1/31/2010

Feb 3 (Wed) Setsubun

February 3rd is Setsubun(節分). Setsubun literally means seasonal division and marks the coming of spring.

On setsubun there is special ritual called Mamemaki, it means bean-throwing, to expel demons and invite fortune. It's performed at houses, temples and shrines all over Japan. People throw roasted soybeans saying "Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi! (Get out Ogre! Come in Happiness!)." After mamemaki, people eat the number of beans as to their age. It's believed people won't get sick during the year by doing so.

In Hirhoshima, Daishoin Temple on Miyajima is a popular place to take part in the ritual. The ritual will start from 11:00.


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In the city center the ritual is also performed at Gokoku Shrine, located in front of Hiroshima Castle from 15:30.


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1/27/2010

Jan 29(Fri) Information of Live Concert for foreign travelers!!

Nice music! and SPECIAL FEE for foreign travelers!!
Do you know KOTO?
KOTO is a kind of zither. It has been used as one of 
the main chamber instruments of Japanese traditional music style.  
The length of KOTO is about 180cm. A traditional KOTO has 13 strings,
being arched tautly across 13 movable bridges along the length of the instrument. 

Players make base pitches by moving these13 bridges before playing.
It is very interesting to watch!
Why don't you listen a performance of KOTO here
in Hiroshima?!
It takes about 20 minute from Hana Hostel.
Dates/Times:29 January 19:00(open) 19:30(start)
Special fee for foreign travelers:
2,000 yen ( One Drink )←Sounds nice!!

Address:

@Live RAKUZA

Tatemachi Wing BF1-A,6-1
Tate-machi, Naka-ku Hiroshima City.

For more information:

About RAKUZA:http://www13.ocn.ne.jp/~rakuza/
Map of RAKUZA is Here


1/18/2010

JAN.24th ---FOOD FESTIVAL in Hatsukaichi---


The food festival will be held in Hatsukaichi city on the 24th of January,
from 10AM to 4PM.

It's just right next to the Miyajima ferry port, inside the boat race building.

Admission free!

Try our local foods!!

Don't miss it!!

1/14/2010

Jan 17 (Sun)Tea that brings people happiness!?

In Japan,there is tea that brings people happiness. It is called "Oobuku-cha" .The word "Oobuku",meaning "Big Happy" and "cha",meaning "tea". Oobuku-cha is drunk at the new years as a lucky tea.

At Syukkeien Garden(Hiroshima city),they will have a
Oobuku-cha ceremony on 17th of January.Why don't you drink "Big Happy Tea"? The happy tea will warm you up and bring you happiness!!



Oobuku Tea ceremony


Dates and times:17th of January 10:00-15:00(order time in 10:00-15:00)

The charge for participating in the tea ceremony is ¥1200. Admission to the park (¥250) is not included.

Address:Shukkeien Garden
2-11 kami-noborimachi,Naka-ku,
Hiroshima