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The autumn leaves at Bishamon-do Temple in Kyoto

2018.12.02

Kyoto and Nara

After I enjoyed the afternoon tea at Chorakukan, I went to Bishamon-do Temple in Yamashina Ward, Kyoto City.

 

In Kyoto, it was a bit too early to view autumn leaves. Even so, I wanted to avoid crowded spots and I visited a little-known temple.

 

The Bishamon-do Temple is about twenty minutes walk from Yamashina Station. It was a sloping road from halfway, so it was a bit hard to walk. After walking through a resident area, passing by a canal and you will see the front approach of the Bishamon-do Temple.

 

The Bishamon-do Temple is well-known for its cherry blossoms and autumn leaves.
Also, there is plenty to see such as the sliding screen paintings, the ceiling painting
and the wooden screen painting by Okyo Maruyama. It was good that the priest of the temple showed us around and explained them.

 

Yamashina is a short distance away from the center of Kyoto City and there are not so many tourists. There are several famous spots to see cherry blossoms and autumn leaves. If you want to avoid congestion, Yamashina is recommended. (H.S)

 


The autumn leaves in the garden

 


The autumn leaves in front of Benzaiten

 


The site of a well and the autumn leaves

 


Looking down at the steep stone steps from Niomon Gate

 


The carpet of fallen maple leaves is famous and has used for a Japan Railway's commercial.
I couldn't see this but it can be seen now.
(This photo is from Bishamon-do Facebook page)

 


I got a "Goshuin" (stamps given at shrines or temples) with a maple leaf pattern.

Afternoon tea at Chorakukan in Kyoto City

2018.11.26

Kyoto and Nara

I went to the Chorakukan to enjoy afternoon tea after Kyoto Sate Guest House, where I posted about it on our blog the other day.

 

The Chorakukan was built by a businessman Kichibe Murai in 1909 as a guest house for guests from home and abroad. The building and its household equipments are designated as a tangible cultural asset by Kyoto City. Currently, it is used as a restaurant, cafe, hotel and a place for wedding.

 

The afternoon tea starts with sparkling wine. You can choose soft drinks. And, you have various choices for tea. I chose Dimbula, which is Sri Lankan tea. It has a mild flavor and I enjoyed the true taste of tea.

 

You can have a quiet moment as if times stands still, which is completely different from gaiety in Maruyama Park and the adjacent Yasaka-jinja Shrine. The Afternoon tea is so popular, so you should make a reservation in advance. (H.S)

 


The historical appearance of the Chorakukan

 


Inside the cafe

 


Afternoon tea set: Cooked sweets, fruits, scones, herb sticks with duck meat, sandwiches etc.

 


Lovely tea pots

 


There are several such rooms on the second floor.

 


A photo taken from the landing

Kyoto State Guest House

2018.11.18

Kyoto and Nara

The other day, I went to the Kyoto State Guest House , where I always wanted to visit.

 

The Kyoto State Guest House was built in 2005 as facilities to welcome distinguished guests from all over the world and allow them to deepen their understanding of, and cultivate friendly relation with, Japan in Kyoto, which symbolizes Japan's history and culture.

 

From September, advance reservations for individuals will be no longer required. So now you can always visit there. However, please check the website before you visit because when they receive guests from abroad, the scheduled public opening is going to be suspended. (H.S)

 


Tapestry of Kyoto Mountain, which was woven using polychrome tapestry technique and portrayed the sun setting behind Mt. Atago, a peak to Kyoto's west.

 


Tea utensils and a gilded folding screen

 


In the garden pond, an evergreen plant called "nebikigusa" is planted to suggest a rice paddy.

 


Table setting in the banquet room

 


The water in the garden pond is very clear. The pond is stocked with varicolored carp.

 


A traditional boat. Dignitaries from overseas can enjoy boating on the pond.

 


In Novemeber 2011, the king and queen of Bhutan visited there and enjoyed boating.

Gion Festival -One of the Three Major Festivals in Japan-

2018.07.19

Kyoto and Nara

Gion Matsuri (matsuri means festival), the festival of Yasaka Shrine in Kyoto is one of the three major festivals in Japan. The other two are Tenjin (Osaka, Tenmangu Shrine) and

Kanda (Tokyo, Kanda Myojin Shrine) festivals.

 

 

Yasaka Shrine
Yasaka Shrine2

Gion Festival is held during the entire month of July (July 1st-July 31st) every summer.

It has over 1100 years of history, and many people from all over the world visit the festival every year to see the gorgeous floats.

 

You can check the schedule of the events of Gion festival from
KYOTO CITY OFFICIAL TRAVEL GUIDE.

Main events are Saki-matsuri (early festival) and Ato-matsuri (later festival) in which Yamaboko Junko (the parade of decorated festive floats) is conducted.

 

 

saki matsuri means early festival, the photo was taken July 17th, 2017

Saki Matsuri (early festival)

 

Saki Matsuri (early festival) on July 17th, 2017

Saki Matsuri (early festival)

 

Hashibenkei float
Hashibenkei Yama (The float of the famous tale of the powerful and undefeated monk-warrior Benkei, and the child prince Ushiwakamaru)

By Things to do in KYOTO

The Saki-matsuri (early festival) was conducted on July 17th this year, but festival-goers can still enjoy the Ato-matsuri (later festival) which will be held on July 24th. At the Ato-matsuri, the Hashibenkei float leads a van of 10 floats.

 

 

they made busy streets into car free zone, the photo was taken on July 15th, 2017
they made busy streets into car free zone, the photo was taken on July 15th, 2017

I visited Gion festival for the first time last year (2017) from July 15th-17th. The streets, which are usually very busy during the day, were temporarily closed to vehicle traffic for the festival. There were many food stands and many festival-goers, and the streets got extremely crowded. It reminded me of the countdown at Times Square in New York on New Year’s Eve. That’s how crowded it was.

 

I saw many events in the town.

 

 

a Maiko is sitting in a festival booth

There were Maiko with beautiful kimono participating in the festival. Even people living in Kyoto hardly ever see Maiko, so this was a rare experience.

 

 

the photograph was taken on July 15th, 2017, two women are walking with theri Yukata dress

Even after it got dark, I saw many people walking around the town.

 

 

one of the floats in the middle of town, being ready for the main parade for the next day

On July 16th, as I was walking in the town, I saw some floats in the middle of town, being ready for the main parade for the next day.

 

It was very hard for anyone to walk through the town because there were long lines of people waiting to get on the floats. Although the floats were gorgeous and amazing, I couldn’t spend a lot of time watching them because I wanted to get out of the crowd and the heat.

 

There are many things that you can enjoy at Gion festival in Kyoto, such as gorgeous floats, beautiful traditional music and many events throughout the entire month of July. It is worth visiting!

 

T.F

Musikfest NARA 2018

2018.05.31

Kyoto and Nara

I went to the Musikfest NARA again. This year, it is being held from May 7th to June 3rd, a month earlier than last year. Of course, my aim was seeing “Songs and laughter of Okinawa” concerts, which were held on May 26th and 27th.

 

Because it was held one month earlier, I was able to enjoy the concerts in the refreshing air before the rainy season. In the daytime, drinking Orion Beer in the open air was great! (H.S)

 


On the first day, it began with Okinawan classical dance

 


”THE SAKISHIMA meeting"
They are a really nice duo, of whom I am a fan.
Yukito Ara from Ishigaki Island
Isamu Shimoji from Miyako Island
It is called Sakishima combining Ishigaki Island and Miyako Island.

 


Members of ”Ryukyu-koku Matsuri Daiko" Nara branch
They always perform powerful Eisa (Okinawan traditional performance).

 


”Yui Yui Sisters"
Although the group name is ’sisters’, actually the two members facing the observers’ right are mother and daughter.
In Okinawa, it seems like there are many groups who perform with family.

 


The last performer was ”DIAMANTES".
They were just perfect for summer and so exciting.

 


It was held in Kasugano-enchi, where is located in the back of Nara Park and has view of Mt. Wakakusa behind it. The performers were impressed with such a beautiful location.

 


A deer was alone near Sarusawa-Ike Pond.
It was standing frozen, because a big dog on a walk was coming this way.
Of course, the dog was on the lead, but I could feel the tension of the deer.
Animals usually look relaxed and easy, but they may have many cares.

 


The Great Buddha of Nara.
I saw it this year again.

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