KS Cover no. 85 2007 June

JUN 2007 :: 085

フライヤー印刷はキングプリンターズ！

Modula -
Websites in English and Japanese

Model Exhibition

Thru Jul 8

Kyoto Kokusai Manga Museum, Kyoto

One of the most famous features of Japanese culture is animation. In this diorama exhibition, there are more than seventeen hundred models, some of them are life-size. They are not only animation figures but also depictions of natural science, such as geography and even coral biology. The creators are proud of the quality of their work. They faithfully reproduce their subjects even down to the detail of the background. There are a variety of themes, such as dinosaur figures, which are presented in chronological order with some unique questions; Japanese farm products figures and many treasures that were excavated in Egypt. You also appreciate the arranged toukaido gojyusantugi. The original was painted by Katsushika Hokusai is famous painter of the Edo period.

Time: 10am–8pm (close on Wed)
Getting there: Kyoto city subway line, Karasumaoike stn/15, 51, 65 city bus Karasumaoike
Admission: Adults ¥1,000/ Junior High, High School Students ¥800/ primary school students ¥600 (included one special gift figure - enter by 7:30pm)
Tel: 075-254-7414

GIVEAWAY: Kyoto Kokusai Manga Museum is giving away four tickets for the Model Exhibition. In order win this ticket, just mention which article in this edition of KS you liked most, and send an email to giveaway@kansaiscene.com with your name and postal address.

Changing clothes in a machiya

Jun 1 - Sep 30

Tondaya, Kyoto

The original owner took great care in selecting wood to be used in building this machiya called Tondaya. The townspeople of Kyoto in the Edo period lived in wooden townhouses called machiya. Tondaya is a must-visit as it has been preserved as the houses would have been at the height of their popularity. This preserved machiya is not so much a museum as a living, breathing set of customs and traditions preserved through special events and rituals. June is the month in which to put away winter or spring clothes and get summer clothes out of seasonal storage, and this is the focus of this month.

The machiya also demonstrates how natural materials can make life more comfortable through the extremes of the local climate. The house utilises sudare screens (made of woven bamboo) instead of fusuma (made from paper). There are also ajiro (made of woven bamboo) instead of tatami. Living here, you would be able to remain cool in the summer without the use of an air conditioner. The landlord explains the customs of the machiya to the visitor in both English and Japanese.

Time: 10am–4pm
Getting there: JR Kyoto No.9 City bus Ichijyo Modoribashi / Hankyu Kawaramachi city bus 51 to Imadegawa Omiya
Admission: ¥2,100
Tel: 075-432-6701 • www.tondaya.co.jp/index.html

Rose Festival

Jun 2, 3

Expo Park, Osaka

Sixty-seven kinds of roses are in this sixthousand square meter garden in the Expo Park. When the Japan World Exposition took place here in 1970, this amazing variety of roses was donated by nine countries: Belgium Canada Germany France New Zealand Denmark England and United states. Now, fifty-four hundred roses are blooming and filling the air with their sweet scents. During the festival, the advisers are waiting in the garden office for your questions about anything to do with roses. There are also lessons in pressing flowers and opportunities to learn how to make cards with pressed roses under the tutelage of the staff. Some lessons are free, some require a small fee, depending how involved you want to get.

Time: 1pm–3pm • Admission: free
Getting there: Kita Osaka Kyuko Railway, Senri-chuo stn
Tel: 06-6877-7387

Amanogawa Firefly Matsuri

Jun 16, 17

Amano River, Maibara, Shiga

Tens of thousands of fireflies are fluttering around the Amanogawa river. The firefly is a delicate and short-lived insect. They can only live in places where there is a clean water, and their lifespan is only about 10 days. When the Amanogwa became polluted, the number of fireflies decreased. Then Maibara city started a series of projects to protect the environment from destruction, and one of these project is this Amanogawa Firefly Matsuri to inform people of the life of this insect. The firefly became a theme of old song books about thousand years ago and since then people have been attracted by the spectacle of fireflies at night. In this festival you can see this amazing phenomenon that has not changed in thousands of years.

Time: 6:30pm–9:30pm
Getting there: shuttle bus from JR Maibara stn west exit/Horaru bus from JR Oumi nagaoka stn
Admission: shuttle bus ¥500,Horatu bus ¥1,000 (including special fan)
Tel: 0749-52-1551

Kansai Event Listings June

Takigi Noh

Heian Jingu Shrine, Kyoto
Jun 1, 2
Noh Drama, performed outdoors by the light of a bonfire, is called Takigi Noh. Fifty five years have passed since such performances were first held. This annual Takigi Noh performance at Heian Shrine is amazingly beautiful and impressive.

Time: 5:30
Getting there:Subway Karasuma line, Marutamachi stn (Kyoto Imperial Palace)/JR Kyoto stn/Hanku Kyoto line, Kawaramachi stn, 5 city bus, Kyotokaikan and Bijutsukan-mae
(Heian Jingu Shrine) • Admission: ¥3,300
Tel: 075-771-6114 • www.heianjingu.or.jp

Mimurotoji Hydrangea Garden

Mimurotoji temple, Kyoto
Jun 1–Jul 8
This garden was selected as the third most beautiful hydrangea garden in the Kansai area in 2005. You can see the shichidanka, one of the most valuable kinds in the world.

Time: 8:30am–4:30pm
Getting there: Keihan line, Mimuroto stn
Admission: Adult ¥500/Children ¥300
Tel: 0774-21-2067

Aperitif a la francaise

Bistrot Café de Paris, Kobe
Jun 8
Come and enjoy the French festival- Aperitif Day - getting celebrated in different parts of the world. It's a festival of greetings neighbors and celebrating good time together over cheese, cakes, coffee and wine. This is the only restaurant in Kansai which is celebrating the warmth of bringing people together. Everyone of any nationality is welcome! There is will be a magic show and some surprize events. To all Kansai French speakers a special night not to miss .

Time: 6pm-10pm
Getting there: 5-min walk from JR/Hankyu Sannomiya stn towards Kitano
Admission: ¥3,000 with appetizers, cheese, and wine. Special dessert for KS readers
Tel: 078-241-9448 • www.cafe-de-paris.jp

Rucksack Market

Mayasan, Nada-ku Kobe
Jun 16
Anyone who has a rucksack can take part in this flea market. It takes place on the top of Mt. Maya so you can enjoy not only the market but also the beautiful landscape.

Time: 10am–3pm
Getting there: JR line, Hankyu line, Sannomiya stn, 18 city bus, Maya cable
Admission: free
Tel: 078-251-8307

Comic City Osaka 65

Intex Osaka, Osaka
Jun 17
This is an exhibition and sale of amateur cult magazines through which you can feel the spirit of Japanese manga culture. You might become completely absorbed into this alternative world ...

Time: 10:30am–3pm
Getting there: Newtram Nanko porttown line, Nakafuto stn
Admission: to be arranged
Tel: 03-3225-8520

Kodo: One Earth Tour

Kobe Kokusai Kaikan Kokusai Hall, Kobe
Jun 24
Experience the power of Japanese drumming from veterans Kodo. They will be doing a kyogen collaboration, a kind of comic Noh theatre from the 8th century. Kodo also have performances in Osaka and Kyoto in June.

Time: 3:30pm
Getting there: JR Kobe line, Sannomiya stn
Admission: ¥5,500
Tel: 078-231-8162 • www.kodo.or.jp

Bali Show

Intex Osaka, Osaka
Jun 30–Jul 1
This event introduces Balinese culture. The idea is to experience "to fully enjoy fascination of Bali for two days" through hands-on experience. It will be like going to Bali without leaving Osaka.

Time: 9am–6pm (closes at 5pm on the 1st day)
Getting there: Newtram Nanko Porttown line, Nakafuto stn
Admission: ¥1,000 (¥800 in advance)/preschool children: free
Tel: 03-5840-8730

Rice Planting

Sakai city, Osaka
Jun 9
The rice planting season is coming. Of course you have eaten rice in Japan, but have you ever planted rice?
There are few Japanese people these days who have had experience of rice planting. If you want to join in, you need to make a reservation. There is space for 20 people in order of arrival.

Time: 10am–12:30pm
Getting there: Nakamozu stn Senboku Kousoku line, 2 bus to Hachigamine from Izumigaoka stn
Admission: ¥200
Tel: 072-290-0800 • www.sakai-fureainomori.jp

Hana Kuyo

Torin-in temple, Kyoto
Jun 12
This temple is famous for the plant sarasojyu (sandalwood).
In this atmosphere, you can experience this characteristically Japanese scent in traditional surroundings.

Time: 9:30am
Getting there: JR Sagano line, Hanazono stn
Admission: free
Tel: 075-463-1334

Golden Chimaki Eshiki

Kouninji Temple, Nara
Jun 13
Chimaki is a kind of rice cake wrapped in an oak tree leaf and dedicated to Kouninji temple in hope for a rich harvest and good health. Kouninnji itself is magnificent. There is a bonfire in the temple grounds that day.

Time: 2pm
Getting there: Kintetsu bus to Maitani-cho, Takahi-cho from JR Nara line/Kintetsu line Nara stn
Admission: free
Tel: 0742-62-9303

Plum Harvest

Katsuragi cho, Wakayama
Jun 20–Aug 20
Katsuragi cho in Wakayama prefecture is famous for fruit, which is harvested there all the year round - strawberries, kiwi fruit, chestnuts, shiitake mushrooms etc. Plums are ripening this time of year and you can eat as many as you want while picking. You need a reservation in advance.

Time: depends on the garden; call to make reservations
Getting there: JR wakayama line, Kasata stn 5min by car
Admission: ¥700/preschool children: ¥500
Tel: 0736-22-0300

EVENT section compiled by Toshie Kashihara

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