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!

 

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.  

Entokuin Temple

Entokuin Temple was built by Nene, who was known as Kitano Mandokoro
(wife of Toyotomi Hideyoshi) to mourb her husband in 1605.
She spent her last years here.

Open: Genaral 10:00am – 5:00pm
Special season (illumination show at nighttime) 10:00am – 9:30pm

Holiday: Closed certain days for affairs of the temple. Please confirm by telephone.

Charge: General: 500yen
  High School Student and under: 200yen

 

●Feel heart of Japanese culture

In the tearoom of Entokuin, you will be able to experience the tea ceremony.

The tea ceremony is a traditional Japanese culture.
It has been strongly influenced by Zen.
You will enjoy delicious Japanese sweets and tea.

・Charge: 500yen (also needed admission)

・Time is up to 4:00pm from 10:00am

*The reservation is not needed.

 

 

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/

 

Sanjusangendo Temple

A Buddhist memorial service will be held on Mar. 3rd (Sun) at Sanjusangendo temple which locates just 15 minutes on foot from J-Hoppers Kyoto Guesthouse.
And here's another happy news; it's FREE to enter on that day (usually it costs 600yen for admission)!!

One of the most famous monk (Setouchi Jakucho) in Japan is going to throw a speech outside the temple, too.

--- Shuntoe---

Mar 3rd (Sun)
9:00 - 15:30
From J-Hoppers Kyoto: city bus No. 208 to Hakubutsukan・Sanjusangendo mae

the watch‐night bell

Dec 31st is called 'Ohmisoka' among Japanese people. We stay up till midnight hearing 'Jyoya no kane'(the watch-night bell).

This bell sound is coming not from far mountains but from the temples nearby.
And you can even ring the bell to visit temples.

'Tofuku ji temple' is one of our closest choices for ringing bell.
We ring the bell only 108 times for some Buddhism reason, so usually we make a queue to get a a numbered ticket indicating the order.

Tofuku-ji Temple
・23:00 gate open and ticket will be served
・23:00 start to ring the bell
No reservation
Free to join
Access: 15 minuets walk from J-Hoppers Kyoto Guesthouse

Let's ZAZEN!

Our neighborhood temple, Tofukuji temple has a monthly Zazen practice.
It will be held on Oct 23rd (Sun) this month.



---Sunday Zazen Practice---
Date: Oct 23rd
Time: 8:00 - 9:00
Place: Zen hall at Tofuku ji temple
Free to join

There are the learner monks. They sit with you and some of them hit you if you ask.
It will be a bit chilly in the hall, please bring extra jacket with you.

Senbon enmma do kyogen

Senbon Enmma do kyogen

It is very unique pray , traditional and attractive.
Why don't you share the laughter with local people in relaxed atmosphere.
May 1st sat to 4th Tue
At senbon enmma do temple.
One of the 3 famours kyogen in kyoto.
May 1st 2nd from 19
May 3rd,4th 13 and 18:00

Free

Take city bus 206. get off at Senbon kuramaguchi
This place is close to the funaoka onsen. Famouse public bath house.
You can visit the bath after the pray. :)
By Reina

Mibu Kyogen play

Apr 21st – Apr 29th 13:00 – 17:30
5 shows are played everyday
800yen an unreserved seat (no photograph)
*There is a night show on Apr 29th. 18:00 – 22:00
@ Mibu Dera temple
Access: city bus No.26 'Mibu dera michi'

Mibu Kyogen play known as Mibu Dainenbustu Kyogen play have been loved by local people for 700 years since it was showed by one monk called Enkaku Shonin. He performed it to tell people about teachings of Buddha. It was too difficult to understand Buddha's lessons for local people at that time. So he tried to make it easier – he pantomimed about what Buddha says in front of the audience. This is the origin of Mibu Kyogen play.



It has been matured and there are 30 stories in our time. All the players put the musk on and they speak no word during the show. Now Mibu Kyogen play is performed by the local people – they are usually office workers, students and shop owners from 6 years old up to 80 years old.
There are only two chances we can watch this traditional play in a year. Why don’t we come and enjoy it with cozy spring breeze?

Kyoto Hana Toro 2010

We can sense the smell of the cherry blossom. We are almost ready to have new season. If you visit to Kyoto this time of season, you will enjoy the atmosphere of celebrating for having spring.



Kyoto Hana Toro 2010 is held in between Mar 13th to Mar 22nd.
The beautiful lighting and flower lane is set up along the most popular Higashiyama walking route, from Kiyomizu temple to Shorenin temple.
The 4,6 km route will be lined with 2,400 lanterns which are lit between 6pm to 9:30pm.

During this event, you can also visit some temples at night.

Kiyomizu temple: 6:30pm - 9:30pm 400yen
Kodaiji temple: 5pm - 9:30pm 600yen
Yasaka shrine: after sunset - 9pm
Chion in: 5:30pm - 9:30pm 500yen
Shorenin temple: 6pm - 9:30pm 800yen

For further informations, please refer to the following website;
http://www.hanatouro.jp/e/higashiyama/index.html

Shuntoue (春桃会) @ Sanjusangen-do on the 3rd of March

March 3rd is Girls' Festival in Japan. The day is not an official holiday, but the day is one of the most interesting days for tourist.
Many temples and shrines have special festival on the day. I especially recommend you to go to Sanjusangen-do (again :-)).
Highly recommended point is===>Entrance Free!!(usual -->600yen)

↓Access from J-Hoppers Kyoto guest House ↓
City bus #208'Oishibashi'⇒'Hakubutsukan Sanjusangendo-mae'
@Sanjusangen-do



Also the 3rd of Mar is Wednesday. So Club World @Shijokawaramachi is entrance free !! (every wed entrance free!<--but this one for girls only).

Nagashi Bina at Shimogamo Shrine

It is Hina Matsuri (Doll Festival for girls) on March 3rd in Japan.
Here in Kyoto, there are various kinds of events at the temples and shrines to celebrate that day.
One of the most interesting event is ' Nagashi Bina ' which is held in Shimogamo Shrine. Hina dolls made of paper are put on straw plates and they are floated into the river to pray for children's health and happiness.
This traditional event has been taken place for more than a thousand year(since Heian period).

There will be the street performance, traditional kimono show and if you are lucky, you are able to take the pictures with Hina dolls.
Also one of the luckiest couple will wear proper costume of Hina dolls and her husband.

Access: City bus #205 'Tadasuno mori' bus stop

"Toshiya" Archery Contest at Sanjusangen-do on the 17th of Jan

An annual New year's event, the 'Toshiya'archery contest is held at Sanjusangen-do on the 17th of Jan(Start : 9:00a.m.).


Many women join the contest wearing colorful hakama dress they have prepared for 'Coming-of-Age day (Seijin-no-Hi)'.

↓Access from J-Hoppers Kyoto guest House ↓
City bus #208'Oishibashi'⇒'Hakubutsukan Sanjusangendo-mae'
@Sanjusangen-do
Admission fee⇒ Free!!(Only the 17th of Jan)

MOCHI POWERLIFTING

Mochi weight lifting conpetition is held at Daigo-ji temple on 23rd February. Trying to hold huge mochi (15kg for men, 9kg for women) and the winner will be given the big mochi as the prize. If you wish to join in the competition, be there before 11 am.