KyotoLeisure

Ayabe Gunze Square (あやべグンゼスクエア)

Flow of the course

About 70 min here

About 20 min to the next stop

Next stop: An old temple associated with Ashikaga Takauji: cool grounds surrounded by trees

About this spot

This is an area developed on the birthplace of the textile manufacturer founded in Ayabe, combining a museum, a local-specialty shop, and a rose garden. Inside the old brick buildings are displays of raw-silk-making tools and period photographs, giving a real sense that Ayabe was once a town that thrived on sericulture and silk reeling. The rose garden on the grounds shows a different face each season, and families will appreciate being able to rest on shaded benches as they walk. At the specialty shop you can pick up local vegetables and processed goods, so it's also a good spot to stock up on drinks and snacks to take to the pool. Since the building has a roof, you can spend the morning hours before the sun gets strong in cool comfort.

Tips

Opening hours and closing days differ by facility, so check the official information for conditions on the day of your visit. Parking is free and there are a good number of spaces, but it gets crowded on event days. The rose garden has little shade, so don't forget a hat and something to drink.