Must-see for JR-WEST RAIL PASS holders! A short trip from Kyoto Station 【Vol.1】

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Kyoto Station

The journey begins at JR Kyoto Station.
The journey begins on the Sanin Line, adjacent to the Haruka boarding point.

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From Kyoto to Higashi-Maizuru

If you take the limited express "Maizuru" from Kyoto Station to Higashi-Maizuru, you can travel smoothly without changing trains. The journey takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes. To board the train, you will need a "board ticket" and a "limited express ticket", but if you have a JR-WEST RAIL PASS, you will need a reserved seat ticket at the automatic ticket machine at the station.

If you have a JR-WEST RAIL PASS, please refer to the video below.

For those with JR WEST RAIL PASS, how to receive express seat reservations

When you arrive at Higashi-Maizuru Station

Once you arrive at Higashi-Maizuru Station, it's about a 15-minute walk to Maizuru Red Brick Park. On the way, you can enjoy a nostalgic stroll through the red brick tunnel on the pedestrian-only road.

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Maizuru Red Brick Park

Eight red brick buildings dating back about 120 years have been preserved, offering a different atmosphere from those in Yokohama and Hakodate.
You can also enjoy fresh seafood and local beer within the park.

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For more information on Akarenga Park, click here

7 minutes walk from Ayabe Station

A 7-minute walk from Ayabe Station takes you to Ayabe Gunze Square. In the birthplace of the global textile manufacturer Gunze, you can learn about the history and future of sericulture.

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Ayabe Gunze Square

Ayabe Gunze Square is made up of three facilities: the Ayabe Specialty Products Hall, the Gunze Museum, and the Ayabe Rose Garden. It is a charming tourist spot where you can relax and enjoy the townscape that conveys Ayabe's traditional culture and history, and the rich nature.
Fresh vegetables grown in Ayabe, local specialties, and crafts are sold, and the Ayacha Cafe serves Ayabe tea, which is highly acclaimed nationwide, where you can enjoy exquisite sweets along with the specialty tea (gyokuro).

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Experience the finest tea leaves, "Gyokuro"

You'll find Ayacha Cafe in the Ayabe Specialty Museum inside Gunze Square. This cafe specializes in Ayabe tea, a specialty of Ayabe. Although it's a cafe, there is no coffee on the menu. Instead, you can enjoy drinks such as gyokuro and sencha, as well as original sweets made with matcha, all at reasonable prices. Please come and experience the profound taste of this pinnacle of Japanese tea, which is completely different from matcha.

Ayabe ⇒ Fukuchiyama: 15 minutes by JR

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Fukuchiyama Station

Fukuchiyama Station is the central station for heading towards the northern Kinki region. Transfers to the Sanin Line, Fukuchiyama Line, and Maizuru Line
It is also the starting station for the Kyoto Tango Railway.

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Fukuchiyama Castle is about a 10-minute walk from the station and offers a great view from the castle tower.

After enjoying some Gyokuro tea at Ayacha Cafe, take the JR train from Ayabe Station to Fukuchiyama. Of course, if you have a pass, it's free. The journey takes about 15 minutes, so it goes by in a flash. Before arriving at Fukuchiyama Station, if you see Fukuchiyama Castle on your right, that's the landmark. When you arrive at Fukuchiyama Station, exit the north exit and head east. After walking for about 10 minutes, Fukuchiyama Castle will come into view.

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Fukuchiyama Castle Park

Documents and videos relating to Akechi Mitsuhide and the successive castle lords are on display. The unique stone walls remain from the time of construction, and the castle tower is the only one in northern Kinki. The view of the castle from the watchtower is outstanding.

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Take home some chestnut terrine as a souvenir

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Adachi Otoemon

Adachi Otoemon has its main store located north of Fukuchiyama Castle in Fukuchiyama City, Kyoto Prefecture.
Located in Tamba, the home of chestnuts, the company uses carefully selected ingredients from all over the world, carefully selecting each ingredient to provide safe, secure products that are made with care.
We also recommend spending some time at the cafe at the back of the store.

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Did you enjoy the view of the Yura River and the city from Fukuchiyama Castle? Adachi Otoemon is located right next to the castle. From high-quality terrines made with chestnuts, a specialty of the Tamba area, to terrines made with seasonal chestnuts from around the world, your favorite terrine is perfect as a souvenir.

From Fukuchiyama to Kyoto by direct express train

Arrived at Kyoto Station

*The JR timetables listed are based on the timetable as of September 2024. Please check the latest timetable before using the service.