Japanese farmhouses. The shop also sells a wide variety of other bamboo objects. On the north side of Sanjo, west of Higashioji. Open 9:00-18:00, except Sundays and public holidays. Tel: 771-0209.

Rakusai Bamboo Park: Rakusai Bamboo Park, consisting of 35,000 square meters of bamboo groves surrounding an Ecological Garden, is an oasis of wonderfully landscaped bamboo and stone. Over one hundred varieties of bamboo can be seen here. The importance of bamboo in Japanese culture is communicated through exhibits of tea ceremony accoutrements, fans, and other objects used in daily life. The museum also shows how bamboo is used in traditional Japanese architecture, as well as displaying various decorative varieties, including a remarkably elegant "tortoise-shell" one. (Although there is no information in English, the displays are self-explanatory.) To get to the park take Hankyu from Shijo to Katsura Station; go out the west exit and take Nishi 3 bus and get off at Minami Fuku-nishi, and alk east for about 200 meters, take the first left, and then a right. Open 9:00-16:00. Closed Wednesdays. Free. Tel: 331-3821.

The wonders of north-western Kyoto Prefecture

A classic depiction of an oni devil or ogre used in the February Setsubun festival

Foreign tourists and foreigners who visit Japan have all heard about Kyoto long before landing. But Kyoto City is just a fragment of the wonders to be found in Kyoto Prefecture. And the area most foreign tourists completely miss is the northern coastline areas along the Japan Sea.

Did you know that Kyoto Prefecture's Chirimen Kaido (main road or highway) was used from the 16th century until the Kaya railroad was completed in 1925 to transport a particularly fine type of kimono silk known as chirimen? Chirimen from the Tango Peninsula (4 hours NW of Kyoto City) is a tough material that is hard to wrinkle. This influences the dyeing process and is the reason the dye colors are so strong.

In the old days, in the local towns, both sides of the Chirimen highway were lined with all kinds of shops, and the streets were busy with rickshaws, creating an exciting, bustling atmosphere. Today, a number of old homes and shops remain along a 1.3 km-long preserved section. As you pass along this street, you can still hear the soothing sounds of chirimen weaving looms Walking here, it is easy to imagine the charming culture of Kaya Town’s colorful past and how people lived in those days. Despite the great changes of modern times, local people continue to study new textile styles as they protect and preserve this exquisite traditional industry.

The Tango Peninsula's picture-perfect coastal villages

Ine’s Funaya: Funaya literally means boathouse (for storing fishing boats). Generally, the funaya of the village of Ine on the coast of the Tango Peninsula (in northwestern Kyoto Prefecture) were used for drying fishing nets and equipment. In the old days, the upper structure had only one story (to keep it cool) and a simple thatched roof. From the middle of the Edo period (1600-1867), the upper story, under the roof, was also used for living, etc. Tile instead of thatch appeared from the middle of the Meiji period (1868-1912) onwards. By the early Showa period (1926-1989), most funaya had become normal two-story (full story) homes. Some of them were called wakashuyado (where wakashu means young people, and yado means inn) because the second floor was used for fishermen to sleep and relax in when they were not working. Today, Ine’s funaya are still used much in the same way as they always have been. The open area under the floor of ground floor is still used to store boats. The first floor is used for boat storage, as a workshop, a place to dry fish, and for farm product storage and so on. The first floor also usually has a bathroom, and a living room facing the sea. The second floor is used for the family to live or for guests or, occasionally, as an inn. For a great seaside experience visit the village of Ine, and see the world of the funaya. Ine-cho Tourist Information Center: 0772-32-0277.

Funayanosato Park: This combination park and service station is an attractive place to stop in. The park has excellent views of Ine Bay and the surrounding coastline, as well as fine views of a number of funaya. It is also an excellent place to buy fresh fish, souvenirs, get area information, or stretch your legs in the botanical garden on the hill behind the service area. Info: 0772-32-0680.

Urashima Shrine Ennensai Festival (3/17): This shrine is connected with one of Japan’s most famous Japanese legends, the Urashima Densetsu. This story has been passed from generation to generation since the seventh century. The story begins with a man who while fishing in the sea meets a sea princess who invites him to join her in her paradise under the sea. He agrees to go with her and is taken to her paradise on a giant sea turtle. After three wonderful years with the princess and other sea dieties, he becomes homesick and returns to his village with a gift from the princess, a box with her spirit in it that he is not supposed to open. When he arrives home, he realizes three years in paradise is actually equal to 300 years on earth. His village is unrecognizable and so is he. Suddenly, he misses the princess and opens the box. Her spirit returns and he ages 300 years in an instant and dies. The box is still at this shrine. The shrine holds a festival every year in connection with the Urashima Densetsu. As part of the festival, the shrine is decorated with flowers, special wooden balls and rice bags. Prayers are held for longevity, good matches in marriage and a rich harvest. Happiness sticks are prayed over and scattered to the people that come to the festival. The ritual begin at 9:00; the festival lasts from 10:00 to 12:30. Noh theatre will be performed from 11:40 to 12:30. Info: 0772-33-0721.

Legendary Amanohashidate: Probably the biggest attraction in Miyazu is Amanohashidate, regarded as one of the three most beautiful places in Japan, a 3.6-km long, white-sand land bridge covered with 8,000 exquisite Japanese pine trees. Wonderful views of Amano Hashidate can be had from Takigami Mountain Observatory (above Takigami Park), and Hiryukan (on the ridge; accessible by cable lift). The area is also well known for its high-quality fresh seafood. From the late 15th to the late 19th century, Miyazu was a strategically important castle town and harbor, and also the center of the famous chirimen silk industry. Because of its special history, many traditional old houses, and excellent seaside scenes remain in most of the preserved areas of the city.

Notable Amanoshidate area highlight spots

Mikami House: Mikami House is a traditional home, with bright white plaster walls and fine lattice-covered windows. It is just one of the well-preserved traditional homes in the area. Others include Imabayashi House (a former silk thread wholesaler), and Fukuroya (a soy sauce maker that has been in business for over 300 years).

Nariai-ji Temple Nariai-ji Temple (accessible by cable car or mountain bus) dates from 704, and has a famous Goddess of Mercy statue; it offers fantastic views over the sea and the surrounding area.

Chion-ji Temple Chion-ji Temple, known for its Monju Bosatsu Buddhist statue (a symbol of wisdom), attracts students from all over the country hoping to get into the school of their choice.

Tango's Mount Oe oni demon stronghold

You might have heard about Japanese oni, the demons or ogres of Japanese folklore. Oni are typically portrayed as ferocious creatures with horns and sharp fangs. The international release of the hit Japanese anime (animated film or cartoon) Demon Slayer has created a whole new class of oni ogre fans across the globe.

Kyoto Prefecture is best known across all of Japan for its oni history. The Oeyama or Mount Oe area in the northern part of Kyoto prefecture is often called "oni country." And there are all kinds of places around the mountain soaked with oni legend.

In ancient times people were constantly at the mercy of natural disasters and plagues. Like most societies in the ancient world, the malevolent forces of nature were transformed into creatures and phenomena with great supernatural powers. Oni demon myths arose to give a face to disaster.

However, Japanese oni as purely evil beings only covers part of how these ogres are interpreted. In the Japanese Middle Ages oni were believed to be mortals that had been transformed by overwhelming anger or sorrow. In other stories, oni are guardian deities that protect humans from evil. For this reason, many of Japan's oldest festivals and rituals feature oni. The Japanese language is littered with references to oni. The game of tag that Japanese kids play is called oni-gokko. Here are just a few of the oni places and stories set in the NW regions of Kyoto Prefecture.

Shutendoji Slaying: In the 10th century an oni called Shutendoji was kidnapping Kyoto imperial princesses and imprisoning them deep in the mountains of Oeyama. Shutendoji was described as being fifteen meters tall with five horns and fifteen eyes. Finally, the emperor sent a band of oni-killers, led by a warrior called Raiko, to slay Shutendoji. Oni love rice wine and so the band of killers lured Shutendoji with poisoned sake and beheaded him. The giant By the 14th century Oeyama’s famous oni became wild characters in Noh plays (and later Kabuki plays).

The story of Hikoimasu-no-kimi: More than two thousand years ago during Emperor Sujin's reign, the emperor’s younger brother, Hikoimasu-no-kimi, was dispatched to kill a giant demon spider called Kugamimi-no-mikasa. They fought near the Yura River and the spider escaped and fled to Oeyama.

The story of Prince Maroko: In the late 6th century, three oni were terrorizing the Oeyama region. Prince Maroko was ordered by the emperor to pacify these oni. He was successful! This oni legend is woven into countless place names, temples, and shrines in the Oeyama area.

The Futasegawa Gorge: The Futasegawa Gorge at the foot of Mt. Oe is stunningly beautiful, and the area is home to many oni-related sites, which can be explored via a walking path around the gorge. Futasegawa Gorge can be crossed on a giant suspension bridge called the Shindoji Bridge. On some days, as darkness sets in, you can easily imagine oni on the loose just around the corner!

Oeyama homebrewed sake: Mount Oe is also home to a local specialty rice wine known as doburoku. Oeyama's Kehara district is well-known for its terraced rice fields and doburoku microbreweries. One brand is known as Onibaba (“oni hag”) Unlike regular sake, doburoku is unfiltered and cloudy.

Kansai Science City on borders of Osaka, Nara and Kyoto

Keihanna Science City (officially known as the Kansai Science City) is nestled in the green Keihanna hills that connect the prefectures of Kyoto, Osaka and Nara. This huge scientific and technological research city (over 15,000 hectares in area) is about 30 km from the center of Kyoto City and Osaka City, and less than 10 km north of Nara City. There are more than 150 research facilities, including universities and cultural facilities in the precinct of Kansai Science City.

A visit to southern Kyoto Prefecture in the area around Seika Town, Kizu Town and Kyotanabe City will quickly open your eyes to the amazing future Kansai is creating now. If you want to see the "future of Japan," spend a day at Kansai Science City with your family (great for kids!).

Keihanna Plaza: This vast community center for worldwide scientific exchange has conference facilities (a 1000-seat and a 300-seat hall), a hotel, and restaurants and bars. The world’s largest sun dial, is located in front of the plaza. Details: https://www.keihanna-plaza.co.jp/english/ .

Keihanna Commemorative Park: Featuring a huge Japanese garden, stressing symbiosis with nature, and 500 incredible garden stones, this garden is highly popular for its plum blossoms in February. Details: https://keihanna-park.net/en/ .

The Kids’ Science Museum of Photons: Cutting-edge research related to light is introduced in this museum. The building is divided into 4 sections including a theatre with computer graphic images on a rounded-screen. This is the place to take the kids for a trip into the fast evolving world of light science (including live experiments and demos). Details: https://www.qst.go.jp/site/qst-english/ .

Content by Japan travel specialist & designer Ian Martin Ropke, founder & owner of Your Japan Private Tours (YJPT, est. 1990). I have been planning, designing, and making custom Japan private tours on all five Japanese islands since the early 1990s. I work closely with all of YJPT's Japan private tour clients and have a great team behind me. I promote YJPT through this content and only advertise at www.japan-guide.com, which has the best all-Japan English content & maps! If you are going to Japan and you understand the advantages of private travel, consider my services for your next trip to save time & have a better time. Ian Martin Ropke (unique on Google Search) is also a serious nonfiction and fiction writer, a startup founder (NexussPlus.com), and a spiritual wood sculptor. Learn more!