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Open House
Mumeisha, Kyoto
Until Sep 30
Genuine Japanese architectural house built in 1902, used to be a kimono wholesale house. The furnishing, utensils and daily articles will please your eyes. Reservations recommended.
Time: 10am-5pm.
Getting there: Subway Karasuma line, Shijo stn, 8min walk.
Admission: ¥600.
Tel: 075-752-0227
Kagaribi no Bugaku
Shitennoji Temple
Osaka Aug 4
Marvelous classical performing arts called bugaku will be showcased in this temple. The ancient performance by skilful dancers will glow with flaming torch light. This performing art is a significant and intangible folk cultural asset.
Time: 7-9pm.
Getting there: Subway Tanimachi line, Shitennoji-mae Yuhigaoka, 5min walk.
Admission: ¥500.
Tel: 06-6771-0066
2009 Jazz Picnic in Inagawa
Inagawa Undo Park, Osaka
Aug 8
Enjoy a relaxing picnic while watching live music under the sky at this park. Top ranking Japanese players offer Latin, standard, swing jazz and jazzy tune Japanese folk songs. Bring your friends and family to this big gig.
Time: From 5pm (open 4pm).
Getting there: Hankyu Railway Takarazuka line, Ikeda stn.
Admission: ¥3,000 (¥3,500 at the door), family ticket (max 2 adults) ¥5,000 (¥6,000 at the door)
Tel: 072-761-8811
Kosho Matsuri Antique Book Fair
Shimogamo Shrine, Kyoto
Aug 11-16
A large market selling over 800,000 second-hand books, CDs, records, stamps and antiques. This is a golden opportunity to find items you have sought after for your collection. Joyful street performances are also planned.
Time: 10am-6pm (10am-4pm on Aug 16).
Getting there: Keihan Railway Kamo Higashi line, Demachiyanagi stn, 10min walk.
Admission: free.
Tel: 075-351-9663
Toro Nagashi
Arashiyama Park, Kyoto
Aug 16
Paper lanterns will float down the river in a ceremony held to see off ancestors’ spirits. Also, a giant bonfire lit in shape of a torii gate can be seen at the same time.
Time: dusk-9pm (lantern ceremony), 8:20pm (bonfire).
Getting there: Hankyou Railway Arashiyama line, Arashiyama stn, 5min walk.
Admission: free.
Tel: 080-5307-1060
Bon Odori Dance
Kita Mido, Osaka
Aug 20 & 21
Join in on the always-popular bon odori dance and enter to win fun prizes in a lottery. The bon dance is said to have started in the Muromachi period as a ritual dance, but over the course of time the original religious meaning has faded and the dance has become a major attraction in summer throughout Japan.
Time: 5:30-9pm.
Getting there: Subway Midosuji line, Honmachi stn.
Admission: free.
Tel: 06-6261-6796
The 8th Himeji Robo-Challenge
Himeji City Science Museum, Hyogo
Aug 30
This competition of two-legged robots in entry-level league features entries from participants ranging from young children to the elderly. Spectators can vote for their favorite robot.
Time: 9:30am-5pm.
Getting there: JR Kobe line, Himeji stn bus to Hoshinoko Yakata-mae.
Admission: Adults ¥500, children ¥100.
Tel: 079-267-3962
PL Fireworks
Church of Perfect Liberty, Osaka
Aug 1
The largest fireworks exhibition in Japan. Enjoy splendid bursts of 120,000 fireworks. The 1,000-meter fireworks waterfall, “Niagra Falls,” is a must-see.
Time: 7:50pm-8:50pm.
Getting there: Kintetsu Railway Nagano line, Tondabayashi stn.
Admission: free.
Tel: 0721-25-0500
Toyooka Fireworks Display
Maruyamagawa Kasennjiki riverside, Hyogo
Aug 2
Two thousands fireworks explode in the night sky to conclude the summer festival of Toyooka city. This is one fireworks festival that’s easy to get a clear view of, with nothing but rice fields in the area.
Time: 8pm (postponed until Aug 3 in case of stormy weather).
Getting there: JR Sanin Honsen line, Toyooka stn, 20min walk.
Admission: free.
Tel: 0796-22-4456
2009 Lake Biwa Fireworks Festival
Otsu Port Area, Shiga
Aug 7
This is definitely not a festival to miss, with around 10,000 fireworks bursting high above the waters of Lake Biwa. A huge crowd is expected, with over 350,000 attending last year.
Time: 7:30-8:30pm (postponed to Aug 10 in case of stormy weather).
Getting there: Keihan Railway Otsu line, Hamaotsu stn, 5min walk.
Admission: free.
Tel: 077-511-1530
Shirahama Fireworks Display
Shirahama Bathing Beach, Wakayama
Aug 10
An off-shore fireworks exhibition featuring fancy pyrotechnics and star mines.
Time: 8-9pm.
Getting there: JR Kinokuni line, Shirahama stn, bus to Shirahama.
Admission: free.
Tel: 0739-43-5511
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One of the area’s most popular summer events, named after the “toka,” a flower-shaped lump on the tip of a candlewick that sometimes forms when a candle is put out and is believed to bring good luck. Over 20,000 candles will be lit up to signify a wish for world peace and to celebrate the ancient capital of Nara. Buy a candle and join thousands of other participants in wish-making, and don’t miss the noh plays, live music and various other events scheduled every evening. Check out the website for more information.
Originally built as a warehouse in the Meiji period, Tondaya has been preserved for over 100 years and now registered as a national important cultural property. The Tondaya boasts a superb collection of antique kimonos that was bought by successive heads of the house that were kimono merchants. Their valuable collection will be on display to the public, and is a great opportunity to observe rare artistic and historic kimono. Some kimono will be also sold at the venue.
This musical was created for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, performed by the China Disabled People’s Performing Art Troupe. Founded in 1987, they are the sole professional group of disabled people in Chinese show business and have performed at 700 theatres in over 40 countries. Their stunning dance “The Thousand-Handed Goddess,” performed by 21 hearing-impaired dancers, depicts the deity with spellbinding movements and expressions, and is not to be missed.
