Joyo

Joyo is a city in southern Kyoto Prefecture, located between Kyoto City and Uji. It is primarily a residential commuter town for Kyoto and Osaka, but has a notable historical heritage connected to the Yamashiro region. The city contains several important burial mounds (kofun) from the Kofun period, and was on the route of the ancient Yamato road. Joyo is also the birthplace of the Ikenobo school of ikebana (Japanese flower arranging).

Joyo is served by the JR Nara Line. From Kyoto Station, rapid trains reach Joyo Station in about 15 minutes. From Nara, it is about 25 minutes. By car, Joyo is near the Keiji Bypass.

The city is compact and walkable from Joyo Station. Local buses serve the residential suburbs and temples.

• Terada-ji Temple — a Buddhist temple with a notable early Edo-period garden and a historic bell tower.

• Joyo City History Museum — exhibits on the Kofun period burial mounds, the Yamashiro region, and the area's role in the silk industry.

• Kofun burial mounds — several ancient keyhole-shaped tombs are visible in the city's parks.

• Ikenobo Headquarters — the main centre of the Ikenobo flower arrangement school, with a demonstration garden.

• Ikebana workshops — the Ikenobo school offers beginner ikebana classes in Joyo.

• Kofun exploration — visit the Samita Kofun and other keyhole tombs in the city's archaeological parks.

• Cycling along the Kizu River — the riverbank paths are suitable for leisure cycling.

Joyo has a basic selection of restaurants near the station. It is not a culinary destination; most visitors eat in Kyoto or Uji.

Uji green tea is the main beverage of the area, though Joyo itself does not produce tea.

Joyo has limited accommodation — a couple of business hotels near the station. Most visitors stay in Kyoto or Uji.

Local products are limited — mostly standard souvenirs from Kyoto city and Uji.

• Uji — Byodo-in Temple and Uji green tea
• Kyoto — the cultural heart of Japan
• Kizugawa — JR Yamatoji Line towns
• Nara — Todai-ji and the Great Buddha