Nara Todai-ji Temple
東大寺
Omizutori
(Water-Drawing Festival)
2010年 3月 1日 （月） ～ 2010年 3月 14日 （日）
3月12日～１4日
The Omizutori, the highlight of this event, is performed early on the morning of the 13th.
Date: March 1st-14th
This event goes back 1,000 years. Buddhist priests draw up healing waters and run about with huge pine torches.

Priests at Todai-ji Temple, famous for its enormous statue of Buddha, confess their sins before the Eleven-faced Kannon enshrined in Nigatsu-do Hall, and also pray for world peace and a rich harvest for 14 consecutive days. This ritual, called Shuni-e, has continued since 752.
During this period, an event known as Otaimatsu is really worth seeing. Priests run to and fro along the corridors of Nigatsu-do waving huge pine torches. It is believed that if you are showered with these fire sparks, you will be protected from evil things.

The Omizutori, the highlight of this event, is performed early on the morning of the 13th. Water which only springs forth in front of the temple building on this very day is drawn up and offered to the Buddhist deities. This water is said to have special powers for curing all disease.

This spring water is believed to reach Todai-ji after passing underground for more than 10 days from Obama City, Fukui Prefecture. Even today, the Omizuokuri ceremony is performed on March 2nd at Jingu-ji Temple in Fukui Prefecture to see off the departure of the divine water.

Water that has been drawn up is poured into a pot the following day, and to this pot they add water taken from a different pot which has been continuously replenished for over 1,200 years - the resulting mixture being preserved

東大寺 お水取
2010年 3月 1日 （月） ～ 2010年 3月 14日 （日）
3月12日～１4日
奈良東大寺二月堂のお水取りは、２１世紀になって２００１年で１，２５０回目を越えました。新たな世紀に回を重ね、奈良時代の開始以来一度も休んでいない。お水取りのおたいまつは、毎年３月１日から１４日まで行われます。
奈良市東大寺二月堂で、3月12日から14日の間に行われる行事です。一般的には12日のお水取や籠松明の行のことを指し、俗称としてこう呼ばれるようになりました。この日は近畿圏にとどまらず、全国各地から多くの人々が参詣します。松明の火の粉が二月堂の舞台廊に降り注ぐ場面を思い浮かべる人も多いかと思いますが、“お水取”そのものの意味は、13日の午前2時頃、二月堂の良弁杉の下にある、若狭小浜の遠敷明神から送られてくる、若狭井の聖水を汲む行のことを指します。この水は、本尊の十一面観音に供えられ、その後、一般の参詣客にも少しずつ配られます。

95 species and about 1,250 Japanese plum trees planted there become well known for early flowering from the end of January as usual. They are characteristically made low and wide by trimming, so that visitors can enjoy KANBAI easily without casting their eyes up.

Schedule : From Early Feb to Early Mar
Fee : Free

Kobe Nankinmachi Shunsetsusai
( Chinese New Year Festival )

February 13th -21st, 2010

Though the Western calendar is used as the standard for public administration in China, the lunar calendar, which has been traditionally used in agriculture, sets Shunsetsu (this year as February 13th) as New Year's Day, which is when the holiday is celebrated. The lion dance is performed about the town with "Long long" (the male dragon) and "Mei long" (the female dragon) wildly dancing. Visitors can enjoy authentic Chinese food at the many stalls and stands and maybe even try a rare taste not usually encountered in one's day-to-day life. Attracting many visitors with a variety of events and Chinese food, this is one of the more famous festivals of wintertime.

旧暦で節句を祝う中国では旧暦のお正月を「春節」として盛大に祝います。この時期の中国は爆竹が鳴り響き、祝い事には欠かせない龍や獅子が舞い踊り、大いに賑わいます。

南京町でも旧暦の正月に合わせ、1987年（昭和62年）から「春節」をアレンジし「春節祭」として開催が始まりました。その後、昭和天皇崩御の年と阪神淡路大震災の年の２回は中止となりましたが、2010年は24年目22回目の開催となります。1997年（平成９年）には、神戸市の地域無形民俗文化財に指定されました。

Ado英語落語in Miki
Let's enjoy Rakugo in English together !
Ｓｕｎｄａｙ　Ｊａｎｕａｒｙ　３１，２０１０
Ｍｉｋｉ　Ｅｄｕｃａｔｉｏｎ　Ｃｅｎｔｅｒ
1pm-3pm. Free admission. Nearest stn: Mikiue-no-maru.

Rakugo is a traditional Japanese performance art in which a solo entertainer sits on stage and tells comical stories, with no set or props apart from a folding fan and a hand towel. This particular event’s stories will focus on the olden days of Japan (translated into English), performed by skilled entertainers who hail from different parts of the world. No need to read subtitles, just keep your eyes on the performer and sit back and enjoy some fantastical nostalgic stories from the good ol’ days.

Osaka International Women’s Marathon
(42.195km)
Nagai Stadium
Jan 31 (Sun) 12:10 start

The Osaka International Women’s Marathon starting from Nagai Athletic Field is a hot contest with approx. 500 participants.

Top runners from Japan and abroad race in the streets of Osaka. Starting at Nagai Stadium, passing through the Osaka Castle Park, past the Osaka Municipal Hall, down Midosuji Street, and back through the park to finish at the stadium.
From 12:10pm. Free admission. Nearest stn: Nagai

Wakakusayama Hill Grass Burning Ceremony


23 January
fireworks display　5:50 p.m. ~

Wakakusayama Hill is set alight in the winter night of the ancient capital. This is the first event of the year in Nara. As soon as the dried grass is lit, the fire spreads over the hill.
At 5:50pm, a rocket firework is launched as a signal, and at 6pm, the face of the mountain is set on fire. Soon the entire 33 ha mountain is burning, and the blaze reaches into the night skies over the ancient capitol.



奈良の若草山は標高３４２ｍ、３つの山が重なっていることから、三笠山とも言われています。
その若草山の山焼きの行事は、 山に火を入れ山全体を燃やしてしまうという古都奈良の新年を飾る炎の祭礼です。 現在は１月の第４土曜日に行われており毎年多くの観光客が訪れます。 若草山の山焼きをこのガイドがご案内いたします。

Kasuga Taisha Shrine
（ 春日大社 ）
Kasuga Wakamiya Onmatsuri
December 15 ~ 18

가스가와카미야온마쓰리
12월15일∼18일

春日若宮禦祭
12月15日-18日

春日若宮おん祭
（かすがわかみやおんまつり）

December
15 16 17 18

Kasuga Wakamiya Onmatsuri is a festival held in Nara at the end of the year. Beautifully dressed people walk about in costumes of the 9th to 19th century. Some of them ride horses.

During the festival days, Kagura and Maigaku (traditional Japanese dances and performance of ancient Japanese musical instruments) are dedicated to the shrine.

Take bus No.70,88,97,98 or 133 and get off at Kasuga Taisha Honden.

야마토지 길에서 벌어지는 연중 행사의 피날레가 되는 호화로운 축제. 홍백의 깃발을 앞세우고 헤이안(平安) 시대(9세기)부터 에도(江戶) 시대(19세기)까지의 복장을 갖춰 입은 사람들이 말을 타고 줄지어 행진합니다. 또한, 가구라(神樂)음악과 무악(舞樂) 등 신사 행사와 관련된 예능을 신에게 봉납합니다.

JR 긴테쓰나라역에서70, 88, 97, 98, 133번 버스로 [가스가다이샤혼덴]하차, 바로 근처

作为在大和路举行的年内活动落幕的豪华祭礼。头阵打着红白旗，穿着从平安时代（9c）到江户时代（19c）的服装的人们骑着马整队游行而来。同时，也在神前献纳神乐、舞乐等技艺的祭神仪式。

从JR-近铁奈良车站乘70、88、97、98、133路公共汽车，到Kasuga Taisya Honden下车后即到

作為在大和路舉行的年內活動落幕的豪華祭禮。頭陣打著紅白旗，穿著從平安時代（9c）到江戶時代（19c）的服裝的人們騎著馬整隊遊行而來。同時，也在神前獻納神樂、舞樂等技藝的祭神儀式。

從JR-近鐵奈良車站乘70、88、97、98、133路公共汽車，到Kasuga Taisya Honden下車後即到

春日若宮おん祭の起源は、1136年当時、全国的な洪水飢饉のために万民が苦しんでいるのを憂えた時の関白藤原忠通公が若宮神を春日野の仮御殿にお遷し申し上げて数々の芸能を奉納し、丁重にお祭りしたところ、雨は止み、作物豊穣となり、天下が無事に治まったので、以来毎年行うことになったと伝えられています。
神秘的な神事が厳格に守られ、芸能においては、日本古来の神楽などをはじめ、大陸から伝来した舞楽や、中世民間におこった田楽・猿楽等の珍しい芸能も正しい形で継承されており、生きた古典芸能博物館といわれています。
15日に大宿所（おおしゅくしょ）でお祭りが行われ、16日に若宮神社で宵宮のお祭りが行われますが、何と言っても17日が一番盛り上がり、午前0時から始まる遷幸（せんこう）の儀から午前11時の還幸（かんこう）の儀まで24時間中お祭りが続きます。
一般的に、正午から始まるお渡り式が有名ですが、午後2時30分から行われるお旅所祭は、おん祭の本番ともいうべき中心行事です。仮御殿へお遷りになられた若宮様の御前、芝居の語源といわれる芝舞台の上で、厳粛な祭典が斎行され、神楽をはじめとする珠玉の古典芸能が午後10時30分頃まで、絶え間なく奉納されます。18日にはお祭りに関わった人々へのねぎらいの行事といわれる後宴として、奉納相撲と後宴能が行われます。

：In Sakai-shi ( 堺市 )：
Iwatsuta Shrine ( 石津太神社 )
December 14
Yassaihossai ( やっさい ほっさい )

“Fire-Walk”.
（火渡り）
20:00～21:00

Yassaihossai consists of a ritual where 108 bundles of charcoal are burned in front of the shrine’s altar as people walk across the resulting fire. It is said that bringing home a charcoal ember confers protection against evil spirits.

Arashiyama Hanatouro 2009

Dec 11 – Dec 20
5:00pm – 8:30pm

The daylight world transformed in to a magical fairy-tale landscape

The Amateur events are the Saga-Arashiyama Region, one of Japan’s leading spots of scenic beauty, and the foot of the history-rich Higashiyama mountain. At ‘Kyoto Arashiyama Hanatouro 2009’, held in December, and ‘Kyoto Higashiyama Hanatouro’, held in March, the walkways of these areas where you can find famous locations are bathed in the gentle glow of over 2,000 andon. The delicate design of the andon themselves demand a second look, each one the product of traditional ceramic and metalwork techniques. Along the way, you will find breathtakingly spectacular floral displays created by professional flower arrangers, adding a dash of magnificent color to the gentle light.

2009 Kobe Luminarie

In [KOBE]
December 3 ~ December 14
From Monday to Thursday about 18:00 - 21:30

Friday about 18:00 - 22:00

Saturday about 17:30 - 22:00

Sunday about 17:30 - 21:30

The Kobe Luminarie began as a requiem and prayer for recovery and hope after the Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake that occurred in 1995.
This years Kobe Luminarie is scheduled to be held for 12 days between, December 3 and December 14.
Each day the illumination will begin from the following times.

Shin-no Festival
November 22、23

It is performed every year on .23 day on November 22

Held on November 22 and 23 at Sukunahikona Jinja Shrine, this is a festival dedicated to the guardian god of Doshomachi, Osaka's medicine district, and to Shinno, the divine founder of medicine from China. During the festival, the shrine is crowded with people holding bamboo branches with a "paper tiger" attached believed to ward off evil, and who pray for protection against illness and other misfortune. People in the drug and pharmaceuticals business also come here for assistance from this god.

Hojuji Temple　　（　法住寺　）
鬼が踊り歩く

Hojuji Temple Ogoma-ku　Nov 15
1 PM ～
法住寺大護摩供　　11月15日（土）

Humorous performance
Long nosed gobulin ( Tengu ) and three devils ( Oni ) dance to the rythum. Very interesting.

From 13:00, various traditional performances will be held (music, songs, etc.). Oni hogaku and Yamabushi Mondo (tengu goblins and three other goblins) will dance around the Fudo-do Hall. 200 yen for a piece of wood amulent.
Free

採灯大護摩供奉修は鬼法楽、山伏問答があり、天狗を先頭に、赤、青、黒の鬼が拍子を合わせて踊り歩く、珍しくも楽しい儀式です。

Nagaokakyo Gracia Festival
長岡京ガラシャ祭2009
November 8　（１１月８日）


京都府長岡京市は、市内全域が長岡京跡に覆われ、多くの古墳群、神社仏閣や城址が存在し、古代から中世、近世にいたる日本の歴史の主要舞台となった事物が多く集積しています。
　平成4年、長岡京市の歴史遺産の一つである勝竜寺城跡を整備し、市民が憩える勝竜寺城公園が完成しました。
その完成を記念して、今から約400年前に織田信長のすすめにより、細川氏に嫁いできた明智光秀の娘「玉」の輿入れの様子を再現する行列巡行を開催しようという提案が市民からありました。それ以降、毎年11月に市民まつりとして、「長岡京ガラシャ祭」を実施しています。毎年多くの市民の参加を得て、盛大に開催され、広く市民に親しまれています。

Hosokawa Gracia (born circa 1563) was Japan's first saint and lived during a nationwide boom in Christianity. Born Akechi Tama, she was a daughter of Akechi Mitsuhide, a famous daimyo. During her life she was exiled for her faith, and then, finally, chose to die in the flames of her castle (destroyed by the warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi).
A big part of this festival is the re-enactment of Madam Hosokawa Garcia’s wedding parade and the procession of towns people who celebrate the wedding. The bride is carried to the groom in a gorgeous kago or palanquin (see photo). About 900 people will march about 3 km through the city. Festival Highlights: opening show at 14:00; transferal of Gracia role at 17:00; historical opera at 18:00. The wedding parade departs Shoryuji Castle for Shoryuji Castle Park at 11:30; re-enactment of the wedding ceremony in the park from 12:00. A tea ceremony at Shimin Hiroba; bonsai and orchid exhibition; Shoryuji treasure display and market; 10:00-16:00

Maple Leaf Festival in Arashiyama
Kyoto Arashiyama area
（嵐山もみじ祭）

NOV.8 ( except rainy day )
11月８日（日） （雨天中止）嵐山・渡月橋一帯
10：30～　　13：00～
This magnificent event has been staged annually as way to appreciate the fantastic natural autumn environment of Arashiyama, famous for its maple leaves. On boats on the river, people dressed in the traditional costume perform dance and music. The events start from 10:30.

Free


Performance of Japanese traditional arts ( dance, Noh-play etc ) , staged on boats on the Oigawa-River.

紅葉の一大名所、嵐山渡月橋一帯で船遊び絵巻が繰り広げられます。箏曲小督船、今様歌舞船、能舞台船など多くの船が大堰川に次々と浮かび、河原では数々のイベントが催されます。

Miniature Edo - Hikone Castle Festival
（ 小江戸彦根の城まつり ）
Nov 3　1:00pm～3:00pm


Places to see
A festival commemorating the birth of Naosuke Ii, the thirteenth daimyo of the Hikone Clan.
The spectacular Castle Festival Parade on Culture Day (November 3) features a drum and fife band, a procession of "manners and customs" from ancient times, and children costumed as samurai.
Other events include the Hikone Castle Speed Palanquin Relay Competition and an antiques market.


11月3日（祝）　13:00～15:00
江戸時代からタイムスリップしたような時代絵巻を展開するこのパレードは、城まつりのメインイベントです。
子供大名行列や子供時代風俗行列、彦根町火消し列、井伊の赤鬼家臣団列などが約2時間にわたり市内を練り歩きます