Although we have just left Japan, I still have a lot of adventures to share with you here on the blog so I will continue to share these over the next few weeks, starting with Ohara…
This small farming village in the north west of Kyoto is a wonderful place to go for a quiet day out of the city. When I went the black shiso and rice were high in the fields, and the sun was high in the deep blue sky.
Ohara used to be full of thatched homes. Although most of them are now just wood, the way they are nestled together in the shadow of the mountains still gives it a particular character.
The village is home to Sanzen-in, arguably one of the most beautiful temples in Kyoto. It’s a long walk up to it – and if you are a little hot you can sample the frozen cucumbers. A healthy alternative to ice cream!
The temple has many simple but beautiful spaces…
…and Japanese garden, and a huge more Western stlye garden filled with thousands of azaleas (which must be quite a sight when they are all in bloom)…
… and they serve you shiso tea with gold leaf floating in it.
A perfect place to rest and recharge. A perfect place to get out your sketchbook. A perfect Kyoto day.
