5 Must-Visit Spots in Kyoto For Autumn Scenery: Floor Reflections to Flowery Temple Water Basins

10.November.2019 | SPOT

Kyoto’s autumn hues have enchanted travellers, tourists and locals alike for untold years. Today, we are joined by Macchan, an Instagrammer who has provided us with their incredible photographs of Kyoto’s breathtaking autumnal scenery. Take note of these locations for your next trip!

 

Wachu-an, Notre Dame Jogakuin Junior and Senior High School

Wachu-an is a merchant and heritage home with a long history dating back to the early days of the Showa Period (1926–1989). It’s normally off-limits to the public, but opens during autumntime for everyone to visit. This year, it will be open from November 22 to December 1.

Trickling away in the large gardens is a small river, and enveloped in the gorgeous greenery connected to a passage on the slant of the foothill is the reception hall and a western-style house. When autumn rolls around, visitors enjoy the beautifully polished veranda of the Japanese-style room together with the floor of the western-style building which reflects the surrounding sights beautifully.

 

Wachu-an, Notre Dame Jogakuin Junior and Senior High School

Autumn Opening: November 22, 2019 – December 1, 2019

Time: 10:00-16:00

Address: 110 Shishigatani Sakuradanicho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto

Price: ¥600 (Discount for groups of 15+) / Free for junior high school students and younger

Access:

① 9 minutes on foot from the “Shinnyodomae” or “Kinrin Shako Mae” bus stops via the Kyoto City Bus 5 from Kyoto Station

② 7 minutes on foot from “Miyanomaecho” bus stop via the Kyoto City Bus 100 from Kyoto Station

③ 9 minutes on foot from the “Shinnyodomae” or “Kinrin Shako Mae” bus stops via the Kyoto City Bus 93 or 204 from Jingū-Marutamachi Station (Keihan Electric Railway)

④ 5 minutes on foot from the “Kami Miyanomaecho” bus stop via the Kyoto City Bus 32 from Kyoto-kawaramachi Station (Hankyu Railway)

⑤ 9 minutes on foot from the “Shinnyodomae” or “Kinrin Shako Mae” bus stops via the Kyoto City Bus 203 from Kyoto-kawaramachi Station (Hankyu Railway)

 

Yokokuji Temple

Yanagidani Kannon, also known as Yokokuji Temple, is holding the event “Yanagidani Kannon Autumn Colours Week” from November 2 to December 1. It includes special access to the Joshoin which is normally closed to the public, workshops, flower decorations at the temple’s purifying water basin, and more.

Enjoy the beautiful natural landscape surrounding the temple, dyed in the red and yellow hues of autumn. For more details on this event, click here.

 

Yanagidani Kannon Autumn Colours Week

Running: November 2, 2019 – December 1, 2019

Time: 9:00-16:00 (Joshoin open 10:00-15:00)

Location: Yanagidani Kannon, Yokokuji Temple (Dōnotani-2 Jōdodani, Nagaokakyo, Kyoto)

Entry Price: ¥300

Full Ticket: ¥1,100→¥1,100 (Includes entry to multiple areas)

Access: 15 minutes by taxi from Nagaokakyo Station (JR Line) / 10 minutes by taxi from Nishiyama Tennozan Station

Official Website: http://yanagidani.jp/

 

Shinnyo-dō Temple (Shinshōgokuraku-ji)

Shinnyo-dō Temple is a famous sightseeing spot during autumn as tourists and locals flock to see autumn fall around the ancient structure. From mid-November, the maple and ginkgo trees blossom from their beautiful buds along the stone path leading up to the temple.

The three-storied pagoda is a sight to behold during this time of the year, as is the carpet of fallen leaves behind the main temple which symbolises the curtain call of autumn. On average, the autumn foliage can be observed until early December here every year.

 

Shinnyo-dō Temple (Shinshōgokuraku-ji)

Address: 82 Jōdoji Shinnyochō, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture

Opening Hours: 9:00-16:00 (Reception open until 15:45)

*Restricted access to the garden and Shoin on November 10 and December  8

Price: ¥1,000 (¥900 for elementary school children, free for those younger)

Access:

①Take the Kyoto City Bus 5, 17 or 100 bound for Ginkaku-ji (銀閣寺行き) from Kyoto Station and alight at Kinrin Shako Mae from which it is an 8 minute walk

Official Website: https://shin-nyo-do.jp/

 

Konzoji Temple

This quiet little mountain temple sits tucked away halfway up the mountain known as Koshioyama. The temple as it is today was restored in the Edo Period. It’s a popular hiking spot amongst travellers as it offers a panoramic view of the Kyoto Basin (京都盆地), but it also attracts a lot of visitors during the autumn season.

The reflection of the autumn foliage from the water is nothing short of breathtaking. The hike up is tiring, but worth it, so if you’ve the stamina we highly recommend putting this one on your list. You won’t be disappointed.

 

Konzoji Temple

Address: 1639 Ōharano Ishizukurichō, Nishikyo Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture

Donation Fee: ¥200

Access:

①Take the Hankyu Bus 65 from Mukōmachi Station (JR Tōkaidō Main Line) or Higashi-Mukō Station (Hankyu Railway) and get off at the last stop, Minamikasugacho (南春日町), after about 25 minutes. It’s then a 60-70 minute walk from there.

②Board the Keihan Kyoto Bus at the East Exit of Katsura Station that is bound for Oharano & Nagamine (大原野・長峰). Get off at the last stop, Nagamine, and it’s a 50-60 minute walk.

 

Byodoin Temple

Byodoin Temple, listed as a World Heritage Site, is also a popular spot in the fall. You can take some spectacular photos of the temple from across the lake. The height of the autumn foliage this year is late November to early December.

There is more information on the foliage dates on the official website, so be sure to check it out before visiting at the link below.

 

Byodoin Temple

Address: Renge-116 Uji, Kyoto

Price: General ¥600 / Junior High School Students ¥400 / Elementary School Students ¥300 (*Includes garden and Byodoin Museum access)

Access:

①10 minutes on foot from Uji Station via the JR Nara Line from Kyoto Station

②10 minutes on foot from Uji Station via the Keihan Main Line from Gion-Shijo Station

Foliage Info: https://www.byodoin.or.jp/flower/

Official Website: https://www.byodoin.or.jp/

 

If you want more information about Kyoto on the best spots to visit, be sure to follow Macchan on Instagram.

 

Photos: Macchan

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    07.November.2019 | SPOT

    teamLab has announced a new digital art event entitled “teamLab: Digitized Fukuoka Castle Ruins” which will bring interactive digital art to Fukuoka Castle from November 29 to February 2.

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  • Chat and Eat Japanese Sweets With a Real Maiko at Hoshinoya Kyoto

    07.November.2019 | FOOD / SPOT

    Hoshinoya Kyotoーa Japanese inn in Arashiyama where all rooms offer a river viewーhas announced a new event titled “Maiko Salon” which will run next year from February 4 to March 4 which offers female guests the chance to chat with a maiko (an apprentice geisha).

    Maiko Salon is a women-only get-together that offers female guests to chat casually with a real maiko. The clothes that a maiko wears, including the kanzashi ornate hairpin, kimono, obi sash, obidome sash clip, okobo footwearーeverything, from head to toeーis carefully crafted by an expert artisan. This is why maiko have been called “walking pieces of traditional craftsmanship.” At the Maiko Salon, you have the opportunity to wear such craft made in Kyoto and enjoy a sophisticated womanly party.

    For example, the table runners are made with Nishijin-ori, a type of fabric made in Kyoto’s district of Nishijin that has a history spanning over 1,000 years. The walls will also be decorated with obi cloth art panels with Maiko motifs.

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    Edible Kanzashi Ornate Hairpins

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  • 4 Best Winter Illumination Events in Japan | 2019 Edition

    04.November.2019 | FEATURES / SPOT

    Winter is almost here, which means the wintertime illuminations are set to warm the streets of Japan once again this year with their radiance. Here are 4 must-visit illuminations taking place in and around Tokyo this year.

     

    Meguro River Minna no Illumination 2019 in Nakameguro

    This year, Meguro River will be decorated with an unmissable illumination display to warm the heart. What’s more is that 100% of the energy for the illumination will be produced by recycled oil.

     

    As Shinagawa will also be lit up at the same time, visitors will be able to treat themselves to a glorious view of 410,000 cherry blossom-coloured lights. The beautiful illuminations along the riverbank of Meguro River will also be the largest illumination project along the Yamanote Line with a total length of 2.2km of riverbanks covered (counting both sides of the river).

    Full Details: https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/266636

     

    ▼Meguro River Minna no Illumination 2019

    Locations: Gotanda Fureai Mizube Hiroba (2 Chome-9-11 Higashigotanda, Shinagawa City, Tokyo)

    Gotanda Minami Park and Meguro Riverside (2 Chome-8-8 Higashigotanda, Shinagawa City, Tokyo)

    Running: November 8, 2019 – January 1, 2020

    Times: 17:00 – 22:00 

    *The illumination project will still run in rainy weather but will be postponed in stormy weather.

    Website: http://www.minna-no-illumi.com/ 

     

     

    Tobu Zoo Winter Illuminations 2019-2020

    The “Illumination Show” will make use of the biggest LED display in Japan’s Kanto region, combining music with CG visuals, and illuminated decorations will twinkle in front of it. This year, the display will also feature new full-colour lasers. Three magical and dynamic shows will light up the area, including the Amatsuki Live Illumination show.

    Full Details: https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/260368

     

    Tobu Zoo Winter Illuminations 2019-2020

    Running: October 26, 2019 – February 11, 2020

    *Open on weekends and public holidays in November including Saitama Day on November 14, 2019

    *Open every day from December 1, 2019 to January 5, 2020

    *Open on weekends and public holidays only from January 6, 2020

    Opening Hours: 17:00-20:00 (Until 21:00 on December 24-25, 2019)

    Location: Throughout Tobu Zoo (110 Suka, Miyashiro, Minamisaitama-gun, Saitama)

    Price: Please check the official website or at the zoo

    Event Page: http://www.tobuzoo.com/event/teiki/illumination/

     

     

    Roof Star Garden at GINZA SIX

    Ginza’s biggest shopping centre GINZA SIX is set set to light up its rooftop garden with an enchanting illumination event titled Rooftop Star Garden. Standing at 56 meters high, the rooftop garden is the “closest place to the stars” in Ginza. This will be GINZA SIX’s first ever illumination event and it will shine a bright spotlight against the nightscape of Ginza’s streets.

    Full Details: https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/259779

     

    Rooftop Star Garden

    Location: GINZA SIX Garden (Building Rooftop)

    Address: 6-10-1 Ginza, Chuo Ward, Tokyo

    Running: November 26, 2019 – February 24, 2019

    *Will close during bad weather or during invitation-only events

    Time: Sunset to 23:00

    Entry: Free

    GINZA SIX Official Website: https://ginza6.tokyo/

     

     

    Omotesando Hills Christmas 2019

    This winter’s lights at Omotesando Hills will be provided with contemporary design studio we+.The illuminations at the main large staircase of the atrium will take on the theme “Christmastime seduced by water magic.” “The water-based illuminations will constantly change colour and appearance.

    Full Details: https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/255660

     

    Omotesando Hills Christmas 2019

    Running: November 13, 2019 – December 25, 2019

    Illumination Time: 11:00-23:00

    Omotesando Hills Official Website: https://www.omotesandohills.com/en/

     

     

    Did you enjoy our picks? Seeing the illuminations is a must when travelling to Japan during wintertime. Choose your location and take your friends, family and loved ones.

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    21.January.2025 | FOOD / MUSIC / SPOT

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    Tickets offer accommodations and dinner at a high-class hotel in Tokyo, along with VIP seats and a Meet & Greet opportunity!

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    [Member Comments]
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We hope to make this a weekly program that everyone who watches will enjoy.”

     

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    SWEET STEADY: Nagisa Shoji
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    CUTIE STREET: Emiru Kawamoto
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    Singer-songwriter Natsuki Kawanishi will release her new song, Sentimental & Hot Coffee, on November 20.

     

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    The song has been selected as the “Radio Kansai Recommended Song” for November on Radio Kansai. It has also been chosen as the November ending theme for RSK Sanyo Broadcasting’s KYUN! MUSIC.

     

    [Comment from Natsuki Kawanishi]
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    Nanako Ogawa (On Location)
    “No music, no life! I listen to a lot of music, so I really enjoyed this opportunity to shoot on location! As I listened to people’s favorite lyrics, I thought to myself “I wonder if they live each day with those lyrics in their heart,” and I got very emotional!”

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    Illustrator BEY’s solo exhibition ‘NEW WAMERICAN’ will be held at TRUNK (HOTEL) in Shibuya starting November 1. 

     

    BEY is known for his illustrations inspired by the ‘Wamerican’ theme, a blend of Japanese culture, including ukiyo-e, and American pop culture. Currently, he is attracting attention as an up-and-coming creator who also works on CD jackets for artists and window art for apparel brands.

     

    Canvas works newly painted for the exhibition will be exhibited and sold, and new merchandise such as teacups and Palo Santo with limited edition packaging will be available. 

     

    [Comment from BEY]
    “I hope to approach this exhibition as the first of its kind to showcase the new expressions of ‘WAMERICAN,’ a style which has continued to evolve over the past seven years, with a focus on original paintings on canvas. I hope tons of people will come to visit!”

     

  • CUTIE STREET to Release 1st Single CD ‘Can’t We Just Be Cute? ~Kawaii Dakejya Damedesuka?~’ on November 13

    16.October.2024 | MUSIC / Uncategorized

    After making its debut this August, the new idol group CUTIE STREET will release its first single CD, Can’t We Just Be Cute? ~Kawaii Dakejya Damedesuka?~, on November 13. The music video for the song is already available along with the jacket and artist photo.

    The digital single Can’t We Just Be Cute? ~Kawaii Dakejya Damedesuka?~ was released on September 8 and was ranked #1 on the TikTok Weekly Top 20 (from September 20 – October 6, 2024) and has become a hot topic, also reaching the top spot on Spotify’s ‘Viral Top 50 – Japan’ playlist, which ranks the hottest songs on social media.

     

    The art for the upcoming single CD’s jacket was designed by Keiichiro Oshima and photographed by Takeshi Hanzawa. Following the theme of “our own sparkling jewels,” the jewelry portion of the pictured ring is made up of each sparkling member, all bringing their unique sparkle that fans hope will continue to shine.

     

    The costumes were designed by Kumiko Iijima, who has created costumes for countless artists and follows the theme of “I am different than everyone else, and I can be anything I want to be.” Each member’s costume design is different, including frills, ribbons, lace, tulle, and other ‘kawaii’ elements that appear often in girl’s dreams. The member’s individuality shines through, expressed through the creation of original accessories.

    Limited First Edition

    CUTIE STREET Edition

    Standard Edition

  • CUTIE STREET Displays Top-Tier KAWAII to a Full House at First Solo Concert

    11.October.2024 | MUSIC / Uncategorized

    Idol group CUTIE STREET, which debuted this August, held its first solo concert CUTIE STREET Solo Live – 01 STREET – at Tokyo Hulic Hall on October 7, 2024.

     

    CUTIE STREET is composed of eight members: Risa Furusawa, Aika Sano, Kana Itakura, Ayano Masuda, Emiru Kawamoto, Miyu Umeda, Nagisa Manabe, and Haruka Sakuraba. The girls made their debut as part of ASOBISYSTEM’s KAWAII LAB. idol project in Summer 2024, with the group’s concept being “KAWAII MAKER.” The eight members are all different ages and come from different backgrounds, and they aim to transmit KAWAII from Harajuku to the world. 

     

    This solo performance was held about two months after the girls made their stage debut. Tickets were sold out and many fans came to the venue way before the show, eager to see the girls perform on their big day.

    As the Overture played, the members appeared on stage one after another, with the audience erupting with shouts of joy. Their first song performed solo was Devoted Cinderella! Despite clearly being nervous, the girls continued to smile, performing earnestly like princesses in a fairy tale.

     

    After the song, the eight members greeted the fans gathered at the venue. Adorably, each girl introduced herself and announced what they had eaten for breakfast that day. “I’m so happy to see so many people here,” Manabe said. “I hope that even more people will come to love CUTIE STREET!” 

     

    The second song performed was Can’t We Just Be Cute? ~Kawaii Dakejya Damedesuka? The track is getting rave reviews and recently ranked first in the ‘TikTok Popular Songs Ranking 50.’ The song is scheduled to be released via CD on November 13 and features a catchy pop melody and fun dialogue and phrases from the members. The performance was open to video recording, and the eight too-cute performers can be seen on TikTok and other social networking sites.

    Following this, the group covered the song Nantene! by SWEET STEADY, another idol group belonging to the same label. They performed to the best of their ability, utilizing a different kind of charm than their seniors. The girls also showed off their diverse talents filled with unlimited potential, with Unlock My Heart, a cool song with a rock-style melody, and daylight, an emotional song with a fast pace. CUTIE STREET also performed the new song Happy World! for the first time, showing off choreography filled with fist-pumping and energy. The audience couldn’t help but smile, and the entire venue was filled to the brim with happiness.

     

    The final part of the concert began with Hello Hello Mirai as Furusawa called out to the audience. “Are you ready to wave your penlights?” Penlights displaying the girl’s member colors twinkled like a starry sky throughout the venue. The light shone as if it was congratulating the girls on their future lives as idols. Lastly, the group performed their popular song Can’t We Just Be Cute? ~Kawaii Dakejya Damedesuka? one more time, with the girls charming the audience with their extreme cuteness.

     

    CUTIE STREET announced a solo performance to commemorate the CD release of their first single, Can’t We Just Be Cute? ~Kawaii Dakejya Damedesuka?, would be held at Hulic Hall Tokyo on November 13, with a second solo performance scheduled for December 5. The surprises did not end there, as the group also told fans that on October 16, they would release the music video for the song, getting the audience more excited. A teaser for the music video has already been revealed.

    The eight idols have continued to grow at a rapid pace since their debut, and no one knows what the future holds. After seeing such an engaging solo performance, fans are excited to see what’s in store, as CUTIE STREET’s journey has only just begun.

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