Twin Fish 2

Ai Hall, Hyogo
Sep 1, 2
Dance Company Selenographica presents Ai Hall dance collection vol.52. You can enjoy an abstract dance performance from a troupe that has created original performances for more than ten years.

Time: Sep 1 (7pm), Sep 2(3pm)
Getting there: JR/Hankyu Takarazuka line, Itami stn
Admission: ¥3,000 (¥2,500 in advance)
090-3611-6826
www.selenographica.net

Choyo Seasonal Festival

Hourin ji temple, Kyoto
Sep 9
There is an old tale about statue of a boy in this temple. The boy drank a drop from a chrysanthemum and he lived for seven hundred years. Now we drink chrysanthemum sake to protect us from misfortune.

Time: 7pm
Getting there: Hankyu Arashiyama line, Arashiyama stn
Admission: free
075-862-0013

Choyo Matsuri

Kamigamo shrine, Kyoto
Sep 9
One of the biggest five seasonal festivals in Japan is Choyo no Sekku on September 9th. Others are 7th June, 3rd March, 5th May, 7th July. On these days, children do sumo in the shrine and the chief of the shrine imitates bird voices and jumps around holding arrows.

Time: 10am
Getting there: Subway Karasuma line, Kitaoji stn, 3 bus north
Admission: Free
075-781-0011

Hojo Ceremony

Honnoji temple, Kyoto
Sep 15
This is a ceremony, which takes place in Honnoji temple to give thanks for life creature and have a memorial ceremony. A live fish is offered at the main hall and there is a special ritual. After the ritual the fish will be released into the Kamo River from Sanjo Bridge.

Time: 2:50pm
Getting there: Keihan line Sanjo stn
Admission: Free
075-231-5335

Fiesta Mexicana e no gyaku

Umeda Sky Building, Osaka
Sep 15–17
You will find tacos and many other Mexican dishes as well as drinks like tequila sold in booths. On the stage you can watch Estudi- antina La Salle and La Bamba. They wear traditional costumes and play guitars and mandolins. This is the tenth anniversary of the event.

Time: 12am–9pm
Getting there: JR/Hankyu/Subway, Osaka stn
Admission: Free
06-6440-3899

Osunafumi Ceremony

Imakumano Kannon ji temple, Kyoto
Sep 21–23
Visitors wear special costumes and step in pallets filled with sand to symbolise a pilgri- mage to 88 significant places in Shikoku, which confers as much grace as visiting the actual locations.

Time: 8am–5pm
Getting there: JR Kyoto line, Kyoto stn, City loop bus 208 (east round), Sennyu-ji
Admission: ¥1,300
075-561-5511

Pet Expo 2007

Intex Osaka
Sep 22–24
This is as exhibition of various kinds of dogs and cats. Stalls sell pet-related products. It promotes the fun of living with a companion animal and advocates the importance of caring.

Time: 10am–5pm
Getting there: Subway Midosuji line, Umeda stn, exit 1/JR line, Osaka stn, Midosuji North exit/Hankyu line, Umeda stn, Chayamachi exit
Admission: Adult ¥1,200 Child ¥800/Handicapped and his/her helper free
06-6947-1912

Kyoto Arashiyama Music Festival

Arashiyama, Kyoto
Sep 22–24
Many kinds of concerts, Hawaiian music, classical music and jazz take place in Arashiyama’s Nakanoshima park and Nonomiya shrine. Recently a hot spring was discovered there.

Time: Sat 1pm–8:30pm, Sun 12–7pm, Mon 12–8pm
Getting there: Hankyu, Keifuku line, Arashiyama stn
Admission: Free–¥4,000
075-861-0012

Moon Viewing Festival

Shimogamo jinjya shrine, Kyoto
Sep 25
Traditional dance music and koto music will be performed. The players wear gorgeous Heian-period costumes. There will be a beautiful full moon called jyu- goya in the autumn sky. There are many events to enjoy moon viewing in other places in Japan.

Time: 8:30pm
Getting there: JR Kyoto stn, 4, 205 bus
Admission: free
075-781-0010

Moon viewing ceremony

Himeji Jo castle, Hyogo
Sep 25
There are many food booths, and some concerts taking place from 7pm. You can listen to many kinds of Japanese instruments including koto, shamisen, shakuhachi and so on. There will also be dance.

Time: 5pm–9pm
Getting there: JR/Sanyo, Himeji stn
Admission: free
079-287-3659