Takehara Bamboo Festival

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Takehara Bamboo Festival たけはら竹祭り

 May 3rd and 4th

 @conservation of historical town districts(町並み保存地区）　　　　　　　　 in Takehara 

Take a train (JR Kure line )from Hiroshima station　about 2h20min 　　　　　　　　　to Takehara station　15min walk from Takehara station(near the rabbit island )

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From the end of April to early May we have consecutive holidays called the Golden Week in Japan. Since it is quite hard to take long vacation for Japanese people usually,many people are looking forward to the holidays.

There are  many events also in Hiroshima for those days.

In Takehara, they have Bamboo Festival every year in early May since Takehara is famous for Bamboo. It is said that the Japanese old story, Kaguyahime かぐや姫 (the bamboo princess) is set  in Takehara. (Also in Nara,Kagoshima, Kagawa and Okayama).

They have the Kaguyahime parade and a concert with  musical instruments made from bamboo.You can also enjoy Sake and experience the bamboo work .

Takehara is quite far from Hiroshima city but it is nearby the famous rabbit island,Okunoshima. Recently,many of people go to the island since they are more than 700 wild rabbits.

If you are going to the rabbit island during the Golden week, why don't you go to the Takehara to enjoy the historical Japanese Festival of Bamboo!

Kure Port Festival

Kure Port Festival

On Apr 29th, Kure’s main streets  are closed for parades, stages and, of course, lots of food and drink stalls Kure Minato Matsuri or Kure Port Festival.

Over 3000people will join the parades!
Please  don't miss it!!

Kure staion is about 40mins from Hiroshima station by JR.
And another about 10mins walk from Kure staion to the festival.

Time: 10am to 6pm

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!