Arashiyama Hanatouro 2009

From today, 11th December to 20th December in Arashiyama area Hanatouro illumination will be held.

Pathways of Arashiyama area are illuminated every night and also things like street performance and Ikebana displays are held during this event.

The Illumination start from 5pm and finishes 8:30pm

During this event the traffic will be restricted so please use public transport to get to Arashiyama.

I am going to this event on 17th and will write the report after that ^^
http://www.hanatouro.jp/e/arashiyama/index.html

Kiyomizudera-temple light-up

I went to Kiyomizudera-temple light-up last thursday.
During light-up is held usually the temple gets crowded and especially on weekends.
However when I went, it was during the week and also was raining until the sun-set so
no many people were there.

I caught the bus from Kawaramachi Marutamachi stop, which is the closest stop to get to Kiyomizu temple from our ryokan.
Take #202 from the Kawaramachi Marutamachi stop and get off at the Kiyomizumichi stop.
It took about 20mins, but during the tourist season it might take more.
From the stop, have to walk up the hill for about 10mins. There are many shops towards the Kiyomizu temple, you might find something interesting there.

The leaves are slightly dump after the rain so when its lit up it sparkles very beautifully.
Also the full moon were showing between the clouds and it adds the beauty to the whole atomosphere.

It took about 50mins to walk through the whole temple.

I went there with my friend and we took a walk towards Gion area through stone laid walkway.
This area still has traditional walkway and it is one of the main attraction for tourists.

I reccomend to take a walk from Kiyomizu to Gion area after going to Kiyomizu temple.

Unfortunatelly, Kiyomizu temple's light-up finished already but the Shorenin still hold the light up until December 14th.

I am going there soon as well ^^
http://www.shorenin.com/english/index.html

Tea Ceremony and New Year Calligraphy

Its already December and getting towards the end of 2009 and the New Year 2010.

We hold these events at our Lobby.




"Tea Ceremony"
2009 Dec 4th(Fri), 11th(Fri), 25th(Fri)
2010 Jan 8th(Fri), 22nd(Fri), 29th(Fri)
Event time: 19:00~20:00



Japanese style Tea Ceremony held with English narration.
You can make your own tea in the ceremony.




"New Year Calligraphy"
2010 January 3rd(Sun)
Starting Time:9:00am~



Also called KAKIZOME in Japanese.

Firstly performance by professional Caligrapher, and then you will
experience how to write Japanese Caligraphy.
This is whats it looks like last year.
http://nishiyamahotel.blogspot.com/2008/01/happy-new-year.html

Both events are always enjoyed by many guests staying at our Ryokan.
It is for Free so when you stay above dates at our Ryokan, please come along.

This morning, I went to Arashiyama to see how KOUYOU (autumn tints) is going in there.

People say this season's leaves are not as good as usual season.
I would say the colour of leaves in Arashiyama is not as deep as I would expect in Kouyou season, but still it is very nice to ride through the falling leaves.
(Altho it is scary to go around the corner with lots of fallen leaves ^^;)

I took the pictures at the point below.
It was about 8am in the morning but many tourists are already taking pictures everywhere in Arashiyama area.
The motorcycle in the picture is not mine but I am borrowing it from my friend at the moment ^^




大きな地図で見る

Gion Corner update

Konnichiwa!
Kyoto is having nice Autumn weather now.
Its little chilly in the night and early morning but when sunny its nice to go around the town.

We received update from the Gion Corner, the traditional theatre where holds show to introduce Kyoto's traditional performance arts for international tourists.
They hold shows everyday, but from December to February next year they will decrease the number of shows.

When you are planning to visit Gion Corner, please check the dates they are open.


Dec 4th~6th,11th~13rd,18th~20th,23rd,25th~27th
Jan 8th~11th,15th~17th,22th~24th,29th~31st
Feb 5th~7th,11th~14th,19th~21st

Starting Time: 19:00~ (40mins show and photo with Maiko)
Price: 3,150 YEN

http://www.kyoto-gion-corner.info/

Special Temple Light-ups

In this season, there are many temples artistically illuminate
their beautiful gardens.

Leaves changed colour to its Autumn colours lighted up at night is a wonderful sight.

The list below are popular temples for their light-ups.

Until DEC 6th Kiyomizu-dera Temple
18:00～21:00 Entrance Fee: 400 YEN

Until DEC 6th Koudai-ji Temple
Sun-set～21:30 Entrance Fee: 600 YEN

Until DEC 14th Syoren-in Temple
18:00～21:30 Entrance Fee： 1,000 YEN


All of these temples are easy to access from our Ryokan.
Please ask us at the reception how to get there. ^^

Four-leafed Clover Taxi

One taxi campany in Kyoto called Yasaka Group taxi has very interesing taxis.

Their normal taxi which has Three-leafed Clover lamp on top of its roof, but instead of that few taxis have Four-leafed Clover lamp.

It said there are 4 taxis in 1400 taxis they have but some say there are about 6~8.

We had one of this taxi for picking up one of our guests The one stopped at our Ryokan.

The driver of taxi told me that there are few small class taxis with Four leafed lamp, but like his one the middle class taxi is only one the campany has.

So maybe when you come stay at ours and catching taxi after the stay, you might be able to see this Taxi!! ^^