Ohara Kyoto 🍵 Things to do as a rural village day trip from Kyoto 🍵 Kyoto to Ohara 🍵 Japan travel blog

Hi there!

 

Ohara is a village on the outskirts of Kyoto, and you can make a half day in Ohara worth it!

 

 

You might consider doing the Kurama to Kibune hike in the morning, and then Ohara in the afternoon for a day trip from Kyoto with a one day pass!

Or, if you want to dedicate a whole day to Ohara, you can also make that worth it too.

There are a few temples you can visit, and there are also a number of shops and restaurants you can stop at to further enjoy your day out away from the crowds in Kyoto.

Be ready for lots of walking – consider it a village culture walk!

 

First, the quick list of what a half day in Ohara can look like.

Then, some more pictures to see if a trip to Ohara is something you want to do!

 

 

Things to do in Ohara

 

1. Walk from Ohara bus station to Sanzen-in Temple

 

 

2. Visit Sanzen-in Temple

 

 

3. Walk from Sanzen-in Temple to Jakko-in Temple

 

 

4. Visit Jakko-in Temple

 

 

5. Walk from Jakko-in Temple to Ohara bus station

 

 

See below for more of what your Kyoto day trip can look like!

 

 

🗾

 

 

Japanese language tip

The o in Ohara is more of a long o, and you’ll place emphasis on it too.

So it’s more like oo-ha-ra. (The o is still pronounced kinda of like “oh” though, just make it long, like ohhh.)

 

 

Which direction to go?!

 

There are some signs with English on them, but then you’ll also comes across some in Ohara without English too.

Consider making sure that you know the Japanese writing of the places you’ll be going so that you’ll be able to confirm you’re going in the right direction.

It could be as simple as looking at Google Maps, as it will generally have both the English and Japanese. You might consider making a screenshot of the places on your phone for easy access.

For the top attractions around Kyoto, you’ll likely see English all around.

But for Ohara, as there are many signs with no English, you can also take this as an indication that you really are going to a place that gets less foreign tourists!

 

 

Ohara as part of one day Kyoto itinerary

I made a visit to Ohara as a part of a day trip to Kurama, Kibune, and Ohara with a one day pass:

• Kyoto station to Kurama
• Visit to Kurama-dera Temple
• Kurama to Kibune hike
• Visit to Kifune Shrine
• Kibune to Ohara bus
• Visit to Sanzen-in Temple
• Visit to Jakko-in Temple
• Ohara to Kyoto bus

 

 

Ohara onsen

Ohara can make for an easy day trip from Kyoto as it’s easy to access by public transportation.

But if you’re looking for a bit of a unique experience when you’re in Japan, you may also consider staying a night in the quiet village of Ohara.

The accommodation options are limited, but one of your options is to stay at a Japanese-style ryokan or minshuku, which can give you feeling like it’s a traditional Japanese stay.

Staying at the Ohara onsen isn’t as popular as the Kumara onsen, but there’s still a good chance that you will love the experience.

You can learn more about the Minshuku Ohara Sanso that will be a hot springs stay.

 

 

Now…

Here’s what your day trip to Ohara might look like!

Emphasis on MIGHT. 😉

I’m pretty sure for one part I didn’t go the shortest path. I must have taken a wrong turn or missed a turn or something.

If this happens to you too, no problem – just consider it a part of your Japan adventure! 😉

Really though, Ohara isn’t that big, so even if you get lost, it won’t be too big of a deal. It will just mean more walking on the small streets of Ohara with mountain views!

 

 

Kyoto station to Ohara bus station

 

Being on the outskirts of Kyoto means that it might take some time to get to Ohara.

When you include waiting time and time in transit, it might take you 1-1.5 hours to get from Kyoto station to Ohara, although it’s possible that you might get there in less than an hour if your timing is right.

Consult Google Maps for the best way to get to the Ohara bus station from where you’re staying.

It will likely include a bus transfer.

See tips for getting around Kyoto by bus (even without a bus pass).

 

Walk from Ohara bus station to Sanzen-in Temple

Once you arrive at the Ohara bus station, you’ll see signs that point to Sanzen-in Temple.

So to start with, you can follow those signs!

It’ll probably be about a 15 minute walk to get to the temple.

You might also find a map at the bus station with both the English and Japanese of the top places to visit in Ohara, and you might consider taking a picture of that so you can recognize the Japanese writing when you come across those no English signs!

 

 

 

Visit Sanzen-in Temple

Cost: 700 yen (US$6)

You can make a visit to Sanzen-in Temple short, but you’ll likely be here for at least an hour.

You can spend time wandering the temple grounds, walking through Japanese gardens, and having a look at the little stone statues throughout the area.

 

 

 

Walk from Sanzen-in Temple to Jakko-in Temple

If you were to walk straight from Sanzen-in Temple to Jakko-in Temple, it might take you around 30 minutes.

But you might want to make some stops along the way, so it might end up taking you a bit longer!

 

 

Foot bath cafe

 

 

Visit to Jakko-in Temple

Cost: 600 yen (US$5)

Once you’re at Jakko-in Temple, you might end up spending 30 minutes here.

 

 

 

Walk from Jakko-in Temple to Ohara bus station

And then your final walk through Ohara!

This might be around a 20 minute walk.

 

 

HAPPY DAY TRIP TO OHARA!

 

See more about making it a day of visiting the outskirts of Kyoto:

• Hiking from Kurama (temple) to Kibune (shrine)
• Kurama Kibune Ohara day pass