Sakura in full bloom in Daigoji Temple

Sakura is now in full bloom in Daigoji Temple! 

The temple is also famous as one of world heritages in Kyoto.

The gate of ”Sanpoin” is shiny and stunning!

Please don't miss it!

Access to Daigoji 

From Kyoto Station

 - Kyoto to Yamashina by JR Tokaido Line, taking the subway from Yamashina to Daigo

OR

 - Kyoto to Rokujizo by JR Nara Line, taking the subway from Rokujizo to Daigo

   

Cozy cozy cozy

Hi, how aye you doing ? It has become warmer and warmer and spring is almost there?
As it gets warmer, good to take a walk and have a rest at some point,

Let me introduce you one ideal flow to go.

Let's focus on "Tsutaya bookstore in Okazaki,Kyoto" (京都岡崎　蔦谷書店）
It is in the ROHM THEATRE , on the 1st floor and there are multi genre books are available.

            

                                                                                                                                                                                              You can see lots of attractive guidebooks featuring Kyoto and Japanese cultures along with some Japanese souvenirs.

                                                             

  Let's move to 2nd floor. It is cafe ,restaurant or bar. They offer you meal, sweets and alcohol.     High ceiling , light and airy and very cozy. Suitable with your friends, colleagues and your loved one.

                                                                           Finally, let's take a look at 3rd floor and this is definitely my favorite place.                              It is so comfortable and cozy !  You can bring up coffee and indulge yourself in relaxing on the couch reading books :-)

                                                               

  Thank you very much for reading all through.

HotPot party!

Hello everyone!
One of the greatest helper BEN will be back in Kyoto on Feb 22nd!
We will organize a NABE(HotPot) party!!!
Let's get warm by hot NABE!

Feb 22nd 20:00-
@J-Hoppers Kyoto kitchen
500 yen *Please bring your own drink

Let's make Japanese sweets!

Hi there!
If you would like to experience something traditional, making Japanese sweets is one of the options.


I have done it at Kanshundo which is located in Higashiyama area.
(near Sanjusangendo Temple, very close to Hokuku-jinja Shrine)


They have 3 classes every day and each class takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes.
The staffs speak a bit of English but no worry, they show you how to make it.

You can make 4 different types of Japanese sweets and you will have one of them with Matcha green tea at the end of the class.

*Kanshundo*

Fee: 2160yen/person (including tax)
Classes: ①11:00～12:15  ②13:00～14:15  ③15:00～16:15
Reservation: required 3-4 days in advance, from 2 people
URL: http://www.kanshundo.co.jp/museum/make/annai_e.htm

Ume blossom & camellia in Jonangu Shrine

Before the sakura season, the best season for ume blossom is coming soon!

There is a festival for ume blossoms and camellias from February 18th to March 21st in Jonangu Shrine. We guess ume blossoms will be in full bloom around early March.

Why don't you visit Jonangu this year?

Plum & camellia festival in Jonangu Shrine

February 18th - March 21st

9.00am - 4.30pm (entrance closes at 4pm)

※Fee required

Hatsumode (the first shrine visit)

In Japan, people visit shrine (some people visit temple) on the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd day of the year to wish for the new year.


Here are some recommendable shrines (temples) for Hatsumode;

*the deity of success in business
  Fushimi Inari Shrine

*the deity of academic achievement
  Kitano Tenmangu Shrine

*the deity of success in love
  Jishu-jinja Shrine (in Kiyomizu Temple), Kifune-jinja Shrine, Shimogamo-jinja Shrine

*the deity of perfect health
  Toji Temple

J-Hoppers Kyoto New Year's Eve!

We will have an New Year's Eve Event !!!
On December 31st night we will cook Toshikoshi-Soba(*1).
Then we go to the Tofukuji Temple around 21:30 to ring the Joya-no-Kane.(*2).
If you still have an energy, Let's go to Fushimi-Inari for Hatsumoude.(first visit of the year to a shrine/temple)
There are many many food stands and people there :-P

New Year is the most important day for Japanese and hope you will feel it.
We still have some dorm beds available for December 31st!


Toshikoshi-Soba(*1)




Joya-no-Kanel(*2)