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Cultural tourism contentunique venue
[Kyoto Botanical Gardens 100th Anniversary Event] LIGHT CYCLES KYOTO
Celebrating its 100th anniversary as Japan's first public botanical garden, Kyoto Prefectural Botanical Gardens will be open at night for a limited time, immersing you in a mysterious, otherworldly world of plants that is different from the daytime. Step into one of Japan's largest observation greenhouses and you'll be greeted by a lush green space decorated with light, sound, set design, and projections, where you'll see the vibrant brilliance of plants. As you explore four different zones, you can use all five senses to feel the breathing and whispering of plants, as well as the hidden communication between them. Enjoy an immersive experience that draws you into a fantastical world of light and sound, where you will discover new plant charms and a connection with nature.
Kyoto Prefectural Botanical GardensMOMENT FACTORYKyoto experienceLINK KYOTOKyoto sightseeingKyoto culture
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Cultural tourism contentunique venue
■ A special experience to see the national treasures and important cultural properties of the World Heritage Site Nishi Honganji Temple that are not normally open to the public
Nishi Honganji is the head temple of the Jodo Shinshu Honganji sect, whose founder was Saint Shinran. This year, it is celebrating the 30th anniversary of its registration as a World Heritage Site and the 800th anniversary of the founding of the sect. To commemorate this, the autumn light-up event at Nishi Honganji is planned and directed by the creative company NAKED, INC. At this event, you can experience the history and culture of Nishi Honganji by holding the artistic lantern "NAKED Distance Lantern," which is popular at NAKED events, and visiting the national treasure Miedo Hall decorated with digital art and the national treasure Hiunkaku, which is usually closed to the public. We would like to introduce the following three special experience plans.
*For details on each plan, please click on the URL.
Nishi Honganji TempleSpecial ExhibitionLINK KYOTOtempleKyoto sightseeingKyoto culture
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Educational travel Inquiry program
[Arts and Culture Lecture] Gion Hanamachi Art Museum "The Beauty of the Gorgeous Maiko and the Arts and Culture of Gion"
Gion Kobu in Kyoto has a history of several hundred years. The special existence of "geisha" and "maiko" is made up of the best of Kyoto's various traditional crafts and performing arts. Preserving the unchanged geisha culture since ancient times leads to the passing on of precious traditional techniques.
Geiko and maiko are communication professionals, and their beauty comes not only from their appearance but also from within.
Experience the carefully handed down craftsmanship of the masters and the spirituality of the geisha and maiko who cherish every single gesture and courtesy, and experience the essence of the Japanese culture that Kyoto is so proud of around the world.Flower Street CultureInoue SchoolEtiquettewordingmaikogeishaLINK KYOTOhistoryHospitalityKyoto culturetraditional culture
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- Jidai Festival -
It is one of Kyoto's three major festivals, along with the Aoi Festival and the Gion Festival. At the head of the procession, which is about 2,000 people and stretches for about 2 kilometers, is the Restoration Loyalist Corps.
From the Meiji RestorationEnryakuThe parade goes back to ancient times and ends with the Shinko Procession and Yumiyagumi Procession, made up of 20 rows across eight eras.
A magnificent historical procession spanning over 1,000 years will parade down the streets of Miyako.
We have set up special viewing seats near the Kyoto Gyoen Kenreimon Gate, where the Jidai Matsuri procession begins.
Enjoy the approximately two-hour procession of period costumes while listening to the JTB guide's commentary through the CleVo earphone guide."Guaranteed seats in the first three rows" planHerePlease apply from here.
"No seat assignment" planHerePlease apply from here.
Festival of the AgesJidai MatsuriKYOTOGrandstandSpectator seatsKyoto three major festivalsspecialLINK KYOTOhistorysightseeingKyoto culturetraditional culture
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▶Kyoto dance performance by geisha and maiko
Kyomai (Kyoto Mai Dance) will be performed in the Inoue style by a geiko or maiko. A rare opportunity for visitors to see these graceful dance up close, allowing them to experience the permanent exhibit more intimately. Two Kyomai songs will be performed for a total of about 15 minutes.
▶Permanent Exhibition on Kagai Art Culture
An introduction to the world of geiko, maiko and their culture through a diverse range of exhibits, from exquisite hand-painted Yuzen kimono and Nishijin brocade obi sashes, to personal belongings and makeup used by maiko. Exhibits feature precious items such as kanzashi hair ornaments for each season and black crested formal kimono, which are rarely seen in the Gion quarter. Along with photographs conveying the unique atmosphere of the Kagai district, immerse yourself in this secretive yet glamorous world.-In the Kagai districts of Kyoto, women who perform traditional dance and music in ozashiki banquet rooms and on stage and entertain guests are referred to as geiko (and not geisha). Women training to become geiko are called maiko.
Hanamachi Art MuseumKyoto DanceKYOTOLink Kyotomaikogeishatraditional craftsLINK KYOTOKyoto tourism moralsKyoto sustainable tourismsustainablecarbon neutralKyoto sightseeingKyotoKyoto cultureEmpty-handed sightseeingEntertainment districttraditional culture
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SustainabilityEducational travel Inquiry program
[Matcha Tea Making Experience] Uji Matcha Journey: A traditional experience connected to the SDGs
Welcome to the "Uji Matcha Journey".
In this program, you will learn about the manufacturing process of Uji matcha and discover its connection to the SDGs through the experience of making matcha with your own hands. First, you will visit the museum to explore the entire process from tea cultivation to production, and how Uji tea became a brand. Next, you will experience the traditional manufacturing process of matcha in an experiential class led by a Japanese tea instructor. Through this journey, you will discover how a cup of matcha is connected to the earth and deepen your understanding of the SDGs.Matcha makingTeaKyoto experienceUji teaLINK KYOTOKyoto sustainable tourismKyoto cultureSDGs
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Educational travel Inquiry program
[Tea Picking Experience] Uji Matcha Journey: A traditional experience connected to the SDGs
Welcome to the "Uji Tea Journey". In this program, you will discover the connection to the SDGs through the experience of cultivating and picking Uji tea. First, you will experience picking cultivated tea in a corner of the park. You will pick tea leaves with your own hands and learn about the manufacturing process. Then, you will learn cooking recipes using the tea leaves you picked. Through this journey, you will discover how a single tea leaf is connected to the earth and deepen your understanding of the SDGs. Why not try the "Uji Tea Journey" and experience tea picking that connects you to the SDGs? Let's embark on a journey to create a sustainable future together.
Tea pickingTeaKyoto experienceUji teaLINK KYOTOKyoto sustainable tourismKyoto cultureSDGs
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It has been passed down as one of Japan's traditional arts, along with flower arranging and tea ceremony."The Art of Incense"is an art form in which fragrant wood is burned and the scent is used to evoke poetry or scenes.
In this plan, you can learn about the culture of incense and participate in an incense gathering where you can light several different types of incense and try to guess which ones have the same scent.
The "Oko no Kai" is a descendant of the 12th Emperor Keiko.Hosted by the head of the Sanbon Oeda school of incenseThe location is a mansion built by Japanese painter Kansetsu Hashimoto as a studio for his own work."Hakusamuraso"Why not experience this elegant culture that has continued since the Heian period?
IncenseCulturetraditionIncense ceremonyIncense ClubHeadmasterSanpin Oeda School of Incense CeremonyHakusamurasoSakyo WardKyoto CitycultureKYOTOLink KyotoKyoto experienceLINK KYOTOhistoryexperienceKyotogenuineKyoto culturetraditional culture
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◆What is Gokokuin?
Gokokuin is a proof of pilgrimage (memorial of visiting a demonic spot) given at shrines and temples associated with demonic spots such as ghosts, monsters and sorcery. It is basically written on black hosho paper with a vermilion stamp design.
This second project includes two types of Gokokuin stamps featuring designs of Rokudouchinnou-ji, located at Rokudo-no-Tsuji, famous as the entrance to the underworld, and Minatoya – Ghost Candy Shop, as well as a Gokokuin stamp walking map that will be useful for sightseeing around the area.
*"Gokokuin" is a trademark pending registration by JTB Corp. (December in 2023)
◆Product details
① Rokudouchinnou-ji Black Seal (written in ink at Rokudouchinnou-ji) 1 sheet (single-sided)
②Minatoya -Ghost Candy Shop - Gokokuin (all printed products) 1 sheet (single-sided)
③ Gokokuin Walking Map (Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto City) - Product description 1 sheet (double-sided)
*Please note that this is not Gokokuin-book.
Night Sightseeingshrines and templesMakai spotGokokuinKyoto experienceLINK KYOTOKyoto sustainable tourismshrinetempleKyoto sightseeingKyotoKyoto culture
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Inside Towaryokan, located near Nishi Honganji Temple, there is a tea room called Seikaan, which was named after the 16th head master of the Urasenke school. We have set up a gentle and fun tea party experience plan for a limited time, because we want everyone to have a gentle time experience in this quiet and tranquil space.
The tea ceremony has an image of being difficult to enter, but even beginners are welcome! Please feel free to join us! We will carefully guide you through the process while listening to explanations about etiquette when entering the tea room, viewing the beds and flowers, etc. Please relax and take photos while seated.
Although it is near Kyoto Station, which is busy, it is quiet and gentle...that's how time passes.
Please feel free to join us for a cultural experience in Kyoto.
*Information will be provided in Japanese.
Management: Towa Ryokan
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