Blog

2019年8月19日

Five Mountains Send-off Bonfires

On August 16th, the Gozan-no-Okuribi (五山の送り火, Bonfires on the top of five mountains in Kyoto) was conducted and safely finished. Due to the typhoon hit Kyoto on the previous day, many people were worried if it would be carried out or not, because it was an very important annual event for sending off the spirits ・・・

2019年8月15日

The 32th Second Hand Book Festival at Shinmogamo Shrine

Every year from August 11 to 16, the Shimogomo Noryo Furuhon Matsuri (下鴨納涼古本まつり, Second Hand Book Festival) is held in Tadasu no Mori (糺の森), the forest within the Shimogamo shrine (下鴨神社). The festival has become a very famous event in Kyoto where many people including overseas visitors enjoy exploring the market of more than eight ・・・

2019年8月10日

The Star Festival Event in Kyoto

It’s been very hot, but this is a part of living in Kyoto. Especially until Daimonji (大文字, gigantic bonfire on five mountains) ends, such severe weather is just a common practice for us Kyoto residents. The “Kyo-no-Tanabata (京の七夕, the Star festival in Kyoto)” is a very popular event in Kyoto in summer, and this year, ・・・

2019年8月10日

Mukaegane, Welcome Bell at Rokudo-chinno-ji Temple

After the Gion festival (祇園祭), the next signature event in Kyoto is Mukaegane (迎え鐘, welcome bells for deceased ancestors) at Rokudo chino-ji (六道珍皇寺) temple. Every year from August 7 to 10, this long established event is conducted in order to welcome the spirits of deceased family members who are returning to this world during the ・・・

2019年8月2日

Yokan, (Sweet Beans Jelly)

It’s been severely hot in Kyoto. In such a weather, cool looking sweets are the real treat. The other day, my colleague brought a bar of Yohan (羊羹, sweet bean jelly) to work to share. She gave me one slice of it and it was so pretty! Nanajo Kanshundo (七條甘春堂) near Sanju-sangendo (三十三間堂) temple is ・・・