Kitano Tenmangu Shrine(北野天満宮)

It is considered the head shrine of the 12,000 Tenmangu and Tenjin shrines throughout Japan that enshrine Sugawara no Michizane as their principal deity.
The 25th of every month is known as Tenjin-san’s Day and is a special day for worship.
This is derived from June 25th, the birthday of Sugawara no Michizane, and February 25th, the day of his death.
The photo was taken early in the morning of May 25th, 2026, at Kitano Tenmangu Shrine.
Currently, the “Kitano Tenjin” exhibition is being held at the Kyoto National Museum.

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▶ Japanese Note

この季節の北野天満宮は青もみじが有名です。

Ryōsoku-in temple(両足院 建仁寺)

Ryōsoku-in temple is a Rinzai Zen temple of the Kennin-ji school, located adjacent to Gion.
At Ryōsoku-in, you can experience Zen meditation, sutra copying, and tea ceremonies.
Also, from late May to early July, you can admire the beautiful Hangeshō flower in the garden.

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▶ Japanese Note

座禅は、経験がなくても親切に座禅の仕方を教えて頂けました。

The Aoi Festival(葵祭)

“The Aoi Festival is one of Kyoto’s oldest festivals, with a history of over 1400 years, and is one of Kyoto’s three major festivals (Gion Festival, Jidai Festival, and Aoi Festival).”
“The name of this festival comes from the hollyhock leaves worn by the participants in the procession, and more than 500 people parade from the Imperial Palace to Shimogamo and Kamigamo Shrines.
The Saio-dai (Imperial Princess’s representative) and the ox-drawn carriage, in particular, stand out against the fresh greenery and are representative and popular symbols of the festival.
This year (2026), many foreign tourists were once again watching the parade from the streets.

Saiodai (Representative of the Imperial Princess)


Imperial carriage

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Green Maple Leaves (3) 青紅葉(瑠璃光院)

This is Ruriko In Temple, located in the northeastern part of Kyoto City,
at the foot of Mt. Hiei.
While it’s also famous as a place to admire the fresh greenery,
it’s particularly renowned for allowing visitors to simultaneously appreciate the reflections of the greenery on the floor and on the tables.


Ruriko In Temple

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