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