Nagashi so-men, fine noodles streaming in a narrow runnel

When you saw the title of this article, probably you wonder what I am talking about. In summer, it is very hot and humid here in Japan. This is good for enjoying hot summer.

Noodles are running in this runnel. ( half-cut bamboo is basically used ) You put your chopsticks into the water and stop streaming noodles, and then pick them up.
Please dip them into a somen soup.

It is cold and good under the humid weather.

In northern Kyoto, the place called Kifune is very popular for Kawadoko or the floors over the river, among Japanese people. Kifune is located in the north. And the temperature is a little lower than in the center of the city.

Usually you can enjoy the typical Kyoto cuisine on the floor. But it cost a little high.

The restaurant, Hirobun, offers this Nagashi Somen noodles in reasonable place.

This is the one of the way to enjoy this hot summer in Kyoto

access : Please use Keifuku line from Demachi Yanagi for Kifune and Kurama
            the nearest station : Kifune
           From there, take a bus or walk.

To have Nagashi -soen, you may have to wait .
I recommend you to go a little earlier like 11 AM

quiet place, Ikkyu-ji temple

I think the most famous monk in Japan is "Ikkyu"-san, who is known even to young children. Actually he is a son of Emperor Gokomatsu. but what made him so famous is so called Tonchi (wit ) dialogue. Those dialogues are depicted in animation films.

One famous dialogue between Shogun Yoshimitsu and Ikkyu is this.
One day, Shogun Yoshimitsu asked Ikkyu to sort out the tiger painted in folding screen because the tiger comes out of it and acts up every night.
Then Ikkyu-san answered, "OK, I will punish it so please have it out of the screen."

If you are interested in him, please click this URL
https://www.google.co.jp/search?q=%E4%B8%80%E4%BC%91%E3%81%95%E3%82%93&safe=off&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=3evlUbPTI-S0iQe60IHIBw&sqi=2&ved=0CF8QsAQ&biw=1304&bih=659

Ikkyu-ji temple was located a little away from the city Because of it, this temple is very quiet.

This is the path to the entrance.

Nobody was there, just walking along this path made my mind quiet.

This stones represent the imaginary mountain called Horai-san mountain where hermits are said to be making an elixir of life. 

These rocks represent Buddha in the center and two bodhisattvas .

Ikkyu-ji temple

the nearest station,  Shin-tanabe of Kintetsu line.

and take a taxi for 5min.

admission 500 yen

A quiet place- one of my favorites

The most of Japanese gardens are miniatures of the national landscape. Rocks symbolize a mountain or land, and ponds and sand represent the ocean or the sea.

But the world of Koetsu-ji temple is life-sized garden because this is a garden related to tea ceremony. Here is said to have been a residence of Honami Koetsu, who was born in the family of sword appraiser To be a sword appraiser, he had to have a wide range of knowledge in art and craft. After he was ordered to live there, the place changed to be something like an art village because many artisans moved there after Koetsu.

Koetsu was a very talented man in various fields, especially tea ceremony, In this temple, seven tea houses were built in Taisho era thanks to the donations by so-called zaibatsu (in Japanese )
Please enjoy the world of tea

More than anything, this quietness  and greenery makes a specific atmosphere here.
Just sitting here and viewing three mountains of Takagamine from here will be the best way of enjoying this temple.

Koetsu ji temple