Preparing your trip

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 7^th. 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.

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.

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.

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.

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