Tasting Kyoto's New Year
After praying for continued luck for the New Year at some of Kyoto's best spots for worship, come drink endless sake and learn something new.
(About 4 hours)
At over 40,000 Inari shrines across the country, people come to pray to this god who is responsible for success in business and bountiful crops. Since it is tradition in Japan to visit a shrine on New Year's Day, over 2,500,000 people choose these shrines for their first visit of the year. On the grounds there are special Omokaru (Light or Heavy) Stones that can predict the outcome of a wish depending on how heavy they feel to you. Since January is a special time of year at this shrine, the tearoom on the grounds (an important cultural property) will be opened to the public.
Details
Address: 68 Yabunochi-cho Fukakusa Fushimi-ku, Kyoto
Access: A short walk from JR Inari Station or a 5-minute walk from Keihan Fushimi Inari Station
Hours: Open 24 hours a day
Admission: Free
*Keihan Railway: From Keihan Fushimi Inari Station to Fushimi Momoyama Station: 12 minutes
Welcome the New Year from your seat with traditional Japanese alcohol and sake. Although the origins of sake are unknown, this beverage made from fermented rice has a long history in Japan and never seems to be in short supply during festivals and religious ceremonies. In this memorial hall, sake history and brewing materials will be on display, and there will be sake and plum wine sampling. In addition, many gifts will be available for purchase making New Year's an especially ideal time for a visit.
Details
Address: 247 Minamihama-cho Fushimi-ku, Kyoto
Access: 10-minute walk from Keihan Fushimi Momoyama Station
Hours: 9:30-16:30
Closed: December 27th to January 7th
Admission: 300 yen (includes a free gift)
<1-minute walk>
3. Fushimi Yume Hyakushu → 13:15-14:00
As the main branch of Gekkeikan, the construction of this building reflects the utmost in refinement. Nowadays it is open for business as a retro coffee shop, where you can relax and enjoy tasting set meals and coffee.
Details
Address: 247 Minamihama-cho Fushimi-ku, Kyoto
Access: 5-minute walk from Keihan Chushojima Station or Kintetsu Momoyama Goryo-mae Station
Hours: 11:00-17:00 (Saturdays and Sundays: 10:30-18:00)
Closed: Mondays (except national holidays and during April, May, October, and November)
