Jul 31, 2010

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)

Jul 11, 2010

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 !





Jul 10, 2010

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

Jul 4, 2010

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'