Setsubun Festival in Shimane

February 3 is the day before the beginning of Spring and is called Setsubun.  This year, I visited Mononobe Shrine of Oda City in Shimane, to celebrate the Festival which started at 23:00.

Shrine's sacred rock "Kachi Ishi (winning rock)," the seat of God.

The night temperature was 3 degree C, and bonfire warmed us all up.

Purifying Fire Ceremony started right at 11PM as scheduled, with Shinto priest's Norito prayers.

Then two girls showed up who held bows and arrows with fire.  They shot two arrows each to light the offerings of worshipers.

After the ceremony, I had a bowl of buckwheat soba noodle (400 yen) served by the Shrine people.  It was so tasty and made me very warm!

And I received these lucky items of Setsubun beans and talisman.  

Happy Setsubun 2013!! 

Airship

An airship in the sky above Yasaka Dori Avenue.  I am back in Kyoto!

Knitting

I finished knitting this hat with ear flaps a few days ago.  It's warm and great for walking my dog on cold, snowy mornings in my hometown, Shimane. 

Happy 2013!!!

Happy (Belated) New Year, everyone!

I've been back in my hometown Shimane for the New Year celebration.
Best wishes for the 2013, year of the Snake!!!

Sakezo's Bar!

Sake fan's long-waited event "SAKEZO'S BAR" is open now!  

Please taste this year's sake of 17 sake brewers from Fushimi (Kyoto's famous sake-brewing district).  You can order food to go with sake as well.

Period: October 1 (Monday) ~ December 9 (Sunday); 17:00 ~ 22:00 (Sundays and holidays:  15:00 ~ 20:00) 

Place:   COCON Karasuma 1F Atrium 

Lego Block Station Kyoto

"Lego Block Station Kyoto" is being held in Kyoto Station Building.  The event is to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the Kyoto Station Building.

Time:  November 3 (Saturday) to November 11 (Sunday)/11AM to 5PM

Place (5 areas):  7F/East Square, 4F/South Square, 2F/In front of Information Center, Hotel Granvia Kyoto 2F Lobby, Kyoto Theatre 3F Lobby

There are events and play areas where children can participate, and of course adults can enjoy also!

What I want to see in particular is the 5 meter long Kyoto Station, built with 300,000 pieces of Lego blocks, which is exhibited on the 7th floor, East Square.

Izakaya Ran in Uji City

Ran is a Japanese style pub "Izakaya" and it is 5 minute walk away from Uji Station. 

It is a very popular lunchtime spot as well.

Their lunch menu is mainly fish.

And I chose "Three kinds of baked fish," which were snapper, pacific saury, and salmon.

I especially liked the perfectly grilled salmon with fantastic ponzu citrus soy sauce!!

Lunch:  11:30~14:00

Dinner:  17:00~23:00

Close on Wednesday

Tel. 0774-21-2275

Byodoin and Ujikami Shrine of Uji City

I visited Byodoin and Ujikami Shrine to pray for a success of my art exhibition from the 20th. Unfortunately, the Phoenix Hall of Byodoin was under construction from last month. 

This is a photograph I took before the construction.

 The construction is scheduled to be completed at the end of March, 2014.

Through scaffolding, I was able to peek the rooftop phoenix, and it made me happy.

Even a telephone booth in front of Uji Station has phoenixes on the roof.

Ujikami Shrine is located on the other side of Uji River.

Green tea soft ice cream to cool me down first, before visiting Ujikami Shrine. Yum!

And relaxing scenery.

Ujikami Shrine is also World Heritage.

I liked the Shrine's purifying basin with a lovely rabbit!

Good luck charm "Omikuji" is a rabbit, too.  Sooo cute!

In the precinct of the shrine, there are two large sand cones called "Tatesuna," where god is believed to descend upon.

Although Ujikami Shrine is not very big, it is a great place to visit and learn about the ancient Japanese shrine architecture.

I received a greeting from this beautiful praying mantis after I finished praying!!

DECO Choco of Tirol

My artwork exhibition is coming up soon and I am getting very excited.  Tirol's DIY chocolate kit "DECO Choco" also arrived safely.

And I'm having fun to create my own chocolates, which will be Thank you gifts for people who come visit my exhibition.

Date:  October 20 (Saturday) to 25 (Thursday)
Time:  10AM to 6PM (5PM on the 25th)
Place:  be-Kyoto

Event Information

"Kujo Negi" bunching onion is one of traditional vegetables in Kyoto.  

On October 20 and 21, Kujo Negi Festival will be held in Umekoji Park.  One of the main events is Ramen Contest, where very famous ramen noodle shops will compete to be crowned the Ramen Champion. 

And on October 22, "Jidai Matsuri" will be held.  The procession will start at 12 noon from Kyoto Imperial Palace.

This year's poster shows Tomoe Gozen, a very famous female samurai warrior.