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mbarkerThat was fun. Our friend who lives in Uji (basically a part of Kyoto, although they don't say that) suggested that we have dinner and then go into Kyoto for the "light up." We hadn't heard about this before, but decided to do it. So Saturday, March 15, we rode the subway into Higashi Yama station (Tozai line). Depending on where you are coming from, you might end up at Shijo on Karasuma Line, too.
In the station, they had some of the lights set out along the way, although not turned on. Think luminari (from the US Southwest) or footlights? Basically small lanterns, with painted sides, set something like three meters apart along the sidewalks or walls (once we got outside). Different areas had different styles - some were covered with illustrations by schoolchildren, one area seemed to have ceramic ones with vented sides, one had what looked like an iron or copper worker's plates strung together.
And people, of course. As we walked out of the station, there were several people handing out maps, with the route well-marked, although one could simply follow the crowds. The roads are mostly blocked from traffic, so it is pedestrians only. And do watch, because there are roughly 1.89 cameras per person being used, so that one is quite likely to stumble over a camera person trying desperately to get their tripod, camera, or cellphone into just the right place for that picture. There are crowds at various vantage points, all jockeying politely to get their friends posed and pictures taken.
But it's fun. Walk along, listen to the taiko playing somewhere in the garden of a big temple (we were too late to go in - they said to come back before 7 pm). Wander through the illuminated ikebana promonade (flower arrangements) and the illuminated art display (I think it was a college art group?). A small stream turned into a delight with bamboo candle-holders in threes scattered up and down it. A collection of tiny teruteru bozu (white ghostly witch figures, used to change the weather, and lit up in this artist's imaginative work) with a name like Clear, but sometimes (leaving us to imagine the rain :-). And free tastes of green tea, plum tea, hot wine . . .
Many of the stores along the way are open, taking advantage of the first real tourist event of the spring (I think it is the first, anyway - first with nice weather?).
So - after our first week of warm weather, a very nice wander through Kyoto for a couple of hours on Saturday night. We didn't quite get to Kiyomizudera, but we walked most of the route. For those familiar with Kyoto, it goes from Sanjo to Gojo (Kiyomizudera) which is a fair walk, with side offerings along the way. Ah - and poking at the website, there is an English guide at http://www.hanatouro.jp/pdf/higashi_e.pdf
Recommended, if you are in the area this week.
In the station, they had some of the lights set out along the way, although not turned on. Think luminari (from the US Southwest) or footlights? Basically small lanterns, with painted sides, set something like three meters apart along the sidewalks or walls (once we got outside). Different areas had different styles - some were covered with illustrations by schoolchildren, one area seemed to have ceramic ones with vented sides, one had what looked like an iron or copper worker's plates strung together.
And people, of course. As we walked out of the station, there were several people handing out maps, with the route well-marked, although one could simply follow the crowds. The roads are mostly blocked from traffic, so it is pedestrians only. And do watch, because there are roughly 1.89 cameras per person being used, so that one is quite likely to stumble over a camera person trying desperately to get their tripod, camera, or cellphone into just the right place for that picture. There are crowds at various vantage points, all jockeying politely to get their friends posed and pictures taken.
But it's fun. Walk along, listen to the taiko playing somewhere in the garden of a big temple (we were too late to go in - they said to come back before 7 pm). Wander through the illuminated ikebana promonade (flower arrangements) and the illuminated art display (I think it was a college art group?). A small stream turned into a delight with bamboo candle-holders in threes scattered up and down it. A collection of tiny teruteru bozu (white ghostly witch figures, used to change the weather, and lit up in this artist's imaginative work) with a name like Clear, but sometimes (leaving us to imagine the rain :-). And free tastes of green tea, plum tea, hot wine . . .
Many of the stores along the way are open, taking advantage of the first real tourist event of the spring (I think it is the first, anyway - first with nice weather?).
So - after our first week of warm weather, a very nice wander through Kyoto for a couple of hours on Saturday night. We didn't quite get to Kiyomizudera, but we walked most of the route. For those familiar with Kyoto, it goes from Sanjo to Gojo (Kiyomizudera) which is a fair walk, with side offerings along the way. Ah - and poking at the website, there is an English guide at http://www.hanatouro.jp/pdf/higashi_e.pdf
Recommended, if you are in the area this week.
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They do an autumn one too
Date: 2008-03-16 10:10 am (UTC)