the watch‐night bell

Dec 31st is called 'Ohmisoka' among Japanese people. We stay up till midnight hearing 'Jyoya no kane'(the watch-night bell).

This bell sound is coming not from far mountains but from the temples nearby.
And you can even ring the bell to visit temples.

'Tofuku ji temple' is one of our closest choices for ringing bell.
We ring the bell only 108 times for some Buddhism reason, so usually we make a queue to get a a numbered ticket indicating the order.

Tofuku-ji Temple
・23:00 gate open and ticket will be served
・23:00 start to ring the bell
No reservation
Free to join
Access: 15 minuets walk from J-Hoppers Kyoto Guesthouse

Kakure Nenbutsu at Rokuharamitsuji Temple

DEC.13 - DEC.30
Rokuharamitsuji Temple

Unique style of Nenbutsu, prayer to the Buddha, started by the holy priest Kuya in 951 to help the people in Kyoto from epidemics.
Priests chant/dance the prayer wishing people to expiate the sins of the past year and to have a happy new year. ( daily around 4:00PM)

* [ Rokuharamitsuji Temple ]
* Tel : 075-561-6980
Access : City Bus No.206 "Kiyomizu-michi"

Arashiyama Hana Toro

Time flies !
2011 is just a month to go.

Before turning into 2012.
There is an event for lit up in Arashiyama.

Schedule: 9th Dec. to 18th Dec. @17 pm to 20:30pm

There are some beautiful stuff to look up
such as bamboo forest and a Togetsu bridge.

You'd better to see the difference between daytime and night time.

Access: JR Sagano line to "Saga Arashiyama"

The Special Kabuki performance on the end of this year

Day by day it's getting colder and colder.
This is one of the annual event we call Kichirei kaomise Kabuki(吉例顔見世歌舞伎) is held in the end of year.

All big kabuki stars gather at Minami-za on this time

Nov 30th - Dec 26th
@Minami-za
￥５５００～

Manpukuji Art Festival -EN-

Date: Nov 19th(sat)-Nov 2oth(sun)
Time: 12:00 - 19:00
Ticket: Advance 700yen/one day 1300yen/two days
Door 800yen/one day 1500yen/two days

At: Manpukuji temple
Access: JR Kyoto sta. →　JR Obaku sta. （21min, 230yen)

We used to have a fair stall in every village quite often. Nowadays those stalls are getting less and less throughout Japan.
The students from Kyoto and the artists gathered to exhibit their performance for the public. Usually they perform different places each other. You may be meeting up someone special by a curious turn of fate on this day.

Arashiyama Momiji Festival

Momiji means autumn leaves.
So, the season for autumn leaves is coming soon!!!

There is an event in Arashiyama.

"ARASHIYAMA MOMIJI FESTIVAL"

13th Nov (SUN)
from 10:30am～

around Togetsu bridge


This year of the leaves might be late as reddish.
Though, this event is very exciting for anyone who likes Arashiyama.


Why don't you visit there?


Access: JR Sagano line "Saga Arashiyama"

Why don't you go out night time in Kyoto !?

Day by day in everywhere in Kyoto, It will getting colder and colder.
The foliage season has come to Kyoto once again.


I recommend you to see the night time Eikando on this year.
Eikando Temple
Nov.5 - Nov.30, 2011
5:30 PM - 8:30 PM
(Gates are closed at 9:00 PM)

¥1,000
Tel : 075-761-0007
Access : City Bus No.5 "Nanzenji Eikando-mae"

Jonangu Shrine "Kyokusui no En"

NOV.3　Jonangu Shirine

Elegant poetry game played by men and women dressed as Heian aristocrats.

Free

• [ Jonangu Shirine ]
• Tel : 075-611-0575
  Access :
  City Subway Karasuma Line "Takeda" station
  City Bus No South 1,2, 3 to "Jonangu-higashi-guchi"

Let's ZAZEN!

Our neighborhood temple, Tofukuji temple has a monthly Zazen practice.
It will be held on Oct 23rd (Sun) this month.



---Sunday Zazen Practice---
Date: Oct 23rd
Time: 8:00 - 9:00
Place: Zen hall at Tofuku ji temple
Free to join

There are the learner monks. They sit with you and some of them hit you if you ask.
It will be a bit chilly in the hall, please bring extra jacket with you.

Open air-cafe & Handmade Art Gallery

How are you enjoying with this beautiful Autumn?

You might feel that you need something or someone
to hold you warm in this season.

Is this just my feeling? anyways....


A heartful event is coming!!

"Open air-cafe & Handmade art gallery"

23rd Oct. (SUN)
@Kyoto Kaikan 10a.m. - 16p.m.

There will be many kinds of handmade stuff to look up!

Take a hot drink and see around with lovely arts.

Access: City Bus #5 " KYOTO KAIKAN BIJYUTSUKAN MAE"

Hold a mass for dolls

It's a bit spooky as you can see on the photo avobe.
This is an festival for holding a mass for any dolls.

It's called " NINGYO KUYO"

DATE: 14th OCT.
TIME: 10:30am -12pm
PLACE: 宝鏡寺（HouKyou-ji)

You may have some dolls since you were a small kid.
However, it's hard to throw them away without any feelings.
So, they've made an event for any dolls.

COST: 3,000yen for your dolls.
"Free"to Visit !!

Access: City Bus #9 or #12 "Horikawa Teranouchi"

Fire Festival in Kurama

Usually Oct 22nd is the day of `Jidai Matsuri Festival' among people in Kyoto.
'Jidai Matsuri Festival' ;http://www.kyotojoho.co.jp/english/event/2011/10/index.html

However there is another festival on the same day at just a bit north of Kyoto, Kurama.
It is called as `Hi Matsuri (Fire Festival)'.
Ans it is known as unusual festival...

---Fire Festival in Kurama---
DATE: Oct 22nd (sat)
TIME: 18:00~midnight
PLACE: Yuki Jinja Shrine
Access: from J-Hoppers Kyoto, Keihan train 'Tofukuji'sta. - 'Demachiyanagi'sta.
transfer to
Eiden train 'Demachiyanagi'sta. - 'Kurama'

* The festival will be finished at midnight, please check your last train in advance.



Long row of torches planted on both sides of the street leading to Yuki Shrine are lit at 6pm.
Children in festival dress march to the Shrine carrying small torches, followed by adults with bigger torches.

Toji Temple Treasury Opening

At this season almost all temples show the special treasures.

Fro J-Hoppers guests, you have to go Toji- temple special open!!

Admission : ¥500

SEP.20 - NOV.25

An unrivalled collection of national treasures are open to the public.

[ Toji Temple ]

Tel : 075-691-3325

Access from J-Hoppers : Walk about 15min