Flea Market Information

There are many famous flea markets in Kyoto such as Kobo-san at Toji Temple, Tenjin-san at Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, Tezukuri-ichi at Chion Temple, and so on. And I recently found out that there is a new addition. It's called Reizan Kannon flea market, and is located near Kodai-ji Temple in Gion. They hold the market on the 3rd of every month.

Season of "Sanma" fish

Sanma is a pacific saury/mackerel pike and a seasonal fish. It seems we are getting a good haul of sanma this year. I chose sanma for my lunch plate at Komachi Restaurant. It's a self-service restaurant and you can make your own plate. One of my favorite places!

Soholm Cafe @ Cocon Karasuma

I had lunch at Soholm Cafe (Cocon Karasuma 2F).

Lunch menu changes everyday, and today's menu was pasta with mushroom & tomato sauce (990 yen). They will give a large serving for those who think the portion is a bit too small, and it's free of charge!

Yasaka Kohshindo and Kon-nyaku

Yasaka Kohshindo in Gion is famous for three wise monkeys of "see no evil, hear no evil, and speak no evil."

At this place, all night prayer is held 6 times a year (about every 60 days) and they serve kon-nyaku to visitors. It is said that if you face to the North and eat konnyaku quietly without saying anything, you can receive merits/benefits. Upcoming "all night prayer" is scheduled on September 12, which is tomorrow.

Konnyaku is a Japanese traditional jelly-like food made of konnyaku potato.

Event Information: Sake Fair

Cocon Karasuma in Shijo Karasuma is holding Fushimi Sake Fair until October 31. They set Sake Bar at the fair, where sake tasting (3 types) is popular (500 yen). Please enjoy Kyoto's Sake with sakana (=accompaniment to alcohol) that the Bar offers (approx. 500 yen per plate).

Acrophobia

This crane says "I'm acrophobic."

Hello Kitty's Amulet

Shin-Kyogoku area was a land of temples in the 16th century, and now is the place for young crowds in Kyoto. In this busy shopping district, the very famous Nishiki Tenmangu Shrine is situated and you can get this Hello Kitty Amulet.

Kitty is holding a Koi fish (= carp). The word "love" is also pronounced KOI in Japanese. Therefore, the amulet is for the success of love!

End of Rainy Season

The rainy season in Kyoto is officially over, and it's "Kakigori" season!

Kakigori is a Japanese shaved ice dessert. If you see this flag in front of restaurants/shops, it means they serve Kakigori. The flag says Kakigori, of course.

Man in charge of Gion Matsuri

These elderly men in kimono are so-called "higher ranking" people of the Festival.

Gion Matsuri (Festival)

Kyoto is enjoying the Gion Matsuri from July 1: festival ends on July 31. The highlight of the festival is "Yamahoko-junko" which takes place on the 17th of July. It is the procession of colorful floats through downtown Kyoto.


Groups of people started to build Yamahoko today. A total of 32 Yamahoko floats are presented in the festival. The 25 meter tall, 10 ton floats are made from wood and rope without using a single nail or piece of iron. (Yamahoko is the holy place for devine spirits.)