Yasaka Shrine

The flower of spring (double-flowered cherry tree?) was in full bloom in Yasaka Shrine of Gion.

I saw several tourists taking pictures under the tree, though the number of tourists in Kyoto decreased remarkably due to the earthquake of March 11th.

There was a Mejiro (white-eye) bird on the branch.

Green tea colored Mejiro bird and pink cherry flowers on a blue sky background... How picturesque!

Badges to Help

Ever since the deadly earthquake hit Northern Japan, I'd been thinking about how I can help the earthquake survivors, besides donating money.

And I got this idea of "badges."

The badges are all in one size of 2.5 cm in diameter and 150 yen each. The full amount is contributed to the Japan Red Cross for the earthquake survivors.

My next job is to find as many places as possible who will support this cause.

I will let you know the outcome on my web page.

Ganbatte Tohoku!
Ganbatte Japan!

Higashiyama's Flower and Lantern Festival Changed to "Light of Prayers"

The Flower and Lantern Festival committee announced that they have cancelled the lantern light-ups on the street this year. Instead, they will hold the "Light of Prayers" and prepare several stands in the Higashiyama district, where they call for donations to help out the quake survivors. (Photo was taken in the Kodaiji Temple Park last night.)

The events, such as the lantern procession by children, are executed and temples are open to the public at night as scheduled. Many venders are also in business in the shrines.

Though Kyoto had no direct impact from the earthquake, everyone is worried about the aftershocks and the troubled Fukushima nuclear power plant. I wish for the speedy recovery. Ganbatte Japan!

News after Japan Quake

The Northern Japan earthquake was truly devastating news.

Things in Kyoto are normal and there has been no impact from the earthquake. Our thoughts are with those people who are suffering from this tragedy.

Place of Delicious Curry & Coffee --- "Horiike"

I was looking for the place for lunch along the Kawaramachi Street and found this curry restaurant.

Among many items in the menu, I ordered the curry with the topping of deep fried vegetable (eggplant, broccoli, potato, pumpkin and cherry tomato) and the cream croquette (1,110 yen).

It was very, very delicious just as the signboard says, and I'm sure I'll become a repeater to this restaurant.

Calendar of New Zealand

I got the calendar as a gift from a family of New Zealand. What a cool scenery! I expecially like the June, July and August photos of winter snow.

In the meantime, we are expecting snow again this week in Kyoto.

Room Service at Granvia Hotel Kyoto

My favorit aunt came to Kyoto in the New Year and stayed at the 5-star hotel "Granvia Kyoto" for a few days. She was too tired to go out for dinner the first night so we ordered room service.

We ordered beer and her favorit smoked salmon and sashimi, to toast a New Year.


Beautiful "Shokado" style bento box and Sushi were served with red miso soup. They were all tasty, but room service is always so expensive!!

Happy New Year!

We've had snowfalls since New Year's Eve and it's about 10cm thick today. This kind of snowfalls is rare in Kyoto. I don't like going out when it's just cold but don't mind at all to go outside when there is snow. Kyoto in the snow is also very beautiful.

Wishing you the best in 2011!!!

Jidai Matsuri (Festival of the Ages)

Jidai Matsuri is one of the three biggest festivals in Kyoto, along with Aoi Matsuri and Gion Matsuri. It is held on October 22 every year. The event started in 1895 in celebration of the 1,100th anniversary of the transfer of the capital to Kyoto.

The procession of approx. 2,000 people wearing costumes representing the styles of each hitorical period from 1868 (when the capital was moved to Tokyo from Kyoto) to 794 (when the capital was moved to Kyoto) travels from Imperial Palace to Heian Jingu Shrine.

There were groups of "gaijin (foreigners)" in the procession.

Especially a loud cheer arose for a man who dressed as one of the country's favorite historical figures "Ryoma Sakamoto."

Comb Festival in Gion

"Comb Festival" was held in Gion on the fourth Monday of September.

Hair designers and maiko/geisha girls bring their worn-out combs to the Yasui Konpiragu Shrine, and have their combs to be blessed for the work.

After the ceremoney, a parade of women, with their own hair done in various coiffures representing each era from ancient times to the present day, started from the Shrine and went through Gion district.





Hair designers spent hours to arrange these hairstyles.