Discover Ayabe

Three themes offer different highlights: rose varieties, the history of Gunze, and religious architecture. Ayabe Gunze Square brings together a garden, tourist information, and local products; the Gunze Museum focuses on Gunze’s history. Ōmoto Baishōen includes a garden and several notable buildings. You can plan your trip around the themes that interest you most.

Roses and Visitor Information at Ayabe Gunze Square

Ayabe Gunze Square is Ayabe City’s community center. It includes the Ayabe Specialty Store, the Gunze Museum, and the Ayabe Rose Garden. Visitors will find a place to rest and tourist information. Local specialties and agricultural products are also available as souvenirs; the current selection may vary.

The Ayabe Rose Garden is a seasonal highlight: 170 rose varieties bloom there in spring and autumn. The garden also hosts a spring rose festival. If you would like to plan your visit around the festival, check the specific dates in advance. The two blooming seasons offer different reasons to include the garden in your trip plans.

Ayaterasu was completed in November 2023, north of JR Ayabe Station. The facility combines a library, Ayakko Hiroba, and a hall.

Gunze and Ōmoto: History and Architecture

The Gunze Museum presents the history of the Gunze company across three museums: 創業蔵, 現代蔵, and 未来蔵. Gunze was founded in Ayabe. Unlike the garden and local products at Gunze Square, the Gunze Museum focuses on the company’s history.

Another historical thread leads to Ōmoto: The religious organization began its missionary work in Ayabe in 1892. Ōmoto’s Baishōen includes a garden and several notable buildings. Chōseiden is considered one of the largest wooden buildings of the 20th century. Mirokuden is registered as a national tangible cultural property. Konohana-an, a former residence, is designated a national important cultural property. Reservations are required to visit the interiors of the buildings.

Themed choices include company history and architecture, as well as roses and gardens.

Getting There and Choosing a Vacation Rental

Approximate travel times are provided for Ayabe Gunze Square: It takes about five minutes by car from Ayabe IC and about ten minutes from Ayabe-Ankokuji IC. It is approximately a ten-minute walk from the north exit of Ayabe Station. From the south exit, the Aya Bus goes to the Ayabe Gunze Square stop, which is right at the destination. Travel time estimates and bus services may change; check current connections before setting out.

When choosing a vacation rental, it makes sense to first decide what you’re interested in: Would you mainly like to enjoy the garden and offerings at Gunze Square, or are company history and architecture your priorities?

Discover more destinations: Uji, Soraku District, Kyōtango, Nagaoka-Kyō, Wazuka, Nantan, Kameoka, Maizuru

For the broader travel overview: Kyoto Prefecture.