KIMONO experince

Hi, this is Saho from J-Kyoto.

The other day my friends and I explored Arashiyama in Kimono.
It was a bit cold day but I was warm enough as I put on a thick kimono and
was excited all the time.
My recommendable photo shooting spot is behind of RANDEN train station.
there are many colorful poles arrayed in line and are lit up at night so it is
really photogenic !
Arashiyama is surrounded by mountain and there are many temples there so vivid colored kimono would really stand out !!

Arashiyama walkabout

Arashiyama is one of the most well known tourist destinations in Kyoto - bamboo forest, monkey park, hot spring or just the unique atmosphere in general.

I decided to go exploring a bit more of Arashiyama area apart from those famous spots.

Otagi-nenbutsuji
Walking 30 mins from busy central area to the north, you can find this quiet beautiful temple called Otagi-nenbutsuji. It was quite interesting to see Arashiyama with less people on the way, eventually got zero tourist, temperature dramatically dropped, we felt like we were in the forest.

So what makes this place unique is not only the location, but the crazy number of Jizou statues they've got. 1,200 of them with different faces and unique poses, that were pretty peaceful and lovely but kind of spooky at the same time.

It's going to be a nice small walk in the mountain, and I didn't see any foreigners there which was very rare experience in Kyoto. We saw a lot of cherry blossom trees lining up at the temple, and must be very beautiful with Autumn color too!

 

Tsukijuya

Arashiyama Hanatouro, one of the most popular illumination events in Kyoto is staged from Dec. 9th for 10 days.

During the period, "Tsukijuya" an event on the theme of moon is held at Shigureden.
The event contains astronomical observation, cafe, workshop, market, etc.....

You can see illuminated Togetsu-kyo Bridge and bamboo forest from the hall.

-Tukijuya-

Dates: Dec. 10th (Sat), 17th (Sat), 18th (Sun)
         *Dec. 9th, 11th-16th Art Exhibition
Hours: 17:00-20:30  (Last admission 20:00)
Venue: Shigureden, the hall of Ogura Hyakunin Isshu
Admission: 200yen



-Arashiyama Hanatouro-

Dates: Dec. 9th (Fri)-18th (Sun)
Hours: 17:00-20:30

Tamago , Egg , Tamagoya

Hi there ! Have you explored much in bamboo area, Arashiyama ?

Here's one of my highly recommendable shop, "TAMAGOYA".

They specialize in eggs and they offer you boiled eggs, raw egg on rice( you pour a bit of soy sauce and mix all together), and pudding !

The egg itself is amazingly deep-colored and is very rich in taste !

The shop is accessible from Saga Arashiyama station. When you pass through bamboo forest, you will bump into this shop on the same way to Gioji temple.

Thank you :-)

healing at a footbath

The beautiful cherry blossom season is coming to its end...

Warm enough to explore Kyoto and you might walk around too much because of its nice weather.

Taking a bath is one of the options to heal your exhaustion from a lot of walking.

There is a footbath inside Randen Arashiyama station.

The station is in the centre of Arashiyama area so you can access there easily.

You do not need to prepare towels, you will get one towel in exchange for the fee at the office.

Fee: 200yen (including one towel)

Opening hours: 9:00-20:00 (reception until 19:30)

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.  

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

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.

Onsen (Hot Springs) in Arashiyama

Only 10 minutes walking from JR Saga-Arashiyama station, there is a new hot springs!

---Fu Fu no Yu---
12:00 - 22:00
1000 yen (weekdays), 1200 yen (weekends)

There is shampoo and body soap, you can borrow towel.
They have got sauna and open air bath.

HP (Japanese)
http://www.hotespa.net/spa/fufu/


And, there is a unique cafe near JR Saga-Arashiyama station. The building is used to be a local public bath and now it is redesigned as a cozy cafe. It's named 'Saganoyu'.
When you get tired from walking around this beautiful Arashiyama area, this is a place to sit and have a cup of coffee.

HP (Japanese)
http://www.sagano-yu.com/index.html

Hana-touro in Arashiyama 2014

Even if you have been to Arashiyama area before,going the place for this season makes you surprise because of the event 'hana-touro'. You can see light up view spread in the area and the atmosphere is difference as usual. It is not only for a small area but also the both side of train line. Walking as seeing the view as visiting some places,the river,the bridge and bamboo forest. It could be like in a dream. Let's enjoy a short trip to Arashiyama for this season. Until:December 23rd Time:17:-20:00 Train:JR san-in line

a Monster train!?

Only once a year, you will experience the train ride full of monsters!

---a Monster creature on the train---

DATE: Aug 19th - Aug 21st and Aug 26th - Aug 28th
TIME TABLE: between Shijo Omiya station and Arashiyama station

Shijo Omiya 18:04 - Arashiyama 18:26
Arashiyama 18:50 - Shijo Omiya 19:12
Shijo Omiya 19:34 - Arashiyama 19:56
Arashiyama 20:10 - Shijo Omiya 20:32

FARE: adult 200yen
children 100yen
a monster 50yen

14th Nov. Maple Leave Festival

14th November 2010 (except rainy day)
Momiji(maple leave) Festival on Arashiyama area

Performance of Japanese traditional arts ( dance, Noh-play etc ) ,
staged on boats on the Oigawa-River.

FREE

Morning: 10:30～

Afternoon:13:00～

*The best spot to see these performance from Togetsu Bridge!

Access : Kyoto Bus 71, 72, 73 "Arashiyama"

JR Sagano line " Sagano Arashiyama"

16th May Mifune Matsuri Festival

16th May Mifune Matsuri Festival

*Mifune Matsuri = Boating

During Mifune Festival, a procession of lavishly decorated boats carrying costumed courtiers, musicians and dancers makes its way down the Oi River in the Arashiyama area.

The spectacle works out the Imperial Boating Party of the Heian era.

Their prows shaped into clourful dragons and phoenixes.

Sacred dances, poetry readings, Noh dramas and traditional melodies are performed on the boats.

Hire a boat or book a place on a sightseeing for a close-up view of the water-borne performances, or join the crowds watching from Arashiyama's famous Togetsu Bridge.

This is annual event ! Why don't you experience boating in ancient way?

[ Date ]

16th May 12pm - 16pm

[ Fee ]

Free

[ Access ]

City bus No.71,72.73 from Kyoto Station to 'Kurumazaki jinjya mae'