Page 190 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide: Japan

188  JAP AN REGION B Y REGION

ENTERTAINMENT IN KYOTO

Kyoto’s entertainment scene is small but almost every day at one of Kyoto’s hundreds
varied, catering to tastes both ancient and of shrines and temples. While the majority
contemporary. In addition to performances of these are little more than arcane rituals,
of Kabuki and buyo (classical Japanese some are on a huge scale and attract
dance), the city offers bars and clubs where visitors from all over the country. Of these,
you can hear guest musicians playing any­ the month­long Gion Matsuri, put on by
thing from blues guitar to Latin rhythms. the silk merchants of the city, is probably
Thanks to its more than 1,200 years of the best­known festival. It culminates
history, a traditional event takes place on July 14–17.
Buying Tickets The Japan Times, and other
For help in obtaining tickets to newspapers in English also carry
events, check with the Tourist weekly listings of Kansai events.
Information Office inside
Kyoto Station. Tickets for most
major events can be bought Festivals
at the Ticket PIA coun ter – Of Kyoto’s many festivals,
also at Kyoto Station and in the big three are the Aoi
Kawaramachi-Oike and Matsuri (Hollyhock Festival,
Takoyakushi. Some tickets May 15); Gion Matsuri (all of
can also be purchased at July, especially 14–17); and Jidai An old teahouse in Gion, a long-established
branches of the conveni ence Matsuri (Festival of the Ages, entertainment district
stores Lawson and Seven October 22). The Aoi and
Eleven although tickets can Gion festivals both started as Traditional Arts
only be bought in Japanese. purification rites in the Heian For the tourist wanting a quick
period. The former involves a look at traditional arts, Gion
parade of costumed nobles, Corner has a daily pro gram from
Information Sources
courtiers, horses, and ox-carts March to November that includes
For an overview of what’s on, between the two Kamo shrines snippets of kyomai (classical Kyoto
consult the Kyoto Visitor’s Guide, (see p176). The latter centers dance), koto music, Kyogen comic
a free monthly publication around elaborately decorated dra ma, and even ikebana (flower
available at tourist information floats belonging to various arranging). Two perform ances, at
centers and major hotels, neighborhoods, which are 6pm and 7pm, are held daily dur-
and online. Kansai Scene lists pulled through the streets on ing this time. From December
events, news, and current affairs the morning of July 17, then to February, performances are
in the Kansai region and can disassembled. The Jidai Matsuri held only on weekends.
be found online and at book- was begun in 1895 to boost The geisha of Gion put on
stores. The Kyoto City Official morale after the emperor aban- Miyako Odori, their gala dance
Travel Guide web site has details doned Kyoto for Tokyo. Char- spectacle, during April at the
of current events, and the acters in costumes from every Gion Kobu Kaburenjo theater,
website of Japan National epoch of Kyoto’s imperial past while at Kamishichi-ken, the
Tourism Organization (JNTO) parade from the Imperial Palace geisha district near Kitano Shrine,
has a section on Kyoto. to Heian Shrine. public dances, Kitano Odori,
are staged from March 25 to
April 7 at the Kamishichi-ken
Kaburenjo. Ponto-cho’s geisha
perform their Kamo gawa Odori in
May at the Pontocho Kaburenjo.
Tickets for all can be bought at
the theaters or at Takashimaya
and Daimaru Playguide counters.
The Minami-za is the
venue for Kaomise Kabuki,
Kyoto’s December Kabuki
extravagan za. Performances
of Noh and Kyogen are held
at Kyoto Kanze Kaikan and
Kongo Nogakudo on certain
Sundays of every month. Check
Apprentice geisha performing at the Gion Kobu Kaburenjo theater the Visitor’s Guide for details.

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Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Practical template “UK” LAYER
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Date 5th March 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm