Hanami is a traditional Japanese custom of viewing cherry blossoms during springtime. The practice of hanami, or flower viewing, typically involves visiting parks or other areas where cherry blossom trees are in full bloom and admiring their beauty while enjoying picnics, drinks, and food with friends and family. This custom has been celebrated in Japan[…]
Read MoreAoi Matsuri in Kyoto
Aoi Matsuri, also known as Hollyhock Festival, is one of the oldest festivals in Japan held annually on May 15th in Kyoto. It is held in honor of Kamo-no-Matsuri, the Shinto deity of the Kamo-gawa river. The festival features a procession of participants dressed in ancient Heian-period costumes, including courtiers and noblewomen, as they carry[…]
Read MoreTanabata
Tanabata is a Japanese festival celebrated annually on July 7th, in which people write their wishes on small pieces of paper and hang them on bamboo branches. The festival is said to have originated from a Chinese tale about two star-crossed lovers, the Weaver Star (represented by Vega) and the Cowherd Star (represented by Altair),[…]
Read MoreOmizutori
Omizutori is a Japanese Buddhist festival held annually at the Todai-ji Temple in Nara. It is held in early March and is a significant event for the temple’s Hond? and its local community. The main highlight of the festival is the “mizutori” or “drawing of water,” which involves priests carrying sacred water from the temple’s[…]
Read MoreGion Matsuri
Gion Matsuri is one of Japan’s most famous festivals, held annually in the city of Kyoto during July. It is a traditional festival that has been held for over a thousand years and is dedicated to the Yasaka Shrine. The festival lasts for the entire month of July, with various events and parades held throughout[…]
Read MoreFestivals in Japan
Japan is home to many traditional festivals, or “matsuri,” which are an important part of the country’s cultural heritage. These festivals are often tied to the seasons, religious beliefs, and local traditions, and they serve as a way for communities to come together and celebrate. New Year’s Festivals: At the start of the year, many[…]
Read MoreRyoan-ji Temple
Ryoan-ji Temple is a Zen temple located in Kyoto, Japan. It was founded in the 15th century and is considered one of the most important Zen temples in Japan. The temple is known for its famous rock garden, which is considered a masterpiece of Japanese gardening and a symbol of Zen aesthetics. The rock garden[…]
Read MoreDaigo-ji Temple
Daigo-ji Temple is a Buddhist temple located in Kyoto, Japan. It was founded in the 9th century and is one of the oldest and most significant temples in Japan. Daigo-ji Temple is known for its beautiful gardens and is a designated UNESCO World Heritage site. The temple complex is comprised of several buildings and halls,[…]
Read MoreEnryaku-ji Temple
Enryaku-ji Temple is a Buddhist temple complex located on Mount Hiei, near Kyoto, Japan. It was founded in the early 8th century and played a significant role in the development of Japanese Buddhism. The temple was the center of the Tendai sect of Buddhism and served as a center of learning and power for over[…]
Read MoreMount Koya’s Okunoin Temple
Okunoin Temple is a Buddhist temple located on Mount Koya, Japan. It was founded in the 9th century and is considered one of the holiest sites in Japan. The temple is the final resting place of Kukai, the founder of the Shingon sect of Buddhism, and is considered a site of pilgrimage for Shingon Buddhists.[…]
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