2nd, 3rd of Feb! Setsubun Festival --- Maiko Dancing and Bean Scattering at Yasaka shrine

2nd of Febrary is one of the important seasonal turning point in Japan. It's called "Setsubun", literally means "division of seasons". In this day we pray for the peace and perfect health throughout the year. 

How to celebrate the year is a bit unique... we throw roasted soybeans inside and outside our houses while crying "Oniwa-soto, Fukuwa-uchi!", or "Devils out! Good luck in!".

At Yasaka shrine in Gion, you can enjoy beautiful Maiko's rare traditional dancinzg and also throwing packets of roasted soya beans out into the crowd.



Depending on the date and time, the Maiko/Geiko from different Kagai (Floral City of district) are coming. Don't miss such gorgeous prare from Maiko and Geiko!

Place: Yasaka Shrine.(Access : City Bus No.206 "Gion")

Feb.2
at 1:00PM  --- from Ponto-cho district school.
at 3:00PM  --- from Miyagawa-cho district school.

Feb.3 
at 1:00PM  --- from Gion Kobu district school.
at 3:00PM  --- from Gion Higashi district school.


In Setsubun, children throw roasted beans in the house to ward off evil spirits and other misfortune. In most of the families, an adult (usually Father) will put on a devil's mask and running through the house while being chased by children! One of the nice chances to enjoy such festive mood in the family. :)

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Ancient Parade, "Saigu Gyoretsu" in Arashiyama

On 17th of Oct (Sun) 2010  from 12:00

SAIGU-Gyoretsu is a re-creation of the ancient ritual scene of the sacred parade of Imperial [a Royal] princess heading from Heiankyo to Ise Shrine.

After a religious ceremony in the Nonomiya shrine, women in ancient costume parade to the Togetsu Bridge in Arashiyama Area.

* Recommend best viewing spot is in front of Nonomiya shrine through the bamboo forest.

Parade route:
12pm Depart: Nonomiya shrine
12:30pm JR Saga-Arashiyama sta. ⇒ Tenryuji temple ⇒ Togetsu bridge
⇒ Nakanoshima park at 13:20pm ⇒ Togetsu bridge ⇒ The stage at 14pm

From 14:00
Sacred ritual and Ancient music and dancing will be held at the special stage.

Admission : Free
Access:  10mins walk from JR Saga-Arashiyama sta.
(abt 20mins from JR Kyoto sta. in Saga-Arashiyama line)





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Kiyomizu temple Festival, "Seiryu-e" (Blue Dragon Dance)

"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 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.


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★ Enjoy Gion Festival in Yukata, learning How to Wear and Bring home everything!

Now Happy Summer will be coming in Kyoto! In Japan, especially Kyoto is famous for its sticky hotness in summer! But it's one of the most excited and valuable season for Kyoto's culture and history.  YES! Gion festival's coming...

If you visit Kyoto in 14th of July, I strongly recommend you to join this exciting Yukata & Festival event!!  Why don't you enjoy hot summer of Kyoto in cool way. :) Your travelling would be more memorable!

In this workshop, you Make your original "Uchiwa" (must item for festival), Put On a cool Yukata! The price is very reasonable, because you can bring everything home!

Now Ready!! Let's Jump into the excited wave of crowd in gorgeous Gion festival!

You don't need to bring anything at all. Just visit the office near from Imperial Palace. We will get you everything needed for festival, Yukata, Obi and Sandals. Please choose any design you like, and we can teach how to wear Yukata.   

You can bring home everything you get from us. Nice souvenirs attached with a forgettable memory of festival... :)

Kyoto Visitors? How to Process Free Guide!

★ Aoi Matsuri Gorgeous Parade on 15th of May

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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★ Yabusame-shinji (in Aoi Festival)

On 3rd of May

Yabusame-shinji
From 13:00 at Shimogamo shrine.

This very old ritual starting features a man riding on a fast running horse who shoots arrows at a target.

A type of Japanese archery, one that is performed while riding a horse. The archer shoots a special "turnip-headed" arrow at a wooden target. The origin is at the beginning of the Kamakura period. Minamoto no Yoritomo became alarmed at the lack of archery skills his samurai had. He organized yabusame as a form of practice.

* you may need half day to enjoy a whole event.