No matter how many times you visit, you can always discover new charms in Kyoto.

Premium Japan will be introducing fascinating experiences and places in Kyoto that many people may not yet know about, organized by theme.

Kyoto Prefecture and Kyoto City have also launched the "All Kyoto" initiative to promote tourism in the surrounding areas of "Another Kyoto" (four areas: Seaside Kyoto, Forest Kyoto, Tea Kyoto, and Bamboo Village/Otokuni) and "The Best of Kyoto" (six areas: Fushimi, Ohara, Takao, Yamashina, Saikyo, and Keihoku).

Why not go on a trip where you can experience all that Kyoto has to offer?

This time, Premium Japan will introduce five recommended spots where you can experience art under three themes: experiencing art, enjoying history with art, and art surrounded by nature.

[An experiential art gallery where you can learn through touch]

Experience traditional Japanese crafts such as spinning, dyeing and weaving, and create your own unique piece of work.
"Ohara Workshop"

A spinning and weaving workshop in Sanzenin Temple, Ohara. It is a rare place where you can take classes in spinning, dyeing, and weaving in the beautiful natural surroundings of fields. Spinning is the process of turning cotton into thread on a spinning wheel.
The course consists of 12 sessions in total, but can be tailored to suit your schedule, whether that be for half a day or several days.

The dyeing process uses indigo grown in the fields and plants harvested in the surrounding area. It takes several hours to dye fabrics such as handkerchiefs, scarves, and table centers, while it takes several days to dye threads such as cotton, linen, and silk.
Weaving involves selecting threads, putting them on a loom, and weaving the fabric. Scarves and placemats can be completed in one day, while shawls and clothing fabrics can be completed in two to three days. For those who don't have much time, the studio can also accommodate requests for dyeing and weaving. Many cloth products made in the studio, such as hats, bags, scarves, and jackets, are also on display.

In addition, materials such as thread and cloth used for dyeing and weaving are also sold.
The beauty of the colors of plant dyes, the warmth of traditional handicrafts, and the joy of making your own items are exceptional. There is no doubt that your trip will be even more enriched.

◆Ohara Studio

[Address] 327 Ohara Kusaocho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City
[TEL] 075-744-3138
[Business hours] 9:00~17:00
[Regular holiday] Wednesday
[Course fees] Varies depending on the course.
[Access] 10 minutes on foot from "Ohara" on Kyoto Bus 16, 17, 5

Learn about the history and manufacturing process of Kurotani Washi paper, an intangible cultural property designated by Kyoto Prefecture
"Kurotani Washi Hall"

Kurotani washi paper, made in Kurotani in the northern part of Ayabe City, is an intangible cultural property designated by Kyoto Prefecture with a history of 800 years.
It is said that defeated warriors of the Heike clan hid here and began making washi paper to make a living.
Kurotani washi paper is carefully hand-made one sheet at a time using high-quality paper mulberry, making it extremely durable and suitable for long-term preservation, so it is also used in the restoration of cultural properties.

At the Kurotani Washi Hall, you can learn about the history and production methods of Kurotani washi paper by touring the workshop and reference room, and if you make a reservation, you can even try your hand at papermaking.
There is also a sales corner for Japanese paper and Japanese paper products, where you can purchase high-quality letter paper, envelopes, business cards, and more.

The surrounding natural environment is wonderful, with the sounds of the Kurotani River flowing through the valley and the cries of the stags, and in autumn the maple and ginkgo trees turn beautiful red. The time you spend handling the one-of-a-kind Kurotani washi paper while being soothed by nature will be a lasting memory.

◆Kurotani Washi Hall

[Address] 3 Higashitani, Kurotani-cho, Ayabe-shi, Kyoto
[TEL] 0773-44-0213
[Opening hours] 10:00-17:00
[Closed] Mondays, national holidays, Obon, New Year's and New Year's holidays
[Access] From the south exit of JR Sanin Main Line Ayabe Station, take the Aya Bus Kurotani Line and get off at "Kurotani Washi Kaikan-mae" bus stop. It's a 2-minute walk

[A themed gallery that touches on Kyoto's unique history]

Experience the world of "The Tale of Genji"
"The Tale of Genji Museum"

This museum opened in Uji City in 10. It is located on the banks of the Uji River and has an impressive modern exterior. The Tale of Genji consists of XNUMX chapters, and the last XNUMX chapters are mainly set in Uji, and are known as the "Uji Ten Chapters."
This museum introduces the world of "The Ten Chapters of Uji" in an easy-to-understand way through sound and lighting effects.

In addition to a scale model of Rokujo-in, the residence of Hikaru Genji, there are also interesting life-size reproductions of vehicles and furnishings used by Heian aristocrats, such as ox carriages, folding screens, and lighthouses.
Original animations and other works are screened in the video exhibition room, and there is also a fully-equipped library with over 4,500 books related to the Tale of Genji.

After viewing the exhibits, you can enjoy shopping at the museum shop and take a break in the cafe corner. Lectures are held regularly, providing opportunities to learn more about the appeal of The Tale of Genji, its historical background, and the culture of the time.

This museum is worth visiting even if you're not a fan of The Tale of Genji, as it is packed with things to see and allows you to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the Heian period.

◆The Tale of Genji Museum

[Address] 45-26 Uji Higashiuchi, Uji City, Kyoto Prefecture
[TEL] 0774-39-9300
URL
Opening hours: 9:00~17:00 (entry until 16:30)
Closed on Mondays (or the following day if Monday is a public holiday)
Admission fee: Adults 600 yen, Children 300 yen
Access: Approximately 8 minutes on foot from Uji Station on the Keihan Uji Line, approximately 15 minutes on foot from Uji Station on the JR Nara Line

Enjoy sake history and tasting at one of Japan's leading sake producing areas
"Gekkeikan Okura Memorial Museum"

Fushimi in Kyoto is one of Japan's leading sake-producing areas. The white-walled storehouses of sake breweries that can be seen from Horikawa River, which was the outer moat of Fushimi Castle, the base of Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Tokugawa Ieyasu, are a symbol of this area.
The area is also dotted with historical sites such as Teradaya, where Sakamoto Ryoma stayed, and Gokonomiya Shrine.

The Gekkeikan Okura Memorial Museum introduces the history of Gekkeikan, which was founded here in 14, as well as Fushimi sake brewing and the culture of sake.
There are two exhibition rooms, and the South Exhibition Room displays Gekkeikan's historical materials.
In particular, the achievements of Okura Tsunekichi, the 11th head of the family who brought Gekkeikan to nationwide fame, are highlighted.
In the North Exhibition Room, ancient sake brewing equipment is on display, allowing visitors to understand the process.

Approximately 6000 pieces of Gekkeikan sake brewing equipment have been designated as tangible folk cultural properties by the city of Kyoto, and here you can see some representative examples.

After viewing the exhibits, enjoy a tasting at the sake tasting area. There is also a shop attached to the museum, which is popular for its limited edition sake that can only be purchased at the museum.

Gekkeikan Okura Memorial Museum

[Address] 247 Minamihama-cho, Fushimi-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
[TEL] 075-623-2056
[Opening hours] 9:30~16:30 (reception until 16:00)
[Closed] Bon Festival, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, special closing days
[Admission fee] 20 years old and over 600 yen, 13-19 years old 100 yen, 12 years old and under free
*Those aged 20 and over will receive a tasting of three types of sake, and those aged 3 and over will receive a souvenir.
[Access] 5 minutes on foot from Chushojima Station on the Keihan Main Line, 10 minutes on foot from Momoyama-Goryo-Mae Station on the Kintetsu Kyoto Line

[Enjoy art surrounded by nature]

Tadao Ando's architecture, Monet's Water Lilies series, and Mingei masterpieces lined up
"Asahi Group Oyamazaki Villa Museum of Art"

The Oyamazaki Villa, built by Kansai businessman Shotaro Kaga from the Taisho to early Showa periods, was restored to its original appearance and a new wing designed by Tadao Ando was added, opening in 1996. The museum has a collection of around 1,000 pieces, including paintings, ceramics, crafts and sculptures.

The most noteworthy work is the series of masterpieces by Impressionist master Claude Monet, "Water Lilies."

The museum also has a large collection of works from the Mingei movement, which was supported by Yamamoto Tamesaburo, the first president of Asahi Breweries (now Asahi Group Holdings). Ceramics by Kawai Kanjiro and Hamada Shoji, who started the Mingei movement with Yanagi Muneyoshi and others, and Bernard Leach, who was also active in Japan and incorporated traditional techniques from both the East and the West, are on display.

Oyamazaki Villa also has great cultural value as a Western-style mountain villa, and in 2004 the main museum building and other buildings were registered as tangible cultural properties by the nation.
In the 5,500mXNUMX garden, you can enjoy cherry blossoms in the spring, water lilies in early summer, maple and ginkgo leaves in the fall, and camellias in the winter, so you can have a fulfilling time no matter when you visit.
Exhibitions are also held regularly. Currently, the "Andrew Wyeth Exhibition from the Marunuma Art Forest Collection" is being held (until December 12th).

◆ Asahi Group Oyamazaki Villa Museum of Art

[Address] 5-3 Zenihara, Oyamazaki-cho, Otsu District, Kyoto Prefecture
[TEL] 075-957-3123
[Opening hours] 10:00-17:00 (entrance until 16:30)
[Closed] Mondays (or the following Tuesday if Monday is a public holiday), New Year's and New Year's holidays *May be closed on special days
[Admission Fee] Adults: Varies depending on the exhibition High school and university students: 500 yen (tax included) Junior high school students and younger: Free
[Access] About 10 minutes walk from Yamazaki Station on the JR Kyoto Line or Oyamazaki Station on the Hankyu Kyoto Line
*Free shuttle bus available