Many attractive sites are located just a short walk from Roujiya.

Nijo Castle (a World Heritage Site)

Nijo Castle (Nijo-jo) was built in 1603 as the official Kyoto residence of the first Tokugawa Shogun, Ieyasu. In 1867, the fifteenth Tokugawa Shogun, Yoshinobu, returned sovereignty to the Emperor. The garden is also beautiful, especially during cherry-blossom season (early to mid April).

A 10-minute walk from Roujiya

Shinsen-en

Shinsen-en is a garden that was originally part of the Heian-era Imperial Palace in Kyoto. The garden pond used to be quite a bit larger (Roujiya would have been underwater, let's put it that way). Today, of course, the pond is much smaller, and the elegant bridge spanning it adds to the site's picturesque beauty.

A 6-minute walk from Roujiya

Nijo Jinya

Nijo Jinya was a merchant's home built in the 1600s that later served as an inn for provincial feudal lords visiting the capital. It was designed to protect them against possible surprise attacks. You can find hidden staircases, secret passageways, and other surprises. This is about as close to a ninja training facility as you're likely to come. Reservations are required in order to visit (and we can help you out with that).

A 10-minute walk from Roujiya

Mibu-dera(Mibu temple)

Mibu-dera was founded in 991. In the late Edo period (mid-1800s), it became a training center for samurai. The tombs of the Shinsen-gumi, a famous band of samurai who fought to restore imperial rule in 1868, can be found here. In early February, the temple is also the setting for the famed Mibu kyogen (comedies traditionally performed between Noh plays).

A 10-minute walk from Roujiya

Takenobuinari shrine

The Takenobu Inari Shrine is well known for assisting expecting couples with selecting baby names. It is also famous as a shrine for strengthening marital bonds, because Sakamoto Ryoma, a prominent Japanese leader in the movement to overthrow the Tokugawa Shogunate, is said to have exchanged messages with his wife, Oryo, at this shrine.

A 10-minute walk from Roujiya

Shusse inari shrine

The word shusse means "success" in Japanese, and the Shusse Inari Shrine is associated with Toyotomi Hideyoshi, a man who rose from the peasantry to become Japan's second great unifier. Many people visit the shrine to pray for a bit of Hideyoshi's luck, normally in their career or business. All told, ten different kinds of good fortune are bestowed at the shrine.

A 10-minute walk from Roujiya

Sanjokai market

Sanjokai is an old-fashioned market with around 180 shops running between the Horikawa-dori and Senbon-dori streets. It's a great place to stroll around and get a first-hand glimpse of life among the locals. There is also a cool cafes scene. If you want a nice cup of java and break from temple-hopping, why not check it out?

A 2-minute walk from Roujiya

Around Omiya station

A trip to Osaka from Omiya Station takes just about 40 minutes. Access to Arashiyama is from a separate station just across the street, called Shijo Omiya Station. That trip takes about 20 minutes. There are many old-fashioned, inexpensive, downright good restaurants and pubs crowded with locals near these stations.

A 10-minute walk from Roujiya

Home | Sitemap | Contact Us