Kyoto Station's Automatic Underground Bicycle Parking Area This video, titled "Automatic Underground Bicycle Parking Lot Opened in Front of Kyoto Station" (京都駅前に機械式地下駐輪場がオープン) was released by SankeiNews. The first automated underground bicycle parking lot in Kyoto made big news when it was opened on February 11th, 2015 at the East and West Hachijou Entrance to Kyoto station. This is a video showing footage of the automated storage and retrieval of a bicycle from inside the underground parking lot that was made available to the press upon opening. It's a sight that one would normally never be able to see and well worth the watch! More About Kyoto Station's Automatic Underground Bicycle Parking Lot Source :YouTube screenshot The underground parking lot has a 12 meter deep cylindrical design and the footage of the automated storage of the bikes underground is truly amazing! You can take a look at this from 0:06 in the video. One of these underground parking lots (called Eco-cycles) can store approximately 200 bicycles. The way it works is that you place your bike into an elevator-type booth, simply push a button and the bicycle will automatically be stored away in the underground parking lot. You can see this in the opening scenes of the video. When you would like to retrieve your bicycle, all you have to do is swipe your designated IC card and your bike should arrive through the elevator-style booth in approximately 13 seconds. This can be seen at 0:17 in the video. As you can see in the video, the front wheel of the bicycle is held by a machine, which allows the machine to move the bicycle to the correct location. It's truly amazing to watch the machine at work! Advantages and Disadvantages of Automated Underground Parking Lots Source :YouTube screenshot It can no doubt be said that the new underground bicycle parking lot in Kyoto is very convenient, but it's not without its disadvantages. Let's talk about the advantages and disadvantages of this system. First of all, one of the advantages of the underground parking lot is that, being indoors, there is less risk of one's bicycle being damaged by rain or possibly being stolen compared to if it were parked outdoors. Another advantage is that since the bicycles are neatly stored away, the iconic scenery of the streets of Kyoto can be easily maintained. However, one of the disadvantages of such a system is the development cost. The cost to build one of these parking lots is approximately 160,000,000 yen (roughly 1.5 million US dollars) with the overall construction cost coming to approximately 426,600,000 yen (roughly 4 million US dollars), far higher than a regular outdoor bicycle parking lot. It is hardly a sum than can be covered by usage charge alone. For this reason, it's unlikely that this kind of underground parking area will be adopted by many local governments without good reason for it. Furthermore, the lack of information on running performance, maintenance costs and the fact that the parking lot is not equipped to handle non-standard bicycles are all problems that still need to be dealt with. Kyoto Station Automated Underground Bicycle Parking Lot Usage Fee Photo：Bicycle parking area For those who wish to use the new underground parking lot, you'll need to enter a fixed-term contract, which currently costs 2700 yen per month (as of Jan 2020). It is also possible to pay for parking per day at a cost of 150 yen; however, the parking lot can often be full so it's best to search for alternative parking options beforehand. Those wishing to enter a fixed term contract need to ensure that their bicycle meets the required standards for the automatic parking lot. You must know your bicycle's length, width, height and position of the front and/or rear basket, tire size, bike weight, and position of gears and possibly several other measurements. Extra precautions must be taken for bikes which have unique or special designs, such as road bikes, mountain bikes, and more. Summary of Kyoto's Automated Underground Parking Lot What 'd you think of Kyoto's new underground bicycle parking lot? Kyoto station's south entrance has long been troubled with the unauthorized parking of bicycles. It is hoped that the completion of this new underground parking lot will bring and end to this problem and help contribute towards maintaining the beautiful scenery of Kyoto. Videos of bicycles being sucked up by the automated machinery of Kyoto's underground parking lot have attracted a lot of attention on social media, so much so that many tourists are visiting Kyoto for the sole purpose of seeing this unusual parking lot! The development of this automated parking lot in the futuristic city of Kyoto is sure to have a profound impact on the rest of the world. 【Official Website】Automatic Underground Bicycle Parking Lot introduction｜KYOTO PARKING NAVI https://kyotopublic.or.jp/bikepark/

What is “Funaya” in Ine-cho, Yosae-gun, Kyoto Prefecture? Sightseeing Video Introduction This tourist promotion video, titled "[Beautiful Japan] Ine Town, Kyoto," was produced by N.a., and shows views of the seaside town of Ine in northern Kyoto. Located in Kyoto in the Kansai region, Ine is a peaceful area at the northeastern end of the Tango peninsula, facing the Sea of Japan. People in this town have lived in harmony with the sea by utilizing its gifts. Fishermen in the town live in houses called “funaya” which can store their boats as you can see at 0:58 in the video. You can admire the view of the funaya, all in a row, in the video as well. It's not a very common sight, so we definitely recommend taking a look at it. Enjoy the beautiful landscape created by the funaya and the Sea of Japan! Information About Ine Photo：Funaya in Ine Ine's funaya can store boats and fishing tools on the first floor, making use of age-old wisdom that makes for a smooth and easily accessible fishing excursion. You can see a fisherman parking his boat in his funaya at 1:39 after a long day of fishing. The waters of Ine, a port town facing Ine Bay on the Tango Peninsula, are calm and serene. The landscape lined with ancient funaya is very elegant. The scenery of the boathouses in Ine, that remind us of the history of the fishing town, has been designated as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings. Tips for Traveling Around Ine The Funaya of Ine are best viewed from the shore where the boats are stored. When you visit Ine, we recommend taking a pleasure boat along the sea side route. There are old guest houses near the funaya of Ine as well. Okuineonsen Aburaya, which has an open-air bath with a view, is a popular spot for those who want to enjoy a relaxing time in an outstanding location. Have a wonderful time staying at the guest houses, where you can enjoy the atmosphere of good old Japan while eating seasonal seafood dishes. Summary of Ine's Funaya Photo：Ine Ine, Kyoto is lined with ancient Japanese boat houses that cannot be seen anywhere else. Be sure to keep your camera handy to take some Instagram pics! If you haven't already, be sure to watch the video; It has some beautiful scenery! When most people think of sightseeing in Kyoto, they probably think of shrines and temples in the southern part of the Prefecture. However, there are many attractive tourist destinations on the sea side of Kyoto Prefecture as well. If you enjoyed the atmosphere of Ine, consider stopping by the sea side at the northern end of Kyoto. The true beauty of Japan lies outside of its cities.

Video introduction of “Red Soybean Natto” made by a natto craftsman in Kyoto, Japan This video, titled "How to make a Delicious Japanese "Kyo-Natto" Amazing "Natto" Master in Kyoto Japan![ASMR][DELI BALI]," was uploaded by "DELI BALI." This series features Kyo-natto, a popular product in Japan's Kansai region, made by Fujiwara Foods, near Kuramaguchi Station in Kyoto. Check out the video below to see how the delicious Kyo-Natto is made. Red Soybeans - One of the Many Varieties of Soybeans! Photo：3 types of soybeans Did you know that there are many varieties of soybeans? When you hear the word "soybeans," the first thing that comes to mind is probably the common yellow soybean. However, there are actually other varieties of soybeans, including red soybeans, green soybeans, and even black soybeans. Among the many varieties, red soybeans are a rare variety with few farmers growing them. Their nutritional value and flavor are superior to those of other varieties, and they are highly sought after. Different Ways to Eat Red Soybeans One problem many people have with natto is that the soybean skin remains in their mouth even after they've finished eating. The skin of red soybeans is so thin that it easily passes through the teeth, and the texture is pleasant, so the skin does not remain in the mouth. Also, because of its strong umami flavor, many recipes have been published for people who want to taste the full flavor of the bean, such as nimame (boiled soybeans). In addition to the sweet nimame, there are many other ways to enjoy soybeans, such as boiled in salted water, served with rice, or with spinach and tofu dressing. There are many different recipes to try out. In this video, red soybean natto is used as an ingredient. Kyo-Natto - The Creme de la Creme of Natto Source :YouTube screenshot The video introduces Fujiwara Foods, a leading natto manufacturer in Kyoto. In addition to natto made from common soybeans, the company also produces red soybean natto and green soybean natto. Several types of natto, including "Kyo-Natto Otsubu" (京納豆大粒, Large Bean Kyo-Natto) and "Kamogawa Natto" (鴨川納豆, Kamo River Natto), which won an excellence award for five consecutive years at the Japan Natto Competition, are loved by many natto fans. The process of making red soybean natto begins with the artisan's hand washing of the beans. The beans are gently washed by hand and soaked in water until they are about twice their original size. From there, the red soybeans are cooked in a pressure cooker. In the video, you can see the pressure cooker, which is full of Fujiwara Foods' commitment and history. After the beans are cooked, natto bacillus is immediately sprayed on the beans. Before the beans cool down, the natto is packed and left in the fermentation room for another 20 hours before the red soybean natto is finally ready. President Fujiwara says he never liked natto and did not want to take over his family's business. However, he is now known as a natto maker with fans not only in Kyoto but all across Japan. Summary of Kyo-Natto, a Natto Made With Red Soybeans Natto is a food for all genders and ages because of its high quality protein, so much so that it's called "Hatake no Niku" (畑の肉, 'the meat of the fields') in Japan. Furthermore, in recent years, soybeans have been attracting attention from people interested in dieting as a low-sugar food. Natto is made from fermented soybeans, which makes it even more nutritious. However, as the president of Fujiwara Foods disliked natto, it is a food that Japanese people are quite divided about. For those who dislike the smell, using spices such as wasabi, garlic, or curry seems to make it easier to eat. Be sure to give it a try if you dislike natto yourself. Even some natto lovers probably didn't know that there's red soybean natto and green soybean natto, or they may have known about them but have never eaten them. You'd be surprised at how different the different types of soybeans are. Red soybean natto is on a whole different level from regular natto. Be sure to give it a try!

This video, titled "Tanaka Hisashige's Myriad Year Clock [Full & HD]" (田中久重の万年時計【Full & HD】), was released by "Kaoru GreenEmerald." This video introduces Hisashige Tanaka's "myriad year clock." Hisashige Tanaka was a Japanese engineer and inventor who lived from the late Edo period to the Meiji period, and later became one of the founders of Toshiba. He has been called the Edison of Japan, Karakuri Giemon, and other names. The myriad year clock shown in the video has seven functions: It features an armillary sphere, shows Japanese time, western time time, day of the week, months, moon phases, and zodiac signs, and is spring-operated. It has an amazing design that, when completely wound once, continues to work for a year without needing to be rewound, and it is said that almost all of its parts were made by Hisashige Tanaka using simple tools.

Video introduction of "Nagashi Hina" at Shimogamo-jinja Shrine in Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture This video, titled "[Past Video] Kyoto Nagashibina at Shimogamo Shrine (Filmed in Sakyo, Kyoto, March 3, 2017)" (【過去動画】下鴨神社「京の流しびな」（2017年3月3日撮影　京都市左京区）), was uploaded by "Kyoto Shimbun" (京都新聞). The Nagashibina at Shimogamo Shrine, held annually on March 3rd and scheduled for 2026 as well, is a representative traditional event of Kyoto. In early spring, when the cold still lingers, the serene atmosphere above the Mitarashi River and the plum tree buds herald the arrival of spring. Watch the video to see hina dolls dressed in junihitoe (twelve-layered kimono), male dolls in traditional court attire, and even mascot characters. Made of Japanese paper and placed on sandawara (vessels woven from straw), the dolls are floated down the Mitarashi River at Shimogamo Shrine's Nagashibina ceremony. What is Nagashibina? What is the History Behind the Roots of Hinamatsuri? Photo: Nagashibina at Shimogamo Shrine (Kamo Mioya Shrine), Kyoto Kamo Mioya Shrine in Kyoto, a World Heritage Site, is commonly known as "Shimogamo Shrine." The Nagashibina at Shimogamo Shrine, held every March, is a traditional event said to be the roots of Hinamatsuri. Tracing its history, the event originated from "Joshi no Sekku" (Seasonal Festival of the First Snake), one of the five seasonal festivals introduced from China. March 3rd corresponds to the second of the five seasonal festivals, "Joshi no Sekku." On this day in ancient China, there was a custom of purifying the body by the waterside and holding banquets to ward off misfortune. These ancient Chinese sekku rituals combined with Japanese beliefs in misogiharai (purification rituals), and the custom of praying for good health by floating purified hitogata (paper dolls) down rivers, are believed to have evolved into the modern Nagashibina. These "hitogata" are also considered the origins of modern hina dolls. The practice of purifying katashiro (substitute forms) and placing them on boats to float out to the sea at Suma is even mentioned in "The Tale of Genji," written in the mid-Heian period. When is Nagashibina at Shimogamo Shrine 2026? What Kind of Event is It? Photo: A Nagashibina doll at Shimogamo Shrine (Kamo Mioya Shrine), Kyoto Let us introduce the Nagashibina at Shimogamo Shrine 2026. The couple dressed in Heian period costumes as the hina dolls are selected from couples planning to marry through public recruitment. [Video] 0:25 - Hina Dolls Selected Through Public Recruitment The event is scheduled for March 3, 2026 (Tuesday). Registration begins at 10:00 AM, the junihitoe dressing ceremony is open to viewing from 10:30 AM, and the Nagashibina ritual begins around 11:00 AM. Please check the official website for detailed information. The Nagashibina ceremony takes place along the Mitarashi River, which flows in front of Mitarashi Shrine (Mitarashi-sha) and Inoue Shrine (Inoue-sha), auxiliary shrines within the precincts. Hina dolls made of Japanese paper are placed in sandawara and floated down the river to pray for children's good health and safety. Highlights include the public viewing of the junihitoe dressing ceremony, as well as seeing the human-portrayed hina dolls wearing the magnificent twelve-layered kimono and the male dolls in court attire. The Nagashibina ceremony scenes evoke the historical elegance characteristic of ancient Kyoto. The ceremony is free to observe. Nagashibina dolls are available for a fee (small: 1,000 yen, large: 1,500 yen, including hina arare rice crackers). [Video] 1:02 - Many Nagashibina Dolls Floating on the River Surface On the day of the event, amazake (sweet sake) is also served—a welcome treat during the chilly season. Where Can You See Nagashibina Events Across Japan? Photo: Nagashibina Hinamatsuri In addition to Shimogamo Shrine in Kyoto, Nagashibina ceremonies and events are held throughout Japan. Here are some examples: ●Hina Nagashi at Awashima Shrine, Wakayama Prefecture Following purification by the shrine priest, hina dolls dedicated from throughout Japan, along with katashiro paper with written wishes, are floated out to sea. Known as "Hina Nagashi," this ceremony uses three white wooden boats. Usually held on March 3. ●Edo Nagashibina by Edo Nagashibina Promotion Association, Tokyo This "Edo Nagashibina" event is held to pass on traditional customs to children and to wish for a bright future. Please check the website for details. ●Yose no Nagashibina by Yose Nagashibina Executive Committee, Yose, Tottori Prefecture An event where dolls are floated down the Sendai River on the lunar calendar's March 3rd to pray for good health and safety. Designated as an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Tottori Prefecture in 1985 as "Yose no Nagashibina." ●Heike Hina Nagashi Ceremony at Akama Shrine, Shimonoseki City, Yamaguchi Prefecture This "Heike Hina Nagashi Ceremony" is held every March to comfort the spirits of Emperor Antoku and the Heike clan who perished young in the Battle of Dan-no-ura. How to Visit Nagashibina at Shimogamo Shrine 2026? Summary Regardless of era or region, "Nagashibina" has always embodied wishes for good health and bright futures for children. Throughout Japan, purification dolls are modeled after oneself, symbolizing the washing away of impurities in water to achieve purification. This event is held in March when plum blossoms perfume the spring air. While the ceremonies and customs held in various regions have evolved slightly in each locality, the underlying sentiment has remained unchanged from ancient times to the present. Why not experience Nagashibina at Shimogamo Shrine while enjoying tourism and events in various locations at the beginning of spring 2026? 【Official Website】Shimogamo Shrine｜Kamo Mioya Shrine 【TripAdvisor】Shimogamo Shrine