Ohara

Ohara is a tranquil rural village in the mountains north of Kyoto, about an hour (20 kilometers) from Kyoto Station by bus. In addition to several fine temples, the village is perfect for leisurely strolling.

[Ohara countryside village]

Ohara Area Description

Sandwiched between the Hira-san-kei Mountains to the east and the Kitayama Mountains to the west, Ohara is a lovely valley that retains some of the rural charm that many visitors to Japan seek. The highlight is the superb Sanzen-in Temple, but there are also several smaller temples scattered about.

Ohara Highlights

• Sanzen-in Temple
• Jakko-in Temple

[Sanzen-in Temple: john901 / Shutterstock.com]

Things To Do And See In Ohara

• Sanzen-in Temple
  Sanzen-in is easily one of the best daytrips out of Kyoto — a superb collection of Buddhist images hidden up in the hills north of the city.

[Jakko-in Temple: anju901 / Shutterstock.com]

• Jakko-in
  Ohara’s second major attraction is the intimate temple of Jakko-in, which is reached by an impossibly scenic walk through the traditional village of Ohara.

Places To Stay In Ohara

• Japanese Ryokan Seryo
  (View on Agoda.com)
  Seryo is a beautiful ryokan located just outside the main gate of Sanzen-in Temple in the picturesque village of Ohara, 30 minutes north of Kyoto by bus or taxi. It’s a fantastic place to sample the ryokan experience without having to travel far.
• Minshuku Ohara Sanso
  (View on Agoda.com)
  If you’re looking for a relaxing place to stay in the countryside, but within easy striking distance of Kyoto, you’ll be very happy at Ohara Sanso, up in the quaint village of Ohara.

Getting To Ohara

• By bus from Kyoto Station: Take Kyoto bus #17 or #18 (one hour, ¥580). Note: board a tan Kyoto bus, not a green Kyoto city bus.
• By bus from Sanjo-Keihan Station: Take Kyoto bus #16 or #17 (45 minutes, ¥470). Note: board a tan Kyoto bus, not a green Kyoto city bus.

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