At Hoshino Resorts, we are proposing “micro tourism” as a way of traveling in the prolonged With Corona era. “Beginning at Shimogamo Shrine, a World Heritage Site” is the first of the micro tourism “Kyoto no Kiwami” proposed by Hoshinoya Kyoto. The beginning of things means starting new things, but the With Corona era is a time when lifestyles have changed drastically and many people try new things. After relaxing and purifying yourself in Hoshinoya Kyoto, which is located away from the hustle and bustle of the city, you can get the vitality to take on new challenges by praying at Shimogamo Shrine and watching gagaku.

Hoshino Resorts proposes “micro tourism”. Microtourism is a tourism style that creates an opportunity to get to know the local area deeply by looking at the local area within about an hour by car, and prevents the spread of infection while balancing the local economy.

Hoshinoya Kyoto has been working on the production of stays that make use of the traditional culture of Kyoto. We propose “Kyoto no Kiwami”, a micro tourism that allows you to know more about Kyoto.

At the extreme of Kyoto, you can have a special experience under the guidance of an expert in a place where you know the name or have visited it once, but you do not really know it deeply, such as World Heritage Sites and Important Cultural Properties. Hoshinoya Kyoto will continue to develop experiences that will deepen your understanding of Kyoto and make you aware of its charm.

The first of the extremities of Kyoto, which is Hoshinoya Kyoto’s micro tourism, is a stay experience centered on praying for the beginning at Shimogamo Shrine * 1, a World Heritage Site in Sakyo Ward, Kyoto Prefecture. “Beginning” means starting a new thing.

There is also a survey result that the majority of respondents tried new things due to changes in values such as working styles and spending styles * 2. From the desire to support people who will challenge for the future even in an uneasy situation, we will carry out the extreme of Kyoto, “Starting at Shimogamo Shrine, a World Heritage Site”.

* 1 The official name is “Kamomiya Shrine”. It is called Shimogamo Shrine because it is located below the confluence of the Kamo and Takano rivers.
* 2 Cabinet Office “Survey on changes in lifestyle consciousness and behavior under the influence of the new coronavirus infection” (2020)

Shimogamo Shrine has long been a god of guidance and a god of victory, and is also known as the shrine of the beginning. The saying goes back to the beginning of Heiankyo, where Emperor Kanmu sent a messenger before opening Heiankyo. Participants will receive a prayer at Shimogamo Shrine with their aspirations for new challenges.

First, the mind and body are purified by purifying, and then the priesthood plays a special congratulatory message at the beginning of the matter. After that, they worship and receive a bell ritual by a shrine maiden. By praying specially in a new place, you can receive blessings for new challenges.

After praying, you will appreciate gagaku at the Shinpukuden, which is an important cultural property and is usually closed to the public * 3. Gagaku is Japanese classical music established during the Heian period, and is said to have a history of more than 1200 years.

Since ancient times, it has been performed during ceremonies and feasts in the palace, and has been handed down with the imperial family * 4. After receiving an explanation of the history and musical instruments of gagaku, participants will appreciate the gagaku song “Goshoraku”, which is said to have been performed for the first time in Japan * 5.

You can gain vitality for new challenges by solidifying your determination while watching the gagaku performed during important ceremonies in places that are normally inaccessible.

* 3 Location is subject to change
* 4 Official website of the Japan Gagaku Association
* 5 “Revised New Edition World Encyclopedia” Heibonsha (2007)

The day before the prayer at Shimogamo Shrine, we will prepare ourselves to cleanse ourselves in Hoshinoya Kyoto. Hoshinoya Kyoto is located in a place surrounded by Arashiyama and Ogurayama, away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Spend the night in a quiet inn where you can hear the murmuring of the Oigawa River flowing through the valley and the sound of the wind, and relax by getting away from everyday life. The room has a doll (Hitogata) * 6, miki sake, a thank-you note (Kansha no Kotoba) * 7 before and after a meal, and a small garment (Omigoromo) * 8.

Transfer sins and impurities to dolls and cleanse yourself in the guest room bath containing the sacred sake that you prayed at Shimogamo Shrine. In addition, before and after meals, the priest’s words of appreciation are read aloud, and when heading to the shrine, a small garment is worn. In preparation for the sacred ritual, we will prepare for the physical and mental condition from the day before.

* 6 Atonement ritual that transfers sins and impurities received from one’s body, drains them into the river instead of oneself, and purifies them.
* 7 A prayer of gratitude to God that is read before and after meals. For this stay experience, we will prepare a piece of paper with thank-you words written on it.
* 8 A clean jacket that is a sign of aversion. In this stay experience, we will prepare in a short form

Day 1
15:00 Check-in to Hoshinoya Kyoto
16:00 Transfer the dirt to the doll
18:00 Supper in the guest room (extra charge)
21:00 Take a bath in a guest room containing miki

Day 2
8:30 Dedicated thanks and breakfast in the room (extra charge)
12:00 Check out Hoshinoya Kyoto
12:30 Depart Hoshinoya Kyoto wearing a small garment
13:30 Arrive at Shimogamo Shrine and receive guidance on the precincts
13:50 Prayer
14:10 Gagaku appreciation
14:30 Depart from Shimogamo Shrine

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Highest level corona countermeasure declaration

[1] Hygiene management
At Hoshino Resorts, as part of our corona measures, we take the following measures in consideration of our customers’ health and public health.
・ Temperature measurement at check-in
・ In addition to normal room cleaning, cleaning and wiping with alkaline electrolyzed water inside the hotel
・ Alcohol for sterilization is installed in various places in the building
・ Rubbing alcohol for hand disinfection is installed in all guest rooms
・ Alcohol disinfection of fingers for all customers when entering the restaurant
・ High-temperature cleaning of tableware (plates, glasses) and cutlery (80 degrees or higher), disinfection cleaning of meal trays
・ Install partitions such as panels and vinyl sheets on the front
・ Wear a mask when serving customers in the hall
・ Thorough management of staff health and hygiene (temperature measurement and record confirmation before going to work)
・ Humidifiers that maintain a humidity of 40% or more are installed in all guest rooms (excluding facilities in Hoshinoya Tokyo and Okinawa Prefecture).
・ QR code of menus in restaurants (all facilities of the world brand)

[2] 3 Dense avoidance
We take the following measures to create a stay that avoids the three “denseness” of closed, dense, and close.
・ The degree of congestion in the large communal bath can be seen on a smartphone. 3 Visualization of density and implementation of congestion prediction service (partial)
・ Restrictions on admission and entry in places where congestion is confirmed during your stay
・ Manage restaurant congestion and decentralize entry time
・ At the time of check-out front payment, entry restrictions will be implemented as appropriate.
・ Check-in support in guest rooms (Hoshinoya / Kai)

＞[Hoshino Resort] Corona measures summary

Hoshinoya Kyoto
Arashiyama, Kyoto Prefecture, where the Heian Aristocracy set up a villa. A waterside private residence that appears when you board a boat from Togetsu Bridge and go up the Oigawa River. It is a resort where you can enjoy the extraordinary world of the beautiful scenery and tranquility of the four seasons, the guest rooms where you can feel the traditional Japanese techniques that live in Kyoto, the Japanese cuisine that freely expresses the five tastes.
11-2 Arashiyama Genrokuyamacho, Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto / 25 guest rooms

＞Hoshinoya Kyoto