Visit temples to ring the bell for the new year's

Are you spending new year's in Kyoto?
To ring the bell in the temple at the end of a year is a popular custom in Japan.
Our recommendation, is the bell at "Chion in temple". There is one of the 3 biggest bell in Japan. 17 monks will ring the bell for the new years eve. very interesting sight.

知恩院(chion-in)
December 31st　22：40～
free to enter
8minuets walk from subway "Higashiosaka station".

The last MARKETS in this year

December 21st Around 5AM-4PM
@ Toji-temple

　You will find some fortune items, plant, antique and used kimono!
How about having a New Year with kimono?!

December 25th Around 6AM-5PM

@Kitano Tenmangu-Shrine

　The number of booths will be more than usual.

You will find some stuff for Japanese New Year, antique, used cloths and food.

Illumination & Special Opening @ Kyoto Botanical Garden

Kyoto Botanical Garden has special events during 15th to 24th December. The time of the special opening is between 17:30 and 20:00 (the entrance is open until 19:30).

The hothouse and some trees will be illuminated and also university students play handbells on the 18, 19 and 22nd. And the other students play the recorder on the 21st and ｐlay the string instruments on the 24th.

Kyoto Botanical Garden:

http://maps.google.co.jp/maps?q=Kyoto+Botanical+Garden&hl=ja&ll=35.048268,135.761061&spn=0.013649,0.016458&sll=36.5626,136.362305&sspn=53.816829,67.412109&vpsrc=6&brcurrent=3,0x6001a92b8e7f241d:0x190bbf3f83e70871,0&hq=Kyoto+Botanical+Garden&radius=15000&t=m&z=16

Hana touro in Arashiyama

Hello everyone!
It is getting really cold in Kyoto!
Have you been to see any really nice fall foliage?

Here is one of the great event in Kyoto for winter!
Hanatorou is a special illumination event. During the period, some temples have a special night opening for public. Particular paths and road will be decorated with lights and lantern.

Time period: December 9th - December 18th, 2011
Hours: 17:00- 20:30
Place: Saga Arashiyama
Access: JR sagano line from Kyoto station. about 16minutes.
For more information ↓↓
http://www.hanatouro.jp/e/arashiyama/index.html