Advice
If you decide to attend the Centenary of the USUI REIKI RYOHO we would like to make some recommendations so that you can plan your trip and enjoy both the Centenary celebration and Japan.
- The celebrations for the Centenary will begin on April 7th. 2023 so you should be at the Osaka City Central Public Hall by then. We therefore recommend that you arrive in Osaka at least one day in advance so that your biological clock can adapt to the Japanese time zone (jet lag).
- Buy your tickets sufficiently in advance.
- Make hotel reservations. We indicate a number of hotels close to the Osaka City Central Public Hall.
- Take out travel insurance which covers at least the following items:
– Medical expenses
– Cancellation of the trip
– Loss of belongings, luggage etc. - Have internet access. We recommend that you buy a Japanese SIM card which you can buy either in your country of origin or in Japan.
Depending on the number of days that you plan to spend in Japan and the use you intend to make of your data card, you will have to choose between a SIM card which lasts for 7 days with 1.5GB or a SIM card offering unlimited data access. - Change your money in Japan. Travelling in Japan you need to carry cash because most small businesses only accept cash payments, and not all cash machines accept foreign cards. Our advice is to change a small amount of money into yens before your trip to be able to cover your initial expenditure. Then, once in Japan, you can change money as and when required. The exchange rate is also usually better.
- Plan your itinerary. Buy a JR Pass. If you wish to take the opportunity to travel in Japan as well as attend the Centenary, we recommend that you plan your itinerary. There are several internet sites which provide plenty of information: they give advice, ways to get around within the country and the major tourist sites. Why the Japan Rail Pass (JR PASS)? If you are going to be travelling in Japan you must realise that the railway network in Japan is very extensive and offers the best option for getting around. The trains are punctual, fast and the price is good. You can get a rail pass for 7, 14 or 21 days.
Ceremony in Taniai
April 10th. 2023
Shinto ceremony at the Amataka Temple in Taniai, Mikao Usui’s hometown.
The first 200 people (in the order of registration for the Usui Reiki Ryoho Centenary event to be held at the ICC Kyoto) will be eligible to join this unique celebration.
The excursion package includes:
- Hired coach from the Gifu bullet train station, Hashima to Taniai (Mikao Usui’s birthplace).
- Shinto Ceremony at the Amataka temple in Taniai Gifu.
- Lunch.
- Return by bus to the Gifu bullet train station, Hashima.
- Total price of the tour 15,000 yen.
For this event we have the cooperation of the Taniai Reiki Association and the people of Taniai, who are the organisers of the day’s events.
We advise that after the close of the celebration in Osaka on April 9th those who register for this celebration should travel by bullet train from Osaka Station to Gifu Hashima and stay close to the station. Another option is to travel to Gifu Hashima before 09:30 on the morning of April 10th. We also recommend booking your seat on the bullet train in advance.
The conditions and prices will depend on the information which the Taniai Reiki Association will provide us with.
Information on hotels in the area of Gifu, Hashima Station
Apa Hotel Gifu Hashima Ekimae
Hotel 3 ***
1 Chome-72 Fukujucho Asahira
Hashima, Gifu 501-6255, Japan
+81 58-392-5000
Toyoko INN Gifu Hashimaeki Shinkansen Minamiguchi
Hotel 3 ***
Japón, 〒501-6302 Gifu
Hashima, Funabashicho, 2 Chome−27
+81 58-207-1045
Hotel Route-Inn Gifu Hashima Ekimae
Hotel 3 ***
1 Chome-71 Fukujucho Asahira
Hashima, Gifu 501-6255, Japan
+81 58-394-0055
Visit to Mount Kurama
We have 2 options for visiting Mount Kurama.
1- On your own
If you choose this option, you can find plenty of information on Google Maps or a similar application.
The normal way to reach Kibune or Kurama, (from Kyoto) is to take the Eiden train line from Demachiyanagi station. The easiest way to get to Demachiyanagi station is to take bus nº 17 or 18 from Kyoto station. It is a 30 minute trip from Demachiyanagi and costs 420 yens. There are trains every 15-20 minutes (based on information valid in 2016, check for possible changes.).
There is a funicular railway run by the Kurama temple itself which connects the San-mon (山門) station exit with the Tahōtō (多宝塔) temple station. The trip lasts under 1 minute. On foot it takes about 30 minutes.
2- Contract an excursion with a travel agency
Learn more about Mount Kurama & Kibune.
Group tourism
A group of participants from the Gendai Reiki Ho Association Madrid (AGRHM) who will be attending the Centenary intend to join forces to set up a GROUP TOURISM initiative with a Spanish-speaking guide to visit some emblematic sites in Japan. This would take place once the Usui Reiki Ryoho Centenary celebrations are over.
The trip would last for 15 days and would be organised by a travel agency specialising in trips to Japan. The price will include: transport within the country, half or full board, entrance to the places to be visited, hotels, Spanish speaking guide as well as air travel (optional).
If you are interested and would like more information, please complete and return the attached form.
If another group of participants would like to set up a GROUP TOURISM initiative with a guide in a language other than Spanish, please get in touch with us at turismo@gendaireikihomadrid.com so we can allow people to get in touch with one another. Our organization is not directly involved in organising any of the groups. We shall merely act as a go-between between participants speaking the same language so that they can get organized and get the most out of this unique experience.
Kumano Kodo
The Kumano Kodo, also known as the Kumano Path, is a network of roads connecting the Kumano Sanzen sanctuaries. It is also one of the most famous pilgrimage routes in Japan, equivalent to the Camino de Santiago de Compostela in Spain. These are the only two pilgrimage routes classified as Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. This route is very well known for its great beauty, the scenery which it affords, running as it does through mountains and dense vegetation, but above all it is famous for the tremendous spirituality transmitted when the route is completed at any of the sanctuaries.
A group of people participating in the Centenary celebrations plans to make the Kumano pilgrimage. This involves 5 days walking but we must count one day to reach the start of the route and another day to return so this makes 7 days in total. Walking along the ancient Kumana Kodo is a unique way of experiencing the cultural landscape of the spiritual territory of Kumano.
The focus of the Kumano pilgrimage is to worship at the three Great Temples of Kumano. These are known collectively as the Kumano Sanzan: Kumano Hongu Taisha, Kumano Hayatama Yaisha & Kumano Nachi Taisha.
The Nakahechi branch of the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage network is the most popular Kumano route and this is the one we would take.
Arrangements will be made depending on the number participants. The basic requirements are: accommodation, food and transportation of backpacks. Apart from that, all that is required are a will to take part and good walking legs! If enough people sign up we may consider the possibility of hiring a guide.
If you are interested and would like more information, please complete and return the attached form.
Things to do in Kyoto
As Kyoto is the venue for the USUI REIKI RYOHO Centenary celebrations we are providing a short description of the cities with some recommendations of places in interest to visit and activities.
Kyoto is situated in the central area of the island of Honshu. It is famous for its numerous classical Buddhist temples and their gardens, imperial palaces, Shinto shrines and traditional wooden houses.
Its historical importance derives from the fact that between 794 & 1868 Kyoto was the capital of Japan and the seat of the imperial court and other institutions. In 1868 the Meiji emperor decided to transfer the court to Tokyo.
Surface area: 827,8 km2
Population: 1 466 264 (2019)
During the Second World War, Kyoto was the only major Japanese city which was not bombed. As a result it is one of the Japanese cities with a rich historical, artistic and architectural heritage.
Some places of interest
The Golden Pavilion
The building we see today is actually a reconstruction. It is part of the complex of historic monuments on ancient Kyoto declared a Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 1994
Kiyomizu-dera
Emblematic Buddhist temple at Mount Otowa, which is famous for the panoramic views from its large viewing platform.
Nijō Castle
This castle built of cypress wood with extensive gardens dates from 1603. It was the residence of the Leyasu Shogun. The total area of the castle is 275.000 m2, of which 8.000 m2 are occupied by various buildings.
Kyoto Imperial Palace
This is no longer the residence of the Emperor of Japan. Since 1869 the Emperor has resided in Tokyo. In 1877 a decree was issued ordering that the Imperial Palace should be preserved. The Kyoto Imperial Palace is the last of the imperial palaces built near the north-eastern part of the ancient capital of Japan. During the Meiji Restoration the palace lost many of its functions when the capital was transferred to Tokyo in 1869.
Gion District
The Gion district of Kyoto is one of the best known geisha districts in Japan, although in fact it is made up of two separate hanamachi: on the one hand there is the small Gion Higashi (祇園東) district and on the other the larger district known as Gion Kobu (祇園甲部). Today Gion Kobu has around 80 tea houses where maikas and geishas work on a daily basis, whereas in Gion Higashi there are only about 12.
It is well worth taking a walk around the geisha district of Gion which is full of tea houses (ochaya), geisha houses (okiya) and traditional shops selling sweets, textiles, ornaments, make-up, shoes, parasols etc.… Walking around the narrow streets of Gion feels like going back in time. This is a beautiful walk which is really worthwhile.
Others places around Kyoto
Fushimi Inari-taisha
Fushimi Inari-Taisha is the main Shinto shrine dedicated to the spirit of Inari. It is situated in Fushimi-ku, one of the districts of Kyoto. The sanctuary lies at the foot of a mountain also known as “Inari”, and there are a number of paths leading to smaller sanctuaries. From time immemorial in Japan Inari was regarded as the patroness of business, although originally Inari was the goddess of rice. Business people and artisans paid homage to Inari in exchange for the prosperity of their businesses. They therefore donated numerous torii gates which today form part of the panoramic view of the temple. This famous temple is said to have more than 32.000 small torii gates.
Arashiyama
Arashiyama is a district on the outskirts of Kyoto, Japan. The name also refers to the mountain on the other side of the river Ōi, which forms the backdrop to the district. What is there to visit there?
- Take a walk through the famous bamboo forests of Arashiyama.
- Kameyama park, a refuge of peace and tranquility amid the hustle and bustle of tourists visiting Arashiyama.
- Seiryo-ji Temple, where we can find many works of art and national treasures such as a 1,000 year old statue of the Buddha.
- Admire the moss and maple tree garden of the Goiji Temple.
Accomodation and transport near the Osaka City Central Public Hall
METRO
Stop: Yodoya Bridge (5 minutes walk from the exit)
Line: Midosuji
Stop: Kitahama (10 minutes walk from the exit)
Line: Sakaisuji
KEIHAN ELECTRIC RAILWAY
Stop: Yodoya Bridge (5 minutes walk from the exit)
Lines: Mainline
Stop: Naniwabashi (1 minute walk from the exit)
Lines: Nakanoshima
HOTELES
Note – The prices given for the hotels are merely indicative as they vary depending on availability and the season.
Where the hotel specifies the category we have included it: *, **, *** y ****.
We have tried to list the closest hotels within walking distance to OSAKA CITY CENTRAL PUBLIC HALL. We indicate the area in which they are located, we also list the hotels near Yodoyabashi Station as it is the closest one.
Hotels in the area
HOTEL KEIHAN YODOYABASHI***
- A 4 minutes walking from Osaka City Central Public Hall
SANCO INN OSAKA YODOYABASHI***
- A 11 minutes walking from Osaka City Central Public Hall
MITSUI GARDEN HOTEL OSAKA YODOYABASHI***
- A 13 minutes walking from Osaka City Central Public Hall
SOTETSU FRESA INN OSAKA YODOYABASHI***
- A 7 minutes walking from Osaka City Central Public Hall
HOTEL UNIZO OSAKA YODOYABASHI***
- A 9 minutes walking from Osaka City Central Public Hall
RIHGA PLACE HIGOBASHI***
- A 11 minutes walking from Osaka City Central Public Hall
HOTEL CORDIA OSAKA***
- A 11 minutes walking from Osaka City Central Public Hall
MITSUI GARDEN HOTEL OSAKA PREMIER***
- A 13 minutes walking from Osaka City Central Public Hall
ANA CROWNE PLAZA OSAKA****
- A 9 minutes walking from Osaka City Central Public Hall
THE BOLY OSAKA****
- A 3 minutes walking from Osaka City Central Public Hall
ZENTIS OSAKA
- A 12 minutes walking from Osaka City Central Public Hall
ALOFT OSAKA DOJIMA
- A 13 minutes walking from Osaka City Central Public Hall
HOTEL ELSEREINE OSAKA***
- A 13 minutes walking from Osaka City Central Public Hall
THE ROYAL PARK CANVAS OSAKA KITAHAMA***
- A 7 minutes walking from Osaka City Central Public Hall
UNIZO INN OSAKA KITAHAMA***
- A 8 minutes walking from Osaka City Central Public Hall
BEST WESTERN PLUS HOTEL FINO OSAKA KITAHAMA****
- A 8 minutes walking from Osaka City Central Public Hall
DORMY INN PREMIUN OSAKA KITAHAMA***
- A 10 minutes walking from Osaka City Central Public Hall
Reiki practitioners of the world, come and celebrate with us!
In April 2023 we will celebrate the new century of Reiki, the great legacy of Mikao Usui. A historic, unique, global event, very close to where the master reached the state of Anshin Ritsumei. We want to share together the energy of universal love from the truth of the heart, from the unity that we are, and get closer to Usui sensei’s desire to spread the seed of Reiki in humanity.
We are looking forward to sharing this experience with you.