Our (little) BLOG
The Hanami season has started. With the cold of winter fading away, the weather is becoming more pleasant every day. The flowers are blossoming around the city, and that gave us the idea of starting this little blog. We’ll try to post photos and news on a regular basis to show you how Kyoto is looking, changing according to the seasons.
Akiko & Patrick
Toji Temple
Toji Temple is not just this beautiful five stories Pagoda, the largest in Japan, that has become a symbol of Kyoto. There is much more to this temple than that. It houses a beautiful collection of statues and paintings, gorgeous garden, one of the oldest and largest market in Kyoto…
“Sento-Kuyo” Memorial, Adashino Nenbutsu-ji
Adashino Nenbutsu-ji is a Buddhist temple located on a hill overlooking Kyoto from the northwest. On August 23 and 24, more than 1,000 candles are lit around the 8,000 Buddha stone statues in honor of the spirits of the deads.
Ukai Cormorant Fishing, Arashiyama
Ukai is a traditional fishing method which uses trained cormorants to catch river fish such as sweetfish (ayu). This type of fishing has been around for over 1300 years, back to the Heian Period.
Daimonji Manto Kuyoe, Nara
On August 15th, thousands of lanterns dedicated to the Great Buddha statue (Daibutsu) and to the ancestor’s spirits that are believed to visit this world during the “Obon” festival are lit around the Todaiji temple.
Tanabata at Shiramine Jingu
The Tanabata legend tells of two lovers, Hikoboshi (Altair star) and Orihime (Vega star), who are separated by the "river of the heavens" (Milky Way). They are allowed to meet once a year, on the night of July 7. This year, we went to the...
Rokudo Mairi, Chinno-ji Temple
A " Mairi " is a visit to a temple or shrine for the purpose of prayer. " Rokudo " refers to the six states through which living beings transmigrate. From the lowest to highest, they are: (1) beings in hell, (2) hungry ghosts, (3) beasts,...
Hassaku in Gion, Aug 2015
It was really hot, and quite crowded (by photographers and tourists), but we decided to go to have a look and take a few photos. Gion’s Hassaku is indeed a rare chance to see many of the Geiko (a local term in Kyoto for Geisha) and Maiko...
Hassaku in Gion, Aug 2014
August first is a very special day in Kyoto’s Gion district. The term designates the first day of the eighth month in the ancient Japanese calendar, Gion’s Hassaku is an opportunity to see many of the “Geiko” and “Maiko” from Japan’s most renowned “Hanamachi” or geisha district.
Hanagasa Flower Hat Procession
Right after the second Yamaboko procession on July 24th is one of my favorite parade in Kyoto, the Hanagasa Junko. With a large number of costumed participants, it’s a real treat for photographers. . .
Yamaboko Grand Parade – Ato Matsuri
On the 24th, the procession of floats (Yamaboko Junko) also starts at 9:00 and last to about 11:30. This is the second procession (Atomatsuri) featuring only 10 large floats. It follows a different route. . .
Yamaboko Junko, Gion Matsuri
This year’s “Yamaboko Junko” parade of huge wooden festival floats (Yama and Hoko) took place under heavy rain (we were spare a typhoon but got a tropical storm). There were talks of cancelation, but I’ve heard that . . .
Shirabyoshi Dancer, Gion Matsuri
The Gion Matsuri is Kyoto’s largest festival. it is a unique opportunity to see a number of Japanese traditions, religious processions, dances, music, historical costumes, etc. Here, Shirabyōshi (白拍子) female dancers . . .
Hoko and Yama Construction
The festival's 23 floats are assembled in the communities they belong to. This is a great opportunity for getting a close up look at the floats and the way they are made. The way these are put together is pretty amazing - no nails are used. [gallery type="slideshow"...
Mikoshi Arai – Purification
During the festival, the deities of Yasaka Shrine reside in a temporary shrine called the Otabisho (on the south side of Shijo, just east of Teramachi). Before moving the deities on the mikoshi portable shrines, the mikoshi are purified with water from the Kamo River....
Omukae Chochin – Welcoming Lanterns
This year's Gion Matsuri is starting. Little and large events are taking place around the city. We can already feel the presence of a larger than usual number of people, mainly around Shijo / Kawaramachi streets. The construction of the Hoko and Yama has began...
