Gudetama exhibition in HIROSHIMA

Do you know this character called Gudetama(ぐでたま)?
Gutetama is an melancocholy and lazy egg yolk from the Sanrio universe,also known for Hello Kitty.
Its exhibiton is being held for commemoration of 5th year at SOGO department store in Hiroshima from Dec 20th to Jan 3rd,2019.
At the venue,you can meet and touch lots of Gudetama.Photos are permitted.
Also,next to the exhibition,there is a Gudetama cafe.

Chippy,a staff from Hiroshima Hana,is a big fan of its and invited me to the exhibition this week. Actually,I was not a big fan of it (sorry Chippy...) but now I think it is kind of...CUTE!  Gudetama looks quite weird at the beginning but after visiting the exhibition you will like it.

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Gudetama Exhibition in HIROSHIMA
From Dec 20th,2018 To Jan 3rd,2019 
10AM-8PM　

Venue: SOGO department store Main building 9th floor
Take a tram #2 or #6 to Kamiyacho-Nishi stop
from Hiroshima station
Adults:300yen  Students:FREE
 Gudetama Exhibition Hiroshima website (JPN)
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↑Chippy and her loved one
Me and Gudetama playing on a toast ↑

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

Chrysanthemum Tea Ceremony

There will be a tea ceremony on Nov 3rd.

Since Nov 3rd is one of the public holidays in Japan called Bunka-no-hi (Culture Day) holiday, entrance to the garden is FREE!

Also,the chrysanthemum are fully bloomed now and will be displayed around tea hause.

Why don't you join the Japanese traditional event?

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 Chrysanthemum Tea Ceremony

Nov 3rd(Sun)

9:30AM - 3PM

@Shukkeien Japanese garden 

15min walk from Hiroshima sta.

600yen-800yen

Admission FREE

http://shukkeien.jp/

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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!

Ghibli Expo in Hiroshima!

Ghibli is the one of the most well-known Japanese films.

Here is an unmissable event for Ghibli Fans! 

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Ghibli Expo　-From Nausicaä to Marnie-

From Jul 21st to Sept 24th 

9AM - 5PM

@Hiroshima Prefectural Art Museum

About 1 km away from JR Hiroshima Station.5-10min walk

Admission Adult: ¥1400/students ¥1000/children ¥600

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Also,you can enter the Shukkeien Japanese Garden next to the museum for 100yen with the ticket for the Expo.

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?

Tanabata Tea celemony

Jul 7th is known as Tanabata,the star festival in Japan.

On that day, we decorate bamboo trees with some paper ornaments.

It is believed that a wish comes true when you write your wish on the paper strips and hang on the bamboo branch.

On Jul 8th,at Shukkeien Japanese garden in Hiroshima there will be a tea ceremony for Tanabata.

Why don't you join them to cerebrate the festival.

Also,the hydrangea flowers are fully bloomed now at the garden.

Enjoy the Japanese rainy season!!

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Jul 8th(Sun)

9AM - 2:30PM

@Seifuukan清風館

Shukkeien Japanese garden

800yen+Admission fee

http://shukkeien.jp/

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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:

🎆FIREWORKS🎆

Summer is coming soon!!

What makes you notice that it is summer??

It is definitely fireworks to me.

One of the biggest fireworks festival in Hiroshima is going to be held on 28th July. About 10,000 fireworks are going to be shot.

(1)Opening  event
　①when　　19:00～19:40  28th July
　②where 　Hiroshima-shi, Minami-ku, Ujinakaigann 3chome
(2)Fireworks
　①when　　20:00～21:00
　②where setting off   10,000 Tons Berth of Hiroshima Port

★Every Saturday night!★Samurai Ninja theatre

In Hiroshima,there are many sightseeing spots in its city,but most of them close quite early,around 6PM.However,here is a great event for guests who arrive late.
There is a Samurai and Ninja show held at Peace Cafe on every Saturday.
Why don't you go there and make your stay a memorable one?
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Every Saturday Night
@ Peace Café
5min walk from Hiroshima castle
◎Admission:2,000 yen (includes 1 drink)
Ticket Window and Doors Open／18:00
Performance Starts／18:30
Performance End／19:30
After the performance, you can get a souvenir photo taken with the Samurai and Ninja!
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NIKU FES in Hiroshima

The "NIKU FES" (meat festival) is coming to Hiroshima!!

NIKU FES is a festival for crazy meat lovers. 

21shops are going to be on the festival and they all have different meat menu.

Every shops get long queue always, especially on this hamburg steak bellow.

 

This lump of meat is called "drinkable hamburg".

If you are curious why it is called so, go to the FES and try it!!

https://www.walkerplus.com/event/ar0834e216814/data.html

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!!!

★Special Discount★ Ferry to Matsuyama

Here is a good news for travelers going to Shikoku-island!
To get to Matsuyama from Hiroshima,you need to take a ferry from the Hiroshima port.They are starting a special discount for foreigners from this coming April!
There are two kind of ferries;Cruise Ferries and Super Jet Ferries.
You can get about 30% OFF for both of them if you show your passport upon purchasing.
Don't miss out on this opportunity to get to Matsuyama!

Please NOTE that you can NOT buy the round ticket.One way ticket only.

[Hiroshima to Matsuyama]
1) Cruise Ferry  160min  3600yen　→　2520yen/way per person
2) Super Jet ferry  68min  7100yen　→　4970yen/way per person

Period for special sale: From Apr 1st,2018  to Mar 31st,2019

Please refer to the following link :Setonaikai-kisen (ENG)
 

My favorite Okinomiyaki restaurant

Do you know what you must to do in Hiroshima??

Go to Peace Park? Go to Miyajima? Of course you must go these places.
But the most important thing is .......

 

To eat Okonomiyaki!!

Okonomiyaki is Hiroshima's soul food.  Don't need to explain, just look the picture below. Obviously, it is delicious.





So, I would like to introduce my favorite Okonomiyaki restaurant this time.

 

Que

 

 

This is the shop where I always eat okonomiyaki at. Their okonomiyaki is just perfect. Springy noodles, tasty egg, "umami" from cabbage inside and the brown souse make amazing combination!! They also have lots of topping menu.  I recommend spring onion, smells very nice.

Try it when you come toHiroshima!! I'm sure you will like it.

Hiroshima Vegetarian Guide

Konnichiwa from Hiroshima Hana hostel. It's Kana here.
We have crazy snow last few weeks in whole in Japan. I hope all of people who is traveling in Japan having great time and safe trip.

Speaking of trip, FOOD is one of the important thing during trip. Gotta try and enjoy local food such as Okonomiyaki, Oyster which are Hiroshima specialty food.

I always recommend those local food for the guest, but I would like to recommend nice restaurant for Vegetarians this time.

Here are some tips which are all located in the city! Good access!

 

Many different types of Vegetarian restaurant, They all look delicious! Even I'm not Vegetarians, I would really like to try them!!!

Art of Hiroshige Utagawa

Do you know what is Ukiyo-e?
It is a genre of Japanese art which was very popular back in Edo period (17th to 19th centuries).


Hiroshige Utagawa is one of the most popular Ukiyo-e artists and his art can be seen in Hiroshima Museum of Art now.


Hiroshige even influenced Gogh and Monet.

* Date: January 3rd - February 12th, 2018
* Time: 9AM - 5PM
* Entrance fee: 1,300yen


Check this out if you are into art!

Hiroshima Ekiden

Teams from all 47 prefectures battle it out in this annual 48km road relay on an out-and-back course between Hiroshima Peace Park and Miyajima-guchi.

Date: January of 21st 2018

Time: 12:30 pm - 3:30 pm

Cost: Free

Website: http://www.hiroshima-ekiden.com/course/course.html

 

It starts at 12:30pm in front of peace park!

※Please ｂe careful of traffic jam. It must be crowded!!

Tondo Festival in Hiroshima

About 2 weeks after New year, dramatic bonfire festivals are held at shrines all across Japan. The previous year's ceremonial arrows and lucky charms are burnt and people pray for good fortune in the year to come. These festivals are known as "Tondo Matsuri". Here in Hiroshima, you can experience it at Gokoku shrine where Hiroshima castle is at.

You can hear the snap, crackle, pop of the bamboo! It's spectacular that flames rising above the rooftops. Everyone gathered in a circle around the fire to watch, snapping photos, eating grilled mochi(rice cake) grilled with the fire, and praying for good luck for the year.

 DATE & TIME: January 15th 2018 from 10am.