Best 7 “Must see events” guide in Kyoto for March 2018 (w/Photos)
Especially Kyoto is a famous sightseeing location in Japan for tourists all over the world. You can feel traditional Japanese culture and history in this former capital city of Japan. You can enjoy visit temples, shrines, beautiful sceneries or enjoy delicious dishes. Let’s enjoy the events to be held in Kyoto with sightseeing. This time we’ll show you the art / traditional events in March.
Contemporary art events
１.Kyoto・Higashiyama Hanatouro.2018
March.9.2018 – March.18.2018
source: 0120697272
Kyoto・Higashiyama Hanatouro is an event where a gorgeous spring evening is directed with LED equiped Andon (lanterns) made from kiyomizuyaki (pottery), bamboo, Kitayamasugi (cedar) and Ikebana (traditional flower arrangement.) The lanterns light up the 5 km walking path going through Shoren-in Temple to Kiyomizu-dera Temple. This event is getting more and more popular as a spring festival in Kyoto.
During this event, a grand flower arrangement competition is held with the cooperation of Kyoto Ikebana Association, in Maruyama Park. Besides “Take akari Yūgen no
Kawa” – illumination by 500 bamboo lanterns (In case of rainy weather this event may be canceled.) is also held. You also can visit the temples and shrines around this area offer special opening and illumination during this event. Let’s go to fantastic Kyoto in spring.
Schedule
March.9.2018 – March.18.2018
18:00 – 21:30
※It will go on rain or shine
Access & address
・Place
Higashiyama area “ Around Shōren-in (temple) – Maruyama Park – Kiyomizu-dera (temple) ”
・Nearest station and travel time from the station
Bus stop “Gojōzaka” ” Kiyomizu-michi” 10-minute walk
・Travel time from the terminal station of the city
From Kyoto Station about 25minutes bus & walk
・Address Kyoto Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto
・Map
Admission & reservation
Visit free
There is the case of the admission fee required at temples and shrines
No reservation required
Official website
http://www.hanatouro.jp/higashiyama/
２. Van Gogh & Japan
January 20 – March 4. 2018
source: NHK
The National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto is located at Okazaki Kyoto Sakyo-ku in Okazaki Park. This joint exhibition with the Van Gogh Museum presents “Van Gogh & Japan”. At this exhibition, you can see oil paintings and sketches from the collections of prestigious museums of the world, some of his works that have never been released as individual collections. Van Gogh was influenced by Japanese art such as Ukiyo-e for his work Oiran (courtesan), an admiration for Japan as a kind of Utopia drawn on the details of the work. You also can see “Self-portrait as Painter” for the first time in 12 years, and the second visit to Japan. It is a special opportunity so let’s visit!
Schedule
January 20 – March 4. 2018
9:30 – 17:00 Every Friday and Saturday during this event / – 20:00（admission until 30 minutes before closing time）
※Closed on Mondays
Access & address
・Place
The National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto
・Nearest station and travel time from the station
Higashiyama Station 10-minute walk
・Travel time from the terminal station of the city
From Kyoto Station about 30 minutes bus & walk
・Address 26-1, Okazaki Enshoji-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto
・Map
Admission & reservation
Tickets at the door：
General 1,500yen ／ College students 1,100yen ／ High school students 600yen
No reservation required
Official website
Traditional festival
３.Nagashi-bina(paper dolls floated downriver)in Kyoto – March.3.2018
source: the-kyoto
Shimogamo Shrine is a historical shrine designated as a world heritage site. Nagashi-bina which is held at this shrine is a traditional event since around 794. Nowadays in Japan we decorate hina-ningyo (traditional dolls) on March 3rd for girls. It used to Nagashi-bina (paper dolls floated downriver) was common way to hoping for the growth of their child instead of decorating Besides Nagashi-bina was not only for girls, also boys to wishing health. Nagashi-bina at Shimogamo Shrine welcomes everyone. You might get paper dolls to do Nagashi-bina for free though arrival limited. You also can buy paper dolls with sandawara ( just like a dish made with straw) 1000yen for a big one, 500 yen for a small one. You can float these dolls at Mitarai-ike or Mitarai-gawa .It is said that Nagashi-bina is a purification ritual. Let’s try!
Schedule
March.3.2018
Nagashi-bina ceremony 11：00 –
Nagashi-bina for General public 12：00 –
Access & address
・Place
Shimogamo Shrine
・Nearest station and travel time from the station
From Keihan “Demachiyanagi Station” 10-minute walk
Kyoto City Bus, Bus stop ”Shimogamo-jinja(shrine) mae” nearby
・Travel time from the terminal station of the city
From Kyoto Station about 40 minutes by bus
・Address 59 Shimogamoizumigawacho, Kyoto Sakyo-ku, Kyoto
・Map
Admission & reservation
Free of charge
No reservation required
Official website
http://www.shimogamo-jinja.or.jp/
４. Seiryu-e March 14 & 15 / April 3rd.2018
source: kyotomoyou
Kiyomizu-dera (temple) is located in Kyoto Higashiyama-ku. It’s one of the most well-known temples in Kyoto. Many people visit here as a sightseeing or religious place. Seiryu-e is held at this famous historical location. One of the legends of the temple says that a blue dragon (Seiryu in Japanese), an incarnation of Kannon, flies to drink from the Otowa-no-taki (waterfall) every night. Furthermore, Yasha, originally a demon-god, is enshrined in a small shrine in the south side of Okuno-in hall. Yasha has been worshiped as a match-making god who guards the ground of Seiryu and the principal image as well as a disruptor of evil karma. At this event, with an 18-meter long figure of the blue dragon leading the way by ten people, a wide variety of performers adorned with gorgeous costumes parade through the grounds and the temple town, praying for regional peace and expelling bad luck. You should see the powerful blue dragon.
Schedule
March 14 & 15.2018 / April 3rd
14:00 – 15:30
Access & address
・Place
Kiyomizu-dera(temple)
・Nearest station and travel time from the station
From bus stop “Gojōzaka” ” Kiyomizu-michi” 10-minute walk
・Travel time from the terminal station of the city
From Kyoto Station about 30 minutes by bus and walk
・Address 1-294 Kiyomizu Kyoto Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto
・Map
Admission & reservation
Free of charge
Admission for the temple required
（Adults 400yen / Junior high school &elementary school students 200yen）
No reservation required
Official website
http://www.kiyomizudera.or.jp/en/visit/seiryu-e/
Event for traditional cultural experience and learn history
５. Kitano Odori – March 25th to April 7th,2018
source:sankei
“Kitano Odori (dance performance) “performed by gorgeous Kimono costumed Maiko and Geiko is held at Kamishichiken Kaburenjo Theater as an annual event during spring,
Kamishichiken is the oldest hanamachi (geisha district) in Kyoto. It located from Shinseicho Kyoto Kamigyō-ku to Shakenagayacho. Part one, new work“ Kitanomori-no-monogatari” is comical dance play story related Kitano Tenmangū (shrine). Part two is
“irogoyomi zokkyoku-shu”. New work “Kitano-meguri” or other new-old Japanese traditional music will be played. As a finale “kamishichiken-yakyoku” is performed by
all of Geiko with black Kimono and Maiko with colorful gorgeous kimono. Traditional
but easy to understand gorgeous performance is popular that many people visit this event. You will be able to enjoy the spectacular spring of Kyoto with this event.
Schedule
March 25 to April 7th, 2018
13:30 / 16:00 (2stages every day)
Access & address
・Place
Kamishichiken Kaburenjo Theater
・Nearest station and travel time from the station
Bus stop “Kamihichiken”3-minuts walk
・Travel time from the terminal station of the city
From Kyoto Station about 30 minutes by bus and walk
・Address 742 Shinseicho ,imadegawa-dori Shichihonmatsu Nishiiru, Kyoto, Kamigyō-ku,,Kyoto
・Map
Admission & reservation
Tickets with Tea ceremony 4,800yen
Tickets without Tea ceremony 4,300yen
Tea ceremony 600yen
No reservation required
Official website
Event for enjoy nature
６.Chion-in (temple) spring illumination
March.9.2018 – March.18.2018
source: Kyotrip
Chion-in (temple) is located in Kyoto Higashiyama-ku where are famous sightseeing spots, such as Yasaka shrine or Kiyomizu temple in walking distance. At this temple, spring illumination is held. There are many places to see such as Hōjō Teien (Garden ),the Daishōrō (Great Bell Tower), Amida-dō (Amitabha Hall), Karamon (Chinese-style gate). There are many buildings / arts and crafts which are designation of National Treasures / Important Cultural Properties of Japan. Besides Yūzen-en Garden is special open at night during “Kyoto・Higashiyama Hanatouro” period. During opening at night, an event “Let’s listen! Story of the Buddhist monk” is held every day at Amida-do (hall). After listening to the story of the Buddist monk, chant a sutra together. Let’s join the Buddhism world.
Schedule
March.9.2018 – March.18.2018
18:00 － 21; 30 (last entry at 21:00)
Access & address
・Place
Chion-in(temple), Yūzen-en(park) others
・Nearest station and travel time from the station
Bus stop “Chion-in-mae” 5-minute walk
・Travel time from the terminal station of the city
From Kyoto Station about 30 minutes by bus
・Address 400 Rinkacho, Kyoto Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto
・Map
Admission & reservation
Adults 500 yen / Junior high & elementary school students 300 yen
No reservation required
Official website
７. Ume (Plum trees) at Shimogamo Shrine
Mid February, 2018 – Early March, 2018
source: kyoto-tabiya.
Shimogamo shrine has been designated as a World Heritage Site. You see plum trees called “Kōrin –no-ume( plum trees of Kōrin) “near a red arched bridge over the Mitarai river which runs through the “Tadasu no Mori (sacred grove)” in this shrine. “Red and White Plum Blossoms” which is registered as a National Treasure in Japan, is this plum as a motif. The painter of this painting, Kōrin Ogata had rich customers from Kyoto. He learned the classics and did clear, decorative works which still Influence to Japanese paintings, crafts, designs and others. You will find red decorated building at the other side of the red bridge. A contrast with plum blossoms look like Japanese painting. Let’s check landscape of elegant flowers with Japanese traditional style constructions.
Schedule
Mid February, 2018 – Early March,2018
6：30 – 17：00
Access & address
・Place
Shimogamo Shrine
・Nearest station and travel time from the station
From Keihan “Demachiyanagi Station” 10-minute walk
Kyoto City Bus, Bus stop ”Shimogamo-jinja(shrine) mae” nearby
・Travel time from the terminal station of the city
From Kyoto Station about 40 minutes by bus
・Address 59 Shimogamoizumigawacho, Kyoto Sakyo-ku, Kyoto
・Map
Admission & reservation
Visit free
No reservation required
Official website
http://www.shimogamo-jinja.or.jp/
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