KS Cover no. 124 2010 SEPTEMBER

SEPTEMBER 2010 :: 124

The 5th Rokkosan Kori no Saiten
(Ice Sculpture Festival)

Thru Feb 2

Rokko Garden Terrace, Hyogo

This festival is an event commemorating the Hanshin Awaji Earthquake disaster. This year is the fifth and is bigger and better than before. Many engraved art works of ice are displayed and some gigantic ice sculptures are shown also, such as a dragon, a Japan-ese court carriage and a garden lantern. These ice sculptures sparkle like crystals in the sunlight and glitter alluringly in the dark. Not only this, but there is a fairground with an ice slide, an ice hut, a curling
rink and a hot spring footbath. And of course, many booths with tasty food are waiting to tempt you.

Time: 10am–9pm
Getting there: JR Rokkomichi stn, 16 bus to Rokko Cable-shita stn, Rokko Cable Line, Rokko Cable-sanjo stn, Rokko-sanjo loop bus Rokko Garden Terrace • Kobe Railway Arima Onsen stn, loop bus to Arima Onsen stn, Rokko Arima Ropeway to Rokko-sanjo, stn 3-min walk
Admission: adults (over Junior high school students) ¥500
078-894-2090

Yodogawa Wakuwaku Haku

Feb 7–8

Yodogawa Kumin Center, Osaka

“Enjoy Japanese culture with us!” is the motto of NPO Momiji. It is the leading forum in Osaka for everyone interested in Japanese life and culture and in exchanging cultural knowledge. They provide opportunities for all those living in Osaka and Kansai to understand and appreciate the people, culture and language of Japan. In this event they serve up exhilarating performances, exhibitions full of good things and authentically flavoured ethnic food. On the 7th there will be a video show and live world music performed by professional musicians in a Mongolian ger (yurt, or nomad’s dwelling). On the 8th, there will be Rakugo (traditional Japanese comic story) performed by Turkish and Japanese people. A dazzling display of oriental dance and music will be performed. Also there will be a demonstration of Japanese flower arrangement, origami and pottery. There will be some guides who speak English. (Accompanying photo taken at last year’s event.)

Time: 6pm–8:30pm on 7th • 11am–4:30pm on 8th
Getting there: Hankyu Railway Juso stn, West exit (Nishiguchi), 7-min walk
Admission: free • 090-8481-1354

Ningen Hina Matsuri (Living Hina Doll)

Feb 14 & 15

Omishonin Yashiki Tonomura Shigeru, Shiga

One of the most important festivals in the Japanese calendar is Hinamatsuri (the Girls’ Festival), which is a day when families pray for the happiness and prosperity of their young daughters. It is also known as the Dolls’ Festival, as a set of figurines called Hina dolls depicting a court wedding in the Heian period are displayed in the home for the festival. Gokasho is an old town where many textile magnates used to live, and some of their beautiful houses can still be seen there, in which Hina dolls that have been passed down many generations are on display. These antique figurines and toys are exhibited at the magnates’ houses from Feb 1 to Mar 31 (closed Monday, Feb 12 and Mar 21). Also, there will be real human dolls at the Tonomura Shigeru House. Why don’t you witness this amusing and historical attraction where you can talk with actual living dolls?

Time: 10am–12noon, 1pm–3:30pm
Getting there: JR Biwako line, Notogawa stn, bus to Ikiikikan-mae, 5-min walk
Admission: adults ¥500, children ¥250 • 0748-48-2100

Snowshoe Tour

Thru Mar 28

Makino Heights & Kutsugi, Shiga

This snowshoe tour is a guided walk led by staff of the BSC Water Sport Centre through a rich natural environment of Makino and Kutsugi Heights. This is a moderately difficult walk, consisting of a briefing, snow hiking and the main hike, which goes on to a hot spring bath after the walk. To join the tour, prior booking is essential. Phone or email a week before the day you want to go. Detail your name and address, email address, landline number, mobile phone number, the date, place and number of people. Appropriate clothing and footwear are required. Meet your guide either at the car park of Makino Kogen or Green Park Omoidenomori. Bring a water bottle, lunch, a towel and rucksack.

Time: 10am–3pm (held only Saturdays, Sundays and holidays)
Getting there: JR Kosei line, Makino stn, Makino Town bus Makino Kogen Onsen Sarasa to the car park of Makino Kogen • Keihan Railway Demachiyanagi stn, Kyoto bus to Kutsugi Gakko-mae, Shuttle bus to Green Park Omoidenomori
Admission: adults ¥9,000, primary school students ¥8,200 (including snowshoes poles guide and hot spring)
E-mail: info@bsc-int.co.jp • 077-592-0127
www.bsc-int.co.jp/natural/winter/index.html

Kansai Event Listings February

Ice Rink Open

Osaka Pool, Osaka
Until Mar 31
This is a 1,800 square meter indoor
ice rink that is turned into an Olympic-sized swimming pool in the summer. There is a café overlooking the ice rink.

Time: 9am–8:45pm (last admission 8pm) • Closed Monday
Getting there: Subway Chuo line, Asashiobashi stn
Admission: adults ¥1,400, children (under 15years old) ¥800
06-6571-2010

Snow Land

Hirakata Park, Osaka
Until Mar 1
If you are missing a snow scene, this will be very a good chance to see it. Snow huts, snowmen, toboggans and many other things, there are lots to do in this Snow Land. Where else can you play in the snow in Osaka?

Time: 12pm–5pm on weekdays
• 10am–5pm at weekends
• Closed Tuesday and Wednesday
Getting there: Keihan Railway Hirakata Koen stn
Admission: ¥400 (entry charge apply)
072-844-3475

Mosaic Sweet Valentine

Kobe Harbourland Mosaic, Hyogo
Until Feb 14
Dazzling display of shops, an exciting amusement park, live music that sings for happy couples. And there will be
a cute valentine tree that you can tie
a wishing ribbon to. After festivities the restaurants stay open until 10pm.

Time: 11am–10pm
Getting there: JR Kobe stn 8-min walk • Kobekosoku Railway Kosokukobe stn 10-min walk • Admission: free
078-360-1722

Juhyo in Mt Kongosan (Snow-covered trees)

Mt Kongosan, Osaka
Feb 1
A pleasant, not to be hurried walk following good paths. The rewards are breathtaking views of trees silvered with hoar frost. You can join a guided walk at Chihaya Hoshi to Shizen no Museum. Show your ropeway ticket to get a warm miso soup. (The first 1,000 people will be accepted)

Time: 9:30 am
Getting there: Nankai Railway Koya line, Kawachinagano stn, Nankai bus to Kongo Ropeway stn, Kongo Ropeway to Kongosan stn, 10-min walk • Admission: free
0721-074-0056

Bean-throwing Ceremony

Tsutenkaku Tower, Osaka
Feb 1
The annual setsubun bean throwing ceremony in which beans are tossed from the top of Shin Sekai’s Tsutengaku tower used to be regarded as eccentric. Now it is one of the hottest spots to be on the day, with the media thronging to see which celebrity will be tossing his or her beans this year.

Time: 9:30am–10:10am
Getting there: Subway Sakaisuji line, Dobutsuen-mae stn / Ebisucho stn
Admission: adults ¥600 • university students ¥500 • high school/junior high school students ¥400
• primary students ¥300
06-6641-9555

Shikayose (Calling Deer Together)

Tobihino in Nara Park, Nara
Feb 1–Mar 15
Would you like to get away from this hectic everyday life and experience a sense of tranquillity on occasion? The park’s deer assemble around a horn player playing a classical piece in the crisp winter morning air of Nara Park. It will be a memorable sight.

Time: 10am
Getting there: JR/Kintetsu Railway Nara stn, loop bus Kasuga-taisha Omotesando
Admission: free
0742-22-2388

Hamaotsu Harumachi Akari

Hmaotsu, Shiga
Feb 3–14
The Hamaotsu Harumachi Akari is a newly established annual event in the heart of Otsu city. Heart-warming and soft lights will decorate across the town centre. Arts and crafts workshops, live music, performances will be in the main venue which is a beautiful old building.

Time: 5pm–9pm
Getting there: JR Biwako line Otsu stn
Admission: free
077-524-9822

Yukai Sokai Kukai Walk

Sakai City Hall, Osaka
Feb 7
The Yukai Sokai Kukai Walk is a guided walk, through the historic streets of Nishikoyakaido, which used to be a main route for pilgrims visiting Mt Koyasan, a major holy place for Japan- ese Buddhists. This walk is approximately 17.5km and will finish at Nankai Railway Kawachinagano station. This is a golden opportunity to make friends with Japanese people. Meet your guide in front of the city hall.

Time: 9:30am
Getting there: Nankai Railway, Koya line, Sakaihigashi stn, 3-min walk
Admission: free
0721-53-1111

Australian Consulate-
General Presents Anthony Garcia’s Kansai Tour

Chionsha and Touch One Hall, Kyoto • Crowne Plaza Kobe Hotel, Hyogo • Grove Café, Osaka
Feb 13, 14, 15 & 18
Australian classical guitarist and composer Anthony Garcia will play
at these four stages and display his international sensibility in music. Anthony will be joined on 13th and 15th by world-renowned shakuhachi player, Mr Kifu Mitsuhasi.

Time: 13th Chionsha 7pm
• 14th Crowne Plaza Kobe Hotel 7pm • 15th Grove Café 7pm and 8pm
• 18th Touch One Hall 2pm
Getting there: Chionsha, Kyoto subway Kawasuma line Karasumaoike stn • Crowne Plaza Kobe Hotel, Kobe subway Shin-Kobe stn • Grove Café, Osaka subway Tanimachi line Tanimachi 9-chome stn exit 2, 3-min walk • Touch One Hall, Kintetsu Railway Kyoto line Takanohara stn 12-min walk
Admission: Chionsha ¥2,000
• Crowne Plaza Kobe Hotel ¥5,000
• Grove Café ¥1,500
• Touch One Hall ¥ 1,500
Chionsha 06-6941-9372 • Crowne Plaza Kobe Hotel 078-291-1272
• Grove Café 06-6765-7000
• Touch One Hall 06-6941-9372
Email: Cindy.Lineburg@austrade.gov.au

Kyo no Asaichi

Okazaki Park & Heianjingu Shrine
Feb 21–22
There will be a bustling morning market at Okazaki Park and Heianjingu, which is one of the most visited places in Kyoto. You can find curi- osities ranging from items for an art lover to a gourmet at this market.
Also there will be exciting street performances.

Time: 9:30am–4pm
Getting there: JR Kyoto, 100 bus to Kyoto Kaikan Bijutsukan-mae
• Subway, Tozai line, Higashiyama stn, 10-min walk
Admission: free
075-752-0227

Midori Hatakeyama Charity Show

Rihga Royal Hotel, Osaka
Feb 26
A musical show with a French dinner at the Rihga Royal one of thebest-known deluxe hotels in Osaka. Midori Hatakeyama, is a leading Japanese enka singer will be on stage with her friends.

Time: 12noon & 5pm (doors open 30-minutes before each performance)
Getting there: Keihan Railway, Nakanoshima stn. • JR Osaka stn, shuttle bus of the Rihga Royal
Admission: ¥23,000
info@geinousummit.com
06-6488-1121

Yudate-shinji

Iwashimizu Hachimangu, Kyoto
Feb 1 & 3
This ritual has been called the first herald of spring since olden times. Holy water is boiled in a cauldron in the precincts and offered to the god. Shrine maidens splash the water in every direction using a bamboo branch. It is said if you get splashed you will be in good health during
the year.

Time: 12noon
Getting there: Keihan Railway Yawata-shi stn, Otokoyama Cable Railway Otokoyama-sanjo stn
Admission: free
075-981-3001

EVENT section compiled by Yuki Uchibori

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