Map of Japan will introduce places in Japan from Japanese peoples eyes.
Basic ifomation are all writen in guide books. Map of Japan will introduce what Japanese people feel, think, and see in that place. Probably my coments in the posts are mosty bias, but thas how we feel. And it is not on the guide book.
Enjoy the Japan guide from Japanese bias!
Here are useful links of English Map of Kyoto, Japan.
1. Map of Kyoto (in Englihs) I think this is the BEST Map of Kyoto, Japan on the web. When you click on the map, it will give you a close up of the detailed map.
2. Welcome to Kyoto World Heritage Map (of Kyoto Japan in English) Picture bellow is the map introduced in this website. The icons of world heritage in Kyoto, Japan on the map is linked to the introductory pages. I think it comes in handy to get the general ideas where they are, but it is not detailed enough.
4. English version of BasuNavi This is a print able map of Kyoto, Japan. It is in the PDF style. This is a map of bus stop by Kyoto Transportation Bureau. The was published 1st of April 2009, so it is the newest
A little icon spread out on the map is the place where you can see “Hoko” and “Yama.”
What is “Hoko” “Hoko” literally means spear. In Gion Matsuri, it refers to a big decorated spear. It has wheals at the bottom and goes around Kyoto on Yoiyama.
What is Yoiyama? Yoiyama is the climax of Gion Matsuri. Hoko and Yama goes around Kyoto. Yoiyama this year will be 14 to 17 of July 2009.
What is “Yama” Similar to “Hoko.” Literally means mountain, but in Gion Matsuri, it refers to a decorative wagon.
Decoration of Hoko and Yama is tradidionally passed downed. I’ve never seen one but it is said that some of the decoration has picture of pyramid and camel.
Gion Matsuri Festival, one of the biggest and famous Masturi in Japan, is going to start from 1st of July 2009. Preparation for the Gion Matsuri is done every where in Kyoto.
In Japan, there is a concept of gods having two souls, Aratama (brutal soul of god) and Nigitama (merciful soul of god). Sometime, two souls are too strong, they are depicted as two deferent gods. The main God in Gion Masturi, Susanowo no mikoto has two soul. Aratama (brutal soul of god) is dedicated in Ayato Kuninaka Shrine, and the Nigitama (merciful soul of god) is dedicated in Yasaka Shrine. The child will lead the wagon with Aratama (brutal soul of god) of Susanowo no mikoto, to Yasaka Shrine. At Yasaka Shrine, the two soul will come together and the becomes the incarnation of Susanowo no mikoto. The incarnate child may not put his foots on the ground until his mission as the incarnation of Susanowo no mikoto is complete.
Like I’ve been writing. Gion Matusri Festival is coming up in Kyoto! It is chance for you to lean about Kyoto and Japanese tradition.
What is Yasaka Shrine? Yasaka Shrine takes the main part of Gion Masturi. Gion Masturi is a festival to celebrate and appease gods believed in this shrine.This is THE Shrine you should go in Japan.
Printable, guide of Kyoto Japan. Has printable map of Kyoto city inside.
Gion Matsuri is one of the big three Masturi Festibal in Japan. It will be held in Kyoto, Japan.
Where is Japan? Where is Kyoto in Japan?
Gion Masturi is a month long festival, many people come and see it from all over Japan and all over the world. It starts from July. It is the time to get ready to visit Kyoto! It is probably the time when you can experience the traditional Japan.
On June 14 2009, Exchange student participated tin Chimaki making for Gion Masturi.
What is Chimaki? Chimaki is usually a food, it is a sticky rice raped in bamboo leaves. But this one is for Gion Masturi so it is not a food. It is a purifying charm, it will exorcise the evil spirit. This will be made by the people the in the area. 31 different Chimaki will be sold near the Yamaboko. When you buy it, usually people will tacke back to there home and place it in frond of the entrance door.
Ukai Event will start today, (12th of June) in Kyoto Japan.
What is Ukai? Ukai is a Japanese traditional fishing method by using bird called U. The fisher man ties rope around birds throat, and releases the bird to swim around and eat fish. When the bird swallows fish, the fisherman make the bird come back to the boat, then chokes the bird by pulling the rope and gets the fish.
This way of fishing is not common today. It is an old traditional method of fishing. There are several places where still uses this method. The most famous one is the one at Nagara river in Gifu. Ukai at Ujigawa Kyoto is also famous.
Ukai at Ujigawa Kyoto starts from today (12th of June) till 27th of September. Boat Fee for Adult 1900 Yen (approx. 20 USD) Boat Fee for Children under twelve 900 Yen (approx. 10 USD)
One of the 3 biggest Matsuri is coming up! Get ready! Here is the map of "Yamaboko Flow Route"
Gion Matsuri is one of the three biggest Matsuri in Japan. It takes place in Kyoto. It is a month long event, and it starts from 1st to 31st of July.
Schedule is here
01/07/09 Start of Gion Matsuri
02/07/09 "kujiiri" Event to choose which a pike goes first.
10/07/09 "Omukae Chouchin" Event of volunteers, usually kids, walk around Kyoto with Japanese lantern Chouchin. Starts around 4 in the evening til 9.
10/07/09-14/07/09 "Yamaboko" will be built and displayed.
13/07/09 "Chigo" a secrete child will visit Yasaka Shrine. Chigo is the only one who goes on the Hoko. Chigo for this year was elected. Chigo will be elected from the wealthy family in Kyoto, because it will costs 20thousand Yen(200tousand USD). Movie of Chigo election.
14/07/09-16/07/09 The light up of "Yamaboko" and music will be played all over in kyoto
17/07/09 The climax of Gionmaturi. The Flow of "Yamaboko".
17/07/09 From 4 in the evening, ceremony at Yasaka shrine.
17/07/09 4 god's wagon will come back to Shijou after going around Kyoto.
24/07/09 Parade.
24/07/09 4 god's wagon will go back to Yasaka shrine
28/07/09 Takes one of the main god's wagon and baptize with holy water.
This is how Gion Matsuri will go. If your are planing to visit Kyoto this summer, it is probably the best to visit on 17th on July. It is the climax of Gion Matsuri. But you should be aware of enormous crows of people. Many people form Japan and oversea comes to this event.
This is a green tea ice cream Sunday of a very famous green tea sweets shop in Kyoto. If you have a chance to visit Kyoto, you must go!
The shop is called "Tsujiri." It is managed by tea field owner, so their green tea flavored stuff is great.
Their are lot of shop that offers green tea sweets, in Kyoto because Kyoto is famous for green tea "Matcha." If you are going to eat green tea sweats at the other place, try "Tsujiri." This is the place to go.
Since it is famous, there is alway people in line. If you want to avoid clowds, go their 30 before closeing.
Location There are 4 shops in kyoto so, choes the one you have close access.
Ryoanji is now under construction. It will be completed Feb.2010. I when to Ryoanji during the construction, without knowing. Rock garden was still nice but not as it should be. We were only alowed to see the garden from the stage besides the garden. Dusy carpet was spread over the stage and it was filled with tourist like us. peep, peep, peep, a shutter noise from thr digital camera every where.
No mood for silent meditation.
Silece and the zen atmosphere was captured in the pichture I took with my digital camera. Picture avobe.
I assume that the dusty carpet will be removed after reconstruction and wooden stage will be back. Not only the stage but other parts of the temple was on construction so is was kind of messy. But, it is probably hard to experience Zen atmosphere anyway, because of noised made by visitors.
Other parts of the temple gaden was pretty. Greenery is relaxing. Turetle was on the rock and another was on its back.
Official web site(has english) http://www.ryoanji.jp/
Hi, I'm Hiroshi! I live in Japan. I will introduce useful map tool of Japan and cool places to go in Japan. There are many nice places to go in Japan but not all of them is on the tour guide book. I will introduse places like that!
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