Kyoto Kitayama Pumpkins

京都北山カボチャ

Every October, the Kitayama area of Kyoto hosts a pumpkin festival that has blossomed into an annual party that takes place in front of the Botanical Gardens.

The event even has its own web page.

On a visit to the area on October 31, the pumpkins were lined up a bit forlornly in front of the Botanical Gardens.

A check on the above web page confirmed that the big event had already taken place.

On October 27 and 28, the annual party and parade took place.

We are not sure what will become of the post-Halloween Jack-o-lanterns.

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Cycling Kyoto Kitayama to Kamigamo Shrine

自転車で北山から上賀茂神社へ

This week's cycling route is yet another Kitayama route.

Kitayama is a lovely area in north Kyoto and is north of downtown Kyoto.

A short bike ride north of Kitayama Subway Station, on the Kurasuma line, is Ota Shrine. This is a tiny Shinto shrine nestled against a mountain side. It is best known for its irises, which bloom in May.

From Ota Shrine, it is less than five minutes on bike to one of the city's most beautiful streets. Priests and others affiliated to Kamigamo Shrine live in large compounds behind walls that are separated from the road by a canal.

Just down the street from here is Kamigamo Shrine. Built in 678 C.E., it is a World Heritage Site and one of the oldest shrines in Kyoto. It has an expansive green lawn that is used in an annual Yabusame event - archery on horseback - during the Aoi Festival.

Back near Kitayama Station, is the elegant tree-lined boulevard Kitayama Dori. Next to the subway exit is the Kyoto Botanical Gardens. There is a small entrance fee. The land was given to the city by the Mitsui family in the 1913, and is spacious and beautiful.

Ride, Kamigamo, ride.

Information

Kamigamo Shrine
339 Motoyama, Kamigamo, Kita-ku, Kyoto
075 781 0011

Entrance Fee: Free

Ota Shrine
340 Motoyama, Kamigamo, Kita-ku, Kyoto
075-781-0907

Entrance Fee: Free

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Cycling Kyoto Kitayama to Shugakuin Villa

自転車で北山から修学院へ

This week's cycling route takes you to one of the most beautiful areas in Kyoto.

Kitayama is a swank area in north Kyoto.

Kitayama is home to great shops, the city's flashy orchestra hall, and the Kyoto Botanical Gardens.

Nearby are Entsuji Temple, founded in 1678 C.E. by Emperor Reigen, and Myomanji Temple, founded in 1389. Both have wonderful views and grounds.

The final stop is Shugakuin Imperial Villa, pictured above, a villa built in the 17th century. To enter you must get permission first from the Imperial Household Agency before you go to the villa. Do not be late; you will not be admitted.

It is breathtaking.

Ride, Shugakuin, ride.

Information

Entsuji Temple
389 Hataeda-cho, Iwakura, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto
075 781 1875

Entrance Fee: 500 yen

Shugakuin Imperial Villa
Yabusoe, Shugakuin, Sakyo-ku Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
075 211 1215

Entrance Fee: Free but a reservation is required. Please contact: Imperial Household Agency


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自転車で北山と上賀茂神社と大徳寺

自転車で北山と上賀茂神社と大徳寺へ

This route in north central Kyoto goes from Kitayama to Kamigamo Shrine. Kamoigamo is a World Heritage Site and one of the most famous places in Kyoto.

Located close to the Kamo River in the northern part of the city, it is a great, great ride.

For more information, in Japanese (with a link to an English page), here is a page on cycling northern Kyoto.

Ride Kamigamo Shrine, ride.


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Kamigamo Shrine

自転車で北山と円通寺妙と満寺と修学院と宝ヶ池

自転車で北野天満宮から平野神社へ

This route in north central Kyoto goes from Kitayama to Shugakuin. Shugakuin is one of the premiere sites in Kyoto.

It is a former royal villa, and - reservation in hand (you need to go the Imperial Palace for this) - it is a must see.

For more information, in Japanese (with a link to an English page), here is a page on cycling northern Kyoto.

Ride Shugakuin, ride.


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Kyoto Concert Hall

京都コンサートホール

In Kitayama, a fashionable area of northern Kyoto, sits the city's main concert hall.

Kyoto Concert Hall was designed by Arata Isozaki and is home to the Kyoto Symphony.

The hall is a warm and compact, and the sound quality is excellent.

It is adjacent to the city's botanical gardens.

Access

A short walk from Exit 1 of the Kitayama Subway Stop on the Karasuma Line

1-26 Hangi-cho,Shimogamo,sakyo-ku,Kyoto
TEL：075(711)2980
FAX：075(711)2955
Tickets Inquiry 075 (711) 3090 / 10:00 – 17:00

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Kitayama Canal Kyoto

北山の道

A bit east of the center of Takaragaike in Kitayama - the area where the subway exits and botanical gardens are - is a wonderful streetscape.

Until the subway was extended to Kitayama in the 1980s, it was mainly rural area in the north of Kyoto.

Now it is a chic area with the city's concert orchestra hall and many large homes.

However, prior to the arrival of the newly monied, there were older homes that were built in the 19th century. Most of them hug the base of the hills, and are wonderful farm houses set behind a moat and large wall.

The moat runs the length of the street, and thus passes in front of each home. All of the houses require a small bridge for cars and pedestrians and cyclists.

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Shirakumo Inari Shrine Kyoto

自転車で白雲稲荷神社へ

On a ride in Kitayama, we came across a small beautiful shrine nestled in the hills east of Takaragaike park.

The steps up to Shirakumo Inari Shrine were framed by maple trees ablaze in fall colors, and, on the right rear, cedar trees.

After a day at the Bike Festa - test riding 2011 bikes and checking out a lot of cool stuff we don't really need but very much wanted - the shrine was the perfect stop before a ride back towards Ninnaji Temple and home.

The shrine is below the 法 (ho) symbol carved into the hills above. This symbol is one of the giant kanji that are set ablaze every August during the Bon holidays to help guide the spirits of the departed back to the other side.

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Ring Lock Kitayama Kyoto

リングロック北山京都

At the corner of Kitayama Dori near the city's spectacular orchestra hall, we found this lime green bike.

It was your standard all-purpose bike: no gears, simple basket, and a simple ring lock.

The black lock presents a delicious contrast with the color of the frame. Added to that is the red and plain color of the key insert.

Fantastic.

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Ring Lock