The Yamashiro Kodo (山背古道) is a 25-kilometer walking course that runs north to south through the Yamashiro area in southern Kyoto Prefecture.
The Yamashiro Kodo runs from Joyo City to Kizugawa City via Ide Town in the southern part of Kyoto Prefecture, roughly parallel to the JR Nara Line.
The Yamashiro Kodo is a walking course that anyone can enjoy, with many historical attractions such as ruins, temples, and cultural assets, as well as the rich nature and scenery of the Minami-Yamashiro area.
The promotional video “Encounter with History and Nature: The Charm of Yamaboshi Kodo” is now available on YouTube.
What is Yamashiro Kodo? A walking trail in Minamiyamashiro
The Yamashiro Kodo is a 25-kilometer walking course that runs through three cities and towns in the southern part of Kyoto Prefecture: Joyo City, Ide Town, and Kizugawa City.
The Yamashiro Kodo runs parallel to the JR Nara Line and National Route 24, and from its starting point at JR Joyo Station, it passes through satoyama on the right bank of the Kizugawa River to the Shouningahira Ruins Park in Kizugawa City.
Along the trail, you will encounter peaceful satoyama scenery and numerous historical attractions.
- Tea plantations spreading across the Minami Yamashiro area
- Aodani Plum Grove in Joyo City, famous for its plum blossoms
- Nature and scenery such as watersides where fireflies fly around
- Tsubai-Otsukayama burial mound, which holds the mystery of the Yamataikoku
- A village that was the scene of the Yamashiro Provincial Revolt
- The townscape in front of JR Nagaike Station, which was an inn on the Nara-kaido Road
The Yamashiro kodo began in 1995 when the four cities and towns of Joyo, Ide, Yamashiro, and Kizu designated the old highway as a single walking trail as part of their efforts to utilize the natural, historical, and cultural resources of the Minami-Yamashiro area.
In addition, 18 “Machikado Information Centers” have been established along the Yamashiro Kodo, including public facilities and stores that serve as information dissemination centers.
Origin of Yamashiro Kodo
The name “Yamashiro Kodo (山背古道)” originates from an ancient name for Yamashiro (山背), and Yamashiro Province (山城国) was also known as “Yamashiro Province (山代国, 山背国)” during the Heijo-kyo Period.
Yamashiro (山背) means back of the mountain.
The Yamashiro area is located “behind Mt. Nara” when viewed from Heijo-kyo, and so it came to be called “Yamashiro (山背).”
Highlights of the Yamashiro kodo in Joyo City
Now, let us introduce the highlights of the Yamashiro kodo along the route. We will start in Joyo City.
Konosuyama, Mito-jinja Shrine in Joyo City
If you go east from Joyo Station, the starting point of the Yamashiro kodo, you will find Konosuyama, which is 117 meters above sea level, where Mito-jinja Shrine is located.
A lush green walking trail leads to and through the Mito-jinja shrine.
From the observatory at the top of the mountain, you can see the Kizu and Yodo Rivers, and in the far distance, the mountains of Ikoma, Hiei, and Atago.
In front of JR Nagaike Station, buildings that were once inns along Nara-kaido Road still remain.
Joyo City was the halfway point on Nara-kaido Road connecting Kyoto and Nara, and was called “Gori-Gori-no-Sato,” as it is “5 ri” from both Kyoto and Nara.
Aodani Plum Grove in Joyo City
The Aodani Plum Grove, famous for its plum blossoms, is located in the Aodani area.
The “Plum Blossom Festival” is held starting from the end of February, when they are at their best, so it is a good idea to take a stroll and admire the white plum blossoms.
Joyo Shuzo, located near JR Yamashiro Aodani Station, sells plum wine and pickled plums made from Kyoto Aodani plums, known as Jyoshuhaku.
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Highlights of the Yamashiro kodo in Ide Town
Ide Town is a picturesque rural area associated with Tachibana no Moroe, a left minister of the Nara period (710-794). It was written about by poets such as Ono no Komachi, Fujiwara no Toshinari, and Ariwara no Narihira.
The route in Ide Town offers a leisurely stroll through satoyama and rice paddies along the ancient Yamashiro Kodo.
Tamatsuoka-jinja Shrine is located on the mountainside and is said to have been founded by Tachibana no Moroe as a shrine for his family.
Jizozen-in Temple is located on a hill overlooking the village of Ide, and its view has been selected as one of Kyoto’s 100 best.
In spring, weeping cherry trees, designated as a natural monument by Kyoto Prefecture, bloom in full glory.
The Tsubakizaka Community Development Center is a free rest area located in the countryside along the Yamashiro kodo, where visitors can rest on the porch inside or by the sunken hearth.
There is also an activity building where visitors can try pottery making.
Highlights of the Yamashiro kodo in Kizugawa City
Kizugawa City is a municipality formed by the merger of three towns: Kizu, Yamashiro, and Kamo, in 2007.
The Kizugawa River, from which the city takes its name, has been used to transport lumber since the Nara period (710-794), and the town of Kizu has prospered as a center for lumber collection.
The view from Izumi Ōhashi Bridge over the Kizugawa River is spectacular.
Many historical sites remain along the Yamashiro Kodo.
The triangular-rimmed mirror of the gods and animals excavated from the Tsubai Otsukayama burial mound is said to be the mirror of Himiko, the queen of Yamataikoku, and is the basis for the theory that Yamataikoku was located in the Kinai region.
Kaniman-ji Temple
Kaniman-ji Temple (蟹満寺) is said to have been built in the Nara period (710-794), and is famous for the crab’s grace, which appears in “Konjaku Monogatarishū” and “Kokon Chomonjū,” as well as the seated statue of the Shakanyorai, a national treasure.
In front of JR Tanagura Station, there is a stone monument of Kaniman-ji Temple with a crab motif.
The Yamashiro Bamboo Shoot Burger, made with Yamashiro’s specialty bamboo shoots, is available at the traditional Japanese house café “Kamuin” on the south side of Kaniman-ji Temple.
The Yamashiro area is also famous for its tea production.
The Kamikoma Tea Wholesale Street near JR Kamikoma Station is still lined with 40 tea wholesalers, including the Fukujuen factory, famous for its Iemon brand (伊右衛門), and features the elegant streetscape from the days when the area prospered as an exporter.
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Map and Guidebook of the Yamashiro Kodo
Events such as guided walks are held on the Yamashiro Kodo from time to time. Please check the Yamashiro Kodo website for event information.
Yamaboshi Kodo website (Japanese)The Yamashiro Kodo Promotion Council publishes guidebooks and maps of the Yamashiro Kodo. Exploration maps are available for 350 yen and sketchbooks for 500 yen.
You can also download PDF files of the Yamashiro Kodo Exploration Guidebook, Yamashiro Kodo Exploration Map, and Guidebook from the Joyo City Hall website.
Yamashiro Kodo Exploration Guidebook (Japanese)Walking along the Yamashiro Kodo, you are welcome to take breaks along the way.
You can start walking or hiking from the starting point, or take the JR Nara Line and get off at any of the stations along the way
Relying on the signposts along the Yamashiro kodo, marked on the roads, visit the “Machikado Information Center” for information and directions, consult guidebooks and maps, or take a break at rest areas and cafes.
Walk along the Yamashiro Kodo at your leisure and discover your favorite spots and scenery.
Japanese Article : 山背古道を歩く 歴史と地図で楽しむウォーキングコース
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