京都・八坂神社 / Yasaka Jinja - Kyoto

京都の代表的な繁華街及び歓楽街のは「祇園」です。「祇園」で南座（歌舞伎劇場）、祇園甲部歌舞練場、祇園会館があります。だから、もし皆さん芸者と舞妓を見たかったら、夜で「祇園」へゆっくり歩いた方がいいです。もし運がよかったら、仕事中の芸者さんを見ることができます。注意：芸者の時間割が忙しいので、だから街で仕事中の芸者を止めてはいけません。「祇園」の交差点、四条通りと東大路通りの交わるところに「八坂神社」があります。
The streets of 'Gion', was recognised as the most lively street of Kyoto. Besides of the amount of major shopping malls in that area, the streets of 'Gion' was also the infamous Geisha district in Japan. Some of the famous buildings in the 'Gion' district would be 'Minami Theatre', 'Gion Shinchi Kobu Kabukai Miyako-odori', 'Gion Kaikan'... etc. Therefore, this would be the best place where you can find Geisha moving from one tea house to another. But take note, do not stop/interrupt a busy Geisha as they have a tight working schedule very night and it would not be very nice for you to interrupt their work. As for 'Yasaka Jinja', it can be found at the intersection of the streets 'Shijo Dori' and 'Todai Tori' of 'Gion'.

これは「八坂神社」・「祇園」の入り口です。 This would be the entrance to 'Yasaka Jinja' at the cross junction of the streets of 'Gion'.

境内の写真 Photos taken in the compound of 'Yasaka Jinja'

美御前社 皆さん、身も心も美しい女性になりたいですか？ 「美容水」はたくさん人がここへお参りに来るの原因です。 ２、３滴お肌につけた後、お肌の健康を守るとされています。 注意：「美容水」は飲み水ではありませんよ。 Utsukushi Go Zen Sha For all the ladies out there, do you want to become a lady with both inner and outer beauty? A lot of ladies visit this Shrine because of the 'Bi You Sui'. Rumor had stated that by dipping a few drops of 'Bi You Sui' water, it will help you to gain both inner and outer beauty. Note: Water from 'Bi You Sui' is not drinkable.

巫女さんは毎年三月の祈年祭を準備中です。 Miko preparing for the 'Ki Nen Matsuri' that would be held in March annually.

祈年祭 祈年祭の目的は五穀豊穣を祈るんです。 'Ki Nen Matsuri' The main purpose behind this festival would be praying for prosperity in respective areas like business, farming, ...etc.

夜の八坂神社できれいな灯籠と景色が見られます。 The structures in the compound of 'Yasaka Jinja' were as beautiful as they were in the afternoons. Especially when the lanterns had been lit up, it sort of add a special touch to the views and scenery inside the compound of 'Yasaka Jinja'.

東北被害地へ。。。複興への祈りイベント 2011年、京都・花灯路推進協議会では、被害を受けられました地域の一日も 早い復興を願いために、「復興への祈り」コンサートを行っていました。 Event to pray for the reconstruction of the North-east of Japan During the year 2011, after the Earthquake that has hit the North-East of Japan, the Kyoto Hanatouro association had ceased all the events of the Hanatouro 2011. On top of doing that, they had also organised an event to pray for the reconstruction of the North-east of Japan and this event includes a series of performances of different genres.

賑やか街・祇園
Lively streets of 'Gion'

もし皆さん「八坂神社」で参りたかったら、
祇園祭のために、七月の京都へ行った方がいいですよ。
（実は僕は「祇園祭」を参加したことがありませんでした。
しかし、インタネットの写真によると、その祭りが面白そうです。）
If you want to visit 'Yasaka Jinja', for the sake of the 'Gion Festival',
I would recommend you to do it in the month of July.
(Actually I have not participate in the 'Gion Festival' before but according
to the images that was gathered from the Internet on the pictures of
'Gion Festival', it seems to be a pretty interesting festival to participate in.)

* こちは「八坂神社」の資料です。
^ こちは「南座（歌舞伎劇場）」の資料です。
# こちは「都をどり/祇園甲部歌舞練場」の資料です。
` こちは「祇園会館」の資料です。
~ こちは「京都・花灯路」の資料です。
** こちは僕が「八坂神社」に撮るの写真です。
* Click here to find out more about 'Yasaka Jinja'.
^ Click here to find out more about 'Minami Theatre'. (In Japanese Only.)
# Click here to find out more about 'Miyako Odori' / 'Gion Shinchi Kobu Kabukai
  Miyako-odori'. (In Japanese Only.)
` Click here to find out more about 'Gion Kaikan'. (In Japanese Only.)
` Click here to find out more about 'Kyoto Hanatouro'.
** Click here for the photos of 'Yasaka Jinja' that was taken by me.