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!

2015 Grand Sumo Tournament

2015 Grand Sumo Tournament is coming to Osaka in March.
Why don't you see it if you are in Kansai area!?

Date : March 8-22
Place: Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium (BODYMAKER COLOSSEUM）
Ticket: From 3100yen-
Available: http://sumo.pia.jp/en/vacant/va03.jsp

What's SUMO?
http://www.sumo.or.jp/pdf/en/sumo_introduction2014.pdf

Plum Blossoms

We can feel that spring is coming here in Kyoto.

I know that everyone is waiting for sakura (cherry blossoms), why don't you go to  see plum blossoms to start your spring?

I visited Kitano Tenmangu Shrine which is famous for plum blossoms on Feb. 19th.

It was not in full blossom but some trees are 70% in bloom.

I think the best season is going to be in early March.

You need to pay 600yen (with tea & sweet) to enter the plum garden but there are many trees on the outside of the garden as well.
Plum Blossom Viewing Festival is held on Feb. 25th and outdoor tea ceremony is performed by maiko and geiko.

Kitano Tenmangu Shrine
  Time...9:00-17:00
  Access...City Bus #50 to "Kitanotenmangumae"



Other places for plum blossoms...

Nijojo Castle
  Time...8:45-16:00
  Access...City Bus #9 or #50 to "Nijojomae"
 
Kyoto Imperial Park
  Time...24hours open
  Access...Subway Karasuma Line to "Imadegawa"

Kyoto Prefectural botanical Park
  Time...9:00-17:00 (the reception open until 16:00)
  Access...Subway Karasuma Line to "Kitayama"

What to do in Kyoto on St.Valentine's Day

Tomorrow the whole world will celebrate St. Valentine's Day!

Many couples will go for dinner to some fancy restaurants. But for guests coming to Kyoto we suggest much more exciting and romantic ways to spend this day.

l         Kyoto Planetarium.

Just for 510 Yen you can travel around Universe together. Science center with Planetarium is 15 min walk from Takeda Station. Show starts at 13:00 and 15:45.

l         Small picnic at Kamogawa River.

It is still little bit cold outside. But if you would like to feel romantic atmosphere of Kyoto, wear something warm, grab some snack and spend this evening at  the riverside of Kamogawa around Shijo. You can also have dinner at one of the restaurants nearby with picturesque view, however, they are quite pricey.

l         Umeda Sky Building (Osaka; 30 mins by train from Kyoto Station)

Umeda Sky Building is 173 meters high. The 40th top and the rooftop are the Floating Garden Observatory where you can enjoy the sky and panoramic views. Entrance fee is 700 Yen.

l         Day trip to Nara

One of the most romantic places in Kansai is former capital Nara with its deer and old-fashioned shops and restaurants. Walk through Nara Park, try to feed deer and of course don’t miss Todaiji- temple with the biggest statue of Buddha in Japan.

l         Yasui Konpiragu Shrine

This shrine, located at Higashiyama area, not far from Yasaka Shrine, is famous for removing all evil fate that stands in the way of happy relationships between men and women. When married or dating couples, who are matched by good fate, visit the shrine, their good relationship will not be disturbed. They should have no concerns, since they will be blessed with an even deeper and stronger connection.

So these are a few options for your date in Kyoto.

By the way, tomorrow we are having Valentine’s Day Party at J-Hoppers Kyoto! Join us!

Matsuo Grand Shrine

Visited Matsunoo-Taisha (Matsuo Grand Shrine) to celebrate the new year last week! Local people generally call this shrine "Matsuo-san."

Matsuo Grand Shrine is one of the oldest shrines in Japan.
According to one of the "Kyogen (狂言)" programs called "Fuku-no-Kami (福の神)", it is said that the god of "sake" (酒神) is enshrined there.
After that, you can visit Arashiyama as well as it is easy to get from Matsuo station to Arashiyama by Hankyu Line.

*Access from Kyoto Hana Hostel*
■Bus
City Bus #28 from Kyoto Station (platform: D3)to Matsuo-Taisha mae
Kyoto Bus #73 from Kyoto Station (platform: C6) to Matsuo-Taisha mae
■Train (Subway and Hankyu Line)
First taking the Subway from Kyoto Station to Shijo, changing from the subway to Hankyu Line in Shijo station. Then, taking Hankyu Line from Shijo Station to Matsuo by changing the train in Katsura Station.

Why don't you visit the west area in Kyoto city?

KOKOLAYA

Kokolaya is a Japanese restaurant.
It is located in Gokomachi Street in Kyoto.

The atmosphere is very nice and you could feel ''Japanese Style".
You can try Japanese healthy cuisine at reasonable price.

Why don't you visit there ? :)

■Open
Lunch: 11:30 - 14:00 (until lunch are sold out)
Dinner 　18:00 - 22:00

■Close: every Tuesday

 http://kokoraya.moss-co-ltd.com/shopdata/gokoumachi.html