Aoi Matsuri

Aoi Matsuri is one of big festivals in Kyoto. It starts on May 1st and builds up to the main event of the festival on May 15th.


These are:

2014/5/3 13:00-15:30 Yabusame shinji at Shimogamo shrine
Traditional Japanese archery on a running horse.  The archer shoots at wooden targets.

2014/5/15 10:30 (leaves Kyoto Imperial Palace) - 15:30 (arrives at Kamigamo shrine)
The large parade which is the main attraction of Aoi matsuri. Over 500 people dressed in the aristocratic style of the Heian Preiod (794-1185) walk from the Imperial Palace to Kamigamo Shrine.

http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/location/spot/festival/aoimatsuri.html

Cherry blossom viewing - Hanami

It's cherry blossom season in Japan. Cherry blossoms are very special flowers for Japanese people. In this season, people have a party under cherry blossom trees. 


Recommended places to see cherry blossoms.


Osaka castle light up
http://nishimuramarina.wix.com/illuminageasia

The Mint in Osaka
http://www.mint.go.jp/category/eng

Heian Jingu Shrine's garden "Shin'en" in Kyoto
http://www.heianjingu.or.jp/english/0201.html

Ninna-ji in Kyoto
http://ninnaji.jp/multilingual_info.html
http://ninnaji.jp/cherry_tree.html


Cherry blossom front line 2014
http://sakura.weathermap.jp/

Japanese apricot flower - Ume

Ume flower is often translated into English as Japanese plum. It is one of the symbols of Spring. The air is still cold but spring is coming soon.

Osaka-jo koen (Osaka Castle Park) has a big Ume garden and it is the season for viewing.

Abeno Harukasu - New shopping spot opened in Osaka

Recently, there are many construction works going on in Osaka.

Abeno Harukas is one of many. The grand open day was March 7th, 2014.

It is tallest building in Japan. There are Department store, restaurants, art museum, hotel and offices in. It will be a very good night view from the observatory floor.

http://www.abenoharukas-300.jp/en/

Events in Japan 2014

I found this site. This will be useful to check for events in Japan prior to visiting.

It is winter in Japan so it's a bit cold to walk around here but spring will come soon!

(Today is the weather is very nice and surprisingly warm for this time of the year in Osaka.)

http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/location/festivals/

events in Kyoto in January

It is colder in winter in Kyoto compare to Osaka, but it is worth to visit there. There are many special events to celebrate New Year and if it is cold enough to have snow, you may be able to take a great picture with snow and Golden temple (Kinkaku-ji).

http://www.kyoto.travel/plan_your_visit/cultural_events/january/

Osaka Castle 3D Mapping start from Dec 14th 2013 until Feb 16th 2014

This is a new big event in Osaka. 3D mapping is becoming a very popular event in Japan.
You need to have a ticket to enter the place (Osaka castle park is free to enter). and there will be long queue at the ticket counter on a weekend so if you are going you had better purchase a ticket in advance.

2013/12/14-2014/2/16
17:30-22:30
Ticket:1600 yen (special day 2000 yen)
 Premium ticket 3000 yen (special day 3500 yen)

http://www.osaka-info.jp/en/eventcalendar/pdf/osakacastle_illumi.pdf

Viewing autumn leaves in Kyoto

A lovely season is coming soon in Japan. The weather will be nice and cool, and trees will be beautifully colorful in reds, yellows and oranges.

Kyoto is the most famous place for viewing autumn leaves. Some places might be very crowded but they are worth a visit. You can take great photos.

http://www.pref.kyoto.jp/visitkyoto/en/theme/sites/shrines/temples/

http://kyoto-design.jp/special/kouyouspot

Thare are hudreds of the places you can visit and the followings are just for example.


Nanzenji and Eikando
http://nanzenji.com/
http://www.eikando.or.jp/English/index_eng.htm

Access: 3-minute walk from City Bus Stop Nanzenji-Eikando-michi or 10 minutes walk from Keaga station, Kyoto subway.


Sanzenin
http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/location/regional/kyoto/ohara.html

Access: 10 minutes walk from Ohara, Kyoto city bus.


Kiyomizudera
http://www.kiyomizudera.or.jp/lang/01.html
http://www.kyoto.travel/2009/11/kiyomizu-dera-temple.html
http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/location/spot/shritemp/kiyomizudera.html

Access: 25 minutes walk from Kiyomizu Gojo Station, Keihan Line. ( You may think it's a long way but there are many nice shops on the way to Kiyomizu-dera so it is very enjoyable to walk.)

Tofukuji
http://www.tofukuji.jp/index2.html

Access: 20 minutes walk from JR Kyoto station or 10 minutes walk from JR Tofukuji station.

Kotoin and Daitokuji area

Access: 5 minutes walk from Daitokuji mae, Kyoto city bus.

Kyoto Kouyou (Autumn leaves) spots and condition of the leaves color
http://kyoto-design.jp/special/kouyouspot
(FYI: Orange lines are the autumn leaves season and moon and star icon next to the temples name indicates the special opening period for night time.)

http://souda-kyoto.jp/travel/koyo/index.html#Anchor_01
(FYI: They update the current photos and leaves conditions but it is all in Japanese. You'll see how the current leaf color by the leaf icons next to temples names.)

Viewing autumn leaves light up in Kyoto

Every year in this season, temples in Kyoto have the special light-up event. If you have the chance to go to Kyoto, check the temples' opening hours and light up times. It is definitely worth going to.


Eikando
2013/11/8(Fri) - 12/5 (Thu)
17:30-20:30
http://www.eikando.or.jp/English/index_eng.htm

Tofuku-ji
2013/11/15(Fri) - 11/30 (Sat)
17:00-20:00

http://www.tofukuji.jp/index2.html

Kitano tenmangu
2013/11/6(Sat) - 12/8(Sun)
Sunset - 20:00
http://kitanotenmangu.or.jp/english/


<Higashiyama area>

Kiyomizu-dera
2013/11/15(Fri) - 12/8 (Sun)
18:30-21:30
http://www.kiyomizudera.or.jp/lang/01.html 
Chion-in
2013/11/1(Fri) - 12/1(Sun)
17:30-21:00

Shoren-in
2013/10/25(Fri) - 12/8 (Sun)
18:00-21:30
http://www.shorenin.com/english/index.html

Kodai-ji
2013/10/25(Fri) - 12/10 (Tue)
Sunset - 21:30
http://www.kodaiji.com/e_index.html

Map:
http://kanko.city.kyoto.lg.jp/resource/image/search/mapdownload/higaisiyama.pdf


<Rakuhoku area>

Manjyu-in
2013/11/1(Fri) - 11/30 (Sat)
17:00-20:30


<Ohara, Keihoku area>
Hosen-in
2013/11/2(Sat) - 12/1(Sun)
17:45-20:45

Takao Momiji-no Light up
2013/11/1(Fri) - 11/30(Sat)
17:00-20:00

Map:
http://kanko.city.kyoto.lg.jp/resource/image/search/mapdownload/keihoku.pdf

<Yamashina area>

Bishyamondo
2013/11/16(Sat)-11/29(Fri)
17:30-20:30
http://www.bishamon.or.jp/

Daigo-ji
2013/11/16(Sat) - 12/8(Sun)
18:00-20:10

Map:
http://kanko.city.kyoto.lg.jp/resource/image/search/mapdownload/yamasina.pdf


<Arashiyama & Saga area>
Daikaku-ji
2013/11/15(Fri)-12/8(Sun)
17:30-20:00
http://www.daikakuji.or.jp/

Arashiyama hantoro
2013/12/14(Sat) - 12/23(Mon)
17:00-20:30
http://www.hanatouro.jp/e/arashiyama/index.html


Map:
http://kanko.city.kyoto.lg.jp/resource/image/search/mapdownload/arasiyama.pdf

Viewing autumn leaves front line

It's becoming cooler day by day in Japan. The season of Autumn leaves has started in Hokaido and Tohoku and is coming down to Kansai soon.


These sites are in Japanese only, but you can see where it is curently good for viewing autumn leaves by color.

http://kouyou.nihon-kankou.or.jp/
http://www.mapple.net/sp_koyo/

Deep Osaka - Doguyasuji (Sennichimae Douguyasuji Shopping Street)

Shops along this street are a little unusual. Shops are selling professional kitchen implements. You'll find signboards, food samples made from wax (which look real), big pots and pans, takoyaki plates etc. Some items are cheaper than at department stores. It worth checking out. 　


Just 3 minutes walk from Namba station, Osaka subway.


http://www.osaka-info.jp/en/search/detail/shopping_5198.html

Market in Kyoto - Nishiki ichiba

Just one street north of Shijo, you can find Nishiki market street. It was established more than 400 years ago. You'll see almost all kinds of Japanese food being sold here. You'll see and smell exotic food in a traditional style, such as fresh fish, vegetables, and dry goods, to boiled fish paste, pickled vegetables, and sweets.


http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3931.html

Access:
http://www.kyoto-nishiki.or.jp/access.html

Kurama-no-Himatsuri - Fire festival (event on Oct 22nd)

Kurama is usually quiet and a nice place to go hiking, but on Oct 22nd a dynamic fire festival will be held there.

It will be very crowded so you may have to wait to get on a train, so you had better go there early. It will be hard to eat and go to the toilet once the festival starts.

Please take some warm cloths because it will be cold at night.

2013/10/22 (Tue) 18:00-24:00

Access:
5 minutes walk from Kurama station, Eizan railway
http://www.yukijinjya.jp/access.html

Yukijinjya
http://www.kyoto.travel/2009/11/yuki-jinja-shrine.html

Kurama-no-himatsuri
http://www.yukijinjya.jp/himaturi.html
http://www.kyoto.travel/2009/11/kurama-himatsuri-fire-festival.html


Youtube:
http://nihonguide.net/maturi/2608.html

Ohatsu Tenjin Flee Market - first Friday every month

Ohatsu Tenjin is famous as the setting for Chikamatsumonzaemon's story "Sonezaki shinjyuu"; one of his Jyoruri (Japanese puppet play). It is based on a true story about two lovers who committed double suicide in the Edo period in the Tenjin woods which was behind this shrine.

The shrine is in the middle of Umeda city. If you are in Umeda on the first Friday of each month, pop into the flee market. You may find some unique items or antiques at a good price.


http://www.tuyutenjin.com/en/ 

Kyoto Imperial Palace - special opening day (from 10/31 to 11/4)

The Imperial Palace in Kyoto will have special opening days from 10/31 to 11/4. You are usually required to apply for entrance in advance but during above period, people are allowed to look around inside the palace without appointment, free of charge.


2013/10/31 (Thu) - 11/4 (Mon/Holiday)
9:00 am to 3:30 pm
5 minutes walk  "Imadegawa" station, Karasuma line, Kyoto subway


http://www.kyoto.travel/kyoto_imperial_palace.html
http://kyoto-design.jp/event/6637

Deep Osaka - Tenjinbashisuji shopping street (Tenjinbashisuji shotengai)

Tenjinbashisuji shopping street is the longest shotengai (shopping street) in Japan, stretching 2.6 km north to south. There are more than 600 shops, such as restaurants, cloths shops, hand crafts shops and so on, along that street. People from out side of Osaka think that the people walking in this street are authentic Osaka citizens. Seeing is better than hearing. Go and feel traditional Osaka.


http://www.osaka-info.jp/en/search/detail/shopping_5207.html
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4024.html


Nearby:
The Osaka Tenmangu (People usually call it Tenjin-san)
http://www.tenjinsan.com/index.html

The Osaka Museum of Housing and Living
http://www.city.osaka.lg.jp/contents/wdu020/toshiseibi/english/museum.html

Kids Plaza Osaka
http://www.kidsplaza.or.jp/en/

Jidai Matsuri Festival in Kyoto (event on Oct 22, 2013)

The Jidai Matsuri is one of 3 big festivals in Kyoto. About 2000 participants dressed in the historically traditional costumes from every period of Japanese history will parade from the Imperial Palace to Heian Shrine. It takes about 2 hours to watch the entire event.


2013/10/22 (Tue) Starting from the Imperial Palace at 12:00 and finishing at Heian Shrine at 14:30.


http://www.kyoto-magonote.jp/en/topics/koyomi/koyomi201310.html
http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/location/spot/festival/jidai.html

Shika no Tsunokiri – deer antler cutting ceremony in Nara (event on from Oct 12th to 14th, 2013)

Each year since 1971, to prevent injuries to both people and other deer, Shika no Tsunokiri (deer antler cutting ceremony) is held at the deer park at Kasuga Taisha (Kasuga Grand Shrine) in Nara. You can't see any other event like this in any other place in Japan.



Access:
From JR or Kintetsu Nara Station - 15 min. on foot.

2013/10/12 (Sat) to 14th (Mon/Holiday) for 3 days
from 12:00 - 15:00
Admission fee: 1000 yen (adult), 500 yen (child)






http://www.tubbygaijin.com/japan/shika-no-tsunokiri-deer-antler-cutting-ceremony-in-nara/


Nara information:
http://www.pref.nara.jp/dd.aspx?itemid=79931#itemid79931

Kobe Jazz street festival (event on Oct 12th & 13th, 2013)

There is a Jazz festival coming soon in Kobe. Purchase an addmission tag for 1 or 2 days and visit live houses and churches to enjoy jazz music around Sanomiya, the Kitano area and Tor Road.

1-day tag - 4500 yen (4000 yen if bought in advance)
2-day tag - 8500 yen (7500 yen if bought in advance)


2013/10/12 (Sat) - 13th (Sun) 12：00-17：00

*There will be an opening parade from Sanomiya to Kitanocho along Tor Road, starting at 11:00 am for around 40 minutes.


http://www.kobejazzstreet.gr.jp/spirit/english.html


http://www.city.kobe.lg.jp/information/press/2013/07/img/201307300103.pdf

Festival in Sakai - Sakai matsuri (event on Oct 19th & 20th, 2013)

Sakai Matsuri has been held annually since 1974 and it will be on Oct 19th and 20th in 2013.

<Schedule>
Big parade along the Oshoji Symbol Road 

2013/10/20(Sun) 11:00～15:30

Market at Xavier Park
2013/10/19(Sat) 10:00～20:00
2013/10/20（Sun） 10:00～18:00

Tea ceremony 2013/10/19(Sat)･20(Sun)　
at Nanshu-ji temple 9:00～15:30
at Daisen Park 10:00～15:30


http://www.sakai-tcb.or.jp/s-matsuri/
http://www.sakai-tcb.or.jp/s-matsuri/gaiyo.php
http://www.osaka-info.jp/jp/search/detail/event_5116.html

Access:
Nakai rail way at Sakaihigashi station, JR Hanwa line Mozu station,


FYI
Sakai Matsuri in 2012
http://www.sakai-tcb.or.jp/sakaimatsuri2012/gaiyo.html


A Pre-Parade opening event is held on the Saturday before the parade in the Sakai Civic Hall. The Pre-parade Party features local performers, entertainers and manzai comedians, as well as a Futon-daiko performance outside.


About Sakai
http://www.sakai-tcb.or.jp/english/