Tea Ceremony in Splendorous Autumn

There is a Japanese expression "錦秋　Kinshuu" which means the autumn decorated with beautiful  foliage like brocade.

Ginkgoes and maples are singing a song in praise of autumn! 

On 18th November, We had a tea ceremony in Daijo-in Garden.  We were very glad so many wonderful guests joined us!  If you are interested in our tea ceremony, read "Tea Ceremony".

Daijo-in Garden

This time we prepared two types of Japanese  sweets. They are formed into shapes that reflect the splendor and glory of autumn. "Kinshuu - Brocade Autumn" is  represented by these lovely Japanese confectioneries.

"Maple" with Japanese green tea

"Ginkgo"

We enjoyed tea ceremony with the guests,  exchanging merry conversation.

The next gathering of tea ceremony is held on December 1st, from 11:00am to 3:00pm in the tea room in Daijo-in Garden. The fee is 500 yen.

Our tea gathering has always homey atmosphere.  We are waiting for you!!

英語、日本語をつかっての家庭的なお茶会です。どなたでもご参加いただけます。英語に興味のある方、日本の文化を英語で勉強中の方も、どうぞお気軽におこしください。

Autumn Sky in Nara Park

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)

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

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

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  

LAST FEW DAYS FOR AUTUMN LEAVES

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.

Free Museum Admission On Kansai Culture Day

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

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

Scenary of Autumn

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