What is Ohara?
Located in northeast Kyoto, Ohara is a quiet area with plenty of beautiful nature in a mountain valley. Since the temples and tourist spots are grouped close together, one of its good points is that once you reach the area, you can tour around on foot. Along with the famous Sanzen-in Temple in Ohara, there are a number of other spots that we recommend.
Hosen-in Temple, where traces of samurai battles remain on the ceiling
There are many places to see at Hosen-in, with the appearance of 700-year-old Japanese white pine trees taking on the shape of Mt. Omi-Fuji, designated as Natural Monuments, being overwhelming. The ceiling of the open corridor is called the “Ceiling of Blood” because it consists of planks that used to be the floor boards on which warriors had committed ritual suicide before the Battle of Sekigahara. They were made to be part of the ceiling as a memorial tribute. The bamboo garden that looks like a painting within the frame of pillars is wonderful. There are also sukinkutsu earthen jars from which you can enjoy the sound of water drops falling from bamboo pipes. Matcha tea and Japanese confections are provided so you can also enjoy a leisurely time there.
Jikko-in Temple, where unique cherry trees blossom from fall to spring
In the garden of Jikko-in Temple, a type of unique cherry tree called donarium can be seen blossoming from fall to spring. In late autumn, the collaboration of maple and cherry trees with their colors makes for scenery that distinguishes Jikko-in. And the garden that makes use of the surrounding mountains and persimmons is even more fascinating.
Otonashi-no-Taki Waterfall, the legend of the sound of the water falling silent when praying to Buddha
There is a beautiful waterfall 3 to 4 meters in height further beyond Raigo-in Temple on a mountain road. When Ryonin, who had rebuilt Raigo-in, was practicing chanting while praying to Buddha, the chanting synchronized with the sound of the water and canceled that sound out, thereby leading to the naming of the waterfall as “Otonashi-no-Taki” (silent waterfall).