Feb 3 (Thu)Setsubun sai (Setsubun Festival) in hiroshima♪

Setsubun marks the end of the lunar year and the coming of spring. It is marked by a cleansing ritual of oni harai that's performed in houses and elementary schools all over Japan.

at Gokoku Shrine, located in front of Hiroshima Castle from 15:30.
Try and grab the lucky beans, mochi !!

Jan.15th-21st FILM: 442 -Live with Honor, Die with Dignity-

The 442 Regiment was a segregated unit consisting of mainly Japanese American soldiers established in 1942. Initially treated with suspicion, as possible enemy sympathizers it went on to become the most decorated unit for its size and length of service in United States military history. It also suffered a huge percentage of casualties.

Told mostly through interviews with some of the surviving members of the regiment, now in their 80s and 90s, Junichi Suzuki's film not only highlights a relatively unknown aspect of World War II history raises questions about war, ideas of nationality, ethnicity, and remembrance.

This film is showed at: Salon Cinema

(about 15min by tram from Hiroshima sta.)

When: Jan.15th - 21st

Time: 10:45

More info.

http://www.442film.com/

Make your own Momiji Manju in Miyajima!

You can find many specialties anywhere in Japan.

Momiji Manju is a one of Hiroshima local specialty.
It is a sweet bean paste filled cake. Shaped just like a small maple leaf.
Now you can make your own Momiji Manju in Miyajima Island!


Where: Shishiiwa Ropeway station

Fee:３００yen/person (If you are a couple, 500yen/a couple)

When:10:00-12:00 / 13:30-15:30
( It will take 15-20 minutes for the experience.)

*You need to make a booking in advance on the 2nd floor of Shishiiwa station.
*Sign up: 2 or more only

You will also see the nice view from the top of Misen mountain.
It takes only 10 minutes to get to the top from Shishiiwa Ropeway station.

If the weather is very clear, you will be able to see lots of small islands in Seto inland sea.

MAZDA Zoom-Zoom Stadium Open Concourse

Home of Hiroshima Carp, MAZDA Zoon-Zoom Stadium's concourse is open for public twice a week on every Thursday and Saturday until the end of February.



Only ramped entrance from Hiroshima Sta. is available
Time9:00-17:00
Admission:Free

Look for detail fromHere.(Japanese)

To MAZDA Zoom-Zoom Stadium Hiroshima
just 5 min. walk from Hiroshima HANA Hostel!

Jan 15(sat),16(sun) Tondo Festivals

Tondo Festivals

If you're driving or biking along the rivers that run through town or in the countryside around the middle of January you may well see groups of people gathered around large bonfires, eating and drinking. This is the tondo matsuri, which is held on or around koshogatsu - literally means "small new year", and is celebrated at lunar New Year.

Local communities gather at the site of their bonfire and burn the New Year decorations, roast mochi and warm sake over the flames, and fan the smoke from the burnt decorations for good luck.


The large Gokoku Shrine, located in the city next to the castle will hold its tondo matsuri on Jan 15th from 10am. You can get an idea of the event from the video below.


There is also a tondo on the banks of the river next to Kintaikyo Bridge in Iwakuni on January, 16 from 5pm to 7pm.

Follow the smoke plumes to the festivals at other shrines, schools and parks.

New year holidays events in Miyajima 2011

A Happy New Year!!
Are you having great new year holidays?

There are lots of events in Miyajima Island at Itsukushima shrine right now!!

Jan. 2nd
11:00~ Bugaku performance "Omatsubayashi shinnou"

Jan.3rd
9:00~ Genshisai ceremony

Jan.5th
5:30(AM) Chikyusai ceremony and Bugaku performance
Includes batoh (Sunrise dance)
***Only performed once on the 5th of Jan.

Admission fee （Itsukushima shrine)　: 300yen

The first ferry to get to Miyajima Island leaves at 6:25 from Miyajimaguchi port.