Kyoto Machiya Blog: GeneralArchive

JIDAI MATSURI (Festival of the Ages)

Hiro (October 21, 2012 11:39 AM) | Comment(0) | Trackback(0)

Jidai Maturi, one of Kyoto`s three biggest festivals was held on Oct 22. The festival first began in 1895 to celebrate the 1,100th anniversary of the capital being transferred to Kyoto (Heian-kyo).The highlight of this festival is to see the parade of approximately 2,000 people dressed in traditional costumes ranging from the Heian Period to the Meiji Period. They leave from the Kyoto Imperial Palace, parade the streets of Karasuma, Oike and Sanjo to go toward the Heian Jingu Shrine.

This is another interesting event to feel the tradition of Kyoto in October!

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Machiya Residence Inn Kyoto

Tel：075－708-5610

Fax：075－708－5611

Email: info@kyoto-machiya-inn.com

URL: http://www.kyoto-machiya-inn.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/KyotoMachiyaInn

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Machiya-Residence-Inn-Kyoto/129207050467744

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Kyo-no-tanabata Festival

Hiro (August 11, 2012 3:21 PM) | Comment(0) | Trackback(0)

Kyo-no-tanabata Festival has been held in Kyoto now. The main events have been taking place in the Horikawa and Kamogawa river areas. You will get to see beautiful night-time lightups featuring stunning bamboo artwork, from 7PM to 9:30PM each night.

What is Tanabata?

http://www.kyoto-tanabata.jp/global/en/index.html

Information about events and artwork in the Horikawa river area

http://www.kyoto-tanabata.jp/global/en/horikawa.html

Information about events and artwork in the Kamogawa river area

http://www.kyoto-tanabata.jp/global/en/kamogawa.html

We hope you have a great time in Kyoto!

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Machiya Residence Inn Kyoto

Tel：075－708-5610

Fax：075－708－5611

Mail: info@kyoto-machiya-inn.com

URL:http://www.kyoto-machiya-inn.com

Twitter:http://twitter.com/KyotoMachiyaInn

Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Machiya-Residence-Inn-Kyoto/129207050467744

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For your sento experience in a local community

Hiro (July 19, 2012 3:09 PM) | Comment(0) | Trackback(0)

One of our machiya townhouses, Tokiwa-an is a cozy machiya located in a tiny little side street of a peaceful neighbourhood, offering you to experience the atmosphere from the good old days and the lifestyle of the local residents in Kyoto.

http://www.kyoto-machiya-inn.com/tokiwa/

In Japan, almost every neighbourhood has a public bath called sento and it is known as a place for Japanese people to retreat from the pressures of their busy lives and refresh themselves in a relaxing atmosphere . "Hakusan-yu" is a popluar public bath among locals and is located in a few minutes' walk from Tokiwa-an.

Name: Hakusan-yu (白山湯）

Location map: http://www.kyoto-machiya-inn.com/tokiwa/nearby/

Opening hours:

3:00PM-0:00AM (weekdays)

7:00AM-0:00AM (Sat., Sun. And holidays)

Closed: every Wednesday

Price: JPY410 (adult) and JPY150 (children) with jacuzzi and sauna
Shampoo and body soap are provided. Just take your towels from Tokiwa-an and bring them back when you come back!

Here are few tips when entering a public bath;

1. In changing room, take off your clothes and put them in the basket provided.
2. Sit on a little wooden or plastic chair and begin by washing your body
3. Enter in a bath tub slowly and you may want to say "shitsurei shimasu" or excuse me if others are already in a bath.
4. Do not put your towel in the water but put it on the edge of the bath or wrap it around your head, If you have a long hair keep it out of the water too.
5. Relax and enjoy the sento experience!

Take advantage of staying at our machiya townhouses to experience the local atmosphere of Kyoto!

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Machiya Residence Inn Kyoto

Tel：075－708-5610

Fax：075－708－5611

Mail: info@kyoto-machiya-inn.com

URL:http://www.kyoto-machiya-inn.com

Twitter:http://twitter.com/KyotoMachiyaInn

Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Machiya-Residence-Inn-Kyoto/129207050467744

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Kyoto Mahciya Blog

Hiro (June 27, 2012 12:43 PM) | Comment(0) | Trackback(0)

Though Kyoto is known as the old capital of Japan and still maintains the traditional townscape in many areas of the city approximately 1,000 machiya townhouses are demolished and replaced by new buildings every year due to maintenance being difficult and expensive, and their style considered outdated and old-fashioned in the minds of many. Unfortunately, reconstruction of machiya is extremely difficult under the current Japanese building regulations, and as a result the traditional townscape of Kyoto is currently left on an inevitable path to extinction.

Machiya Residence Inn endeavors to combat such a degenerate trend by refurbishing the machiya townhouses that are about to be demolished and reviving them into life as accommodation facilities for Kyoto visitors.

Exterior at Shoubuan Machiya Residence Inn

Bedroom at Kohakuan Machiya Residence Inn

Living room at Tokiwa-an Machiya Residence Inn

Bathroom at Suoan Machiya Residence Inn

A view of the Japanese garden at Shikokuan Machiya Residence Inn

All of our machiya townhouses are fully renovated and equipped with kitchen, washing machine, cloth dryer, computer and complimentary Internet access, making it suitable for both short and long-term stay. By obtaining an official accommodation license, we offer you quality machiya accommodations!

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Machiya Residence Inn Kyoto

Tel：075－708-5610

Fax：075－708－5611

Mail: info@kyoto-machiya-inn.com

URL:http://www.kyoto-machiya-inn.com

Twitter:http://twitter.com/KyotoMachiyaInn

Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Machiya-Residence-Inn-Kyoto/129207050467744

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Kyoto`s nice restaurants, cafes and bars recommended by locals

Hiro (May 2, 2012 6:02 AM) | Comment(0) | Trackback(0)

The weather is getting warmer in Kyoto and we have started seeing a sign of early summer these days. Japan is in the middle of public holiday season called "Golden Week" and lots of visitors seem to enjoy the season of fresh green in Kyoto.

By the way, our guests often ask us for some recommendations of places to eat and have a cup of coffee or tea. We would do the same if we were in other country for sightseeing. To make your Kyoto trip more enjoyable we have created a map for nice restaurants, cafes and bars recommended by Kyoto locals. We are still in the beginning process of listing more places but here is a link to have a look at first. It is also available for anyone to edit and so if you know any nice places let`s share with us!

Just cut and paste the following link to find out more information about places to eat and drink in Kyoto!

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF&msa=0&msid=
214589328194822316601.0004ac9326bd781bae96d

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Machiya Residence Inn Kyoto

Tel： 075－708-5610 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 075－708-5610 end_of_the_skype_highlighting

Fax：075－708－5611

Mail: info@kyoto-machiya-inn.com

URL:http://www.kyoto-machiya-inn.com

Twitter:http://twitter.com/KyotoMachiyaInn

Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Machiya-Residence-Inn-Kyoto/129207050467744

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The weather forecast for tonight

Hiro (February 17, 2012 2:53 PM) | Comment(2) | Trackback(0)

According to the weather forecast it will be snowing all night in Kyoto . This photo was just taken on the Kiyamachi dori street along the Takasegawa river about 10 minutes ago.

Let`s see how much snow we get tomorrow morning!

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Machiya Residence Inn Kyoto

Tel：075－708-5610

Fax：075－708－5611

Mail: info@kyoto-machiya-inn.com

URL:http://www.kyoto-machiya-inn.com

Twitter:http://twitter.com/KyotoMachiyaInn

Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Machiya-Residence-Inn-Kyoto/129207050467744

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The Main Purpose of Tsuboniwa garden at Machiya

Hiro (February 14, 2012 5:53 PM) | Comment(0) | Trackback(0)

While the main purpose of Tsuboniwa garden is appreciation of beauty it also brings natural air circulation and light into the house. In summer time, a sense of coolness is created in the house by this natural ventilation system. The following photos were taken at our accommodations to demonstrate one of the typical features of machiya houses.

@Shoubuan Machiya Residence Inn

@ Tokiwa-an Machiya Residence Inn

@Shikokuan Machiya Residence Inn

In summer time this natural air ventilation system creates a sense of coolness in machiya.

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Machiya Residence Inn Kyoto

Tel：075－708-5610

Fax：075－708－5611

Mail: info@kyoto-machiya-inn.com

URL:http://www.kyoto-machiya-inn.com

Twitter:http://twitter.com/KyotoMachiyaInn

Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Machiya-Residence-Inn-Kyoto/129207050467744

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"Ochazuke Bar" in Kiyamachi, Kyoto

Hiro (February 3, 2012 10:00 AM) | Comment(0) | Trackback(0)

As some of you have already known, ‎"Ochazuke"is a Japanese family cuisine made by pouring green tea, dashi or hot water over cooked rice with savoury toppings. We often eat ochazuke in the morning or at night and this is one of my favorite Japanese foods. There is a "Ochazuke Bar" in Kiyamachi area in Kyoto where you get to try the real taste of ochazuke with some nice sake! This is a good place to taste some local food in Kyoto! FYI, there are lots of bars and eateries on Kiyamachi and Pontchao Streets and if you want to enjoy your night-out in Kyoto those streets are recommended!

Have a good night!

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Machiya Residence Inn Kyoto

Tel：075－708-5610

Fax：075－708－5611

Mail: info@kyoto-machiya-inn.com

URL:http://www.kyoto-machiya-inn.com

Twitter:http://twitter.com/KyotoMachiyaInn

Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Machiya-Residence-Inn-Kyoto/129207050467744

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Information for Tanabata or Star Festival in Kyoto

Hiro (July 6, 2011 7:55 AM) | Comment(0) | Trackback(0)

Tanabata is the Star Festival held on July 7 in Japan.

This is based on a Chinese legend in which Altair (the star of the herdsman) and Vega (the star of the weaver-princess), though separated on opposite sides of the Milky Way, meet once a year on this day.

People write their wishes on on strips of tanzaku which they hang on a special bamboo tree as a way of praying for good relationships and romantic encounters.

Here are a couple of events to be held on the day of Tanabata in Kyoto.

-Kibune Water Festival at Kibune Shirne

(During this ritual prayers are offered the the Deity of Rain.The night time illumination is created with lanterns in the shrine precinct)

-Mitarashi Festival and Tanabata Festival at Kitano Tenmangu Shrine

(Many stalls related to the deity are set up in front of the shrine. A special Tanabata dance to be preformed as well)

-Tanabata Festival at Jishu Shrine

(The home for the Deity of Love. People visit this shrine to write their wishes on on strips of tanzaku which they hang on a special bamboo tree as a way of praying for good relationships and romantic encounters. )

(Quoted from Kyoto Visitor`s Guide issued for July)

Have a good Tanabata day!

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Machiya Residence Inn Kyoto
Tel：075－708-5610
Fax：075－708－5611
Mail: info@kyoto-machiya-inn.com
URL:http://www.kyoto-machiya-inn.com
Twitter:http://twitter.com/KyotoMachiyaInn
Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Machiya-Residence-Inn-Kyoto/129207050467744

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Yasaka Pagoda, a symbol of the Higashiyama district

Hiro (April 17, 2011 9:59 AM) | Comment(1) | Trackback(0)

One of the recommend places to see when you visit Kyoto is "Yasaka Pagoda". This five-tier pagoda is also known as "Ho-kanji Temple" and this is a symbol of the Higashiyama district. It is said that the pagoda was established by Prince Shotoku in the second year of Emperor Sushun`s reign in 589. Three Buddhist relics were collected for the establishment of this temple and a prayer is made for stability of the nation.

The pagoda is 46 meters in height and was last built in 1440 by Ashikaga Yoshinori, making it the oldest pagoda in Kyoto. The roofs are "honkawara-buki"style and its unique shape was designed to protect the pagoda from the rain and strong wind.

Once you go inside the building you will see a long pillar that goes all the way up to the top. This pillar is only held by a foundation stone on the ground and a pagoda finial on the top, keeping the whole pagoda in balance. Three Buddhist relics were buried inside a foundation stone here.↓

Religiously, this pillar is like a "artery" that connects three Buddhist relics with a pagoda finial which is believed as Buddha`s grave.

Other recommended places to see or go around the pagoda include;

- Kiyomizu Temple

-Sannenzaka, Ninenzaka and Ichinenzaka

-Nene-no-michi or Nene Road

-Ishibe-koji or Ishibe Path

-Kodaiji Temple

-Entokuin Temple

Access from Kohakuan (Approximately 12 minutes)

1.Take the Bus 202 or 207 from Sennyuji-michi Bus Stop
2.Get off at Kiyomizu-michi Bus Stop
3. Walk to Yasaka Pagoda

Access from Shikokuan
-Walk towards the east for 20-25 minutes

I hope this will help to explore the Higashiyama area. Have a good day!

Machiya Residence Inn Kyoto
Tel: (81) 75 708 5610
Fax: (81) 75 708 5611
Email: info@kyoto-machiya-inn.com
Web: http://www.kyoto-machiya-inn.com/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/KyotoMachiyaInn
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Machiya-Residence-Inn-Kyoto/129207050467744

Kyoto Machiya Blog

JIDAI MATSURI (Festival of the Ages)

Kyo-no-tanabata Festival

For your sento experience in a local community

Kyoto Mahciya Blog

Kyoto`s nice restaurants, cafes and bars recommended by locals

The weather forecast for tonight

The Main Purpose of Tsuboniwa garden at Machiya

"Ochazuke Bar" in Kiyamachi, Kyoto

Information for Tanabata or Star Festival in Kyoto

Yasaka Pagoda, a symbol of the Higashiyama district

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