Today we headed up to Shimogamo Shrine to see Mitarashi Matsuri. You walk in the stream in the shrine and the power of the deity at the shrine is supposed to purify you. You carry a candle and light it and then you place it in a holder. After that, you drink a cup of the stream's water and it's supposed to ensure that your summer is filled with ( Read more... )

On Sunday, Bridget, who I went to Pitt with and who is a JET in Tochigi, came to Kyoto with her friend Brianne, who was visiting from DC. So, when they got into Kyoto Station, Teddy and I met them and then we took them to Shimogamo Shrine to watch part of the Kobudou Hounou Festival. At least, that's what I think it's called. :D The first part ( Read more... )

Hina Matsuri is on March 3rd and is known as Doll Festival or Girls' Day in English. Families with young girls put out the doll sets on March 3rd and then they must put them away within a set amount of time or the girl will marry late. Some doll sets are very simple, consisting of only two dolls, while other can have many, many dolls. Shimogamo ( Read more... )

I've been really disenchanted with winter in Japan since it began, really. I am at my wits' end, what with everyone complaining and global warming and how freaking cold it is. Let me point out what is so ridiculous about this ( Read more... )

So, after finishing up at Fushimiinari, we decided to head down to Shijo and Sanjo to go to a cafe and look for a present for Kanako's mom and sister, cause their birthdays are in September ( Read more... )

So on Sunday after dinner I decided to go see Shimogamo Shrine cause it's a short walk from my house. I've been having issues posting pictures up onto Photobucket, which is the reason for the delay. Apparently the shrine is actually open during the day, but I went at night so I couldn't go in. I'll have to go back sometime!! Maybe sometime this ( Read more... )