Walking in the countryside of Kyoto's Ohara and learning about vegetables in Kyoto, where history and nature coexist
Saturday, December 11, 2021
Ohara area (Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture)
Walking in the countryside of Kyoto’s Ohara and learning about vegetables in Kyoto, where history and nature coexist
| Overview | Kyoto’s Ohara area is a rare remote mountainous area blessed by abundant natural beauty, just about 40 minutes north of central Kyoto. It has a long history and is home to famous historic temples such as Sanzen’in, which is linked to Dengyo-daishi Saicho, and Jakkoin, where Kenreimon-in Taira no Tokuko lived a life of seclusion after being returned to the capital following the overthrow of the Heike clan in the battle of Dan-no-ura. This rural district where nature and history coexist has been chosen by the city of Kyoto as one of the districts included in the Totteoki Project Kyoto and seeks to welcome visitors as an attractive area of Kyoto that still remains largely unknown. This project involved a cleanup walk in the rural district and hands-on experience harvesting the Kyoto specialty of Horikawa burdock root, together with an expert guide to Ohara (a woman guide in traditional dress from the Ohara Preservation Association). Through the experience harvesting vegetables together with environmental conservation activities, it provided an opportunity to experience the rural environment and lifestyle and to think anew about country living. |
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| Partner organizations | Ohara Preservation Association, Kyoto Bus, Seryo Inn, Shino K.K. |
| Contact | JTB Corp. Kyoto Branch Attn.: Atsushi Omori Tel.: 075-365-7723 Closed: weekends, holidays Hours: 9:15 am - 5:45 pm |
Comments from participants
・ Previously I had only thought of Ohara as a place in the countryside deep in the mountains. Being able to walk in the area helped me to understand its historical significance.
・ The cleanup activities while listening to the guide’s talk helped me to feel closer to this area in a new way.
・ I was surprised by how big the vegetables were in Ohara. I also was glad to be able to hear the lecture on the secrets behind the delicious taste of Ohara vegetables from the chairperson of the Ohara Preservation Association.
・ I enjoyed the experience harvesting daikon and Ohara burdock root. I was very happy to be able to take some vegetables home as souvenirs.
・ It was an enjoyable day in which I was able to get to know local people while also contributing to society.
Comments from a partner organization
While Ohara is best known to many people for its famous temples, such as Sanzen’in and Jakkoin, in fact for historical reasons it has an appeal that differs completely from that of central Kyoto, including its cuisine, vegetables, and rural atmosphere. We hope that this opportunity to meet participants and let them experience harvesting vegetables in the countryside, through cleanup activities under the JTB Brighter Earth Project, will help to spread the news about the new attractions of Ohara. We hope you will visit us again as Ohara thrives in the future.
Comments from the staff member responsible
With the cooperation of the partner organizations in Ohara, this project had two main features: (i) cleanup activities while listening to the informative talk of a woman guide from the Ohara Preservation Association in traditional clothing and (ii) hands-on experience harvesting massive Ohara vegetables, with the cooperation of Shino K.K. The weather was lovely on the day of the event, and participants, young and old, were able to enjoy a rural walk and vegetable harvesting with smiling faces on this unseasonably warm day. The chance to meet with local people, who welcomed us warmly, was another valuable experience.
