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)

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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.