Kyoto Arashiyama Hanatouro 2007

Against the backdrop of Saga Arashiyama’s magnificent natural setting, its riverfronts, bamboo forests, and historic cultural heritages, the 5.2km path from Horin-ji Temple, over Togetsukyo Bridge, through the Tenryu-ji Temple area, and down past the small bamboo forest, will feature combination of ground lanterns and ikebana artwork. The surrounding temples, shrines, and cultural facilities will hold special viewings and illumination events, and there will also be exhibitions of unique art by Kyoto art students, as well as Japanese music performances and mini-concerts. This will be one of many beautiful events in early winter.

What is Hanatouro
“Elegance” and “sophistication” are the words of the day as the Kyoto night sky lights up with hanatouro. Kyoto’s famous temple, shrines, historical and cultural heritage sites and facilities, and streets are adorned with ground lanterns and ikebana artwork are lit up. During this time there will also be traditional arts performances, Japanese traditional music concerts, and art exhibitions featuring Kyoto art students. For more information: http://www.hanatouro.jp/

Main Events
Hanatouro
Togetsukyo Bridge Illumination
Bamboo Forest Illumination
Daikaku-ji Temple Illumination
Ikebana Promenade
Arashiyama Music Gallery
Unique lanterns and artwork by students of Kyoto City University of Arts, Kyoto Saga University of Arts, and other local art universities

Details
Date: December 8 – 17, 2007
Time: 17:00-20:00
Place: Kyoto Arashiyama/Sagano Area
Access: JR Sagano Station (Saga Arashiyama Station)

Okera Mairi Shrine Visit

At Yasaka-jinja Shrine around midnight on December 31, the roots of the okera plant are set ablaze in the Okera Mairi Festival. Visitors to the shrine then take home the embers of the fire, taking care to keep them alight. These are used to cook zoni, a broth containing chicken, vegetables, and rice cakes. This practice dates back to ancient times and has been designated as an important cultura treasure event of Kyoto.

Around midnight on New Year’s Eve, all temples ring their large bronze bells 108 times, a tradition called “joya-no-kane". Why 108 times? In Buddhism, it is said that humans have 108 earthly desires that are the source of all sufferings, and each toll of the bell helps people rid themselves of one of these desires for a fresh New Year. The final toll will ring out just after midnight.

Each year in the first week of January, Japanese people visit temples and shrines to pray for happiness and prosperity. This is called hatsumode. At Yasaka Shrine, women dressed in kimono participate in a traditional karuta-tori tournament. Heian Shrine and Kitano-tenmangu Shrine are also popular destinations. Merchants often visit Fushimi Inari Taisha, which enshrines the god of commerce, and receives more New Year's Eve visitors than almost any other shrine in Japan.

Tea Ceremony on Winter Nights, Yobanashi Night Story Telling

Kodai-ji Temple is holding a winter's tea ceremony “Yobanashi”, by candlelight. Guests will be able to sample hot tea and Kyoto cuisine, enjoy a specially illuminated garden, and tour Kodai-ji Temple, Entoku-in Temple, and the Sho Art Museum. There will also be a coffee party and other activities to help you pass an enjoyable winter's night. Reservations required.

Reservations: 075-752-0227 Kyoto Tourism Council


Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from Jan. 18 (Fri) – Mar. 9 (Sun), 2008
Admission: From 17:00 – 18:00
Cost: 5,800 yen (includes viewings, snacks) *Event takes 2.5 hours

*Limited capacity – first come, first served
*Reservations accepted until 16:00 the previous day.

Setsubun

SETSUBUN, OBAKE (February 2-4):
Shrines and temples hold rites to exorcise demons, an event marking the start of spring according to the lunar calendar. The Setsubun Festival at Yoshida-jinja Shrine is especially lively, lined with stalls and crowded with people. On the night of February 3rd is the annual event “obake"" (in Japanese folklore this means spirits or ghosts) to scare off goblins or spirits, and ward off evil.

Baika-Sai

Geisha and maiko host an outdoor tea ceremony beneath the plum blossoms during Baika-sai, which takes place at Kitano-tenmangu Shrine each year on February 25. Visitors at the shrine can watch as they commemorate Sugawara Michizane on the anniversary of his death. Sugawara Michizane was a well-known scholar, politician, and plum-blossom aficionado of the Heian Period who is celebrated as the god of study in the shrine.

Kyoto Higashiyama Hanatouro 2008

Higashiyama, with its white walls and trees reflecting dim lights, elegant flames coloring the temples and shops, and brimming with all the charms of Kyoto, will be the setting for the Higashiyama Hanatouro. From Shoren-in Temple in the north, past Yasaka Shrine, to Kiyomizu Temple in the south, 4.6km of walking paths will be adorned with ground lanterns and ikebana artwork are lit up. During this time there will be various events, with traditional arts on a special stage. The surrounding temples and shrines will hold special viewings and illumination events.

What is Hanatoro
“Elegance” and “sophistication” are the words of the day as the Kyoto night sky lights up with hanatoro.
Kyoto’s famous temple, shrines, historical and cultural heritage sites and facilities, and streets are adorned with ground lanterns and ikebana artwork are lit up. During this time there will also be traditional arts performances, Japanese traditional music concerts, and art exhibitions featuring Kyoto art students.
For more information: http://www.hanatouro.jp/

Main Events
Hanatouro
Ikebana Promenade
Modern Ikebana Exhibition
Bamboo Lanterns, Ethereal Waters
Traditional Chinese Dancing
Taiko Drums
Rickshaw rides down flower paths

Details
Date: March 14 – 23, 2008
Time: 18:00-21:30
Place: Kyoto Higashiyama area
Access: City Bus 206, get off at Gion
Tozai subway line, get off at Higashiyama

Hina-Matsuri

HINA-MATSURI (DOLL FESTIVAL)-March 3.
During the Hina-matsuri (Doll Festival), families with young girls display a group of dolls representing the Heian court in their homes. They also serve special dishes including hina arare, grilled rice cake; hishimochi, stacked diamond-shaped rice cakes of white, green, and pink; and sushi. The public Hina-matsuri celebrations held at Ichihime-jinja Shrine and Hokyo-ji Temple are especially famous.