Kikka-sai in MIYAJIMA

Date From about 18:00 October 15

Konnichiwa from Hiroshima Hana Hostel it's Kana here.

Do you know Miyajima? This is one of the best well known sightseeing place in Hiroshima. Also it is world heritage.

Miyajima will be held one of traditional festival on Oct 15th (Mon).
It is called  "Kikka-sai". (Chrysanthemum Ceremony)
It is  the perfomance of  court dance and music which introduced into Miyajima from Kyoto by Kiyomori Taira who is dancing by the gagaku.

Which mean you can enjoy both worldheritaji (Miyajima) and Japanese festival at once!

You shouldn't miss it!

Miyajima-on-the-sea-Fireworks

Date: August 25, 2018 (Sat)  19:30 - 20:30
Location: off shore from the O-torii Gate

Konnichiwa from Hiroshima Hana Hostel, It's Kana here.
What do you do or what is the most exciting event in summer in your country?

It's firework in Japan.

So here is a tip for people who come to Japan in summer time!

There is one of big firework  display will be held in Hiroshima on Aug 25th in Miyajima.

Miyajima Water Fireworks Festival is one of the most famous fireworks display in Japan.
Miyajima is one of world heritage in Hiroshima so you can enjoy both world heritage and fire works at the same time!

Over 300,000 visitors enjoy the fireworks show every year.

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.

It is really worth coming to see them!

Why don't you enjoy Japanese summer event in Hiroshima?

Hiroshima Peace Memorial park and Miyajima tour

Konnichiwa from Hiroshima Hana Hostel.
It's Kana here.
Hiroshima just got into rainy season from this week. Hope it will gone soon.
It is annoy that travel in the rain, isn't it?

Hiroshima has 2 very well known world heritage which must visit.

which are:

★　Hiroshima Peace Park (A-bomb dome)
★　Miyajima

Here is a 1 day tour which you can visit both in one day with English speaking guide!
It cost you but  some, but You will NOT waste your time if you go and exploring with them for sure!

There are details as follow:

Chinksai Festival in Miyajima

Konnichiwa from Hiroshima Hanahostel. It's Kana here.
I just can NOT believe that year 2018 will arrive in few weeks.
I feel like I'm losing my memory for last half year. I can't believe how time goes by so fast.

How was your year 2017? I hope all of you had great one so far.

If you have any opportunity to visit Japan for new year eve, here is my little tips.

We have great world heritage "MIYAJIMA" in Hiroshima. They hold great traditional festival on new year eve. It called "Chinksai"

 
They set up an altar lighting the fire at the shrine refinement and after the ceremony was completed by the master, trasfer the fire to the torch and transfer to the large bunch of the pine tree set up at the Mikasanohama beach.
and they will put a fire on a large torch from a big bow.
Meanwhile townspeople of Miyajima make torches of various sizes from large pine tree with 20 to 30 people to carry and about 50cm and gather at Mikasanohama beach in the evening.

After turn off the fire and take out the extinguished pieces of pine tree ,and take it home and give it to the godshelf and make it a one year fire avoidance amulet.

Why don't you join them and have some special Japanese traditional culture!!
Only for once a year on New year eve!

Date:2017 Dec 31 from 6pm
Place:Miyajima

✺ *:'.;*`,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.

*********************************************************************************
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!!

Miyajima SUNDANCE

SUNDANCE is an annual festival at the beach on Miyajima with world music and dancing.
There are people from all over the world enjoying world's music (Japan, the United States, South America, Asia, Africa, etc.), the world food and meeting new people.
There are nearly 1500 participants each year. It is getting established as a place of international exchange in Hiroshima.

The dancers who are performing on the main stage are working mainly in Hiroshima and those who sells food and drinks are also running shops in Hiroshima.

It is the 13th SUNDANCE this year.
And the third BUBBLE party is going to be on the main stage and it seems like getting more and more exciting!!

July 16 2017 @ Miyajima Tsutsumigaura National Park
                   　10：00　-　20：00

Tickets: Advence \2000
             GATE    \3000
             15 and younger free

Tickets available @ Southern Cross cafe & bar Hiroshima
                            @Cusco Cafe
                            @Barcos

Bands, DJs, dance shows, contests, volleyball tournament, international food stalls, bubble party, Mr. & Ms. Sundance contest, lots of drinks and hopefully plenty of sun!!

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!

Kikka-sai Festival (Chrysanthemum Festival)

Date: 2016 Oct 15th
Place: Miyajima Itsukushima Shrine
Admission fee to Itsukushima Shrine : ¥300

Konnichiwa from Hiroshima Hana Hostel It's Kana here.
Summer is already over without noticing and we are having  Autumn with  beautiful colored leaves.
We enjoyed beautiful colored leaves in Autumn and Cherry blossom on Spring, so if you have any opportunity to visit Japan, You must see them!

Speaking of colored leaves, I know one of the best place in Hiroshima which is MIYAJIMA.
Miyajima is one of world heritage. MUST GO PLACE.

 
There is one of festival in Miyajima in Oct so you can both enjoy world heritage with beautiful colored leaves and Festival at same time!!!

On Oct 15th, there will be Kikka-sai Festival (Chrysanthemum Festival)

The court dance and music introduced into Miyajima from Kyoto by Kiyomori Taira is dancing by the gagaku. Around 20 pieces including "Ryo-oh", "Nasori" "Manzai raku" and "Engi raku" are still handed down to Itsukushima Shrine from the latter period in the twelfth century.

You can enjoy one of old traditional dance! It will be very good experience for you!

If you have JR pass, No cost for you to get to Miyajima from Hiroshima station which is only 5 minutes walk away from Hana Hostel!

HIwatarishiki in Daishoin Temple MIYAJIMA

Date: Apr 15th 11am～
Location: Miyajima Daishoin Temple

Konnichiwa from Hiroshima Hana Hostel. It's Kana here.
Did you enjoy SAKURA (Cherry blossom) in Japan??
How was it? I hope everybody enjoyed it and will come back next year to enjoy Sakura again. Spring and Sakura are my favorite!!!

Miyajima is very well known as one of must visit world heritage in Japan.
There will be one of interesting event will be held this month.

It is called "HIwatarishiki in Daishoin Temple " What they do is....
Walking in the fire. Sounds bit crazy and scary. But no worries! They do not walking in the real fire. After the fire burns down and only red coals remain, the head Buddhist monk, followed by the mountain monks and worshipers, walk barefoot across the coals chanting a prayer for good health and fortune. (Good to hear that...)

 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.
 Lastly, while mountain priests blow their conch shells the arrangement of cypress branches is ignited.

It will be great experience to watch! Why don't you join them!?

After enjoy this great experience, off to sightseeing beautiful Miyajima and enjoy beautiful scene and food!

Hina Dolls Festival in Miyajima

 

 It's a traditional festival for girls in Japan.

 We wish a well growing for girls.

You can watch so many dolls in Miyajima.

It's so beautiful!!!!

*******************************************

DATE: March 19th-April 3rd

PLACE: around Miyajima Island

HP: http://www.miyajima.or.jp/event/event_himemeguri.html

ACCESS: 10 minutes form Miyajimaguchi port

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Miyajima Oyster Festival

Date: February 13 (Sat) and 14 (Sun), 2016
Time: 10:00 - 15:00

Konnichiwa from Hiroshima Hana Hostel, It's Kana here.
How was your first month of year 2016? I spent great new year at work with my colleague and some guests from many different countries.

Do you like OYSTER? Oyster is one of famous product in Hiroshima.

It is really delicious especially in winter...Which is NOW!!!!　The size of oyster is way bigger than in summer and rich flavor... Fresh oyster, deep fried, steam, pan fries, and so on...There are many different way to cook and they all DELICIOUS... It is one must eat food(product) in Hiroshima.
Speaking of MUST, Miyajima is one of world heritage in Hiroshima, so it is one of must go place.

And if you wish to try both of them at once, there is a perfect festival for you in mid-February .

MIYAJIMA OYSTER FESTIVAL

Oysters, Miyajima's specialty, are served at low prices and many different oyster dishes!!!

You can save time for sightseeing (You can enjoy both Oyster and Miyajima at once) and also save your money(They offer special price)

 

There is no reason not to go!!!! Let`s Enjoy fresh Oyster!!!

☆MOMOTE-SAI ~A shrine ritual at MIYAJIMA~☆

 

 

This is a Shrine ritual of BOW for OMOTO SHRINE.

We wish a good luck and health of  new year

by shooting target(It's a devil) with an arrow!!!

 

 It can be interesting for you and

you can get a great luck and health by joining 

the ritual:)

 *************************************************

DATE : January 20th  

TIME : 11:00～

PLACE : MIYAJIMA Omoto Shrine

ACCESS : 30minutes walking from MIYAJIMA pier

*************************************************

 

2016 is coming soon!

Have you made the plan for New year holidays yet?

 Another 1week to 2016!!!

There are some good spots

 for the first sunrise of New year（初日の出）in Hiroshima.

①Miyajima island  Mt. Misen 弥山

New Year's Day ropeways (cable cars) run from 5am for the sunrise.

The view from the top of Mt.Misen　(535m) is really really beautiful!

 After the sunrise,you should visit the Itsukushima Shrine too.

 ②Ogon-zan Mt.Ogon 黄金山

 Take a Bus about 20mins from Hiroshima Sta. to　「本浦」

And walk to the top about 50min.

Mt.Ogon is close from Hiroshima Station.

Wouldn't it be nice to go there 

and pray for a wish or a decision of new year. 

**********

Also,you should check out information

 about the holidays of the museums in Hiroshima.

Peace Memorial Museum is closed Dec 30th and 31st! 

Be careful !

a I am greatly looking forward to what 2015 will bring, and I hope you are too. - See more at: http://writershelpingwriters.net/2015/01/new-year-new-goals-made-plan-yet/#sthash.MAqhKhlf.dpuf

I am greatly looking forward to what 2015 will bring, and I hope you are too. - See more at: http://writershelpingwriters.net/2015/01/new-year-new-goals-made-plan-yet/#sthash.MAqhKhlf.dpuf

Have a wonderful New Year Holiday!

The Chinka-sai Fire Prevention Festival

Hi, this is Tomomi from Hiroshima Hana!

In few weeks, it will be a new year 2016!!

If you will spend the last date of this year in Hirohsima,
why don't you visit

The Chinka-sai, Fire Prevention Festival

on Miyajima island?

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

The larger pine troch is carried by 30-40 men on their shoulder's, while children carry smaller ones.

As the troches intensely burn the coastline become a combination of fire and water as the people run about chanting "Yoi, Yoi."

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.

 I've visited the Chinka-sai Festival for few times, it is always cool and you will get warm.:)

Date	December 31st, 18:00
Locatio	Itsukushima Shrine, Miyajima

*ْ✧ं॰*Miyajima Water Fireworks Festival*ْ✧ं॰*

Date: Aug 11th 2015 (TUE) 19:40-20:40
Location: Off shore from the O-torii Gate in Miyajima

  
Hello from Hiroshima Hana Hostel, It's Kana here. After nasty rainy season, we are having nasty HOT summer...More than 35℃ almost everyday...
Wasn't that hot when I was kid...GLOBAL WARMING....

We have 2 of must-visit in Hiroshima. Very well known world heritage, such as A-Bomb Dorm and MIYAJIMA.
Miyajima is one of the best sightseeing place for Japanese too. And It's my favorite place.
They held many different events almost every month.
What I recommend the most is  "Miyajima Water Fireworks Festival"!!
Firework in Japanese is "HANABI"

It Displays 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. I was one of them last year. Was crazy busy and heaps of people....
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.

Why don't you get dress in YUKATA (Kimono for summer season) and enjoy beautiful firework with someone special??

Kangensai Festival in Miyajima

Kangensai Fes
Date:June 17th (Wed)
Location: Itsukushima Shrine and other shrines

 Konnichiwa deom Hiroshima Hana Hostel, It's Kana here.
Hiroshima is in the middle of rainy season right now, so it's raining and humid almost everyday..
But once rain season is over, Summer will come!!Can't wait!!!

There are many different events are held in Miyajima almost every month. Kangensai is one of famous one it is held in June.

The Kangensai Festival reproduces a dynastic spectacle of the Monarchial Age on June 17th of the lunar calender, and has become one of the greatest festival of Itsukushima Shrine. When Taira-no-Kiyomori was appointed the governor of Aki Province in 1146, he remodeled Itsukushima Shrine and dedicated various kinds of treasure and performing arts to show his devout faith to the gods of the shire.
Kangen is, to be exact, court music played with three strings (Wagon, biwa ,koto), three drums (Kakko, taiko, shoko), and three flutes (sho, hishikiri, ryuteti).

Though in the capital, they played court music for entertainment, kiyomori dedicated it to Itsukushima Shrine, and instead of floating a Ryuto-gekishu boat (a boat with a carved dragon head and waterfowl neck decoration in front) in the court pond or in the river, he floated the boat in the sea.

 The date was fixed as June 17th of the lunar calendar, considering the weather conditions. As they needed big boats to carry a large number of players, they must have used trading vessels to China. The tide should be high enough for deep-draft vessels to touch down, so they chose the day when the spring tide occurs in June, avoiding the typhoon season in July and August. The reason they fixed the day as 17th is that the moon on that day is nearly full. It's the best time to come back from Jigozen Shrine on the mainland to Miyajima, looking up at the moon that appears by the edge of the mountain on Miyajima.

It's always good to know the history before joining anything!
Let's enjoy Japanese traditional festival together!!

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 Hina Doll Festival!

 Have you ever heard about Hina Doll?

In Japan, every year on March 3rd, we celebrate the Girl's Festival.(Hina Matsuri)
On this day, we set up special dolls called Hina Doll like this!

 

 **********Miyajima Hina Doll Festival************

Date: March 21st -April 5th

 Place:About30 historical residences and shops on Miyajima Island

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   You can see antique Hina Doll displays in Miyajima Island on this event!!
    Don't miss it!!

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.

SHIMA AKARI in Miyajima

This is a lighting-up event in Miyajima.

You can enjoy running light with history, 

culture, and landscape of Miyajima.

*************************************************

DATE ： March 21st  ～ May 11th (in the evening-10pm)

PLACE ： on the way from Miyajima bridge to Itsukushima shrine

ACCESS ： Take a ferry from Miyajimaguchi station

 In this season, You can also enjoy The cherry blossoms in Miyajima.

It can be amazing view with the running light 

and The cherry blossoms!!!

Enjoy Japanese Spring!!!!!