Minami Yamashiro

Rural area in southern Kyoto Prefecture, known for lush tea fields growing in the hills above the Kizu River. The river takes its name from the timber and materials once floated downstream to supply the great temples of Nara, and it briefly served as Japan's capital under Emperor Shomu in the eighth century. The area holds a cluster of ancient temples founded during the Asuka and Nara periods, many housing Buddhist statues that can be viewed on request. Small in scale but historically significant, the temples and river valleys reward those who take time to explore off the main tourist routes.