Yamashiro Local Information

Kizugawa City

 Coordinator for International RelationsKizugawa City, Kyoto Prefecture

Brian Lee

Introduction

My name is Brian Lee. I am from Arcadia, California in the United States. I currently work as the Coordinator for International Relations of Kizugawa City.

 

 

 

 

Kizugawa City and I

About Kizugawa City

Named after the Kizu River, Kizugawa City is on the southern tip of Kyoto Prefecture. Being a part of Kansai Science City, Kizugawa City houses several research facilities and corporations such as Omron and Rohto Pharmaceuticals. The city is abundant in nature, culture, and history. Kunikyu, the capital of Japan between 740 and 745, was located in the city. Also, among the Designated Tangible Cultural Properties in Kyoto Prefecture, many are located in Kizugawa City.

You can access Kizugawa City from Osaka and Kyoto City in about 40 minutes via Kintetsu or JR. The city has a community bus system that travels to the major tourist spots in the city. I recommend visiting the beautiful temples and the research facilities in Kizugawa City. Here are some of my favorites!

Temples

Joruriji Temple浄瑠璃寺

Joruriji Temple is named after the Rurikojodo statue in the temple’s pagoda. The nine Amida Nyorai statues are enshrined in the long main hall, andthe garden reflects the Land of Bliss. There were allegedly more than 30 similar temples around Kyoto in the Heian period. However, Joruriji Temple is the only one remaining today.

After you enter, turn left, go towards to the pagoda and pray to the Yakushi Nyorai statue. Then, go back past the pond, and pray to the Amida Nyorai statues. You will feel tranquility as if you have entered the Pure Land in Buddhism.

Access: Take the Kizugawa City Community Bus Tono Line from JR Kamo Station and get off at Joruriji-mae. You can also take the Express Bus for Joruriji Temple from JR Nara or Kintetsu Nara Station.

Address:40 Fudaba, Nishio, Kamo-cho, Kizugawa-shi, Kyoto-fu

Telephone:0774-76-2390

Kaijyusenji Temple海住山寺

One of my favorite places in Kizugawa City is Kaijyusenji Temple. Designated as a national treasure, the 5-storied pagoda was built in 1214. With the central pillar stopping at the first story, it is famous in architecture history. The pagoda was dismantled and repaired in 1962. If you look closely, it seems to have 6 stories with the decorative roof on the bottom called a mokoshi. Don’t forget to spend some time in the back of the temple. You can have a relaxing view of the area.

 

Access: Take the Kizugawa City Community Bus Okubata Line from JR Kamo Station and get off at Kaijyusenji-guchi.Kaijyusenji Temple is a 15-minute walk from the stop.

Address: 20 Kaijyusan, Reihei, Kamo-cho, Kizugawa-shi, Kyoto-fu

Telephone: 0774-76-2256

 

Research Facilities

Fukujuen CHA Yugaku Park (Japanese language only, reservation required) 福寿園CHA遊学パーク

Aiming to create new lifestyles with tea, Fukujuen CHA Yugaku Park is a facility for the research and trial production of tea. It is a place for consumers, producers, and researchers to have various encounters with tea. You can enjoy professionally prepared matcha in the beautiful Japanese tea room here.

Address: 3-1-1Saganakadai, Kizugawa-shi, Kyoto-fu

Telephone: 0774-73-1200

Sekisui House Nattoku Kobo Studio (Japanese only, reservation required)　納得工房

From knowing, learning, to understanding, Sekisui House Nattoku Kobo Studio is a place to envision and visualize the house that fits your lifestyle. You can experience designs for universal accessibility and incorporation of the Japanese sense of beauty in living space while feeling the fun and importance of housing design. After a visit to Nattoku Kobo, I’m sure you will discover ideas for your ideal house.

Address: 6-6-4 Kabutodai, Kizugawa-shi, Kyoto-fu

Telephone: 0120-710925 (toll-free)

Access: Fukujuen CHA Center and Nattoku Kobo Studio are in High Touch Research Park. It is a 15-minute walk from Yamadagawa and Takanohara Station. You can also take the Kinotsu Bus (Ki-1 or Ki-3 Line) from JR Kizu, Yamadagawa, or Takanohara Station and get off at High Touch Research Park.