All year
Hiking around Kyoto
Kyoto is surrounded by mountains and shrines. We hike forest trails, climb to summit views and catch sunsets over the city lights.
Events
Seasons in Kyoto, shared with housemates
From summer festivals to winter mochi making, we celebrate Kyoto’s seasons together throughout the year. Joining in is never required — come along when you feel like it, and enjoy house life at your own pace.
Summer
Nagashi somen
Catching cold noodles as they flow down a long bamboo slide — a classic Japanese summer tradition that always ends in laughter.
Early summer
Plum wine & syrup making
In plum season we make homemade umeshu (plum wine) together — or plum syrup in some years — then wait patiently for it to mature and share it months later.
Summer · mid-August
Daimonji fire festival rooftop viewing
Every August, a giant bonfire in the shape of the kanji 大 (“dai”) lights up a mountainside in eastern Kyoto to send off ancestral spirits. For the past few years, housemates and guests have watched the Daimonji fire together from the rooftop of our sister property, Expo Hostel & Cottage — one of the most unforgettable nights of the year.
Winter
Mochi making
Pounding steamed rice with a wooden mallet and shaping soft rice cakes by hand — a warm New Year tradition, sometimes held with guests at our sister property, Expo Hostel & Cottage.
All year
House dinners
Hand-rolled sushi nights, dishes from housemates’ home countries and spontaneous parties around the kitchen counter.
Everyday moments
Not everything is planned. Some of the best memories happen on an ordinary day — a hike up a mountain with friends, a night out in town, or a dinner that turns into a party.
See what we’re up to now
We share our latest events and everyday life at Expo House on Instagram.