Kinton day

KYOTO May 5

To mark the last day of the Golden Week holiday, also known as Kodomo-no-hi, an opportunity for families to come together
and learn how to make traditional Japanese sweets known as kinton, made from azuki beans (red beans). It is a versatile ingredient that can produce a variety of colors and sweet makers use this versatility to produce sweets to reflect the changing seasons. A cherry red is common for the spring season.
Be impressed at the magical skill of Hideki Tsukamoto, an artisan of this craft who will give a demonstration creating (not making) these sweets which are a delicate work of
art and delightful to look at.
There will also be a guided tour by the curator of Tawaraya Yoshitomi and the adjoining sweet museum, where you can learn about the history and culture connected with these Kyoto delicacies known as kyogashi-sweets. Tawaraya Yoshitomi is
the name of this well renowned Kyoto sweet maker who has managed to maintain hundreds of years of history yet at the same time has taken into account modern trends and the ever changing taste of the customer.
The emphasis of this day enjoying the traditional color and feelings associated with these cakes by making these delicious delicacies yourself or with your family. There will be enough to take some home too.

Kyogashi Shiryo-kan of Tawaraya Yoshimi
Time: 9:30, 11:00, 13:30 & 15:00 (Reservation needed)
Getting there: Short walk from Imadegawa Stn.
Entry: Parent & child ¥3,000. One person ¥1,500
Tel: 075-432-3101
http://www.kyogasi.co.jp

Beer Festival

OSAKA May 7-8

Calling all beer lovers! This is an event not to be missed. This beer festival, organized by the Japan Craft Beer Association and Beer Taster NPO, has now become an annual event. According to Mr Ryouji Oda, chairman of JCBA the purpose of this festival is to popularize and promote beer, especially draft beer from the keg. This event is not only about Japanese beers, and brings you suds from throughout the world.
It might be no surprise to some that beer has become the most popular alcoholic drink in Japan since its introduction in the early Meiji Era from Germany. Sample more than 100 micro brewed beers, all from the keg and served in 50cc cups. Drink as much or as little as you like, all tasting is included in the entrance fee. The festival is also held simultaneously in Tokyo and last year over 50,000 managed to attend the event in the Kanto and Kansai regions. Bottoms up!

Umeda Sky Building West, Aura Hall 10F
Time: 7th, 13:00-18:00. 8th, 12:00-17:30 (Last drink served 30mins before closing time)
Getting there: 10mins walk from JR/Subway Osaka or Hankyu Umeda station
Entry: ¥3,400 (Advance: ¥3,000)
Tel: 06-6440-3901
http://www.beertaster.org/index-e.htm

Nakanoshima — Larks in the Park

OSAKA May 22

Many may remember when this festival started off as Mukogawa Dance on the Banks well over twelve years ago. During this time it has grown to become one of Kansai's biggest social events, enjoyed by foreign nationals and Japanese alike. Similar to all free music festivals it still continues to be a great time and a good opportunity for people to come together and enjoy good music and have great fun.
The main stage will feature a diverse range of music both local and international. From the contemporary rock group, Sushi Cabaret Club to funk group, Bump Skool. Others in the line up are, League of Thieves, Dysfunction, Rockin' Eddie & the Chevy's. The second stage, called Chill Stage offers hillbilly punk and Dub Reggae, there's more to be announced closer to the date.
So make it a day of music, dance, delicious international food, drinks, entertainment and more music.

Naganoshima Kenzaki Koen
Time: 12:00-20:00 • Entry: Free
Getting there: From Exit #26 from Kitahama stn; head over the bridge, take the flight of stairs halfway down to the rose garden. Straight through the garden to the Hiroba or Park.
Tel: 090-4270-5517 (Joe Wade)

Olympic Day Run

OSAKA May 15

According to Laszlo Beres, WOA Director of the World Olympians Association, Osaka Olympic day is the “annual event where young and old alike can be like an Olympian, play like an Olympain”. This event is free to the public and located on Maishima Sports Island, originally created to host the Olympic Games Osaka bid.
Beres explained to KS the event's reason for being. “Osaka's 2008 Olympic bid brought the Olympic Games closer to the hearts of Osakans and resulted in greater public appreciation of Olympism. To keep the spirit and the legacy of the Olympic bid alive, Osaka continues its involvement with the Olympic Movement through the Olympians.”
Olympic day is considered by its organisers to be the most important of the cooprative events and provides the opportunity to interact with Olympians; share their Olympic experiences. This environment also gives the Olympians a chance to act as ambassadors for the Olympic Movement and serve as role models to the many participating young people.

Maishima Sports Island
Time: Greeting at 9:00am; Opening Ceremony at
10:00am (events through out the day)
Getting there: JR Sakurajima line to Sakurajima stn (Universal Studios); bus to Maishima Sports Island
Entry: Free (¥1000 for car parking)
Tel: 0120-123-804

Aoi Matsuri

KYOTO May 15

One of the three major festivals in Kyoto and thought to be the oldest festival in the world. Officially called, Kamo Matsuri, it dates back to the 6th century when the Emperor sent two imperial messengers to Shimogamo and Kamigamo shrines to pray for a good harvest. Princess Saio also worshipped at these shrines and this festival is a tribute to her. On this day the maiden chosen to be the heroine is dressed in a beautiful twelve-layer court kimono.
The name of the festival derives from the aoi (hollyhock) leaves that are used to decorate the animals, the carriages and the people in the parade. This 700-meter long procession starts off at Kyoto Imperial Palace where over 500 people dressed in elegant traditional Heian (794-1185) costumes parade. Famous historical characters are portrayed, as well as warriors, courtiers, soldiers and musicians.
The procession slowly makes its way to Shimogamo Shrine where the Shato-no-gi, a sacred ceremony is performed. After that it continues towards Kamigamo Shrine for the final rites.

Starts from Kyoto Imperial Palace —
along Maruta-machi dori and Kawara-machi dori ending at Kamigamo Shrine
Getting there: Imadegawa subway station • Time: From 10:30
Tel: 075-344-3300

Uchiwa Maki

NARA May 19

This temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was built in AD759 by a Buddhist priest named Ganjin who came all the way from China. Usually a solemn and serious atmosphere pervades this religi-ous precinct, but on this fan throwing day, it is as if a riot has broken out.
A huge crowd gathers beneath and in front of the drum turret known as the Koro from which Buddhist priests of the temple throw thousands of fans out into the crowd, praying earnestly as they do so. These are not ordinary fans, they have been carefully prepared by the priests since January and act as a charm against evil, especially against thunder, fire and harmful insects, as farmers place them protectively on the beds of rice seedlings. All decorum seems to go out of the window as the crowd scrape and scramble, jostle and jump to try to catch these lucky charms. A Buddhist ceremony is also conducted in the lecture hall, which is full of round fans that have been offered from across the country together with the special heart-shaped ones. Court music and dancing is then performed as an offering.

Toshodai-ji
Getting there: Short walk from Nishinokyo station
Time: 16:00 • Entry: ¥600
Tel: 0742-33-7900

Events compiled by Mylene Oishi

Kansai Event Listings