🌝🎑MOON VIEWING🥮👀 Wadaiko (和太鼓) under the full moon at Matsuno'o Taisha (松尾大社)🎑🥁 #moonviewing #お月見 #Kyoto #京都 #MatsunooTaisha #松尾大社 #taiko #wadaiko #和太鼓 #harvestmoon #fullmoon #Japan

Always nice to see my boss's picture pop up in my feed🥰 Tea ceremony experts see matcha hype as a big opportunity japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/10... #matcha #抹茶 #teaceremony #茶道 #Kyoto #京都

🙏BIG BUDDHA AMONGST THE COSMOS😇 Nara is one of the best places in Japan to see cosmos, and in recent years Hannya-ji (般若寺) has taken great efforts to make itself one of the best places in Nara to enjoy the flowers... ...that, and a very unusual soda🥤 #Japan #コスモス #奈良

🙏'FLOWERS OF THE DEAD'😰 From early autumn vivid clusters of flowers begin to frequently appear beside the roads, rice fields and waterways of Kyōto. In Japan spider lilies (particularly the red variety) are known as 'higanbana' (彼岸花), as they bloom around the fall equinox. #higanbana #彼岸花 #Japan

🌸FOOD FOR THE EQUINOX🍂 Food plays an important roll at Higan (彼岸). On the first and last day of the equinoctial week, rice dumplings (団子 'dango') are offered at the family altar. Rice cakes covered in bean jam (botamochi in spring and ohagi in fall) are presented mid-week. #ohagi #botamochi #おはぎ

🍂AUTUMN EQUINOX🙏 Today is Shūbun-no-hi (秋分の日 'Autumn Equinox Day’)📿 Typically falling on September 22nd or 23rd, this time of year coincides with the Buddhist observances 'Shūki Higan-e' (秋季彼岸会 'Autumn Equinoctial Services'). It has been a national holiday since 1948. #autumn #Kyoto #秋分の日

The early bird catches the empty moss garden🙌 #Kyoto #京都 #Saihoji #西芳寺 #Kokedera #苔寺 #mosstemple #moss #苔 #Arashiyama #嵐山

🌿THE 7 FLOWERS OF AUTUMN🥣 Mirroring the '7 Herbs of Spring' (七草の節句), consumed for good health and luck in January, come the '7 Flowers of Autumn', known as 'Aki-no-Nanakusa' (秋の七草/秋の七種). These plants are mostly a feast for the eyes and not the belly. #Japan #Kyoto #秋の七草

🎑THE MOON RABBIT🐇 In many Western countries people see a "Man in the Moon" (often considered "god of drunks"), but in Japan folk see the image of a rabbit pounding rice cakes in a mortar. China's rabbit is crushing laurel leaves to create an immortality potion. #Japan #rabbit

👵RESPECT-FOR-THE-AGED DAY👴 Today is Keirō-no-hi (敬老の日) in Japan🎊 Traditionally held on September 15th, in 2003 the national holiday was changed to the 3rd Monday in September. Commemorative silver saké cups are given by the government to those who have turned 100. #Japan #敬老の日 #respectfortheaged

⚱️THE CAT AND THE KILN🎨 The old Gojōzaka home of famed ceramic artist Kawai Kanjirō (河井寬次郎 1890-1966) was restored in 1973 as a museum (河井寛次郎記念館). Kanjirō designed this property (part living space, part studio, part climbing kiln) in 1937. #Kyoto #京都 #河井寬次郎

🍶THE CHRYSANTHEMUM FESTIVAL💦 'Chōyō-no-Sekku' (重陽の宴) was 1 of 5 seasonal festivals imported from the mainland and celebrated by the imperial court. Held on the 9th day of the 9th month, it became familiarly known as 'Kiku-no-Sekku' (菊の節句), the 'Feast of Chrysanthemums'. #重陽の宴 #chrysanthemum #Kyoto

🙊THE MONKEY'S SLIDE🛝 At first glance the teahouse garden appears to be made up of mostly moss, pine and camellia...but if you look more closely the borders are packed thick with dozens of varieties of plants. One of the most beautiful at this time of year is the "Monkey's Slide". #Japan #百日紅

🐗🔥PIG PROTECTION🌪️🦟 One of the great joys of summer is taking out the sliding doors and blurring the line between garden and tearoom, relishing the morning cool before it gets too hot. But... Mosquitoes also love the garden. So what to do?🤔 #Kyoto #京都 #蚊取り線香 #Japan

🗺️🤔THE QUEST TO CATCH 'EM ALL(ish)🕳️✨ In 2018 Kagoshima was the first prefecture in Japan to have Pokéfuta (ポケふた) installed. Pokémon manhole covers can now be found in 35 prefectures! I went to Uji to catch the latest 2 to appear in Kyōto. #Kyoto #ポケふた #宇治 #Pokémon #京都

On Monday the central and western parts of Kyōto city experienced record rainfall...about 102mm in 1 hour! For the first time the teahouse pond overflowed, and the downpour was so intense it pushed water under the eaves into the waiting area🌬️⛈️😨 #rainstorm #Kyoto #京都 #大雨 #Japan

☸️THE BROKEN CARRIAGE SHRINE⚡️ Kurumazaki-jinja (車折神社) is one of Kyōto's most distinctive shrines, known for a sprawling red 'tamagaki' (玉垣 'fence surrounding a shrine') made from thousands of boards donated by famous actors, artists, singers and entertainers. #Kyoto #京都 #車折神社 #Kurumazakijinja

🪻SUMMER BLUES🎨 Despite what the humidity may be telling us outside, the traditional calendar promises that we are now in a season called 'shosho' (処暑 'manageable heat' - August 23rd to September 7th). From now until autumn the delicate Asiatic dayflower (ツユクサ) begins to bloom. #ツユクサ #Japan

😺😼😽CATURDAY😹🙀😿 imperial palace- in Kyōto even cats have futons! 百敷や都は猫もふとん哉 -Kobayashi Issa (小林一茶), 1819. Trans. David Lanoue. Kyōto is not particularly cat crazy, but there is a wealth of cat-inspired tales, sweets, charms and cuteness (or devilry) to be found. Let's explore!🔎 #caturday #猫

📿TEMPLE OF TEAHOUSES🍵 Ryōgen-in's (龍源院) 'Tōtekiko' (東滴壺) is considered by many to be the smallest rock garden in Japan. Designed in 1958 by Nabeshima Gakushō (鍋島岳生), it was inspired by the zen saying "the harder a stone is thrown in, the bigger the ripples". #Kyoto #龍源院 #東滴壺

🌊🍙MOTHER OF THE SEA🍘✨ Kathleen Mary Drew-Baker (キャスリーンメアリードリューベイカー 1901-57) is not well known in her homeland, but in Japan she has become a national hero, remembered at Sumiyoshi-jinja in Uto (宇土 - Kumamoto Prefecture) as the savior of the seaweed industry. #キャスリーンメアリードリューベイカ #ukiyoe #seaweed

🔎ORIGINS OF THE OKURIBI🔥 Counted as 1 of Kyōto's 4 great celebrations, the Gozan-no-Okuribi (五山送り火) was originally called Shūkyō Gyōji or Oshorai-san (宗教行事 'the ritual' - おしょらい/おしょらいさん). Many people incorrectly call the event Daimonji (大文字), the first and most famous of the Okuribi. #五山送り火 #Obon

🥒AN UNUSUAL FORM OF TRANSPORTATION🍆 Invited by bells and flames, the spirits of the dead are currently holidaying in this world. But how do ancestral spirits travel between realms? Probably not how you imagine😂... 🥒 🐎 (arriving by 'spirit horse' 精霊馬) 🍆 🐂 (returning via 'spirit ox' 精霊牛) #Obon

👋FAREWELL TO THE DEAD🔥 Obon draws to a close in Kyōto on August 16th. As darkness falls families say goodbye to the ancestral spirits for another year. From 8pm fiery shapes appear on five of Kyōto's mountains...beacons guiding the dead back to the Netherworld. #五山送り火 #Kyoto #GozannoOkuribi

🌄🌳FOREST BATHING💦🧖‍♀️ No thoughts, just cooling vibes... #Kyoto #京都 #Kameoka #亀岡 #Japan #森林浴 #forestbathing #mountainday #山の日 #音羽の滝 #Otowanotaki

🙏🔔THE DEAD RETURN🪦👋 For a few days in August, with the simple ringing of a temple bell, our ancestors are once again invited back to the world of the living for a brief vacation. It is a happy reunion of remembrance, lanterns, dance and (in Kyōto) giant mountain bonfires. #Obon #お盆 #summer #Japan

A watch frozen forever at 8:15am, the moment an atomic bomb exploded over Hiroshima on Monday August 6th 1945. #Hiroshima #August6th #HiroshimaPeaceMemorialMuseum #広島 #HiroshimaDay

🦉HONOURING OWLS🦉 August 4th was "International Owl Awareness Day"🙌 when the owl hoots how many are left? wildflowers ふくろふよ鳴ばいくらの草の花 -Kobayashi Issa (小林一茶), 1810. Trans. David Lanoue. #InternationalOwlAwarenessDay #Japan

🍡MOREISH MITARASHI😋 Today is the beginning of a three-day period celebrating mitarashi dango (みたらし団子)!🎉 Actually, this happens every month from the 3rd-5th　because... 3= 'MI' (み) 4= 'taraSHI' (たらし) 5= 'danGO' (だんご) Tenuous wordplay? Yes. Fun? Also, yes. #Japan #mitarashidango #みたらし団子 #Kyoto

🌾GIFT TO THE GODS✨ The 1st day of the 8th month in the traditional calendar is known as 'Hachigatsu sakujitsu' (八月朔日), shortened to 'Hassaku' (八朔). At this time farmers would make offerings of the first ripe rice to the gods, and gradually it became a time of gift giving. #Japan #八朔 #tradition

KAKIGŌRI🍧 One summer treat Kyōtoites cannot do without is 'kakigōri' (かき氷), a shaved-ice dessert covered in all kinds of deliciousness. The first reference we have to kakigōri in Japan is in Chapter 42 of Sei Shōnagon's (清少納言 966-1017) 'The Pillow Book' (枕草子). #Japan #shavedice #kakigori #かき氷

🤏🍃✈️MATCHA SHORTAGES?🍵👋😖 We were recently interviewed by the BBC about how matcha shortages are impacting our business. Only a little of what we talked about made it into the article, so I thought I'd share more of what our tea supplier had to say🙇‍♂️ The article⬇️ www.bbc.com/news/article... #matcha

🍉WATERMELON DAY🥤 Kameya Yoshinaga's (亀屋良長) adorable 'hito-suzumi' (ひと涼み 'cooling off') is the perfect treat for July 27th's 'Suika-no-hi' (スイカの日), 'Watermelon Day'!🥳🍉🙌 #wagashi #和菓子 #suikanohi #スイカの日 #watermelonday #Japan #Kyoto #京都

🪷THE TEMPLE OF LOTUSES📿 A remarkable transformation takes place at Hōkongō-in (法金剛院) shortly before the Gion Festival. The temple's muddy, rather nondescript pond suddenly bursts into life, and for a short time it is *the* premier lotus viewing spot in Kyōto. #Kyoto #京都 #Hokongoin #法金剛院

💦MITARASHI MATSURI👣 From July 18th-27th (9am to 8pm) Shimogamo-jinja will be hosting the Mitarashi Matsuri (御手洗祭). Over 10 days thousands will wade into the ice-cold waters of Mitarashi Pond (御手洗池) to offer candles, rid themselves of impurities and recharge their spirits. #Kyoto #下鴨神社 #御手洗祭 #京都

🐍🥵DOGS DAYS & EELS😋⛱️ The hairdryer heat, the constant whir of insects, the lack of shade...everything at this time of year feels exhausting. The dog days of summer are here. today too, heat and tomorrow, more heat? house in the trees けふもけふも翌もあついか薮の家 -Kobayashi Issa (小林一茶). Trans. David Lanoue.

🏮🦊FOXLIGHT🦊🏮 Typically on the first Sunday (or national holiday) after 'doyō ushi-no-hi' (土用丑の日 'midsummer day of the ox'), Fushimi Inari (伏見稲荷大社) celebrates its biggest festival. Over 8000 lanterns are illuminated on the eve of 'Motomiya-sai' (本宮祭). #Kyoto #京都 #FushimiInari #伏見稲荷

🌊🦀DAY OF THE SEA🏖️⛵️ Happy 'Marine Day'!😅 Umi-no-hi (海の日) was first celebrated in 1996 as a day of gratitude for the blessings of the oceans. As an island nation, the seas have played an important role in the development of Japan. #海の日 #MarineDay #Japan #Kyoto #uminohi

👣🪷LOTUS LOVE😇🍶 In Kyōto 'kanrensetsu' (観蓮節), 'lotus flower viewing', coincides with the culmination of the Gion Matsuri, when the gods of Yasaka-jinja arrive at their temporary holiday abode in the city. Temple ponds offer a welcome distraction from the sweltering summer days. #lotus #蓮 #Kyoto

🙏😋GOBBLING GOOD HEALTH✨💪 Queueing in 35 degree heat for over three hours for a sweet that is available only once a year...🌞⏱️🥹 July 16th was 'gyōja mochi' day (行者餅)🙌 The sweet is sold exclusively by Kashiwaya Mitsusada (柏屋光貞) in Gion. #Kyoto #wagashi #祇園祭 #京都

🥁THE FLOATS OF THE GION MATSURI (PART 2)👆 18) ARARE TENJIN-YAMA (霰天神山)🔥 Arare Tenjin-yama, the 'Divine Hail Float', is also known as Hiyoke Tenjin-yama (火除天神山), the 'Protection Against Fire Float'. It celebrates the life-saving rain that extinguished a terrible fire (some time between 1504-21).

👘FESTIVAL, BUT MAKE IT FASHION✨ The Gion Matsuri's float musicians, 'hikiko' (曳き子 - float pullers), 'ondotori' (音頭取り - cheerleaders), and even those selling float goods, dress in clothing unique to the 34 'yamaboko'. NHK Kyōto exhibited some of the festival's beautiful yukata. #GionMatsuri #祇園祭

🪢IF YOU BUILD IT, THEY WILL COME🪵 Between July 10 and 14th the floats that will participate in the Gion Matsuri's first parade (the 'Saki Matsuri' 先祭り - July 17th) are constructed. The parts are laid out, slotted together, and then meticulously bound in rope. #Kyoto #祇園祭 #山鉾 #GionMatsuri

🌟🍬SPOONFULS OF SUGAR😋🎋 Ryokujuan Shimizu (緑寿庵清水) has been making konpeitō (金平糖) since 1847, and is the only store still specializing in this hard, star-like, candy. It is said that to fully train one of their artisans takes at least 20 years!😮 #RyokujuanShimizu #緑寿庵清水 #konpeito #金平糖 #京菓子

🌉🍵THE GORGE🛶🍛 TV program idea... We send Nao-san to perform increasingly daredevil outdoor tea ceremonies🧗‍♂️🍵 #瀞峡 #dorogorge #Nara #Mie #Wakayama #野点 #nodate #teaceremony #matcha #奈良 #三重 #和歌山

🌟THE STAR FESTIVAL🎋 chirr-chirr! insects also work their looms... stars of Tanabata しやんしやんと虫もはたおりて星迎 -Issa (小林一茶). Trans. David Lanoue. Tanabata (七夕), also known as 'Hoshi-matsuri' (星祭り the 'Star Festival'), celebrates the reunion of the stars Orihime and Hikoboshi on the 7th day of the 7th month.

🥁THE FLOATS OF THE GION MATSURI🙌 July, consumed as it is with the Gion Matsuri, always passes in the blink of an eye, so I thought I'd compile a list of the 34 individual floats ('yamaboko' 山鉾) that you'll be able to see at this month's festival. #GionMatsuri #祇園祭 #Kyoto

👹KYŌTO'S GRANDEST FESTIVAL😇 Summer in Kyōto is said to begin with the Gion Matsuri (祇園祭) and end with the Gozan-no-Okuribi. The festival is one of Japan's most important, lasting for the whole of July. Born out of prayers to end a plague in 869, the Gion Matsuri has been an annual event since 970.

🍘👹A CRACKER TO AVOID THE PLAGUE🤲🍘 Beside Kamigoryō-jinja (上御霊神社) is a small store that sells one type of confection only...a simple, sweet cracker. Like the shrine itself, the crackers have a deep connection to the origins of the Gion Matsuri (祇園祭). #Kyoto #京都 #Kamigoryojinja #上御霊神社

👣🌿PURIFICATION HOOP🔄🙏 Shortly before the mid-point of the year giant rings of reed begin appearing in shrine precincts across Kyōto. 'Chinowa' (茅の輪) are sacred portals, washing off the impurities gathered over the last six months and offering protection for the next six😇 #NagoshinoHarae #夏越の祓 #京都