If you happen to be in Kyoto on Saint Patrick's Day and are wondering how to celebrate (other than heading to an Irish Pub and getting hammered) - here's something new. I was strolling through the Fushimi Inari area today when I happened to spy this sign. The sign suggests celebrating Ireland's most important holiday, with a glass of beer, flavored and colored … [Read more...] about Celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day with a Glass of Green Matcha Beer at Otani-Chaen Tea Shop, Inari!
Up-and-coming
The Toy Film Museum – おもちゃ映画ミュージアム
The Toy Film Museum, opened on May 18th 2015 on a tiny little side street just off Koin Doori in the Mibu area. I ventured down there shortly after it opened to see what it was like. My general feeling after visiting is that the place has a lot of potential, but if you are not fluent in Japanese and/or super interested in old movies then this place isn't really for you. I am … [Read more...] about The Toy Film Museum – おもちゃ映画ミュージアム
Fujinomori Festival & Kakeuma Shinji – Acrobatic Horseback Riding
Mewby and I caught this festival last year and for sheer excitement it can't be beat. I highly recommend you catch this event on May 5th. Earlier that morning (from around 10.30) we saw mikoshi (portable shrines) from Fujinomori Shrine carried in a parade to Fushimi Inari Taisha. It was raining but that did not dampen the spirits of the people carrying the mikoshi - they … [Read more...] about Fujinomori Festival & Kakeuma Shinji – Acrobatic Horseback Riding
Fire Ceremony & Kyōgen Performance at Seiryō-ji on March 15th
Many temples hold special ceremonies on March 15th to commemorate the Buddha's death, or passing into Nirvana (Nehan 涅槃 in Japanese). One of the more spectacular and eventful commemorations is at Seiryō-ji temple in Saga. There are a number of reasons why you might want to attend this particular event. On this day only, entry to the temple interior is free. It has a … [Read more...] about Fire Ceremony & Kyōgen Performance at Seiryō-ji on March 15th
Time Travelling on Gojō – An Extract from Deep Kyoto Walks by Jennifer Louise Teeter
Gojō Pottery Fair, in which pottery stalls line Gojō street all the way between Kawabata and Higashioji, begins August 7th and continues to August 10th. Simultaneously, in nearby Rokudo-san temple, is Kyoto's very own festival of the dead, the Rokudo Mairi spirit welcoming festival. Jen Teeter explores both of these events and more in her DKW essay "Time Travelling on Gojō", so … [Read more...] about Time Travelling on Gojō – An Extract from Deep Kyoto Walks by Jennifer Louise Teeter
