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Gold Highlight Tour!
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Kyoto Private Guide!

Thursday, October 7, 2010

One Day Tour - Fushimi Inari & Nara

Here is my guide plan for Fushimi Inari and Nara area


In the morning from Kyoto station

Fushimi Inari Shrine Let's walk through thousands of torii gates!





Have you seen the movie "Memoirs of a Geisha", or SAYURI in Japanese title?




There is a scene where a girl runs through numerous red torii gates. The scene was shot at this shrine. (the meaning of Geisha is now quite different from the days, though, almost 100years ago...)




Fushimi Inari shrine is very traditional, more than a thousand-year history.



There are actually about 10,000 torii gates, and each torii has been donated by merchants who wish for success and prosperity.







Another famous story of Inari shrine is those tons of stone foxes!



Not only perched purposefully on either side of torii gate, but you would be amazed to see them here and there.


Because they are the revered spirit in Japan, this perky-eared messengers of the rice goddess enshrined within the shrine.


Why don't you say hello to them. Each fox has a uniqe design and posture! But don't dare to count all of foxes one by one... you can't get back to your ryokan within the day! haha :D





If you want to go through all of the whole mountain, it will take a few hous and a lot of energy (a pathway wanders 4km up the mountain)



But just passing through the tunnel of gates would be taken you into a mysterious world.




In the afternoon from JR Inari station



Nara area After a peasant day hike at Fushimi Irari shrine, Let's head for Nara!




From JR Inari sta. it takes just an hour to Nara sta. in the same Nara line. (change into Express train at Rokujizo sta.)





Todaiji Nigatsudo





Todaiji Nanbutsuden





Todaiji Daibutsu





Bambi~~~ Cute!!!





Deer comfortably resting at Nara park





They are always hungry...


Monday, September 27, 2010

Shoren-in Temple - Special Night Light-Up

From October 25  to  December 8, 2013

In Spring and Autumn, there are several temples which you can enjoy beautiful night light up in Kyoto, among them the exotic light illusion at Shoren-in Temple" is outstanding!!

Winter will be started from December, so not so cold yet in Oct or Nov. The best season must be at around the end of November for the full Autumn colors like the picture below, but October also would be nice in the comfortable Autumn breeze.

At night, during the light show, the place appears to transform into a mysterious world—trees and flowers fading in the darkness, the five grand camphor trees (national natural monuments) majestically lit up, and a mandala of light, projected on the moss garden. It appears as if the pure and sacred land comes to life. Enjoy the goodness of this holy environment.

Shoren-in temple is one of the five Monzeki temples, meaning the head priests originally belonged to the imperial family. So the look of the temple is solemn and peaceful like Imperial Palace...



This temple is very famous for its breathtaking night light up show of the garden.









Shorenin temple is dedicated to the Shijoko Nyorai (Buddha).

The Shijoko Nyorai signifies Light itself, and Fudomyo-o, one of his embodiments, is followed by fire. Thus, particularly light is regarded as being divine.

So these show is intended to recreate the graceful and elegant image of the temple itself which at times served as a seat of emperor.

Right after you step in, its mysterious world will spread in front of you! Welcome its pure and sacred land...





















Especially, you would be amazed the circular pond is to be magnificently lit up!!


Opening Hours:
(Day session)    9am to 5pm (entry accepted until 4:30pm)
(Night session)  6pm to 10pm(entry accepted until 9:30pm)

Admission fees:
Adults - 800yen (for night session)
* In the day time you can be offered Matcha green tea at the temple if you pay extra 500yen.




Thursday, August 26, 2010

"Seiryu-e" (Blue Dragon Dance) at Kiyomizu temple

"Seiryu-e" is very famous annual festival at Kiyomizu temple in Spring and Autumn.


Very lucky, I could record this video when I'was guiding the tourists at Kiyomizu temple in this Spring.




Seiryu, a dragon, is said to drink the waterfall in Kiyomizu Temple.



Colorful parade of the blue dragon with people in traditional costume.
So spiritual and authentic mood...

Just join this festival in coming September and purify your body through such powerful dragon dancing!



In Spring
15th, 16th and 17th of March and 3rd of Apr

In Autumn
15th, 16th and 17th of September.

Time: from 14:00pm
Location: at Kiyomizu temple.


Saturday, August 21, 2010

Hozu River Boat Tours in Arashiyama!

As for Kyoto sightseeing, visiting temples, shrines are one of the MUST, but another MUST I recommend is to experience a great nature of Kyoto!





Arashiyama area is well-known for its peaceful nature. Hozu River Boat Excursions is the best way to enjoy the great nature up close with a relaxing mood.



Enjoy the surrounding great mountain view and in these boat tour, you can save the energy without tired from walking!




In ancient days like more than 1000years ago, "Recreational boat rides" had been enjoyed only by the noble aristcrats.

Around 400years ago, the river has been used for water transportation, and then now, very popular for tourism. One of the three famous boat tours in Japan.



Especially in Spring and Autumn, those wonderful Sakura or Maple trees will give you a breathtaking scenery.

It's worth experiencing if you have one extra day in the nice season!

The boat tour is about two hours along 16km of rapids. Enjoy peaceful air.





If you have JR pass, you can get to Kameoka sta. directly for the boat boarding. But if you like to enjoy the great view of Hozu Valley especially in Spring and Autumn, I recommend another way.


Get off the JR train at Saga Arashiyama and change into "Trokko train" in another line, called Romantic Train.





The train starts from "Torroko Saga sta". and get to "Torroko Kameoka sta".

Never mind the directions of your train seat, because the train goes on a winding mountainous rail road, so both sides give you a nice view in turn! :)





Hozu river cruising is not so wild experience mainly, but the boat passed through a couple of very narrow spaces, don't miss seeing boatmen's perfect handling!!



Three skilled tough boatman will work so hard in turn, propel the boat with a bamboo rod.

They also never forget to entertain the passengers even while paddling by their unique joking. (they don't talk in English, though, unfortunately...)


At the latter part of rafting, you find one boat approaching... That's the boat selling drinks, snacks and some food... The delicious smelling may awake your stomach up after a long boarding!




If you like to enjoy the exciting rafting, April must be nice with more volume of water.



* Until 50 years ago, after the tours finished, the boatmen has pulled back all the boats all the way up on the mountain by the ropes. What a hard work in old times!!





Access

JR Kyoto sta. → JR Saga Arashiyama sta. (around 20min.)

Torroko Saga sta. → Torroko Kameoka sta. (around 20min.)
* you can reserve the torroko train at JR station (not JR tickets, though)
(Only One way: the fee from Saga to Kameoka stn. is 600yen)

* buy the "boat boading tickets" at Torroko Saga station before train leaving.
Fee: 3900yen (4yrs to 12yrs Children 2500yen)


At Hozukyo Valley station, Tanuki (Raccoon Dog) of Sigaraki ware will welcome you!!

After few minutes walk from the station, Bus will take you to the boarding point. (around 20min.)

Hozu River whitewater rafting. (around for two hours)
* please don't forget to apply your name in the office in advance.

Arrive back at harbor in Arashiyama area.






Enjoy your afternoon, visiting Tenryuji temple, walking through an exotic Bamboo forest, strolling in the great wide view of riverside, and enjoy shopping nice traditional local souvenirs in the main street! :)




Sunday, August 1, 2010

Bonfires Festival on Five Mountains

Summer in Kyoto, after big Gion Festival, we will have another special and important festival, not in the day time, but at night!

This is called, "Gozan no Okuribi"



In the evening of August 16th, large bonfires are lit on five of Kyoto's surrounding mountains.

At that night you see the burning letters appear to float in the sky.

This is a Buddhist event held on the last day of O-bon.






"O-bon" is the four-day from 13th to 16th of Aug. In these days, families usually go back to their parent's house to have the time together to welcome back the spirits of their ancestors, hold memorial services for them, and see ancestor's spirits off to the Under World.






"Daimonji", Big




Each Kanji is lit one by one in order from the east to the west from around eight in the evening.



"Ho", Doctrine






Some of the strokes in these Kanji are more than 100 meters long!







"Myo", Lotus Sutra










"Torii", Shrine gate









"Fune", Ship











Unfortunately, it's almost impossible to enjoy the five mountains view at once, but you can try one of them from these good view area. From the access, most recommendable area is below.

* around Demachi-Yanagi Station (Keihan-line)
- at Kamo O-Hashi Bridge or along the Kamo Gawa River

* In the Kyoto Imperial Palace
- It's crowded but it's huge area, so very recommendable to enjoy the view.







Another special night festival on this day will be held at Arashiyama Koen Park, too.



Floating Lantern Festival
- It's held every year from sunset to 9pm. Very romantic view.


the Gozan Okuribi is called one of the four great events of Kyoto. The Okuribi are also believed to protect against evils. In addition, drinking water whose surface reflected the light of the Gozan no Okuribi is believed to prevent paralysis.





Friday, June 18, 2010

Takao Kawadoko Dinner with Maiko Dancing

Would you like to know one of the secret places in Kyoto?


Takao is located in the north of Kyoto, a bit remoted area, but very famous for its breathtakingly beauty with full of true nature. Surrounded by great natural beauty and the Kitayama cedars.



Just one hour of journey by train from the central Kyoto, you will be welcomed by these heavenly peaceful nature of beauty.

During the summer months, Takao becomes popular for people to escape from the heat.



The Momijiya, founded in Takao in 1907, is very traditional ryokan with Japanese style rooms.









What is the special feature of Momijiya is their summer dinner plan that includes dance entertainment by maiko.













Spread out through three floors for Kawadoko-style Kyoto special cuisine. You can taste the best of the local cuisine including one of their specialties, "river fish", such as the ayu (sometimes known in English as the sweetfish for the flavor of its flesh).



Enjoy dining on a "kawadoko" platform built out over a scenic river, listen to the sound of the stream and cool off from the summer heat.




Maiko and Kawadoko are almost symbols of Kyoto!

MUST EXPERIENCE that you can't be missed.





Even if you were walking throughout Gion-area for so long, you may need a super luck to come across a real maiko.


But here in Takao, you don't have to feel exhausted from chasing, nor frustrated to take a better view of photo of maiko-san.


After you enjoy a lovely dancing performance of Maiko along with the Japanese traditional Kaiseki cuisine. Maiko will come to your table one by one for pictures with you!
 Don't forget to carry your camera!! :)



Reservation Needed:
Momijiya Inn - Tel: 075-871-1005

"Dinner Meal with a Maiko"
Price: 12000yen per person.
Only Limited Season: from early June to middle of Sep.

Access
at: 17:25 - Momijiya's bus will pick up you at the bus stop in front of New Hankyu hotel in Kyoto station.

at around: 18:20 - Dinner starts, enjoy viewing maiko-san's lovely dancing performance along with taking pictures service at riverside pavilion (120min)

at: around 21:00 - Momijiya's Bus drop you off at New Hankyu hotel in Kyoto station.



As Autumn version;
This Maiko event will start again from November!

Takao area is very famous for its fire-like red-color maple scenery in Fall.

Dinner is served Not Kawadoko style (outside is too cold), but inside of the room, at their gorgeous banquet tatami room. Of course Maiko-san will give you a nice dancing performance along with a picture time as always :)
















Staying at Momijiya-inn would also give you a special experience. Enjoy their special beauty in each season!