Kyoto Minamiza Theater Tours of Stage and Backstage

歌舞伎ファンが憧れの場所に　南座で舞台体験

Kyoto's famed Minamiza Theater opened its stage to tours on the 16th of March. It is the main kabuki theater in Kyoto.

The tour allows visitors to get a close up look of the "hanamichi"- the part of the stage that comes out into the audience - and other parts of the theater usually off-limits to all but the actors and stage hands.

Minamiza staff lead the tours. They explain the history of the theater, which was founded in 1610. The current building was completed in 1929 and seats 1,086.

The tour is open until April 16 and is held nine days a day (except Thursdays).

The theater is in Gion just across the Kamo River from central Kyoto.

Information

East side, Shijo-ohashi-bridge, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto
Telephone: 075 561 1155
Fee: 1000 yen
Tour Times:

Morning:  10:30, 11:00, 11:30
Afternoon: 13:00, 13:30, 14:00
Evening: 15:30, 16:00, 16:30

Closed: March 21, 28; April 4, 11

Photo©Kyoto Shinbun

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Cycling Kyoto Hosomi Museum

自転車で京都細身美術館

The Hosomi Museum presents the collection of the Hosomi Ryo, a merchant who made his fortune in nearby Osaka.

It was founded in March 1998 and sits close to both the National Museum of Modern Art and the Kyoto Municipal Museum of Art.

Hosomi Museum features more than 1000 works of Japanese art.

It houses a significant collection of Heian and Kamakura Buddhist and Shinto art, Muromachi ink painting, Negoro lacquer ware and tea ceremony kettles, and Momoyama ceramics and cloisonne.

The building itself is quirky, with an open pavilion area below the first floor.

There is a cafe on the basement level.

Information

6-3 Okazaki, Saishoji-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto
Tel. 075 752 5555

Hours

Museum and Shop:10 am to 6 pm; Tea Room: 11am to 5 pm; Cafe:10:30am to 6:30pm; closed Mondays



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Northeast Kyoto Shugakuin Villa

自転車で修学院周辺へ

In northeast Kyoto not far from the Silver Pavilion are a handful of small and not so small temples and sites to be seen.

The hills are never too bad, and if you hug the small roads along the foothills of Mt. Hiei, you will enjoy a pleasant ride.

Among places worth a visit are:

Shisendo, Manshuin, and of course Shugakuin Imperial Villa

Many other temples dot the area, but these are perhaps the most major.

The road pictured above right is between Shugakuin and Manshuin. The residential area to the right (west) is filled with older homes; the area to the left is either wooded or farmland.

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