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Gozan no Okuribi: Saidaimonji's Oya-bi
This image captures the powerful figures of people carrying the Oya-bi (parent fire) of Saidaimonji during the traditional event "Gozan no Okuribi," which concludes the summer in Kyoto. Men dressed in happi coats and headbands marked with "Saidaimonji Preservation Society" carry a large, fiercely burning torch on long bamboo poles, advancing in a procession toward the fire platform on the mountain. In the darkness, the flames create a fantastical light and heat, conveying the serious expressions of the participants who uphold the tradition, along with the unique fervor and solemnity of the event.
Ookitayamakagamiishichou, Kitaku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
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Kibune Shrine Surrounded by Fresh Greenery: Okumiya and Hirakado
This scene captures the sacred gate (Hirakado) of Okumiya standing amidst the blue leaves and deep green trees at Kibune Shrine in early summer Kyoto. Lush moss and towering cedar trees line both sides of the approach, adorned with vibrant red lanterns, creating a sacred and clear atmosphere. In front of the gate, a quietly standing worshiper adds to the tranquility, making this image a striking representation of the deep emotional beauty of Okumiya and the rich nature surrounding it.
Kuramakibunecho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
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Gion Festival Shinko Festival: Countless smartphones capturing the Mikoshi procession
This image captures the magnificent sight of the Mikoshi procession filling Shijō Street during the "Shinko Festival" of the Gion Festival, which symbolizes summer in Kyoto. The Tōmi Mikoshi, shining in gold and white, is powerfully carried by bearers in white garments. In a bid to catch a glimpse of this historic moment, the crowd lining the streets raises a multitude of smartphones in unison. This vibrant scene represents the fusion of traditional festival culture and modern societal behavior, encapsulating the spirit of our times.
Gioncho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
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Gion Festival and Kankō-sai: The fervor and procession that fills the night in Kyoto
This scene captures the grand procession that fills Shijō Street during the finale of the Gion Festival, known as Kankō-sai. As the warm light of lanterns illuminates the streets, a large number of men dressed in white garments march powerfully alongside the big tall lanterns of "Shiwaka" and the portable shrine. The gaze and excitement from the spectators resonate in the vibrant night streets of Kyoto, echoing the overwhelming fervor and vitality unique to this traditional event as they escort the deities back to Yasaka Shrine.
Gioncho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture.
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Gion Festival and Shinko Festival: The Enthusiasm of Children Connecting to the Future
This scene captures the adorable yet reliable figures of children supporting the Gion Festival's "Shinko Festival," which colors the summer of Kyoto. Dressed in matching white hanten jackets and headbands, the children stand in a line, carefully holding onto a single rope. Their serious gazes and smiles amidst the lively atmosphere convey the warmth of this traditional event, as well as the vibrant spirit that connects it to the next generation.
Gioncho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
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There is a spring when window frames become paintings.
The Kyoto Prefectural Office Former Main Building, located in Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto City, is an important cultural property built in 1904. Compared to Gion and Arashiyama, it attracts fewer visitors, making it a hidden gem where you can quietly savor the true depth of Kyoto.
Every spring, the Cherry Blossom Viewing Festival is held, where magnificent weeping cherry trees bloom in the courtyard surrounded by Meiji-era Western-style architecture. The view of the cherry blossoms and the courtyard through the old wooden windows creates a composition that resembles a painting, offering a special spring experience unique to this place.
Despite being an active government building, it is free to visit, allowing you to enjoy the luxurious collaboration of historical architecture and cherry blossoms. This is a place that those tired of the usual Kyoto sightseeing spots should definitely visit.
85-3 Yabunouchi-cho, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto City.
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Is there really such a different world in Nagoya?
Yokisō, located in Chikusa Ward, Nagoya City, is a villa garden built by Jirozaemon Itō, the first president of Matsuzakaya, during the Taisho to Showa periods. Surprisingly little known even among locals, it is a hidden gem favored by connoisseurs.
The vermilion bridge spanning the pond, the charming wooden corridor, and the autumn scenery with vibrant maple leaves reflecting on the water create a beauty reminiscent of Kyoto's famous gardens. The tranquil space enveloped in shades of green, yellow, and red allows you to forget the hustle and bustle of the city.
Admission is free, making it easy to visit, and it remains uncrowded even during the autumn foliage season. Be sure to enjoy this hidden Japanese garden, the best in Nagoya.
2-5-17 Hōō-chō, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya-shi, Aichi-ken, Japan.
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Is this Nagoya? It’s a corridor from another world that makes you do a double take.
The Nagoya City Archives, located in Higashi Ward, Nagoya City, is an important cultural property built in 1922 in the Neo-Baroque style. Compared to Nagoya Castle and Sakae, it has fewer tourists, making it a hidden architectural gem where you can take your time exploring.
Upon entering the building, you are greeted by an elegant marble staircase, stained glass, and arched windows that create a majestic space, making you feel as if you've wandered into a European palace. Its overwhelming beauty has made it a popular filming location for dramas and movies.
The fact that admission is free and you can easily drop by is another delightful point. You can discover a new side of Nagoya.
3-1 Shirakabe 1-chome, Higashi-ku, Nagoya-shi, Aichi-ken, Japan.
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This sky is unique to this place.
Located in the northern part of Mie Prefecture, Inabe City is a nature-rich agricultural town overlooking the Suzuka Mountains. From late September to early October each year, the vast fields are blanketed with white buckwheat flowers in full bloom.
During sunset, the dramatic sky is dyed in shades of crimson, creating a fantastical scene where the silhouette of flower fields stretches to the horizon against the backdrop of the mountains, resembling a painting. It is precisely because of the unspoiled rural landscape that one can experience this overwhelming sense of scale and tranquility.
With easy access, just about an hour's drive from Nagoya, be sure to visit with your camera in hand to seek out this hidden gem of a view.
Inabe City, Mie Prefecture, Inabe Town.
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A sunflower field in the city center, encountered right in front of the station.
Located just next to Nagoya Station, the Dai Nagoya Building hosts a stunning sunflower field every summer, a hidden gem known to those in the know amidst the towering skyscrapers of the downtown area.
The golden rows of sunflowers create a unique contrast with the modern glass buildings, offering a one-of-a-kind view that is distinctly Nagoya. Even passersby can't help but stop in their tracks, amazed that such a floral spectacle can be enjoyed right in front of the station without needing to travel far.
During the event period, admission is free, making it an attractive stop to visit while shopping or having lunch. This is a delightful spot to quietly add to your summer sightseeing in Nagoya.
3-28-12 Meieki, Nakamura-ku, Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture.
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