Terahaku, a website run by Wa-Qoo that offers bookings to stay at temples in Japan, will begin taking bookings to stay at Wa-Qoo Mii-dera from August 1, 2018.
Wa-Qoo is designed to offer guests the experience of what it would be like to stay at a temple and operates to bring the average person closer to temples. It was formally used as a place for monks, Shinto priests and worshippers to stay, but it now accepts travellers and tourists.
The facility has expanded to accommodate the changing times and use by visitors. As well as being able to stay there, you can experience zazen meditation, hand-copying sutras and other cultural aspects of temples. Its a place with rich cultural experience which has led to an increasing number of foreign guests every year.
They are also taking bookings to stay in the priests’ temple quarters of Mii-dera Temple which has been renovated. You can see Lake Biwa from the temple which is known as one of the Eight Views of Omi.
If you’re looking for a stay full of culture, then be sure to check out Wa-Qoo Mii-dera.
■Information
Wa-Qoo Mii-dera
Address: 246 Onjojicho, Otsu-shi, Shiga Prefecture
Bookings: From August 1, 2018
Bookings can be made on the Terahaku website and via Rakuten LIFULL STAY, Vacation STAY and other hotel booking services inside and outside Japan.
Official Website: https://terahaku.jp
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Yoshitaka Amano, known by international fans as the artist behind the legendary Final Fantasy video game series, is celebrating his 70th birthday with a unique art project from November 23 until December 8 at Myoshin-ji in Kyoto.
On the first day of the event, the venue, decorated with autumn leaves, was crowded with visitors including foreign tourists, who marveled at the fantastic space filled harmoniously with gold and blue. The exhibition will be held at Myoshin-ji, the head temple of the associated branch of Rinzai Zen Buddhism. This collection of works was designed to question visitors’ sensibilities and provide a new kind of art exhibition for fans to enjoy. After the exhibition, the main art piece by Yoshitaka himself will be converted to 3DCG, and a Virtual Golden World will be developed in collaboration with the Yoshitaka Amano VR Museum. By integrating traditional and modern art methods, guests will be able to engage more deeply in the art by enjoying digital works, the metaverse, and NFTs. Don't miss this curious exhibition! Information
Golden World: Infinite Light by Yoshitaka Amano
～GOLDEN VIEW OF THE WORLD～
Running: November 23 – December 8, 2022
Venue: Myoshin-ji
Hours: 9:00-12:00 / 13:00-16:00
Tickets on sale until 15:30 each day.
Official Site: https://www.myoshinji.or.jp/
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Yoshitaka Amano, known by international fans as the artist behind the legendary Final Fantasy video game series, is celebrating his 70th birthday with a unique art project in Kyoto. The exhibition will be held at Myoshin-ji, the head temple of the associated branch of Rinzai Zen Buddhism. Stepping into the temple, guests will be met with colorful autumn leaves and a sea of gold and blue art pieces. “I want people to enter this world of light and experience being part of it,” Amano said. “Rather than art being something flat on a wall, I want to present something new and unique.” This collection of works was designed to question visitors’ sensibilities and provide a new kind of art exhibition for fans to enjoy. The main art piece, newly painted by Amano himself, will be on display in the Dharma Hall, which was decorated by one of Kano Tan’yu’s masterpieces. Tan’yu was an Edo-period painter.
The three meter tall column features Amano’s own interpretation of Hiten, part of Mount Meru, a part of Buddhism cosmology considered to be the centre of all the physical, metaphysical and spiritual universes. Four smaller pieces will be displayed on all four sides to create a three-dimensional mandala. Information
Golden World: Infinite Light by Yoshitaka Amano
～GOLDEN VIEW OF THE WORLD～
Running: November 23 – December 8, 2022
Venue: Myoshin-ji (1 Hanazonomyoshinjicho, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto)
Hours: 9:00-12:00 / 13:00-16:00 *Tickets sold until 15:30
Admission: Adults ¥700 / Children ¥400
Details: https://goldenworld.jp/
Official Site: https://www.myoshinji.or.jp/
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NAKED’s DANDELION PROJECT will be held at Shiga’s Hikone Castle for eight days starting November 5, 2022. The work will be exhibited as a part of NAKED GARDEN ONE KYOTO, a next-generation art project put on in conjunction with Kyoto City, Uji City, and Otsu City in Shiga Prefecture. Created by Ryotaro Muramatsu, the art project has appeared in a number of towns and cities around the world, inviting participants to create flowers and send them around the globe digitally as a hope for peace. Visitors can use their smartphones to send dandelion fluff digitally to other participants around the world, sharing a wish for world peace. Following last year’s event, the DANDELION art piece will be exhibited at Hikone Castle again in 2022. The castle is over 400 years old and the castle tower, completed in 1606, is designated as a national treasure. During this time, the art piece will also be on display at Enryakuji and Shigain Monzeki Temple in Shiga. Hikone Castle is currently seeking to be registered as a World Heritage site. Why not take part in this unique project to bring the world a bit more peace?
Information
DANDELION PROJECT
Venue: Hikone Castle (1-1 Konkicho, Hikone, Shiga)
DANDELION: Hikone Castle Keep*Hikone Castle is a satellite site of the NAKED GARDEN ONE KYOTO Project.
Dates:
November 5, 12, 19, 20, 25, 26, 27 / December 3
*The Special Autumn Colors Hikone Castle Night Viewing will be held starting on September 10. The DANDELION exhibit will be on display starting November 5.
Hours: 18:00-20:30 (Last entry at 20:00)
Official Site: https://www.knt-ks.co.jp/ec/2020/hikone/ -
The third phase of the popular illumination event at the English Garden Rosa & Berry Tawada will be held from October 8, 2022 until February 12, 2023! One of the largest light-up events in the Kansai region, this year’s theme is ‘Evolutionary Lights!’
Let Time Pass in The Golden Forest
Visitors will be welcomed into a glorious forest of golden lights as they arrive in the main area. The clock tower rises in the center, and the spectacular production begins at the start of nightfall when the tower itself begins to glow and 100 trees are enveloped in golden light.The White and Silver Garden of the Fairies
The area has undergone a major transformation, from the warm European-inspired colors of last year’s event to a mysterious silvery-white color scheme. Visitors can also enjoy the popular light-up experience Miraculous Blue Roses and the Seven-Colored Prayer Tree.※Details: Lights and effects are triggered in response to the sound of bells rung by visitors and special pedals stepped on as they explore the event. Shaun the Sheep Area
A special Christmas display inspired by the new Shaun the Sheep movie, releasing in December 2022, will be on display.*Images of the special display will be available in mid-September.SHAUN THE SHEEP AND SHAUN'S IMAGE ARE ™ AARDMAN ANIMATIONS LTD. 2022 Galactic Express Milky Way
The Milky Way is said to be a magnificent shade of blue. The Milky Way Galaxy Railroad, which requires a separate fee, runs through the area, inviting guests to explore a sea of stars. Why not take a trip through this glittering world of lights while taking some incredible photos?Why not visit this incredible sea of lights this winter? Information
Rosa & Berry Illumination 2022-2023 – Evolutionary Lights
Running: October 8, 2022 – February 12, 2023 *Closed on Tuesdays
Hours: 17:30-21:00 *Subject to change depending on the season
Venue: English Garden Rosa & Berry Tawada (Maibara, Shiga)Official Site: https://www.rb-illumi.com/
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THE THOUSAND KYOTO hotel will begin selling a special afternoon tea set in conjunction with the Buddhist Temple Shoujuin on May 9, 2022. These scrumptious treats can be enjoyed at the hotel’s second-floor cafe and bar TEA AND BAR until July 15.
This offering was made with the thought of escaping the summer heat in mind. Customers can enjoy eight kinds of sweet and savory dishes, from quiche and salmon sandwiches to scones with honey and sweet bean paste. Souvenirs
Kanouhimo
Sange
The entrance to the cafe will also be transformed to reflect the majesty of Shoujuin Temple. The early summer scenery will be captured with majestic hydrangeas, which will surround guests and prove the perfect background for photos. Guests can also go home with two traditional souvenirs. Both the kanouhimo and sange are lucky charms typically available at Shoujuin on holidays.Information
Shoujuin x TEA AND BAR Afternoon Tea ~Refreshing Green Tea Ceremony~
Running: May 9 – July 15, 2022 *Reservations required at least 2 days in advance.
Where: Cafe & Bar TEA AND BAR (THE THOUSAND KYOTO 2F)
Hours: First Seating 11:30~14:30 / Second Seating 15:30~18:30
Details: https://www.keihanhotels-resorts.co.jp/the-thousand-kyoto/
Reservations: https://www.tablecheck.com/shops/the-thousand-kyoto-teaandbar/reserve?menu_lists[]=623ecb27bf993d000fa9a382 -
Lake Biwa Canal, one of the best places to see cherry blossoms in Shiga, will be completely illuminated each night from March 25 until April 10! The nearby Onjo-ji Temple will also be lit up during the duration of the event. Lake Biwa, Otsu Spring Illumination - Cherry Blossoms on the Lake Biwa Canal
The Lake Biwa Canal carries water from the biggest lake in Japan to Kyoto and was built during the Meiji era using the best civil engineering technology of the time. Both sides of the bank are lined with almost 200 cherry trees, making it one of the most beautiful cherry blossom viewing spots with a spectacular view leading to Onjo-ji Temple. Onjo-ji Spring Illumination 2022 Over 600 lights will be set up around the temple grounds to illuminate the cherry blossoms. The national treasures and designated cultural properties will be completely open to the public for nighttime viewing. Information
Lake Biwa, Otsu Spring Illumination – Cherry Blossoms on the Lake Biwa Canal
Running: March 25 – April 10 (Dates may change depending on when cherry blossoms bloom)
Hours: 18:00 – 21:30
Location: Lake Biwa Canal
Sponsored by the Lake Biwako Otsu Tourism AssociationOnjo-ji Spring Illumination 2022
Running: March 25 – April 10
Hours: 18:00 – 21:30 (Last Entry at 21:00)
Location: Onji-ji Temple
Admission: Adults ¥1,000 / Children ¥500
*Public transportation is recommended due to heavy congestion on surrounding roads during the event period.