2026/02/08

February 5

I walked around some areas of Kyoto Imperial Park that I had never visited before.

First, I went to the Kaninnomiya Residence Site.

It’s a place where you can learn about the history and ecosystem of Kyoto Imperial Park.

The buildings and the garden are open to the public for free, so I was able to look around inside.

After that, I managed to get a same-day reservation for Kyoto Sento Imperial Palace, so I joined a guided tour.

Even though it was the off-season, a lot of people were gathered in the waiting room.

We followed the guide and listened to the explanations as we walked.

Strolling around the pond of the stroll-style garden, we walked through the beautifully maintained grounds together with many other visitors.

The tour took about one hour, was free, and felt like a great deal.

Visitors from overseas were given audio guide devices with explanations in English.

The State Guest House requires an admission fee, so I didn’t go there, but overall, I felt that Kyoto Imperial Park offers great value.

2月5日

京都御苑でまだ入ったことないエリアをまわってきました

まずは閑院宮邸跡という場所で、そこでは京都御苑の歴史や生態系などを学べるようになっていて、また建物や庭を無料で開放されていて見学しました

そのあとは京都仙洞御所の予約が飛び込みでとれたので、見学ツアーに行きました

待合室にはオフシーズンにも関わらず、たくさんの人が集まってました

案内してくれる人についていきながら説明を聞いていきます

回遊式庭園の池をまわりながら、多くの人たちときれいに手入れされた庭をまわっていきます

約1時間のツアーは無料でお得

海外の方は英語の説明をくれる機器を持ち歩き、説明が聞けます

迎賓館は料金がかかるようで行かなかったけど、京都御苑はお得だなと感じます

#Kyoto #gusethouse #japantrip #Backpacker
#京都御苑
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2026/02/07

Guests I took photos with at Guesthouse Kingyoya in January (Part ②)

For those whose photos weren’t included yesterday — thank you for waiting!

Having stayed at guesthouses and places where travelers gather since long ago, I’ve been lucky to share so many great moments with people on the road.

Now, as a small way of giving back — or maybe paying it forward — I hope I can return even a little of that kindness to the people I meet today.

I hope these photos help you remember, even just a little, the time we spent together.

※If you believe we took a photo together but you’re not in these pictures, I’m truly sorry.

It was most likely due to a problem with my phone.

ゲストハウス金魚家で1月に一緒に写真を撮ったお客様②

昨日、自分の写真がなかった皆様、お待たせしました！

昔からゲストハウスなど、多くの旅する方々と交流することができる宿に泊まってきた僕として、あの頃に楽しい思いをさせてもらった恩返しというか、恩送りとして、今、出会える人たちに少しで何かを返すことができるといいなと思ってます

この写真が過ごした時間を少しでも思い出せる一枚になれば幸いです

※もし一緒に撮ったはずなのに写ってない人がいたら、本当にごめんなさい。たぶんスマホの不具合でとれてなかったということです

#Kyoto #gusethouse #japantrip #Backpacker
#ゲストハウス金魚家
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2026/02/06

Guests I took photos with at Guesthouse Kingyoya in January ①

I hope everyone made it home safely (or back to their home countries), or that you’re still enjoying your journey.

January is the off-season in Kyoto, and unlike up until November, we had many more Japanese guests this month.

I’m truly grateful for the precious experience of meeting people from about 50 different countries so far.

From now on as well, I hope to keep it natural to interact with everyone kindly and joyfully, so that even more people can come to love Japan.

※For those not in these photos: you’ll be in Part ② tomorrow — or there’s a chance I simply messed up taking the photos. Thank you for your understanding!

ゲストハウス金魚家で1月に一緒に写真を撮ったお客様①

みなさんは無事に帰宅（または帰国）された、もしくは旅を続けられてるかな？

京都はオフシーズンに入り、11月まではほとんど会わなかった日本人のお客様も多かった1月でした

これまでに約50ヵ国の皆さんと出会えるという貴重な経験をさせてもらってて、感謝です

これからももっともっと日本が大好きになってもらえるように、親切に楽しく関わることを当たり前にさせて頂ければと思ってます

※なお今回写ってない方は明日の②で、または僕の撮りミスりの可能性があります。ご了承下さい！

#Kyoto #gusethouse #japantrip #Backpacker
#ゲストハウス金魚家

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2026/02/05

February 3

On Setsubun, bean-throwing ceremonies were held at shrines all over Kyoto.

I went to see the Setsubun event at Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, which is just a short walk from the guesthouse.

First, a Kyogen performance was dedicated to the shrine.
After that, maiko and geiko from Kamishichiken, the geisha district near Kitano Tenmangu, performed traditional Japanese dance.
Finally, the performers themselves took part in the bean-throwing ceremony.

At famous Setsubun events in the Kanto area, celebrities or athletes are often invited to attract attention.
In Kyoto, however, many events are led by local people, with traditional performances related to Setsubun followed by bean throwing.

Since I don’t often get the chance to watch Kyogen or traditional Japanese dance, it was a very valuable experience for me.

※Setsubun: A traditional event marking the change of seasons, where people throw beans to drive away bad luck.

※Kyogen: A traditional Japanese comic theater, usually short and humorous.

※Japanese Dance: Classical dance performed to traditional music, often seen in geisha culture.

2月3日

節分の日は京都各地の神社で豆まきの行事が行われていました

僕はゲストハウスからすぐの北野天満宮で行われた節分の行事を見に行きました

最初に狂言の奉納があり、そのあとに北野天満宮のエリアの上七軒の舞妓さん・芸妓さんの日本舞踊の奉納があって、最後にその出演者の方々による豆まきが行われました

関東の有名な豆まきはだいたい芸能人やスポーツ選手を呼んで、話題集めみたいになってるところが多いですが、京都は地元の方々が節分にちなんだ出し物をして、その後に豆まきをする流れが多いようです

狂言や日本舞踊はなかなか観る機会がないので、貴重な経験になりました

#Kyoto #gusethouse #japantrip #Backpacker
#北野天満宮
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2026/02/04

February 1

I was invited to a tea gathering for people born in the Year of the Horse at “Butsugu to Kissa feel the ZEN,” a place that always takes care of me through the Kyoto-based Charity (charity + tea) events.

What made it especially funny was that, by pure coincidence, everyone there—including the owner—had a shaved head 👨‍🦲

My grandmother was a tea ceremony teacher, so I did attend gatherings like this a few times when I was little, but I don’t really know the proper etiquette at all.

Luckily, the other three participants were very knowledgeable, so I just focused on copying what they did.

It wasn’t just about drinking tea. It followed a chakaiseki style: a simple meal first, and then tea at the end.

“Simple,” though, is an understatement—there was handmade 100% buckwheat soba and inari sushi.

It was an amazing meal that clearly took a lot of effort.

The matcha was, of course, delicious, and the tea bowls were beautiful.

I also felt like I learned what it really means to “appreciate” things—seeing the tea room, the hanging scroll, and all the details of the owner’s personal tastes and dedication.

It was a very valuable experience.

By the way, I did relax my legs a few times along the way, but I discovered that I can actually sit in seiza for quite a long time🤣

2月1日

いつも京都開催の茶利ティー（charity ＋ 茶利）でお世話になってる”仏具と喫茶 feel the ZEN”さんで午年の人を集めたお茶会に呼んで頂きました

おもしろかったのは、ここの店主も含めて、たまたまみんな丸坊主だったこと（笑）

僕はおばあちゃんがお茶の先生だったので、幼い頃は何度かこういう場に参加したことはあるのですが、具体的な作法は全然わかりません

でも他の3人の方がとても詳しいので、とにかく真似てました

ただお茶を飲むだけでなく、茶懐石のスタイルで、簡単な食事のあとに最後にお茶を頂きます

簡単とはいっても、何と手打ちされた十割蕎麦とおいなりさんという手のかかった素晴らしい食事でした

お抹茶ももちろん美味しいし、器も素晴らしく、茶室や掛け軸など、いろんな店主のこだわりを「拝見」させて頂くということを学ばせて頂いた気がします

貴重な経験でした

ちなみに、途中何度か足を崩しましたが、結構長時間、正座を続けることができることがわかりました（笑）

#Kyoto #gusethouse #japantrip #Backpacker
#次回の茶利ティーは2月21日（土）

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