My Kyoto Machiya

05/02/2025

Setsubun Ceremony at Yasaka Shrine in Kyoto
The Setsubun Festival (節分祭) at Yasaka Shrine is one of Kyoto’s most vibrant spring purification rituals, celebrated annually on February 2nd and 3rd. This event marks the transition from winter to spring in the Japanese lunar calendar and is meant to ward off evil spirits while bringing good fortune for the coming year.
The main attraction is the mame-maki, where roasted soybeans are thrown to drive away demons (oni) and invite good luck.
One of the unique aspects of the Yasaka Shrine Setsubun is the participation of maiko and geiko from Gion Kobu, Gion Higashi, and Miyagawa-Cho, three Hanamachi or geisha districts. They perform elegant traditional dances before taking part in the bean-throwing ceremony.

24/06/2023

For everyone interested in or in love with Kyoto, I'd like to suggest you have a look at this upcoming photo book from landscape photographer Daniel Sofer.
2020 and 2021 were very special years due to the pandemic. Japan was closed and the streets and temples were deserted, empty. Daniel took this opportunity to capture unique photographs of Kyoto, and now, he's putting all these together in a book!
You'll find more information on his website and on kickstarter:
https://emptykyoto.hermosawavephotography.com/announcing-a-book-empty-kyoto/
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/hermosawave/empty-kyoto
I already have ordered my copy!

07/12/2022

Daigo-Ji (醍醐寺) is an important temple of the Shingon sect of Japanese Buddhism and a designated Unesco world heritage site. Our favorite spot is the Benten Pond, mainly during the Autumn foliage or the cherry blossom.
Daigo-Ji (醍醐寺) est un temple important de la secte Shingon du bouddhisme japonais et un site classé au patrimoine mondial de l'Unesco. Notre endroit préféré est l'étang de Benten, principalement pendant les feuillages d'automne ou les cerisiers en fleurs.

22/11/2022

One of our favorite spots in Kyoto during the Fall season! Off the beaten tracks of the tourists, Shinnyo-do is a beautiful autumn color spot around late November. It's quite large, beautiful, and free (except for the gardens and inner chamber), yet remains relatively less crowded.
Un de nos endroits préférés à Kyoto pendant la saison d'automne ! En dehors des sentiers battus des touristes, Shinnyo-do est un endroit magnifique pour les couleurs d'automne vers la fin novembre. Il est assez grand, beau, gratuit (à l'exception des jardins et de la chambre intérieure), mais reste relativement peu fréquenté.

13/11/2022

Contrary to the cherry blossom season that lasts only for a few days a year in March/April, the Autumn foliage season lasts almost two months. The color of the leaves usually starts to change around the end of October, and one can still enjoy beautiful scenes up to mid-December. But the best period to enjoy these amazing sceneries is without a doubt around mid-November, and this is when numerous temples around the city open their garden for special evening openings for which they provide illumination. Here is a list of some of these light-ups around Kyoto, together with the dates and opening times (be aware that the schedules may change at any time so we recommend you confirm our information as it may not be valid anymore).
Check out the blog post on our website: https://mykyotomachiya.com//light-ups-in-autumn/

Be aware that some of these events are extremely popular and it is not rare to see a long line of people waiting to get their tickets. One option is to come late, only about one hour before the closing time. While this is not a full-proof solution, we were able to significantly cut down on waiting time like this. Also, as people leave the temple and the garden to go for their dinner, being among the last visitors present also has its benefit.

15/03/2022

The cherry blossom season seems to be a bit late this year. We are now mid-March and while the plum blossoms are blooming all around the city, the cherry are just starting to bloom.
A few photos captured near the place i live, witht he Kawazu Zakura in full bloom and numerous littel mejiro birtds (Warbling White Eye) flying around the flowers!
La saison des cerisiers en fleurs semble être un peu en re**rd cette année. Nous sommes maintenant à la mi-mars et alors que les pruniers fleurissent partout dans la ville, les cerisiers commencent tout juste à fleurir.
Quelques photos prises près de chez moi, avec les cerisiers Kawazu Zakura en pleine floraison et de nombreux petits oiseaux "mejiro" (Warbling White Eye) volant autour des fleurs !

01/03/2021

Kawazu Zakura, early blooming cherry with Mejiro birds

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12/01/2021

Coming of Age Day (成人の日, Seijin no Hi) is a Japanese holiday held annually on the second Monday of January. It took place yesterday between the Rohm Theater and the Miyako Messe, near the Heian Jingu Shrine. Lots of 20 years old boys and girls dressed up for the celebration.
Do you love to travel? Planning to visit Kyoto Japan?
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