Japanese New Year

New Year is the most important holiday in Japan. Families gather to spend the days together, and most businesses shut down from January 1 to January 3.

Visiting Japan during the time may be inconvenient, as many tourist attractions, shops and restaurants are closed, but can be a good opportunity to experience the traditional atmosphere.

=Hatsumode=

Hatsumode refers to the year's first visit to Shinto Shrines.
On this visit, people pray for many different things for the coming year, such as health, safety, passing an exam etc.
Each Shinto Shrine is said to have a significant benefit, and people go to the different shrine depend on their wishes.

My recommended hatsumode shrine is

Fushimi Inari shrine : The shrine for a good business Access : JR Nara-line, "Inari Station"

And Yasaka Shrine : The shrine for protecting people from evils Access : City Bus No.206 "Gion"

13th Dec. Kotohajime at Gion

Place: Gion district

Kotohajime, is the traditional ritual,
the start of New Year preparations in Geisha districts.

Geishas and Maiko, apprentice Geishas, visit their masters to express t
heir gratitude for the past year and best wishes for the year to come.

You may spot some of them if you walk around the Gion district on this day.

It's a very traditional ritual for Geisha and Maiko.
You can't miss it !!

Access: City bus 202,207 Gion

Kibune Momiji Tourou 2010

The other day, I went to Kibune to see autumn leaves lit up.
(Until 12th-30th in Nov. Lighitng is an a sunset -9:00p.m.)



Access from J-Hoppers Kyoto to Kibune.
　 Take Keihan private line Tofukuji sta⇒Demachiyanagi sta(15min, 26oyen)
⇒Take Eizan private line Demachiyanagi sta⇒Kibune sta(30min, 410yen)

The peak of Kibune's autumn leaves are getting red and yellow in day by day.
In particular, Kibune riverside displays a beautiful color gradations from green to red.

The Eizan Line has very nice seasonable tunnel between Ninose sta. and Ichihara sta.




Sorry but this movie is not so nice. You should... You must see the tunnel with your own eyes

Gionodori Nov 1st- 10th

This dance is performed by maiko and gekoi of the Gion Higashi Kabu-kai. First performed in 1953, the dance is distinguished for its original planning and composition.

¥3,500 ( ¥4,000 with tea service )

Access from J-hoppers Kyoto guest house : City Bus No.202 or 207　⇒ "Gion"　bus stop

14th Nov. Maple Leave Festival

14th November 2010 (except rainy day)
Momiji(maple leave) Festival on Arashiyama area

Performance of Japanese traditional arts ( dance, Noh-play etc ) ,
staged on boats on the Oigawa-River.

FREE

Morning: 10:30～

Afternoon:13:00～

*The best spot to see these performance from Togetsu Bridge!

Access : Kyoto Bus 71, 72, 73 "Arashiyama"

JR Sagano line " Sagano Arashiyama"

Oct 22nd @ night time"Kurama Himatsuri"

Yuki Shrine "Kurama Himatsuri" ( Fire Festival )

OCT.22nd

Yuki Shrine

Exciting festival.
Long row of torches planted on both sides of the street leading to Yuki Shrine are lit at 6pm.
Children in festival dress march to the Shrine carrying small torches, followed by adults with bigger torches.

Admission : Free

• [ Yuki Shrine ]
  Tel : 075-741-1670
  Access : Eizan Railway Kurama-line "Kurama"Station

22nd Oct. Jidaimatsuri Festival

Jidaimatsuri Festival ( Festival of the Ages)

22nd October
starting from Kyoto Imperial Palace

One of the three great festivals in Kyoto.
A procession of thousands people dressed in ancient costumes,
representing different epochs of Kyoto's 1200 year history.

Route
Kyoto Imperial Palace at 12 noon
↓
Karasuma-Oike at about 12:50pm
↓
Heian Shrine at 2:30pm.

The procession is long and it goes on for about an hour.
Should it rain, it will be postponed until the next day.

Admission : ¥2,000 ( reserved seat )


Access: Kyoto Imperial Palace
Subway Karasuma-line "Marutamachi" Station

Heian Shrine
City Bus No.5 "Kyotokaikan Bijutsukan-mae

1/10～3/10 Kyoto Antique Fair

1st Oct. (Fri) - 3rd Oct. (Sun)
Time: 10:00am - 17:00pm

@ Kyoto Puluse Plaza

BIG Antique fair is coming on those special days!
There will be more than 350shops from different places in Japan.
A lot of people are coming from Japan and overseas to buy special antiques!
You can't miss it !!

There are only a few fairs in a year.
Next fair will be in March 2011 !

Access: Subway Karasuma Line to 'Takeda'
then Take city bus to No.18, South1,2,3 to 'Puluse Plaza Mae'

Karasu Sumo Wrestling @Kamigamo shrine on Sep 9th

Kamigamo shrine is one of Kyoto's 17 Unesco World Heritage sites.

Karasu means crows. After the ceremony in the main shrine, a priest holding a bow and arrow near the sand mounds in front of the hosodono pavilion leaps in a sideways motion and emits a cawing sound like a crow in a unique manner. After that there are sumo wrestling matches among the children of parishioners.

• [ Kamigamo Shrine ]
• Tel : 075-781-0011
  Access : City Bus No. 4 "Kamigamojinja-mae"

15th～17th Sep. Seiryu-e(Blue Dragon Dance)

15th (wed) - 17th(Fri) September from 14:00pm～
at KIYOMIZU Temple

Seiryu, a dragon, is said to drink the waterfall in Kiyomizu Temple.

Colorful parade of the blue dragon with people in traditional costume at 2:00PM

Admission ¥300

This performance is very traditional in Autumn at Kiyomizu Temple.

Access : City Bus No.206 "Kiyomizumichi"

Gozan-Okuribi Festival

Aug 16th,the most popular event on hot summer night in Kyoto Bonfires are lit to light the way for the souls to go back to their world after the yearly visit to this world.

The festival starts at 8:00 p.m., when fires are lit on Mt. Nyoigatake to form the Chinese character dai, meaning "large". After this, more fires are lit separately on each mountain to form different patterns.

Kodaiji Temple Lit Up

Kodaiji Temple
1st August - 18th August
Sunset - 21:30pm

Artistically lighted up landscape is UNFORGETTABLE!!!

¥600 ( including the visit to Sho Musuem )

Kodaiji Temple does lit up every different season.

Why don't you have a memorable summer time at Kodaiji Temple?

Access : City Bus No.206 "Higashiyama-Yasui"

Nagoshi no Shinji

6th August from 18:30 ~
There will be a Nagoshi no Shinji ceremony at Shimogamo Shrine.

A Shinto ceremony to pray for health.
Young men jump into a small pond to compete to get sacred sticks set up in the ponds.


Summer of Kyoto still keeps warming you up!
Take care of your health with this ceremony.


Access: city bus 205 to ''Shimogamo Shrine mae"

HANABI =fireworks display=

Summer night bloomer == Fireworks display

What's more Japanese summer than Fireworks display?
What's more Fireworks display than Japanese summer?

We cannot say anything about Japanese summer without Fireworks display.
Unfortunately we don't have big fireworks in Kyoto city. but nearby Kyoto(Shiga pref and Uji city) have big one.

Lake Biwa fireworks display
⇒ Aug 6th (fri) 19:30->20:30 around Lake Biwa (20min by JR from J-Hoppers)

Uji river fireworks display
⇒ Aug 10th(Sat) 19:45->20:45 beside Uji River(20min by JR from J-Hoppers)

Gion Festival 17th July Yama-Hoko Junko

17th July from 9:00am～

Most exciting part of Gion Festival is....
Yama-Hoko Junko (The Grand Procession)

The first Naginata Float stars moving at 9:00am,then a formal ceremony confirms the order of the floats.
The floats are so big and heavy that bunches of bamboo are spread at each street corner to help the floats make a turn.

This technique, called "Tsuji-mawashi" , adds the exciting spectacles to the procession.

You can't miss it!

Why don't you wear Yukata for the special day?

Enjoy and feel one of big famous festivals in Japan !!

Access:

City bus No. 12, 46, 100, 201, 202, 203, 206, 207

to " Gion " bus stop !

A thousand times visit Atago Shrine

Through the night on Jul 31st to Aug 1st,
tens of thousands of people visit Atago Shrine,
which on top of the mountain located northwest part of Kyoto city.



This is not only all night long crazy visiting shrine,
but also once you visit there on that day,
it means you visit there a thousand times.
Especially Atago shrine is a symbolic of fireproof.
So this worship brings you protection from fire.

It is about 4km climbing. And on the top of mountain, there are some place to have a rest and shops to have a little snack. Also, you can get the charms for your kitchen wall to put on (500 yen).



Access: Kyoto bus no. 62 or 72
　　　　Kyoto sta.~ Kiyotaki bus stop 270/one way 54mins
　　　　075-861-2105

7th JULY Tanabata

Do you know about ☆Tanabata☆ ? ... meaning is "Evening of the seventh"
This is a traditional Japanese star festival on the 7th JULY every year.

It celebrates the meeting of Orihime (Vega) and Hikoboshi (Altair).
The Milky Way, a river made from stars that crosses the sky, separates these lovers,
and they are allowed to meet only once a year on the seventh day of the seventh.
The celebration is held at night, once the stars come out.

How Romantic !

Nowadays, people generally celebrate this day by writing wishes on tanzaku, small pieces of paper, and hanging them on bamboo.

There are some events for the day in Kyoto !

☆Jinushi Shrine @ Kiyomizu Temple☆

This shrine is very famous for ''Love Wish''.
Most of Japanese girls have been there once to make a wish for their any love.

This time you can write a wish on Kokeshi dolls,cylindrically-shaped bodies with a round head and no hands or feet, and hanging them on the bamboo !
Sounds very interesting !

Access: City bus #100, 202, 206, 207 to 'Kiyomizu Michi'


☆Kitano Tenmangu Shrine☆

7th July 13:30～
There will be a Tanabata dance performance @Kitano Tenmangu Shrine.
It is also very traditional and only for that day !

Enjoy Tanabata !

Access: City bus #50 'Kitano Tenmangu Mae'

Gion-Matsuri Festival

JUL.1 - JUL31

Gion Matsuri is one of the largest festivals in Japan.
This festival actually started in 869, when a priest of Yasaka Shrine led a procession of people through Kyoto in an attempt to pray Shinto gods to stop the plague raged at the time. The plague soon ended but this event became the most popular festival in Kyoto.
Most exciting part of the festival is Yoiyama ( eve of the Festival ) from 14th - 16th,and Yamaboko Junko ( The Grand Procession ) on 17th, but many other ceremonial rituals are held throughout July.

I prefer Yoi-Yama!

Why don't you go with your friends wearing Yukata?

Yoi-Yama ( Eve of the Festival ) and Byobu Matsuri (Screen Display)

JUL.14 - JUL.16

All the 32 Hoko and Yama(floats)are elaborately decorated with lanterns, and musicians wearing "Yukata", (summer Kimono) play rhythmical "Gion bayashi" music on the floats.
Also private houses along the streets open their doors to show their family treasures such as "Byobu (traditional folding screens)" to the people passing by.

Kyoto Beer gardens 2010

The beer gardens; drinking beer on the roof gardens with your friends or colleagues in the evening are set at various spots in Kyoto city.

Hotel Keihan ( 5 minuets from J-Hoppers Kyoto on foot)
3,500 yen per person All you can eat and drink
Ladies and senior nights (Mon, Tue and Wed) 3,000 yen per person
17:30~21:30 (L.O 21:00)
To be called off in case of rain
* It is 100 year anniversary since Keihan railway company was established. To celebrate it, wines (red and white) and Shochu drink are served just 100 yen!

Other Beer gardens in Kyoto;
Kyoto Gion Hotel: 3800 yen (male), 3300 yen (female) 17:30~21:00
Takashimaya Beer garden: 3500 yen (male), 3200 yen (female) 17:30~22:00
New Miyako Hotel: 4000 yen 17:30~21:00
Kyoto tower Beer garden: 3500 yen 17:30~ 21:00

The time has come. Let the summer begin.

Antique Grand Fair in Kyoto

JUN.18 - JUN.20 10:00AM - 5:00PM at ”Pulse Plaza”

Over a million antiques are exhibited and sold by 350 antique dealers from all over Japan .

People are coming for this from all over the world !

Why don't you get Japanese antiques for a gift or for your memory of Japan ?

Access : From Kyoto City Subway Karasuma-line Takeda Station,

City Bus No.South1,2,3 Pulse Plaza-mae

'artDive' Kyoto art festa

This is an exhibition and sale event of young and energetic artists, for young and energetic artists, by young and energetic artists.
There will be more than 150 exhibit booths and you will get a lot of chances to be stimulated by their work.
The products are; paintings, movies, animation works accessories etc.....
Please enjoy new talented art work in Kyoto!

16th May Mifune Matsuri Festival

16th May Mifune Matsuri Festival

*Mifune Matsuri = Boating

During Mifune Festival, a procession of lavishly decorated boats carrying costumed courtiers, musicians and dancers makes its way down the Oi River in the Arashiyama area.

The spectacle works out the Imperial Boating Party of the Heian era.

Their prows shaped into clourful dragons and phoenixes.

Sacred dances, poetry readings, Noh dramas and traditional melodies are performed on the boats.

Hire a boat or book a place on a sightseeing for a close-up view of the water-borne performances, or join the crowds watching from Arashiyama's famous Togetsu Bridge.

This is annual event ! Why don't you experience boating in ancient way?

[ Date ]

16th May 12pm - 16pm

[ Fee ]

Free

[ Access ]

City bus No.71,72.73 from Kyoto Station to 'Kurumazaki jinjya mae'

May 15th Aoi Festival

Aoi Festival reproduces the imperial processions to the shrines in ancient days .

An Imperial messenger and his suite in court costumes assemble at Kyoto Imperial Palace .
The festival is called Aoi ( hollyhock ) , because all the participants of the parade decorate their costumes with hollyhock leaves.
Hollyhock is believed to have all sorts of powers, including protection against lightning and earthquakes, and guaranteeing easy childbirth.


Route of the procession as below;
Kyoto Imperial Palace ( 10:30AM ) ---> Shimogamo Shrine ( 11:40AM )
Shimogamo Shrine ( 2:20PM ) ---> Kamigamo Shrine ( 3:30PM )

Kamogawa Noryo Yuka

It's getting summer in Kyoto!!(?)

Kamo river Noryo Yuka( open-air dining areas along the river) are unique to Kyoto. They are set up during the summer months as a way to dine while enjoying a cool summer breeze.
('cool summer breeze'... Now it is still spring cold wind:-).)


May 1st - Sep 30th
Along the kamo river, between Nijo street and Gojo street.

Senbon enmma do kyogen

Senbon Enmma do kyogen

It is very unique pray , traditional and attractive.
Why don't you share the laughter with local people in relaxed atmosphere.
May 1st sat to 4th Tue
At senbon enmma do temple.
One of the 3 famours kyogen in kyoto.
May 1st 2nd from 19
May 3rd,4th 13 and 18:00

Free

Take city bus 206. get off at Senbon kuramaguchi
This place is close to the funaoka onsen. Famouse public bath house.
You can visit the bath after the pray. :)
By Reina

Dedication of Kobudo @ Shimogamo-Jinja

Before Aoi festival, one of the biggest festivals in Kyoto, that is held on 15th May, there are various events are taken place at Shimogamo-Jinja and Kamigamo-Jinja.

I found an interesting event that is called Dedication of Kobudo. Kobudo is used as the generic name for old martial arts that were bases of Kendo or Judo.

The event starts in the afternoon of 4th May. This should be fun for those who like K-1. Don't miss it !

Mibu Kyogen play

Apr 21st – Apr 29th 13:00 – 17:30
5 shows are played everyday
800yen an unreserved seat (no photograph)
*There is a night show on Apr 29th. 18:00 – 22:00
@ Mibu Dera temple
Access: city bus No.26 'Mibu dera michi'

Mibu Kyogen play known as Mibu Dainenbustu Kyogen play have been loved by local people for 700 years since it was showed by one monk called Enkaku Shonin. He performed it to tell people about teachings of Buddha. It was too difficult to understand Buddha's lessons for local people at that time. So he tried to make it easier – he pantomimed about what Buddha says in front of the audience. This is the origin of Mibu Kyogen play.



It has been matured and there are 30 stories in our time. All the players put the musk on and they speak no word during the show. Now Mibu Kyogen play is performed by the local people – they are usually office workers, students and shop owners from 6 years old up to 80 years old.
There are only two chances we can watch this traditional play in a year. Why don’t we come and enjoy it with cozy spring breeze?

Hanami @ Maruyama Park

Cherry blossom-viewing (Hanami) is not only meant for viewing flowers. Hanami is a time for merrymaking with drinking, eating and singing under the trees...

Maruyama park is one of the most famous spot in Kyoto. You can find great cherry blossoms and find...Japanese nice hanami culture :-)

Access from J-Hoppers Kyoto
city bus #202 or #207
⇒get off Gion bus stop
⇒walk for 5 min

SAKURA Cherry blossom has popped out!

Finally, long cold winter has left and Sakura came out .
This year , sakura came out earlier than last years.
Don't worry, all the different kinds of sakura bloom in different time.
If you come to Kyoto within this week, I recommend you to visit north part of Imperial park.
(Free, 24hours open)
Gorgeous hanging sakura is blooming fully.Also in-between Gojo and Nanajo street, kamo river side, you can see such an amazing sakura giving joy to people's eye and hearts!


Shidare sakura at Kamoriver
around Shichijo and Gojo
22nd March 2010
















Yukiyanagi flowers at Kamo river
22nd March 2010
















Shidare Sakura near Heian shrine.
19th March 2010

Spring Dance Festival by Maiko & Geisya

Annual dance performances by Maiko & Geisya of Kamishichiken. Kamishichiken is located in a few streets away from Kitanotenmangu Shrine where antique flea market is held every 25th day of the month.

Schedule of The Spring Dance Festival

Date: 3/25-4/7

Time: 1:30~ / 16:00~

Fee: 4,500 yen (includes tea service and complimentary gift) or 4,000 yen (without tea cervice)

View Kyoto Rental Furnished Apartment and Monthly Guest House in a larger map

Kyoto Hana Toro 2010

We can sense the smell of the cherry blossom. We are almost ready to have new season. If you visit to Kyoto this time of season, you will enjoy the atmosphere of celebrating for having spring.



Kyoto Hana Toro 2010 is held in between Mar 13th to Mar 22nd.
The beautiful lighting and flower lane is set up along the most popular Higashiyama walking route, from Kiyomizu temple to Shorenin temple.
The 4,6 km route will be lined with 2,400 lanterns which are lit between 6pm to 9:30pm.

During this event, you can also visit some temples at night.

Kiyomizu temple: 6:30pm - 9:30pm 400yen
Kodaiji temple: 5pm - 9:30pm 600yen
Yasaka shrine: after sunset - 9pm
Chion in: 5:30pm - 9:30pm 500yen
Shorenin temple: 6pm - 9:30pm 800yen

For further informations, please refer to the following website;
http://www.hanatouro.jp/e/higashiyama/index.html

Nehan-e March 15th, When the Buddha entered Nirvana,,

Nehan-e .
It is a Nirvana ceremony of the day of Buddha had past away.
A big scroll depicting the Buddha entering Nirvana will be hanged in the several Buddhist temples in Kyoto.



The ceremony expressing our gratitude to the Buddha's performance.










Shinnyo-do Temple 真如堂
March 1st to 31st
9am-16pm
Entrance 600yen.
This area is very quiet and non touristy ,you are able tovisit many temples(free to enter) and shrines in a tranquil local atmosphere.
March 15th, special ceremony is held.
*City Bus 202 from J-hoppers. 25 min ride .Get off at "Kumano -jinja mae" bus stop. 10min walk

Sennyu-ji temple泉涌寺
March 14th-16th
9am-16:30

This temple is close to J-hoppers Kyoto.
The temple is surrounded by beautiful forest .
You can visit Imakumano kannon temple and shrines also Tofukuji zen temple by walk.

Biggest Nehan-zu scroll in Japan
Entrance 500yen
March 15th, special ceremony is held.

*2 stops from j-hoppers .City bus 202,207,208 4min ride. 5 to 10 min walk
* From J-hoppers, 20min walk.

Tofukuji-temple 東福寺
March 14th-16th

It's a big scroll and famous for the detail and beauty of the painting.
Free to see the Scroll in the main temple .
Entrance for other gardens 400to 500yen .
Tofukuji is consisted by many sub temples with beautiful zen gardens .
It's worth visiting those gardens .
*1stop by bus City bus get off at "Tofuku-ji" 3min ride . 202,207,208
*From j-hoppers, 10 to 15 min walk.
March 15th, special ceremony is held.
Free sweet soup(amazake) will be offered and Shakuhachi will be played.

Seiryo-ji temple清涼寺
March 15th
Very interesting Kyogen play is held(Entrance is FREE only on this day).
Huge fire will be lit when the night comes to send the spirit of Buddha.

Kyogen play 15:00 16:30 18:00
Special ceremony from 18:30
Taimatsu lit up from 20:00

Saga-Arashiyama area is a great place to spend a day.
*10 to 15 min ride by JR train. 15 to 20 min by walk from the Arashiyama train station.
(This ceremony will be very busy with many people)

Honpo-ji temple 本法寺
March 15th-April 15th
10am-16pm
Entrance 500yen
The scroll is one of the three best nehan-zu in Japan.
National treasured garden is open for this period.
* From the Kyoto station,City bus No.9. 40 min ride .Get off at "Horikawa Teranouchi" 3min walk from the bus stop.

Plum Blossom Shower in Kyoto

Plum blossoms in Kyoto has appeared so many times in Japanese classical poems.
It colors memory of people for it's fragrance .
Spring is here ,one after another , different plums are blooming like a bird fly from the brunch to brunch.Why don't we take a walk in the new spring shower?

KitanoTenmangu shrine
plum garden 600yen comes with sweets and tea
10am-16pm until the end of March
This is a nice district for walk and nice restaurants and shops.

Jonan-gu shrine
Hanging plum blossoms and Camellia
Feb 18th-March 21st 500yen 9am -16pm
Gorgeous Hanging plum blossoms and spacious fantastic gardens designed by Mirei Shigemori.

Other selected places to enjoy plum viewing
Kyoto Impreial palace (down town)
Umemiya taisha shrine(south west)
Kyoto botanical garden(north)
Zuishin-in temple(south east)

Shuntoue (春桃会) @ Sanjusangen-do on the 3rd of March

March 3rd is Girls' Festival in Japan. The day is not an official holiday, but the day is one of the most interesting days for tourist.
Many temples and shrines have special festival on the day. I especially recommend you to go to Sanjusangen-do (again :-)).
Highly recommended point is===>Entrance Free!!(usual -->600yen)

↓Access from J-Hoppers Kyoto guest House ↓
City bus #208'Oishibashi'⇒'Hakubutsukan Sanjusangendo-mae'
@Sanjusangen-do



Also the 3rd of Mar is Wednesday. So Club World @Shijokawaramachi is entrance free !! (every wed entrance free!<--but this one for girls only).

Nagashi Bina at Shimogamo Shrine

It is Hina Matsuri (Doll Festival for girls) on March 3rd in Japan.
Here in Kyoto, there are various kinds of events at the temples and shrines to celebrate that day.
One of the most interesting event is ' Nagashi Bina ' which is held in Shimogamo Shrine. Hina dolls made of paper are put on straw plates and they are floated into the river to pray for children's health and happiness.
This traditional event has been taken place for more than a thousand year(since Heian period).

There will be the street performance, traditional kimono show and if you are lucky, you are able to take the pictures with Hina dolls.
Also one of the luckiest couple will wear proper costume of Hina dolls and her husband.

Access: City bus #205 'Tadasuno mori' bus stop

Sanyare Festival @ Kamigamo Shrine

Sanyare Festival which means a coming‐of‐age ceremony will be held at 11:00 of the 24th @ Kamigamo Shrine.

Boys who live in Kamigamo Shrine's neighborhood will be 15 years old in the year form a line and play the drum, gong and flute.

It's a bit distant from J-Hoppers to Kamigamo Shrine, but there is a historical townscape remains around Kamigamo Shrine area.

Setsubun event at Yoshida Shrine

Before romantic Valentine, there is a event for soybeans in Japanese culture. It is called Setsubun. People scatter soybeans to outside to drive bad spirits out of their houses and bring in good luck.

This ceremony is also held in temples and shrines.
Feb 2nd-Feb 4th [ Yoshida Shrine ]

http://www.yosidajinjya.com
Tel : 075-771-3788
Access : City Bus 202 'Kumano Jinjya mae' walk 10minits

Feb 2nd:Tsuina-shiki ( Ceremony of Chase Devils ) 6:00PM～
Feb 3rd:Karo Festival (good luck charms from last year are burned in a giant central bonfire) 11:00PM～

There are also more than 800 street stalls during the events.
Please enjoy Japanese traditional toys and sweets.
If you buy a bag of soybeans, you will get a a raffle ticket.
Why don't you try your luck for 2010?

"Toshiya" Archery Contest at Sanjusangen-do on the 17th of Jan

An annual New year's event, the 'Toshiya'archery contest is held at Sanjusangen-do on the 17th of Jan(Start : 9:00a.m.).


Many women join the contest wearing colorful hakama dress they have prepared for 'Coming-of-Age day (Seijin-no-Hi)'.

↓Access from J-Hoppers Kyoto guest House ↓
City bus #208'Oishibashi'⇒'Hakubutsukan Sanjusangendo-mae'
@Sanjusangen-do
Admission fee⇒ Free!!(Only the 17th of Jan)

Kyoto Fushimi Sake Brewert Tour !!

Do you know about "Sake"? Sake is a rice wine and getting a good reputation among the world these day. Kyoto is the second Sake producing prefecture in Japan.

It is hard for the brewer to accept the casual visitor while they are making sake but they have the wish to introduce how to make great sake. So this tour is a rare opportunity for those who are interested in sake.

Period: Januray 11th to February 28th, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday
Time: 9:15~11:00
Price: 2,500 yen (included sake tasting and a special sake cup)

The owner of the brewery guides you and explain in (broken) English. Please ask at the reception of J-Hoppers Kyoto for further information. (our guests only)

Tiger's Park @ Kyoto Station Porta

Here is not Koshien Baseball Stadium. Here is Kyoto Station.
But some tigers gatherd to celebrate the year of the tiger (in Chinese astorology)



These are replicas of the national treasure. These are still very graceful and good for the new year. It's worthseeing!!

Ah!!...Sorry but This park will open until the 11th of Jan...
Hurry up !! Otherwise these tigers run away:-)