Wisterias in Toba & Azaleas in Keage

 After the cherry blossoms, wisterias & azaleas gonna bloom in Kyoto.

There are pretty popular places to see them where open for public only 5 days in a year, at the best season!

【Wisterias in Toba】

Place: Toba Water Environment Protection Center

Date: 26th April - 30th April

Time: 10am - 4pm (last admission at 3:30pm)

Access from our guesthouse: Direct bus from Kyoto station

Fee: FREE

【Azaleas in Keage】

Place: Keage Water Purification Plant

Date: 2nd May - 6th May

Time: 10am - 4pm (last admission at 3:30pm)

Access from our guesthouse: Subway Kujo station - (transfer at Karasuma Oike station) - Keage station

Fee: FREE

 We still have some availability for some of these days, why don't you come to Kyoto to see not only temples & shrines but beautiful flowers as well?

J-Hoppers Kyoto New Year's Eve!

We will have an New Year's Eve Event !!!
On December 31st night we will cook Toshikoshi-Soba(*1).
Then we go to the Tofukuji Temple around 21:30 to ring the Joya-no-Kane.(*2).
If you still have an energy, Let's go to Fushimi-Inari for Hatsumoude.(first visit of the year to a shrine/temple)
There are many many food stands and people there :-P

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)




Joya-no-Kanel(*2)
 

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.  

Ciname on the river bank

--- Kamo Cinema vol.10th ---
Aug 23rd (sat)
Start at 19:30
Entrance Free
Between 'Imadegawa Dori' and 'Kojinguchi Dori'
(5 minutes walk from Demachiyanagi station)

This outdoor event has been loved among Kyoto local people Since 2005. This year's film is 'Kamogawa Horumo'. It's a fantasy, comedy and targeted st young people. However you'll see a lot of places in Kyoto in the film, so it's enjoyable even you are not young.

GAZAN no OKURIBI

AUG 16, 2014

GOZAN no OKURIBI is a traditional event in Kyoto.
Five giant bonfires are lit on mountains surrounding the city. It signifies the moment when the spirits of deceased family members, who are said to visit this world during O-Bon, are believed to be returning to the spirit world—thus the name OKURIBI. (送り火 "send-off fire").

20:00　　大 (large)
20:05　　妙法(wondrous dharma)　
20:10　　shape of boat

20:15  　大 (large)
20:20    shape of torii (shrine gate)


Come to the reception! We'll tell you where you can see them! ;-)

Ukai Cormorant Fishing

July 1-Sept. 15

Ukai Cormorant Fishing in Arashiyama



Ukai is a traditional fishing method in which cormorants (large diving birds) are used to catch sweet river fish or ayu; Carried out on the Oi River, this event is one of the most popular summer tourist attractions in Arashiyama; Tourists can watch the event either from banks of the river or get a seat on a boat which let them watch the performance up close.

Adults: 1,700 yen, Children (4-12 years old): 850 yen; 19:00-21:00; Boat ride: 19:00 & 20:00; No service on Aug. 16; Access: Kyoto City Bus #28, get off at Arashiyama Koen; Arashiyama Tsusen: Tel: 075-861-0302.

Fuji flower viewing

The Japanese love flowers, and wisteria are among their favorites. Wisteria (known as Fuji in Japan) is said to be one of the archipelago's most ancient noted flowering trees, even being described in the collected poems of the Man'yoshu (Collection of Ten Thousand Leaves).

Most of the best places to view Fuji flowers are in Kanto area. But there is one hidden place to view beautiful Fuji in Kyoto... at a water and sewage plant!

After all the cherry blossoms are gone, why not go to see gorgeous Fuji flowers?

Venue: Water and sewage plant in Toba, Kyoto (鳥羽水環境保全センター)
Time: 10:00-16:00 (Last entry: 16:30)
Fee: FREE
Access: There will be shuttle buses from Subway Takeda station and Kyoto station. (Every 10-20min)
           ・From Takeda st. West Exit　9:40-15:10
           ・From Kyoto st. Hachijo Exit  9:30-15:00

Miyako Odori (Geisha Dance Show)

"Where can I see geisha?"
This is one of the frequency question that we have.

Here is highly recommended Geisha Dance Show of Spring!


Miyako Odori
@ Gion Kobu Kaburenjo
APR 1 - 30  @12:30-  14:00-  15:30-  16:50-
Ticket from 2000yen - 4500yen (with tea celemony)

Czech Posters for Films

AT 

     the National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto

Exhibition dates

      March 21(Fri./holiday) - May 11(Sun.), 2014
      Closed on Mondays
      Exception: Open on April 28 (Mon.) and May 5 (Mon./holiday)

Hours

Regular hours

9:30AM–5:00PM (admission until 4:30PM)

Evening hours (every Friday)

9:30AM–8:00PM (admission until 7:30PM)

Czech Republic has produced many great movie poster designs, including posters for Hollywood movies and Japanese movies. 

This exhibition presents 82 posters, from 1950s to 1980s.

Admission 430yen

http://www.momak.go.jp/English/exhibitionArchive/2013/402.html

Rainmaking Festival at Kifune Shrine

Amagoi （Rainmaking）Festival at Kifune Shrine

 March 9th

After offering sacred water and food to the deity (at 10:00), a Shinto priest will purify the shrine grounds with sacred water; The God of Rain is worshiped and people pray for a good autumn harvest.

Access: Kyoto City Bus #17, get off at Demachiyanagi-eki-mae and take Eizan Railways to Kibune-guchi Stn. (then walk for 30 min. to the shrine); Tel: 075-741-2016; kifunejinja.jp/

Godairiki-san

Godairikison ninno'e, also known as "Godairiki-san" is held on Feb 23rd every year at Daigoji-Temple.
Monks are empowered by Godai Myo’o (5 great powers) including Fudo Myo’o and pray for peace, health and happiness of the country and people.

This origin goes back to 907, Emperor Daigo’s time.

Prior to the festival, more than 1000 monks from all the mountains in Daigoji gather and stay in a hall for a week up until the day of the festival to thoroughly pray with paper charms called Mie. 

In recent years, “Mochi age riki hono” (dedication of power by lifting a rice cake) has been famous. In this event, male participants try to lift a 150 kg piece of rice cake and female visitors try 90 kg to dedicate power and pray for their health and happiness.
 

Access : 15min walk from Daigo Sta. of subway.

www.daigoji.or.jp/

 

New Year's Events in Kyoto

Jan. 1-3
Obuku-cha New Year's Tea Service at Rokuhara Mitsu-ji Temple
A cup of green tea made with pure water taken on New Year’s Day will be served to visitors; It is believed that drinking this tea at the beginning of the year can prevent illness throughout the year; 9:00-17:00; 300yen; Access: Kyoto City Bus #206, get off at Kiyomizu-michi; Tel: 075-561-6980; rokuhara.or.jp/


Jan. 2-4
New Year Calligraphy at Kitano Tenman-gu Shrine

The deity of Kitano Tenman-gu Shrine is Sugawara no Michizane, an important court officer as well as a gifted poet and calligrapher in the Heian period (794-1185); From 13:00 on the 3rd, kyogen comic theatre will be performed; People also come here during this period to write the first calligraphy of the year (50yen/paper; 10:00-16:00); Access: Kyoto City Bus #50, get off at Kitano Tenmangu-mae; Tel: 075-461-0005; kitanotenmangu.or.jp/


Jan. 3
Karuta Hajime at Yasaka Shrine

At 13:00, fourteen women dressed in Heian period court costumes play karuta (a traditional Japanese card game introduced by the Portuguese in the 16th century); Access: Kyoto City Bus #206, get off at Gion; Tel: 075-561-6155; web.kyoto-inet.or.jp/org/yasaka/


Jan. 4
Kemari Hajime at Shimogamo Shrinee

Kemari, a kind of football game dating from the Heian period (794-1185) is played here by men in court costumes starting at 13:30; Access: Kyoto City Bus #205, get off at Shimogamo-jinja-mae; Tel: 075-781-0010; www.shimogamo-jinja.or.jp/


Jan. 7
Nanakusa Ritual at Gokonomiya Shrine
On this day, from 9:00, people come to the shrine to offer seven kinds of edible grasses (nanakusa) to the deity; After the ritual, rice porridge made with the seven grasses will be offered to visitors; Nanakusa-gayu rice porridge: 300yen; Access: Kintetsu Momoyama Goryo-mae Stn.; Tel: 075-611-0559.


Jan. 9-12
Gafu Bonsai Exhibition at the Miyako Messe
Over 1,200 bonsai dwarf trees will be exhibited. These trees have been carefully cultivated by famous bonsai specialists; 800yen; 9:30-16:30 (until 15:00 on the last day); Access: Kyoto City Bus #5, get off at Kyoto Kaikan Bijutsukan-mae; All Japan Bonsai Association: Tel: 072-754-0481; www.miyakomesse.jp/


Jan. 15-31
Azuki-gayu Festival at Torin-in Temple in Myoshin-ji Temple

Kyoto people believe that eating red bean rice porridge (azuki-gayu) at the beginning of the year will prevent illness. Azuki-gayu is one of the vegetarian dishes regularly eaten in Zen temples; 3,700yen (plum tea, azuki-gayu, shojin vegetarian cuisine; reservations not required); 11:00-15:00; Access: JR Hanazono Stn.; Tel: 075-463-1334.

Kibune Shrine

Tanabata; (meaning "Evening of the seventh") is a Japanese star festival. It celebrates the meeting of the deities Orihime and Hikoboshi. According to legend, the Milky way separates these lovers, and they are allowed to meet only once a year, on July 7th.


Between July 1st and August 15th, there is a Tanabata decorations at Kibune shrine. And it is light-up after sunset until 20:00. It is free to enter.

Also on July 8th (mon), "Kibune Shrine water festival" will be held.
Starts at 8:00 and finish at 12:00, it is better to visit early in the morning. It is free of charge, unless you join the tea ceremony, it costs you 3,000 yen.

Access: from Kyoto sta. catch 'Kyoto Bus'  and get off at 'Kibune Jinja Mae (in front of Kibune shrine). It takes about 1 hour ride.

Come visit Kyoto to see beautiful lanterns!

Fantastic lanterns and flower lane

  Kyoto Higashiyama Hanatouro 2013, an event that marks the coming of spring in Kyoto, will be held between March 8-17. "Higashiyama Hanatouro" is an event that decorates about 5 km of promenade from Shoren-in to Kiyomizu Temple with 2500 Andon LEDs, a standing lantern, as well as works of Ikebana traditional Japanese flower arrangement. The cobble-stoned promenade and the streets in which the long history of old Japan still alive will emerge under the faint lights and create a fantastic atmosphere.

During the event, neighboring shrines and temples will be illuminated and also have special opening hours to allow you to visit during the night. Furthermore, there are various events every day; exhibitions like "Contemporary Ikebana" by young artists and "Illumination Art Work" by art students as well as "Fire Watch and Ohayashi Music Group ", a parade by local school children, just to name a few. Visit and experience Kyoto's fantastic night event. This is going to be an unforgettable experience. You shouldn't miss it!


Location: Higashiyama area
Date: March 8th - 17th, 2013 (held rain or shine)
Illumination hours :18：00 - 21：30
Access: 10 min walk from Subway "Higashiyama" station, 14 min walk from Kyoto City Bus "Gojozaka" station, 8 min walk from Keihan "Gion Shijo" station, 10 min walk from Hankyu "Kawaramachi" station
http://www.hanatouro.jp/e/higashiyama/index.html

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!!!

Monster Street

Ichijyo street lies on the northern tip of Heian-Kyo (one of the Japanese former capitals), that is, the border between the internal and external. In Heian-kyo, some also said it was the route between the human world and the non-human world.
Rumour has it that on a dark night during Heian period, the old materials and goods dumped by humans transformed into Yōkai (called ‘Kutsumogami’). One after another, a throng of monsters marched into the capital via this Ichijo street.
Moreover, a second-hand market has been held for many years on the 25th day of every month at Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, in the vicinity of Ichijo street, because apparently the people in the past started reselling their old belongings before they turned into monsters according to “Onmyo (Yin-yang) Yōkai emaki” written by ARAMATA Hiroshi.

Monster Street on Ichijo street
Oct 20th　（Sat）
Frea Market 16:00-
Monster Parade　18：30-

Kyoto Vegetarian Festival

10th Anniversary Kyoto Vegetarian Festival 2012
September 30th (SUN)
10AM - 5PM
In the Umekoji Park　(20min walk from J-Hoppers Kyoto)
Free Admission

The festival features over 100 booths of special vegetarian food, cosmetic, etc...
Also some performances are going on!


http://www.vegetarianfestival.jp/english.html

Kiyamachi Food Festival 2012

Kiyamachi area is a hub of restaurants, bars and other night entertainment for Kyoto local people.
On Apr 21st and Apr 22nd, an exciting festival will be held there.

--- Kiyamachi Food Festival---
* buy the ticket(5 pieces) in advance (3000yen) via website
* exchange that ticket at a liquor shop in Kiyamachi on the day
* you can visit the joined restaurants (78 places) with the ticket
* You get one food and one drink with one piece of ticket

To go to Kiyamachi area from J-Hoppers Kyoto Guesthouse,
please catch a bus No.207 then get off at 'Shijo-Kawaramachi'.(220yen)

Those restaurants open from the evening.

Grand Sumo Tournament at Osaka 2012

The exciting Sumo Tournament is coming to Osaka on March.



'2012 March Grand Tournament'
Date: March 11th(sun) - March 25th(sun)
Place: Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium
Access: JR Kyoto sta. to JR Osaka sta. (30 min, 540yen) → subway(Midosuji line) Umeda sta. to subway Namba sta. (8 min, 230yen) → Exit 5, walk 350m

Ticket: seat from 3000yen~
*details http://sumo.pia.jp/en/sumo03.jsp



Schedule
14:30 Juryo(junior-grade wrestlers) on the ring
15:00 match between the Juryos
15:50 Mauuchi(senior-grade wrestlers) on the ring
16:00 Yokozuna(highest rank wrestler) on the ring
16:10 match between the Makuuchis
18:00 the bow twirling ceremony

The grand sumo tournaments are held 6 times a year, however it comes to Osaka only once a year. Let's enjoy our Japanese traditional sport and have a great experience.

Godai-Rikison-Ninno-e ( A Contest of Strength )

Godai-Rikison-Ninno-e ( A Contest of Strength )
FEB.23
Daigo Temple

People hold two enormous rice cakes to compete their strength, and who can hold the for the longest time will be the winner.
From 12:00PM.

* [ Daigo Temple ]
* Tel : 075-571-0002
Access : City Subway Tozai-line "Daigo Station"