Central Japan Railway Company has been holding a tourist campaign called “Sou da Kyoto, Ikou” (That’s Right, Let’s Go to Kyoto) since 1993. As part of the campaign the company has announced a new theme titled “Haru wa Akebono” (Spring is All About Dawn) which invites people on a peaceful tour around Kyoto’s World Heritage Site in the early hours of the morning.
The tour offers people a chance to enjoy popular temples that are always packed with crowds during general opening hours. There are three Plans to choose from which give exclusive access to some of Kyoto’s historical landmarks.
Kiyomizu-dera Temple & Byodoin Temple
Repair work has been ongoing at Kiyomizu-dera Temple since 2008 to restore the temple monastery which was built at the time the temple was established. Byodoin Temple too underwent repairs which ended in 2014. This maintenance work saw retiling work of the main temple carried out as well as exterior decoration and more.
The tour offers a chance to walk around both of these historical locations where you will be able to enter places not open to the general public as well as admire the popular parts of the temple that bustle with visitors during the day. The temple monk will also recommend activities and experiences as well as talk about the “great repair of the Heisei era.”
Information
Departure Dates: February 10, 2019 / February 11, 2019 / March 3, 2019
Departure Time: 4:30AM (Meeting Time: 4:20AM)
Route: Kyoto Station→Kiyomizu-dera Temple→Byodoin Temple→Kyoto Station
Minimum No. Applications: 1 person
Price: ¥3,500 (Tax Included)
*Construction sites at the temple cannot be entered
Kiyomizu-dera Temple
Enjoy a tour of the temple guided by the temple monk, admire the West Gate during the dark and visit the Kyo-do Hall.
*The West Gate and Kyo-do Hall are normally restricted to the general public
Byodoin Temple
Visit the gardens and Hoshokan and talk to the head priest at a tea house.
*The tea house talk will be replace by a visit to the Kyo-do Hall on March 3.
Ryōan-ji Temple & Ninna-ji Temple
This plan puts you on a bus for a trip to Ryōan-ji Temple, which is famous internationally for its Japanese rock gardens, and Ninna-ji Temple which gave public access to its painting of the five great kings of wisdom for a limited time in autumn 2018.
Information
Departure Date: March 10, 2019
Departure Time: 7:20AM (Meeting Time: 7:10AM)
Route: Kyoto Station→Ryōan-ji Temple→Ninna-ji Temple→Kyoto Station
Minimum No. Applications: 1 person
Price: ¥3,500 (Tax Included)
Ryōan-ji Temple
After witnessing the rock gardens visit the West garden and Buddhist temple, both of which are normally closed to the general public.
Ninna-ji Temple
Enjoy a special viewing of the painting of the five great kings of wisdom which was given limited-time public access for the first time in autumn 2018. Also see the scripture house which is normally closed to the general public.
Toji Temple
Enjoy day break as the sun rises in the early hours of the morning. When the temple grounds are dark it will be lit up as if it is night time.
Information:
Departure Dates: March 24, 2019 / March 30, 2019 / March 31, 2019
Departure Time: 5:50AM
Route: Make your own way there→Toji Temple→Make your own way back
Minimum No. Applications: 1 person
Price: ¥2,500 (Tax Included)
Toji Temple
From 7:00AM enjoy an early visit to the five-storied pagoda, main temple and auditorium. A separate application is required to visit.
These three plans offer privileged entry to some of Kyoto’s most important locations. If you’re looking to enjoy popular tourist sites without the tourists then be sure to consider this line-up.
Information
Haru wa Akebono: Kyoto World Heritage Site Tour
Details (Japanese): http://souda-kyoto.jp/travelplan/akebono_sp/index.html
RECOMMENDED ENTRIES
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artKYOTO 2019 will take place at the World Heritage Site and former imperial villa Nijō Castle from September 6 to 9. Kyoto has a long and fascinating historical background spanning over a thousand years. The traditional city has come to establish itself as a place for creating and innovating culture. But it also has a new art market, and artKYOTO 2019 aims to consolidate this valuable medium as a new artistic era.
But the fair is not just limited to the past and present times of Kyoto, because more than 40 art galleries from inside and outside Japan are set to exhibit each of their unique works through the lens of their own aesthetic. With the move of the Agency for Cultural Affairs to Kyoto, the exhibition will offer a chance to appreciate and even purchase artwork that shows the value of Kyoto society from a new perspective while keeping history in mind. The event also lines up with ICOM KYOTO 2019 which is taking place from September 1 to 7 to celebrate Kyoto's museums. artTOKYO―which runs this event―is also set to host the annual Art Fair Tokyo in March at Tokyo International Forum. One of the biggest art events in Tokyo, the 2018 run saw over 150 participate and over 60,000 attendees. Information
artKYOTO 2019
Location: Nijō CastleRunning: September 6, 2019 – Septmeber 9, 2019 (*September 6 is an invitation-only date for officials)
Access: Nijōjō-mae Station
Car Park: Available
Entry: Fee charged
Website: https://artkyoto.jp/
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SOWAKA is a new luxury ryokan in Gion, Kyoto set to hold its grand opening on March 25, 2019. In the run up to this, the establishment has announced a private spring night visit to Kodaiji Temple for guests.
This small luxury hotel is has been renovated into 11 rooms. It was formerly a long-standing traditional restaurant with a history spanning 100 years. Added onto that are 12 brand new rooms which fuse traditional Japan from a modern perspective making for a total of 23 rooms. The hotel offers the kind of peace, tranquillity, comfort and hospitality associated with the Japanese style. SOWAKA actually opened on November 23 last year but the new building of 12 rooms and restaurant will open as part of its grand opening on March 25 this year. The new plan announced invites guests on a springtime trip to Kodaiji Temple. The temple was established in 1606 by the nun Kōdai-in after the death of her husband Toyotomi Hideyoshi to memorialise him. It is famous for its nighttime cherry blossoms which guests will be able to enjoy. The temple bustles with visitors every year who go to see the cherry blossoms illuminated with lights. Guests can expect to take in the magical sight in the peace and quiet in a place laced with history and culture. Information
SOWAKA Kodaiji Temple Private Spring Night Visit
Date: March 30, 2019
Reservations: January 17, 2019 at 14:00 to March 28, 2019 at 23:59 (*Reservations will close when no rooms are left)
Price: From ¥68,000 (Double Room / Tax and booking fee not included)
No. of People: 46
Complimentary: ①Welcome drink ②Rental of Kodaiji Temple at night
Schedule:
22:15 – Meet at hotel lobby
22:20 – Depart from hotel
22:30 – Arrive at Kodaiji Temple
23:40 – Leave templeCheck In: 15:00-2:00 / Check Out: 12:00
Bookings: Online (https://sowaka.com/) / Telephone (075-541-5323)
SOWAKA
Address: 480 Kiyoicho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto Prefecture
Opened: November 23, 2018
Grand Opening: March 3, 2019 (New building opening)Prices: https://sowaka.com/eng/index.html
Access: 15-minutes by taxi from JR Kyoto Station / 10-minutes on foot from Gion-Shijō Station via Keihan Electric Railway / 14-minutes on foot from Kawaramachi Station via Hankyu Railway
TEL: 075-541-5323
Official Website: https://sowaka.com/eng/index.html
写真提供：高台寺
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Kyoto Botanical Garden's Sakura Light-Up 2019 will run from March 25 to April 7 followed by the Sakura Sanpo cherry blossom strolling event from April 19 to 21. Located by the Kamo River, Kyoto Botanical Garden is a large botanical garden and conservatory home to countless valuable plants that can't been seen anywhere else. They currently have close to 200 species of plants. General guests are allowed to see 140 of these. The garden boasts a long cherry blossom season. In many famous cherry blossom spots in Japan the Yoshino cherry trees bloom for one week at the beginning of April, but at Kyoto Botanical Garden they sprout early in mid-March and stay until the end of April.
Old Yoshino Cherry Tree Period: Early April The garden houses an old Yoshino cherry that was planted in 1961 during the Showa era. Gazing upon its beautiful old trunk that sprouts new branches evokes the history of the garden. Turmeric Period: Mid-April Turmeric has a recorded history in Japan since the middle of the Edo period where it has gone by many names such as kizakura (yellow cherry blossom), koganezakura (golden cherry blossom) and asagizakura (light yellow cherry blossom). Omuroariake Period: Mid-April Ninna-ji Temple in Ukyō, Kyoto is home to both single and double-flowered omurozakura cherry blossom trees. Amongst these is the 'half-flowered' cherry tree called omuroariake. It's a ancient variety of cherry blossom in Kyoto that has been around since the Edo Period. Nakai, a gardener at Kyoto Botanical Garden who watches over the cherry blossoms, comments: "Cherry trees respond to you just by touching them. They bloom beautifully when you do things like improve the soil. So that people can see them at numerous periods of time, we extend the opening hours of the garden during the cherry blossom season and are open in the evening and at night. We're still have work to do but we are aiming to become a garden that plants and preserves many different species. We're a little-known good place where you can enjoy cherry blossoms you can't at over well-known places." Enjoy hanami this year in Japan through March and April at Kyoto Botanical Garden. Information
Kyoto Botanical Garden
Address: Shimogamo Hangicho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto
Price: General ¥200 / High School Students ¥150 / Junior High School Students and below – Free / 70+ Years and Disabled – Free
TEL: 075-701-0141Website: http://www.pref.kyoto.jp/plant/
Sakura Light-Up 2019
Running: March 25, 2019 – April 7, 201
Time: After Sunset (Around 6:30PM) to 9:00PM (Last Entries: 8:00PM)
Price: The price of entry only
*The park hours are extended from the usual 5:00PM closing time to 9:00PM
Sakura Sanpo
2019/4/19 @ 1:00PM-1:45PM
2019/4/20 @ 1:00PM-1:45PM, 5:00PM-5:45PM
2019/4/21 @ 5:00PM-5:45PM
Price: The price of entry only*Due to opening hour extensions form April 8 to May 19 the usual 5:00PM closure time will extend to 6:30PM (Last Entries: 6:00PM)
*Those wishing to participate at either 1:00PM or 5:00PM must meet in front of the Shokubutsuen Kaikan.
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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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The NFT marketplace HINATA will start selling collaborative pieces on November 25, combining classical drafts of Kyoto printed silk images with modern art pieces by up-and-coming creators. Kyoto Printed Silk Draft x Modern Ukiyo-e Artist Ono Tako
Draft (Left) and Spring Dreamland - Sunshine by Ono Tako
Ono Tako is a modern-day ukiyo-e artist who creates unique paintings combining Eastern and Western elements. A beautiful woman stands in front of lush spring scenery in this gorgeous piece. Although this is clearly an ukiyo-e piece, it has a more modern flare, expressing a more universal standard of beauty while also infusing traditional elements. A total of six works will be available in two variations: the soft and warm Sun and the calm and tranquil Shade. Ono Tako: https://twitter.com/ono800 Kyoto Printed Silk Draft x Illustrator OmulettomatoDraft (Left) and Full Moon by Omulettomato
Omulettomato is an illustrator who is rapidly gaining popularity for their feminine portraits. Three different drafts depicting beautiful Japanese nature have been combined and transformed into a modern lady with moe elements. A total of eight works will be available in three variations: Daybreak, Sunrise, and Full Moon. Omulettomato: http://omutoma.tumblr.com Enjoy this curious collaboration and own a piece of classical and modern Japanese culture.Information
NFT Marketplace HINATA
Release Date: November 25, 2022
Official Site: https://hinata-nft.com/company
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From December 10 until December 18, 2022, creative company NAKED will hold NAKED GARDEN ONE KYOTO at Ninna-ji! The event is part of a larger next-generation art project being held around Kyoto until Christmas Day. This exhibition marks the first metaverse-centered event at Ninna-ji, and guests will be able to enjoy a virtual fashion show in collaboration with Jotaro Saito, a kimono designer from Kyoto. Participants will begin by creating their own avatar by snapping a photo of their face. After that, they will be able to choose a kimono by Saito to use as clothing for their avatar before taking to the runway with other visitors from all around Japan. NAKED’s goal is to bring traditional Japanese kimono culture into the digital space, and the company believes that this is only the beginning. In the future, NAKED hopes to bring other artists into the metaverse as well. NAKED Distanced Lanterns
NAKED Tsukubai Five-Storied Pagoda Projection Mapping DANDELION PROJECT Virtual Fashion Show Limited Edition Paper Goshuin This year’s event also includes the DANDELION PROJECT, popular with art fans around the world. 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. This year, the participatory art piece was installed in the main temple. Why not visit this stunning exhibition in Kyoto this winter? Information
NAKED GARDEN ONE KYOTO Ninna-ji
Venue: Ninna-ji (Five-storied Pagoda, Main Temple)
Running: December 10 – December 18, 2022
*No admission on December 17 due to a private event.
Hours: 17:30-21:30 *Last entry at 21:00
Official Site: https://garden.naked.works/kyoto/ -
monopo Collaborates with Kyoto-Based Brand Shokuraku Asano to Share Traditional Japanese Textiles with the World
Global creative agency monopo is teaming up with Shokuraku Asano, a 100-year-old obi maker from Kyoto! The company is working to create a digital experience for interested viewers, sharing each artisan’s personal story. Those who love Japanese culture are welcome to enjoy traditional Japanese crafts in an entirely new way! Using a one-of-a-kind QR obi, a new storytelling method is showing off the hard work and love that goes into the company’s textiles. A special website and video allow interested viewers to experience the process of making an obi digitally, simply by using their smartphone. Even those unable to visit Japan to see these obi in person can dive into the history of the area’s textiles and become more acquainted with one part of Kyoto’s manufacturing culture.Kyoto was the ancient capital of Japan. The city is known for its history and preservation of Japanese culture, and prior to the pandemic, the city was constantly filled with visitors from around the world anxious to learn more about the country’s traditional culture. When the pandemic hit the world in 2020, it changed the city forever–tourists disappeared and the city became much quieter. Now that Japan has opened its borders, however, tourists are returning in droves. While Shokuraku Asano upholds tradition, it also seeks to leave a mark on new generations by embracing new technology. This unique project is worth noting, so get your smartphone out and start learning! We applaud monopo's attempt to share this incredible traditional Japanese craftsmanship with people around the world. Information
monopo × Shokuraku Asano
Official Site: https://obiproject.monopo.net/
Video Link: https://vimeo.com/724915502 -
From November 11 until December 8, a series of Kyoto-inspired Jujutsu Kaisen goods will be on sale outside the West Gate at JR Kyoto Station! Along with the merchandise, fans will also be able to snag local foods at the exhibition. Collaborative Packaging: Local Products from Kyoto
*The products shown are under development and may change slightly. Purchase Bonus: Limited Edition Kyoto Postcard *The postcard's design will change during the first and second halves of the exhibition.*Postcards from the Sendai venue will not be available.*Postcards will only be available while supplies last. Be sure to grab some of these Jujutsu Kaisen products packed with Kyoto charm! ©芥見下々／集英社・呪術廻戦製作委員会 Information
Jujutsu Kaisen Product Exhibition: Kyoto
Running: November 17 – December 8, 2022
Venue: Special event space in front of West Ticket Gate at JR Kyoto Station
Official Site: https://bussan-ryoikitenkai.com/
Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/bussanryoiki
*More information will be shared on the official website, so check back often. -
From December 10 until December 25, the Light and Food Ensemble event will be held in the garden of the Kyoto National Museum. A new projection mapping show featuring enormous flowers will be shown on the wall of the Meiji Kotokan Hall, unchanged since its opening in 1897. The history of Kyoto will take center stage, however–NAKED is only there to make it all the more impressive. NAKED will also collaborate with Kojima Shouten for the first time, decorating the venue with the local company’s famous lanterns.
At the venue, local shops from Kyoto will be selling sweets to guests. Come enjoy Kyoto in a whole new way during this exclusive winter event! Information
Light and Food Ensemble
Running: December 10 – December 25, 2022
Hours: 18:00-21:30 (Last entry at 21:00)
Light and Food Ensemble ~Evening Flower Banquet Directed by NAKED~
Venue: Kyoto National Museum
Tickets / Official Site: https://ensemblekyoto.com/