About an hour from Kyoto Station! A thorough explanation of how to get to the "other Kyoto" - the Chutan region of Kyoto Prefecture!

The three cities of Fukuchiyama, Maizuru, and Ayabe, located in northern Kyoto Prefecture, are collectively known as the "Chutan region." This region combines the sea, rural areas, and towns, so please enjoy sightseeing here.

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Visit North Kansai

This is a voluntary tourism organization that promotes the attractions of the northern Kinki region of Tamba, Tajima, Tango, and Wakasa. The flavors of Northern Kinki are not limited to crab, a representative winter sea delicacy, but also include oysters, yellowtail, and pufferfish, as well as cockles, rock oysters, and white squid in the summer, and mountain flavors such as Tamba chestnuts and Tamba black beans, and the summer fruit sand dune melon, making this an area where you can enjoy gourmet food all year round. I would be happy to be able to visit the vast northern Kinki region many times and share information on railroad journeys.

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• Table of Contents
• What kind of place is the Chutan region?
• How to get to the Chutan region from Kyoto
• Recommended spots in Fukuchiyama City
• Recommended spots in Maizuru City
• Recommended spots in Ayabe City
• Recommended tourist spot information
• Recommended gourmet information

What kind of place is the Chutan region?

The Chutan region is located north of the center of Kyoto Prefecture and consists of the three cities of Fukuchiyama, Maizuru, and Ayabe.

Fukuchiyama City has a well-developed urban infrastructure in the city center and rural landscapes rich in natural environments in the suburbs, making it a city that is "just right amount of urban and just right amount of countryside."

It is also known as the "city of meat and sweets," and you can find delicious meat dishes and sweets in many places throughout the city.

Maizuru City is a town rich in nature facing the Sea of Japan, and promotes "moving near the sea."

It is home to the largest fishing port in Kyoto Prefecture, and there are many restaurants where you can eat fresh Maizuru seafood.

Maizuru City is home to a Maritime Self-Defense Force base, and the "Maizuru Maritime Self-Defense Force Curry" is a very popular dish promoted throughout the region. Please come and try the authentic curry dishes that are said to have originated in the navy!

Ayabe City is easy to visit, with expressways running east-west, north-south, and it is a town where you can enjoy a beautiful natural environment, rich rural woodlands, and farmland life.

Game cuisine is popular in Ayabe City, and dishes using ingredients such as deer, wild boar, and local chicken are popular.

There are three cities and three different types of people, but with just a short trip, please come and visit the Chutan region, where you can enjoy a variety of gourmet food and scenery!

How to get to the Chutan region from Kyoto

By train

✅If you want to go quickly and easily (using the express train)

1. From Kyoto Station, take the JR Sagano Line to Ayabe Station (approx. 75 minutes) *Use the Kinosaki or Maizuru Limited Express

2-1 (Kinosaki Express bound for Fukuchiyama City) From Ayabe Station, take the JR Sanin Line to Fukuchiyama Station (about 10 minutes)

2-2 (Maizuru City bound express train ) From Ayabe Station, take the JR Sanin Line to Nishi-Maizuru Station (about 20 minutes)

From Nishi-Maizuru Station, take the JR Sanin Line to Higashi-Maizuru Station (approx. 5 minutes)

✅ Cheapest way to get there (take the rapid train from Kyoto Station)

1. Take the JR Sagano Line from Kyoto Station to Sonobe Station (approx. 35 minutes) *Use the rapid train

2. From Sonobe Station, take the JR Sanin Line to Ayabe Station (approx. 65 minutes) *Use a local train

3-1 (Towards Fukuchiyama City) Take the JR Sanin Line from Ayabe Station to Fukuchiyama Station (about 12 minutes)

3-2 (Maizuru City direction) Take the JR Sanin Line from Ayabe Station to Nishi-Maizuru Station (about 20 minutes)

From Nishi-Maizuru Station, take the JR Sanin Line to Higashi-Maizuru Station (approx. 7 minutes)

Check the transfer information on JR Odekake Net

Fukuchiyama Station

620-0045 Ekimaecho, Fukuchiyama City, Kyoto Prefecture

Fukuchiyama Station is the central station for heading towards the northern Kinki region. It is a transfer point for the Sanin Line, Fukuchiyama Line, and Maizuru Line, and is also the starting point for the Kyoto Tango Railway. On the north side of the station there is a tourist information centre where you can also rent bicycles. Fukuchiyama station / convenience store = yes, tourist information centre = yes, automatic ticket vending machine = yes

Nishi-Maizuru Station

624-0816 Isazu, Maizuru City, Kyoto Prefecture

Nishi-Maizuru Station is a transfer station between JR and Kyoto Tango Railway. If you want to take the Kyoto Tango Railway's Akamatsu, it's convenient to start from Nishi-Maizuru Station. It takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes by express train from Kyoto. If you take the Kyoto Tango Railway from Nishi-Maizuru, it takes about 20 minutes to pass Yura Bridge and about 40 to 50 minutes to Amanohashidate. There is a tourist information center inside the station, and hotels are scattered within 5 minutes of the station.

Higashi-Maizuru Station

625-0057 Minamihamacho, Maizuru City, Kyoto Prefecture

Located in northern Kyoto, this is the starting point of the JR Maizuru Line and Obama Line. It takes about 1 hour and 35 minutes by direct express train from Kyoto. There is a shopping center on the north side. You can also use the highway bus from Osaka and Kyoto.

By car

✅ Use the expressway

[If going to Ayabe City or Fukuchiyama City]

Kyoto Minami IC

↓ Meishin Expressway

Oyamazaki JCT

① Kyoto Jukan Expressway Nagaokakyo, Oyamazaki Exit direction

②Kyoto Longitudinal Expressway Nagaokakyo, Fukuchiyama direction

③Kyoto Longitudinal Expressway Nagaokakyo, Fukuchiyama direction

↓ Kyoto Expressway

Ayabe Junction

①Maizuru Wakasa Road Maizuru, Osaka direction

②Maizuru Wakasa Road Osaka, Hiroshima direction

↓ Maizuru Wakasa Road

Ayabe IC (Arrival at Ayabe City)

↓ Maizuru Wakasa Road

Fukuchiyama IC (Arrival at Fukuchiyama City)

*Approximately 70 minutes from Kyoto Minami IC to Ayabe IC, approximately 80 minutes from Kyoto Minami IC to Fukuchiyama IC

[If going to Maizuru City]

Kyoto Minami IC

↓ Meishin Expressway

Oyamazaki JCT

① Kyoto Jukan Expressway Nagaokakyo, Oyamazaki Exit direction

②Kyoto Longitudinal Expressway Nagaokakyo, Fukuchiyama direction

③Kyoto Longitudinal Expressway Nagaokakyo, Fukuchiyama direction

↓ Kyoto Expressway

Ayabe Junction

①Maizuru Wakasa Road Maizuru, Osaka direction

②②Maizuru Wakasa Road Maizuru, Tsuruga direction

↓ Maizuru Wakasa Road

Maizuru Nishi IC (Arrival at Maizuru City)

↓ Maizuru Wakasa Road

Maizuru East IC

*Approximately 70 minutes from Kyoto Minami IC to Maizuru Nishi IC, approximately 80 minutes from Kyoto Minami IC to Maizuru Higashi IC

NEXCO West Japan Expressway toll and route search here

Recommended spots in Fukuchiyama City

Yakuno Basalt Park

629-1314 Kyoto Prefecture, Fukuchiyama City, Yakunocho, Ogura 98-1

You can see hexagonal columnar joints measuring 40 to 50 centimeters on each side, which were formed when lava flowed from the earth due to volcanic activity at Mount Takura (Mount Takara), Kyoto Prefecture's only volcano, cooled and solidified. Walking paths and gazebos have been built so that visitors can enjoy the beauty of this natural formation. The nighttime illumination (from dusk to 9 p.m.) is also fantastic. Around early April, the Somei-Yoshino cherry trees are in full bloom.

Oemachi Washi Traditional Museum

620-0324 1883 Futamata, Oe-cho, Fukuchiyama City, Kyoto Prefecture

There is an exhibition room that explains the washi manufacturing process using actual tools and photographs, as well as a corner that introduces works using Tango washi paper donated from all over the country. In the experience workshop, you can also experience making colored paper, letter paper, and other paper using traditional materials and methods. (Reservations required. 10 or more people, recommended age: 4th grade or older)

Motoise Naiku Kotai Shrine

620-0323 217 Uchimiya, Oe-cho, Fukuchiyama City, Kyoto Prefecture

It is one of the Motoise traditional sites, and is called Motoise Naiku because legend has it that it was enshrined here before Ise Jingu was enshrined at its current location. The front torii gate is a rare "black wood torii gate" throughout Japan. It is the most simple and primitive style of torii gate, made from a log with the bark still attached.

Adachi Otoemon

620-0035 Kyoto Prefecture, Fukuchiyama City, 44-18

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.

Yakiniku and Lacquer Museum

629-1322 2199 Hirano, Yakunocho, Fukuchiyama City, Kyoto Prefecture

Yakuno Town is home to the 1,300-year-old Tamba lacquer tapping technique. This facility is dedicated to preserving that tradition. Lacquerware products are sold and exhibited in a gallery, and you can experience using real lacquer through lacquer painting classes and lacquer painting experiences. (Reservation required)

Fukuchiyama Castle

620-0035 Kyoto Prefecture, Fukuchiyama City, Uchiki 5

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.

Japanese ogre Exchange Museum

620-0321 909 Busshoji, Oe-cho, Fukuchiyama City, Kyoto Prefecture

A unique museum with a ogre theme. On display are ogre masks from Japan and abroad, picture scrolls depicting the legend of defeating the ogre Shuten-doji of Mt. Oe, and onigawara tiles from the Asuka period to the present day.

Recommended spots in Maizuru City

Maizuru Red Brick Park

1039-2 Kitasui, Maizuru City, Kyoto Prefecture 625-0080

Sorayama Observatory Park

Nohara, Maizuru City, Kyoto Prefecture 625-0155

Kongoin

595 Kawara, Maizuru City, Kyoto Prefecture 625-0014

●The three-story pagoda is beautiful surrounded by autumn leaves Famous as a maple temple, the view is overwhelming. The mountains change colour dramatically with autumn leaves, and the three-story pagoda is beautiful surrounded by red and yellow trees. The "Maple Festival" is held in November, and you can enjoy matcha tea and zenzai (a fee applies) under the autumn leaves. There are many cultural properties, including the three-story pagoda, which is an Important Cultural Property, and the standing statue of General Jinsha, created by Kaikei, a famous Kamakura period Buddhist sculptor, is a masterpiece. In September, the Begonia grandis are at their best.

Recommended spots in Ayabe City

Toko-in Temple

623-0043 Kyoto Prefecture, Ayabe City, Kamienoto Town, 7

Toko-in Temple has about 2,500 hydrangeas, which bloom in countless flowers during the rainy season. They bloom in a variety of colors, including blue, red, white, and purple. Best time to see: Mid-June to early July In the temple grounds, you can experience the beautiful sounds of the hydrangeas during the "Hydrangea Wind Chime Festival" (mid-June to mid-July) and "Wind Chime Festival" (mid-July to late August).

Omoto Shrine Garden

623-0036 Motomiyacho, Ayabe City, Kyoto Prefecture

Omoto Shrine Garden is one of Ayabe's most famous spots for viewing autumn leaves. In mid-November, the Ayabe Momiji Festival is held, where the autumn leaves are lit up, creating a fantastical world.

Shaga Forest colony

Oitomicho, Ayabe City, Kyoto 623-1134

Ayabe Gunze Square

623-0011 1-2 Kamenashi, Aono-cho, Ayabe-shi, Kyoto

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).

Recommended tourist spot information

This is a site that lists other recommended spots.

Recommended spot summary site CO-KYOTO

Recommended gourmet information

We provide recommended gourmet information for Fukuchiyama City, Maizuru City, and Ayabe City.

Recommended gourmet article site CO-KYOTO