Hirobun (ひろ文) is a must try when in Kibune、approx a little more than an hour outside of Kyoto. People will know this place for the famous hike between Kibune and Kurama, linking the two towns in approximately a couple of hours. If you don't fancy the hike across, you can take the train to the next station in only 5 or so minutes. There's not much in Kibune, it is a very small, forest embedded, river town, however, it is absolutely worth the trip for Hirobun alone!
**It's important to note that Hirobun's noodle experience may be cancelled if there's rain (as it'll go right through to where you are eating) and this experience is only open during the summer months. Do some research before heading out!**
I arrived in Kibune around 9am and headed to Hirobun approx 10am for the bamboo noodle experience known as 'Nagashi Somen', after paying a visit to the beautiful Kibune shrine on the way. I was SUPER early as the place doesn't open til 11am however、this is the ideal way to do it as you'll be given a number and asked to come back around 10:30am. Trust me, if you are not early you'll be waiting up to 4 hours for the experience (as many have reported)! I was number 4 and was asked to return at 10:30. It was around 11:15 by the time I got my turn so thankfully my wait was only between 15/20 minutes by the time I was settled in the venue.
The queues were getting pretty hectic after I'd arrived and was waiting in the queue to pay and enter, so I really cannot emphasize enough that the early bird catches the worm! It's ¥1,300 (approx. £10/£$13) and absolutely worth the experience which lasts around 15 minutes. It's relaxing, visually pleasing and so much fun.
You are sat at a long bar built over the river, overlooking a waterfall. Taking in the sights and sounds is really enjoyable, you are immersed in nature. Plus the river keeps you very cool when it's so hot (this is why restaurants will build eating platforms over rivers in the summer months). You are given a bowl with a cold, delicious broth, a side of some wasabi paste and a matcha flavoured dessert called warabi mochi. The experience isn't just fun, but it's absolutely delicious also. Don't let the sound of cold broth and noodles put you off, when it's ridiculously hot this is the absolutely perfect way to cool down. In fact, it is so tasty that I often make it myself at home, in freezing Scotland! Some say this is just a snack, however, I found this quite filling, perhaps because I had a noodle shoot to myself and maybe got a little more than regular goers? If you're in a little group it may well be just a snack but I can't say for certain.
The method is simple; you'll be told which bamboo shoot you can eat from (to be fair to the other diners). You simply use your chopsticks to catch the noodles flowing down the bamboo stream, dip them into your broth and eat them! If you miss them they will not be replaced but don't worry, there's plenty time between the noodles flying down the shoot and you getting to eat and enjoy them. You know when your last batch of noodles are on the way as they are coloured red! After, enjoy your warabi mochi but don't hang around long; they want to clean up the area and the bamboo shoots as quickly as possible for the queue waiting on the platform behind you.
I headed to the next town, Kurama after to hike the famous Kurama Temple; a wonderful but sweaty hike to the top! (Don't take the ropeway up、walk it. I promise it's worth it). At just ¥300 to enter this beautiful place, I highly recommend it. There's an onsen in the area also (FYI - foreigners with tattoos are welcome) to wash off your sweaty mess after heading back down which I've heard many good things about. Sadly, I stupidly forgot about it and headed back to central Kyoto instead!
Below is a few shots and a video of the Hirbun / ひろ文 experience with a couple of shots of Kibune Shrine and Kurama Temple. If you have any questions or would like to share your thoughts on your experience here then leave a comment! If you'd like to see more posts and images of my Japan travels to help with your itinerary then find me on Instagram: @stevie.aana
Stevie
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