【2015 Spring】Illuminations in Kyoto City

In Kyoto city, we have many historical places for sightseeing here such as shrines and temples.

We feel quite difficult to visit more than 4 places a day because most of them close around 16.00 - 17.00.

However, we have some illumination events for some special limited seasons.
During the limited periods, you can visit some historical places at night!

Here is some information about the illumination events with sakura in Kyoto in Spring!!

■Kiyomizu Temple (清水寺)
   Date: - April 12th
   Time: 18:00-21:00 (Reception closes at 21:00)
   *Admission fee required
   Access: City Bus #100 / #206 "Gojo-zaka" from Kyoto Station

■Seirenin (青蓮院）
　 Date: - April 5th, April 25th-May 6th
   Time: 18:00-22:00 (Reception closes at 21:30)
   *Admission fee required
   Access: City Bus #5 / #100 "Jingu-michi" from Kyoto Station

■Koudaiji (高台寺）
　 Date: - May 6th
   Time: Sunset - 22:00 (Reception closes at 21:30)
   * Admission fees required
   Access: City Bus #100 / #206 "Higashiyama-Yasui" from Kyoto Station

■Maruyama Park (円山公園）
　 Date: - April 12th
   Time: Sunset - 1:00am
   Access: City Bus #100 / #206 "Gion" from Kyoto Station

■Gion-Shirakawa (祇園白川）
   Date: - April 5th
   Time: 18:00 - 22:00
   Access: Gion-Shijo Station (Keihan Line)

■Heianjingu (平安神宮）
　 Date: April 9th - 12th
   Time: 18:15 - 21:00 (Entrance closes at 20:30)
   *Admission for "Shinen (神苑) required
   Access: City Bus #5 / #100 "Okazaki-kouen-mae・Heianjingu-mae" from Kyoto Station

■Kyoto Botanical Garden (京都府立植物園）
   Date: - April 12th
   Time: Sunset - 21:00 (Entrance closes at 20:00)
   *Admission required
   Access: "Kitayama" Station (Subway) / City Bus #4 "Kitayama-eki mae" from Kyoto Station

■Nijo Castle (二条城）
   Date: - April 12th
   Time: 18:30 - 22:00 (Reception closes at 21:30)
   *Admission required
   Access: City Bus #9 / #50 / #101 from Kyoto Station

■Toji Temple　（東寺）
   Date: - April 12th
   Time: 18:30 - 22:00 (Reception closes at 21:30)
   *Admission required
   Access: "Toji" Station (Kintetsu) / City Bus #205 "Toji-michi" from Kyoto Station

Teradaya

The Teradaya (Terada Inn) is located in the port town of Fushimi, south of Kyoto. Situated next to the Satsuma residence in Fushimi, the Teradaya was a known gathering place for ronin loyal to the pro-imperial cause and was the scene of two of the most spectacular events in the Bakumatsu era.

Why don't you visit there ? :)

■Hours：　10:00 - 15:40

■Holidays： January 1st - 3rd and every Mondays

■Admission：400 yen

Mar. 15 : Buddhist Ritual at Seiryoji Temple

Mar. 15

Nehan-e & Otaimatsu Fire Ritual at Seiryoji Temple



At the Nehan-e ceremony (a memorial ceremony for Buddha's nirvana; from 18:30), you can see an otaimatsu torch lighting ritual, held from around 20:30 which is said to reproduce the scene of when Buddha passed away; Their Saga Shaka Dai Nenbutsu (sutra chanting) is one of Kyoto's three largest religious performances held 3 times on this day (15:30/17:00/18:30). 

This temple is located in Arashiyama district which is famous for the bamboo groove and the beautiful scenery of nature & temples. Why don't you go explore the area in the daytime and witness the ceremony after sunset?

No entry fee (only on the day of Nehan-e ceremony day)
Time: 9:00-16:00
Access: Kyoto Bus #71, 72, get off at Saga Shakado-mae.
Tel: 075-861-0343.  

Higashiyama Lantern Festival 2015 (Higashiyama Hanatoro)

This year's Lantern Festival in Higashiyama Area is starting from March 6th finishing on March 15th:) You could enjoy old paths with beautiful lanterns, Japanese flower arrangements and some events happening especially on weekends.

Time: 6pm-21:30
Map and  details: http://www.hanatouro.jp/e/higashiyama/index.html

From Kyoto HanaHostel or J-hoppers, you could take city bus 206 or 100 and youcan get off
at some point where you want to start:)

But starting from Gojozaka (五条坂) would enable you to have a look of every festival place as well as sightseeing spots like Kiyomizu Temple清水寺, Kodaiji Tepmple 高台寺 and many more related areas:)

What most took my interest is sand art projection event at Chionin Temple 知恩院.
It seems the art group "SILT" will project the images of their sand art on the huge temple gate.
Must worth visiting:)

Dates:3/7,8,14,15
Time (3 times a night): 18:30~ 19:30~.20:30~

You could check their works from here: http://www.otomeru.com/silt/gallery.html

Have fun!