Hasegawa Residence Opens for the Public

It is only 10 minutes walk from J-Hoppers Kyoto Guest House, there is 270 years old Kyoto style townhouse. The end of Edo period, some Samurai stayed at, and we can find the swords cut on the pillars.
Also they show the collection of landscape painted by 11th house owner.

Open everyday until September 30th, 10:00-16:00. (600 yen)
Toward south from the guest house about 10 minutes, next to the old people's house (Rojin Home).

Special Summertime Lightup @Iwashimizu Hachimangu-Shrine

Iwashimizu Hachimangu shrine, founded in 860, was selected by Central Japan Railway Co. (JR Tokai) for the 2013 summer Kyoto sightseeing campaign.
 
The special summer night admission is the first ever for the shrine.
The shrine is illuminated between the hours of 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. from July 13 to Aug. 31.

Iwashimizu Hachiman-gu Shrine is one of the three most important Hachimangu shrines of Japan. The main vermilion-lacquered shrine building, which was remodeled in 1634 by the third shogun, Tokugawa Iemitsu (1604-1651), gives off a brilliant glow. Sculpted in the gorgeous Momoyama style, the entire building is designated as an Important Cultural Property.

Address : 30 Yawata, Kobo, Yawata City

Telephone : 075-981-3001(domestic)

Access : Get off at Keihan"Yawatashi"station and take Keihan Otokoyama Cable to the top of the mountain (3 min ride)

Fee : Free

One of the biggest festival in Kyoto: Gozan no Okuribi (五山の送り火)

Coming August 16th would be Gozan-no-Okuribi Festival. You could see five mountains with 5 different shapes/characters lit with fire. It is obon (the period spirits of ancestors coming back to their home). Gozan-no-Okuribi is for sending the spirits off. It is on the16th from 20:00! You could check this map from the link below: http://www.google.co.jp/imgres?imgurl=http://www.kyokanko.or.jp/okuribi/image/okuribi_map.gif&imgrefurl=http://www.kyokanko.or.jp/okuribi/enkaku_e.html&h=790&w=760&sz=72&tbnid=lTwmKPKV6NioWM:&tbnh=90&tbnw=87&zoom=1&usg=__PBuE7FXPu4tqZYJPxrwk5ppMgtI=&docid=YRQs1pXYu31iZM&hl=ja&sa=X&ei=J9cIUoTJEMWqkwWU7YH4Bg&ved=0CDUQ9QEwAg&dur=1683

LET'S GO TO SEE THE UJIGAWA FIREWORKS

LET'S GO TO SEE THE UJIGAWA FIREWORKS

Meeting Point : J-Hoppers Kyoto Guesthouse Lobby
Meeting Time : 6p.m
Fee : 460yen (JR train return ticket)

Grab some beers and see the fireworks !
We have some munchies :P

Animate Kyoto

If you are a big fan of Japanese manga,Animate is the place you should visit. It is one big comic goods store and they have many branches all over Japan. One of the branches is available in Kyoto. You even do not need to go to Manga museum in down town area to get some comic goods as the store is just next to the main Kyoto station! Animate in Avanti Kyoto 5th floor 075-693-8921 AM10:00～PM9:00

Ao Onigiri

Have you ever tried 'Rica Ball' in Japan? There is a place where you can try hand made rice ball near Ginkakuji temple. The ingredients are not only something from Japan but also western style. If you go to the area for a walk,it would be nice to have some of them for your lunch! 'Ao Onigiri' TEL/FAX：075-201-3662 11：00-20：00 Ginkakuji　Area Ask at the reception to know how to get there!

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.