Baika Sai 梅花祭
- Published on : 23/01/2013
- by : E.P.
- Youtube
Geishas serving tea for the Baika Sai festival.
DR
Shinheist ceremony
Sweet habit, every 25 of the month, to go to the flea market of Kitano Tenmangu. On February 25, however, a charming tea ceremony, a nodate, a little more occasional.
In the open air, geiko and maïko (apprentice geishas ) serve the steaming drink in honor of Sugawara no Michizane (845-903), a key political figure of the Heian era (794-1192) who loved the plum blossoms in Kitano Tenmangu. Between tea, the shrine, floral harmony, and an azuki mochi, sweet red beans coated in a soft rice paste, you are served, well served. The nodate or "outdoor tea ceremony" is particularly popular, as it is an opportunity not just to see a geisha up close, but to be served tea and even exchange a few words.
Note: the serving cap is set at 3,000 per day and the tea ceremony is only conducted from 10 am to 2 pm.
Address, timetable & access
Address
Timetable
Bus #50 and 101 from JR Kyoto station, KitanoTenmangu-mae stop. From Demachiyanagi station take bus #201 and stop at Kitano Tenmangu-mae stop.Price
1500yen ($13/11.50€).Access
February 25. Religious service at 10:00 am and Nodate from 10 am to 3 pm.
