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English Kagura Experience
Kagura performances with English explanation, subtitles, Q&A and photo session at Hiroshima Prefectural Art Museum.
Find out more »Kumano Fude Matsuri
It's all about the calligraphy (and, more recently, make up) brushes at this festival which celebrates Kumano's claim to fame. One of our favorite days out in autumn. Read about the Fude Matsuri here. Read about Kumano Fude Matsuri in the JapanTimes here. See photos from the Fude Matsuri here. See videos from the Fude Matsuri here The official Fude Matsuri site is here (Japanese only, but some nice photos). If you are interested in brush manufacture and calligraphy you might…
Find out more »English Kagura Experience
The Prefectural Art Museum located next to Shukkei-en Garden hosts regular performances of Hiroshima Kagura specifically for overseas visitors. As well as a short introduction in English, a screen next to the stage provides simple summaries of what is happening in each act. Best of all, audience members have an opportunity to ask members of the night's kagura troupe questions with the help of an interpreter. The experience finishes with a chance to check out and try on the gorgeous…
Find out more »Kangetsu Moon Viewing Tea Ceremony
The end of September is the time for "moon viewing" or kangetsu in Japan and a moon viewing tea ceremony is held in Shukkei-en Garden annually at this time. ¥800 for the (more formal) tea ceremony in a tea house (honseki) ¥600 to take tea in the gardens (nodate) The garden admission fee is also required (adults ¥260) and the garden is open to until 9pm. The neighboring Prefectural Art Museum where the Da Vinci exhibition is currently showing also has…
Find out more »English Kagura Experience
Kagura performance with English explanation, subtitles, Q&A and photo session at Hiroshima Prefectural Art Museum.
Find out more »Night Museum Sake Tasting
How about spending an autumn evening sipping local sake and viewing some impressionist masterpieces after hours at the Hiroshima Museum of Art?
Find out more »English Kagura Experience
The Prefectural Art Museum located next to Shukkei-en Garden hosts regular performances of Hiroshima Kagura specifically for overseas visitors. As well as a short introduction in English, a screen next to the stage provides simple summaries of what is happening in each act. Best of all, audience members have an opportunity to ask members of the night's kagura troupe questions with the help of an interpreter. The experience finishes with a chance to check out and try on the gorgeous…
Find out more »English Kagura Experience
Awesome kagura show with English subtitles, Q&A and photo session.
Find out more »English Kagura Experience
Awesome kagura show with English subtitles, Q&A and photo session.
Find out more »Onomichi Betcha Festival
When, in 1808, plague was sweeping through the porttown of Onomichi, the lord in control at the time ordered local shrines to perform purification rights in an attempt to ward of the disease. The rights were to be performed over 3 days and two nights and, in addition, an omokoshi portable shrine was carried through the streets with young men dressed a lion and three demons named beta, shouki and soba at the head of the procession. Today, a…
Find out more »Chrysanthemum Tea Ceremony at Shukkei-en Garden
As the annual chrysanthemum viewing tea ceremony at Shukkei-en Garden is held on the November 3 Bunka-no-hi or "Culture Day" holiday, entrance to the garden is free. You can experience a tea ceremony in the beautiful Seifukan tea house or opt for the more relaxed outdoor setting. There is also large ornamental chrysanthemum display. Photo: © Shukkei-en Garden
Find out more »Ritual Fire-walking at Daigan-ji Temple, Miyajima
Impressive and elaborate ritual that culminates in priests and members of the public rushing across hot coals in front of Daigan-ji Temple, located at the exit from Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima. For more about and photos and video of this fire-walking ritual click here.
Find out more »Momiji Maple Viewing Tea Ceremony
Momiji maple viewing tea ceremony at Shukkei-en Garden. ¥260 garden entrance fee also required. Photo: ©Shukkei-en Garden
Find out more »Fire walking ritual at Daishoin Temple
Photo: Lance Cpl. Benjamin Pryer "Hi-watari-shiki" Fire walking ritual takea place at Daishoin Temple on Miyajima twice a year on April 15 and November 15. Readings from the 8000 verse Perfection of Wisdom Sutra begin at 11am and extravagant Saito-goma rituals begin around 1pm in the temple forecourt with a purification offering to the alter and the chanting of sutras. This is followed by two Buddhist monks circling the area with swords and then shooting 7 arrows into the air…
Find out more »Ebisuko Festival
Ebisu Shrine's autumn festival marks the arrival of winter in Hiroshima. Known among locals as Ebessan after the god of commerce, surrounding stores hold sales and buy komazadare bamboo rakes adorned with gold coins and atreasure ship. You might here business owners complain that the whole thing is a racket, but you won't see a shop, restaurant or bar in the area without one. A huge barrel with mouth wide open is placed in front of the shrine to receive offerings. Learn more…
Find out more »Firewalking ritual at Saikoku-ji Temple, Onomichi
Goma Ritual burning of cedar sticks followed by fire walking. Members of the public set themselves up for a fortuitous year by taking part in the fire walking for a charge of ¥1500 which includes a headband and gohei staff with pleated streamers.
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