NARAWALK GUIDE's JOURNAL

Autumn Sky in Nara Park

2011-10-16T06:34:00.000-07:00

Pampas grasses are reaching for autumn sky.
Dusk in Nara Park
Nara City is a blaze in a sunset.

Events around Nara Park (September 2011)

2011-09-04T07:22:00.000-07:00

Around Nara Park:

Sept. 12(mon) Uneme Festival (Uneme Matsuri)
@Uneme Shrine by Sarusawa Pond
See a related entry for details: click here

Sept. 17(sat) The 17th Night (Jyuhichiya)
@February Hall in Todaiji Temple
18:00 ~ Ritual ceremony
18:30 ~ 21:00 Local Folk Dances (Bon Odori Dance)
18:30 ~ 21:00 February Hall area lit up with ca. 400 lanterns
17th day of a month is dedicated to a Buddhist saint, Kannon Bodhisattva. August 17th in the lunar calendar, which is roughly September 17th in the solar calendar, is especially celebrated. On this day, Todaiji Temple holds a ritual ceremony for Kannnon Bodhisattva at February Hall. After the ceremony and outside of the hall, there will be a crowd of people dancing local folk dances. Everyone is welcome to join the dance.

Sept. 17(sat) Live Charity Piano Concert by Suguru Matsutani
@ on a stage in front of Nara National Museum
See related entry for details: click here

Sept. 18(sun) Sake Festival 2011 by the Brewery of Harushika
10:00 ~ 16:00 @ S. Imanishi Co., Ltd in Naramachi area
Harushika is a popular local Sake brand brewed in old town area of Nara, Naramachi, by S. Imanishi Co., Ltd. This is the local sake brewery that we visit during our Afternoon Old Town Stroll for optional Sake-tasting. Sake Festival is admission free.

(Scheduled events at the Sake Festival)
=Special Sake you can buy only on this day at the brewery. (There will be a free Sake-tasting of this special Sake.)
=See Sake brewery. They open their actual workplace to brew Sake to visitors. (They are not brewing Sake at this time of year.)
=Food booths by local shops.
=A booth by Unicef. Part of proceeds of Sake Festival goes to Unicef.
...and more!

Sept. 19(mon) Longevity Festival (Chojyu-sai)
13:00 ~ @ Kasuga Grand Shrine
Third Monday of September, Sept. 19 for this year, is Respect-for-the-Aged Day. It is a day to thank elder members of society. On this day, Kasuga Grand Shrine offers Bugaku, traditional music and dance, to deities praying for longevity of elder people.

Sept. 17(sat) ~18(sun), Sept. 23(fri) ~ 25(sun) Night Time Opening of Kofukuji Temple National Treasure Hall
~ 20:30 @ National Treasure Hall in Kofukuji Temple
During these days, National Treasure Hall in Kofukuji Temple is open till 20:30.

Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays in Sept. Night Time Opening of Kofukuji Temple Eastern Golden Hall
17:00 ~ 19:30 @Eastern Golden Hall in Kofukuji Temple
Eastern Golden Hall in Kofukuji Temple is open till 19:30 on Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays in September.

Around Horyuji Temple and Nishino-kyo:

Sept. 12(mon) View Buddhist Statues Under the Moon of the Year (Kangetsu Bussan-e)
18:00 ~ 21:00 @Toshodaiji Temple
Moon around this time of year is thought to be most beautiful. It’s a season for moon viewing parties. At Toshodaiji Temple, they specially open the temple at night to view the moon with their masterpiece Buddhist statues. Admission to the temple is free. Admission to Mieido Hall is 500 yen.

Sue
-NARAWALK guide

Charity Piano Concert by Suguru Matsutani

2011-09-03T07:07:00.000-07:00

Suguru Matsutani has written music for many Japanese movies, TV programs and TV commercials. If you were to travel to Japan and turn on TV, probably you’ll hear one of his music. This piano concert is a charity concert trying to raise funds to save cultural properties damaged in March 11 Earthquake in Tohoku, Japan.

Sept. 17(sat)
@ on a stage in front of Nara National Museum
18:00 ~ Admission starts. (Concert is Free of charge.)
18:30 ~ Concert begins.
Concert is cancelled if the weather is stormy.

Sue
-NARAWALK guide

Uneme Festival

2011-09-02T07:04:00.000-07:00

Uneme Festival is a festival to console the soul of a heartbroken woman, Uneme. Once upon a time, there was a maiden called Uneme who fell in love with an emperor and then who eventually lost his love... What happened to her afterwards? Ask our guides during our daily tours!

Sept. 12(mon) Uneme Festival (Uneme Matsuri)
@Uneme Shrine by Sarusawa Pond

17:00 ~ Procession of people in traditional costumes
(JR Nara Station ~ Sanjo-dori St. ~ Higashimuki-dori St. ~ Oomiya-dori St. ~ Konishi Sakura-dori St. ~ Mochiidono-dori St. ~ Sanjo-dori St. ~ Sarusawa Pond ~ Uneme Shrine)
18:00 ~ Ritual Ceremony, Offering of Flowery Fan to Uneme Shrine
19:00 ~ Miss Uneme and Miss Nara ride on a boat to throw a flowery fan into Sarusawa Pond. There will be musicians on a boat playing traditional court music.

Sue
-NARAWALK guide

Get Coupons at Visit Japan 2011

2011-08-31T08:24:00.000-07:00

Visit Japan 2011 is a web site run by JAPAN Tourism Agency. Including NARA WALK, over 4000 shops and companies have listed their shop/company information in Visit Japan web site. All shops and companies listed in Visit Japan web site offer deals (ex. discount offers, a small gift, etc) to those who have Visit Japan Coupons.

NARA WALK offers a discount on our two daily tours, Daily Nara Park Classic Tour and Daily Great Buddha Tour. To get discounts, present a Visit Japan Coupon to our guide when you join our daily tours. Coupons are accepted from September 1 - November 30, 2011.

Visit Japan 2011: Daily Nara Park Classic Tour page
Visit Japan 2011: Daily Great Buddha Tour page
Visit Japan 2011: Coupon Download page

Sue
-NARAWALK guide

NARA TO-KAE, Ten Nights Of Lantern Illumination (pictures)

2011-08-08T07:08:00.000-07:00

At Sarusawa Pond

Approach to Great Buddha Hall

Near Todaiji Temple

As for the schedule, please refer to
http://narawalk.blogspot.com/2011/08/nara-to-kae-ten-nights-of-lantern.html

Events around Nara Park (August 2011)

2011-08-07T07:25:00.000-07:00

Around Nara Park:

Aug. 5(fri) - 14(sun) Ten Nights Of Lantern Illumination (NARA TO-KAE)
See a related journal entry for details: click here.

Aug. 7(sun) Cleaning of Great Buddha (Ominugui)
7:00 ~ 9:30 @Great Buddha Hall in Todaiji Temple
This is once a year cleaning day for Great Buddha. About 120 Buddhist monks and laypeople clean Great Buddha form head to toe. Although the cleaning starts from 7:00am, Great Buddha Hall is opened to the public from 7:30am.

Aug. 14(sun) & 15(mon) All 3000 Lanterns Light Up Day (Chugen Mantoro)
@Kasuga Grand Shrine
Lanterns of Kasuga Grand Shrine used to be lit up every night, but today they are lit up only on certain days.

18:30~ (Aug. 14) Offertory of Bugaku, traditional Japanese court music and dances / (Aug. 15) Offertory of Kagura, Shinto’s offertory music and dances
19:00~ All 3000 lanterns are lit.
*With donation of 3000yen or more, you can light up a lantern by yourself.
20:30 Gates closed.

Aug. 15(mon) Thousands Of Lantern Lights Offered To Great Buddha (Manto Kuyo-e)
19:00 ~ 22:00 @ Great Buddha Hall in Todaiji Temple
About 2500 lanterns are lit in front of Great Buddha Hall. Each lantern is offered to Great Buddha with a prayer, varying from a health to world peace. This lantern offering started as a way to console the souls of the dead who are believed to be making their summer visit to this world form the other world during this time of a year. Inside the hall, Buddhist monks hold a religious ceremony to pray for the dead and to send the prayers on lanterns to Great Buddha.

Aug. 15(mon) Nara “大”-shaped Bonfire (Nara Dai-monji Okuribi)
“大”, pronounced ‘dai’, symbolizes cosmos. 108 small bonfires are lined to form “大” shape. This bonfire is a popular summer event, and you can watch the fire from mostly anywhere in Nara. Tobihino Field and Sarusawa Pond are very popular viewing places. The fire only lasts about 10 min.

Light up: 20:00~

Around Kintetsu Yamato Saidaiji Station:

Aug. 19(fri) – 21(sun) Heijo Palace Site Summer Night Festival (Heijo-kyo Tenpyo-sai Natsu)
@ Heijo Palace Site
See a related journal entry for details: click here.

Around Horyuji Temple and Nishino-kyo:

Aug. 23(tue) & 24(wed) Special Viewing of Hidden Statue
@ Jizo-do Hall in Toshodaiji Temple
A statue of Jizo, a Buddhist saint for children, is open to the public. This opening is a part of Jizo Bon Ceremony, a Buddhist ceremony to pray for children’s healthy growth to Jizo. The statue is an important cultural property.

Sue
-NARAWALK guide

Heijo Palace Site Summer Night Festival (Heijo-kyo Tenpyo-sai Natsu)

2011-08-07T07:04:00.000-07:00

Enjoy your summer nights at Heijo Palace Site. From Aug. 19(fri) to 21(sun), a summer festival is held at Heijo Palace Site. There will be light installations, parades of people wearing a traditional costume with electric light decorations, food stands, music stages and more.

All Three Days:
16:00 – 21:00 Food and Goods Stands
18:30 – 20:45 Music and Performance Stage
-On Aug. 19, the stage ends at 20:00.
-On Aug. 19, there will be a stage by NMB48 starting from 19:15. (NMB48 is a Japanese pop girl group based in Namba, Osaka. They are one of sister groups of AKB48.)
18:30 – 21:00 Light Installations
-More than 10 light installations illuminate the palace site.
19:00 – 20:00 Parade of Light
- People wearing costumes of 1300 years ago (with electric light decorations!) walk in procession.
- You can try a similar costume that people are wearing in the parade for 500yen (17:00 – 21:00)

Only on Aug. 19:
20:00 – 20:15 Fireworks
-If it rains, fireworks will be postponed to Aug. 20.

Access:
-15 min. walk from Kintetsu Yamato Saidaiji Station
-20 min. by bus from JR/Kintetsu Nara Station to Sakicho bus stop. 1 min. walk from there.
(Take a bus No. 12 or 14 from a bus stop No. 7 at JR Nara Station/ a bus stop No. 13 at Kintetsu Nara Station. 270yen. Only 1 or 2 bus is scheduled per hour.)
-Shuttle buses are planned to run from Kintetsu Yamato Saidaiji Station (South Exit)/JR Nara Station (West Exit) to Heijo Palace Site.

Sue
-NARAWALK guide

NARA TO-KAE, Ten Nights Of Lantern Illumination

2011-08-05T08:36:00.000-07:00

Enjoy a night time stroll around Nara Park with thousands of lanterns softly lighting your pathways. Todaiji Temple, Kofukuji Temple and other facilities have night time opening hours during this event.

Aug. 5(fri) - 14(sun)
=Lantern Light-ups=
19:00 ~ 21:45 @ around Nara Park

=Night Time Opening Hours=
Todaiji Temple: 19:00 ~ 21:00
-Great Buddha Hall is open. *Only on Aug. 13 & 14.
Kofukuji Temple: ~ 20:30 (enter before 20:15)
-National Treasure House and Eastern Golden Hall are open.
Mt. Wakakusa-yama: 9:00 ~ 21:00 (enter before 20:30)
-Enjoy a night view from the top of the city
Nara National Museum: 9:30 ~ 19:00 (enter before 18:30)
-Special Exhibition “On to India! Xuanzang’s 30,000-Kilometer Trek” is held.
-Aug. 8 is closed.

Sue
-NARAWALK guide

Summer in Deer Park

2011-07-23T21:53:00.000-07:00

Fireworks Pickups! (2011)

2011-07-04T23:29:00.000-07:00

Expect crowds, traffic jam, summer heat and beautiful fireworks! There are more fireworks festivals than listed below.

Mie: The 59^th Fireworks Competition Dedicated to Ise Jingu Shrine

July 16(sat) 19:25-around 21:15

(Postponed to 17th if weather is stormy)

@Riverbank of Miyagawa River near Watarai Bridge (upper stream side) (10min ride on a shuttle bus from Kintetsu Ujiyamada Station/JR Iseshi Station)

*Shuttle buses from the stations to the competition ground run 17:00~19:30, from the competition ground to the stations run from 20:00 to 30min after fireworks are finished. Runs every 15-20min. Fare: 180yen/person

ca. 9000 fireworks

Osaka: Fireworks Dedicated to Tenjin Matsuri Festival

July 25(mon) around 19:00-21:00

(Cancelled if rains)

@Ohkawa area in Kema Sakuranomiya Park, Sakuranomiya Park ground

ca. 3000 fireworks

Website

Nara: Fireworks Dedicated to the 55^th Onpara Matsuri Festival

July 31(sun) 19:30-20:10

(Go rain or shine; cancelled if weather is stormy)

@Shiba Undo Koen Park (15min walk from JR Miwa Station; walk towards west from the station)

ca. 2000 fireworks

Nara: Uda-city Haibara Fireworks Festival

August 4(thu) 19:30-21:00

(Postponed to 5th if weather is stormy)

@Udagawa River riverbank (3min walk from Kintetsu Haibara Station)

ca. 3000 fireworks

Osaka: The 23^rd Naniwa Yodo River Fireworks Festival

August 6(sat) 19:50-20:40

(Go rain or shine; postponed to 7th if weather is stormy)

@Yodo River riverbank (between Shin Midosuji Yodogawa railway bridge and National Highway Route 2)

Website

Kobe: The 41^st Minato Kobe Fireworks Festival

August 6(sat) 19:40-20:30

(Go rain or shine; cancelled if weather is stormy)

@Meriken Park

ca. 10,000 fireworks

Website(This is a link to last year’s website. Date and Time are wrong, but Map, Transportation and Inquiry parts are useful.)

Shiga: 2011 Lake Biwa Fireworks Festival

August 8(mon) 19:30-20:30

(Go rain or shine; postponed to 11th if weather is stormy)

@Otsu Port, Lake Biwa(5min walk from Keihan Hamaotsu Station, 15min walk from JR Otsu Station) (Access to Otsu Port)

ca. 10,000 fireworks

Website (Jpn Only)

Kyoto: The 51^st Uji River Fireworks Festival

August 10(wed) 19:45-20:45

(Go rain or shine; postponed to 13th if weather is stormy)

@Uji Bridge area (10min walk from JR/Keihan Uji Station)

ca. 5000 fireworks

Website (Jpn Only)

Nara: The 40^th Yoshino River Fireworks Festival

August 15(mon) 20:00-21:00

(Go rain or shine; cancelled if weather is stormy)

@Riverbank of Yoshino River, near Ookawa Bridge (upper stream side) (10min walk from JR Gojo Station)

ca. 4000 fireworks

Sue
-NARAWALK guide

Events around Nara Park (July 2011)

2011-07-01T06:33:00.000-07:00

Around Nara Park:

July 5(tue) Priest Chogen Commemorative Ceremony (Syunjyo-ki) and Special Viewing of a Hidden Statue

@Todaiji Temple, Syunjo-do Hall (near the Great Bell)

Chogen is a Buddhist priest who made a great contribution in repairing Great Buddha and reconstructing Great Buddha Hall in late 12^th century.

8:00 ~ Commemorative Ceremony

After the ceremony (around 11:00)~16:00 Special Viewing of a Hidden Statue (*Seated Statue of Chogen, National Treasure, 13^th century This statue is open to the public twice a year on July 5 and Dec. 16 annualy.)

July 7(thu) Ritual Ceremony for Benzaiten (Benzaiten-ku) and Special Opening of Three-storied Pagoda

@Kofukuji Temple, Three-storied Pagoda

Benzaiten was originally an Indian goddess of river Sarasvati. In Japan, she is known as a goddess of wisdom, music and fortune. Buddhist priests at Kofukuji Temple used to worship Benzaiten wishing for progress in their Buddhist studies. Benzaiten statue is enshrined in Three-storied Pagoda (National Treasure, around early 13^th century).

10:00 ~ Ritual Ceremony

9:00 ~ 16:00 Pagoda is open for the public viewing. This is an annual, once a year opening day. You can see Benzaiten statue and wall paintings of the first floor. Though faded, there are, in total, 4000 Buddha figures on the wall.

July 16(sat) Pay Respect to Enma Day (Enma moude)

@Byakugoji Temple

Enma is the lord of hell deciding who should go to hell and be punished. July 16 is said to be a holiday at hell; people in the hell get a rest from endless torture. On this day, people in this world pay respect to Enma wishing for health and longevity. At Byakugoji Temple, boiled konjac with miso paste and paper fans are offered to visitors (limited number). On paper fans, the temple’s head Buddhist priest has drawn a picture of Enma.

10:00 ~ Ritual Ceremony

July 23(sat) Special Viewing of Naked Jizo Statue

@Denkoji Temple

Jizo is a Buddhist saint. Jizo statue at Denkoji Temple was sculpted in naked form and wears real clothes. July 23 is an annual day for Jizo statue to change into new clothes. Jizo statue is open to the public only on March 12 and July 23.

17:00 ~ 18:00 Ritual Ceremony to Change Jizo’s Clothes

July 28(thu) Purification Ceremony For Summer (Gejyo-e)

8:00 ~ @Todaiji Temple, Great Buddha Hall

Buddhist priests pray for people to stay healthy during summer. In the beginning of the ceremony priests walk through a Chi-no-wa ring, a fresh green grass rope coiled into a 2 meters wide circle. After the ceremony, everyone is welcome to walk through the Chi-no-wa ring to pray for health.

Around Kintetsu Yamato Saidaiji Station:

July 17(sun) Lotus Flower Ceremony (Renge-eshiki)

@ Hokkeji Temple

This is an annual purification ceremony for summer held at Hokkeji Temple. The ceremony is held in the evening with lanterns lighting up the temple precinct. In the beginning of the ceremony

Buddhist nuns walk through a Chi-no-wa ring, a fresh green grass rope coiled into a 2 meters wide circle. Before the ceremony, a bowl of rice porridge is served to everyone for free. People eat this porridge wishing for health.

17:00 ~ Rice porridge is served.

19:00 ~ Ritual Ceremony starts.

~ 21:00 Doors of the temple close.

Sue
-NARAWALK guide

Events around Nara Park (June 2011)

2011-06-04T03:23:00.000-07:00

Around Nara Park:

June 16(thu) – 17(fri) Lily Festival (Saikusa-no-matsuri)

@ Isagawa Shrine

Founded in 593, Isagawa Shrine is one of the oldest Shinto shrines in Nara city. In Lily Festival, Sasayuri lilies (Lilium japonicum) are offered to deities, and people’s health is prayed. A legend tells a female deity enshrined here used to live by a river where Sasayuri lilies bloom beautifully.

On June 16

11:00~ Sasayuri lilies arrive at JR Nara station by a train from Sakurai city, a place where the deity used to live. A group of men carries lilies in a portable alter and walks around the town to Isagawa Shrine. Behind them are dancers wearing Yukata. They dance the dance of lilies with Sasayuri lilies in their hands.

13:00~ Shinto priests report the arrival of lilies to deities.

On June 17

10:30~ Lily Festival, Ritual Ceremony

Sake is offered to deities. Sake containers decorated with lilies look like flower bouquets. Four maidens offer a traditional dance to deities with Sasayuri lilies in their hands.

13:00~ Procession around the town (about two hours)

Miss Lilies and children in traditional outfits walk around the shrine’s neighborhoods.

June 17(fri) Lily Festival (Hana-shizume Sakikusa Matsuri)

10:30~ @Kangou Shrine

Lilies are offered to deities, but this lily festival is known for another offering – a ceremony of Hochodo( a mastery of a knife) called Hochoshiki. The history of Hochodo continues since the 9th century. On this day, a carp will be cut by a skillful master of knife, without a direct contact with the fish and using only chopsticks and knives.

June 19(sun) Thanks-giving Ceremony For Folding Fans (Oogi Kuyo)

@Gangoji Temple

People bring in old folding fans to the temple and burn them thanking fans for their long service. Dances are offered too. Time schedule is not released yet, but every year the time is about from 14:00 to 16:00.

June 23(thu) Thanks-giving Ceremony For Bamboos (Take Kuyo)

@Daianji Temple

According to an old folk Chinese belief, around June 23 is the best time to plant a bamboo. Taking a hint from this folk belief, Daianji Temple decided this day as a day to thank Bamboos. As well as the ritual ceremony (13:00~), bamboo related events are held at the temple ground such as a bamboo flute concert and tea whisk makings. And the most popular thing to do is to drink a cup of Sake poured from a bamboo trunk. This Sake is believed to prevent cancer.

June 30(thu) Purification Ceremony For Summer (Natsugoshi-no Ooharaeshiki)

15:00~ @Kasuga Grand Shrine near the second Torii gate

Before hot and humid Japanese summer, Shinto shrines pray for people to stay healthy during summer. At the end of the ceremony, Shinto priests walk through a Chi-no-wa ring, a fresh green grass rope coiled into a 2 meters wide circle. Everyone is welcome to walk through the Chi-no-wa ring to pray for health.

Around Kintetsu Yamato Saidaiji Station:

June 5(sun) – 9(thu) Special Viewing Of A Hidden Statue

@ Hokkeji Temple

The temple’s main object of worship, eleven headed Kannon bodhisattva statue is open to the public. This national treasure statue is from early Heian period (Heian period: 8c.-12c.)

June 6(mon) Special Viewing Of A Hidden Statue

@ Akishinodera Temple

The temple’s hidden Buddhist statue, Daigen Myo-o, a guardian saint in Buddhism, is open to the public only on June 6, annually. The statue is from Kamakura period (12c.–14c.) and is an important cultural property.

Around Horyuji Temple and Nishino-kyo:

June 5(sun) – 6(mon) Priest Ganjin Commemoration Ceremony

@ Toshodaiji Temple

Ganjin is a Buddhist priest who founded Toshodaiji Temple. June 6 is his death anniversary. Ritual ceremonies are held to commemorate him.

On June 5

9:00~ Offertory of incense and tea by a tea master. Buddhist priest chant while the offertories are made.

16:00~ Ritual ceremony commemorating the temple’s founder

On June 6

13:00~ Ritual ceremony commemorating the temple’s founder

June 5(sun) – June 7(tue) Special Viewing Of A Hidden Statue And Drawings

9:00~16:00 @ Founder’s Hall (Kaizan Mieido) in Toshodaiji Temple

A national treasure statue of Ganjin, the temple’s founder, is open to the public for only three days a year. The statue depicts the last moment of him – he died while sitting in a meditation. Drawings on Fusuma sliding doors are masterpieces by Higashiyama Kaii.

Sue
-NARAWALK guide

New Born Baby Deer

2011-06-03T06:58:00.000-07:00

Now they are with their mothers in a deer pen of Kasuga Grand Shrine. Someday in July, they will debut in Nara Park.

The deer pen is open from 1:00 to 2:oopm till July 10th.
Admission: Adult 300yen, child 100yen

Sky Over Nara

2011-05-26T10:08:00.000-07:00

Where do we view this scenery? Ask us!

Everything is bathed in green breeze!

2011-05-21T09:23:00.000-07:00

Now, Nara Park is amid the whirlpool of lush verdure of young leaves. The sunlight goes through the fresh leaves and flickers them.

I especially love young leaves of maple.

Camphor trees are shedding old leaves and growing new ones.

Not only leaves but also grasses are gorgeous. Here, people come to enjoy doing nothing.

Torch Lit Noh Play

2011-05-17T04:56:00.000-07:00

The annual Takigi Noh or torch lit Noh play will be held this weekend in Kasuga Grand Shrine and Kofukuji Temple, Nara.　First performed in 869, this torch lit Noh play has the longest tradition among torch lit Noh plays performed in Japan. (From this year on, Takigi Noh is scheduled on third Friday and Saturday of May. Next year's Takigi Noh is on May 18 and May 19.)

Noh plays at Kasuga Grand Shrine are performed in older styles of Noh which you are unlikely to see in a theatre.

Schedule

May 20(fri)
11:00~ 12:15@Maidono(Dancing Hall) in Kasuga Grand Shrine
Noh play: "Okina"
17:30~20:30 @Nara Park(an area adjacent to Kofuji Temple and in front of Nara Prefectural Building)*
Noh play: "Iwafune"
(Torches will be lit after Noh play "Iwafune")
Kyogen play(comical play): "Onigawara"
Noh play: "Kagetsu"

May 21(sat)
14:00~15:15@Wakamiya Shrine (near the main hall of Kasuga Grand Shrine)
Noh play:"Katsuragi"
17:30~20:30 @Nara Park(an area adjacent to Kofuji Temple and in front of Nara Prefectural Building)*
Noh play: "Hagoromo"
(Torches will be lit after Noh play "Hagoromo")
Kyogen play(comical play): "Tsukuzukushi"
Noh play: "Nue"

*If rains, plays are performed in Nara Prefuctural Culture Hall(Nara-ken Bunka Kaikan). (map: see point A)

Tickets: 4000yen per person
Sold at the entrance of each venues. =May 20= 10:00 ~ @Kasuga Grand Shrine, 15:00~@Kofukuji Temple. =May 21= 13:00~ @Kasuga Grand Shrine, 15:00~ @Kofukuji Temple.
Tickets are good for one day. With one ticket, you can enjoy a day-time Noh play at Kasuga Grand Shrine and night-time torch lit Noh plays in Nara Park.
Limited free seats are available, but to get best views to enjoy performances buy a ticket. (No free seats at Nara Prefectural Culture Hall) As the performances are put on an outside stages, you might be able to have free views of performances from a distance.

Sue
-NARAWALK guide

a day in Nara (May)

2011-05-08T08:26:00.000-07:00

I went to Nara today.

A fine day it was in Nara. Looking up, sky is clear and blue.

Glancing at a pond by Kofukuji Temple, turtles are taking sun bath.

From the pond, I can see a wooden pagoda peacefully standing among fresh greens of spring.

Walking up stairs and entering Kofukuji Temple, I met deer taking a nap.

Purple clusters of wisteria decorated one of Buddhist halls of the temple.

From where I saw wisterias, I looked back at the pond downstairs. People were walking around and enjoying a day in Nara.

(Pictures are all taken on May 8, 2011 around Kofukuji Temple)

Sue
-NARAWALK guide

Happy Children's Day!

2011-05-04T18:35:00.000-07:00

May 5th is Children's Day, one of national holidays in Japan. On this day, families with boys display Samurai armours, helmets, etc to wish for a healthy growth of their boys.

Colonel Sanders doll standing in front of KFC shop near JR Nara station knows just what to wear for Children's Day. Instead of his usual white suit, he dresses up himself in a Samurai armour suit.

(picture taken on May 3, 2011)

Sue
-NARAWALK guide

Events around Nara Park (May 2011)

2011-05-04T05:32:00.000-07:00

Around Nara Park:

April 23(sat) – May 8(sun) Special Opening of Hokuen-do Hall

Hokuen-do Hall houses three national treasure statues from 13 century. The hall itself is also designated as a national treasure.

9:00~17:00 (admission till 16:45) @Kofukuji Temple

Admission: Adults 300yen, Students 200yen, Elementary School Students 100yen

April 23(sat) – May 8(sun) Special Viewing of Temple Treasures

9:00~17:00(enter before 16:30) @Gangoji Temple

Chikou Mandala (important cultural property) and two picture scrolls are open to the public. Two picture scrolls, each over 10m (32ft) long, depict the history of Gangoji Temple. Chikou Mandala depicts paradise of Amitabha Buddha.

May 1(sun) Ice Offering Festival (Hyoken-sai)

@Himuro Shrine (in front of Nara National Museum)

The name of the shrine Himuro literally means ice storage. On May 1^st, manufactured ice companies and people from ice related professions make an annual gathering at Himuro Shrine to pray for a successful business year. Ice cubes, with fish and flowers frozen inside, are offered to the deity of the shrine.

11:00~ ritual ceremony

14:00~ offering of Bugaku, traditional dance and music

May 2(mon) Emperor Shomu Commemoration Ceremony (Shomu Tenno Sai)

@Todaiji Temple

Emperor Shomu was the emperor who decided to make Great Buddha of Todaiji Temple.

Todaiji Temple commemorates Emperor Shome on this day.

8:00~11:30 Ritual Ceremony @ Tenno-den Hall near Great South Gate in Todaiji Temple

*You can observe the ritual from outside of the hall. This is the rare chance to see, otherwise hidden, Tenno-den hall. Admission is free.

13:00~ A procession of people in traditional costumes

Musicians, children, solder monks, Buddhist priests, beautiful Miss Nara and others, about 300 people in total, will walk from Nara Prefecture New Public Hall through Great South Gate to Great Buddha Hall in Todaiji Temple.

13:30~ Offertory of Traditional Music and Dance, and Noh

At a pond by Great Buddha Hall, Maigaku (traditional music and dance) and Noh are offered. A stage will be set over the pond for this occasion. You can view these offerings freely.

May 3(tue) Sanryo-sai

@ Todaiji Temple

This is the day two of Emperor Shomu commemoration. All Buddhist priests of Todaiji Temple walk in a procession to the burial mount of Emperor Shomu. The procession leaves Great Buddha Hall at 8:30.

11:00 ~ Offertory of Tea by Ura-senke School

After the offertory is done, Macha (powdered green tea) will be offered to everyone visiting Great Buddha Hall. There will be seats prepared at the eastern side of the corridor enclosing the hall. Sit there and wait for a tea to be served. (Tea is available for approx. 4000 people.)

May 5(thu) Iris Festival (Shobu-sai)

@Kasuga Grand Shrine

May 5th is Children’s Day, a day to pray for the healthy growth of children. Strong fragrance of iris is believed to drive away bad luck, and people take bath with iris leaves in it.

10:00~ Ceremony to pray for the healthy growth

*Cannot see the ceremony itself, but can see the offertory of Maigaku (traditional music and dance) performed after the ceremony

@Tobihino Field (open field near the main approach to Kasuga Grand Shrine)

10:00~ Kendo Competition by boys

Boys practicing Kendo, a fencing like duel with bamboo swords, compete.

@Manyo Shokubutsu-en (a botanical garden in the precinct of Kasuga Grand Shrine)

13:00~ Traditional Music and Dance Performed

Traditional music and dances that have been passed down for over 1000 years will be performed on a stage specially set over a pond. Enjoy Japanese traditional arts in the greens of the garden. *Admission into the garden is required. Adult 500 yen. Children 250 yen.

May 8(fri) Sakyamuni Buddha’s Birthday (Hana-matsuri)

The founder of Buddhism, Sakyamuni Buddha’s birthday is April 8. Vaguely following the lunar calendar, some temples celebrate his birthday in May. Usually a birth statue of Buddha is placed in front of a hall. The statue is enshrined in a small temporary shrine decorated with flowers. Sweet tea made from Amacha, a type of hydrangea, is poured onto a birth statue of Buddha by visitors.

@Gangoji Temple in Nara-machi old town

May 10(tue) Tea Offertory Ceremony (Kencha-sai)

11:00~ @ Kasuga Grand Shrine

A tea is offered to the deities of Kasuga Grand Shrine by a tea master from Omote-senke School. Seats will be prepared for visitors to enjoy tea as well.

Around Kintetsu Yamato Saidaiji Station:

April 29(thu)-May 5(thu) Nara Palace Tnpyo Festival (Heijyo-kyo Tenpyo-sai)

An annual festival to celebrate the old Nara capital. See ‘1301st anniversary at Nara Palace Site’ for detail.

May 28(sat) Commemoration Ceremony for Narihira (Narihira-ki)

@Futaiji Temple

Narihira is a celebrated Japanese waka poet from 9^thcentury. Also, he is said to be the hero of The Tales of Ise. May 28 is his death anniversary. On the same day, an important cultural property pagoda is opened to the public.

Around Horyuji Temple and Nishino-kyo:

April 11(mon) – May 18(wed) Special Viewing of Hidden Statues

@ Hall of Dreams in Eastern Precinct of Horyuji Temple

A national treasure statue of Kannon Bodhisattva made in 7 century is enshrined in this hall. The Kannon statue is said to be modeled after Prince Shotoku, the father of Japanese Buddhism.

Admission: Adults(13yrs old and up) 1000yen for West and Eastern Precincts or 200yen for Eastern Precinct only, Elementary School Students(12-6 year olds) 100yen

May 4(wed) Saisho-e Ceremony

18:00~ @ Lecture Hall in Yakushiji Temple

Saisho-e is a ceremony to pray for wellness of the nation and rich harvests. The name of the ceremony comes from a sutra that is lectured and read in a ritualistic way during the ceremony. You can go inside of the hall to observe the ceremony. One of the three famous Buddhist ceremonies of Japan.

May 5(thu) Commemoration Ceremony For Buddhist Priest Genjo Sanzo (Genjo Sanzo e taisai)

@Genjo Sanzo-in Garan Precinct in Yakushiji Temple

A ceremony is held to commemorate Sanzo or Xuanzang, a famous Chinese Buddhist monk. He is also popularly known as one of fictional heroes of “Journey to the West” or “Monkey”.

16:00~ ceremony

17:00~ Gigaku, traditional masked play, is performed. The story performed is Sanzo’s famous Journey to the West.

*Seats are not open to the public, but the procession of masked actors to a stage is a fun view.

18:00~20:30 Lanterns cover the ground and illuminate the precinct.

May 19(thu) Fans Scattering Ceremony (Uchiwa-maki)

@Toshodaiji Temple

1500 heart shaped fans are scattered from a two-storied wooden building. People try to catch a fan believing it will bring a good luck. The heart shaped fan has origin in an anecdote of a Buddhist priest Kakujo. A commemoration ceremony for Kakujyo precedes the Fans Scattering Ceremony.

13:00~14:00 Commemoration ceremony and an offering of Bugaku, a traditional dance and music @Lecture Hall

15:00~ Fans Scattering Ceremony @Drum Tower

Sue
-NARAWALK guide

*Sorry for late posting.

1301st anniversary at Nara Palace Site

2011-04-28T22:22:00.000-07:00

It's time to celebrate Tenpyo-sai, an annual festival celebrating the old Nara capital.

Basic Info:
Duration: April 29 to May 5
Hours: 9:00-17:00
Admission is free. (Some attractions are for fee.)
Access: click here
*During this event, there will be a bus (No. 81) connecting JR Nara station, Kintetsu Nara station, Nara Park and Nara Palace Site, running every 20 min. between 9:00 to 18:00. Fee is 200yen for adults (over elementary school age) and 100yen for children (elementary school students).
Bus route bound to Nara Palace Site:
Nara Park (in front of Nara prefectural building) > Kintetsu Nara station > JR Nara station (west side) > Nara Palace Site (near Suzaku-mon Gate)
Bus route bound to Nara Park:
Nara Palace Site (near Suzaku-mon Gate) > JR Nara station (west side; **unloading only) > Kintetsu Nara station (**unloading only) > Nara Park (in front of Nara prefectural building)
Event homepage: click here (in Jpn. only)

Event Schedule:

#April 29 to May 5#

@Former Imperial Audience Hall area
-A stage by the official mascot of Nara, Sento-kun is held several times a day. Receive a warm welcome from this once regarded hideous, but now very popular mascot of Nara.

@near Nara Palace Site Museum

-Charity Bazaar

Calligraphy works by Nara's renowned Buddhist priests, Nara's famous Akahata-yaki brand potteries and other goods will be sold. All proceeds to go to the earthquake relief.
-Food court & hand craft workshops, 10:00-17:00
* Not all shops are available on May 2.

@near the south gate of Former Imperial Audience Hall
-Open Air Tea Ceremony, 11:00-16:00, 500yen
*Not available on May 2.
-Costume Rental. Walk the palace site in a costume of 1300 years ago. 9:00-17:00(last admission is 16:00)
300yen for 30 min. rental
500yen for 60 min. rental

@near Excavation Site Exhibition Hall
-Ride Segway, 10:00-16:00, 2500yen per person
*Numbered tickets will be issued from 9:00.
*The ride is for 16 years old and older.

#April 29#

@Former Imperial Audience Hall area
11:00 ~ Parade of 400 people in costumes of 1300 years ago with music.
14:00 ~ Calligraphy performance show by local elementary school students. They will write a cheer up message toward earthquake affected people.

#April 30#

@Former Imperial Audience Hall area
-Wadaiko, Japanese drum stage by nine drum music group
Three stages: 10:30~, 12:30~, 14:40~
-Parade of people in costumes of 1300 years ago. (short version)
Time: 11:00~, 13:00~

#May 1#

@Former Imperial Audience Hall area
-Kemari demonstration. Kemari is a type of ball playing that nobles of 1300 years ago played.
Time: 11:00~, 14:00~
-Parade of people in costumes of 1300 years ago. (short version) Time: 11:00~, 13:00~

#May 3 to May 5#

@Former Imperial Audience Hall area
-Music concert.
Time: 13:00~, 15:00~ (On May 3, the second stage is from 15:30.)

@near Nara Palace Site Museum
-Japanese Tea Booth, 10:00-17:00
Learn and taste the Nara brand of Japanese tea, Yamato-cha.

@Field in front of Former Imperial Audience Hall
-Zorb. Try New Zealand born attraction Zorb for free.

#May 5#

@near Nara Palace Site Museum
-Vote on B-grade gourmet competition.
B-grade gourmets are usually inexpensive local soul foods. Eat B-grade gourmets, and cast your chopsticks to a chopstick-collecting box of your favorite B-grade gourmet shop! Each chopsticks is counted as a vote. Competition starts 11:30.

Sue
-NARAWALK guide

Traditional Theater Training 2011

2011-04-27T02:59:00.000-07:00

Noh and Kyogen, traditional theatrical arts of Japan, have roots in Nara. When I went to Noh theater near Todaiji Temple, I found a leaflet for a course to learn Noh, Kyogen and Nihonbuyo from leading performers of each genre.

This three week course (July 22 to August 12) takes place in Kyoto Art Center. The course includes workshops, group training sessions with Japanese masters of each genre and a recital at a Noh theater. For people living outside of Kyoto, housing assistance is available.

On April 23, Kyoto Art Center extended the deadline for the early bird discount to May 10. They also reduced tuition by 10,000yen. They have already started to accept applications; apply quickly seats are only available for approx. 24 participants.

For details visit followings:
Kyoto Art Center website (quick overview to the program *Information is latest at this website than T.T.T. website below.)

Traditional Theater Training 2011 website (curriculum, requirements to participate, about instructors, pictures from past courses etc.)

Sue
-NARAWALK guide

Kuniyoshi: Spectacular Ukiyo-e Imagination

2011-04-26T00:34:00.000-07:00

Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797~1861) is an Ukiyo-e artist with imagination and humour. He is known for action-packed Ukiyo-e printings of historical and legendary heroes. As an ardent cat lover, he also created many works depicting personified cats (and other animals), in addition to usual subjects like Kabuki actors, beautiful ladies and landscapes.

This year is Kuniyoshi's 150th death anniversary. An exhibition "Kuniyoshi: Spectacular Ukiyo-e Imagination" is held to commemorate him. About 400 works, including newly discovered, are exhibited at Osaka City Museum of Fine Arts. This exhibition is scheduled to tour to Shizuoka and Tokyo after Osaka.

Exhibition Tour Schedule:
April 12, 2011 ~ June 5, 2011 Osaka City Museum of Fine Arts
July 9, 2011 ~ August 21, 2011 Shizuoka City Museum of Art
December 17, 2011 ~ February 12, 2012 Mori Arts Center Gallery

@ Osaka City Museum of Fine Arts
Duration: April 12, 2011 ~ June 5, 2011
Closed on Mondays (except for May 2)
Hours: 9:30~17:00 (enter 30min before closing time)
Admission: Adults 1300yen, University and High School Students 900yen, Junior High School Students and under Free
Access: click here

Sue
-NARAWALK guide

After Cherry Is Wisteria

2011-04-24T05:39:00.000-07:00

Kasuga Grand Shrine has a over 700 years old wisteria tree. Every year from late April to early May, fragrant purple clusters droop from the wisteria tree.

Around the same time, Bonsai Wisteria Tree Exhibition is held at Nara International Seminar House near Nara National Museum. This is the fifth year of this exhibition. (for pictures of the exhibition click here)

Duration: 2011, April 18 ~May 3
9:00~16:30
Admission: Adults 400yen, Elementary School Students 200yen, Children 5 and under are free.
Access: Nara International Seminar House

*You can also enjoy a bonsai wisteria tree at former JR Nara station building which is now used as one of the Nara City Tourist Information Center. The center is located next to the current JR Nara station building. Gorgeous aroma of wisteria fills the whole center.

Sue
-NARAWALK guide

Hanami in Kyoto

2011-04-24T04:13:00.000-07:00

Last Sunday, on April 17, I went to Kyoto Botanical Garden and Kamigamo Shrine for a walk. Cherry blossoms were still beautiful, and people were enjoying Hanami or cherry-blossom-viewing-picnics.

On many cherries now in Nara, fresh leaves have sprouted. Some are still beautiful with pink blossoms. A news program tells me today that cherry blossoms in Tohoku area are now in their full bloom.

*by Kamo River*

*going to Kyoto Botanical Garden*

*Kamigamo Shrine*

All pictures are taken on April 17, 2011.

Sue
-NARAWALK guide

The Birth of Chinese Civilization

2011-04-13T01:38:00.000-07:00

2000 B.C. is a long loong looong time ago, isn't it?

Henan Province, located in the central region of China and in the Yellow River watershed, is a cradle of Chinese civilization. From around 2000 B.C. to up until the 12th century, Henan Province was the center of Chinese politics, economy and culture hosting capitals of many dynasties - including Xia dynasty (once regarded as nonexistent), Shang dynasty (where earliest form of Chinese characters were incised on oracle bones), Eastern Han dynasty(end of which the Battle of Red Cliffs depicted in the movie Red Cliff was fought), Cao Wei(one of the three kingdoms) and other dynasties.

In an exhibition "The Birth of Chinese Civilization", Nara National Museum displays ancient artifacts (2000 B.C. ~ 12th century) from Henan Province. Most of exhibits are unearthed articles excavated in 20th and 21st centuries. Artifacts laid out in chronological order neatly shows the development of craftsmanship.

My favourite part was face expressions of animal and human figure crafts; their faces were lively and some even humorous.

Duration: ~ May 29, 2011
Closed on Mondays except May 2
Hours: 9:30~17:00
*Fridays and Saturdays from April 29 will open late till 19:00.
*Entrance permitted until 30 min before the closing time.
Admission: General Admission 1400yen, College/High School Students 1000yen, Junior High/Elementary School students 500yen
*Half price off for married couples on April 22 and May 22. (At the ticket booth, say "we are visiting as a couple".)
Access: click here

Sue
-NARAWALK guide

One month

2011-04-12T02:44:00.000-07:00

A month has passed since the Great Tohoku Earthquake. Yesterday 14:46 (Japan time), as in many parts of Japan and the world, a moment of silent prayer was offered in Nara.

While thinking "today is one month since the earthquake" and "I cannot believe a month has passed", I remembered a haiku poem by Basho, a famous haiku poet.

さまざまの事おもひ出す桜かな
So many things that I recall,
looking at cherry blossoms.

This year, cherry blossoms gave me a comfort and a relief from all sad news related to the earthquake. In the next cherry blossom season, what will people remember looking at cherry blossoms?

Praying for the victims and those affected by the earthquake,
Sue

Sakura In Full Bloom

2011-04-10T07:31:00.000-07:00

Sakura, cherry blossom, in Nara Park area are in full bloom. Beautifully falling petals, grounds decorated with pink fallen petals, deer eating cherry blossoms, people enjoying picnic under cherry trees ... are what you can see in Nara now.

(^ photo taken in Kofukuji Temple)

(^ photo taken in Jokyoji Temple on Sanjo St.)

(^ photo taken on Sanjo St.)

(^ photo taken on Sanjo St. near Sarusawa Pond)

(^ photo taken near Kintetsu Nara Station)

A sight of fresh young leaves are very refreshing too.

All pictures are taken on April 10.

Sue
-NARAWALK guide

Events around Nara Park (April 2011)

2011-04-04T06:10:00.000-07:00

Around Nara Park:

April 5(tue) Chinka-sai Festival of Mizuya Shrine

@Mizuya Shrine in the precinct of Kasuga Grand Shrine

Started in 1288, this is a festival to pray for protection from a plague. Kyogen, traditional comic dramas, are offered to deities after the festival. Kyogen plays are performed by Kasuga Grand Shrine’s Shinto priests and others.

10:00~ Chinka-sai Festival

13:00~ Offertory of Kyogen Play

April 5(tue)- April 10(sun) Special Opening of Honbo Office, Tenno-den Hall and Jibutsu-do Hall

@Todaiji Temple (Buildings above are located just north of Great South Gate)

40 paintings on Fusuma sliding doors, portraits of emperor Shomu and empress Komyo and reproduction of their imperial clothing are on display. Paintings are works by Junsaku Koizumi. Among 40 paintings on Fusuma sliding doors, completed last year, you can see pictures of Nara’s famous cherry blossoms.

Time: 10:00~17:00(April 5-7)/10:00~20:00(April 8-10) *Enter 30min before the closing time.

Admission: 1000yen *Children under 12yrs old are free. *All proceeds go to earthquake relief.

April 8(fri) Sakyamuni Buddha’s Birthday

April 8 is said to be the birthday of Sakyamuni, the founder of Buddhism. Many temples hold a ceremony to celebrate his birthday. Usually a birth statue of Buddha is placed in front of a hall. The statue is enshrined in a small temporary shrine decorated with flowers. Sweet tea made from Amacha, a type of hydrangea, are poured onto a birth statue of Buddha.

@Todaiji Temple in Great Buddha Hall

8:00~9:00 Ceremony

8:00~15:00 Pouring tea over a birth statue of Buddha

*You can pour and taste Amacha tea by and for yourself.

@Kofukuji Temple in Nanen-do Hall

10:00~ Ceremony

You can visit the temporary shrine for a birth statue of Buddha till around 16:00. Amacha tea is offered to visitors.

April 17(sun) Hojyo-e Ceremony

13:00~ @ Kofukuji Temple

Hojyo-e literally means “a ceremony to release living creatures”. This ceremony reminds people of a Buddhist commandment – do not kill. In Kofukuji Temple’s Hoyo-e Ceremony 1500 fish are released to Sarusawa Pond after a ritual ceremony.

April 19(tue) Manju Festival

@ Kangou Shrine (5min walk from Kintetsu Nara Station)

Manju is a steamed bun with sweet bean paste inside. The first person who made Manju in Japan was a Chinese named Lin from 14 century. He lived near Kangou Shrine where a small shrine for him, Lin Shrine, stands now. April 19 is Lin’s death anniversary. Confectionary companies throughout the country offer their confectionaries to Lin’s soul.

11:00~ 12:00 ritual ceremony

Tea and Manju (*a limited number) are offered to visitors until around 14:00.

April 21(thu) Death Anniversary of Kukai

Kukai is one of the most worshipped Buddhist priest in Japan. April 21 (March 21 in lunar calendar) is his death anniversary. On this day, many temples throughout Japan hold a ceremony to commemorate him.

@Daianji Temple where young Kukai learned Buddhism

13:00~ ritual ceremony

14:00~ Homa ritual

*Kukai’s hair is open to the public only on this day. Temple’s treasured Buddhist statues are also open to the public.

April 23(sat) – May 8(sun) Special Opening of Hokuen-do Hall

Hokuen-do Hall houses three national treasure statues from 13 century. The hall itself is also designated as a national treasure.

9:00~17:00 (admission till 16:45) @Kofukuji Temple

Admission: Adults 300yen, Students 200yen, Elementary School Students 100yen

April 23(sat) – May 8(sun) Special Viewing of Temple Treasures

9:00~17:00(enter before 16:30) @Gangoji Temple

April 24(sun) Offertory of Kyudo

14:00~ @Kasuga Grand Shrine

Kyudo or Japanese archery is offered to the deities. Men in traditional warrior class costumes perform Kyudo. Archers are from Ogasawara school, a Kyudo school with over 800 year olds tradition.

April 25(mon) Monju-e Ceremony

Monju or Manjusri is a bodhisattva of wisdom. In this ceremony children’s healthy growth and academic success are prayed.

14:30~ A procession of children in traditional costumes. Starts from Jyokyoji Temple on Sanjyo St. and walks to Kofukuji Temple.

15:00~ Ritual ceremony at Tokondo Hall in Kofukuji Temple

April 26(tue) Hana-matsuri Festival with thousand Buddhist monks

13:00~ @Todaiji Temple, Great Buddha Hall

Thousand Buddhist monks from various Buddhist sects gather to pray together at Todaiji Temple. Monks’ outfits are slightly different from a sect to a sect – it might be interesting to compare their outfits.

Around Kintetsu Yamato Saidaiji Station:

April 9(sat) – April 10(sun) Big Cup Tea Ceremony

@ Saidaiji Temple

Experience a unique tea ceremony using big tea cups – 30cm in diameter and 7kg in weight. Of course other tea utensils are big too. A Buddhist priest makes tea with 35cm long tea whisk!

Fee: 3000yen (includes a tea ceremony, light meal, Homa ritual and admission into the main hall)

Around Horyuji Temple and Nishino-kyo:

April 8(fri) Sakyamuni Buddha’s Birthday

10:00~ @ Jiki-do Hall in Horyuji Temple

April 11(mon) – May 18(wed) Special Viewing of Hidden Statues

@ Hall of Dreams in Eastern Precinct of Horyuji Temple

A national treasure statue of Kannon Bodhisattva made in 7 century is enshrined in this hall. The Kannon statue is said to be modeled after Prince Shotoku, the father of Japanese Buddhism.

Admission: Adults(13yrs old and up) 1000yen for West and Eastern Precincts or 200yen for Eastern Precinct only, Elementary School Students(12-6 year olds) 100yen

May Happiness Be With You

2011-03-27T07:12:00.000-07:00

Red and white, when used as a set, signal a happy occasion in Japan. In that sense, I saw a very happy tree in Yakushiji Temple in Nara.

Red and white ume plum blooms are blossoming on a single tree.

Those pictures were taken on March 18, but the last blooms of plum are still beautiful in Nara.

May happiness be with you!
Sue
-NARAWALK guide

25 Regrets of the Life - Complete List -

2011-03-21T05:41:00.000-07:00

How are you today? After the March 11 earthquake in Tohoku and Kanto area in Japan, many thoughts and emotions came to my mind. One of them is about 'life'.

Two years ago I posted an article titled "25 Regrets of the Life." In that article I introduced only one regret out of 25. Maybe some of you, who are pondering over 'life' now, are interested to know the rest of 24 regrets.

Below is a complete list of 25 regrets divided into four categories.

= Regrets that first come to mind when you hear you are terminally ill =
I regret that I did not...
1. Take care of my health.
2. Write my will.
3. Make my dream come true.
4. Go back to my hometown.

=Regrets about what you should have done=
I regret that I did not/was not...
5. Travel to the places where I wanted to visit.
6. Eat delicious food.
7. Take time to enjoy a hobby.
8. Go to meet people who I wanted to see.
9. Think about how I wanted my funeral to be done.
10. Do what I wanted to do. (Instead I put all my efforts into others and put my wishes aside.)
11. Kind to others.
12. I did not fall deeply and crazily in love.
13. Get married.
14. Give birth to and raise a child.
15. See my child get married

=Regrets that come to mind the last days of life=
I regret that I did not...
20. Spend the rest of my days joyfully, instead of spending them feeling unhappy that I am dying.
21. Believe in any religion.
22. Make my intentions and goals clear.
23. Cherish the time I had left to live.
24. Leave a mark on this world.

=25th Regret=
I regret that I did not...
25. Say "Thank you" to my loved ones face to face.

Wishing everyone a regret-free life.
Sue
-NARAWALK guide

Barbie Dolls are ready for Hinamatsuri!

2011-03-01T00:59:00.000-08:00

In Konishi-Sakura St. in Nara, I found Licca dolls (Japanese Barbie dolls) dressed up in kimono. On March 3 we celebrate Hinamatsuri or Girls' Doll Festival to wish for a healthy growth of female children.

In most households with female children, dolls are displayed for this festival. Traditional dolls for this festival look like the ones below.

Sue
-NARAWALK guide

Events around Nara Park (March 2011)

2011-02-25T06:30:00.000-08:00

Around Nara Park:

Feb.1(tue)- March 10(thr) Shika-yose (Deer Herding)

With a sound of horn deer gathers to get feeds. Horn plays the Pastoral Symphony by Beethoven.

10:00~10:15 @Tobihino Field (open field near the main approach of Kasuga Grand Shrine)

March 1(tue) – March 14(mon) Syuni-e in Todaiji Temple

Syuni-e literary means “a ritual ceremony held in February”. On behalf of all the people, monks repent sins to Kannon Bodhisattva. Some Syuni-e are held in March following the lunar calendar.

@February Hall in Todaiji Temple

Todaiji Temple’s Syuni-e is popularly known as Omizutori(Water Drawing Ritual) or Otaimatsu(Torches). Otaimatsu is especially popular among tourists for the size of torches used and the grand view of falling sparks. Torches used in Otaimatsu are about 6 meters long and weighs about 40kg. The biggest torch appearing on March 12 is about 8 meters long and weighs about 70kg.

March 1 – March 11 / 19:00~19:20 / 10 torches

March 12 / 19:30~20:15 / 11 torches

March 13 / 19:00~19:20 / 10 torches

March 14 / 18:30~18:35 / 10 torches

*Sundays and Saturdays and March 14 are crowded.

*March 12 is especially crowded. Number of people entering February Hall area will be controlled. Every year twenty to thirty thousand people come on this day, but viewing area can accommodate only three to four thousand people.

March 5(sat) – 6(sun) Nara Sweets Market

11:00~17:00 @ Nara Merchant Seed Center on Mochiidono Street

Seven sweets shops of Nara favored by locals gather at one location for your convenience. Try some and find out your favorite Nara sweets!

March 12(sat) Special Viewing of a “naked Jizo” Statue

9:00~16:00 @ Denkoji Temple

Jizo Bodhisattva Statue of Denkoji Temple is nicknamed “naked Jizo.” Most Buddhist statues are curved with some clothes on, but this statue was curved in a naked form. The statue wears actual kimono instead.

March 13(sun) Kasuga-sai Festival

Kasuga-sai Festival is the most important of all festivals held in Kasuga Grand Shrine. An imperial envoy attends this festival. Peace and welfare of the nation is prayed.

9:00~12:00 @ Kasuga Grand Shrine

*Only the rituals held along the main approach (from the second Torii gate onward) are available for public viewing. A procession of an imperial envoy, Shinto priests and others in traditional costumes is a pretty view (9:00~).

March 15(tue) Otaue-Shinji Ritual

11:00~ @ Kasuga Grand Shrine

Otaue means rice planting. In this ritual, maidens dance to a traditional rice planting song to pray for rich harvest. Maidens’ dance gestures rice planting.

March 19(sat) – 21(mon) The 19^th Deer Cracker Throwing Contest

@ Wakakusa-yama Hill

This is a unique contest competing the distance of a deer cracker thrown. Among the crowds watching the contest are deer trying to eat deer crackers thrown by contestants. The winner will be awarded with deer antlers!

Entry starts 9:30~ (entry fee: 300yen)

Contest is scheduled to start 10:00~

* During contest entry into Wakakusa-yama Hill is free.

Late March to early April (while the flower is in bloom) “Samurai” Camellia

9:00~16:00 @ Denkoji Temple (fee: 300yen)

Unlike usual ones, camellias at Denkoji Temple shed their flowers petal by petal like a cherry blossom. Beautifully falling petals remind people of a samurai spirit - “be gracious in defeat.” For this people call Denkoji Temple’s camellias “samurai” camellia.

*Last year camellia bloomed around March 20.

Around Kintetsu Yamato Saidaiji Station:

March 20(sun) –April 7(thu) Special Viewing of a Hidden Statue

9:00~17:00 @ Hokkeji Temple

A national treasure Kannon Bodhisattva statue is open for the public viewing.

March 21(mon) Nara Brush Festival

10:00~15:00 @ Sugawara Tenmangu Shrine

This is a thanksgiving festival for your old used brushes. There will be a mass for old brushes. You can buy new brushes, and you can also try a brush making at the festival.

March 23(wed) – April 7(thu) Special Viewing of a Hidden Statue

9:00~17:00 @ Kairyuouji Temple

An important cultural property Kannon Bodhisattva statue is open for the public viewing. Kairyuouji Temple is known as a temple to pray for “a safe trip abroad.”

Around Horyuji and Nishino-kyo:

March 1(tue) – April 10(sun) Special Viewing of Treasure Hall

@ Yakushiji Temple

March 1(tue) – March 21(mon) Special Viewing of the Inside of West Pagoda

11:00~11:30/ 13:00~13:30/ 15:00~15:30 @ Yakushiji Temple

What is the inside of a pagoda look like? Go to Yakushiji Temple and find it out!

March 1(tue) – March 21(mon) Special Viewing of the Inside of East Pagoda

@ Yakushiji Temple (fee: 500yen for this special viewing)

What is the inside of a pagoda look like? Go to Yakushiji Temple and find it out! East Pagoda stands since 8^th century.

March 21(mon) Oeshiki Taiya Ceremony

18:00~ @ Syoryo-in (Hall of Prince Shotoku’s Soul) in Horyuji Temple

Oeshiki Taiya Ceremony is a ceremony held in the eve of Oeshiki, a ceremony to commemorate the founder of a Buddhist school. This is not a tourist popular ceremony, but if you go you can have a very close look at the hidden statues of this hall after the ceremony ends.

March 22(tue) – March 24(thu) Oeshiki Ceremony in Horyuji Temple

Oeshiki is a memorial service held to commemorate the founder of a Buddhist school/sect. For Horyuji Temple the founder is Prince Shotoku, also known as the father of Japanese Buddhism.

Ritual: March 22/ 13:00 ~ @ Daikodo(Great Lecture Hall)

*This year’s ritual is a grand ritual ceremony held once in every 10 years.

Special Viewing of Statues: March 22 – 24 @ Syoryo-in (Hall of Prince Shotoku’s Soul)

*Statues of Prince Shotoku and others enshrined in this Hall are open to the public only for these three days.

* The altar in Syoryo-in (Hall of Prince Shotoku’s Soul) is decorated with offertory foods. Those foods, uniquely piled up, are one of the attractions.

March 28(mon) Ominugui or Cleaning of Buddhist Statues

13:00 ~ @ Yakushiji Temple

This is a part of a preparation for upcoming Syuni-e Ceremony in Yakushiji Temple.

March 30(wed) – April 5(tue) Syuni-e in Yakushiji Temple

Syuni-e literary means “a ritual ceremony held in February”. On behalf of all the people, monks repent sins to Medicine Buddha. Some Syuni-e are held in March following the lunar calendar.

@ Yakushiji Temple

Syuni-e at Yakushiji Temple is popularly known as Hana-eshiki or Flowery Ceremony. Handmade paper flowers offered to the Yakushi (Medicine) Buddha beautifully decorate the altar.

#Rituals#

Syuni-e Rituals:

March 30 / 19:00 ~ and 20:30 ~

March 31 – April 4 / 3:00 ~, 4:30 ~, 13:00~, 14:30 ~, 19:00 ~ and 20:30 ~

April 5 / 3:00 ~, 4:30 ~, 13:00~, 14:30 ~, 19:00 ~ (the last ritual)

Jingu (a ritual to wish for a successful completion of Syuni-e): April 5 / 18:30~

Oni-oi (Drive Away Evils) Ceremony: April 5 / 20:30 ~

* At Oni-oi Ceremony, demon figures brandish torches. Watch out for fire sparks!

#Events during Syuni-e#

Open Air Tea Ceremony: March 31 – April 5 / 10:30~15:00

Offertories of dance, music, etc: March 31 – April 4 / 13:00~

>March 31: Offertory of flower by Japanese flower arrangement master & Taiko (Japanese drum music)

>April 1: Offertory of incense & Noh dance

>April 2: Offertory of tea & Bugaku(traditional Japanese music and dance)

>April 3: Offertory of Taisho harp music & Procession of children in traditional costumes (If it rains, procession may be cancelled.)

>April 4: Homa Ritual& Procession of children in traditional costumes

Sue
-NARAWALK guide

Lucky charm for examinees

2011-02-11T03:19:00.000-08:00

　The new term starts in April in Japan.
This is just the season of entrance examinations, so lots of examinees are spending uneasy days.

　To cheer them up, some different types of charms have recently appeared.
This pentagonal pencil is one of them.
The word "pentagon" is pronounced "gokaku" in Japanese, which is the similar sound of the word meaning "pass".

　There might be some students having pentagonal pencils
in their pencil case.
　Good luck to examinees!

　Yoko
-NARAWALK guide

Treasures of Todai-ji's Omizutori Ritual

2011-02-07T03:03:00.000-08:00

People say Omizutori or Water Drawing Ritual at the Todaiji Temple brings spring to Nara.

An exhibition focusing on Omizutori Ritual is held in Nara National Museum. As well as paintings and documents showing history of and people's faith in Omizutori Ritual, equipment used during the ritual are on display. My favourite exhibit is Kamiko, a paper-made clothe wore and handmade by monks attending the ritual.

Omizutori Ritual is one of the most tourist popular rituals held annually in Nara. Visit the museum before going to the ritual to enjoy it more. Of course, joining a Nara Walk tour and listing histories and stories about Omizutori Ritual would enhance your experience even more!

Duration: ~2011.3.14
Closed on Mondays except for Feb. 14, Mar. 7 and Mar. 14.
Hours: 9:30~17:00
*Feb.8-14 till 21:00, Mar.1-11 till 18:00, Mar. 12 till 19:00, Mar. 13 and 14 till 18:00
*Entrance permitted until 30 min before the closing time.
Admission: Adults 500yen, Univ. Students 250yen
*Seniors(70 and older) and those 18 and under are free.
*Half price off for married couples on Feb. 22.
Access: click here

*****

Omizutori Ritual will be held from Mar.1 to 14 in Todaiji Temple.

Sue
-NARAWALK guide

Morimura Yasumasa A Requiem: Art on Top of the Battlefield

2011-02-06T03:58:00.000-08:00

What was your 20th century like?

Morimura Yasumasa is an artist known for self-portrait photos in which he poses as models in famous paintings or movie actresses. In an exhibition titled "A Requiem: Art on Top of the Battlefield" held at Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Art, Morimura poses as famous male figures from the 20th century. Albert Einstein, Adolf Hitler, Guevara, and Mishima Yukio in the poster above are all Morimura.

What will you make of his requiem of the 20th century?

Duration: ~2011.4.10
Closed on Mondays(except for March 21) and on March 22
Hours:
Sunday to Thursday 10:00-18:00 (entrance permitted until 17:30)/
Friday and Saturday 10:00-20:00 (entrance permitted until 19:30)
Admission: Adults 12ooyen, University Students 900yen, Seniors(65 and older) and High School Students 600yen, Junior High School and Elem. School Students are Free
Access: click here

Sue
-NARAWALK guide

Events around Deer Park (Feb. 2011)

2011-01-31T04:15:00.000-08:00

Around Nara Park:

Feb.1(tue)- March 10(thr) Shika-yose (Deer Herding)

With a sound of horn deer gathers to get feeds. Horn plays the Pastoral Symphony by Beethoven.

10:00~10:15 @Tobihino Field (open field near the main approach of Kasuga Grand Shrine)

Feb. 3(thr) Setsubun

Setsubun is a day before a new season, but in general it refers to only one day – the eve of spring. At the turn of seasons evils are believed to come out. On Setsubun beans are scattered through out the country to drive away evils.

@February Hall in Todaiji Temple

14:00 ~ Scattering Beans.

18:00~ Hoshikuyo – a ritual to pray upon one’s guardian stars for peace and happiness of that year. 135 stone lanterns along the way from near Great Buddha Hall to February Hall are lit.

@Tamukeyama Hachiman Shrine (in the precinct of Todaiji Temple)

11:00~ Onda Festival – a ritual to pray for agricultural fertility. In this ritual, rice planting process is performed in Noh style. Afterwards beans are scattered.

@Kofukuji Temple

18:30~ A ritual ceremony to pray for peace and happiness

19:00~ Driving away demons and scattering beans

@Kasuga Grand Shrine

17:30~ Offertory of Bugaku, traditional Japanese court music and dances

18:00~ All 3000 lanterns are lit.

*With donation of 3000yen or more, you can light up a lantern by yourself.

20:30 Gates closed.

@Gangoji Temple

12:00~ Ceremony in the Main Hall

13:00~ Homa Ritual and Ascetic Training (walking over fire)

*You can join the ascetic training of walking over fire if you wish.

15:00~ Scattering Beans

@Daianji Temple

14:00~ Homa Ritual

15:00~ Scattering Beans

*Amazake, sweet low-alcoholic drink, is offered to visitors.

Feb. 8(tue) Special Viewing of Kannon Bodhisattva

10:00~17:00 @ Jiganji Temple (10min walk from Kintetsu Nara Station)

This Kannon Bodhisattva statue is open to the public twice a year. A ceremony is held from 8:00.

Feb. 8(tue)-Feb. 14(mon) Nara Rurie

During Nara Rurie, Todaiji Temple, Kofukuji Temple and Kasuga Grand Shrine are open till 20:30. Pathways connecting these three locations are illuminated by various lanterns ranging from traditional stone lanterns to modern artistic lanterns.

*Light-up and Night Time Opening Hours*

=Light-ups & illumination: 17:30 – 20:30

=Fireworks: around 18:00 (*only on Feb. 8)

=Todaiji Temple: 17:30 – 20:30

March Hall is open. *Great Buddha Hall is not open.

Free live music at near by Ukigumo-enchi Park starting 19:00 on Feb 8.

=Kofukuji Temple: 17:30 – 20:30

Eastern Golden Hall and Kofukuji National Treasure House are open.

Five Storied Pagoda is lit up.

=Kasuga Grand Shrine: 17:30 – 20:30

Main shrine is open. All lanterns are lit. There are about 3000 lanterns.

Free live music at Manyo Botanical Garden starting 19:00 on Feb 9 and 10. Feb 10 is traditional Japanese music. Garden is located along the main approach.

Nara National Museum is also open till 21:00 (*but enter before 20:30).

Feb. 15(tue) Nehan-e

February 15 is the day Sakyamuni Buddha died and entered nirvana or Nehan. Ritual ceremonies are held to commemorate this day.

10:00~ @ Honbo in Kofukuji Temple

*Amazake, sweet low-alcoholic drink, is offered to visitors.

Around Horyuji and Nishino-kyo:

Feb. 1(tue) – 3(thr) Syuni-e

Syuni-e literary means “a ritual ceremony held in February”. On behalf of all the people, monks repent sins to Buddha. Some Syuni-e are held in March following the lunar calendar.

@ Saiendo Hall in Horyuji Temple

(Feb.1&2) 13:00~ / (Feb.3) 17:00~ Syuni-e

(Feb.3) 19:00~ Tsuina-siki

*Tsuina means “driving away evils”. In this ceremony three demon figures are drove out from the Hall.

Feb.5(sat) Sanzo-e

10:00~ @ Sanzoin Hall in Horyuji Temple

A ceremony is held to commemorate Sanzo or Xuanzang, a famous Chinese Buddhist monk. He is also popularly known as one of fictional heroes of “Journey to the West” or “Monkey”.

Feb. 11(fri) Sunakake Festival

@ Hirose Shrine (30min walk or 10min drive from JR Horyuji Station)

This is a festival to pray for agricultural fertility. The highlight of this festival is Sunakake – that is throwing and pouring sands at each other. Visitors are welcome to join in Sunakake. Sand symbolizes rain - harder the sand throwing, greater the rainfall and thus richer the harvest.

11:00~ Ceremoney – rice planting play like ceremoney

13:30~ Offertory of Drum Music

14:00~ Sunakake (done 8 times, each is 5 min long)

Feb. 15(tue) Nehan-e

February 15 is the day Sakyamuni Buddha died and entered nirvana or Nehan. Ritual ceremonies are held to commemorate this day.

@ Raido Hall in Toshodaiji Temple

13:30~@ Daikodo in Horyuji Temple

Sue
-NARAWALK guide

The Beauty of Iron Sword Guards

2011-01-26T00:41:00.000-08:00

Look at the picture. What do you think they are? (for larger view click here) Hint ... samurai warrior.

This is a picture of iron sword guards. They are exhibited at Kiyomizu Sannenzaka Museum in Kyoto. Have a close look at them, and find out their elaborate designs and how fashionable samurai warriors were to the detail!

Duration: ~2011.2.20
Time:10:00-17:00(enter before 16:30)
Admission: Adults 500yen, Students (with ID) 300yen, Children(6-12 years old) 200yen, Children under 5 years old are free
Access : click here

~from the exhibition's poster~
Iron sword guards are made by poring melting iron into molds ... that is what many people think. Not true for most of them. Iron sword guards making is much like that of sword blades, formed through numerous heating and hammering. Hardened guard bodies are then sculpted using chisels and hammers.

Sculpting a hardened iron takes a great endeavour. It would take a few weeks to make one iron sword guard, one to two months if the design requires fine, detailed sculpting. Iron sword guards with relief are marvelous iron sculptures.

Enjoy this exhibition, and do remember while enjoying the difficulty and perseverance of sculpting hardened irons.
~~

Sue
-NARAWALK guide

57 Stages of the Tokaido

2011-01-22T17:59:00.000-08:00

Reading the title, if you thought "Wasn't it 53 Stages of the Tokaido that Hiroshige, the ukiyo-e artist, created?" - you are right. "57 Stages of the Tokaido" is an exhibition held now in Mikimoto Pearl Island.

Hiroshige's 53 Stages of the Tokaido depicts 53 stages along Tokaido, a road connecting Edo (current Tokyo) and Kyo (current Kyoto) . 4 more stages of Kyokaido, a road connecting Kyo and Osaka, was added to Tokaido to connect Edo (political centre) and Osaka(economic centre) in 1619 - creating 57 stages to Tokaido.

In "57 Stages of the Tokaido", Kogen Mizutani recreates Hiroshige's "53 Stages of the Tokaido" using various seashells. Mizutani is Japan's leading seashell craftsman. 5 original works depicting stages of Kyokaido and the terminal Kyobashi in Osaka are exhibited too. This exhibition also marks a completion of his 14 years long work on recreating stages of Tokaido.

Place: Pearl Museum in Mikimoto Pearl Island(Access)
Duration: ~2011.4.3
Hours: 8:30~17:00(Jan. to March), 8:30~17:30(April to Oct)
Admission (for Mikimoto Pearl Island): Adults 1500yen, Elementary & Junior High School students 750yen

Sue
-NARAWALK guide

Spirit of Ink and Brush

2011-01-13T00:33:00.000-08:00

One of my homework during winter vacation back in my elementary school days was to write down a New Year's resolution using ink and brush. I don't write it with ink and brush anymore, but New Year reminds me of ink and brush.

The most celebrated artist of ink brush is Wang Xizhi(303-361). He is a Chinese calligrapher lived in Jin Dynasty, and also known as the Sage of Calligraphy.

In Kyoto National Museum, an exhibition titled "Spirit of Ink and Brush - the World of Chinese Paintings and Calligraphies" is held. In this exhibition 110 works of calligraphy and Chinese paintings, including 10 National Treasures and 23 Important Cultural Properties, are on display. Works of Wang Xizhi are included too!

Duration: ~2011.2.20
Closed on Mondays
Hours: 9:30 a.m.-6:00 p.m. (Entrance Until 5:30 p.m.)
Fridays 9:30 a.m.-8:00 p.m. (Entrance Until 7:30 p.m.)
Admission: Adults 1200yen, High School/Univ. Students 800yen, Elem./Junior High Sch. Students 400yen

*****

Ink is one of Nara's traditional industry. Including more than 400 years old Ink company, Kobaien, you will walk by several ink and brush shops in our daily tours.

Sue
-NARAWALK guide

A Happy New Year

2011-01-01T03:34:00.000-08:00

A Happy New Year to Everyone!

Many thanks to all the guests who attended Nara Walk tour last year. And to the guests we may meet this year... we hope to serve you soon!

This year is a year of RABBIT. A year of Rabbit is said to be a year of advancement. A rabbit's jumping ability may be one of the reason to think this way.

What happened in the past years of rabbit?
In 1903, year of rabbit, the first Tour de France was held. The same year the Ford Motors was established. The same year the Wright brothers succeeded in their first flight. In 1927, year of rabbit, BBC was established. The same year Charles Lindbergh succeeded in the world's first nonstop flight across the Atlantic. 1975, year of rabbit, Microsoft was established. 1999, year of rabbit, Euro started.

Sue
-NARAWALK guide

Events around Nara Park (Jan. 2011)

2010-12-31T03:20:00.000-08:00

Enjoy New Year and New Year Events in Nara!

Around Nara Park:

Jan.1 (sat) Hatsumode

The first visit to a shrine/temple in a year is called Hatsumode. Hatusmode is usually done from Jan. 1 to 7. Visit to a famous shrine/temple is very crowded especially from Jan.1 to Jan. 3.

@ Kasuga Grand Shrine

0:00 ~ Gates open with a sound of a drum.

@ Todaiji Temple

0:00 ~ 8:00 The Great Buddha Hall is free of admission. The window on the Great Buddha Hall, through which the Buddha’s face appears, opens.

0:00 ~ Sutra chanting at the February Hall. About 135 stone lanterns are lit to light the way from the Great Buddha Hall to the February Hall.

Jan. 2 (sun) Kofukuji Temple’s monks’ visit to Kasuga Grand Shrine

10:00 ~ Monks at Kofukuji Temple make a New Year’s visit to Kasuga Grand Shrine. Sutras are chanted at the Middle Gate of Kasuga Grand Shrine and at Wakamiya Shrine as an offertory to deities. Monks’ colorful robes are eye-catching.

Jan. 3 (mon) Kagura-hajime-siki in Kasuga Grand Shrine

11:00 ~ Kagura is Shinto’s offertory music and dances. At Kagura-hajime-siki, the first Kagura of a year is offered to deities to pray for a peace of a nation and to wish for a safe offertory of Kagura to deities throughout the year.

Jan. 7 (fri) Syusyo-e in Todaiji Temple

13:00 ~ 14:40 @ the Great Buddha Hall

Syusyo-e is a Buddhist ritual held in the New Year season to pray for a peace and wellness of that year.

Jan. 10 (mon) Ebisu Festival in Kasuga Grand Shrine

9:00 ~ 15:00 @ Sarake Shrine near Wakamiya Shrine

Ebisu Festival on Jan 10 is especially popular in Kansai area. Ebisu is a deity for commerce. On this day, people go to an Ebisu Shrine to get lucky bamboo branches.

Jan. 10 (mon) Bugaku-hajime-siki in Kasuga Grand Shrine

13:00 ~ @ the Garden of Apple

Bugaku is traditional Japanese court music and dances. At Bugaku-hajime-siki, the first Bugaku of a year is offered to deities to wish for a safe offertory of Bugaku to deities throughout the year.

Jan. 10 (mon) Coming of Age Day

Coming of Age Day is a national holiday to welcome youth turning into 20 years old as an adult member of a community. On this day, most municipal governments hold a ceremony, and you’ll see many 20-year-olds dressed up in Kimono to attend the ceremony.

Jan. 15 (sat) New Year Tea Ceremony with XL Size Tea-Cup in Saidaiji Temple

10:00 ~ 15:00 Enjoy tea with your neighbor ... more precisely, with the help of your neighbor. The tea cup used in this tea ceremony is 30cm in diameter! You share the drink with your neighbor too. Drink Fee: 1000yen per person.

Jan. 22 (sat) Mountain-burning event at Mt. Wakakusa

18:00 Fireworks marking the beginning of the event

18:15 Fire up the mountain

A picturesque event of Nara - see the burning red Mt. Wakakusa lighting up under fireworks.

Jan. 23 (sun) Tonndo in Kasuga Grand Shrine

9:00 ~ 15:00 @ Tobihino Field (an open field near the main approach of Kasuga Grand Shrine)

Tonndo concludes New Year’s events. In Tondo, New Year ornaments and old lucky charms, brought to a shrine/temple by visitors during New Year season, are burned up.

Jan. 23 (sun) Cancer Prevention – Bamboo Sake Festival in Daianji Temple

8:00 ~16:00 Daianji Temple is known for cancer prevention. Sasa-zake (Bamboo Sake) offered at this temple is believed to prevent and/or cure people from Cancer. Sake is poured from a bamboo cylinder and drank with a bamboo cup. Sasa-zake 500yen.

Nishinokyo and Horyuji Area:

Jan. 1 (sat) Syusho-e

Syusyo-e is a Buddhist ritual held in the New Year season to pray for a peace and wellness of that year.

＠Toshodaiji Temple

0:00 ~ (also on Jan.3, 18:00 ~)

@Yakushiji Temple

0:00 ~

(2:00 ~ Beginning of YearSsermon; 9:00 ~ till Jan. 3 New Year Sutra Copying Session; 13:30 ~ till Jan.3 New Year’s Sermon)

Jan. 1 (sat) ~ Jan. 3 (mon) Worship of a Buddha’s Relic in Horyuji Temple

13:00 ~ @ Shari-den Hall (near the Hall of Dream)

In this ritual one very legendary relic is worshiped. Prince Shotoku, the father of Japanese Buddhism, has many legends. When he was 2, he said a prayer and a Buddha’s relic appeared on his palm. On these days, you can see this legendary relic. Also hidden pictures depicting Prince Shotoku’s life are open to the public.

Jan. 8 (sat) Reading of the Great Prajna Sutra in Yakushiji Temple

11:00 ~ Reading of the Great Prajna Sutra is held every month on 8^th day. The main object of worship in Yakushiji Temple is Yakushi (Medicine) Buddha. 8^th day is a day for Yakushi Buddha in Yakushiji Temple.

Jan. 15 (sat) Reading of the Great Prajna Sutra in Toshodaiji Temple

The Great Prajna Sutra consists of 600 volumes. All 600 volumes will be read.

Sue
-NARAWALK guide

Events around Nara Park (Dec. 2010)

2010-11-30T21:37:00.000-08:00

Here is a short list of events around Nara Park.　Enjoy December in Nara!

Around Nara Park:

Dec. 5 (sun) Nara Marathon 2010

8:30-15:00 @Nara-city

During marathon hours some bus lines, including the ones that goes to Todaiji Temple, may be cancelled or change their routes. Keep in mind about traffic irregularities, if you are coming on this day.

Dec. 14 (tue) Butsumyo-e in Todaiji Temple

8:30-12:00 @ Nigatsudo Hall

Monks recite the names of Buddhist deities to repent all sins of that year. Cannot see the ritual itself, but can listen to the chanting.

Dec. 15 (wed) – Dec. 18 (sat) Kasuga Wakamiya Onmatsuri

@Kasuga Grand Shrine and other places

This is a festival held since 1136. The deity of Wakamiya shirne makes his once a year trip to his vacation house near the city centre. Foods and dances are offered to the deity. On Dec. 17, there is a very good chance to see various Japanese traditional performing arts.

Dec. 16 (thu) Special viewing of 3 National Treasure Statues in Todaiji Temple

1) 10:00-16:00 @Kaisando Hall, Portrait Statue of Roben, free

On this day a commemoration ceremony for Roben, the first Chief Abbot of Todaiji Temple, is held. After the ceremony a statue of Roben is out for the public viewing. National Treasure. Usually not open to the public.

2) 8:00-16:30 @Sangatsudo Hall, Shukongo-jin Statue, 500yen

Shukongo-jin is a deva protecting Buddhism. National Treasure. Usually not open to the public.

3)11:00-16:00 @Shunjo-do, Portrait Statue of Chogen, 500yen

Chogen is a monk who made a great contribution to Todaiji Temple. National Treasure. Usually not open to the public.

Dec. 31 (fri) Ooharaeshiki in Kasuga Grand Shrine

15:00~ @ Haraedo Shrine near the second torii gate

A purification ceremony. Purifies body and soul to welcome a new year in a fresh state.

Dec. 31 (fri) Joyanokane

Joyanokane is the bell that rings out the old year. The bells are struck on the New Year’s Eve at many temples throughout the country.

24:00~ @Todaiji Temple

Fisrt 800 people on a line can ring a bell. A numbered ticket is handed out near the belfry from around 23:00. Stay in the line, until you ring the bell. If you leave the line, you cannot strike the bell even if you have a ticket.

The bell of Todaiji Temple weights 26tons. You ring out the bell with a group of 8 people!

23:30~ @Kofukuji Temple

Fisrt 200 people can ring a bell. A numbered ticket is handed out from 23:00.

Other area:

Dec. 8 (wed) Ominugui in Horyuji Temple

10:00~ @ Golden Hall, Lecture Hall and the Hall of Dream

Cleaning of Buddhist statues before a new year

Dec 15 (wed) Ominugui in Toshodaiji Temple

9:00~ @ Golden Hall

Cleaning of Buddhist statues before a new year

Dec. 29 (wed) Ominugui in Yakushiji Temple

13:00~ @ Golden Hall and other halls

Cleaning of Buddhist statues before a new year

In the morning mochi (sticky rice cake) for a new year is made. Hot water used to pound mochi is reused to clean statues.

Dec. 31 (fri) All-night-long Sutra Copying in Yakushiji Temple

20:00~ @Sutra Copying Hall, 2000yen~

A peaceful way to end/start a year

Dec. 31 (fri) Joyanokane

Joyanokane is the bell that rings out the old year. The bells are struck on the New Year’s Eve at many temples throughout the country.

23:45~ @Saidaiji Temple

Everyone who wishes to ring a bell can do so.

23:30~ @Toshodaiji Temple

Fisrt 108 people can ring a bell. A numbered ticket is handed out at the entrance from 23:00.

23:30~ @Yakushiji Temple

Everyone who wishes to ring a bell can do so. A numbered ticket is handed out at Higashisobo (east monk’s dormitory) from 23:00. You ring a bell with a group of 5 people. Early strikers may receive mochi, sticky rice cakes.

Sue
-NARAWALK guide

Crepe myrtle

2010-08-23T00:07:00.000-07:00

What kinds of flowers do you think when hearing the word of mid summer?
Morning glory and sunflower are very popular in Japan.

The blossoms of this photo are crepe myrtle.
They are at their best in the garden of New Public Hall near Todaiji Temple.
This tree is called "sarusuberi" in Japanese.
It means that even monkey("saru" ) may slip from ("suberu") the tree due to its slippery surface of the trunk.
You can enjoy white or light purple blossoms as well as vivid pink ones for about 100 days.

They look very cute.
No wonder the language of flowers is eloquence and amiability!

Yoko
-NARAWALK guide

the Bon fire

2010-08-09T02:27:00.000-07:00

Kyoto's Gion festival marks the start of summer (especially for people in Kyoto). With Bon fire, people feel the end of summer is approaching.

During Bon (usually in mid Aug.), ancestors have a summer visit to this world, and with Bon fire we send off our ancestors to the other world.

In Nara, this Bon fire is lit on Aug. 15 at Mt. Takamado. 108 fire beds are lined in the shape of "大(dai)" - a Kanji character that symbolizes "universe." You can observe this Bon fire from mostly anywhere in Nara Park.

Date: Aug. 15
20:00~ light up at Mt. Takamado
20:00~ concert by Nara city firefighters musical band at Tobihino in Nara Park

Also on this day!
19:00~22:00 about 2500 lanterns light up Great Buddha Hall at Todaiji Temple
* free admission to Great Buddha Hall during light up

Also on Aug. 15&14!
19:00~21:30 more than 2000 lanterns light up the precinct of Kasuga Grand Shire

Before going to these traditions, get to know the city and roads while the sun is up -by joining morning Nara Walk tours!

Sue
-NARAWALK guide

Toilet for samurai?!

2010-05-22T07:00:00.000-07:00

This is a sign found at a public lavatory in Kyoto indicating men's room.

As you can see the man in the picture is dressed in Kimono...looking a bit like Samurai... Well, no worry, you don't need to be a samurai to use a public lavatory in Kyoto, but in Nara there is an interesting rule to use a public lavatory. Which is you need to be a human! Public lavatories around Nara Park have a gate to prevent deer coming inside and eat toilet papers.

When you have a chance to use one in Nara, please remember to close the gate, or you might be sharing your very private time with deer...

Sue
-NARAWALK guide

P.S. For your interest, the public lavatory with samurai sign is located near Sanjusangendo Temple.

How to guard the Heijo Palace

2010-05-21T05:30:00.000-07:00

Heijo Palace was the palace existed 1300 years ago in Nara. It was a place where Royal family lived and also where the government offices were. And sure there were guards to protect the palace.

Now these guards are back in Heijo Palace Site wearing traditional guard costumes. Everyday in the morning and at the end of the day, guards open and close the main gate into the palace, Suzaku Gate.

I had a chance to video their performance to close the gate. You can hear the voice explaining the performance in Japanese, English, Chinese and Korean in the video. Enjoy the video, or better yet come to Nara to enjoy live show. You can watch this performance everyday till Nov 7, 2010 in Heijo Palace Site in Nara.

Sue
-NARAWALK guide

The 1300th year

2010-04-23T04:35:00.000-07:00

This year marks the 1300th year of Nara becoming the capital of Japan. Nara is celebrating this occasion. The main venue, Heijo Palace Site, opens tomorrow on April 24 and will be opened till Nov 7, 2010. Here is a little review of what you can experience at the site.

TO SEE:
・Reconstructed palace buildings - Suzaku Gate, Imperial Audience Hall, East Palace Garden
*East Palace Garden is said to be the origin of Japanese Garden.

・Reconstructed Japanese diplomatic ship.
*Can broad the ship.

TO DO:*Most attractions are free for foreigners with a presentation of passports.
・Dress in Tnnpyo-style clothing - dresses Japanese wore before Kimono.

・Get a guide and walk around - there will be English speaking volunteer guides (limited in number). Also self-guiding system using iPod (for rent) is organized to walk on your own. Or better book a Nara Walk guide!
*Heijo Palace Site is registered as a World Heritage Site, but the heritage is under the ground. A guide is recommended to understand and appreciate the place. The site is about 130ha. Be ready to walk.
*self-guiding system using iPod is available in English, French, Chinese and Korean.

・East Nara cuisine - there will be food courts and souvenir shops selling Nara's tastes.

TRANSPORTATION:
・Free shuttle buses running between JR Nara Station/ Kintetsu Yamato Saidaiji Station and the Heijo Palace Site.
・The palace site is about 15min walk form Kintetsu Yamato Saidaiji Station (second stop form Kintetsu Nara Station).

・～・・～・・～・・～・・～・・～・・～・・～・・～・・～・・～・・～・・～・・～・

Some of Nara Walk member are working as a staff at the information centre of the Heijo Palace Site. Hope we have a chance to see you at the palace site!

Sue
-NARAWALK guide

Happy Birthday Buddha!

2010-04-07T01:47:00.000-07:00

April 8th is the birthday of Siddhartha Gautama. Commonly known as the Buddha, he is the founder of Buddhism. Nara's Todaiji Temple, Kofukuji Temple and many more temples across Japan will be holding a ceremony to celebrate his birthday. In some temples you can take a part in the celebration by pouring sweet tea over a baby Buddha statue. (Why people are pouring sweet tea? - Join our tour and ask our guide!)

Todaiji Temple (The Great Buddha Hall)
・Ceremony: 8:00~ 9:00
・Pouring sweet tea: 8:00 ~ 15:00　　*Times are approx. only.

Kofukuji Temple (Nanendo Hall)
・Sweet tea is served to visitors.

Todaiji Temple and Kofukuji Temple are part of our daily tour destinations.

Sue
-NARAWALK guide

Wisdom Of Old And New From China

2010-04-04T07:32:00.000-07:00

Expo 2010 Shanghai starts on May 1. The theme is "Better City, Better Life." While you are to see the latest developments in Shanghai, in Nara you can learn about the wisdom brought from China to Japan long time ago. Nara National Museum is holding an exhibition. The title is "Imperial Envoys to Tang China: Early Japanese Encounters with Continental Culture".

About 1300 years ago, Japan sent first imperial envoys to Tang and brought back advanced knowledge and culture to Japan. In this exhibition, you will be able to see cultural connection between China and Japan, and how Japan absorbed and developed continental culture into its own with 261 exhibits (42 National Treasures).

Duration: 2010. 4. 3 ~ 2010. 6. 20
closed on Mondays (except for May 3)
Hours: 9:30 ~ 17:00 (Fridays ~19:00 from April 30)
Admission Fee: Adults 1400yen, High School/University Students 1000yen, Elementary/Junior High School Students 500yen

*22nd of every Month is a married couple day. A married couple visiting the museum on this day get half price off from their admission fee.
*Advanced tickets are 200yen off from the regular admission fee. Sold at major Kintetsu and JR train stations.

* * * * *

More Info~: If you enjoy this exhibition, you might as well enjoy Toshodaiji Temple and Yakushiji Temple in Nara. These two temples will show you more of the historical connection between Tang China and Japan of 1300 years ago. (We have a tour going to these two temples!:Half-day Nishinokyo Tour.)

Sue
-NARAWALK guide

Buddha is enjoying cheery blossoms.

2010-03-30T23:53:00.000-07:00

Great Buddha in Todaiji Temple is now enjoying cherry blossoms. There are cherry trees planted around the lawn in front of the Great Buddha Hall. Visit Nara in spring and enjoy the picturesque view of the Great Buddha Hall over blooming cherry trees.

The picture above is the Middle Gate in front of the Great Buddha Hall. You can see a little bit of the bloom from outside of the gate, too.

Sue
-NARAWALK guide

Cherry blossom is blooming!

2010-03-30T23:10:00.000-07:00

This is a picture of a shrine known for its 100 years old cherry tree. During a cherry blossom season, we try to make a small detour during our Daily Standard Nara Park and Daily Morning Todaiji tour to incorporate a seasonal touch to our tours. The shrine in the picture is one of our favourite spots for cherry blossom viewing - you'll know where it is during our tour!

(The picture is taken on March 27)

Sue
-NARAWALK guide

How Does JR Nara Station Look Like Now?

2010-03-19T09:23:00.000-07:00

Pictures from JR Nara Station. As the station is under renovation, some of the pictures may be outdated in the near future.
(Click the pictures to enlarge.)

New ticket gates. This is the only ticket gates location now. If you need to go to a washroom, go to the one inside the station. There is a public washroom outside the station too, but is not as nice as the one inside.

On your right side is ticket machines and a ticket office.

On your left side you can find TIC (one with red sign, blue one is a office for a local bus company).

Walk straight (but remember to check our tours first!) to go to stairs leading to East Gate.
Head to East Gate for sightseeing spots such as Todaiji Temple and Nara Park. Bus stops to these sightseeing spots are also on East Gate side.

At the foot of the stairs, lockers are located. The Japanese sign ”コインロッカー” means lockers.

By the way, if reading signs and explanations or figuring out where abouts sounds tiresome, just remember there is a walking tour you can join. Starting from JR Nara station or picking you up at your requested place, you can have a relaxing enjoyable day with a Nara Walk guide!

Sue
-NARAWALK guide

JR Nara Station: New Ticket Gates Location

2010-03-18T08:44:00.000-07:00

JR Nara Station opened its new ticket gates on March 13. There used to be central ticket gates and western ticket gates, but now there is only one location by the second floor.

See the Nara Station map below. (Click to enlarge. Lockers, WC, TIC etc. also indicated.)

As ticket gates moved, we also moved our meeting point for our daily tours - Daily Nara Park Standard Tour & Daily Morning Todaiji. As indicated in the map above, we will be waiting for you near TIC and/or JR ticket office. (We are still trying to figure out where would be a best meeting place near new ticket gates. We might also be by East Gate. )

TIC is on the same floor as the ticket gates. Look for red sign, you will find TIC. Look for a white flag, you will find us!

Sue
-NARAWALK guide

Be A World Champion in Nara!!

2010-03-18T02:56:00.000-07:00

We've seen the great games of the Olympics and the Paralympics, and now it's your turn to be a gold medalist. How? Just come to Nara, and throw a deer cracker!

On March 20, 18th annual Deer Cracker Throwing Contest will be held in Wakakusa-yama Hill, Nara. As this is the unique event held only in Nara, the winner of this contest is a world champion! The winner will be awarded with a special prize - a very unique trophy - too special some of you might not like to have it! (Hint: it's something related to deer.) Come and find it out what it is.

Date: March 20, 2010
*held next day if weather is bad

Entry for the contest:
Registration starts from 9:30~
*only first 1000 people can enter
The game begins 10:00, ends 15:00

Fee: 300yen

Place: Wakakusa-yama Hill

Wakakusayama is a hill between Todaiji Temple and Kasuga Grand Shrine. We will pass by the contest if you take our Standard Nara Park Tour.

A smaller Deer Cracker Throwing event will be held on March 21 & 22, too. Same place, from 13:00~, for first 500 people who registered, entry fee 300 yen & 150 yen to enter Wakakusayama Hill.

The "world" record is 59.20m by a 16 years old boy from Hiroshima. Can you beat him?

Sue
-NARAWALK guide

Pied Piper in Nara ?

2010-03-07T01:01:00.000-08:00

A staff member of Nara Deer Protection is playing Beethoven's Symphony No.6 "Pastorale" on horn at a gently rolling field in Kasuga Grand Shrine. Do Nara deer love Beethoven's symphony? No, the deer are being drawn by something else.

During the winter season, there is no grass and less natural food. He is blowing a horn to let the deer know that breakfast is ready. More than one hundred deer are running to the horn from every direction to get acorns.

No more acorns, so the deer start going home.

This "Gathering of the Deer" is a very popular tourist attraction in winter.
Don't miss this magnificent sight of gathering of the deer when you visit Nara next winter!

Keiko
-NARAWALK Guide

Japanese Apricot blossoms in Nara Park

2010-03-05T18:10:00.000-08:00

Ume(Japanese apricot) are still in full bloom in the Nara Park. Or it is passing the best time to view Ume blossoms.

You can enjoy beautiful Ume blossoms around here.

As Ume are the first trees of the year to bloom, they are considered as the first sign of the end of winter. Also Ume are loved as one of three lucky trees along with pine trees and bamboo trees.

After Ume blossoms are over, soon news people will start reporting on the cherry blossom front.

Keiko
-NARAWALK Guide

cUte InK BrUsh ArT

2010-03-05T04:39:00.000-08:00

Ink and Brush - Nara is known for making high quality sumi ink and brushes. When I think of sumi ink or brushes, I usually think of serious calligraphy or sumi-e paintings. But there are cute ones too...

In a small gallery located within a Japanese traditional snack shop Zeitaku Mame Honpo(ぜいたく豆本舗), an exhibition is held. What you can find are arts and crafts of cozy taste calligraphy and cute paintings with traditional Japanese motifs.

For example, a cat with both hands up mean "Come fortune, Come customers."
The calligraphy above them very well says "Welcome" (yokoso in Japanese)!

You can also find hand inscribed stamps. All the exhibits are for sale. Enjoy art, find out about Japanese tradition or reward yourself with unique souvenir.

This particular exhibition is only for three days. From March 5, 2010 ~ March 7, 2010 (11:00am~5:00pm). Held by Muujyu(夢有樹 web site in Jpn only).

Zeitaku Mame Honpo, where the gallery is, is located on the Sanjo Street across a burger shop, Mos Burger. This gallery hosts a crafts exhibition through out the year. The duration is usually only a few days long. If you like crafts, this could be the place to meet the local artists.

Nara Walk welcomes customers~

Sue
-NARAWALK guide

The Hina Doll Festival was held on March 3rd.

2010-03-04T06:19:00.000-08:00

On March 3rd, families with daughters celebrate the Hina Doll Festival praying their good health and happiness. Parents display a set of Hina dolls dressed in gorgeous traditional court costumes on a tiered stand. The dolls represent Emperor, Empress, court ladies, two ministers and court musicians.

These Emperor and Empress are about 130 years old.

Look at her beautiful crown and elaborately embroidered kimono dresses.

Even they have a court lady who takes care of their pet, a Chinese dog.

As soon as the Hina Doll Festival is over, parents stow the set of dolls away in a closet.　Because there is a superstition that if the parents delay to do so, the chances of their daughters’ marriage also will be delayed.

I had a beautiful set of Hina dolls which my parents bought for me when I was born. But during the move, my Empress was accidentally broken. I thought they finished their rolls and took them to a temple. After a memorial service, they burnt my dolls and buried dolls’ ashes beneath a stone monument. Hina dolls are so special that we don’t treat them as things.
Keiko
-NARAWALK Guide

Season 2010

2010-02-27T01:45:00.000-08:00

The new season for Nara Walk will begin soon! From March 1st, we are back in JR Nara Station to welcome you with our daily walking tours.

What's New for 2010?
******************************************************
1.More Daily Walking Tours You Can Join Without Reservation!

If you have limited time in Nara and want to find out about Nara, try our new tour "Daily Morning Todaiji".

Daily Morning Todaiji is a daily tour you can join without reservation from March 1st through December 20. Fee is 1,500yen per person. Duration is about 2hours.

For details check our website at NARAWALK (www.narawalk.com).

2.Special Tour to celebrate the 1300th anniversary of Nara becoming the first capital in Japan.

Did you know that the first capital of Japan was set in Nara? This year Nara is celebrating the 1300th anniversary of becoming the capital.

To celebrate this occasion, we are planning a special tour in the area near Nara Palace Site. We are still working on the details, imagining the smiles of our future customers.
*******************************************************

The day is getting longer and longer. Plums started to bloom. It's getting nicer and nicer to take a walking tour.

Sue
-NARAWALK guide

The hell might exist under the sacred ground??

2010-02-22T09:11:00.000-08:00

There is a very strange story in Noh Play. The story is titled “The mirror of a field guard – Nomori no Kagami”. A travelling priest encountered an elderly field guard. At night the field guard transformed to a fierce deity with a magic mirror.The mirror reflected everything and showed the traveling priest from the heaven to the hell. When the fierce deity stamped his feet, the ground was split in two. Inside the ground, the path down to the hell appeared. The deity climbed down the path to the hell and disappeared.

Where do you think the story is set? It is set somewhere at Tobihino, along the approach between the first and second Torii gates in Kasuga Grand Shrine. Tobihino is a gently rolling grass land where usually deer are roaming and eating grass. But be careful if you find a strange path in Tobihino! It might be the path leading you to the hell.

We are happy to tell you about Noh Play!!
Keiko
-NARAWALK Guide

Ladies Only

2010-02-16T05:38:00.000-08:00

"Ladies Only," the sign says. Where do you think you can find this? The answer is on a train. Trains which run in urban area usually have women-only cars during the rush hour of weekdays. (For some route it's all day except for weekends and holidays.) The rush hours are usually till 9:00 in the morning and 17:00~21:00 in the evening. You can find specific hours for each train company on their sign.

As there are many signs on a platform and a train, it is easy to miss the signs for women-only cars. But if you happen to ride one, you'll notice for sure.

Unlike ladies-only car, our tour welcome both men and women~

Sue
-NARAWALK guide

She may be thinking her baby's name・・・・・

2010-01-24T02:02:00.000-08:00

She will be a young mother this spring.

After birth, mothers and babies are kept in the Deer Pen in Kasuga Grand Shrine for a while. New-born babies make a debut in the Nara Park late spring or early summer. How cute they are! Come and see them!

Keiko
-NARAWALK Guide

Garden of Painting Japanese Art of the 00s

2010-01-16T01:52:00.000-08:00

What do you make of this picture? Is this a drawing of a manga, Japanese animation, character? Or a piece of art?

To find out go to the National Museum of Art in Osaka. The museum is now holding its fifth anniversary exhibition titled "GARDEN OF PAINTING Japanese Art of the 00s"

In the exhibition you will be able to see some 200 recent and new works done by 28 Japanese artists including Atsuchi Tomoko, Goto Yasuka, Kobayashi Takanobu, Kusama Yayoi, Nara Yoshimoto, O JUN and Sakamoto Natsuko.

As those names indicate the exhibition focuses on new figurative paintings by younger generation of Japanese artists.

Whether you like modern art or are interested in Japanese pop culture, this exhibition has something to catch your eye and imagination.

Duration: ~ 2010.4.4

closed on Mondays (except for March 22) and March 23
Hours: 10:00–17:00, Fridays until 19:00
admission until 30 minutes before closing
Admission Fee: Adults 1000yen, University students 400yen

*Children (up to High school students), under 18, people with disability with one attendant are Free (need to prove their age or status)
**advance tickets sold at major train stations of Kintetsu line and other are 200-100yen cheaper.

By the way, while the National Museum of Art, Osaka is celebrating its fifth anniversary year, Nara is also celebrating its 13ooth anniversary year...1300th year of what? Can you guess? You can find it out during our tour.

Sue
-NARAWALK guide

Kimono! Kimono! Kimono!

2010-01-14T09:10:00.000-08:00

Even though Kimono, the traditional dress of Japan, is becoming less popular, there is a day when many young women wear Kimono all over Japan.
It is Coming of Age Day! This day is a national holiday, the second Monday of January. Local governments hold large-scale ceremonies for all the young men and women who have turned 20 in the pervious year. Many women wear beautiful Furisode, which is a formal kimono with long sleeves, while majority of men are dressed in suits.
At the age of twenty, the young men and women get the right to vote, smoke and drink. Also they obtain the freedom to marry without their parents’ permission.

At a station
At Kasuga Grand Shrine

Keiko
-NARAWALK Guide

Tigers Everywhere

2010-01-05T06:30:00.000-08:00

As this year is the year of a tiger, even Starbucks coffee shop is selling a mug with a decoration of a tiger, a stuffed tiger and packed coffee beens with a picture of a tiger.
This custom of twelve zodiac animal signs indicating years was introduced to Japan from China. The twelve animals are; mouse, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep ,monkey, rooster, dog ,and wild boar. It is said that each animal sign determines the character and destiny of a person born in the year.

People who were born in the year of a tiger are supposed to have such personalities; thoughtful, passionate, generous, heroic, challengeable, vigorous, and stimulating, but unpredictable, competitive and short-tempered. Do you know anybody who was born in the year of a tiger? The years of a tiger are following,
2010, 1998, 1986, 1974, 1962, 1950, 1938, 1926, 1914 ・・・・・

In Japanese there is an interesting expression - “Tora( a tiger) ni naru- become a tiger”. Can you guess what it means? When you get dead drunk, people say you become a tiger. This time of the year, there are a lot of New Year’s parties producing another tigers!
Keiko
-NARAWALK Guide

A HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2010-01-01T01:00:00.000-08:00

A happy new year to everyone! In Japan, we exchange greeting cards with friends, relatives and colleagues on new year's day. The pictures above are greeting cards from my family. These cards are usually decorated with the zodiac animal of the year. This year it is a tiger!

Sue
-NARAWALK guide

Kanji(Chinese character) of this yerar

2009-12-29T09:37:00.000-08:00

The Chinese Character 「新-Shin」,meaning new, was chosen in poll as the Kanji of this year. Since 1995, every year in December one Kanji has been chosen, symbolizing the events for the year.　

Why do you think “Shin” was chosen? Because in Japan and the United States, new administrations started.

In Nara there is Shin-Yakushiji Temple. According to one theory, “Shin” in the name of the temple means not new but granting prayers quickly. Healing Buddha, the main object of worship of this temple, will grant people’s wishes and prayers quickly.

If you choose one word of 2009, what word do you choose?

For further informations of Kanji of the other years, look at Wikipedia,Kanji of the year.

keiko
-NARAWALK Guide

Why is she running?

2009-12-23T05:53:00.000-08:00

Here running is a shrine maiden of Kasuga Grand Shrine, wearing a beautiful crown of wisteria flowers. The shrine maiden is supposed to behave gracefully. Why is she running? Because it is one of the busiest days in Kasuga Grand Shrine. The luckiest day(大安 Daian) in the old fortune-telling calendar, in which six different fortunes come in the order, falls on Sunday. So there are more ceremonial occasions than usual.

When Japanese people hold special ceremonies such as a wedding ceremony, a one- month- old baby’s blessing ceremony and so on, many of us still examine the fortune-telling calendar and choose the luckiest day which usually comes once in every six days. Many calendars and pocket diaries tell us six days cycle in the fortune-telling calendar. There are no scientific proofs at all, but this idea is deeply rooted in our DNA. Really Japan is a wonderland where the old and the new coexist side by side in harmony.

Why don’t you visit Kasuga Grand Shrine especially on the day when the luckiest day falls on Sunday or a national holiday, so you will have more chances to see happy ceremonies.

Those days are March 14th and May 4th in spring 2010.

keiko

-NARAWALK Guide

Maybe even Shinto diety is tired.

2009-12-18T06:30:00.000-08:00

The deity of Young Prince Shrine in Kasuga Grand Shrine, affectionately called Young Prince, travels once a year.　Every year on December 17th, he comes to a temporally built traveling place (1 kilometer to the west of Young Prince Shrine) and stays here and goes back in 24 hours.

While his staying, people offer a variety of performances in front of the traveling place to please him. He enjoys entertainment of the people behind the bamboo curtain. Maybe even Shinto deity is tired of daily routines and needs to travel. In the 12th century, the country was suffering a long period of rain which caused a serious famine. People invited Young Prince to the traveling place to ask him for help. This is the origin of Honorable Festival dedicated to him. This festival is the biggest festival in Nara and also famous for the traditional procession. But, do you know how Young Prince comes to the traveling place and goes back?　Ask us!

(Shinto is an indigenous religion in Japan based on nature worship.)

Keiko

-NARAWALK Guide

The Tiger

2009-12-15T21:55:00.000-08:00

Tiger is one of the twelve zodiac signs in Japan

Next year is the year of the tiger,so we have come to see ornaments of tigers here and there.

In Nara, there is a　temple known for its papier-mache tigers. A lot of people　go to this temple during the New Year holidays.

In addition, the tiger is very popular among peple in Osaka.

If you have Japanese friends who love baseball, please ask the reason！

Yoko

-NARAWALK Guide

(posted by proxy)

Why are Christmas decorations everywhere?

2009-12-15T07:40:00.000-08:00

Here are Christmas illuminations in front of a church on the Higashimuki Street near Kintetsu Nara Station. Many people stop and take pictures. This time of the year, Japan is filled with red and green decorations, and stores play Jingle Bells. Even such a small alley is decorated with modest Christmas lights.

Only one percent of Japanese population is Christian. Why are Christmas decorations erywhere?

Maybe Japanese people put a lot of emphasis on the seasons and feel the aesthetic beauty of the seasonal changes. In the old Japanese lunar calendar, besides 4 seasons, there are even 24 seasonal divisions in a year. Now Christmas is becoming the 25th seasonal division for us.

Or just are we Christmas Christian ・・・・・?

Keiko

-NARAWALK Guide

The last glow of the autumn colors

2009-12-07T14:55:00.000-08:00

Now it is winter and colored leaves are falling down.

This year it was warmer in autumn and colors were not so impressive as I had expected.

But when I walked in the park last week the last glow of the autumn colors were gorgeous.

I tried to capture them with my cell-phone camera.

The view is from the roof of governor’s office building.

This spot will be included in one of our walking tours.

-Sumie

NARAWALK Guide

(posted by proxy)

LAST FEW DAYS FOR AUTUMN LEAVES

2009-12-02T23:59:00.000-08:00

This week would be the last chance to enjoy beautiful scenery decorated with colorful autumn leaves in Nara. You may enjoy beautiful red maple leaves or yellow gingko leaves.

Here are some pictures of Nara this week.

Your NARA-WALK guide will be happy to show you those photogenic points.

Rush to Nara, now!!!

Nara is a beautiful city full of both history and nature. Deer is here to greet you with a bow anytime at Nara Park.

Why don't you plan to visit Nara? November and early December would be the perfect time to enjoy beautiful Japanese autumn leaves.

Kazuo Oga Exhibition

2009-12-01T04:31:00.000-08:00

"The world of "My Neighbour Totoro" is realized in Oga's paintings" once said Hayao Miyazaki. Kazuo Oga is the art director of "My Neighbour Totoro". In recent "Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea" and most of Studio Ghibli animations, he painted the background arts - yes that comfy backgrounds making us somehow feel at home.

In Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Art, there will be about 600 pieces of Oga's arts in display. Get warmed, relaxed and soaked in Oga's world. Afterwards come to Nara, you might find a glimpse of Totoro's forest in the primeval forest of Kasuga (forest surrounding Kasuga Taisha Shrine where we go during our daily walking tour!).

Duration: 2009.12.8 ~ 2010.2.7
closed on Mondays(Tuesday if Monday is a national holiday), Dec. 31, Jan. 1
Hours: 10:00-18:00 (Fridays and Saturdays till 20:00 except for Jan. 2)
Admission: Adult 1400yen, Grade 9 - college students 1000yen, Grade 1-9 500yen
*advance tickets sold at major train stations of Kintetsu line and other are 200-100yen cheaper.

Sue
-NARAWALK guide

Colored vending machine?!

2009-11-29T06:22:00.000-08:00

Autumn leaves are almost over, but there are something else that has gradually changed their color during autumn and can enjoy throughout the winter. Vending machines! Now there are more red buttons for hot drinks. To get hot tea, coffee, hot chocolate or even soup, press red buttons.

During winter time probably you won't get thirsty during our walking tour, but hot drinks will certainly warm you up! (If you are joining us during summer, we strongly recommend you to carry a bottle or two of cool drink.)

Sue
-NARAWALK guide

Myth: Imagination of Japanese Art

2009-11-27T03:35:00.000-08:00

Probably you know the name Amaterasu, the sun goddess, from the Japanese mythology. Or you had a chance reading a Japanese folk tale... And you might have wondered how the characters in those stories look like.

An exhibition held in Nara Prefectural Museum of Art is a good chance to get to know them! Titled "Myth: Imagination of Japanese Art", this exhibition exhibits paintings depicting a scene from Japanese mythologies, folk tales, and history.

Duration: ~ 2009.12.24
(closed on Mondays)
Admission: Adult 1000yen, Grade10-college student 700yen, Grade1-9 400yen
Hours:9:00~17:00 (Fridays and Saturdays till 21:00)

Nara Prefectural Museum of Art is located behind the prefectural office building of Nara. You can see (and we can point to you) the office building during our daily walking tour.

Sue
-NARAWALK guide

New Maiko Debut

2009-11-24T07:20:00.000-08:00

A new Maiko debut in Ganrinin-town, Nara's Gion! The new charm of the town is named Kikuchiyo (菊千栄 in Japanese). The poster above is put by her senior Geiko's fan club, Kikuno-kai, to celebrate her debut~. All the good wishes to her success!

Ganrinin-town is just a street or so away from Sarusawa pond which is part of our daily walking tour.

Sue
-NARAWALK guide

Sweet joy at tea ceremony lessons

2009-11-23T18:45:00.000-08:00

I take a tea lesson twice a month.

I like the lessons, for I can be in a completely different atmosphere from my daily life.

Another pleasure is of course “sweets”.

We can get seasonal sweets at shops and each sweet has a name.

I enjoy guessing the name of the sweet at each lesson.

Can you guess the name for the sweet in the picture?

“Autumn mountain”

Yellow and red are the colors of the leaves and it has a whole chestnut inside.

You can enjoy autumn colors in Nara Park until the middle of December.

-Sumie
NARAWALK Guide

(posted by proxy)

A strange tree

2009-11-16T16:49:00.000-08:00

I found a strange tree with many white pieces of paper on its branches on the way to Kasuga Grand Shrine.

They seem to be Omikuji (fortune) paper but why did peple tie them on this tree?

It is standing more than 200 meters away from the main building where Omikuji are sold.

Yoko
-NARAWALK guide

(posted by proxy)

25 Regrets of the Life

2009-11-16T07:35:00.000-08:00

"25 Regrets of the Life" is a book written by Dr. Shuichi Otsu who practices palliative treatments. He has supported more than thousand terminally ill patients. In his book, he shares with us what he has learned from terminally ill patients - that is...What People Regret at the Last Moments of Their Lives. He has listed 25 regrets he often hears.

One of the 25 regrets is this...

"I regret that I didn't travel to the places where I wanted to visit."

Are you travelling?

(The book is only available in Japanese.)

Sue
-NARAWALK guide

Free Museum Admission On Kansai Culture Day

2009-11-07T07:06:00.001-08:00

Attention~ if you like going to museums and want to save on admission fees! November in Kansai region (that is Nara, Kyoto, Osaka, Hyogo etc) is especially good time for you to come! Many of the museums in Nara, Kyoto, Osaka, Hyogo, Shiga, Mie, Fukui, Wakayama, Tokushima, Tottori prefectures are admission free throughout or on certain days of November. This month long event is known as Kansai Culture Day.

Most of museums scheduled their free day on Nov. 14 & 15.
Here is a list of museums free on those two days. (not complete one. There are just too many to list all...)

Nara
Nara National Museum
Irie Taikichi Memorial Museum of Photography(JPN link only)
Hakomotokan Konya

Kyoto
Insho-Domoto Museum of Fine Arts
Kyoto Municipal Museum of Art
The National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto (special exhibition not free)
Umekoji Steam Locomotive Museum(JPN link only)
Kiyomizu Sannenzaka Museum (special exhibition not free)
The Tale of Genji Museum

Osaka
National Museum of Ethnology
The Museum of Oriental Ceramics
Osaka Castle (only on Nov. 14)

Sue
-NARAWALK guide

Red Leaves

2009-11-04T06:03:00.000-08:00

Autumn is here. Leaves have started to turn their colour... At the same time, it's getting chilly in the early morning and in the evening. Bring light jacket to warm yourself up. And the day time, it's a perfect-for-walking temperature.

Sue
-NARAWALK guide

Antique Fair in Nara Park

2009-11-03T02:33:00.000-08:00

"AOZORA KOTTO-ICHI," an open-air antique fair will be held in Nara Park for the first time. Antique lovers, come and dig up?! something unique to take home with you.

Dates:
Nov. 7-8, 14-15, 21-23
10:00 ~ 17:00
will be held in rain too!

Place:
Ukigumo Park in Nara Park
(It's near Todaiji Temple. If you're going to the temple, you'll notice. It is also along our regular tour's route. If your are joining our tour on those days, you'll be sure to know where the event is held!)

Sue
-NARAWALK guide

Shoso-in Exhibition Review

2009-10-29T05:50:00.000-07:00

I went to Shoso-in Exhibition yesterday afternoon. Arriving Nara National Museum around 15:30, there were no lineups! Lucky me! I left my baggage in the free coin locker room provided for the exhibition visitors, and hurried myself inside.

I already had my ticket so I didn't needed to buy one. If you need to buy tickets, get them from a temporary ticket counter at JR or Kintetsu Nara Station. They have cheaper tickets than the ones sold at the museum.

At the museum entrance, personal voice guidance machines (500 yen, available in English) are available. There might be English volunteer guides available, too. Hearing explanation doubles the enjoyment of any exhibition (at least for me).

Among the numerous exhibits - beautiful in form or in craftsmanship, and interesting in its history - my favorite exhibit is exhibit no. 48 "Kingin-no-kaban." It is a silver plate ornamented with a imaginary deer "Hana-shika," a deer with antlers of flowering branches. The look of it reminds me of the deer like god "Shishi-gami" from Miyazaki's "Princess Mononoke"!

"Hana-shika" was a popular motif in T'ang Dynasty symbolizing happiness. It looks like a Princess Mononoke's deer like god. Deer is also symbolic in Nara (you'll hear why during our tour). History, Nara and even animation, just fused in this single exhibit - exhibit no. 48.

What will your favorite exhibit be?

Sue
-NARAWALK guide

*Find dates and admission of this exhibition in our former article: Sosho-in exhibition is COMING SOON!

Scenary of Autumn

2009-10-29T01:49:00.000-07:00

Autumn is the season of harvest. If you have visited Nara during September to mid October, you have probably seen something triangle standing in a field (like the ones in the picture) on your train trip from Kyoto or Osaka to Nara. And you have probably wondered what they are ...

Well, they are bundles of rice straws being dried for their own harvest. Yes, as well as grain, straw is harvested. During our tour, you will see at least one example of how rice straw is utilized in Japan.

Sue
-NARAWALK guide

Wanna try on Kimono?

2009-10-26T06:56:00.000-07:00

You can try on Kimono for free in Nara.

A volunteer group 'JOIN JAPAN NARA' will provide you an opportunity to get dressed in kimono and participate in a tea ceremony, once a month (usually 2nd Tuesday) at the 2nd floor of Nara City Tourism Center on Sanjo St. If you plan to stay in Nara around 2nd Tuesday, it would be a great experience to get in touch with Japanese culture of Kimono and tea ceremony.

You can choose your favorite one from their various Kimono, which are authentic and made of silk. They will also explain how to enjoy tea ceremony in English. What you need is just 200 yen, a nominal charge for tea sweets.

Visit their web-site for more informations.

KAY

-NARAWALK guide

2000+ lanterns glow in darkness

2009-10-21T21:11:00.000-07:00

Thousands of lanterns glow in dark and quiet shrine ground... it's such beautiful sight in awesome silence.

In Kasuga Grand Shrine in Nara Park, they hold "Mandoro" festival in February and August.

On the night of festival, more than 2000 stone and bronze lanterns in the precinct are lit by candle light.

You can actually take part in lighting ceremony like I do in this photo.

Tommy
-NARAWALK guide

Kofukuji's 52 stone steps now under repair

2009-10-19T01:55:00.000-07:00

The beautiful 52 stone steps leading the way from Sarusawa pond to Kofukuji Temple is now under repair. 52 is one of the symbolic number in Buddhism. I usually tell its meaning to guests while walking up the steps .... well, now I need to find something else to talk about!

The repair work is scheduled to complete by March 26, 2010.

Sue
-NARAWALK guide

Rice cake making

2009-10-19T01:50:00.000-07:00

Have you ever seen mochi(rice cake) pounding? Here in Nara, they pound mochi several times a day at the mochi shop named 'Nakatani-do.' They won the first prize of making mochi at the TV show, 'TV Champion,' which has brought crowds of customers to this shop. They pound steamed sticky rice with wooden mortar and pestle at very high speed, and all by man-power.

You can buy just made warm yomogi-mochi(rice cake with Japanese herbs and sweet bean paste inside) from one piece (@130 yen). It's something Japanese, tasty and worth trying.

You can see their performances of pounding mochi, if you are lucky.

Your NARAWALK guids will show you the shop and the wooden mortar and pestle during our regular tour.

KAY - NARA WALK guide

Herding deer by horn

2009-10-18T20:36:00.000-07:00

Bringing in hundreds of deer by a horn in Nara Park... such a scene!

Every year in March, Nara Deer Preservation Foundtion holds this daily event starting 9a.m.

It is amazing to see many deer run out of woods and gather together around the horn player.

Deer in Nara Park is wild and well-preserved.
You'll meet them everywhere, when you visit famous Todaiji temple in Nara Park.

In this video clip, you can see the scene of deer-herding in Tobihino field in Nara Park with the sound of horn (and my son's giggle ;-)

Visit Nara, an ancient capital older than Kyoto.
You can find out more about deer in Nara in NARAWALK tours.

Tommy
-NARAWALK guide

Shoso-in exhibition is COMING SOON!

2009-10-18T08:44:00.000-07:00

Shoso-in is a repository of Todaiji Temple. Its treasures are composed of fine art objects which belonged to Emperor Shomu, who ordered the erection of Todaiji Temple, and temple's treasures used at the consecration of Great Buddha in 752. You can understand Nara is a terminal of 'Silk Road' to see some treasures from China and Persia.

Some of those treasures are on exhibition once a year. The 61st Shoso-in exhibition will be held:

Duration: October 24 (Sat) ~ November 12 (Thu)

At Nara National museum (New building)

Hours: 9 AM to 6 PM (to 7 PM on Fridays~Sundays & national holiday)

Admission: Adults 1000yen, High school & College students 700yen, students(1st~9th graders) 400yen, Nov. 12:free

There will be a long line of people who want to see those treasures. The line would be shorter in late afternoon. I recommend to see the exhibition after our regular tour.

Why don't you come and see the treasures of 1250 years ago!

KAY

-NARAWALK guide

Ashura statue back in a hall after 110 years

2009-10-17T02:19:00.000-07:00

"Kofukuji Temple: Special Exhibition of National Treasure 2009" has begun! The main attraction of this exhibition is Ashura statue (top right picture in the poster above) and thirteen other National Treasure statues. These statues are usually shown behind glass cases in National Treasure Museum in Kofukuji Temple, but this time they are out of museum glass cases and back in a temple hall. Enjoy this rare occasion to appreciate them in a temple hall setting!

Duration: Oct 17, 2009 - Nov 23, 2009
Admission: 1500yen(adult) 1000yen(grade 7-12) 500yen(grade1-6)
Hours: Mon-Thur 9:00am ~ 5:00pm Fri-Sun&Holidays 9:00am ~ 6:00pm

Sue
-NARAWALK guide

Experience NARUTO in Nara?!

2009-10-16T10:50:00.000-07:00

Are you a NARUTO fan? (For those of you who don't know NARUTO, it's a Japanese animation popular worldwide) Do you remember Japanese letters "あ(Ah)" and "うん(UN)" appearing on the entrance gate of Konoha ninja village?

Well, in Nara you can see historical and National Treasure "あ(Ah)" and "うん(UN)"! When you're visiting Todaiji Temple just pay close attention to statues at the entrance gate. Read the lips of the statues...

By the way, these two words "あ(Ah)" and "うん(UN)" are found at the entrance gate for very good reasons. You can discover the deep meaning behind "あ(Ah)" and "うん(UN)" in our tour!

Sue
-NARAWALK guide

NARAWALK GUIDE's blog created

2009-10-15T19:30:00.000-07:00

Hello, everyone.
As a member of NARAWALK - best sightseeing walking tours in Nara, I'm happy to announce our guide member blog has started!
Don't know about NARAWALK? Then, visit our brand new web site at http://www.narawalk.com/

Our daily tour runs everyday and we welcome guests from all over the world.
If you are planning a trip to Japan, don't forget to include NARAWALK in your itinerary!

Our guide members will start writing posts to this blog soon.
Stay tuned!

Tommy - NARAWALK web site admin