I was surprised the other day to read in the news a brief story about the Kyoto team in the Girls Professional Baseball League, not only because I didn’t know that Kyoto had a team, but also because I didn’t know there was a league for women (or “Girls,” as they put [...]

Japan Times: Link to story
By NAOKO KURAMOCHI, Staff writer
There’s nothing sweeter than being introduced to a foreign culture than through tea and confectionary.
And screenings of films about the beverage and traditional sweets in Kyoto next week are aimed at introducing these and other aspects of Japanese culture. In collaboration with the Kyoto City [...]

Wall Street Journal: Link to story with slideshow

(anyone know where this is?)

Squeezed next to a centuries-old shrine in this historical city stands a slight, two-story abode that looks modern, but is meant to embody the spirit of Kyoto’s homes of the past.
The all-white structure with a dramatic glass façade is long and [...]

This is the Daimonji Fire Festival video for 2010. 9 minutes, 16:9.

the Toki Matsuri pottery fair at Gojo-zaka is on through Tuesday, Gojo street between
http://www.toukimaturi.gr.jp/

My Nippon, a photo exhibition in Kyoto by Micah Gampel all through August, but only on weekends at Hanagumo Bar on Miyagawacho in Gion Kyoto. All my photos were taken by my ketai (mobile phone) camera as I work and play around Kyoto and Osaka mostly. It’s my Nippon world, but [...]

Weekends in August 12:00-18:00 at Hanagumo Bar on Miyagawacho in Gion, Kyoto.  Party Saturday, Aug. 7, Closed Aug. 8.
All my photos were taken by my ketai camera as I work and play around Kyoto and Osaka mostly. It’s my Nippon world, but I feel like the viewer, not really part of the parade. [...]

Elementary school kids ride free on Kyoto city buses (normally kids are half adult fare) through 8.31  by saying “Eco-summer” to the driver when getting off the bus. This is good for up to two kids per group, so if you have a big group, make sure they sit apart and pretend not to [...]

From a show I attended a few years ago.
Intense concentration

We have had brutal rainy-season storms this week. This evening at dusk the storm clouds did something weird to the last bit of light. Sorry for the shaky cam; if you can’t stand it skip ahead to 38 seconds for the first color change and 1:20 for the second. I tried to go “Whoa! Whoa!” [...]

山城総合運動公園太陽が丘 • Yamashiro Sports Park at Taiyou ga Oka Here’s a recommendation for beating the summer heat in Kyoto. It’s open July 15 – August 31.
I had thought there was a simple public pool at this huge sports complex in Uji, Kyoto, but it turns out there is a really fun water park for kids [...]

The Gion Festival (matsuri=festival) is the biggest event of the year in Kyoto, and one of the biggest in Japan. It started in 869 as an appeal to the gods after a plague, according to the official story. The huge pikes that spear the sky are meant to appease the gods, which [...]

On May 3, 2010, the Kyoto band elements played its final show as elements. After 15 years and seven albums, the death of elements drummer Sanjo Toru in January 2010 marked the end of one part of their musical journey. This show was a celebration of their music and a tribute to their friend.

Trailer and Purchase Information inside

落語と音楽のコラボレーション
日時］７月１９日（祝・海の日）開場１３：００ 開演１３：３０
［料金」前売２０００円　当日２５００円　全席自由
［場所］大津市民会館大ホール
［プログラム］《音楽》ル・シャンテ「幼なじみストリー・海のお母さん」
《落語》桂　三風「ハンカチ」

There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.

There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.

[ January 31, 2010; 6:30 pm; ] January 31 (Sunday)
RAW elements (max, ryotaro & Yung Tsubotaj) and Ms. Meka Nism at UrBANGUILD in Kiyamachi.
OPEN 18:30 Ms. Meka Nism 19:00/ Elements 19:30
adv 1800yen with 1drink / door 2300yen with 1drink
TEL075-212-1125

[ January 23, 2010; 6:30 pm; ] Get On the Desk Again Party – Benefit for Zinenzele Foundation, helping AIDS orphans.
RAW elements (max, ryotaro & Yung Tsubotaj)
Donation 2000yen, Student with ID 1000yen
open 18:30, live starts around 20:00
at McLoughlin’s Irish Bar
(075) 212 – 6339 (075) 212 – 6339