Mizunomori Christmas Wreath
Competition Exhibition
Dec 1-23
Kusatsu City Aquatic Plant Botanical Garden
Mizunomori, Shiga
Christmas wreathes have recently became
familiar in Japan. A wreath, is of course a ring
and symbolizes eternity. The six competitions
that will be held this year rest on the reputation
earned by the success of last year's event.
The image above is the work that won the
Mayor of Kusatsu prize last year. There are
about 50 works on display in the project
exhibition room of the Kusatsu City Aquatic
Plant Botanical Garden. The exhibition will be
closed on Dec 4, 11, and 18.
Time: 9am–4: 30pm (Closes 4pm on the last day; closed Mon)
Getting there: JR Kusatsu line, Kusatsu stn, bus for Karasuma Hantou, Suisei Syokubutsu Park Mizunomori
Admission: Adults ¥300/High school ¥250/Elementary & junior high ¥150
077-568-2332
Bellydance Glamour - Arabian Nights
Dec 3
Restaurant & Bar Heaven, Osaka
Enjoy a glamorous,
exotic Arabian night
with a fine cocktail
of Kansai's top international
and local
authentic belly dance
artists including Keke,
Donyiah, Sahar, Amira,
Danisa with her team
Isis Tears. Special
guest of the show is
the talented Lebanese
dancer Sadia - Queen
of the Desert from
Tokyo. Six Glamorous
dancers on one stage!
The show is produced
by Keke and will also
feature the debut of
her dance team Layali
Safa. This show is for
all real dance lovers
so don't miss it!
Time: 6.30pm–8.30pm (Opens 6pm) • 9pm–11pm (Opens 8.30pm)
Getting there: Restaurant & Bar Heaven, B1F ABC Garden Bldg. 4-8 Souenmon-cho, Osaka
Admission: ¥3,000 (Advance)/¥3,500 (Door)
For ticket 06-6252-7889, Heaven 06-6212-5448
Email: dikea_sanchez@yahoo.com.au (Keke) English • chiakki76@yahoo.co.jp (Chiaki) Japanese
Lantern Fair
Dec 7-25
Nankin-machi, Kobe
The event is based on the main
street, and features about 500
illuminated Chinese lanterns. The
lanterns celebrate and birth of
each of us in this world. Gorgeous,
fantastic, and tasteful
lights will surround us with their
warmth. Chinese illuminations
attract a lot of people, like the
Luminarie held at the same time.
On the first day last year, on
which the lanterns were lit, there
was a lion dance in the square.
Some stores are scheduled to extend opening hours in this period.
Time: 5pm–10pm
Getting there: JR Kobe line, Motomachi stn/Hanshin main line, Motomachi stn
Admission: free
078-332-2896
Kobe Luminarie
Dec 8-21
The Old Foreign Settlement and East Amusement Park, Kobe
This is the light sculpture created by Italian art director, Valerio Festi and Kobe
producer, Hirokazu Imaoka. It was first held in 1995, the year of the Great Hanshin
Earthquake in order to lift the spirits the casualties and survivors as well as to
support reconstruction and renewal of the city. Once the striking light sculptures
appear, you will not be able to drag your eyes from them. The opening ceremony
will be on the 12th this year. Large crowds are expected so please use the public
transportation rather than your car.
Time: 6pm–9:30pm (Mon–Thu), 6pm–10pm (Fri), 5:30pm–10pm (Sat), 5:30pm–9:30pm (Sun)
Getting there: JR Kobe line, Sannomiya stn
Admission: free
078-391-6371
Kodo
Dec 15 & 16
Osaka Kosei Nenkin Kaikan
 For many people, Kodo
are the art of the taiko, the
Japanese drum. No stay in
Japan is complete without
seeing at least one of their
shows.
Their performances are
characterised by energy,
invention and impressive
feats of strength and stamina,
but the performances contain
great subtlety too, and will
include flutes, and strings.
The musicians live and work
together in near monastic
seclusion on the island of
Sado, and the discipline and team spirit are evident in their work.
This is Kodo's 25th anniversary year and they have been busier than usual, touring with
their Amaterasu project and playing for the first time at Fuji Rock. Nevertheless, they are
rounding off 2006 with their customary year-end tour, which includes two dates in Osaka.
Time: 15th, 6:30pm; 16th, 3pm
Admission: ¥5,500
Getting there: Yostubashi line, Yotsubashi stn, exit 2; Nagahori Tsurumi Ryokuchi line, Nishiobashi stn, exit 2;
subway Chuo line, Honmachi stn, exit 22 or 23
06-6362-8122
Christmas Night Concert
Dec 16, 17, 23, 24
Hall of Halls Rokko, Hyogo
An antique music
box playing beautiful
music still now … In
this concert, you can
enjoy listening to
Christmas songs and
hymns automatically
played by an organ
and piano. Tea will
be served and there
will be Christmas
presents. Reservations
are necessary.
Deals are available
that include dinner at the Rokko Mountain Hotel or the Rokko Oriental Hotel. As
there will be a lot of reservations for 16 and 23 (Sat), it's better to book as soon
as possible. You will have a magnificent Christmas here!
Time: 6:30pm~
Getting there: JR Kobe line, Rokkomichi stn, Bus bound for Under Rokko Cable, Orugoru-mae
Admission: ¥5,000 (reserve required, including tea, cake, and present)
078-891-1284
Kansai Event Listings December
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Expo Land - Enjoy!
Happy Santa Christmas
Expo Land, Osaka
Dec 1–25
The combination of laser, fireworks, and
music will provide entertainment with
a romantic atmosphere. This year Santa
Claus has moved into the amusement
park. Happy Santa's gospel concerts will
be held from the 23rd to 25th. If it rains,
the events, including fireworks, may be
cancelled.
Time: 9:45am–7pm (23–25: 9:45am–9pm,
8:45pm–(Fireworks))(The last entry is one
hour before the close)
Getting there: JR Kyoto line, Ibaraki stn
Admission: Adults ¥1,100/Students
¥600(3–elementary)
06-6877-0560
Osaka Hikari Renaissance
Dec 1–26
The World Linking Tree 2006
In front of Osaka City hall, Nakanoshima
Illumination Street 06, Nakanoshima Park
Dec 1–26
The main spectacle is the light arcade that
symbolizes this event. The illuminations
will be on from the 1st to the 15th. From
the 16th, the lights in Nakanoshima street
will put on a show, synchronized with music
at regular intervals and the illuminations
will come on at other nearby locations such
as Naka-noshima library (wall tapestry),
riverside park, rose garden (rose light
garden).
Time: 5pm–9pm
Getting there: Subway Midosuji line,
Yodoyabashi stn
Admission: free
06-4860-7285
Love Came Down at Christmas
Theatre Pochette, Sannomiya
Dec 2 & 3
Original theatre in English, comprising six
one-act comedies and six torch songs.
Time: Dec 2, 7pm; Dec 3, 1pm, 5:30pm
Getting there: 10 min walk from JR, Subway,
Hankyu Sannomiya (email for map)
Admission: ¥2,000/students ¥1,500
(includes drink in intermission)
090-9984-1882/090-3973-2536
Email: thevoiceinternational@yahoo.co.jp
FCI International Dog Show
Hall 6A, INTEX Osaka
Dec 3
This is West Japan's biggest dog show. As
many as 1,300 pure-bred dogs will
participate from around the world to
compete in beauty, and behavior.
Time: 9am–5pm
Getting there: Newtram Nanko Porttown
line, Nakafuto stn
Admission: ¥500/Disabled with a chaperon
free (ID verification)
06-6693-7911
Opera-Hansel and Gretel
Biwako Hall, Shiga
Dec 9, 10
Hansel and Gretel was born from
Grimm's fairy tale. It is loved all over the
world as a fairy tale opera. This opera
will be in this hall's original singspiel
version, in Japanese.
Time: 2pm (Both 9 and 10)
Getting there: JR Biwako line, Otsu stn,
Omi, Keihan bus, Biwako hall /Keihan
line, Ishiba stn
Admission: Adults ¥3,000/Students
¥1,500 (Under 25 years old)
077-523-7136
The 101st Kyoto Cuisine
Exhibition
Miyako Messe, Kyoto
Dec 13 & 14
Traditional Kyoto style cuisine prepared
by famous restaurants will be on display.
There will be the unique kitchen knife
performance of Inkama school represented
as a solemn ritual. Also, tea
ceremony and booths where you can
buy food.
Time: 10am–4pm
Getting there: JR Kyoto line, Kyoto stn,
Bus 5, Kyotokaikan & Bijutsukan-mae
Admission: Adults ¥800/Students ¥500
(Advanced tickets: Adult ¥600/Students
¥400)
075-221-5833
Poland State Warsaw Chamber
Opera - The Magic Flute
Festival Hall, Osaka
Dec 15
This year is the 250th anniversary of
Mozart's birth. In the last month of thi
memorable year, how about watching
the last masterpiece opera that he
completed?
Time: 6:30pm
Getting there: Subway Yotsubashi line,
Higobashi stn, exit 4
Admission: ¥15,000/¥12,500/
¥10,000/¥8,000/¥6,000/¥4,000
Winter Party 2006
Beronica Kyobashi, Osaka
Dec 16
This winter party for 2006 is produced
by Lisa School. Belly Dance, Salsa
Dance, Hip Hop Dance, Robot Dance,
India Dance performances. Let's
dance! Make new friends and have fun!
Time: 3pm–6pm (Doors open 2pm)
Getting there: JR loop line/ Keihan line,
Kyobashi stn
Admission: ¥2,500 including 1drink
(¥3,000 at the door included 1drink)/
Children under 12 free.
06-6377-0628 (Booking)
Noism 06 Triple Vision
Biwako Hall, Shiga
Dec 17
Three Japanese dancers trained by a
world-leading overseas master will
come back to Japan with Noism '06.
Time: 4pm
Getting there: JR Biwako line, Otsu stn,
Omi, Keihan bus, Biwako hall /Keihan
line, Ishiba stn
Admission: Adults ¥4,000/Students
¥1,500 (under 25 years old)
077-523-7136
Silent Night: Big Three Ave Maria
Festival Hall, Osaka
Dec 17
The Christmas concert by the Sankt-Peterburg
Chamber Orchestra, loved by Japanese
fans. It's famous for the harmonies of
its string instruments with the beautiful
vocals. The big three Ave Marias, by Johann
Seba-stian Bach, Franz Peter Schubert,
and Giulio Caccini, will be performed with
other pieces.
Time: 3pm
Getting there: Subway Yotsubashi line,
Higobashi stn, exit 4
Admission: ¥4,000
06-6231-2221
Israel Dance Now
Art Theater dB, Festival Gate, Osaka
Dec 20, 21
Renana Raz will perform 'Ask For Stars'
and 'Motel'. Sahar azimi will perform
'Itisasitis' and 'So said Herzel'.
Time: 7pm
Getting there: Subway, Midosuji, Sakaisuji
line, Doubutsuen-mae stn, exit 5/ JR
loopline, Nankai line Shinimamiya stn
Admission: Adults ¥3,000 (¥3,500 at the
door)/Students ¥2,000 (¥2,500 at the door)
06-6646-1120
Art Cabaret #6
Art Theater dB, Festival Gate, Osaka
Dec 23
There will be a poll dance, exotic dance
and others. If you sit in a box seat, Shige
mates' dancers will host you with a dance.
Time: 5pm~/8pm~
Getting there: Subway, Midosuji, Sakaisuji
line, Doubutuen-mae stn, exit 5/ JR
loopline, Nankai line Shinimamiya stn
Admission: ¥5,000 (Box, only six reserved,
2–4people)/¥3,500/¥2,500
(¥4,000/¥3,000 at the door)
06-6646-1120
Harvest Hill Candle Night
Harvest Hill, Osaka
Dec 23, 24
You will feel as if you are walking on a
starry concourse in the sky. About 30,000
light stones welcome your visit.
Time: 5pm–9pm (Light up opens 10am)
Getting there: Nankai Koya line, Izumichuou
stn, bus for Harvest hill
Admission: Adults ¥900/Students ¥500
072-296-9911
The evening of Symphony No.9
Festival Hall, Osaka
Dec 29
You have to listen to Beethoven's, Symphony
No. 9, by the Osaka Philharmonic! The
reason why this tune is played on New
Year's Eve in Japan is that in 1937 a foreign
director of the current NHK Philharmonic
Orchestra explained that the tune is played
in Germany on that day every year. In the
1960s, many orchestras played the tune as
an annual event.
Time: 7pm
Getting there: Subway Yotsubashi line,
Higobashi stn, exit 4
Admission: ¥7,000/¥6,000/¥4,500/
¥3,500
06-6656-4890
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