December 2009 Archives

It's the best time to enjoy "Snow Monkeys" from now to the mid of March in Yudanaka Onsen Spa.

The spa is usually crowded with the monkeys bathing to keep warm in winter time. Like humans do, they shut their eyes just having a relaxing time and a great contrast between their red faces and white snows is so funny.

Yudanaka Onsen Spa is currently offering "Spa Tour Pass" which you can use for getting the spas in ryokans and hotels that are not available to the public usually.

Stay at Uotoshi Ryokan, go to Yudanaka Onsen Spa, and you may have a chance to share the bath with monkeys.

"Engi-Hatsuichi" The first of year good-luck flea market

When: Every Sat., Sun., & Holidays in February 2010
Where: Terukuni Jinja Shrine
Time: From 8:00 to evening
Fee: 500JPY (w/green powdered tea)

The shrine is located 20 minutes walk from Nakazono Ryokan. Only the ryokan's guests can get a secret Tempura place near the shrine which serves Tempura lunch at only 780 yen!

There will be a lot of fun events and activities at Ishiuchi Maruyama Ski and Snowboard Resort which located just in front of Lodge Nakatoshi!
- Ski and snowboard competitions, ski festivals, rice-cake making, and more!

Stay at Lodge Nakatoshi and enjoy ski, snowboard, local sake, Koshihikari rice, and foods.

• Event Information

      - Where: Ishiuchi Maruyama Ski & Snowboard Resort center place
      - When: January 23, 30 & February 6, 27
      - What: From 3:00pm Rice-cake making, rice ball (made by locally grown Koshihikari)
                  From 7:00pm Roasted soybeans thrown

• Local News

      - "Ueda-no Sato": Japanese local life experience village. Soba (noodle) making/Bamboo  
         leave rice cake

• Kagatobi Dezomeshiki (New Year's Firefighter Performance with Traditional Costume)
  

      - January 10, 2010
      - At Kanazawa Castle

• Early Morning Walk at Kenrokuen
  

      - Free Walking at Kenrokuen only from 6:00am to 7:45
      - Enjoy a view of "Yuki-Duri" (Trees with ropes tied from the top of the tree to the lower
branches to protect them from breaking becasue of the weight of snow)

Please visit Kanazawa City Tourism Association official website.

Two locations are walking distance from Murataya Ryokan

• "Ozashiki-asobi" (Geisha performance party) with Kanazawa Geisha
  

      - Date: January 22 (Fri.) & March 20 (Sat.)
      - Fee: 10,000JPY/person, including dishes, one drink, servise charge, and tax
      - Place: Japanese restaurant "Matsumoto"
        * Located in 2 minutes walk distance from Ryokan Yamamuro

• Snow viewing party at Kenrokuen (Geisha Ozashiki experience)

      - Date: February 13 (Sat.)
      - Fee: 7,000JPY/person, including dishes, dessert, servise charge, and tax
      - Place: Seven tea houses in Kenrokuen
        * Located in 10 minutes walk distance from Ryokan Yamamuro

Kyoto Gion Corner Special Plan "Winter Tea Party"

Place: Gion Corner Theater
Time: 14:00/15:00/16:00
Fee: 500JPY (w/green powdered tea)
Capacity: 20/tea party * first come, first served basis
Open:

• December 7, 9, 11, 14, 16, 18, 21, 25
• January 13, 15, 18, 20, 22, 25, 27, 29
• February 1, 3, 5, 8, 10, 12, 15, 17, 19, 22, 24
  

Stay Ryokan Hiraiwa and get an idea of Japanese traditional culture from the party!