OMIKUJI

2015 year is rapidly coming by.

Would you like to know what it is going to bring to your life?

The very first thing I will definitely do in the beginning of January is going to a temple and taking OMIKUJI.

Omikuji is a prediction written on the strips of paper which you can take paying about 100 yen at any shrine or temple.

On the very top of prediction you can see 1 or 2 characters, for instance:

大吉 very good luck

吉 good luck

末吉 ending of your good luck

凶 bad luck

And more detailed fortune (like marriage, long trip or disease) is written bellow. If it happens that you got a bad prediction, it is a custom to fold up the strip of paper and attach it to a pine tree in the temple or shrine grounds.

By the way, in Kyoto Omikuji in English are available at Sanjyusangendo Temple!

Good luck!  

Footbath Cafe

There are many kinds of cafe in Kyoto and I recommend "Footbath Cafe" for this season.

It is already really cold here so it is good to take a footbath to warm up your body.

Or when you get tired with walking, you could relieve your fatigue.

You do not need to bring anything, a towel is included in the price!

Kyoto Syabonya

●Time...11:00～20:00 (From Jan., 2015...10:00～19:00)

●Price...1000yen (footbath 20min. + one drink + Japanese towel)

●Access...5 min. walk from subway KarasumaOike station

　
　http://www.shabonya.com/pages/eng/index.html

Arashiyama Hana-to-ro (嵐山花灯路)

I visited Arashiyama yesterday! ”Arashiyama Hana-to-ro (嵐山花灯路)” is now held until December 21st.

There are some beautiful illuminations of the nature with Togetsukyo Bridge (渡月橋) and some Japanese flower arrangement (いけばな)  , so they let us feel Japanese atmosphare! 

The most magical place is the small lane called ”Chikurin-no-michi (竹林の道) ” surrounded by bamboo thickets.

You can visit there by JR Sagano Line from Kyoto station to Saga-Arashiyama. It takes about 10 minutes to get to ”Chikurin-no-michi” from Saga-Arashiyama Station.

Arashiyama Hana-to-ro

December 12th - 21st

Time: 17.00 - 20.30

New Year's Eve @ J-Hoppers Kyoto

Do you want to see how Japanese people do in New Year's Eve?
Are you traveling by yourself but you want to be with somebody in New Year's Eve?

We will have an event for these kind of travelers!!!



On December 31st night we will cook Toshikoshi-Soba(*1) and watch Kohaku-Utagassen(*2).
Then we go to Tofukuji Temple around 21:30 to ring the Joya-no-Kanel(*3).
If you still have an energy, Let's go to Fushimi-Inari for Hatsumoude(*4).
There will be so many food stands and people also :-P

On January 1st, We will prepare Kyoto Style Ozouni(*5) so you can have it when you want :-D



New Year is the most important day for Japanese and hope you will feel it.
We still have some dorm beds available for December 31st!


Toshikoshi-Soba(*1)





Kohaku-Utagassen(*2)



Joya-no-Kanel(*3)
 

Hatsumoude(*4)
 


Ozouni(*5)
 

Christmas at Universal Studio Japan

Christmas is coming!

Universal Studio Japan prepared a lot of surprises for the guests.

The World’s most illuminated Christmas Tree will definitely make you feel as a part of beautiful and inspiring event!

Children will have opportunity to meet Santa and ask about most desirable gifts.

Meanwhile, your favorite characters, like Snoopy and Elmo, will dance and sing Christmas carols at Santa’s Toy March. 

Christmas celebration at Universal Studio will last until 6th of January!