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NOVEMBER 2009
PICK UP
Until 11/23 Nijo Castle Autumn Festa 2009
The special annual autumn festival is held at Nijo Castle, one of Kyoto's UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Various events, from traditional to artistic, will be held in the castle's beautiful Japanese garden and cultural properties. Don't miss this chance to enjoy and learn about Kyoto culture! Open: 8:45-17:00 (entry until 16:00); entry 600 yen; www.city.kyoto.jp/bunshi/nijojo/
1 & 3
Citizen's Tea Party: Tea ceremony masters will offer green tea in a classic tea ceremony room in the Seiryu-en Garden; 9:30-15:00; 2,500 yen (tea, soba noodle, entry to the castle included).
6-15
Kyoto Art EXPO: at Ninomaru Palace, a variety of contemporary and traditional art works will be displayed.
Until 11/15
Chrysanthemum Flower Exhibition: 470 large chrysanthemum flower pots will be displayed at the Kara-mon Gate.
20 &21
Tea Ceremony Party: in the beautiful Seiryu-en Garden, visitors can enjoy tea ceremony performed by Urasenke School; 1,000 yen; 9:30-15:00; 11/20-23: Ikebana Flower Arrangement Display: ikebana works by ikebana masters will be displayed. Ikebana demonstration is on the first day.
22
Hawker Performance: 11:00 & 14:00; the first Tokugawa shogun, Ieyasu loved falconry and hunting using hawk. Professional hawker will show amazing control of a hawk.
Until 11/23
Kyoto Specialty Fair: a wide range of stalls selling Kyoto specialties (foods, drinks, crafts, arts, etc.).
Other Highlights
Until 12/29
Romantic Train Ride & River Run
Cool train trip (7.3 km) from Saga to Kameoka along a stunning gorge of water-carved stone in boats that seat 15 (rain or shine); frequent departures; last boat leaves at 15:30; Tickets: 600 yen for the train departing from JR Saga Arashiyama Sta.; Tel: 075-861-7444; boat ride: about 4,000 yen /person); two hours back to Arashiyama; ; www.hozugawakudari.jp .
Until 11/3
Kyoto Antique Book Fair
In the precinct of Chion-ji Temple, a large number of Japanese book dealers sell all kinds of books and magazines (antiques and foreign language books too). About 200,000 books will be on display. Chion-ji Temple: Tel: 075-781-3352.
1-10
Annual Gion Odori Dances
Among the gorgeous sights that lure visitors to Kyoto every autumn are the traditional performances featuring geiko and young maiko (apprentice geiko) dressed in richly decorated kimono. The exquisite Gion Odori dances have long been celebrated in every medium of Japanese art, from poetry to painting, from kabuki to film. At the Gion Kaikan Theater, southeast of Gion Corner; at 13:30 and 16:00. Tickets: 3,500 yen (4,000 yen with tea service); Tel: 075-561-0224.
Public Opening of the Old Imperial Palace
Since Kyoto became the imperial capital in 794, the center of Kyoto was always the Gosho or the Kyoto Imperial Palace. The current palace structures were built in 1854 after a major fire destroyed the palace. Foreigners can enter the Old Imperial Palace any weekday; however Japanese usually have to get special permission to enter. For these 10 days the grounds are thrown wide open to the public from 9:00-15:30. Free of charge; Kyoto Imperial Palace; Tel: 075-211-1211.
3
Kyokusui no utage
In this elegant poetry game dating back to Heian times, men and women dressed as Heian aristocrats sit on the banks of the stream that flows through the Jonan-gu Shrine's Rakusui-en garden. A red sake cup is released upstream and before it reaches the next participant that person must compose a poem; free; 14:00-15:00; garden open 9:00-16:00; Tel: 075-611-0575.
5-15
Ten Nights Buddhist Sutra Chanting
At Shinnyo-do Temple, monks chant Buddhist sutra for ten days and nights. On the 15th, the main Buddhist statue will be open to the public and rice porridge will be served (not free) for visitors; 500 yen; Tel: 075-771-0915.
8
Ohitaki Festival
One of the more important ohitaki festivals or rice harvest thanksgiving festivals (generally featuring offerings, prayers and Shinto dance/music, and prayer stick burning bonfires) at Fushimi Inari Shrine. Three large bonfires are lit and about 100,000 goma prayer sticks are burned starting at 13:00. A kagura dance is also performed at the same time; west of Fushimi Inari Stn.; Tel: 075-641-7331.
Kani Kakuni Festival, the Poetic Greatness Remembered
"Like this, I miss Gion so much. Even when I am lying at night, I hear the sound of the stream in Gion..." On this day, a private memorial service is for the poet Yoshii Isamu (1886-1960) who loved the Gion pleasure quarters. Geiko and maiko perform a tea ceremony at a stone monument on which one of his poems is inscribed (this ceremony can not be viewed by the general public; however, at the beginning and at the end, this is an excellent opportunity to see geiko and maiko); 11:00-13:00; Gion Shinbashi, just north of Shijo; Tel: 075-561-1115.
13
Urushi Lacquer Festival
Horin-ji Temple has been considered to be the deity of lacquer wares. People involved in lacquer industry hold a memorial service to pray for good business luck. Kyogen comic theatre play will be performed; Tel: 075-861-0069.
23
Juzu Buddhist Rosary Memorial Service
Memorial service for used juzu Buddhist rosaries is held. The most important Buddhist monk of virtue appears and make prayer. The first 1,000 visitors will receive free juzu amulet; Tel: 075-561-8095.
Temple & Shrine Flea Markets
11/1, Sun.
To-ji Temple: this market is focused on antiques of all kinds; usually not too crowded; great value all around; 7:00-16:00
11/8, Sun.
Toyokuni Shrine: small antique market; 10:00-15:00
Inba Yakushi Temple: handicrafts; 9:00-15:00
11/12, Thurs.
Myoren-ji Temple: a lovely relaxing setting for inexpensive kimono and all kinds of antiques, local produce, etc.; 9:00-17:00
11/15, Sun.
Chion-ji Temple: Kyoto's biggest handicraft market; an absolutely amazing range of handmade things; incredible prices too!; 8:00-16:00
11/21, Sat.
To-ji Temple: also known as Kobo-san, this mega temple market offers everything and is extremely popular; go early, especially if on a weekend or a national holiday; 7:00-17:00
11/22, Sun.
Kyoto City Hall: a huge public flea market; 10:00-17:00
11/25, Wed.
Kitano Tenmangu Shrine: also known as Tenjin-san, this super shrine market sprawls in and around this major shrine complex; go early (see 21st above); 7:00-16:30
NOTE: markets shut down much earlier in autumn and winter; when the days get longer and warmer sellers tend to stay a little longer. AND DON'T FORGET TO BARGAIN: generally try to knock about 25-30% off the price you first hear.
2010 August
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The 245th issue, since 1987.