Toka Ebisu

For five lively days in January thousands throng to a small shrine in Gion to pray to Ebisu, the god of good fortune. 

The first major festival of the year in Kyoto is Toka Ebisu. “Toka” means the tenth day, and Ebisu is the god of good fortune and prosperity. Though centred on the 10th of January, this festival actually lasts for five days from the 8th until the 12th. During this time thousands of visitors crowd into Ebisu Shrine to conduct a simple ritual of prayer for ongoing success in their work and business.

Many people buy branches of lucky bamboo grass, called Fuku-Zasa which has been blessed in a special ritual by a shrine maiden. They then buy more lucky charms and talismans, which they attach to the bamboo branch. These charms come in all kinds of designs, but two of the most common are treasure boats for wealth and red sea bream for future success.

Throughout the festival there are a number of special ceremonies and events such as Mochi-tsuki, the Rice Pounding Ritual, 

and the Hoekago parade by performers from Toei Kyoto Studio Park etc...

Also this festival is a good opportunity to see maiko, the apprentice geisha of Kyoto. On the afternoon of January 11th, maiko from the geisha district of Gion sit in the main hall and give out lucky rice cakes and branches of lucky bamboo grass. In the evening maiko from the Miyagawa district do the same. This is when sales of lucky bamboo grass reach their peak!

Personally, my favorite part of this festival is simply wandering by the festival stalls that line the streets leading to Ebisu Shrine. All kinds of cheap goods are on offer and plenty of food and drink. When night descends the streets seem to come alive with illuminated colourful stalls selling tako-yaki octopus dumplings, kara-age deep fried chicken, and ringo-ame candy apples. Local restaurants are also busy with hungry pilgrims. Some stalls sell hot sake, and others sell hot wine. Truly, for a little while, Ebisu has brought good cheer and prosperity to this area at least.

Toka Ebisu Festival Date and Time

January 8th 9 AM - 11 PM

January 9th 9 AM - January 11th midnight (open all day, all night)

January 12th 9 AM - 10 PM

Ebisu shrine is 5 mins walk form exit #1 @ Keihan railway

Cold Day Hot Bath

We need warm things. Warm room? Fluffy winter socks? Kotatsu? Hot butter rum?

I was checking some bath houses around Kyoto as people ask me questions like "What's the difference between Onsen and Sentou?" "Where's the famous Onsen in Kansai?" "Where's the closest Onsen we can get from J-Hoppers?", and I found out that Kyoto has a public bath house with natural hot-spring which you can take for 430yen (410yen if you get bath ticket!).

Called Tensho-no-yu
10 mins walk from JR Nishioji station
closed: Tuesdays
open 2pm to 1am

They have multiple pools including outdoor bath or electric bath just like other Sentous, but the best part is it's natural onsen and it's cheap!

Try it and stay warm, and have a happy holiday :)

Machiya style Italian Restaurant

This is Saho from J-hoppers Kyoto.
One of my favorite cuisines is Italian and I have found a recommendable Italian restaurant and am happy to introduce you today.

『Dining&Cafe&Bar閏(Uruu)』is located near Nijo castle.
It is 100 year-old Machiya house and turned into a modern cafe.
Good and old atmosphere is being created both from exterior and interior of the house.
It is opened for lunch, cafe and dunner and I visited there around noon, had lunch course.
Started with appetizer, main pasta and a coffee at the end that is 1300 yen.
I really enjoyed food and cozy couch dining space.
If you are fun of Italian cuisine, this is a place to go :)

Christmas illlumination in Kyoto Botanical Garden

Hi, there! I'm Tomo and I work at Kyoto J-Hoppers. An autumn colored season has passed and it's only 3 weeks left this year. Christmas is coming soon!
Today, what I will introduce you is about Christmas illuminations. It will take place in Kyoto Botanical Garden from December 15th to 25th.

This is the most famous tree called Kusunokinamiki.
It's 20 meter high.

 

I hope you will enjoy these beautiful illuminations.

Koyo and Izakaya

The autumn leaves season finally has come in Kyoto

It is probably the best time for autumn leaves now in Kyoto and there are too many people coming along to see them all the way from abroad.

I like to go to temples and shrines taht are famous for autumn leaves in this season but it is also good to see them on the street while strolling.





And if you are tired to walk, you could just stop in good Japanese bar.

Nice warm food and great atmosphere will make you appreciate the cold weather.

November 25th Saturday

On November 25th, you can enjoy 2 things at Kitano Tenman-gu Shrine.

One is colored leaves; this shrine is one of the famous spot to see colored leaves.

 

You can see them both day time and night time :)

And the 2nd one is the flea market; there are plenty different kinds of items in and around the shrine and also you can eat local food since there are food stands as well.

　

 

You can enjoy these only on this Saturday so don't miss out :)

Enzyme Meals in Kyoto

Have you heard of enzyme meals?
Well, please don't ask me, because I don't know much except the fact it's so TASTY and HEALTHY.

This cafe called "Kouso Cafe 85" uses interesting seasonings like malts, charcoal, some kind of enzyme used as sugar.
They have plenty choices for vegetarian and vegan menus. So if you have any difficulty finding decent vegan/vegetarian restaurant, this is the place to go.



I'm not vegetarian nor vegan, but the quality of the taste and food is guaranteed!
(in Japan, it happens quite often where you are so disappointed with the quality and quantity compared to rather expensive pricing at those healthy restaurants...)



Location: https://www.google.co.jp/maps/place/%E3%81%93%E3%81%86%E3%81%9D%E3%82%AB%E3%83%95%E3%82%A7%EF%BC%98%EF%BC%95/@35.0164698,135.7536776,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x6001087e6195f211:0x83fa114025dc84b0!8m2!3d35.0164698!4d135.7558663