Kibune, Sakyou-ku, Kyoto, Japan
Although it was early May and still Spring in Japan, the cherry blossoms had long since fallen from the sakura trees and the weather was already hot and humid. After only a couple of days in Kyoto a break from the heat was in order and Kibune was the perfect location for such respite.lthough it was early may and still Spring in Japan, the cherry blossoms had long since fallen from the sakura trees and the weather was already hot and humid. After only a couple of days in Kyoto a break from the heat was in order and Kibune was the perfect location for such respite.
Kibune can be accessed from Kyoto by taking the Eizan line from Demachiyanagi station. The single electric railcar meanders its way through the northern suburbs of Kyoto into a picturesque forest to Kibuneguchi station. For a small fee a shuttle bus will transport you to the Kifune Shrine bus stop. From here the journey proceeds on foot towards the Kifune Shrine.
The road to the shrine ascends at an easy grade and follows the river that provides both beautiful scenery and a refreshing cool atmosphere for the walk. The river plays host to several restaurants that spread out over the river on raised platforms during the summer months.
There is one restaurant where you can experience nagashi-somen, or flowing noodles, which is more of an experience than a meal. Hirobun charges ¥1,500 for a nagashi-some session lasting approximately 10 mins.
Water running down a bamboo shoot delivers small bundles of somen noodles to diners, which must be caught with chopsticks before they slide past and disappear. The noodles are then dunked into a soy based dipping sauce and eaten. Nagashi-somen will test your chopstick prowess and it won’t fill you up, but it was a unique and fun experience. The arrival of a pink bundle of noodles signifies the end of the session.
The tatami mat platform spanning the river offers a spectacular view of a small waterfall along with the a la carte dining section of Hirobun. The river platform proved effective at cooling the dining space and provided a brief stop on the way to the Kifune Shrine.
