Geisha performances and coming Aoi Festival!

“Traditional Geisha Performance in spring, Kyoto”

Apr 1st - Apr 30th MIYAKO ODORI 3min walk from the hostel

May 1st - May 24th KAMOGAWA ODORI 10 min walk from the hostel

“Light Up Event in spring, Kyoto”

Sunset - 9:30 PM until Early May "Kodai-ji Zen Temple" 15 min walk from the hostel

“Aoi Matsuti (One of 3 biggest Festival in Kyoto)”

This is the annual festival of Shimogamo - jinja Shrine and Kamigamo - jinja Shrine. Its actual name is Kamo Festival. Along with the Gion Festival and the Jidai Matsuri (Festival of Ages), it is one of the three big festivals in Kyoto. Featured is a gorgeous parade in the style of the ancient Heian Court. Everything in the parade is adorned with the hollyhock leaf crest, also called "aoi" _ thus the name of the festival. The parade leaves the Kyoto Imperial Palace at 10:30 in the morning. The 700-meter-long parade passes Shimogamo - jinja Shrine and heads for Kamigamo - jinja Shrine Shrine. 

↓↓↓Ｒelated Events↓↓↓

★May 3rd Yabusame Shinji @ Shimogamo Shrine

(Traditional Japanese mounted archery in the mysterious forest of Kedashi)

★May 4th Kobudo Hono @ Shimogamo Shrine

(Performance of traditional Japanese martial arts ex. Naginata, Kendo, Jujutsu, etc.)

★May 5th Kamokurabe Uma @ Kamikamo Shrine

(Traditional Japanese horse racing)

★May 5th Busha Shinji @ Shimogamo Shrine

(Heian stlyle ground archery)

★May 12th Mikage Matsuri @ Shimogamo Shrine

(Heian style march and shrine rituals)

★May 15th Aoi Matsuri from Shimogamo Shrine to KamikamoShrine

(Main march in Heian costumes, one of 3 biggest Festival in Kyoto!!!)

Come stay with us and check them out ;)

bAKpAK Kyoto Hostel/bAKpAK Gion Hostel











 

Hinamatsuri in Kyoto!

Experience the historical custom in the old capital!

Hinamatsuri is a common girl's day celebration in Japan.

Literally translated as Doll Festival,  its origin dates back to Heian Period.

People used to float paper dolls down rivers (Nagashi-bina) on March 3rd,

believing the dolls would carry away their bad luck.

This practice was later incorporated into a court function

in which wealthy families displayed Hina dolls.

Today, we display dolls of the emperor and empress and their attendants,

praying for the future growth and well-being of their daughters.

1st March 11AM～ 

☆Girl's day festival @ Hokyo-ji Temple☆

Enjoy the temple's awesome doll collection and a special dance performance by Tayu (special ranked geisha in Shimabara district). 600 yen for doll exhibition ;)

3rd March 10AM～Noon

★Nagashibina event @ Shimogamo-Shrine★

Pray for the safety of children with women in Heian costumes setting straw Hina dolls afloat on the river in the world heritage. So sweet, eh? Free of charge :)

3rd March 1PM～4PM

☆Hina-Matsuri Festival @ Ichihime Shrine☆

Don't miss the miko dance and the demonstration of court-costume-changing to celebrate the girl's day. Ichihime Shrine is just a walking distance from bAkpAk Kyoto Hostel ;) 1,000 yen for the performances.

Stay with us and pray for girls ;)   bAkpAk Kyoto/Gion Hostel

New spring celebration in Kyoto ;D

Setsubun is over, spring is coming :)

↓↓Selected spring events around Kyoto Hostel↓↓

★23rd Feb (wed) Godairiki Festival★

Place: Daigo-ji Temple (Easy access from Kyoto Hostel by subway)

Time: 9AM-5PM, 23rd Feb (wed)

"The unique competition to lift up a HUGE RICE CAKE will be held at Daigo-ji, where The Five Wisdom Kings of Shingon sect of esoteric Buddhism are enshrined. Special talisman will be given to visitors on the day."

★25th Feb (fri) Plum Festival★

Place: Kitano-Tenmangu Shrine (Easy access from Kyoto Hostel by city bus)

Time: 10AM-11AM (Shinto rituals), 10AM-3PM (tea ceremony), 25th Feb (fri)

"Plum blossoms embody coming spring in Japan. The plum festival is held to commemorate the death of Sugawara-no Michizane, who is enshrined at Kitano-Tenmangu Shrine. Maiko and geiko of Kamishichiken district will serve matcha (green tea) under plum trees."

Make reservations before we get fully booked!!

bAKpAk Kyoto/Gion Hostel :)

Visit kyoto Between April 12th ~ April 25th 2010

Have you  alreday plan  your trip to kyoto or you visiting kyoto between April 12th and 25th 2010
There a lot events going down in kyoto   around this season we have selected few  which might interested   travellers visting kyoto ---- Check the list below !

* Monday April 12-  Myoren-ji Temple 
Open market for kimono and loads of antiques -Best bet for  cheap souvenir
Hours : 9.00am - 17.00pm



 * Thursday April 15 - Chion-ji Temple
 One of kyoto`s finest handicraft bazar with incredible prices & good bargains
 Hours : 8:00am  - 16:00pm


* Wednesday Apil 21 - To-ji Temple
Big flee market and bazar for almost everything and god place to grab nice souvenir
Hours : 7:00am - 17:00pm



* Sunday  Apil 25- Kitano Tenmangu Shrine
Huge  flee market & bazar  at Tenjin-san must go early to avoid rush on holidays
Hours : 7:00am - 16:30pm

Always try and get good bargains  and  some nice  souvenir at the market .
If you need more information  about this events you ask our staff at the front desk  of
bakpak kyoto hostel or the gion hostel or contact the kyoto tourism information

whats going on in kyoto

Its warm and crazy in kyoto , with all the geisha and the maiko and the geisha and maiko wana be running about alongside the tourists as well .
The sakura is also blooming with many cherry bloosoom trees all over the place with many people taking snapshots and hanging around on parks and along the kamogawa river banks .
Its a good time for picnics and chilling with freinds and making new ones .
If you dying to take pictures of geisha or maiko this is the best times because they are all over the place especially around the gion areas and around the bakpak gion and kyoto hostels .
They are always trooping around the hostels with their make ups and coloured nice clothings .
Just keep your fingers cross and hang around and you will be lucky to take a picture with a geisha .
You can aslo see the geisha performing at the gion corner its also nice and well recomemded .
For more information visit their website and do not hesitate to ask the staff at the bakpak kyoto hostels .