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---MUSEUMS---
KIYOMIZU SANNENZAKA MUSEUM
Below Kiyomizu Temple, on Sannenzaka; Tel: 532-4270; 500 yen; Open: 10:00-17:00 (entry until 16:30); closed on Mon. and Tues.; the only museum in Japan specializing in Japanese fine arts from the late Edo (1600-1868) to Meiji periods (1868-1912): cloisonne, metal work, Satsuma ware and makie lacquer, all popular with Westerners in the late 19th century; special exhibitions of Japanese fine arts held every 3 months.
MIHO
MUSEUM
The Miho Museum is a celebration of beauty, and the spiritual power that can be experienced by viewing great works of human expression. Its valuable collection is made up of outstanding masterpieces from the world's great civilizations.
Open: July 12-Aug. 17; 10:00-17:00 (enter by 16:00); Closed: Mondays (or the next day, if Mon. is a national holiday); Admission: adults: 1,000 yen; students: 800 yen; children: 300 yen; special prices for groups; Access: take the Teisan Bus (50 min.) from JR Ishiyama Stn. (15 min. east of Kyoto Stn. on the Biwako-sen line); Info: Tel: 0748-82-3411; Note: the Miho Museum will be closed until July 11.
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KYOTO
INTERNATIONAL MANGA MUSEUM
Experience fun & exciting Japanese Manga culture!!; A 1-min. walk north of Karasuma-Oike Stn. on the Karasuma or Tozai subway line; Open: 10:00-20:00 (entry by 19:30), Closed: Wed. and other irregular day (please enquire); Adults: 500 yen, Students (13-18): 300 yen, Children (under 12): 100 yen; *additional fee will be charged for special exhibits; Tel: 075-254-7414.
SHISEN-DO ( Villa & Gardens)
Shisen-do is the spectacular home and landscaped estate established by samurai, poet and literati Ishikawa Jozan (1583-1672) in 1641, after he was forced to retire by super shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu forced due to a serious disagreement. Highly individualistic, the buildings and gardens of Shisen-do are unlike any in Japan. Perfection is in the details and here you will sense it everywhere winding streams, raked sand surfaces, sculpted bushes, the wild mountain in the background especially at the height of spring and autumn. Experience another world: Shisen-do. Open: 9:00-17:00 daily. Entry: adults 500 yen, students 200-400yen. Location: a short walk east of Ichijyo-ji Stn. on the Eizan Line. Tel: 781-2954.
SAGAWA
ART MUSEUM
7/19-8/24
Scenes of Mount Fuji by Hokusai: Fugaku Sanjurokkei and Fugaku Hyakkei
Permanent Exhibition
Ikuo Hirayama Exhibition, Churyo Sato Exhibition, Kichizaemon Raku Exhibition
2891 Kitagawa Mizuho-cho, Moriyama, Shiga (just south of the east end of Lake Biwa Ohashi Bridge)
Open: 9:30-17:00 (entry until 16:30)
Closed: Mon.
Tel: 077-585-7800
imura
art gallery
Feel the Beauty of Japanese Contemporary Art
Spend a moment at the imura art gallery
The Imura Art Gallery has acquired a high reputation from its Japanese and foreign fans. Based in Kyoto for 18 years, we specialize in contemporary art work by up-and-coming Japanese artists. We also have a wide collection of paintings, sculpture and other formative arts created by more mature contemporary Japanese artists. Visit the Imura Art Gallery and feel the beauty of Japanese art born from the rich and beautiful traditions of Kyoto. Open: 10:00-18:30; closed Sun. and national holidays. Tel: 761-7372. Located on the north side of Marutamachi, 200m east of Kawabata; a 3-min. walk from Keihan Marutamachi #4 exit
July 7-26
Chihiro Nagashima Exhibition
Chihiro Nagashima (1983-) is an up-and-coming young contemporary Japanese artist. She graduated from an art university in Kyoto and has won several major awards in Japanese art competitions. The world's leading auction house, Christies Hong Kong, auctions Nagashima's works. This is her first individual exhibition in Kyoto. Her works look like very modern and contemporary, yet you will find something 'Japanese' in them.
''The blend and vacant backdrop of Nagashima's works serve as a blank slate for the audience's mind, read to accept and analyze the inner and surreal imagination of the artist. Contrary to existing notions of compositional balance, Nagashina draws a train of detailed compact figures that move along a current in arbitrary streams, like her stream of consciousness. Upon the slightest emotional or physical response to any external sensatory stimulation, Nagashima blends this imagery with her mind, spilling its materialization onto paper before it disintegrates into yet another mundane everyday scene.''
Christies Hong Kong.
---TRADITIONAL EXPERIENCE---
YAMAMOTO
Roketsu dyeing Experience (TRADITIONAL CRAFT EXPERIENCE)
73 Umazuka-cho, Nishikyogoku, Ukyo-ku ; 15 min. by taxi from Kyoto St. or a 2-min walk from Nishikyogoku Umazukacho stop on Kyoto City bus #80 or #32 ; Tel : 313-1871, Fax : 313-1941; open 10:00-18:00, closed Wed.; Roketsu dyeing is a unique traditional way of cloth dyeing in which wax is used to block dyes in area s finely drawn by hand on cloth; Yamamoto Roketsu dyeing studio is the only place in Japan visitors can experience the entire roketsu process; instruction by craftspeople with more than 50 years of experience; make something to take home; square textile: 2,000 yen, T-shirt: 3,000 yen, noren curtain: 3,000 yen; book at least 1 hour before your visit.
TONDAYA
(TEA CEREMONY & TRADITIONAL CULTURE)
West side of Omiya, north of Ichijo; TEL: 462-6701; Located in Kyoto's famous Nishijin textile area, this 130-year-old, architecturally exquisite townhouse (a National Treasure) is elegantly decorated with classical treasures; Tondaya offers the perfect atmosphere to experience tea ceremony while wearing a real kimono; Tea ceremony, including kimono wearing: 7,350 yen, 10:00-16:00; reservations at least 24 hours in advance; Tea ceremony and machiya visit: 3,150 yen; closed Mon. (open if Mon. is a holiday); info@tondaya.co.jp
---MAIKO MAKEOVER---
STUDIO
SHIKI
Enjoy a traditional Geisha make-over by highly skilled artists in under 60 minutes; Dress up, hold a fan, or parasol and have your photo taken! Over 100 choices of kimono available; GEISHA PLAN: 6,825 yen (Tax included; Cash only); Make up, dressing; photo taking: 3,150 yen (Tax included); 6 cuts portrait photos, 5 X 7 inches; SAMURAI PLAN: 5,775 yen (Tax included ; Cash only); dressing; photo taking: 3,150 yen (Tax included); 4 cuts portrait photos, 5 X 7 inches; Studio photo, plus the chance to walk around old Kyoto for an hour in full costume! (3,150 yen extra); SHIKI's very own studio can finish your photos by the time you leave!; Reservation: 7:00-23:00; Open: 9:00-19:00: Open 7 days a week; 351-16 Masuya-cho, Koudaiji, Higashiyama-ku,Kyoto; Tel: 075-531-2777.
---SHOWS/EXPERIENCE---
GION
CORNER
Off Hanami-koji, next to Gion Kobu Kaburenjo Theater; Tel: 561-1119; A theater established to preserve the nation's traditional performing arts, and to allow many of them to be presented under one roof; Regular Performance: 3/1-11/30: 19:00 and 20:00; Closed Aug. 16; Fee: 3,150 yen, available at major hotels, etc.
TOEI MOVIE LAND
In Uzumasa, Sagano; Tel: 864-7716; Open daily 9:00-17:00 (9:30-16:00 Dec. 1-the end of Feb.); Closed from Dec. 24-31; Enjoy real samurai movie sets, samurai sword skill shows, the wonders of the world of Japanese cinema and all about the newest special effects technologies; This is a great place to go with the kids; There is a lot to see and do.
KYOTO
CONCERT HALL
Designed by world-renowned architect Isozaki Arata, the exterior and interior of this beautiful concert hall elegantly combines simple design principles with sophisticated function. The main floor of the hall is done entirely in limestone imported from Kyoto's Italian sister city Florence. The Main Hall can seat up to 1,839 people, and the Small Hall up to 514. Used for traditional and classical music performances, both halls include the most sophisticated acoustical designs. A unique pipe organ, with both metal and wooden pipes (the largest of its kind in Japan) can create both classical instruments and the traditional Japanese instruments. The Kyoto Concert Hall is located a few meters south of the east exit of the Kitayama subway station (on the Karasuma subway line). Tel: 075-711-3090.
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NATIONAL
BUNRAKU THEATRE
Experience the Pageantry and the World of Bunraku at Osaka's National Bunraku Theatre-only an hour from Kyoto. A unique creation of the lively, and free 17th-century of Osaka, Bunraku is recognized as one of the world's most fascinating living drama forms. The unforgettable stories and the beautiful puppets and costumes that characterize this amazing stage-art are only a little bit more than an hour away. Step off the train into a real-life world of drama and emotion-Bunraku-for something truly special and cultural. 12-10 Nipponbashi 1-chome, Chuo-ku, Osaka; TEL: 06-6212-2531 (general inquiries only, for ticket reservations see Tickets).
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PHOTO
STUDIO MoNICA
Kimono/Samurai Experience & Photo Session; Get dressed in a kimono and have a fun time in Kyoto!
Choose your favorite kimono from our wide range of options. Out of the 10 photos we take of you in your outfit, choose one and we will turn it into an original PHOTO CARD. You can take the card home with you on the same day. Price; 3,150 yen *hair and make-up included. Other plans are available. A CD-ROM including all 10 photos can be purchased for 3,150 yen. Both photo card and CD-ROM can be taken home with you on the same day. If you buy yukata (summer kimono), you can go out and enjoy the Gion Matsuri Festival (from 10,500 yen) in traditional dress. TEL: 533-0447. Reservations accepted from our website or call.
---JAPANESE CUISINE COOKING CLASS---
UZUKI
COOKING CLASS
Learn Japanese cuisine in English!; Emi provides friendly detailed instruction on how to make typical Japanese home-style dishes; semi-private lessons (accepted 2-4 people) in the intimate atmosphere of Emi's private kitchen (easy to get to); featuring Kyoto/Japanese style dishes and sweets; menus can be planned by guests too, upon the request; vegetarians welcome!; after cooking, enjoy your food while talking about Japan; all ingredients are organic, no food additives; Japanese dishes: from 3,500 yen/person, sweets: 2,500 yen/person (the class lasts about 3 hours); contact accepted only by email; cooking@kyotouzuki.com
---HAIR SALON---
HOSHI COUPE
Machiya Hair Salon Kyoto HOSHI COUPE; 601-3 Toro-cho, Matsubara-dori, Higashinotoin-higashi-iru, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto; open: 11:00-20:00; closed Wednesday; 81-(0)75-351-2093.
2008 July
Published on the 1st
of every month.
The 222th issue, since 1987.