Been to Miyajima? Experience more of Hiroshima for 1,000yen

Hi it's Chippy from Hiroshima Hana Hostel!

Finally we can feel the actual winter is coming! It had been a bit weird autumn with rather high tempreture till the end of last month.

So one year of my stay in Canada back in 2012 made me love the cold and snow. I loved the view every morning in winter with full of snow on the streets... but that's only until I went to Australia last year and experienced whole summer there.
YES, SUMMER IS THE BEST. Beautiful beaches, blue sky, colourful trees and birds... I'm too used to the Aussie summer and was kinda worried about Japanese winter. It seems okay for now though. haha

Anyway, as you guys know, we have many seasonal events in Japan. Most of you know about our two world heritage sites in Hiroshima, "Miyajima（宮島）" and "The Atomic Bomb Dome（原爆ドーム）." Through autumn to winter it's the best time to go to these sites as you can enjoy beautiful coloured leaves.
However, these are not the only places you can visit. Some event not well known but very attractive for tourists has just come up!!

Have you heard of KAGURA? 

Kagura is a Japanese traditional play which is usually performed in religious festivals in shrines today.
It used to be a ceremony that conveys a feeling of gratitude for the bounty of nature. It was performed over night before the main festival to celebrate a good harvest and haul. The main characters in the play are heros from the Japanese myths and scary "Oni (Japanese demon)". Each programme has a different theme and unique characters.

The kagura you can see in Hiroshima is called "Geihoku Kagura (Northern Hiroshima Kagura)" and has been preserved and passed along in Hiroshima through about 150 Kagura troupes.

From December 2nd 2018, a special programme of Geihoku Kagura is to be played in the centeral area of Hiroshima!

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Traditional Performing Art of Hiroshima "Kagura"

(Weedkend performances)

• Dates: Dec 2, Dec 8, Jan 5, Jan 20, Feb 10, Feb 16, Mar 30

• Ticket window & doors: 5:30pm
  Performance runs from 6:00 - 6:45pm, Q&A and photo session to follow

• Admission: 1,000yen (Adults), 800yen (groups of 10+), 500yen (3yrs old or under)

• Venue: Hiroshima Prefectual Citizen's Culture Center（広島県民文化センター）1-5-3 Oote-machi, Naka-ku, Hiroshima

**Regular performances are on every Wednesday in different time schedules

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In the photo session after the show, you'll get to take some photos of the performers and traditional Kagura costumes. The costumes can weigh up to 20 kilos!! It is definitely going to be a good experience to share with your friends back home!

 

If you're thinking about staying in Hiroshima for two nights, make it three and explore more by knowing its culture and history in the Hiroshima Kagura performance. Ask for further information at the reception on your arrival at Hiroshima Hana Hostel.

Refrences:
Hiroshima Kagura Official ENG
Tripadviser

FISE WORLD SERIESE 2018

Date:2018, Apr 6th (Fri) - Apr 8th (Sun)
Place: KYU SHIMINKYUJO ATOCHI
(Please take tram #2,6 and get off at Gdnbaku Dome Mae)

Do you know FISE? It is not really common sport in Japan but yes in Europe.
This well known world competition will be held first time in Japan.
You know where in Japan??

 YES! 

    It's in HIROSHIMA!!!

FREE ENTRANCE!!

DO NOT MISS IT!!!

✺ *:'.;*`,Miyajima Water Fireworks Festival✺ *:'.;*`,

Date: August 26, 2017 (Sat)  19:40 - 20:40
Location:  off shore from the O-torii Gate

Konnichiwa dfrom Hiroshima Hana Hostel. It's Kana here.
Summer is not over yet. It's getting hotter and hotter everyday in Japan.
Features of the summer in Japan is.....

HOT & HUMID

How is the summer like in your country?

One of common event during summer in Japan is FIREWORKS ! Many fireworks event are held all over the Japan.

A very famous fireworks festival in Hiroshima will be held in late August!　An at Miyajima!!! which is one of well known world heritage in Japan.

Here is a little details of the festival.

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Miyajima-on-the-sea-Fireworks Display presents seven spectacular scenes, complying with each year's theme.
The fireworks display is set up to match the image for each scene, which is centered on the fascinating pyrotechnics on the water.
Over 300,000 visitors enjoy the fireworks show every year. The scene with the O-torii Gate silhouetted by the illumination of the fireworks attracts thousands of photo enthusiasts.
Miyajima Water Fireworks Festival is one of the most famous fireworks display in Japan.
*********************************************************************************

You can enjoy both world heritage sightseeing at Miyajima and fireworks at once!

Do NOT miss it!!If you are interested in please check "Miyajima Water Fireworks Festival" on Google!!

New Year's Day @ Hiroshima Gokoku Shrine

It is already now at the end of December....
Do you have any plans for New Year's Eve or New Year's Day?

On New Year's Day many Japanese go to the shrine to worship.
If you are coming to Hiroshima for those days, why don't you go to Gokoku Shrine?
Hiroshima Gokoku Shrine（広島護国神社） is a Shinto shrine  next to Hiroshima Castle.Every year many people.... more than 600,000 people visit there in the first three days of the new year for Hatsumode(初詣）,the first visit of the year to a shrine.

This is how we worship at shrines;
1) Ring the bell
2) Throw change gently in the offering box
3) Two bows,
    two claps and one bow
 




Opening Hours
---------------------------------

＊Dec 31st   ～24：00

＊Jan 1st    0：00～23：00
＊Jan 2nd  8：00～22：00
＊Jan 3rd  8：00～22：00
---------------------------------
EVENTS

----------------------------
◎Dec 31st（大晦日　Oomisoka)

17:00～　大祓式・除夜祭　
　　　　New Year's Eve  Celemony

◎Jan 1st (元旦　Gantan) 

0:00～　初神楽奉奏（巫女舞）　Kagura

10:00～ 歳旦祭　New Year's Day Celemony

---------------------------
◆Access　Hiroshima Gokoku Shrine
Take a Tram No.2 or 6 to Kamiyacho-Higashi stop from Hiroshima Sta.
Another 8min walk to the shrine

Have a good New Year's holiday!



** Be Careful ! **

The Peace Memorial Museum will be closed 
on Dec 30th and 31st.

Chinka-sai MIYAJIMA

KONNICHIWA from Hiroshima Hanahostel, This is Kana here.
I just can't believe that it is already in December and we will have new year in less than a month...Time flies... There are many exciting events in December such as X'mas, New year Eve and so on.
What is your plan for that?? Hope all of you will have great holiday.

To whom considering to visit Japan for the new year eve, why don't you go to MIYAJIMA which is one of world heritage in Hiroshima.

CHINKA-SAI

Date:December 31st18:00 (6:00pm)

Chinka-sai is Fire Prevention Festival, takes place on the last day of the year in front of Itsukushima Shrine.

Local people make both large and small pine torches throughout the month of December. 

On the evening of the 31st, as twilight falls, families gather at the shore near the O-torii(Grand gate).

 One huge torch is carried from the Shrine and all of the other torches, including individual pine torches are lit. 

The larger pine torch is carried by around 40 men on their shoulder's, while children carry smaller ones. 

As the torches intensely burn the coastline become a combination of fire and water as the people run about chanting "Yoi, Yoi."  You should say it out in a loud voice with them too!

 It must be great fun! Just be like a local people!!

After the festival, the embers from the torches are offered to family alters as a good luck charm to prevent fire and to welcome the New Year. You might be able to get it too!! The thing is you CAN bring it back your country or NOT...

To Miyajima is only 25minutes from Hiroshima station and another 10 minutes by ferry, EASY access from Hana hostel!

I hope the New Year finds you in excellent spirit!

Oyster Hut "KAKIGOYA 牡蠣小屋"

NO WAY! It will be in 2016 in few weeks!? I can't believe how fast time goes...
Hello this is Kana from Hiroshima Hana Hostel.
Have you made any plan for X'mas and new year? I will spend my X'mas and new year with the guest who will come on those days at Hana!

Do you like Oyster? Oyster is one of well known and specialty local food in Hiroshima.
Of course I love it too. Fresh oyster, deep fried oyster, Boiled oyster, pan fried oyster with garlic butter and so on.
There are so many different kind of oyster dishes  in Hiroshima.

You can try all these oyster dishes at Mitsukoshi department store on the roof top. Also It's a BBQ style so you can cook your oyster by yourself. You can choose either Seafood set menu or Beaf, Pork and chicken set menu from 2500 yen p/p.
There are variety of oyster dishes available such as deep fried oyster, pan fried oyster from 580yen.
Don't worry about cold! There are many heater to warm you up or get HOT sake to keep you warm. I suggest Sake if you are old enough to drink it!

Let's enjoy oyster and sake with your friends!

Hiroshima Dreamination 2015-2016

2015 Nov 17th (Tue) - 2016 Jan 3rd (Sun)
5:30pm - 10:30pm


Hello from Hiroshima Hana Hostel. It's Kana here.Time flies...There are only few month to year 2016!!!!! I hope  I could enjoy rest of the year with all my family and friends..

There are many different kind of events are going on towards end of the year. Hiroshima Dreamination is one of them. It will be held for about 2 months and located in the middole of Hiroshima City.

So after sightseeing peace park, A-bomb dorm, museum and other sightseeing spots and visit dreamination with someone special!!!It is  gonna be so super romantic night!!
Of course good to visit with your friends to make your  friendship stronger!!!
This is only for winter season, so please visit there and enjoy beautiful dremination.I'm sure you will love them!!

About 30minutes by tram Hiroshima Station, only within 10 minutes walk from Peace museum!!

Sandan-kyo Spring festival

・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・
Apr 29th (WED)
9:00~15:30
Sandan-kyo
Access:Take an Express Bus from Hiroshima Bus center about　1 hour

・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・
You can enjoy Japanese Spring festival with the viewing of Sandan-kyo gorge.
 According to the weather forecast, it will not be rainy day on Apr 29th in Hiroshima.
Why do not you join the Festival ?  :)














＊EVENT SCHEDULE ＊
10:00 Free Sandan-kyo food be provided
11:00　the opening ceremony
11：15　Kagura (Shinto music and dance show)
12：00　the game of scissors-paper-rock
13：00　Kagura (Shinto music and dance show)
15:00 Mochimaki (an event of scattering rice cakes)
15:30 the closing ceremonies



Akioota home page (in Japanese)
http://www.akioota-navi.jp/html/kankou_event_sandankyo_harumaturi.html 

Hiwatarishiki in Daishoin Temple

Date: Apr 15th 11am
Location: Daishoin Temple 

Hello from Hiroshima Hana hostel, It's Kana here.
It's getting warmer and warmer. My one of favourite season is finally arrived.

Miyajima is one of World heritage in Hiroshima and they have annual event.
There is quite interesting event is coming up in Mid Apr.
  

 As you can see from attached photo, the man is walking on the fire.
This is a religious rite performed by the Shingon Sect of Buddhism.
This is followed by two Buddhist monks circling the area with swords and then shooting 7 arrows into the air which the worshippers struggle to retrieve.

After the fire burns down, and only red coals remain, the head Buddhist monk, followed by the mountain monks and worshippers, walk barefoot across the coals chanting a prayer for good health and fortune.

Why don't you join to this awesome event? But please please be careful not to burn yourself too much!

Miyajima Oyster Festibal 2015

Location: In front of the Miyajima pier.
Date/Time: February 14 (Sat) and 15 (Sun), 2015 10:00 - 15:00


Hello from Hiroshima Hana hostel, It's Kana here.

Do you like Oyster? Hiroshima is well known as one of the best production region for Oyster.
The best season for Oyster is during Winter.

 There is a Oyster festival in Miyajima which is one of world heritage in Hiroshima. You can enjoy fresh oyster at low price and also enjoy beautiful world heritage at once! You can't miss this HUGE opportunity!!

There will be many different types of oyster food which you will find the best oyster dish for you!
Not only enjoy eating oyster, there will be some Japanese traditional

KAGURA and WADAIKO performance!! Enjoy Oyster, World heritage and performances!!

From Hiroshima station, take SANYO line. Takes about 25minutes to Miyajima-Guchi station and another 10 minute by ferry.

Hiroshima International Animation Festival 2014

Date: August 21st(Thu) - 25th(Mon), 2014
Place: Aster Plaza

Hello this is Kana from Hiroshima Hana Hostel.
It`s getting hotter and hotter in here since after rainy season was over.


Japanese ANIME(Animation) is well known all over the world. Many tourist come to Japan for it.
There is a Anime fes in Hiroshima end of this month.

"Hiroshima International Animation Festival"

Under the spirit of LOVE & PEACE, the festival has been dedicating to the advancement of visual media art culture in general, by promoting international cross-cultural exchanges through the development of animation art. 

There are Anime Competition, Special programs and exhibitions, Free Spaces for Promotion and Exchanges,and Educational Film Market.

This time is 30th anniversary so there are some special event!!

If you come to Japan, you can not miss Anime! Anime quality in Japan will be more than what you can expect for sure!!

・:*:・Senkoji Temple HAIKU Fes・:*:・

Still quite cold in Hiroshima but slightly getting warmer now. Will miss you, Winter...BUT We are already ready for Spring! Can't wait!!!

What comes up in your mind first when you think of SPRING?

??????

Start with "C"???

yes, "CHERRY BLOSSOM !!"

Cherry blossoms at "Senkoji Temple & Park" that have been chosen as one of the "Top 100 Sites of Beautiful Cherry Blossoms".

Cherry blossom viewing in the evening is held during the cherry blossom season with lit up paper lanterns that display haiku. 

"Haiku "is a three-line poem with seventeen syllables in the pattern of 5-7-5, Including a seasonal word in it.

Period: 2013 Mar 16th(Sat)〜Apr 21st(Sun)
Paper lantertns will be lit up between 18：00〜6:00

Less than 1 hour to get to Onomichi by Shinkansen. Enjoy beautiful view of lantern and cherry blossom!!

Hiroshima City Botanical Gardens Orchid Festival.

Event:

Orchid Festival

Start:

March 2, 2013

End:

March 10, 2013

Cost:

¥500 garden admission (Children ¥170)

Organizer:

Hiroshima City Botanical Gardens

Venue:

Hiroshima City Botanical Gardens

 

Address:

495, Kurashige 3-chome, Saeki-ku,Hiroshima, Hiroshima, 731-5156,Japan

Ben Folds Five Playing in Hiroshima.

Event:

Ben Folds Five

Date:

February 20, 2013 7:00 pm

Cost:

¥8500 (includes one drink)

Venue:

Club Quattro

Phone:

082-542-2280

Address:

10F PARCO Honkan, Hondori 10-1, Naka-ku, Hiroshima-shi, Hiroshima-ken, Japan

Ben Folds Five is an alternative rock trio formed in 1993 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The group comprises Ben Folds (lead vocals,piano, keyboards, melodica, principal songwriting), Robert Sledge (bass, contrabass, synthesizer, backing vocals), and Darren Jessee(drums, percussion, backing vocals, songwriter, and co-writer for some songs). The group achieved mainstream success in the alternative,indie and pop music scenes. The band is best known for the hit single "Brick" from their 1997 album Whatever and Ever Amen, which gained airplay on many mainstream radio stations. During their seven years together, the band released three proper studio records, oneretrospective album of B-sides and outtakes, and eight singles. They also contributed to a number of soundtracks and compilations. Ben Folds Five disbanded in October 2000, apparently under amicable circumstances.

Moe Nagata Exhibition

 

 

 

 

At Hiroshima Prefectual Art Museum ( 2-22 Kaminobori-cho, Naka-ku, Hiroshima, 730-0014, Japan) this month. Moe Nagata is holding an exhibition displaying some of her work. 

 

 

 

 Exhibition showing the work of children’s book illustrator Moe Nagata known for her soft, dreamy illustrations.

Starts:

December 5, 2012

End:

January 15, 2013

 

HIROSHIMA DREAMINATION

Hiroshima Dreamination

From the 17th November to the 3rd of January. Everyday between 17:30 and 22:30

The festival is hosted by the Light-up Hiroshima Project Executive Committee and supported by all public and private broadcasters in Hiroshima as a winter night attraction in for residents and visitors. Every street in down town Hiroshima, together with the town squares are illuminated with a million and a half LED lights.

Area	Location on Peace Boulevard	Area	Location on Peace Boulevard
Fruit grove	NHK Hiroshima	Guardian grove	Hotel Sunroute Hiroshima
Tower of the Origami crane	ANA Crown Plaza Hiroshima	Dream tree	Hotel Dormy Inn Hiroshima
Peace Castle	Hiroshima Crystal Plaza	Holy place	Hiroshima Daini Yuraku Building
Hopes of the citizens	Mitsui Garden Hotel Hiroshima	Sailing ship of healing	Takeda Hiroshima Building
Happy land	Hiroshima Tokyu Inn	Phoenix hill	Chugoku Apollo
Snowfield of auroras	Kouwa building	Paradise of angels	Hiroshima Shinkin Bank
Wings	Oriental Hotel Hiroshima	Protective god Dragon	Hiroshima Kenshin