9 Things To Do In Kyotango, Also Known As Kyoto By The Sea
Been to Tokyo and Kyoto, done that? Consider a trip to Kyotango, an unspoiled seaside region in the Kyoto prefecture overflowing with nature, lovely folks and a charming old-school vibe.
When I got the media fam trip invite to “Kyoto by the sea”, I thought, Kyoto is near the sea? For a good two weeks, I had the impression I was going to Kyoto city, land of temples, imperial palaces, and centuries-old streets filled with geishas and traditional charm. But the itinerary also said we would be going to a beach with “singing sand”, trying out sea kayaking, visiting a large rock formation called “frog rock” and plucking grapes in fruit orchards. So far, so confused. Finally, a week before we departed for Japan, I took a good hard look at the programme — which was in Japlish and totally scant on details — and I realised we would not actually be going to the Kyoto as Singaporeans know. At all. In fact, far from it, literally. Well actually, not that far, about an hour’s bus or shinkansen ride from Shin-Osaka Station in Osaka city, to a region north-west of Kyoto dubbed “Kyoto by the sea.” To Singaporeans, Kyoto means Kyoto city, but Kyoto prefecture is actually a huge region comprising seaside, mountainous and forested areas. Hence the confusion. So Kyoto by the sea, largely undiscovered by the outside world, is a place the Japanese call “the source of harmony living between heaven and earth. It’s an area surrounded by the Sea of Japan, popular with Japanese tourists who go for the fresh sea breeze, hot springs, bountiful seafood and super-fresh produce.
Photos: Celine Tan. Additional photos courtesy of Tamago Free Magazine.
When I got the media fam trip invite to “Kyoto by the sea”, I thought, Kyoto is near the sea? For a good two weeks, I had the impression I was going to Kyoto city, land of temples, imperial palaces, and centuries-old streets filled with geishas and traditional charm. But the itinerary also said we would be going to a beach with “singing sand”, trying out sea kayaking, visiting a large rock formation called “frog rock” and plucking grapes in fruit orchards. So far, so confused. Finally, a week before we departed for Japan, I took a good hard look at the programme — which was in Japlish and totally scant on details — and I realised we would not actually be going to the Kyoto as Singaporeans know. At all. In fact, far from it, literally. Well actually, not that far, about an hour’s bus or shinkansen ride from Shin-Osaka Station in Osaka city, to a region north-west of Kyoto dubbed “Kyoto by the sea.” To Singaporeans, Kyoto means Kyoto city, but Kyoto prefecture is actually a huge region comprising seaside, mountainous and forested areas. Hence the confusion. So Kyoto by the sea, largely undiscovered by the outside world, is a place the Japanese call “the source of harmony living between heaven and earth. It’s an area surrounded by the Sea of Japan, popular with Japanese tourists who go for the fresh sea breeze, hot springs, bountiful seafood and super-fresh produce.
Photos: Celine Tan. Additional photos courtesy of Tamago Free Magazine.
Try the Longevity bento.
First order of business in Kyotango city: Trying the Longevity bento. The star is the sticky rice, preserved mackerel and the sweetest, purest tasting beans we’ve ever tasted. Kyotango is known for producing some of the longest-living folks in the world, and this is due in part to the food they eat. The produce is so fresh and so pure that of the 60,000 or so residents in Kyotango, an unusually large number live to 100 years of age or more. They also take things slow here, visiting the many beaches in summer and soaking in all the good things that nature has to offer.
Play with singing sand.
A popular destination in Kyotango is the Kotohikihama Singing Sand Museum, where you can go to rub fine sand in between your fingers and listen to it make an unusual melodic squeaking sound. Definitely not your run-of-the-mill East Coast Beach sand. It ‘sings’ because it’s made up of 75 per cent quartz, and when rubbed, it vibrates and sounds like music. The museum has bowls filled with sand that produce the different notes on the musical scale. It’s totally possible to play “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” with — gasp — sand. Walking on the beach becomes a do-re-mi experience. Magical.
Experience the beauty — and pain — of wearing a kimono.
At our first hotel, the Mineyama Plaza Hotel Kissuien, one of the highlights was dressing up in traditional kimonos, and the icing on the sushi was having adorable Japanese aunties do it for you. For about S$100, these obasans will wrap you in layers and layers of Japanese fabric and even style your hair. You know you’re ready when you can barely breathe after they tie on the matching obi belt. But oh — the experience, the exquisite outfit and the photo opps… It’s something you have to try once in a lifetime. Check with your hotel about where to go to get kimono-ed.
Eat the freshest seafood and other Kyotango delights.
At Totoya Inn, one of the most popular places to stay and eat in Kyotango, the charming boss lady Ikeda Kayoko is ready to welcome you and show off her Taiza crabs, which she selects herself at seafood auction markets. The sushi is fresh and to-die-for, and dish after dish of fresh from the sea or just-plucked land produce will make you understand why the people here live to such a ripe old age — thanks to the rainy climate and the sea breezes which makes the region an agricultural paradise, even a simple sweet potato becomes a delight and a treat for the palate.
Gobble grapes fresh off the vine.
You know those uber plump Japanese grapes they sell for a fortune at Japanese supermarkets in Singapore? Well, at Fruits Kingdom Yasaka, you can harvest these fat juicy orbs and eat as many as you can pluck. Also in the orchard are peaches, pears and photo opps galore among fruity groves. On sale here are fruit jams, juices, amazing gelato and if you fancy, barbecues on the six-hectare property.
Check out amazing rock formations.
Tateiwa Rock is a source of pride in Kyotango, a huge craggy formation that appears to float on the sea. Legend has it that the rock fell from the sky and trapped an ogre under it, and the poor creature is under the rock still and some claim to be able to hear its screams. Surrounding the rock is unspoiled sand, pure waters and blue skies — it’s a place to ponder the majesty of nature and, if the weather is good, strip down for a swim.
Make a wish on a rock shaped like a frog.
Over at Kami Town in Hyogo Prefecture, a skip and a hop from Kyotango, a famed rock formation called Frog Rock, or Kaeru Iwa, attracts scores of visitors who write wishes on wooden blocks and hope that the spirits and powers that be will grant them. This seaside area is another testament to the power of nature, and of men and women who believe that stones and frogs will bring good luck and make wishes come true. Unfortunately, the sea kayak adventure we had been promised did not come true, due to bad weather. No matter, ’cos there are lots more things to gawk at in and around Kami Town.
Catch a fish auction.
If you fancy getting up at the butt crack of dawn to watch fishermen haggling over so-fresh-it’s-practically-still-alive seafood, head to one of the fish auction markets in Kami-cho. The area is famous for fresh seafood, especially the bright red Kasumi crab, and Japanese folks holiday here to breathe in the invigorating sea air, soak in the revitalising hot springs and devour the crabs, prawns, squid and other tasty denizens of the sea. Even if you don’t understand what’s going on during the fish auction (apparently, the fishermen and restaurants proprietors have a secret auction language that even normal Japanese folks can’t understand, much less us), it’s an interesting experience — take in the bracing sea breeze, the excitement in the air, the smell of fish and the knowledge that some of this seafood will soon be your tummy.
Admire ancient art in a temple museum.
A Japan sojourn just isn't complete without a beautiful and soul-nourishing temple experience. For a Zen-infused culture boost, head to Daijyo-ji Temple in Hyogo prefecture, which boasts sliding doors with amazing art by Ohkyo Maruyama, a famous artist in the Edo era. A patient guide will take you from room to room to explain how the artist painstakingly created a three-dimensional world on flat surfaces, inspired by nature, humanity and religion.
To get to Kyotango and Kami-cho, fly to Osaka, and take a bus or bullet train to Kyotango. For more information, go to http://en.kyotango.gr.jp/about.
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