Pole diving

Isaki temple, Shiga
Aug 1
This annual event has been going on for a thousand years at Isaki temple, 9.2km north from Oumihachiman station. A thirteen-meter length of wood called Sao is fixed horizontally from the cliff and monks dive seven meters into Biwako Lake. You can’t join the dive, only monks are allowed to do.

Time: 12pm
Getting there: JR Biwako line, Oumihachiman stn, bus to Horikita Minato, 40min walk
Admission: free
0748-32-7828

Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia 2007

Osaka Business Park Enkei Hall, Osaka
Aug 3–5
Short film here means from one minute to 25, but what- ever the length, all these films exhibit the skill and discipline that is required to tell a comp- lete story. You might find up coming talented film directors or tomorrow’s big name.

Time: 11am–10pm
Getting there: JR Osaka Loop Line, Kyobashi stn, west exit
Admission: 1 program ¥1,000 advance, ¥1,400 on the day, three programs ¥2,800/¥3,600
06-6343-8711

Takedao Tunner Art Event 2007

Takedao, Hyogo
Aug 5
A musical and dance fiesta in Takedao in an abandoned train tunnel along Mukogawa River. Whatever the weather, there will be an numerous performances all day long by Isabelle Billard (mime), Nicolai Maru- hama (music), Mamiko Sugaya (buyou dance), Yangjah (contemporary dance), Jerry Gordon (music & poetry), Loneseome Hope (music), Kristy Farkas (music), Ilbong (contemporary dance), Bun (music), Kalna (music). Miya- moto Shoutarou (music), and Wataru (music). Bring your own flashlights, candles, food & drinks.

Time: 2pm~10pm
Getting there: From JR Osaka, take the express bound for Shin-Sanda, and get off at Nishinomiya-Najio. Takedao is the next stn. From there it’s a 10-min walk towards riverside.
Admission: free
090-9889-9523

Natsu Koshi Shinji

Shimogamo Jinjya Shrine, Kyoto
Aug 7
Purified bamboo is placed in the pond and then paper doll talismans are cast in too. A number of naked monks try to get the bamboo. This is an event to pray for happiness and health during the year.

Time: 6pm
Getting there: Keihan Railway, Demachiyanagi stn/JR Kyoto
line, Kyoto stn, 4 or 205 bus, Shimogamo Shrine Mae
Admission: Adult ¥500/Junior and child ¥250
075-761-3460

Tenth Hieizan light up

Hieizan Enryakuji Temple, Kyoto Shiga
Aug 9–13
See this atmospheric space light up against the night — relax and forget the heat of summer. Every year has a different theme for the illumi- nations. The mountain air will be much cooler than the city, physically and spiritually.

Time: 9pm
Getting there: Keihan Kyotu line, Sakamoto stn, Sakamoto
cable line
Admission: Adults ¥550/Junior and high ¥350/Under elementary free
077-578-0001

53rd All-Japan High School Abacus Competition

Ono City Sogo Gym, Hyogo
Aug 10
From Hokkaido to Kyushu, High school students expert at the soroban (abacus) gather in Ono city gym. Their skills and powers of concentration are a spectacle in their own right.

Time: 10am–3:30pm
Getting there: Kobe Electric Line, Ono stn, 20 min walk
Admission: free
0794-63-1000

Daimonji Gozan Okuribi

Along the Kamo River, between Marutamachi Bridge and Misonobashi Bridge Along Nishioji Street, between Saiin and Kinkakuji-michi, Kyoto
Aug 16
This is one of the four biggest events in Kyoto along with Gion, Aoi, and Jidai festivals. It is said that on August 15, the souls of our ancestors return to this world. Bonfires are lit on five mountains to light the way back to the next world. The fires are in the shapes of the characters, dai meaning large, myo, hou, a ship, and torii — a shrine gate.

Time: 8pm–8:30pm
Getting there: JR line Kyoto stn, 4 or 17 bus, Demachiyanagi (The dai can be seen from bank of the Kamo river.)
075-343-6655 (Kyoto City Tourist Information Office)

Seirei Okuri candle float

Togetsukyo, Kyoto
Aug 16
Hundreds of boxed candles float in the Ooigawa river on the night of the 16th. You can see similar events called torona-gashi in many other places in Japan in this time of year. Arashiyama is also a good spot to observe the Gozan no Okuribi flaming torii shape’ You can enjoy two events at the same time here.

Time: Sunset–9pm
Getting there: Hankyu/ Keifuku line Arashiyama stn
Admission: one candle ¥1,000
075-861-0591

Pirates of the Dotombori Comedy

Club Pure, Osaka
Aug 19
A short-form improvisation comedy in English and Japanese, in Osaka. The group members are from all over the world. They did a Tokyo tour last month. You can’t miss this bilingual show.

Time: 8pm (doors open at 7:30)
Getting there: Midosuji line, Namba stn, Diamond Bldg B2 Club Pure
Admission: ¥1,500 (includes 1 drink)
06-6214-6600 www.ratesofthedotombori.com

Wind Travellin’ Band Concert

Honen-in Temple, Kyoto
Sep 1
The wind blows over the borderlines. “Wind Travellin’ Band” is a noncategorized band formed in 1991 by six talented musicians. They won a prize for their original sound, which includes saxophone, Japanese koto, Chinese erhu, Native Australia’s didgeridoo, cajon and so on. Legend- ary Sex Pistols producer Dave Good- man called them “an acoustic Pink Floyd” when he saw their gig in Europe.

Time: 6:30pm
Getting there: JR Kyoto Station/Hankyu Kawaramachi stn, take 5 bus, get off at Jodo-ji, walk 8 min to the East.
Admission: ¥,3000 (¥2,500 advance)
070-5500-1011

Snow Festival

Rokkosan, Hyogo
Until Sep 2
You can join snowball fights midsummer and in the open air in Rokkosan! IMS ice-making technology makes this impossibility a reality, creating a 20-square metre snowfield. There is also a treasure hunt to join.

Time: 11am–6pm
Getting there: Hanshin Mikage stn/JR Rokkomichi stn/Hankyu Rokko stn, 16 bus, Rokko cable car
Admission: Adult ¥600, students ¥300
078-891-0366