2012.5.16.
The Aoi Festival, the first of Kyoto's three major festivals, stretched out through Kyoto City on May 16. A total of 511 participants dressed in noble costumes gracefully proceeded along the streets of the ancient capital. According to Kyoto Prefectural Police figures at 11:00a.m., approximately 19,000 visitors gathered along the route to enjoy the dazzling spectacle of the Heian dynasty.

2012.5.16.
Under blue skies in complete contrast to the previous day's rain, the Aoi Festival procession in royal dress made its way slowly down Kyoto's main streets, surrounded by lush new greenery, on May 16. Everything was splendid as the "Saio-Dai," or heroine of the festival who was wearing "Junihitoe," or traditional multi-layer court costume, passed by on the "Oyoyo," or a wheeled palanquin, among the procession of ladies dressed in bright costumes.

2012.5.13.
In order to familiarize foreign visitors with Hikone City's history, the Hikone City Board of Education has published a cartoon booklet titled "Manga Hikone no Rekishi," or "HIKONE: A Journey in Time," which has been translated into English. It introduces in an easy to understand way the success of Naosuke Ii, who decided to open Japan to the West after the arrival of the "Black Ships" from America, and local industries, including "Hikone Butsudan," or Buddhist alters made in Hikone City.

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