March - 2018 3/3

Kimono for Hinamatsuri (Girl's Festival)

Hinamatsuri (雛祭り, Girl's Festival) is a Japaneses traditional event annually held on March 3rd, where people celebrate and pray for the...

Sachinoi, a Well at Kyoto Gyoen National Garden

If you take some time to explore Kyoto Gyoen, you will come across many sites of historical importance. Among them, a monument which...

Roubai Flowers at Kyoto Gyoen National Garden

Some hints of spring are showing up all around in Kyoto. Sweet scents of plum flowers are in the air. At Kyoto Gyoen National Garden...

Hina Dolls Now Displayed at Oike Bettei Branch

Hinamatsuri (おひなさん, 雛祭り, Girls' Doll festival, a Japanese tradition to celebrate and pray for the health of girls in the family) is...

Honmaru Yaguramon Gate at Nijo Castle

There are many culturally and historically important gate constructions at Nijo (二条) caslte. Among them, Homaru Yaguramon* (本丸櫓門) gate, a...

Ninomaru Goten at Nijo Castle

This year is the 150th anniversary of Meiji Ishin (明治維新, political restoration at the beginning of the Meiji period). Since last year was...

Get Dressed in Kimono by a Professional

At the times of my mother and grandmother, Kimono was to quickly wear by themselves just before leaving the house. However, now it's a...

White Plum Blossoms at Kyoto Gyoen National Garden

It's getting to be the season for plum flower viewing. Today, Hanami (花見) usually means cherry blossom viewing. However, in the Nara...

Spring is Here - Tsukushi (Young stem of Horsetail)

I'm always excited around this time of year. It's the time hints of spring can be found everywhere. If you walk around in Kyoto, you will...