MIHO MUSEUM
The founder of the Miho Museum, KOYAMA Mihoko, collected some of the finest pieces of artwork from cultures around the world and exhibited them in a stunning location where everyone can appreciate them.  In this way, she has tried to provide an opportunity for all people to experience the enriching, universal and life-long impact of beauty as a form of spirituality.  The year 2012 will be a celebration of the Miho Museum’s 15th anniversary.

Spring Special Exhibition 2012
March 10 - June 10, 2012
Miho GrandamaⅡ: To the Honored Mother

The museum will be closed from Until Mar. 9, 2012.

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.


ZOHIKO
Offering the finest quality lacquerware since 1661
Our 1st floor shop has been completely renovated and we have opened fine museum on the 2nd floor. Visit both our shop and museum and experience the depth and gracefulness of Kyoto culture.

Exhibition of Hina Dolls and Decorative Items of the Nishimura Family of Zohiko Company
Feb. 2 (Thurs.) – April 3 (Tue.); Open: 10:00-17:00

A 3-min. walk west of Heian Shrine
Open: 9:30-18:00; Closed: Wed.
Tel: 075-752-7777



KYOTO INTERNATIONAL MANGA MUSEUM
Experience the world of Manga !

World-crass manga collection: 300,000 classic manga books and magazines, picture books, internatinal manga, and more.
Old-style picture-story theatre show & workshops and other fun events open to all !!

Akatsuka Fujio Manga University Exhibition
Oct. 29, Sat. – Dec. 25, Sun., 2011

On the west side of Karasuma, north of Oike; Tel: 075-254-7414 #2 exit Karasuma Oike subway station; Open: 10:00-18:00 (entry until 17:30); Closed: Wed. (open on Nov. 2 & 23) & Nov. 24; Entry: 800 yen

TRADITIONAL EXPERIENCE


YAMAMOTO Roketsu dyeing 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
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, 9:00-16:00; reservations at least 24 hours in advance; Tea ceremony and machiya visit: 3,150 yen; info@tondaya.co.jp


MIYAKO GALLERY
Aromatic Coffee & Delicious Sponge Cake at
Café Kokyu-an

Enjoy a break with our organic coffee & sweet and soft sponge cake

Matcha green tea & sponge cake set: 800 yen
Garcia set: 600 yen

Open: 10:00-18:00, Closed: Wed.
Tel: 075-344-3002


Tea Ceremony Experience at
Café Rikyu

Try yourself to learn traditional Japanese tea ceremony
From 2,000 yen/person (tax incl., cash only)
*Reservation required by phone; Price & time needed depends on the program

Open: 10:00-18:00 (L.O. 17:30), Closed: Wed.
Tel: 075-344-3002


Dress Yourself in Beautiful Kimono at
MIYAKO GALLERY

Reasonably priced kimono (rental & sale) and a variety of accessories

Kimono rental: 3,000 yen/person (tax incl., cash only; call us in advance)
Kimono for sale: from 5,000 yen
Pretty Kyoto accessories: from 100 yen

Open: 10:00-17:00, Closed: Wed.
Tel: 075-344-3015

English & Chinese spoken

1F Kyoto Excel Human Bldg., on the north side of Gojo, west of Kawaramachi


Shunko-in Temple
Shunko-in Temple (the temple of the spring ray) is a very special temple which hosts many important artistic and cultural properties related to Zen Buddhism and it is also connected to Shinto and Christianity. The tenple's American-educated vice-abbot will prvide detailed English guidance in the temple and you can try Zen meditation.

Zen meditation and Temple tour: 2,000 yen (total 90-min.)
(a bowl of maccha green tea and Japanese sweet will be served at the end of the session)
Everyday 9:00-10:30 and 10:40-12:10

Zen meditation only: 1,000 yen (total 60-min.)
Everyday 9:00-10:00 and 10:40-11:40

*Please check our website for availability.
*We are closed from Dec. 20-28, Dec. 31-Jan. 3.

42 Myoshinji-cho, Hanazono, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto
Tel: 075-462-5488
rev.taka.kawakami@gmail.com




SHOWS/EXPERIENCE


GION CORNER
On the east side of Hanamikoji, next to Gion Kobu Kaburenjo Theatre; Tel: 561-1119; a theatre established to preserve the nation's traditional performing arts, and to allow many of them to be presented under one roof; maiko dance, tea ceremony, flower arrangement, kyogen comic play, etc.; multi lingual instructions and earphone guide set available; regular performance: Mar. 1-Nov. 30: 19:00 & 20:00; closed Aug. 16; fee: 3,150 yen; available at major hotels, etc..

TOEI KYOTO STUDIO PARK
In Uzumasa; Tel: 075-864-7716; open daily: 9:00-17:00 (Dec.-Feb.: 9:30-16:00); Here you can meet samurai, ninja and geisha on actual film sets; From exciting shows to 3D attractions, there is something for the whole family at Toei Kyoto Studio Park; Also, new to the park are the Ninja Mystery House, Toei Anime Museum and Ukiyo-e Woodcut Print Museum.

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.

More Information

A UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage (Proclaimed in 2003)
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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Meet Japan's Last SAMURAI!
Experience Samurai Okada's amazing performance!!

Experience Samurai Okada’s exciting “Apple Cutting” Performance! (2,200 times in 33 years)
Samurai Okada will teach you the way of samurai sword skills in 5 hours according to Guinness rules so that you can cut apples in the air (70,000 yen for 1 to 3 participants including all accessories). Okada’s student from the U.S. holds the Guinness world record for 2009!

Samurai Okada will be your private tour guide!
Hire Samurai Okada to be your private city tour guide (Day tour: 50,000 yen). He has a versatile, charming personality and 49 years of experience as a licensed tour guide. During the tour he will perform a short Samurai show.

Samurai Okada’s exciting Samurai show (25 min.):
60,000 yen (1-30 people; location & time adjustable)

2-hour private Maiko & Samurai banquet show: 150,000 yen
Extra cost for meals & drinks at Junsei Garden restaurant

Call: Samurai Okada: 090-3867-3538
E-mail: samurai_joeokada@yahoo.co.jp
http://www.samurai-okada.com

He has made guest appearances on the David Letterman Show at NBC, Regis Philbin, ABC and 60 other TV shows!



JAPANESE CUISINE COOKING CLASS


UZUKI COOKING CLASS
Learn Japanese cuisine in English!; Emi provides friendly detailed instruction on how to make Japanese home-style dishes using pure seasonings, like genuine mirin/sweet rice wine, pure rice vinegar etc.; Semi private lessons (accepted 2-4 people) in the intimate atmosphere of Emi's private kitchen, featuring Kyoto cuisine and sweets; Vegetarians welcome; Enjoy your food while talking about Japan; Japanese dishes: from 4,000 yen/person; Sweets: from 2,500 yen/person; both including the costs of the ingredients; Contact: accepted only by email: cooking@kyotouzuki.com



Massage & Relaxation


ASAHIDO MASSAGE THERAPY CLINIC
On the west side of Fuyacho, south of Aneyakoji; Tel: 221-0432; Open: 13:00-23:00 (appointments accepted 12 :00-22:00); closed late Dec. to early Jan.; in operation for over 50 years, Asahido offers authentic shiatsu, non-oil massage, and anma (traditional non-oil Japanese massage); the clinic is housed in a refurbished machiya (traditional Kyoto townhouse); massage is performed by government-certified therapists in private rooms, in an atmosphere of taste and tranquility; based on the principles of East Asian medicine, shiatsu and anma are especially recommended for the relief of travel fatigue; pajamas provided; 60 min: 6,000 yen, 90 min: 9,000 yen; major credit cards accepted.