Ohara
Ohara, Kyoto
Ohara is a valley in the hills north-east of Kyoto, and the main sight is Sanzen-in, a Tendai temple. Its Yusei-en garden is moss under cedar and cypress, with small stone jizo figures grown over with the same moss. The Ojo-gokuraku-in hall has a ceiling shaped like the bottom of a boat, raised to fit the big Amida triad inside.
Insider tip
Kyoto Bus 17 from Kyoto Station takes about an hour to the Ohara stop, then it's a 10-minute walk. It's quicker to take the Karasuma Line to Kokusaikaikan (about 20 minutes) and Kyoto Bus 19 from there (about 22). Sanzen-in costs ¥700.
What the guides say about Ohara
19. Know the three peaks. Kyoto's tourism association says the biggest crowds come in cherry blossom season (late March to early April), autumn leaf season (mid-November to early December) and mid-July, for the Gion Matsuri. Check its Kyoto Travel Congestion Forecast and live cameras before you set out. It says the outskirts get fewer people even in leaf season, and it singles out six outlying areas, Ohara and Takao among them (see the day trips guide).
Tickets and tours
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What's on near Ohara
Upcoming events within a ten-minute walk of Ohara, from the weekly Kyoto events calendar.
Hatsuuma Daikon-daki radish ritual at Sanzen-in
初午大根焚き法要（三千院）
Hatsuuma Daikon-daki radish prayer service at Sanzen-in in Ohara, held 10 to 14 February.
Star Offering Service at Sanzen-in
星供（星まつり）
Time 11:00 Station Ohara bus stop
An esoteric Buddhist rite at 11:00 on 28 February. All doors of the Shinden are closed to darkness and candles are lit to make a starry sky over the altar.
Fudo Taisai at Sanzen-in
不動大祭（三千院）
Time Opening goma 09:00 on first day; 28 Apr goma 11:00 Station Ohara bus stop (Kyoto Bus 17, 18), 10 min walk
For about a month, Sanzen-in opens its Golden Fudo Myoo image to the public, with an opening goma fire ritual on the first day, a special goma on 28 April, free zenzai that day, a children's lottery on 3 to 6 May and a closing goma on the last day.
Nearby
Good to know
- How do I get to Ohara?
- The nearest station is Ohara bus stop (Kyoto Bus 17, 19). Ohara is in Ohara, Kyoto.
- How much does Ohara cost?
- Ohara is cheap, marked ¥ on the site's price scale.
- How long do you need at Ohara?
- Plan for half day.
- When is the best time to visit Ohara?
- Autumn.
Stay near Ohara
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