Japanese Tipical New Year's Eve

J-Hoppers Kyoto Guest house will have a New Year's Eve Party!
Here is our plan :

 7:00PM-         Having　"Toshikoshi Soba" together in the J-Hoppers Kyoto
 7:15PM-　       Watching "Kohaku Uta　Gassen" on TV

10:00PM          Walking to the Tofukuji-Temple to get a ticket to numbered ticket
11:50PM　        Ringing  "Joya no Kane" of the Tofukuji-Temple
 0:15AM　　　　  Walking to the Fushimi-Inari Shrine
 0:35AM           Praying for having a happy new year in the Fushimi-Inari Shirine
 1:30AM           Going back to the J-Hoppers Kyoto Guest house by train

*We might change the plan depends on weather.


Toshikoshi Soba
Japanese pray for longevity by eating long thin buckwheat noodles, hoping for the health of the whole family in the coming year.



Kohaku Uta Gassen
The annual contest between male and female popular singers on New Year's Eve. The show ends shortly before midnight. The honor of performing on the contest is strictly by invitation, so only the most successful singing acts in the Japanese entertainment industry can perform.
In addition to the actual music performances, the costumes, hair-styles, makeup, dancing, and lighting are important.



Joya no Kane
Buddhist temples start ringing their bells late on New Year's Eve and continue into the early hours of New Year's Day -108 times in all. The figure symbolizes the casting away of 108 earthly desires.



A Happy New Year!!!

an exhibition; photographer Ihei Kimura

When Robert Capa was shooting the people and soldiers in Vietnam, Ihei Kimura worked on the streets to cut the ordinary lives out in Japan.
Ihei Kimura (12 December 1901 – 31 May 1974) was one of the most celebrated Japanese photographers of the twentieth century, particularly known for his portrayal of Tokyo and Akita prefecture.

Now his exhibition is held at Kyoto Museum of Contemporary Art named 'Kahitsukan'.

Dec 1st - Feb 17th
10:00 - 18:00
entrance: 1000 yen
access from J-Hoppers Kyoto: city bus No. 202 from Oishibashi to Gion bus stop, walk 3 minutes toward West
http://www.kahitsukan.or.jp/frame_e.html

more information about Ihei Kimura, please refer the below;
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ihei_Kimura