Swiss Music Box Exhibition

HALL of HALLS Rokko, Hyogo
Apr 29 – Jun 21
Swiss music boxes made primarily during the 19th century (and more recent examples) will be showcased. There will also be an hourly music box concert. Enjoy the soothing sound of music!
Time: 10am – 5pm (closed Thursday)
Getting there: JR Kobe line, Rokkomichi stn, bus to Rokko Cable Shita stn, cable car to Rokko Sanjo stn • Admission: adults ¥1,000 children (over 4 years old) ¥500 • TEL:078-891-1284 • www.rokkosan.com/eng/hall/index.html

Summer Setting

Tondaya, Kyoto
Jun 1 – Aug 31
Tondaya will be giving a lecture about summertime in the olden days of Kyoto. Learn some of the traditional ways to obtain relief from the heat of Japan’s harsh summer. There will also be a machiya (traditional merchant town house found mainly in the heart of Kyoto) tour. Booking is essential.
Time: 10am – 4pm • Getting there: JR Kyoto stn, bus to Ichijo Modoribashi / Imadegawa Omiya • Admission: ¥2,100 • TEL:075-432-6701 • www.tondaya.co.jp/English/indexE.htm

Bunraku Performance for Beginners

National Bunraku Theatre, Osaka
Jun 3 – 18
A UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, bunraku is a Japanese traditional puppet theatre. In this event there will be an interesting lecture about Bunraku followed by a program of masterpieces. You can also enjoy it through an English earphone guide.
Time: 10:30am – 12:45pm (closed 5, 9, 11, 12, 14, 18), 2pm – 4:15pm (closed 5, 9, 12, 14), 6:30pm – 8:45pm (5 and 12 only) • Getting there: Subway Sakaisuji / Sennichi-mae line, Nipponbashi stn • Admission: adults ¥3,600, students ¥1,300 • TEL:06-6212-2531 • www.ntj.jac.go.jp/english/index.html

Noh Night Theatre

Ohtsuki Noh Theatre, Osaka
Jun 5
Noh and kyogen (traditional forms of Japanese entertainment) will be performed at this excellent theater. The stories are always simple and accompanied with song and dance. Noh is a solemn form and kyogen is a comical form. Useful explanations will be provided in English.
Time: 7:30pm (7pm venue open).
Getting there: Subway Tanimachi line, Tanimachi 4-chome stn, exit 10 • Admission: adults ¥4,200 (¥4,700 door), students ¥2,600 (¥3,000 door). Children over 6 years allowed to enter. • TEL:06-6761-8055 • www.noh-kyogen.com/index.html

The First Kyoto Fringe Festival

VasantaMala Indian Dance Institute, Kyoto
Jun 6 and 7
Marni Rice with her lovely voice, accordion playing and story-telling will be performing. Mika Haka, a Maori entertainer with his new performance, will also be joining in. Shakti is the first foreigner to receive the Kyoto Prefecture Government’s Arts and Culture Medal of Honour for her innovative dance. For an additional ¥2,000 fee you can have the chance to interact with the artists. Booking is essential.
Time: 3pm – 6pm (6th), 2pm – 5pm (7th) • Getting there: Subway Karasuma line, Kitaoji stn • Admission: ¥5,000 • Email: shakti@shakti.jp or contact@thegarageinternational.com (English / Japanese) • TEL:075-492-7972 (English / Japanese)

Test Drive the Fastest Solar Car

Ashiya University, Hyogo
June 6 and 13
Ashiya University Project Team is one of the most successful researchers of solar cars. The team will invite you to their campus where you can test-drive their solar car. There will also be a sightseeing tour by bus to Rokurokuso to see how wealthy Japanese people live. Advanced booking is essential.
Time: 1pm – 3pm • Getting there: JR Kobe line, Ashiya stn south exit (meet the team at 1pm) • Admission: ¥1,000 • Email: koho@ashiya-u.ac.jp (subject; Test Drive) • TEL:0797-23-0661

Relish Sake and Sweet

Sakagura Dori Rengakan, Hyogo
Jun 6, 13, 20, 27
One of the biggest sake makers will hold concerts at its museum. A free drink, sweet, and new product will be provided for all people who attend. On the 6th and 13th, classical music; on the 20th, Hawaiian music; and on 27th a vocal solo opera will be performed.
Time: 11:30am – 6pm • Getting there: JR Kobe line, Nishinomiya stn, 15 min walk • Admission: ¥1,000 • TEL:0798-32-2525

Gion Hojoe

Gion Shirakawa Tatumi-bashi Bridge, Kyoto
Jun 7
Two thousand goldfish will be released by pouring them from the Tatsumi-bashi Bridge. This annual ceremony takes place to give thanks for the blessing of nature. Fully-dressed maiko (Japanese hostesses trained to entertain guests) will be in attendance.
Time: 11am – 1pm • Getting there: JR Kyoto stn, 206 bus to Gion • Admission: free • TEL:075-701-5181

Kamigata no Zashiki-Mai (Traditional Japanese Dance)

The Osaka Museum of Housing and Living, Osaka
Jun 14
Called kamigata-mai, this dance is accompanied by jiuta, the oldest form of folk music. Originally, the dance was performed by the blind in a small room rather than on a stage. Here, the dance will be performed in the Japanese room at this museum.
Time: 2:10pm – 3:10pm • Getting there: Subway Tanimachi / Sakaisuji line, Tenjinbashisuji 6-chome stn • Admission: (entry to the museum) adults ¥600, university / high school students ¥300 • TEL:06-6242-1170

Shomyo to Sangen wo Kiku-Kai

Jurinji Temple, Kyoto
Jun 21
Listen to monks chanting along with sangen (a Japanese three-stringed lute). Shomyo, which is a style of Japanese Buddhist chant, is thought to be the origin of Japanese classical performing arts.
Time: 1:30pm • Getting there: Hankyu Railway Kyoto line, Higashi-Mukou stn, bus to Oshio • Admission: ¥1,000 • TEL:075-331-0154

Hana Shobu Matsuri (Sword-leafed iris viewing)

Shin-asahi Hana Shobu-en, Shiga
May 30 – Jun 28
200,000 irises are now in full bloom at this park. With its Dutch windmills, the scenery is sweet and romantic. Also, a sword-leafed iris footbath is waiting to sooth your weary feet.
Time: 9am – 6pm • Getting there: JR Kosei line, Shin-asahi stn, bus to Hushamura • Admission: adults ¥500, junior high school / primary school students ¥250 • TEL:0740-25-5668

Kaoru Watanabe’s RESONANCE II: ‘Echology’ 2009 Tour

Urban Guild, Kyoto Full Bloom, Osaka
Jun 13 and 14
Kaoru Watanabe is a classical flute player and has performed with the legendary Japanese drum ensemble KODO. He will be on stage with his innovative performance.
Times: Jun 13th, Urban Guild, 8pm. 14th, Full Bloom, 7pm • Getting there: Urban Guild, Kyoto Keihan Railway Sanjo stn *Full Bloom, Osaka Subway Midosuji line, Shinsaibashi • Admission: Urban Guild ¥3,000 (¥3,500 at door), *Full Bloom ¥3,000 (¥3,500 at door) • TEL:Urban Guild 075-212-1125 www.urbanguild.net *Full Bloom 06-6281-0082 Email: yumi_shizuma@me.com