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Himeji Castle Spring Special Opening
Himeji Castle, Hyogo
Through May 31
A World Cultural Heritage building, this castle is nicknamed the ‘White Heron Castle’. During these open days a turret and the toilet of the donjon(main tower), which are usually closed, will be open to the public. Enjoy a wonderful day at this treasured location.
Time: 9am – 5pm • Getting there: JR Kobe line, Himeji stn 15 – min walk Admission: adults ¥600 children ¥200 079-285-1146
Haru no Dai-Kosyo Sokubaikai (an antiquarian book fair)
Miyako Messe, Kyoto
May 1 – 5
A large market selling second-hand books including paperbacks, hardbacks, novels, technical books and almost-new books. This book fair has a special counter where you will find antique maps of beauty spots in Kyoto, pictures of the Gion Festival in the 19th century, and many other things.
Time: 10am–8pm (shopping) 11am–10pm (restaurants) • Getting there: JR Kobe line, Tarumi stn 9–min walk
Admission: free 078-709-4466
Shimin Sencha no Kai
Nijo Castle, Kyoto
May 3 – 5
Tea ceremonies will be held in the Seiryuen Garden in the castle, which is usually closed to the public. Also you can enter Ninomaru Palace (a national treasure) and the garden. The first 20 people will be accepted.
Time: 10am – 3pm • Getting there: Subway Tozai line, Nijojo-mae stn Admission: ¥2,000 (including two teas and entry to the castle)
075-841-0096
Otome Bunraku “En atte” by Mitsuka Yoshida
Taikoen, Osaka
May 6
A theatre performance that is a collaboration of bunraku (traditional puppet theatre), kyogen (classical farce play), rakugo (comic storytelling) and rokyoku (traditional recitation). Do not worry about language. Fantastic puppet movements and the actors’ aesthetic poise will captivate you.
Time: 2:30pm (2pm venue opens)Getting there: JR Tozai line, Osakajo Kitazume stn • Admission: ¥4,000 (¥4,500 at the door) • Email: hirota@x.age.ne.jp 06-6697-4925
RoboCup Japan Open 2009 Osaka
KYOCERA Dome, Osaka
May 8 – 10
The best robot teams from all over the country will compete for the crown in the robot soccer, rescuer, service robots and junior leagues.
Time: 10am – 6pm (10am – 4:30pm on 10th) • Getting there: Subway Nagahori Tsurumi-ryokuchi line, Dome-mae Chiyozaki stn *Hanshin Railway Nanba line Dome-mae stn Admission: adults ¥800 (¥1,000 at the door) children (under junior high school students) free 06-6376-2963 • www.robocup-japanopen.org/index.html
The 19th Osaka Castle Jazz Festival
Osaka Castle Park Open-air Concert Hall
May 9 & 10
Eleven Big Band orchestras from universities in Kansai will play funky swing jazz in the spring wind. On the 9th, Pedro Giraudo Jazz Orchestra will perform, and on the 10th, Mitsuru Furuya Neighbourhood Big Band will entertain the crowd.
Time: 1:30pm (1pm venue opens) Getting there: JR Loop line / Subway Morinomiya stn 5 – min walk Admission: ¥500 • Email: 19@osaka-jazz-fes.com
IAAF Japan Grand Prix in Osaka 2009
Nagai Stadium, Osaka
May 9
World-class athletes will meet at Nagai stadium, promising some golden moments in track and field. The events include: 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m, 110m Hurdle, 400m Hurdle, Pole Vault, High Jump, Long Jump, Hummer throw, Javelin throw, 100m Relay Race, 400m Relay Race.
Time: 11pm • Getting there: JR Hanwa line, Tsurugaoka stn / Subway Midosuji line, Nagai stn • Admission: ¥2,500/ ¥1,500/ ¥1,000/ ¥600 (at the door ¥3,000/ ¥2,000/ ¥1,500/ ¥600) 06-6585-1702 • www.osaka-sports.gr.jp/events2/gp.html
Shinkaichi Music Streets 2009
Shinkaichi shopping arcade & Minatogawa Park
May 9 & 10
This event is part of several projects aimed at boosting the development of Shinkaichi. A wide variety of music will be performed on five stages built specially for this event. The town will become a paradise for music lovers on these two days!
Time: 12noon – 8pm • Getting there: JR Kobe stn 8 – min walk Hankyu/Hanshin Railway Shinkaichi stn • Admission: free 078-576-1218
Kihu Mitsuhasi, Yachiyo Inui DUO LIVE in Church
Higashi-Umeda Church the United Church of Christ in Japan
May 23
A concert of piano and shakuhachi (Japanese bamboo flute, held vertically when played), rare combination of instruments that will be played in harmony. Enjoy a variety of melodies ranging from classical music to popular songs.
Time: 3pm – 5pm • Getting there: Subway Sakaisuji line, Oogimachi stn Admission: ¥3,000 (¥3,500 at the door) • Email: yachiyo_inui@k9.dion.ne.jp 0798-34-1717
Romeo and Juliet in English by International Theatre Company London
Osaka Shoin Women’s University, Osaka
May 27
ITCL was the winner of the Evening Star Award at the Munich Biennial Festival in 1990. Hailed by The Guardian as “unusual, entertaining, witty and stylised…,” they have visited Japan regularly for the past 16 years. Bookings are essential: email your name, address, phone number and mention Romeo and Juliet Wed 27 May.
Time: 2:45pm – 5:50pm
Getting there: Kintetsu Railway Nara line, Kawachi Kosaka stn
Admission: free
Email: eibun@osaka-shoin.ac.jp
06-6723-8316
Midosuji Art Grand Prix
Shinsaibashi of Midosuji,
Osaka
May 10
This event will take place on Osaka's main drag and will include live art performances, a creators’ market, fashion stage, world performances, dance battles and much more.
Time: 2pm-5pm
Admission: free
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This festival is an 11-day spectacular celebrating our lives through food. A large range of food and drinks from all over the world will be showcased and there will also be cooking demonstrations, food tastings, bars and stalls, bands, an FM radio studio, concerts and stage performances, as well as a whole range of other activities and entertainment. In addition, the latest information about sensible eating will be provided, including an introduction to wholesome foods and high-tech kitchens and tableware. Intex Osaka will become a heaven for all things delicious! Most activities are free.
This thrilling kite festival takes place on the banks of the Echigawa River annually on the fourth Sunday in May. The eighteenth century, when kites were raised to celebrate the birth of baby boys. The event’s highlight is the flying of a 13 meter high, 12 meter wide and 700 kg gigantic kite which is raised by 100 kite pullers! The Yokaichi kite is renowned for its fine artwork and the kite design itself is actually spotted with holes in order to reduce wind resistance.
