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You should visit at least once “Kyoto State Guest House”

2016.08.21

Kyoto and Nara

In Kyoto City, where is said to be the symbol of Japanese culture, The Kyoto State Guest House was built in 2005, for the purpose of welcoming cordially distinguished guests from abroad and deepening the understanding of Japanese history, tradition and culture.
And it has been opened to the public from this year.

 

The building adopts half-hipped roofs and the style of a tea-ceremony house.
Also, it is surrounded by a traditional mud wall with a roof. So it is dignified Japanese style. Traditional skills such as tea ceremony house carpenter, plasterer, gardening and cutting gold leaf are utilized.That is to say, it is filled with the seasoned artistry of Kyoto artisans.
Then again, they are far from ornate and so natural that you may not notice in passing by.
For example, when you open a sliding door, the wooden frame’s grain matches beautifully another one’s pattern.

 

In the garden, there is only one cherry tree. Although cherry blossoms are symbol of Japanese spring, its role is as a part of the appearance of the garden. I have heard that Prime Minister of Austria who stayed before was gazing the garden insatiately alone.

 

The application for the opening to the public for August and September was already closed.
As for after October, they will announce it soon. Please check their website below. (H.S)

 

Public Opening of the Kyoto State Guest House

 





 

※The photos were taken by a friend of mine

Kyoto Aquarium / Dolphin Show Part-2

2016.07.27

Kyoto and Nara

During visiting Kyoto, how about having fun and soothing time with cute dolphins

at Kyoto Aquarium? It is approximately 15-min. walk or, 8-min. ride on a bus, taxi or

car from Kyoto station.

You can see many sea animals including many kinds of fish, jelly fish, crabs

and everything in between in the large fish tank all over the wall in the aquarium.

Beside the sea animals, you can also enjoy the dolphin shows.

 

This is a part of the dolphin show.

You can see cute dolphins jumping, swimming and making cute gestures. Please enjoy!

 

Please see below for more information

Kyoto Official Website

Access Map for Kyoto Aquarium

GEN Staff Blog Kyoto Aquarium / Dolphing Show Part-1

 

 

T.F

Kyoto Aquarium / Dolphin Show Part-1 / Opening

2016.07.22

Kyoto and Nara

This is the video of the dolphin show at Kyoto Aquarium.

I would like to introduce one of the musts in Kyoto other than temples and gardens,

“Kyoto Aquarium” and its dolphin show. An approximately 15-minute walk or, 8-minute ride on a bus, taxi, or car from Kyoto station.

Access Map

 

Before the dolphin show starts, whistles made of straws are handed out to all the guests at the show. During the show, the guests play the whistles with everyone for the dolphins to do several gestures which let the guests experience wholeness and harmony. In ordinary life, most of us almost never see dolphins and/or splashing water in the large swimming pool so not only the children can enjoy it, but adults also can definitely have an amazing time as well.

The video is a part of the dolphin show at Kyoto Aquarium. Please enjoy!

 

 

How about stopping by Kyoto Aquarium when you have a chance?

Kyoto Aquarium Official Website

 

 

T.F

Newly-born fawns are open to the public in Nara

2016.07.13

Kyoto and Nara

When I went to Nara last month, fawns which were newly born in Nara Park had been opened to the public in Deer Park at a corner of the approach to Kasuga Taisha Shrine. (opened from June 1st to 30th) Fawns are born from May to July every year. In the Deer Park, some blocks are placed and the fawns look relaxed under them. This is because they try to protect themselves by hiding behind something from an animal instinct. Speaking of which, my cat also likes to hide in a small space.

 

And, another reason for gathering the fawns in the Deer Park is not to touched them
by people. Because if people touch a fawn and it smells of a human, its mother deer will neglect raising it. It’s such a merciless law of the animal world.

 

By the way, more than 1,000 deers live in Nara Park now. In fact, the deers are not kept but wild nature. So after dark, they return to the wood at the foot of Mt.Wakakusa all together.
I wish I could see the scene just once. (H.S)

 


Relaxing walk in the safe deer park

 


The blocks for the fawns with spot pattern like the back of them

 


There are some quiz boards in the park.
Q: If you run over a deer?
A: Call “Foundation for the protection of deer in Nara”

 


Q: Why do they dishorn of male deers?
A: To prevent from being injured people, deers and trees.
   Dishorn event has been popular since the Edo Period and this year it will be
   held on October 8th, 9th and 10th, for three days.

 


Q: What animal are the deers scared of?
A: Dogs. Dogs are natural enemies of them. Many of deers died from a feral dog attack.
   So you must be careful when you take your dog to Nara Park. Please make sure to put
   a leash on the dog at least.

World Heritage site “Kasuga Taisha Shrine” in Nara, whose main shrine is currently under restoration

2016.07.08

Kyoto and Nara

I went to Nara last month and visited a World Heritage site “Kasuga Taisha Shrine”.
When I got to the shrine, I found that this year marked one which religious restoration would be held every twenty years. So I happened to worship at the tentative place,
where main deities were moved into.

 

Ise Shrine’s renewal of the main building every twenty years is famous but I first heard
about one of this Kasuga Taisha Shrine. So I read an information board about it and knew
that it was not a shrine's transfer but a restoration at the same place.

 

This traditional event since more than 1,200 years seems to have been proceeded uneventfully this year again, and I hope it will continue in the future and will always remain
the beautiful main shrine there. (H.S)

 


Big shrine gate at the approach leading to Kasuga Taisha Shrine

 


Information board about the traditional restoration

 


There are over fifteen shrines in the wood where the shrine is. At one of them, Meoto Daikokusha Shrine, here is a stone water tank for unique fortune-telling slip to have it float
in water to see the fortune

 


Speaking of Kasuga Taisha, the beauty of the cloisters and the many lanterns is one of the features

 


The vivid vermillion contrasts favorably with greenery. The large cedar tree you see on the left is called a sacred tree and is over 800 years old

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