Kyoto Perfect Personal Guide, English Guided Tour, happy to show you around both awesome tourist sites and off the beat local paths, explaining what is "REAL LIFE" in Japan. I can come to the lobby of your hotel to meet you.
Are you interested in Japanese Traditional Performing Arts? If you visit Kyoto in early June, please don't miss this rare chance to enjoy Noh play performed in such a very special stage.
Kyoto Takigi Noh is an awesome anual event, held at Heian Jingu Shrine on 1st and 2nd of June.
Takigi Noh was originally started in Nara around 1000 years ago. Since it's introduced into Kyoto in 1950, Kyoto Takigi Noh has spread as one of the most important seasonal tradition in Kyoto and enjoyed among many people even including a lot of overseas tourists.
Why Takigi Noh is so special is because it's held at open-air stage of Heian Jingu Shrine at night time. You would be so attracted by such a gorgeous night effect illuminated by bonfires.
Enjoy The beauty enhanced by the mysterious shadows moving across the illuminated vermilion-lacquered pavilions behind the stage. fantastic atmosphere when the bonfires shimmer in the twilight.
Date: June 1(Tue), 2(Wed)
Time: 17:30~ (gate open at 16:30)
Place: Heian Jingu Shrine
Access: By City Bus from Kyoto station (NO. 5 or 100).
(If it rains, it will be held at the nearby Kyoto Kaikan, Hall 1)
Fee: Advance Sale 3000 yen
(4000 yen at the gate on the day)
* You can buy the ticket at Kyoto Tourist Information Center 2nd of Kyoto station building.
When you visit Kyoto, especially in most traditional cite of Higashiyama area, you would be amazed to see many women in beautiful kimono or yukata enjoy walking through the alleys.
Higashiyama area is one my most favorite route to guide. I always feel those traditional Japanese clothes and the historical Kyoto viewing is perfect matching!
And I should say, one of the most popular souvenirs from Kyoto will be Kimono or Yukata (light cotton kimono)
Why don't you enjoy the Japanese traditional mood even at your home after getting back from your trip!
Kimono and Yukata is very different. Kimono is made of silk, so rather official and expensive clothes, on the other hand Yukata is made of cotton, very casual and reasonable to get like homewear.
The problem for overseas people after buying these traditional clothes is to try to wear Kimono yourself at your home.
So I would like to introduce here "how to wear yukata"!
For kimono, there's many more steps about what and how to wear, so you can learn "how to wear yukata" at first as your basic information!!
If you wear yukata for the first time, I recommend to buy all you need to wear, such as Obi belt, Koshi himo and Geta sandal. So you can wear your yukata on the very day when arrive at your home.
How to Wear Yukata
Here is both explanation and short movie.
Short Movie for Step 1 to Step 4 You can use the Koshi-himo(waist string) twice, use the 2nd string after the 1st string of removing any creases at front and back, in order to put on your obi later easy and beautifuly
Step 1: Wear Yukata and adjust its width
Wear Underwear called "Hadajuban", or just long camisole, and Wear the Yukata. Bring the left overlap over the body and adjust its width such that its edge runs along the right point of the hipbone, and continue to hold the yukata tightly. Open up the left overlap and bring the right overlap over the body. Lift the end of the right overlap by about 3-5cm. The skirting of the yukata is worn just above the ankles. Put the left elbow on the right hand so that the Yukata doesn't loosen, and pull the right hand.
Step 2: Tie up the 1st koshi-himo
Bring the left overlap over the right overlap and hold its end with the right hand. Take the first waist sash (‘koshi himo’ sash) with the left hand. Remove any creases around the stomach, waist and back with the left hand. Tie the ‘koshi himo’ sash at around hipbone. If you put on the Obi with a waist, you will suffer from hard obi.
Step 3: remove any creases
Insert both hands into the openings under the arm (‘miyatsuguchi’). Use both hands to remove any creases around the waist on both the back and front of the body. Hold the ‘centre’ line on the back with the left hand and adjust the distance between the collar and neck by pulling the collar ends with the right hand. Please note that the distance between the collar and the neck should be the size of a clenched fist.
Step 4: Tie up the 2nd koshi-himo
Fold the top right overlap to make a triangle shape. Bring the upper left overlap over the upper right overlap. Tie the upper overlaps with a second ‘koshi himo’ sash. Check that the top and bottom parts are aligned. Check the centre line on the back.
Step 5: Put on Obi
Hold the obi board (‘obi ita’) with the left hand. Please note that ‘obi ita’ is used to maintain the shape of the obi tie. Wear the ‘obi ita’ on the front of the body.
If you feel it's impossible to tie obi yourself, I recommend you to use Tsukuri-obi. This obi is "Pre Tie Obi", the ribbon part is already completed so you don't have to tie yourself! you just can attach it to the back :)
We say, the 1st step for "Kimono-Bijin", or Kimono Beauty is to fold the clothes in the proper way. Not so difficult if you just remember the basic points.
Each short movie is from the internet shopping store "Yukata kimono market sakura". They have a shop in Tokyo, between Chofu and Fuda station. (no store in Kyoto). There is many Kimono, Yukata stores in the middle of Kyoto city, Shijo-Kawaramachi area.
Enjoy dressed in beautiful yukata to walk through the Kyoto's traditional streets! Or Get them as souvenirs for you or your friends and enjoy Kyoto-Bijin at home!! :)
In coming 15th of May, there is a big festival in Kyoto, Aoi Matsuri Festival!! This is one of the three big festivals in Kyoto along with the Gion Festival and the Jidai Matsuri (Festival of Ages)! The highlight is the gorgeous parade recreating the exact scene of the ancient Heian Court.
I will guide two Australian couples (4 seniors) on that special day. :) They will be arriving by train from Kobe after a cruise that includes day tours at Nagasaki and Kagoshima, very unique!! I will start the tour from Kyoto station in the morning as usual.
After visiting either must-to-visit temple of Tenryuji in the west or Kinkakuji in the north in the morning, I'm planning to head for Kamigamo shrine directions in the afternoon, where is the final location of the parade.
Kamigamo and Shimogamo shrines are said to be the origin of Kyoto, the most traditional and sacred area for Japanese people like Ise Jingu Shrine in Mie prefecture. I like the Kamigamo shrine area very much with such pure mood in the air... on your each breathing you may feel the whole body to be purified.
My recommended viewing location is along the upper part of Kamo riverside if in the afternoon. The parade takes the route of narrow street called "Kamo Kaido" trail. I think those sacred mother nature and the ancient style parade will be the perfect combination. It's expected very crowded, but I hope we can enjoy the mood and taking many memorial pictures!!
Oh, when you visit Kamigamo shrine, don't miss to try "Yaki-mochi" rice cake at Jinba-do store near from the shrine!!
This is very traditional Kyoto Sweets originated in this area (run out very quickly!!). The soft rice-cake buns with sweet red beans inside, not too sweet, and very delicious!! I like them! :)
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The Parade Course and Time Table:
Imperial Palace (10:30am)
Demachiyanagi Bridge area (11:15am)
Shimogamo Shrine (12:00pm to 14:30pm)
Kitaoji-street to Kamo-Kaido trail (14:40pm to 15:00pm)
Kamigamo Shrine (15:30pm)
Suggested Access to Kamigamo shrine :
Kitayaja Subway station in Karasuma line.
Information :Aoi Matsuri Parade Preservation Society
Tel: 075-254-7650
* Delayed into the following day if in the rain.
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Why don't you drop in Ota shrine to enjoy the beautiful purple flower, Kakitsubata! It's very close to Kamigamo shrine.
I bet you would be amazed to see this gorgeous view in front of your eyes! You may not be able to imagine this is real!! This is "Kakitsubata, or Japanese Irises".
Ota shrine is very well-known for its beautiful "Irises" viewing, and what is special is the numbers!!! It's like a huge island of Irises... Everybody who visit the site says, "It's more than expected, really fantastic!!!"
You can never find such tremendous number of Irises planted all at once anywhere throughout Japan. It's designated as National Natural Treasure. Don't miss this breathtaking thousands of rabbit-eared irises!!!
I've visited at Ota shrine during my guide for American tourists on 5th of May. The main reason to visit this area was to enjoy "Kurabeuma Shinji, horse race ritual" held at Kamigamo shrine (Unesco World Heritage), next to Ota shrine. The guest was very interested in photography, so he really wanted to take the cool pictures of horse running!!
Kurabe Uma Shinji is one of the pre-ritual events of Kamo-sai (Aoi-matsuri) "Hollyhock Festival" May 15. "Kurabe" means 'compete', "Uma" means 'horse' and "Shinji" is 'ritual'.
Because the Horse Race ritual itself starts in the middle of the event, so I've decided to drop in Ota shrine to enjoy the Irises before the race start. It was right idea!! We're very lucky to know that Japanese National Holiday (GW) was the perfect timing for Irises in full bloom at the shrine!!!
While enjoying watching Irises the local people was selling traditional "Manju", a rice cake (specialty of the place) across the path, so we've sit down on the wooden bench and enjoyed Manjyu with green tea.
After we've been satisfied with nice "view" and "dessert", we've got back to Kamigamo shrine for the excited event to see horses run at their super highest speed just in front of your eyes!!
Right after the race started, the rider in the traditional costume was shouting, "Go! Go!", looking really cool. They are selected young men all from the ancestor of noble family related this shrine.
Two horses from each team compete their speed and judge the good harvest in the following year from the result which team was faster. (The picture above is from official website, I couldn't take a picture of running horse!! :( It's too fast!! )
It was very sacred and dated back a long history. The horse race (in Japan) is said to originate from this shrine.
The winner will be coming over to the sacred place where the main priest's waiting to announce his victory.
After enjoying the gorgeous Sakura, the famous sign telling the next season, Summer has come up in the riverside of Kyoto!! Kamogawa Yuka, a riverside platform for dining, is one of the symbol of Kyoto.
When you see it's set up above the west bank of Kamogawa River, it reminds Spring's finished and the city has set up to welcome the Summer!!
In this season, the people are enjoying their relaxing time in the riverside, watching the beautiful view while listening to the sound of a stream.
Seeing that young couples enjoy their lunch in the sunny open-air riverside is very popular. Also people enjoy cycling in a gentle breeze along the river.
And at night, this riverside is turned to be the scenic site well-known for its gorgeous Pontocho! The traditional lantern light is really exotic. Now there are about 90 yuka platforms, meaning 90 restaurants are located along the river.
There are many kinds of cuisine available such as traditional Izakaya, Sumibi-yaki (charcol grilled), Kyoto Kaiseki, Sushi, Tenpura, Sukiyaki, Italian, French, Beef etc...
There is the theater of Geiko/Maiko at the end of the Pontocho street, so if you're lucky, you may come across the beautiful Maiko walking on the street or enjoy dining with their guests at the restaurants... Good Luck!
The riverside dining will last until the summer will be finished in September.
There are many restaurants here and there at Kyoto station, but almost all are fully packed during lunch time, you would be feeling exhauted to see a long queue.
Are you interested in "Ramen Noodle"? I think Ramen restaurant is the best choice to have a quick lunch.
We Japanese like Ramen very much. :)
There is a famous floor at Kyoto station, all about
"Ramen" restaurants called "Ramen-Koji (street)"
(京都拉麺小路).
It's on 10th floor of Kyoto Isetan Department Store. There are 7 different Ramen restaruants along with a coffee cafe. Each restaurant is featured with famous Ramen Brand throughout Japan like from Sapporo in Hokkaido through Hakata in Kyushu.
(open 11am - 22pm, last order is 21:30pm)
Sumire (すみれ) from Sapporo
Featured Soup - Miso ・・・ Thick Soup from fish, pork bone and vegitables
Recommend : Miso Ramen - 900yen Click
TETSU (つけめんTetsu) from Tokyo
Featured Soup - Special Dipping Type ・・・ Pork bone based thick soup mixed with Bonito based fish broth.
Enjoy rich flavor of fish! Soup and noodle is served separately. Dip the noodle into the soup and eat.
Recommend: Hiyamori - 800yen Click
I like "Tonkotsu Ramen", so I've tried Hakata Ikkousha(博多一幸舎) before starting the tour.
The soup is milky and smooth with a strong Tonkotsu flavor. It doesn't contain any raw smell of the pork, and they will only use the pork’s bones to boil the soup without the fat.
This is Ajitama-Negi-Chashu-Men 1050yen. Served with 4 pcs of very soft sliced pork called "Chash". You can order "Negi-Chashu-Men" without egg if you don't like egg.
With Australian couple
With Italian couple
Before join the queue, you need to buy the ticket in advance.
(You can use only 1000yen bill, not 5000yen or 10,000yen bill)
Elevator of department store is very crowded, so why don't you enjoy taking open-air stairs just next to the building to go up onto the 10th floor.
Dai-Kaidan (big stairs) of Kyoto Eki-Bilu
This huge stairs is one of the MUST attraction to enjoy the view of the whole Eki-Bilu, kyoto station building! :)
Enjoyed your food? Okay, now let's start the tour from Kyoto station!! Where would you like to go? :)
Do you know "Baggage Room Service" in Kyoto station? Very convenient service to drop your luggage like coin locker!
Especially if you arrive at Kyoto station at around noon or in the afternoon, I always recommend to drop your luggage at Kyoto station and start the tour right away.
Because Kyoto station is the perfect place to depart for any popular sightseeing place. Save your time to come all the way to your hotel just to check-in!
No need to walk throughout the station searching an available locker one by one, you should get lost easy!!! :( Why don't you say Good-Bye to your heavy luggages and start the tour right away! :)
Where is "Baggage Room (Carry Service)"
Arrive by Shinkansen?
Exit via the Shinkansen "Central Exit", turn right and walk straight through "Nanboku-Jiyu-Tsuro, or (North-to-South Pedestrian Walkway on 2nd floor)" toward north part of the station (directions for Kyoto Tower). Right before take downstairs turn right, passing through "Mister Donut" cafe in the right and go downstairs.
Arrive by Haruka Express from Kansai Airport?
Exit via the JR Central Exit.
You'll be reached at the "Concourse". In front of green ticket center of JR train, you will find this sign board.
Take the descending escalator and turn left on 1st basement, there is the office for "Baggage Room(Carry Service)". Write your name on the given receipt.
Price: 410yen per luggage
(not accept if over 30kg nor 2meter in length)
Time: 8:00am to 20:00pm
(go back by 8pm, otherwise the office is closed)
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If your hotel is offering a "satellite concierge service", you'd better to ask it. Your hotel has a shuttle bus service to carry you/your luggages to your hotel. The reception counter desk is near from Hachijoguchi Shinkansen exit in the south of Kyoto station.
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