Ayabe City: Through a Foreign Lense

Posted on 08/18/2023 Last updated on 01/11/2024

Welcome to Ayabe City. This travel guide will provide you with all the information you need for your visit to Ayabe, Kyoto Prefecture. I have spent the past few months exploring the length and breadth of this beautiful town, and I wish to share Ayabe’s delights through the lens of a foreign resident.

Anyone could get a travel guide information off the front desk of the train station, but most of the locations are probably overhyped, carefully marketed and made to look or even sound better than the actual thing. I wish to write on my personal favourites, the places I definitely know will appeal to travels from afar and in Japan. This is the real Ayabe City!

How to Get There

The best time to visit Ayabe City is in the spring and autumn when the weather is nice and the cherry blossoms or colorful leaves are at their best. Transportation services to and from a city is a major influence on visitors. Hence, I wish to share how it works in Ayabe City.

It is easy to get there by train. The closest big airport is Kansai International Airport and it is in the city of Osaka. You can go to Ayabe City by taking a train from the airport. Do not expect to see the typical bustling city train station. Ayabe has a station that is never crowded because of the few train schedules. Bus services are available to designated parts of the city and the taxi services are effective, punctual and reliable.

What to See There

Despite not being inside Ayabe town, it will be a travesty not to mention the nearby beauty called Amanohashidate. Amanohashidate is a pretty strip of sand close to Ayabe City. It is thought to be one of the top three most beautiful places in Japan. People who visit the place can pay to borrow bikes and ride on the sandy land, or they can take a boat tour to see the beautiful sights.

Photo by ktnoontea777

The Chirimen Craft Museum in Ayabe City showcases the silk textile industry for which the city is famous. The Chirimen Craft Museum displays a special kind of silk fabric called chirimen, which is made in a crepe-like style using traditional crafting techniques. People who come to visit can find out about what happened in the past, how things are done, and watch skilled people doing their job.

Ankukoji Temple is somewhere that won’t be talked about much by tour guides but I do have a personal connection and like for this extremely calm temple. The scenery and the ambience of an ancient temple gives it an edge over any other place you could possibly visit in Ayabe city.

Discover the peaceful Ayabe Bamboo Forest, famous for its tall bamboo trees. Go for a stroll on the nice paths and enjoy the peacefulness and prettiness of the forest. The noise made by bamboo leaves moving in the wind makes a calming mood.

Heian no Mori Ayabe is a park with lots of nature and fun things to do outside. It also has really pretty views. Have fun walking or riding a bike on the forest paths, have a meal by the river, or try catching fish in the special spots. Lots of people really like going to the park when the cherry trees are blooming.

Photo by Seven C メディアラボ

Ayabe Castle Ruins: Ayabe Castle used to be an important castle long ago, especially during the Sengoku period. The castle is no longer there, but the ruins give us a look into the history of the area. Have fun in the nearby park and look at the amazing views of the city from the tall deck.

Come to Ayabe City Museum of Art and History to discover and explore our community’s culture, history, and artwork. The museum displays many different things from the past, like handmade items, old discoveries, and artwork made by people who live nearby.

Ayabe Winery is famous for making really good wines. Come and visit the winery to see how wine is made and try different types of wine. The wine factory also has a place to eat where you can enjoy tasty food with their wines.

Photo by KKフォト

Make sure to look at the times when the attractions are open and if you need to book in advance before you go. Like Ichinoseki, there is plenty to do in Ayabe, so have a plan before you head out. Have a great time checking out Ayabe City!

Photo Credits

Top Photo: ちゃぁみい on PhotoAC

Additional photos by ktnoontea777 , Seven C メディアラボ and KKフォト