NISHIYAMA RYOKAN Established in 1953

Almost our guests are come from another countries . we wish all our guests enjoy their stay and hope to learn some japanese culture. we had Tea ceremony at our Lobby. there are many guests could join and they could enjoy tea ceremony. I talk to the teacher and she study english by herself and worried about her english but she explain about tea ceremony for one hour in english and her english is great! Nex tea ceremony is 22nd of March.

Last weekend Kyoto is getting warm . On Sunday I went for shop at North shopping area in Kyoto. There are a lot of people walking alongside of the Kamo river. I love this weather ! Kyoto summer is too hot and winter is very cold so Spring is very beautiful and SAKURA also start to bloom. I think Kyoto best season is SAKURA season pink sakura is very beautiful and makes us happy . We found one SAKURA tree near our hotel. this sakura is special sort of sakura so it is very early to bloom . but very beautiful and make us feel spring is coming soon ! now we can not see beautiful sakura trees everywhere but maybe from end of march we can see sakura trees everywhere and Kyoto become pink coulor ! This is very very beautiful. but sakura is early to gone so Don't miss beautiful sakura Kyoto !

Do you know the Hinamatsuri? Hina Matsuri (Doll Festival) takes place on March 3 and celebrates "Girls' Day". Most families with girls display "hina-ningyo" (special dolls for Hinamatsuri) They are usually arranged on a five or seven-tiered stand covered with a red carpet. At the top are the Emperor and Empress. The next step contains three court ladies (sannin-kanjo), followed by five musicians (gonin-bayashi), two ministers (udaijin and sadaijin), and three servants ending the bottom row in a five-tiered display. There are also small pieces of furniture, small meal dishes, and other things This is the day families pray for the happiness and prosperity of their girls and to help ensure that they grow up healthy and beautiful. The celebration takes place both inside the home and at the seashore. Both parts are meant to ward off evil spirits from girls. These pics are our hina dolls at our lobby and dinning room.

I like this winter event ! End of March SAKURA start to bloom and the light up the temple with beautiful SAKURA is very beautiful. From Shoren-in Temple in the north, past Yasaka Shrine, to Kiyomizu Temple in the south, 4.6km of walking paths will be adorned with ground lanterns and ikebana artwork are lit up. During this time there will be various events, with traditional arts on a special stage. The surrounding temples and shrines will hold special viewings and illumination events. What is Hanatoro“Elegance” and “sophistication” are the words of the day as the Kyoto night sky lights up with hanatoro. Kyoto’s famous temple, shrines, historical and cultural heritage sites and facilities, and streets are adorned with ground lanterns and ikebana artwork are lit up. During this time there will also be traditional arts performances, Japanese traditional music concerts, and art exhibitions featuring Kyoto art students. For more information: http://www.hanatouro.jp/index_e.html Main EventsH...

I went to make Wagashi(Japanese confectionery) at japanese sweets shop. Wagashi are often served with japanese green tea. most wagashi is made by Mochi , red bean past and some fruits.the coulor and shape are very beautiful and cute. we went to the shop there are no people there so only 2 of us could learn how to make Wagashi. It was not difficult to make it.we only make a shape and knead red bean paste and after we made own wagashi we could enjoy wagashi and japanese green tea. it was great experience to make japanese sweets by my self and enjoy them. This is the website for japanese sweets shop. the shop name is Kanshundo and you need to make a reservation . http://www.kanshundo.co.jp/museum/make/annai.htm

we are in down town It is very convenience . but we are not on the main street so its very quiet but also sometimes difficult to find us. so I would like to show you how to get here . from Kyoto station (central station of kyoto) you can take taxi or subway. by taxi will takes about 15minutes to 20 minutes. by subway also will takes about 15minutes Please take subway "Karasuma Line" (for Kokusaikaikan) to Karasumaoike Station(K08), which is 3rd stop,and transfer to "Tozai Line" (for Rokujizou or Hamaotsu) to Kyotoshiyakusyo-mae Station(T12), which is 1st stop.Please walk through Zest Oike (the underground shopping area), get up on the ground from the exit 10 and walk about 2 blocks to the north on Gokomachi St. on the Gokomachi St you will see sign for Hotel Nishiyama but this sign is in japanese . This is Exit 10 and The sign of Hotel nishiyama on the Gokoumachi St.

This is February Kaiseki dinner at our hotel ! we serve this picture dishes and rice, miso sourp and dessert. (kaiseki dinner for 2people in 2008 Feb)