Thanks to the newly opened Jubuzan Tunnel, reaching Kasagi Town in southern Kyoto Prefecture has never been easier! We set off from Kyoto City, passed through Uji, and arrived at the remarkable Kasagidera Temple — a journey blending history, culture, and natural beauty.

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Kasamikuji: Umbrella-Shaped Fortune Slips

The drive takes around 90 minutes from central Kyoto. A new highlight introduced this April is the "Kasamikuji" — adorable umbrella-shaped fortune-telling paper slips that are charmingly Japanese and utterly delightful. Pick one in your favourite colour and cross your fingers for daikichi (excellent luck)! There's a designated spot nearby to tie your fortune slip afterwards, and you can even write a wish on the umbrella before offering it.

Immerse Yourself in History and Nature

Just beside the main hall, a colossal Maitreya Buddha (Miroku Bosatsu) is carved directly into the cliff face — a magaibutsu, or cliff-carved Buddhist image. Stand quietly, bring your hands together, and imagine what this magnificent figure must have looked like in its prime. The temple's origin story is equally captivating:

Legend has it that when Emperor Tenmu was still known as Prince Ōama, he was hunting deer in these mountains. While chasing his quarry, both he and his horse nearly plunged off a sheer cliff. He prayed desperately to the mountain deity — and was miraculously saved. In gratitude, he vowed to carve an image of Maitreya into the great boulder. To mark the exact spot for his return, he placed his straw hat — "kasa" in Japanese — on a stone. That stone became known as Kasaokiishi ("the hat-placing stone"), giving rise to the area's name: Kasagi.

Look up near the Maitreya carving and you can still spot Kasaokiishi wedged between the massive rocks. Beyond the ancient carvings, the temple delights with serene fresh greenery and colourful seasonal pinwheel displays. As a bonus, nearby JR Kasagi Station currently features a display of Japanese wind chimes — a feast for both eyes and ears on a summer day.

Kasagidera Temple at a Glance

The history of Kasagidera stretches back an astonishing 2,000 years, when the giant boulders of Mount Kasagi were already objects of worship. Throughout its long history, the mountain served as a training ground for mountain ascetics. Today, the temple is most famous for its enormous magaibutsu, with Maitreya as its principal deity. According to tradition, a celestial being descended to assist Prince Ōama in carving the image. Though the original carving was nearly destroyed by fire, visitors can still feel its otherworldly presence.

During the Nara Period (710–794), the Shōgatsu-dō hall was built here — said to be the birthplace of the Omizutori water-drawing ritual still performed at Tōdaiji Temple's Nigatsu-dō in Nara. Centuries later, Emperor Go-Daigo arrived at Mount Kasagi, the mountain became a battlefield, and the temple burned. It was later rebuilt into its current form.

A Detour to Minamiyamashiro Village

Drive a little further and you'll reach Takayama Dam in Minamiyamashiro Village. Built in 1969 and standing 67 metres tall with a crest length of 209 metres, this concrete dam has an architectural style unusual for Japan. Then, head to Roadside Rest Area Ocha-no-Kyoto Minamiyamashiro Village for some shopping, and don't miss the storybook-charming Garden Cafe Mim nearby — they serve excellent gelato, coffee, pizza, and pasta in a fairy-tale setting.

Roadside Rest Area Ocha-no-Kyoto Minamiyamashiro Village

This rest stop captures the essence of village life in Minamiyamashiro. Browse the Nomon Ichiba market for local tea, fresh vegetables, and tea-infused sweets that make perfect gifts. At Muracha-ya, the on-site sweets and tea shop, treat yourself to authentic matcha soft serve (¥430, tax included) drizzled with a rich, house-made matcha syrup — a beautiful dance of sweetness and pleasant bitterness. Murafudō Shokudō Tsuchi-no-Ubu offers hearty local meals infused with tea, inspired by traditional village recipes.

So, how was the trip? We wholeheartedly recommend experiencing the true beauty of a Japanese summer at Kasagidera Temple and uncovering the hidden gems of the surrounding countryside. It's the stuff of unforgettable summer memories.