Kansai Scene #146 July 2012

ISSUE 146 • JUL2012

FEATURE

MUSIC

JAPAN’S DRUG FIRST LADY PROBLEM OF SONG

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SOCIETY

TRAVEL

DRINK

DOGS WITH A MISSION

TOP SPOT TAIPEI

THE RISE OF CRAFT BEER

WHERE TO GO, WHAT TO DO — LISTINGS • INFO • MAPS • THE BUZZ

CONTENTS 3

jul 2012 | kansaiscene.com

STORIES

Reader’s photo

FEATURE

6

SOCIETY

8

Japan on drugs CRAVING

INCREASED DOSE

ABUSE

1

Dogs making a difference

CULTURE FEATURE

kansaiscene.com | jul 2012

DRUG ABUSE CYCLE

DEPENDENCY

CULTURE

10

DRINK

12

Bleep from the past

rise of craft beer Bleep fromThethe past Before you throw away your games consoles of yesteryear, Be aware they may Be the musical instruments of today.

Ks gets down and taps its toes to the Beat of chip music.

Text & photos: Christelle Davis

A

re you ready for the next wave of popular music?

It’s edgy, sometimes maddeningly simple and rarely features vocals. It’s incredibly lo-fi, raw and noisy and will probably be completely familiar to most of you. Welcome to chip music or chiptunes or video game music or 8-bit tunes — whatever you want to call it, it’s quickly emerging as the new cult trend in music as evidenced by last year’s sold out Blip Festival in Tokyo.

Chip music is all about the revival of the comforting sounds of our childhoods — the blips and bleeps of Mario Kart and Donkey Kong made popular again. The musicians who are breathing new life into obsolete technologies, such as internationally renowned artists Nullsleep, Bitshifter and Japan’s own YMCK, belong to the first generation for whom video games and computers played an important role in childhood. Enough time has passed that these sounds and the dinosaurian consoles that make them (such as Gameboy, Nintendo Entertainment System, Commodore 64 and Sega Megadrive) are retro enough to be cool. As Kyoto-based chip artist Justin Pfeiffer (otherwise known as Xanadujin) says, “You can even hear chip samples in pop music these days.”

New technology makes creating and performing music easy — maybe too easy. Musicians can ‘perform’ an entire show with the swipe of a finger across an iPad screen.

Chip music requires a little more effort. In a way, each ‘chiptune’ is a statement against the digitalization of music and the search for ‘perfect sound’. There is a reason that chip music artists are known to wear t-shirts emblazoned with “Fuck Pro Tools” (referring to the popular digital music software) — this is a culture based on DIY and experimental hacking, utilizing hardware that is barely more sophisticated than a calculator.

There are two main ways of creating chip music: one is to use computer software to sample and manipulate video

Reylia Slaby

KIDS

14

TRAVEL

16

GETAWAY

20

PROFILE

22

Summer swimming games sounds into a new piece of music. The other is to use a modified gaming device (such as a Gameboy) with scrambled insides or added switches and dials so that it can be ‘played’. The most popular software is LSDJ (Little Sound DJ), a ‘tracker’ that allows the musician to manipulate a Gameboy’s existing sounds into melodies. Some chip music purists claim that the only way to get a ‘real’ chip sound is to use a ‘modded’ piece of hardware, but this is also the most challenging way to create chip music, especially during live performances where two or three pieces of chunky and often temperamental hardware, have to be juggled.

For some chip musicians their passion for this genre lies in the nostalgia of playing with the technology and noises of their childhood. For others, the challenge of working within the limitations of something like an ancient Commodore 64 is appealing. Pfeiffer is attracted to both aspects, “Being a deep game music follower since childhood, I am naturally attracted to the sound quality of low bit waves. When you combine that old sound technology with contemporary compositional styles, you get a very unique product.”

This is a music that is born out of limitations. Chip music is not so much about creativity, but about accuracy. Whether they are using 1980s sounds or hardware or both, there is only a small palette of sounds and presets available for a chip musician to use. These snaps, buzzes and chimes are sounds that were designed for the background, but are now being brought into the spotlight. Some songs sound like they have been pulled directly from your favourite game, some sound more like modern techno-pop with vocals, melodies and layers. Either way, they are usually simple, with only a few notes and the same melody repeated over and over.

However, there are many styles within the genre including metal and pop. Dan Bruner, an American chip artist living

City of the senses

Train with a view

Your feet in his hands

MUSIC

A local rose blooms

44

NEWS Kansai news roundup 05 PLACES Nagare Bridge 19 LINGO Life’s a beach 32

Want to see your photograph here? KS is accepting submissions on the theme of ‘Kansai’ to display here (75mm x 100mm/300dpi). Please send all your entries in digital format to: photo@kansaiscene.com

Published by Mojoprint • www.kansaiscene.com Publisher & Creative director

Daniel Lee

Editor-in-Chief

Event & Festival: Yuki Uchibori FLEA MARKET & CINEMA: Yoko S. Tokyo: Patrick St. Michel Film: Donna Sheffield Classical: Michael Vezzuto Live: Phillip Jackson Club: Terumi Tsuji News: Christian Page

Christian Page

Assistant editor

Donna Sheffield

LISTINGS

Director

Michiko Lee Production ManAGER

ART Exhibitions and listing EVENT Events and listing FESTIVAL Festivals and listing FLEA MARKET Bargain fun TOKYO Tokyo roundup FILM New film releases DVD New DVD releases CLASSICAL Classical musings LIVE Gigs and listing CLUB Nightclubbing DRINK Ramada Osaka, beer garden

24 26 29 30 31 34 36 38 39 41 46

CLASSIFIEDS Join the community

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SECTION EDITORS Art: Tomoko Ishii

Rie Okamoto DESIGNER

Naomi Mochizuki Enquiries

General: mailbox@kansaiscene.com

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A bit of history Kansai Scene was founded by Peter Horvath and Nishikawa Keiko in 2000 and

published by Jatin Banker between 2003 – 2011.

NEWS

jul 2012 | kansaiscene.com

5

Suma, Kobe rocking on

In remembrance KS has received a poignant photo of the scene of the random knife murders in Shinsaibashi last month.

The photo was sent in by reader Ray Franklin and shows the mound of flowers left in tribute to one of the murder victims.

On June 10th, Kyozo Isohi, 36, attacked and killed two people on a busy Shinsaibashi street. The victims were 42-year-old music producer Shingo Minamino and 66-year-old bar owner Toshi Sasaki.

Isohi is unemployed and homeless, and was recently released from Niigata prison serving a term for assault and possession of drugs.

After his arrest, he told police that in despair about his finances and his future he bought a knife with the intention of killing himself but unable to go through it, reasoned that if he killed someone, he would be executed.

Osaka’s prefectural governor Ichiro Matsui courted controversy by saying that Isohi should have just killed himself and that there were plenty of suicide options that wouldn’t bother or harm anyone else.

Suma beach, celebrated in popular culture, parties, and eye-catching swimwear is open for summer business, according to Kobe city’s website, on July 5 and will remain open until August 31.

The beach plays host to various popular events in addition to the usual attractions of lazing about in the sun. For many people the principal event of the season is Party at Suma Beach #12 at Rainbow Beach House, which this year is happening on July 14 and 15. Thousands of partygoers will descend on Suma for a weekend of music from a huge lineup of DJs, bands and dancers — check the website below.

This year, on the 14th, the fun doesn’t have to end when you step off the beach because four popular Kobe venues are ensuring the party continues in town.

Iznt, Hobgoblin, Midnight Express and Trinity will be hosting events making two days and a night of constant revelry. See the Kobe Rocks advertisement in this issue of KS and check the hosts’ websites for more details.

Party at Suma Beach #12 at Rainbow Beach House • www.iflyer.tv • Facebook: www.facebook.com/internationalpartyrockers

Fresh Currents Last year’s triple meltdown at Fukushima nuclear power station has reinvigorated the international debate about renewables as a source of energy for the future.

In Kansai, Kyoto Journal is contributing to the push for renewables — sunlight, wind, tides, and geothermal heat — with a new publication, and in an unusual move are seeking funding through contributions.

Kyoto Journal is a non-profit, quarterly publication that started in 1986 and commentary on environmental issues is part of its raison d’etre.

The new publication is to be named Fresh Currents. Founding editor John Einarsen writes that Fresh Currents “takes a fresh look at alternative, renewable energy technologies and the potential for their application in Japan … we will do our best to get [it] into the hands of key policymakers, local government officials, community leaders, educators, and media outlets.”

There are benefits for those who make donations — see website for details.

This is the first fundraising drive by Kyoto Journal and public donations ensure the publication’s independence and integrity. For those who donate this is an opportunity to contribute to the development of renewables.

Fresh Currents will be published later this year.

www.indiegogo.com/freshcurrents

Purr-fect addition to Kyoto zoo Kyoto zoo has opened a new section dedicated to cats — mostly big, fierce cats.

The cat area is not like a conventional zoo area where visitors observe animals at a distance through bars and across pits.

The cat zone, named Moju World, is the second phase of an initiative by the zoo to get visitors closer to the animals, provide more information, and importantly in a way that took the welfare of the animals into account.

Granted, their welfare may be better served if they were in the wild.

The zone is arranged so that the visitor can experience the animals as if they were in their natural habitat

— glass replaces cages and there are overhead walkways and cages which depart from the traditional mode of observing animals in a zoo.

In addition to the tigers and jaguars, the zoo has introduced Tsushima leopard cats, natives of Nagasaki prefecture. These cats are under intense pressure in the wild and the zoo is hoping to become a breeding centre for the animal.

Check their website for opening times and access.

www5.city.kyoto.jp/zoo/ lang/en

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FEATURE

kansaiscene.com | jul 2012

Japan on drugs You might think that Japan does not have much of a drug problem compared to other industrialized countries.

And indeed, the official numbers paint a comforting picture. However, as so often is the case in Japan, the truth is hidden somewhere beneath the surface.

Text: Nico Vrijman • Image: KS

CRAVING

History

Zero tolerance would be the best way to describe Japan’s attitude towards drugs, but it was not always the case.

The Japanese drug of choice is kakuseizai. Commonly translated into English as ‘stimulant’ it is a collective name for all ‘upper’ drugs and mostly refers to amphetamines or speed. To understand the problem we should first take a look at the history of the drug and its relationship to this country.

It was in 1893 that Japanese chemist Nagayoshi Nagai created a new chemical combination from ephedrine which would become known throughout the world as amphetamine. In the lead-up to the war the powerful stimulating effect of amphetamine was recognized by the state-backed company Dainippon Pharmaceuticals (current day: Dainippon Sumitomo Pharma) and it was brought to the market as a prescription drug under the registered trademark Philopon as a drug to treat a variety of ailments such as narcolepsy, alcoholism and Parkinson’s disease. Amphetamines boost concentration and energy and they are still used today in prescription drugs like Adderall prescribed for ADD, even to children.

Though official sources deny it, independent sources have confirmed that during the second world war the military gave the drug to pilots and soldiers. This explanation would account for the overproduction of Philopon at the end of the war, when the drug flooded the market and its use was widespread among all layers of society in the distraught post-war period. This led to quite an epidemic and by 1950 the government stepped in with new laws, listing amphetamines as a narcotic and banning production and sales. The country was already hooked on the highly addictive uppers and the drug took to illegal production labs and black markets. The trademark name Philopon was banned too and the drug continued in illegality under the slang name shabu. The ban in combination with efforts by the police was successful

INCREASED DOSE

ABUSE

DRUG ABUSE CYCLE

DEPENDENCY

in rooting out most of the illegal production in Japan itself, but then the post-war economic boom made the country attractive for international smugglers. This saw the introduction of a diverse array of drugs including cocaine, LSD and cannabis as well.

Current

Today amphetamines are still the biggest problem. You hardly ever hear about it on the news, except for when a foreign dealer is arrested or a celebrity is caught using drugs. Such was the case in the summer of 2009 when the arrest of pop idol Noriko Sakai was dragged out over the news for many weeks. This really showcased the cultural stigma attached to drug use in Japanese society. Regardless of the miniscule amounts of amphetamine that were found and the overall weak case the Tokyo police had against her, within days her record label and sponsors dropped her, and her clothing line and albums were

FEATURE

jul 2012 | kansaiscene.com

“Marijuana use is widespread in Japan.”

— US Department of State

a 28-year old company worker from Osaka says, “I smoke it with friends when we go on surfing trips. I sometimes buy it from my friends, I don’t know where they get it from.”

To bypass the law in Japan and in other countries recent years have turned up a substance known here as goho haabu or dappou haabu. (‘legal herbs’ or ‘law-evading herbs’.) Basically it is a synthetic cannabis. It’s a combination of natural herbs treated with synthetic cannabinoids, the active substance in cannabis. Stores selling this, for now, legal substance have popped up in major cities throughout Japan in no time. Satoshi tells me, “There are many incidents with this stuff, you hear about people getting in trouble with the law on the news every day. Also because it is chemical you don’t know what exactly is in it. This is anecdotal, but I heard a friend of a friend that smoked it a lot developed a speech impediment.”

Officially the herb is meant to be burned as incense and will have a relaxing effect on anyone in the room, however if you smoke and inhale it directly the effect is like a strong weed or hash. Statistics from the Japanese government on cannabis use indicate a far smaller number of users then amphetamines, but these numbers are based on court convictions. A 2009 study by the US Department of State on international narcotics control strategy stated that “cannabis use is widespread in Japan.”

Battling addiction

pulled from stores. A stark contrast from the apparent ease with which Hollywood actors and international pop stars stroll in and out of some of the world’s more expensive rehab clinics.

Popular as ‘upper’ drugs are in Japanese fast-paced society, the relaxant cannabis is equally liked. Despite being less potent, under the law here cannabis is regarded the same as any other drug, even if it grows naturally on the northern island of Hokkaido. Use of the drug had never been widespread until after the adoption of the American based anti-drug laws in the 1950s. The US has since seen some gradual loosening in their anti cannabis stance, with medicinal cannabis now being legalized in several states and the recent announcement by New York City mayor Bloomberg to decriminalize possession for personal use in the city. The Japanese law still resembles the tough stance on cannabis taken by the US in the 1930s.

In Japan, the drug is popular among young people. Satoshi,

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Another thing that adds to the problem is the way drug users are dealt with. Hardcore addicts are often placed in mental asylums where there is little or no addiction treatment. Most of these ‘patients’ are long-time speed users. These patients can be kept in the asylums indefinitely and are often sedated, creating a new problem and a new addiction without ever looking at the initial addiction problem or its cause. Those of sound mind and body who are caught selling or repeatedly using drugs are sentenced to prison with hard labor in Japan’s disciplined, military-like penal system. First-time offenders who possess small quantities of cannabis deemed for personal use might get off with a suspended sentence.

Meaning if you slip up in any way for a period of several years set by a judge you will go to jail. The minimum amount to constitute a drug offence is extremely low and there have been cases where people were prosecuted for possessing as little as 0.01 grams. In prisons, like in the mental asylums, there is little room for rehabilitation programs, which in combination with the addictiveness of speed in particular makes sure that drug offenders have the highest recidivist rate among the Japanese prison population.

In the early 90s, western-style rehab meetings were set up in a small Tokyo café by a reformed alcoholic and speed user turned catholic priest, Father Roy Assenheimer, and former speed addict Tsuneo Kondo. Modeled after the faith-based Alcoholics Anonymous program, this was the first introduction in Japan of a program aiming to battle addiction problems, rather than battling the crime problem. This grew into a national organization with more than 60 chapters all over Japan called Nihon DARC (Drug Addiction Rehabilitation Center), which is still headed by Mr. Kondo today.

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FEATURE SOCIETY

kansaiscene.com | jul 2012

Dogs making a difference

For Mistuhiro Kitazawa, training dogs to help disabled people is motivated by a love of the animals as much as a desire to help people.

Text & photos: Ian D Robinson

S

even years ago, Mitsuhiro Kitazawa decided he wanted to work with dogs. He could have become a vet or opened a grooming salon. But deciding that he wanted to do something more beneficial, and fascinated by the co-dependant relationship between dog and man, he founded the Hyogo Service Dog Association (HSDA), whose mission is to train dogs to assist people with physical disabilities.

Oz, a formidably large black Labrador jumps to his feet at the sight of his bright red vest. It’s working time at the HSDA centre in Nishinomiya.

“We only train labradors and retrievers as service dogs,” Mitsuhiro explains. “We need dogs with enough strength, height and weight to be able to do things like open doors, and on top of that labs are naturally disposed to living with people, as they are also generally calm by nature.”

And being calm is essential as, despite being working dogs, much of their day is spent waiting to be given a command to perform a very short task, like fetch a ringing telephone or pick up a dropped coin.

“On any given day a dog may only be asked to do ten things, and so a dog that can’t keep still or constantly needs to be active just isn’t suitable,” says Mitsuhiro. “Neither is one that is too timid or afraid of loud noises. For every ten dogs we start training only two or three will make it into actual service.”

Dogs begin training at a year old, and it takes between one and two years before they are ready to be placed with a handler.

jul 2012 | kansaiscene.com

“Because the people who take the dogs all have different physical disabilities we need to train each dog to match its handler,” Mitsuhiro says. “This training will continue throughout the dog’s eight-toten year career as circumstances change; a disabled person’s condition may deteriorate so the dog needs to learn new tasks, or it may improve due to rehabilita-tion so skills may be adapted and the dog can do something else.”

The HSDA also provides their client’s dogs with regular veterinary check ups and treatment as well as counselling and support sessions with the handlers.

For a person with physical disabilities, there are obvious everyday benefits to having an assistance dog. The dog helps them open and close doors with ease, and picks dropped items up from the floor. But there’s also the independence that the dogs bring. With a dog by their side, owners can go the post office or convenience store without having to ask a friend or family member for help.

Mitsuhiro explains: “When someone becomes disabled through an accident or stroke they can become very focused on themselves and the things they can no longer do, this of course can lead to depression and anxiety.

However, when someone has a dog their focus shifts, now they must think about the dog as well. The person needs the dog, but the dog also relies entirely on the person for its wellbeing. The disabled person has a responsibility to look after the dog and so it’s a very two-way relationship, it’s more like a partnership. The result is that the person discovers a whole new motivation for life.”

The HSDA receives only minimal funding from local government, the rest comes through public donations.

Finding a corporate sponsor is difficult, as with only five assistance dogs currently working in the Hyogo area a lack of visibility leads to a lack of awareness. The association employs four full-time trainers and staff, and has a list of around 70 volunteers whose main task is collecting donations from outside public events or busy stations.

“It costs between seven and eight million yen in total to train each dog, so our reliance on public generosity is rather heavy,” Mitsuhiro adds.

Oz sits, bright-eyed, beside full-time trainer Nozomi Ido in a wheelchair, tail wagging across the floor as he waits for a command.

“Oz! Keitai!” The great black Lab leaps up and begins scanning the room looking for the mobile phone. Finding it on a table, he stands on his hind legs to reach it before bringing it to me by mistake. I can’t help but think he’s showing off. “Oz!” Nozomi reminds him, but he’s too excited by having someone watching him work and it takes several orders before the phone is delivered. Well, he is still in training and on a second run he gets it perfect.

Then, in true assistance dog form, after receiving his reward of loving praise from Nozomi, he flops down on the floor to snooze and await the next command.

FEATURE SOCIETY

9

“Bringing a phone is one of the most important commands as in an emergency, like a fall, being able to call for help quickly could save someone’s life,” Nozomi says.

Oz looks very pleased with himself as he returns to his sport beside the chair. For a dog, work and play are the same thing. There’s no difference for them in fetching a phone and fetching a ball, other than that they can’t then lie on the floor chewing the phone.

“Oz! Door!” Oz grabs a cloth tied to the handle of a rather solid-looking sliding wooden door and pulls it open with surprising ease so that the wheelchair can roll through.

“Oz! Reizoko!” This time he yanks open the fridge door, fetches a bottle of water from inside and delivers it to Nozomi. “Oz! Push!” And the fridge is firmly closed with Oz’s ample snout pressed against a mark on the correct side of the door.

“Some of the commands the dogs are taught to respond to are given in English,” Mitsuhiro explains. “Often the sounds of the English commands are shorter and clearer than many in Japanese, and so easier for the dogs to learn.

It also reduces the chances of a dog being confused by hearing someone else talk, which isn’t a command.”

It seems the dogs relate to their commands by the situation they are in. Mitsuhiro tells me that if a dog is in front of the door and the command ‘reizoko’ is given the dog will open the door before him, not run to the fridge.

It’s time for Oz to continue his training on the street where the distractions of people, other dogs and traffic will put him further to the test. But before he goes out he needs to answer the call of nature. This unavoidable requirement is another dilemma a dog handler who has disabilities must deal with, as they might well be living in an apartment with no garden, and may also be unable to constantly take their dog to the park down the street where it can cock its leg. The problem, however, is cleverly solved; a kind of diaper pouch is placed in a net with a handle and held under Oz in the appropriate place. This well-trained dog (which must be the envy of many parents with small children) then pees on command, and the diaper can then be disposed of in the toilet.

Ablutions completed, Oz backs slowly through the front door with Nozomi’s wheelchair in front of him as trained, rather than trying to pull her after him and, walking obediently beside her, they head off down the street and into the neighbourhood. A true example of man’s best friend.

For anyone wishing to help the HSDA out, volunteer donation collectors are always needed. A reasonable command of Japanese is required and your reward, aside from that warm fuzzy feeling you get from doing something good to help others, is that you get to hang out with gorgeous dogs like Oz. • Email: info_hsda@ybb.ne.jp • www.kaijyoken.net

10

CULTURE FEATURE

kansaiscene.com | jul 2012

Bleep from the past Before you throw away your games consoles of yesteryear, be aware they may be the musical instruments of today.

KS gets down and taps its toes to the beat of chip music.

Text: Christelle Davis Photo: Iain Donnachaidh

A

re you ready for the next wave of popular music?

It’s edgy, sometimes maddeningly simple and rarely features vocals. It’s incredibly lo-fi, raw and noisy and will probably be completely familiar to most of you. Welcome to chip music or chiptunes or video game music or 8-bit tunes — whatever you want to call it, it’s quickly emerging as the new cult trend in music as evidenced by last year’s sold out Blip Festival in Tokyo.

Chip music is all about the revival of the comforting sounds of our childhoods — the blips and bleeps of Mario Kart and Donkey Kong made popular again. The musicians who are breathing new life into obsolete technologies, such as internationally renowned artists Nullsleep, Bitshifter and Japan’s own YMCK, belong to the first generation for whom video games and computers played an important role in childhood. Enough time has passed that these sounds and the dinosaurian consoles that make them (such as Gameboy, Nintendo Entertainment System, Commodore 64 and Sega Megadrive) are retro enough to be cool. As Kyoto-based chip artist Justin Pfeiffer (otherwise known as Xanadujin) says, “You can even hear chip samples in pop music these days.”

New technology makes creating and performing music easy — maybe too easy. Musicians can ‘perform’ an entire show with the swipe of a finger across an iPad screen.

Chip music requires a little more effort. In a way, each ‘chiptune’ is a statement against the digitalization of music and the search for ‘perfect sound’. There is a reason that chip music artists are known to wear T-shirts embla-zoned with “Fuck Pro Tools” (referring to the popular digital music software) — this is a culture based on DIY and experimental hacking, utilizing hardware that is barely more sophisticated than a calculator.

There are two main ways of creating chip music: one is to use computer software to sample and manipulate video

games sounds into a new piece of music. The other is to use a modified gaming device (such as a Gameboy) with scrambled insides or added switches and dials so that it can be ‘played’. The most popular software is LSDJ (Little Sound DJ), a ‘tracker’ that allows the musician to manipulate a Gameboy’s existing sounds into melodies. Some chip music purists claim that the only way to get a ‘real’ chip sound is to use a ‘modded’ piece of hardware, but this is also the most challenging way to create chip music, especially during live performances, where two or three pieces of chunky and often temperamental hardware have to be juggled.

For some chip musicians their passion for this genre lies in the nostalgia of playing with the technology and noises of their childhood. For others, the challenge of working within the limitations of something like an ancient Commodore 64 is appealing. Pfeiffer is attracted to both aspects, “Being a deep game music follower since childhood, I am naturally attracted to the sound quality of low bit waves. When you combine that old sound technology with contemporary compositional styles, you get a very unique product.”

This is a music that is born out of limitations. Chip music is not so much about creativity, but about accuracy. Whether they are using 1980s sounds or hardware or both, there is only a small palette of sounds and presets available for a chip musician to use. These snaps, buzzes and chimes are sounds that were designed for the background, but are now being brought into the spotlight. Some songs sound like they have been pulled directly from your favourite game, some sound more like modern techno-pop with vocals, melodies and layers. Either way, they are usually simple, with only a few notes and the same melody repeated over and over.

However, there are many styles within the genre including metal and pop. Dan Bruner, an American chip artist living

CULTURE FEATURE

jul 2012 | kansaiscene.com

in Osaka who regularly performs as Spacebot, describes his sound as “poppy-dance chiptunes and dabbles in chipjazz.”

Inspired by Japanese chip artist YMCK, he started making chip music about seven years ago as a way of procrastinating during college. Another Osaka-based musician Glen Lloyd (JUNK!) is a one man electro-rock band who incorporates chip sounds into his songs and utilizes game hardware such as a joystick and an arcade controller in live performances. At the other end of the spectrum Xandadujin is a DJ who focuses on remixing existing game sounds into danceable techno music.

There is a huge global community of chip artists that mostly exists online, where file swapping for modifications and trackers occur via forums and message boards. The world’s most successful and high profile chip tunes festival is The Blip Festival, which hosts annual events in New York, Melbourne and Tokyo.

However, the roots of chip music lie in Japan. When electro band Yellow Magic Orchestra released the track ‘Computer Music’ in 1978 it featured a sample from the ultra-popular game Space Invaders. Since then the Japanese chip music scene has gathered momentum out of a love for game music.

Although Tokyo still has a higher number of chip and game music related events overall, Kansai has become a force to be reckoned with and is receiving attention from international producers, artists and fans. Chip music events are held regularly in Osaka, but what Pfeiffer describes as, ‘the heart of the pure chiptune scene’ is Café La Siesta in Kyoto- a small vegetarian restaurant and bar run by one of Japan’s most successful chip artists DJ Master Kohta. A select group of musicians and fans gather regularly to swap ideas, music and technology. The venue also hosts a chip music only event called ‘1H1D’ where local, Tokyobased and international artists perform. Pfieffer explains: “It’s kind of like a mini Blip Fest. You can expect various styles of music, from upbeat to subdued, generated from Gameboys, Famicoms, PC-8801 computers, and laptops, all performed within the walls of the cafe.”

Game-music-only events in Osaka have made great progress in the last two years. Pfeiffer says, “There are now three regularly-held game music events in Osaka: Famitsu, Game Over, and Asobi no Ongaku. At a game music event, you can expect both chip-generated retro music from the past, as well as current game music from current consoles and arcades. There are also many live performers who combine chip-based synthesizers with live instruments.”

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JUNK! is one of those artists who is equally comfortable playing a keyboard or a joystick and has successfully morphed game sounds with traditional electronic and pop music. He has recently started researching how physical movements via Microsoft Kinect or a Nintendo Wii remote can be used to trigger musical patterns during performances.

Is that the next phase of chip music? Will the old games and hardware be replaced by brighter, shinier technology capable of creating more complex and interesting tunes?

Bruner says, “Eventually, newer generations of people will not relate to the nostalgia of 8-bit sounds and it may be harder for them to get into it. I think we’ve already had our Jimi Hendrixes and Beatles — soon it will come to the point where everything has been done and chip music will have to evolve into something else. Who knows? 16-bit tune?”

Local Artists

•• Master Kohta http://soundcloud.com/ djmasterkohta • xanadujin http://twitter.com/xanadujin • JUNK! http://facebook/com/junkyglen • 99 Letters www.myspace.com/99letters

International Artists

• Bit Shifter http://bit.shifter.net • Nullsleep www.myspace.com/nullsleep • YMCK www.ymck.net/ • 8bitpeoples www.8bitpeoples.com

DIY

•• NESynth (an iPhone App retro games sound synthesiser) http://itunes.apple.com

Events

•• Cafe La Siesta in Kyoto hosts regular chip music events, see www.cafelasiesta.com for details •• Jul 7th: “POINT!” a techno-based event at LUXE in Shinsaibashi (http://iflyer.tv) •• Jul 15th: a free event at Osaka Castle Park Auditorium called “Rave in Japan Fes. 2012” (http:// ravetaisen.jp/event) will feature several chip music performers from Kansai and Tokyo.

•• Jul 28th: ‘Retro JUNK!’ a free chip music audio-visual event at Bar Iznt in Sannomiya featuring JUNK! and Xanadujin. 7:30pm start. http://iznt.net

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FEATURE DRINK+

kansaiscene.com | jul 2012

A

The rise of craft beer Japan is a country which historically and culturally values the artisan’s qualities of attention to detail, working with natural materials, and expertise — so why isn’t craft beer popular? KS finds out that more and more drinkers in Kansai are catching on to speciality brews and the art is on the rise.

Text: Dan Traylor • Images: Dan Traylor and KS

jen Birmingham, sporting khaki cargo shorts and sunglasses on an unusually hot May afternoon, leads us through a quiet Osaka neighborhood. Birmingham, a 31-year-old from the United States who moved to Japan in 2004, is looking out for Kansai’s craft beer scene. The Minnesota native has a long relationship with craft — back home, he says, the dairy aisle and the beer aisle were about the same size. But when he started exploring Japan, he was baffled by the lack of variety.

On this May afternoon, he’s our beer sherpa, introducing bar owners and brewers across the region. After a single-file shortcut through a narrow path, we arrive at our destination, where revelers having a barbecue are standing around a keg, the grill all but ignored.

The party was taking place just outside Minoh Beer’s brewery in Minoh city. Minoh Beer, popular among Japanese craft beer fans and a regular winner at international beer competitions, got its start in 1996 when Masahi Ohshita spun the family’s liquor shop business into a brewery. Their beer can be found in liquor shops or beer bars around Japan (including three breweryaffiliated bars in Osaka, all of them called Beer Belly).

The Kansai craft beer scene falls within a national trend of growth in the craft beer industry, which kicked off in 1994 thanks to tax reform allowing small-batch production to bloom. Today, there are more than 200 craft breweries across Japan.

In the Tokyo-Yokohama area, rapid growth is underway, with new craft bars opening faster than most drinkers can keep up. In Osaka, three craft beer bars or shops have opened in the last two months, with more on the way.

In Kyoto, traditional restaurants are increasingly serving craft.

Meanwhile, longstanding bars serving craft beer across the region continue to reach new customers. Of course, Kansai’s craft scene faces challenges, but a troop of dedicated brewers, bar owners and enthusiasts are working hard to grow the industry.

On our visit to Minoh, brewmaster Kaori Ohshita is trying to be in four

FEATURE DRINK+

jul 2012 | kansaiscene.com

Craft beer in Kansai Osaka •• Beer Belly (three locations including the newest in Tenma) •• Iori Yosuga •• Craft Beer Base •• Eni Bru •• Qbrick •• Kamikaze (newly opened) •• Standing bar 1020 •• Tobe places at once, minding the brewery, taking guests on tours, ringing up customers, and sharing notes with a brewer from Yokohama who has come to study the craft. When she gets a rare free moment, she says that she hopes craft beer will slowly become part of the local culture, becoming the daily beer that people drink. Price, she says, is a major challenge, especially among Kansai customers known for being discerning with their yen.

Kohei Ando, the brewer from Yokohama’s Bay Brewing who was studying Minoh’s techniques, described another issue that separates Kanto and Kansai. “In Tokyo, there are so many beer fans who come to the pub and know a lot about craft beer,” Ando says. They check the Twitter feeds and blogs of the bars and come specifically to try the latest offerings.

In Kansai, there aren’t as many such customers — at least not yet.

Ando once worked at Qbrick, an Osaka craft beer bar that sits in the middle of a business district. “There are so many salarymen,” Ando says.

But even among those salarymen, new beer fans can be born. The best way for the industry to grow is by word of mouth, Ando says, echoing other brewers and promoters.

Qbrick itself celebrated its seventh anniversary this year. The bar is home to 16 taps and about 200 varieties in bottles. Owner Takuya Yamamoto says the early years were rough, but through beer festivals, the scene slowly grew, and eventually new beer fans joined the office workers.

Further south in Sakai is Eni Bru, where owner Keiji Nishio turned a chance tasting of Nagano-brewed Yona Yona Ale eight years ago into a successful craft beer bar with 21 taps.

Nishio and his staff focus on creating relationships with customers, introducing beers to people based on

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 See kansaiscene.com for details

•• Cafe Absinthe •• Asahiya liquor shop

Kyoto •• Tadg’s Irish Bar and Restaurant •• Beer Cafe Bakujun •• Yamaoka Sakaten

Kobe •• Beer Barley what they might like. Further, he makes sure his staff stores and serves the beer according to the breweries’ standards, which some uneducated or careless bar or liquor shop owners ignore. The problem, according to Nishio and others in the industry, is that one bad experience leads to a bad reputation for all craft beer.

Kansai drinkers especially, Nishio says, will let others know about any dissatisfaction.

Of course, some liquor shops have successfully broken into the craft market. In Osaka, the Asahiya liquor store boasts a wide selection of Japanese craft and imports, and monthly beer-tasting parties draw drinkers from across the region. At a recent party, a mix of Japanese and non-Japanese attendees enjoyed the featured beer — from California’s Stone Brewing — and then tapped the substantial beer fridge.

In Kyoto, Tadg’s Irish Bar and Restaurant started off serving Minoh Beer and eventually grew to offer 25 kinds of beer. Recently, the bar began hosting events featuring the main lineup of one top brewery with the brewmaster present to talk about their techniques. Owner Tadg McLoughlin says the focus on craft beer has changed his bar. “Rebranding as a craft beer bar … has attracted a new breed of customers who are very knowledgeable of Japanese and world craft beers,” McLoughlin says. “These are both Japanese and foreigners who deliberately seek out our bar.”

Elsewhere, Ai Tani’s Craft Beer Base, which recently opened in Umeda, features a four-tap tasting room with a rotating selection in addition to a bottle shop. Tani, who once worked at a Belgian beer bar, later began ordering craft beer online, where many in Japan go for variety. With her shop, she wants to offer such

variety at an easily accessible location.

Looking forward, Tani sees more growth in Kansai, perhaps coming from established breweries elsewhere in Japan looking to expand.

One such brewery is Baird Brewing, one of the leaders of the Japanese craft scene that operates three taprooms in the Tokyo area in addition to its brewery and original pub in Shizuoka. Managing partner John Chesen says that while the company already sells beer and participates in events in Kansai, they would love to open a taproom in the region.

But before they do, a current project to build a new, larger brewery must be completed, highlighting a problem that many successful breweries face as their popularity grows. “Our new brewery should expand our capacity by a factor of five,” Chesen says. “So once it’s operational we’ll be looking for thirsty folks in Kansai with whom to enjoy a pint or two.”

Meanwhile, Birmingham hopes to open his own bar by next spring, in addition to managing events such as the World Beer Taster set for this September in Osaka. More than anything, he’s looking to give the Japanese public what he thinks they demand — variety. “In a country where variety is taken just as seriously as quality, I find nothing more un-Japanese than not being asked what kind of beer I want to drink with my meal,” Birmingham says. “Craftsmanship and quality are in the Japanese blood.

That’s why, if it’s done right, craft beer can’t go wrong in Japan.”

For a taste this month, check out the Great Japan Beer Festival in Osaka, which takes place in the Kyocera Dome Sky Hall from July 14th–16th. www.beertaster.org (advance ticket information in Japanese only).

14

FEATURE KIDS

Splash into summer

It’s that time of the year again where the heat takes over, leaving us desperate for ways to cool down and keep the kids occupied with water activities.

Whether it’s a night away or a day of play, there are plenty of options to keep your cool this summer, and ensure enough fun for the whole family.

Text: Natalie Foxwell • Photos: KS

kansaiscene.com | jul 2012

Hotel for a day Hyatt Regency Osaka Only 30 minutes from Umeda, Hyatt Regency Osaka offers a great summer getaway with its outdoor pool on the ninth floor overlooking Osaka Bay. Use the hotel’s complimentary shuttle bus, arrive early and spend a day by the pool (including a small children’s pool) while enjoying the menu from Pergola Poolside Bar and Restaurant. At the end of a relaxing day, the aroma from the Great American Summer BBQ will be enough to entice an evening spent outside indulging in the fresh grill along with appetizer and dessert buffets. The original great urban resort of Osaka has it all this summer.

• Pool open from: Jun 30–Sep 9 • Time: 10am–6pm (Sun–Thu) 10–9pm (Fri, Sat, hols) • Admission fee for visitors: adult ¥3,500, child ¥2,000 (weekdays) adult ¥5,000, child ¥2,500 (weekends and 11–16 Aug) • Access: Complimentary shuttle buses from Cosmosquare stn (daily), JR Osaka stn (daily) and Namba OCAT (weekends only) • Closest station: Cosmosquare stn, Chuo line or Nakafuto stn, New Tram line Hotel New Otani Osaka With amazing views of Osaka Castle, the Hotel New Otani Osaka opens a new outdoor pool this summer. Located on the Osaka Business Park riverside, the hotel is within easy access from downtown Osaka, making a simple day by the pool with dining options available throughout the day.

• Pool open from: Jul 6–Sep 17 • Time: 9am–6pm • Admission fee for guests: adult ¥5,000, child (4–12 years) ¥2,500 • Closest station: Osaka-Jo Koen stn, JR Loop line (3min walk)

FEATURE KIDS

jul 2012 | kansaiscene.com

Minoo Hotel, Minoo Spa Garden The Minoo Hotel and neighboring Minoo Spa Garden are only 30 minutes from Umeda and offer an abundance of leisure facilities for all seasons. Proving a popular location during the summer months, the Spa Garden’s outdoor pool (known as Kogen) has one large and one small children’s pool along with two slides, and provides remarkable views of Osaka city. Along with barbecue facilities, a bowling alley and sky bath with its natural hot spring, spending a day in the mountains is just what you need to escape the heat. For something different try the Spa Garden’s Doctor Fish treatment for your feet for only ¥1,000.

• Pool open from: Jul 14–Sep 2• Time: 10am–6pm • Admission fee: adult ¥2,000, child ¥1,000 (weekdays) (includes pool and onsen) adult ¥2,500, child ¥1,500 (weekends) • Closest station: Mino stn, Hankyu ine (3min walk)

a day AWAY Lake Biwa, Omi Miako beach This summer you will not be disappointed if you find your way to Omi Miako beach at Lake Biwa, Japan’s largest freshwater lake located in Shiga prefecture. Easily accessed by road or rail, find space under the pine trees on the extensive shoreline and enjoy the lake’s cool, calm water throughout the day. Take your own barbecue or picnic or simply enjoy the selection of food prepared by the vendors along the beach. As the sun sets, you have no need to rush home with camping locations close by or many ryokan to spend the night.

• Swimming season: Jul–Aug • Closest station: Omi-Maiko Station, JR Kosei line (5min walk) Shirahama beach With a 500-meter-long sandy beach that reminds me of home in Australia, we head to Shirahama (the Japanese name for ‘white beach’), a resort town in the Wakayama Prefecture. It’s well set up for tourists and there are many hotels within the town for a weekend away. Fireworks throughout the summer provide a festive end to the day.

Shirahama is also famous for its hot springs and I highly recommend for an authentic experience the ‘Saki-no-yu’ open air bath that sits at the ocean’s edge with waves lapping up against the rocks. To fill up the rest of your weekend, visit the ever-popular Wakayama Adventure World close by.

• Swimming season: May 3–Sep 17 • Closest station: Shirahama stn, JR Kisei (Kinokuni) line, transfer to the local bus for Shirahama Beach Nishikinohama Beach Park For a more local experience in Osaka, visit the easily accessed Nishikinohama Beach Park. The one-kilometerlong beach is simple with its offering. There are bathrooms and vending machines close by and I recommend you take supplies to use the barbecue facilities within the park or enjoy a picnic on the nearby grass area. The water gets warm from the sun but is still a great relief from the heat and the sand can become very hot, so be sure to take a leisure sheet with you. It’s a popular spot for water sports

15

such as jet skiing, water skiing, windsurfing or snorkeling and there is also plenty of space on land for volleyball, throwing a frisbee or kicking a football!

• Swimming season: Jul 1–Aug 31 • Time: swimming ends at 5pm, the park closes at 10pm • Closest station: Nishikinohama stn, Nankai line (10min walk)

Theme park play There is no shortage of parks with their assortment of outdoor pools and never-ending slides to suit all children big and small. The most modern parks with an abundance of activities are the impressive Hirakata Park The Boon Water Wonderland and Misaki Park Pool Land Rio. The Boon Water Wonderland has three large pools primarily designed for children plus one lap pool, along with four different slides for varying heights and weights. This really is an amazing place. Pool Land Rio with a large water jungle, five slides and multiple pools for children is also a paradise during the summer.

The Jumbo Pool at Hamadera Park is a little older but still offers four different pools along with two giant slides and a children’s slide. During the summer months two different courses for children’s swimming lessons are available. Hattori Ryokuchi Koen’s Waterland is also slightly older but with easy access and a simple design that includes three pools and three slides it is a great way to spend a day.

Hirakata Park, The Boon Water Wonderland

• Open from: Jul 14–Sep 9 (closed Jul 17 and Sep 4) • Time: 10am–4pm • Admission fee: adult ¥2,200, child (3–12 years old) ¥1,200 • Closest station: Hirakata Station, Keihan line (3min walk) Misaki Par, Pool Land Rio

• Open from: Jul 14–Sep 2 • Time: 9:30am–5pm • Admission fee: adult (junior high school students and over) ¥2,000, child (over 3 years) ¥1,200 • Closest station: Misaki Koen stn, Nankai line Hamadera Park, Jumbo Pool

• Open from: Jul 1–Aug 31 • Time: 9:30am–6pm • Admission fee: adult ¥900 yen, child (4 years to elementary students) ¥300 and (high school students)¥500 • Closest Station: Hamadera Koen Station, Nankai line (10min walk) • Swimming lessons: Short course: 4–6 years old, daily from Jul 23–27, Jul 30–Aug 3, Aug 6–10; ¥6,000 each • Long course: 6 years old to elementary school, daily from Jul 23–Aug 24; ¥20,000 total Hattori Ryokuchi Koen — Waterland

• Open from: Jul 1–Sep 2 • Time: 9:30am–6pm (Aug 13–16, opening time is 9am) • Admission fee: adult ¥1,000, child (4 years old to high school) ¥500 • Closest station: Ryokuchi Koen Station, Midosuji line

16

FEATURE TRAVEL

Taipei: City of the senses TaipEi — modern, ancient, culturally diverse — is a frantic, fascinating assault on the senses.

Text & photos: Phoebe Amoroso

kansaiscene.com | jul 2012

T

aiwan has emerged as one of the largest economies in East Asia — quite a feat for a country with a turbulent history and long periods of oppressive rule. Modernisation and a high standard of living make its capital, Taipei, an attractive destination for a long weekend, especially as it sits a comfortable 2.5-hour flight from Osaka. Moreover, Taipei is an intriguing combination of the familiar and the foreign.

Imagine the following: you stumble off the airport bus and into the main station. You blink twice as you’re greeted by row-upon-row of souvenir shops, all selling beautifully wrapped sweets, including mochi and anko.

Down in the underground, you find yourself on a spacious platform in an orderly queue to board the train.

Within three minutes, you’re on a clean, air-conditioned carriage. No one eats, drinks or talks loudly. You arrive at your stop and calmly climb the escalator because everything is so reassuringly familiar. Then you emerge onto the street and — wham! A wall of noise, colour and scents hits you.

The smell of garlic, star aniseed and burnt oil, with an undertone of sewage, fills your nostrils. Street eats crowd the pavement in a frenzy of outdoor frying. Red lanterns are strung from buildings. The roads are jammed with cars and scooters, horns hooting, engines revving. Confused, disoriented, overwhelmed, you head away from the commotion and happen across a well-landscaped Japanese-style park.

Yes, Japanese colonial rule has left its mark upon Taipei and it’s impossible to ignore the fact that Japan is one of its biggest trading partners and source of tourism. Taipei is therefore a curious mix of Chinese and Japanese influences with, of course, elements unique to Taiwan. Thrown into this pot is rapid yet sporadic development and the increasing affluence of its citizens — and the result is a highly international and multicultural city of sweeping streets and tangled alleys, begging to be explored.

With a multitude of markets and museums, hyper-modern malls, natural hot springs, Yangmingshan National Park in the north, and tea plantations to the south-east, Taipei has enough variety to entice every kind of traveller.

TRAVEL

jul 2012 | kansaiscene.com For this writer, the priorities were undoubtedly the temples, the town and the tastes.

Taipei is home to a wealth of religions, including Taoism, Buddhism and Confucianism, and therefore boasts a range of stunning temples. In direct contrast to the minimalist aesthetic found throughout Japanese design, more is always more in Taiwan. Be prepared for an overwhelming variety of colours: reds, golds, blues, greens and yellows are splashed across intricate dragons, figures and flowers, adorning extravagant roofs.

Built in 1783, Longshan temple is one of the most famous in the city and has remained an important place of worship, despite its history of destruction and reconstruction. Be sure to make your way through the crowds of worshippers and clouds of incense to glimpse the main deity, Guanyin, the Goddess of Mercy. The icon miraculously survived the bombing of the temple during World War Two, even though the main hall was completely destroyed.

Also worth a visit is the Confucian temple. Although the icons are replaced with tablets to reflect Confucian beliefs, this temple is beautifully laid out and contains a fascinating and well-labelled museum on the life of the great man himself.

However, Guandu temple is simply unmissable. A little out of the city, the visitor is rewarded by a maze-like, severalstorey temple complex, screaming with decadence. Climb up behind the complex for a view over the river and mangrove swamps, and spy the main city lurking in the distance.

Aside from temples, Taipei is a jungle of impressive old and new architecture. As an epitome of the modern, the bamboo-shaped tower, Taipei 101, stands at an impressive 508m and has just lost its place as the world’s second tallest building. Visitors can pay NT$450 (¥1,250) to be whisked up to the indoor and outdoor observatories for spectacular 360° views. Those on a budget can walk fifteen minutes eastwards to ascend Elephant Mountain. The climb takes 20 minutes, is well-lit for night hikes, and the views are equally rewarding.

Heading a little further back in time to the 1980s, check out the impressive Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall. Erected in the memory of the controversial leader by the same name, a vast gate announces the entrance to the huge and imposing complex, which includes the National Concert Hall and National Theatre. Visit the hall on the hour to catch the changing of the guard — an elaborate sequence of moves that looks like a slow-motion dance.

For those who fancy some anomalous architecture, visit the quirky, western-style Red House. Peculiarly out of place in Ximinding, a trendy young area known as the Harajuku or Shibuya of Taipei, this two-storey octagonal building was built in 1908 during Japanese rule and acted as a venue for Taipei’s first modern market, specialising in Japanese foods.

Taipei’s markets provide some of the city’s biggest attractions. Plenty of local markets crammed into alleys can be found just by wandering through the old district, to the east of the Danshui river. On the opposite side of the city, the Jianguo Holiday Jade market has a vast selection of stalls and is great for souvenir shopping.

Perhaps the main stars, however, are the night markets.

Starting from 5pm and often running past midnight, these

17

markets sell a variety of food and cheap goods. Shilin, in the north of the city, is the most famous and resembles a scruffy Harajuku, with trendily dressed youths, street food, and shops selling popular paraphernalia (think Angry Birds soft toys.)

For the foodies among us, Taipei can seem like a paradise.

It’s packed with cuisines from all over the world and it’s a warren of restaurants and stalls. Although Taiwanese food has undoubtedly been influenced by several cuisines, most notably from mainland China, a particularly distinctive feature is the abundance of coriander, basil and garlic, which make delicious chicken and pork dishes. Also try the Taiwanese version of beef noodle soup, a hearty lunch for sightseeing.

A variety of snacks can be found at the night markets, including tianbula, a Taiwanese version of tempura, oyster omelettes, steamed dumplings, and the ubiquitous hotdog.

Particularly recommended are deep-fried milk and a Taiwanese version of taiyaki (stuffed with peanuts, although anko is also available). For the brave among us, there’s stinky tofu. Often described as the “Chinese cheese”, others have made less favourable comparisons as regards its smell.

However, smells should be regarded as an all-important part of the Taipei experience: it’s impossible to leave the city without multi-sensory memories. Take time to explore and let the atmosphere envelop you.

WAYS & MEANS

Getting there and around • Several airlines operate regular flights between KIX and Taipei Taoyuan airport. For those on a budget, check Jetstar for flights from as little as ¥5,000 one-way.

• From Taoyuan airport, buses leave for the central city every 15 minutes. The journey takes about an hour and costs NT$125 (about ¥345) one-way.

• Taipei has fantastic public transport, notably the metro.

Buy yourself an EasyCard to get 20 per cent off all journeys. Without changing lines, a trip can cost you as little as NT$16 (about ¥44)

Budgeting

• All temples and parks are free to enter, making Taipei an extraordinarily cheap place to visit.

• Cheap clothing is easily found throughout most of the city. For those looking to splash some cash, the eastern districts of Xinyi and Dinghao boast countless upscale shopping malls.

• Food can be found at very reasonable prices. A bowl of beef noodles soup costs around NT$100 (about ¥275), and street snacks are from NT$10 (about ¥28) and up.

FEATURE PLACES 19

jul 2012 | kansaiscene.com

The bridge that flows

How do you design a bridge to withstand frequent and overwhelming torrents?

Build it to go with the flow, of course.

Text & photos: Trevor Mogg

W

hen a friend tried to describe Kozuya bridge to me, at first it was hard to fully comprehend precisely what they were going on about.

“They can take the top off it when the river gets high,” she told me.

“You mean like London’s Tower bridge? It raises up?” I responded.

“No, the wooden walkway lifts off when the water rises above it and can be pulled to the side to let the water flow through more easily.”

I was intrigued, if not a little confused. So one sunny afternoon, I checked a map, jumped on my bike and pedalled my way there.

When it first came into view, I had to ask myself if I was looking at a bridge or the skeletal remains of some enormous prehistoric creature that had keeled over long ago while attempting to cross the raging Kizu River.

Once I was up close, things started to make more sense. At approximately 350 metres, Kozuya bridge is one of the longest wooden bridges in Japan, second only to the 897-metre-long Horai bridge across the Ogawa river in Shimada, Shizuoka prefecture.

As the river floods, which happens several times a year when the water from heavy rainfall gushes down from the distant mountains, the bridge can become completely submerged. When this happens, the entire platform, which comprises eight sections, rises to the surface of the water.

Ropes attached to the sections are then used to pull them across to the riverbank, allowing the debris from the mountains to flow through the gaps between the bridge’s supports more easily, thereby alleviating the pressure on its structure. Once the water subsides, the platforms can once again be returned to their original position.

Despite its ancient appearance, the bridge, which connects Kumiyama-cho in Joyo city with Yawata city, was actually constructed as recently as 1953, a short time after a cross-river ferry service in the area was suspended. The prefectural government of the day had little money for an extravagant concrete or steel structure and so opted for the low-cost design you see today.

Kozuya bridge, popularly known as Nagare bashi (flowing bridge), is one

of several of this type found in Japan today.

Pedestrians and cyclists can use the bridge to cross the river, though cars are not permitted. Its lack of sides and narrow width of just over three metres mean that even those on foot need to take a certain amount of care when using it. One strong gust of wind and you’ll be in the river rather than crossing it.

Unfortunately the bridge is currently out of action due to damage caused by a recent typhoon, but it’s still well worth taking a look.

When I visited, there was only a narrow channel of water running under the bridge, at the Kumiyama-cho end. On a warm day, the sandy riverbed attracts many visitors who come to enjoy the scenery and space. In fact, the barren view from the river-bed can make it hard to believe you’re in the urban conurbation that is Kansai.

There’s a small visitors centre about a five-minute stroll from the western end (Yawata City side) of the bridge.

Walk down the gravel slope and you’ll soon come to it. Inside the centre you’ll find a section devoted to this wonderfully quaint structure, with photos and a video showing it during a flood.

There’s also a small shop and restaurant close by.

The nearest train stations to Kozuya bridge are Yawatashi (Keihan main line) and Osumi (Gakkentoshi line).

However, both stations are several miles from the bridge, so you’d be better off driving if you have a car, or making a day of it and cycling there along the pleasant riverside path.

Getting there

• From Osaka: Keihan line limited express to Hirakatashi, change to local to Yawatashi, then hike or cycle; or Tozai Gakkentoshi line to Osumi • From Kyoto: Keihan line to Yodo, Keihan Uji Kotsu bus to Sayama, Keihan bus Yawata Tanabe line to Hanakamituya; or Tozai Gakken toshi line to Osumi

20 GETAWAY FEATURE

kansaiscene.com | jul 2012

Train with a view

It passes through dramatic mountain gorges, bamboo forests and rice fields. It follows a rushing river AND has been called the only one of its kind in Japan. it’s the Sagano Scenic Railway and it’s just a stone’s throw from Kyoto.

Text & photos: Lauren Hill

N

ot quite the Hogwart’s Express, the red and yellow train is a lot closer to a child’s image of what a train should look like than, say, anything you see on the Midosuji line, and the loco does have a bit that could be a funnel if you believed hard enough. The enthusiasm of the waiting passengers bubbles over as the train pulls into the station and the guards wave them back from the edge of the platform.

I’m in Kyoto, not King’s Cross, but the platform is full of kids waiting for a fantasy ride.

This is the Sagano Scenic Railway and the point of this train journey isn’t to reach any particular destination but the travelling itself, as the railroad runs from the bamboo forests of Saga Arashiyama to the open fields and farmland of Kameoka, passing through forested mountainside that surrounds the river Hozu.

In the late 80s, the JR Sagano main line, which serves the suburbs of Kyoto was re-routed but the part of the line that was snipped off, passing through some beautiful and varied countryside was considered too good to waste and the scenic railway was created.

The waves and smiles of station guards and tourists see us off as the breeze blows through the open windows. A little boy sitting on his mother’s knee opposite watches me intently as I sit on the sun-warmed wooden bench.

We wind through lush green countryside before diving into a tunnel. Lanterns light the old red bricks that rush by, with the smell of oil from the tracks blowing through the carriage; the clattering getting louder as speed and momentum build until we burst out of the tunnel to an explosion of light and colour. Vibrant green trees cover mountains in every direction surrounding a valley with an emerald river

flowing through. Boats are laden with tourists who wave up at us as they are carried downriver by the strong current.

The train stops at Hozukyo Station, where some passengers choose to stay. From here you can hike through the woodland, following a path leading down to the river.

We pass other remote stations occupied only by folkloric statues of tanuki, wielding sake and straw hats.

As we grind to a halt at the final stop a horse grazes nearby.

Here we are left to explore a lesser-known corner of Kyoto.

To return to Saga Arashiyama, you can opt for a guided boat ride back down the river Hozu. More boats are for hire by the Togetsukyo bridge in Arashiyama. There are many popular walking routes here, but if you would rather explore the area by bicycle, pay a visit to the bicycle rental shop near Saga Arashiyama Station.

KS took the Sagano trip in the spring when you can enjoy its delicate shades and fresh breezes, but this is a trip you can take any time of year except winter to enjoy the character of each season: summer is dramatic, more so the colours of autumn. The trip will be a little different each time you take it.

Getting there

• The Sagano Scenic Railway runs between Torokko Saga and Torokko Kameoka. Return trips by boat are only for the passengers who travel from Saga to Kameoka.

• The Sagano romantic train runs from March 1st–Dec 29th of each year. It is closed on Wednesdays, with the exception of national holidays. Tickets are ¥600 per adult, and ¥300 per child.

• The timetable can be found on the official website: www.sagano-kanko.co.jp/eng

22

FEATURE PROFILE

kansaiscene.com | jul 2012

Your F feet in his hands

eet: a complex system of 28 bones, muscles and tissues — but how we take them for granted. That is, until they start to hurt. After 20 years of standing teaching in a classroom, my feet had really begun to rebel and were in need of professional care. I was recommended to see Meister “Edi” Herbst, a foot specialist based in Kobe.

Something you don’t come across every day: an Austrian orthopedic and custom shoe maker in Hyogo. KS proffered its feet and sat down to get the story.

Text & photos: Bonnie Carpenter

KS: What kind of training do you have in orthopedic shoe technique?

EH: I was apprenticed in Austria in a guild system, which taught European old-world techniques in shoemaking combined with cutting-edge technology in orthopedic footwear. We were tutored under meisters, master craftsmen, very similar to the sempai-kohai (senior-junior) system here in Japan, with the sempai teaching the kohai.

For the medical aspect of foot care, I studied at the Anatomical Institute of the Vienna Medical University. I opened a shop in 2002 to blend traditional craftsmanship with modern technology so we could produce fashionable, order-made footwear and insoles.

KS: What services and products do you offer?

EH: Our custom-designed shoes are precision-made on the premises. You choose the colour, specification and style of quality European leathers. Prices run from ¥140,000–¥240,000 for the finished product. We also have a reasonably priced in-house range of sport, health and comfort shoes available in larger sizes that fit foreign feet. For example, we carry an innovative rocking shoe that changes your balance and the way you walk.

You stride out with your heel first on a cushioned base that essentially rocks you forward. We also have a runner’s ‘eco’ featherweight shoe weighing a mere 150 grams that will biodegrade in one or two years after being thrown away, thus protecting the environment.

KS: How can you help with feet problems?

EH: We always start by asking: What do your feet need?

Lightness?

Support? Help with a medical condition? We consult and work with the patient to get the right direction for your feet.

KS: What sort of health problems have you worked with?

EH: Bunions, flat feet, bow legs, hip-joint problems, leg length

OSM Herbst Co Ltd • 5-3-9 Kishichi dori, Nada-ku, Kobe 657-0832 • Open: Mon–Sat, 10am–6pm. Closed Sun, and national holidays • Access: from Hankyu Oji-koen stn, take the east exit to the Yamate Kansen. Turn left out of the station and walk on the right side of the street for about five minutes.

• Tel: 078-802-8022 • Fax: 078-802-8043 • Email: info@osmherbst.com • www.osmherbst.com (in Japanese)

differences and rheumatoid arthritis, for example. Diabetes is increasing in Japan, as well as globally, so we are seeing a need for help there. Diabetes causes vascular and circulation problems through clogged arteries as well as loss of feeling in the feet. In all cases, we fit the patient with proper shoes that support and protect the feet and increase the mobility of patients again.

This writer came in for some custom-designed orthotics, insoles that fit inside your shoes for added support. More of a medical exam than a shoe-buying experience, Meister Edi checked my spine, back and hip placement first, took a scan of my feet and then pressed my feet into a cushiony mold to get the exact contours of my feet to produce the custom orthotics. And you can have your consultation in English, German or Japanese. Meister Edi takes National Health Insurance for orthotics, orthopedic shoe adjustments, rehabilitation shoes, supporters/bandages, compression socks/stockings and of course, custom-made orthopedic shoes but you must get a referral from your doctor first.

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ART

kansaiscene.com | jul 2012

*Please note that last admission for all museums is 30 min prior to closing, if not listed

OSAKA ART/OSAKA Hotel Grandvia Osaka 26F, etc.

Jul 7–8 Various media • Open: 11am–6pm (Until 7pm on Jul 8th) • Admission: ¥1,500 • Osaka stn • www.artosaka.jp John Dix: New Works from the Fire Daimaru Osaka Shinsaibashi Annex 6F Jul 11–17 Ceramics • Open: 10am–7:30pm • Admission: Free • Subway Shinsaibashi stn • www.daimaru.co.jp/shinsaibashi Chiaki Kohara: Mammy!

DMO ARTS Jul 4–24 Illustration • Open: 10am–8pm • Admission: Free • Osaka Stn • www.dmoarts. com/category/exhibition

Jul 3–8

Nozomu Kishikawa: Daily Life Art Space Niji, KYOTO “I am an ordinary office lady and an ordinary artist. I live life repeating those two roles.”

Nozomu Kishikawa, originally from Hyogo, is an artist that works in different types of media.

Originally trained in printmaking, her recent works include two-dimensional works, threedimensional works, manga, and even singing.

The exhibition will have two-dimensional works that contain a strong three-dimensional aspect, which depict the artist’s personal landscapes and memories through a satirical yet familiar perspective.

• Various media • Open: 11am–7pm (until 6pm on last day), closed on Mon • Admission: Free • Keage stn • www.art-space-niji.com

Tue and Wed • Admission: Free • Nishikujo stn • www.baikado.org

SHOEI, Kosuke Kawamura: The Room of Satoshi Nikaicho Pulp Jul 27–Aug 9 Various Media • Open: 1pm–8pm • Admission: Free • Yotsubashi stn • http://pulpspace.org Sakiko Kurita: Strolling Gardener Fukugan Gallery Jul 2–14, closed irregularly Paintings • Open: Reservation needed • Admission: Free • Shinsaibashi stn • http://fukugan.net

KYOTO

Takehiro Iikawa: fade out, fade up Kodama Gallery Kyoto Until Jul 28 Video • Open: 11am–7pm, closed on Sun and Mon • Admission: Free • Jujo stn • www.kodamagallery.com

Cover Exhibition CAS Jul 21–Aug 12 Various Media • Open: 2–7pm, closed on Wed and Thu • Admission: Free • JR Namba stn • http://cas.or.jp/ cas/calendar

Makito Okada: impatience and hopes imura art gallery Until Jul 21 Paintings • Open: 11am–7pm, closed on Sun and Mon • Admission: Free • Jingu Marutamachi stn • www.imuraart.com

Fumio Tachibana Exhibition ddd gallery Jul 17–Sep 5 Design • Open: 11am–7pm (Until 6pm on Sat), closed on Sun, Mon, and holidays • Admission: Free • Namba stn • www.dnp.co.jp/ gallery/ddd_e

Mie Sugiura: Suncity & Good Morning MATSUO MEGUMI +VOICE GALLERY pfs/w Jul 10–28 Mixed media • Open: 12–7pm, closed on Sun and Mon • Admission: Free • JR/Subway Kyoto stn • www.voicegallery.org

Textiles for Architecture — The Beauty and Artistry of Kawashima Textiles LIXIL Gallery Osaka Until Aug 23 Textiles • Open: 10am–5pm, closed on Wed and Aug 10–16 • Admission: Free • Subway Honmachi stn • www1.lixil.co.jp/gallery/ information

Exhibition of Yasue Kodama and Tetsuji Nakanishi (New Incubation 4) Kyoto Art Center Until Jul 13 Paintings • Open: 10am–8pm • Admission: Free • Hankyu Karasuma stn • http://en.kac.or.jp

Dunja Evers “Inside Out” Baikado Until Jul 16 Video Installation • Open: 1pm–8pm, closed on

Misato Ban: Filter Feeder FOIL GALLERY Jul 7–29 Various media • Open: 11am–8pm (Until 5pm on opening day), closed on Wed

ART

jul 2012 | kansaiscene.com

Gendaibijutsu Nitouhey Dabijutsu Great Exhibition

25

Jul 13–25

HEP HALL, OSAKA Weights formed in the shape of traditional Kokeshi dolls, the seven deities of good fortune on a rescue boat, and a traditional Japanese doll wearing a Jason mask equipped with an axe. The artist group Gendaibijutsu Nitouhey is composed of Shane Kagotani and Katsuhito Fujiwara. Their works contain a humorous twist on everyday objects and incorporate traditional cultural references mostly from, but not limited to, Japan. Over 100 works from their new and old collections will be on display.

• Various Media • Open: 11am–8pm • Admission: Free • Umeda stn • www.hephall.com/19040 Until Sep 2 Diary: April 27, 1970, New York • Woodcut print, Lithograph and Silkscreen on Paper

Tetsuya Noda Exhibition The Museum of Modern Art, Wakayama In a diary, we document and preserve memories of everyday life. Noda’s works have been based on this theme since 1968, making this a lifelong project. He is inspired by his personal memories with family and friends, as well as the experience of growing up and the things he saw through his childhood adventures. Noda paints over photographic images that he took, and combines mimeograph and woodblock printing in his work. In this exhibition, approximately 50 works are on display.

• Printmaking • Open: 9:30am–5pm, closed on Mon and Jul 17, open on Jul 16 • Admission: ¥340, ¥230 Students (half price Aug 18–31) • Kencho-mae bus stop from JR or Nankai Wakayama stn • www.momaw.jp/english

• Admission: ¥300 • Subway Imadegawa stn • www.foiltokyo. com/gallery/eg/foilgalleryindexeg. html

Shuma Shibata: Open up the space mori yu gallery Until Jul 21 Paintings • Open: 10am–7pm, closed on Sun, Mon, Holidays, 13th & 14th • Admission: Free • Jingu Marutamachi stn • www. moriyu-gallery.com/v3/home Portrait of Venice — A Story of Thousand Years The Museum of Kyoto Jul 28-Sep 23 Various Media • Open: 10am–6pm (Until 7:30pm on Fri), closed on Mon and Sep 18 • Admission: ¥1,300, ¥900 Students, ¥500 Middle School and younger • Subway Karasuma

Oike stn • www.bunpaku.or.jp/ info_english

Kyoto-Belgrade (Serbia) Printmaking Exchange Exhibition: Multiple Perspectives x Focus of the Image Art Space Saga (at Kyoto Saga University of Arts) Jul 3–16 Printmaking • Open: 10am–6pm (Until 4pm on Jul 16th), closed on Mon • Admission: Free • Saga Arashiyama stn • www. kyoto-saga.ac.jp/event/gallery Asuka Nakayama Exhibition galerie 16 Jul 10–21 Paintings • Open: 12–7pm, closed on Mon • Admission: Free • Higashiyama stn • www.art16.net

Hyogo

Hiroshi Watanabe: American Studies/ Japanese Studies Tanto Tempo Until Jul 22 Photography • Open: 11:30am–7pm, closed Wed and holidays • Admission: Free • JR Motomachi stn • http://tantotempo.jp/newsite/en Hina Aoyama Exhibition Kawata Gallery Until Jul 14 Paper Art • Open: 10am–6pm, closed on Wed, Sun, and holidays • Admission: Free • Hankyu Okamoto stn • www.kawatagallery.com Hebio Tamamura: Illustrated Reference Book Gallery Vie

Jul 17–28

Illustrations • Open: 11am-7pm • Admission: Free • Motomachi stn • www.galleryvie.jp

Zine/Book Gallery! 2012 Takarazuka Media Library Jul 1–Aug 31 Various Media • Open: 12–7pm, closed on Tue • Admission: Free • Sakasegawa stn • http://medialib.jp/zine2012

NARA

Ryoko Meguro: Blue Phase Geiiku Cafe Sankaku Jul 6–18 Illustration • Open: 12–10pm (until 6pm on last day), closed on Thu • Admission: Free • Kintetsu Nara stn • http://aalabo.com

26

EVENT

kansaiscene.com | jul 2012

Jul 21-29

Jul 22

Yokaichi wa Yokaichi

Mitsuumi Matsuri Sunset

YOKAICHI STN NEIGHBOURHOOD, SHIGA

SHIN MAIKO HAMA BEACH, HYOGO

Whether or not you believe in ghosts and monsters, everybody can enjoy this intimate, amusing and spooky event held in Yokaichi, which has a haunted legend. On the 21st Goths and non-Goths from babies to centenarians will parade around wearing costumes as monsters from 7pm–9pm. Everybody will be welcome to join in. Makeup service will be available to help you blend in with the monsters. On the 28th a funny and terrifying kimodameshi haunted house will be open at Yokaichi community centre from 6pm to 8pm. From July 21st to 29th phantasmic and spooky paintings will be on exhibition at the Shopping Plaza Apia. Many other exhilarating events have been planed during the event.

A spectacular giant waterfall made of fireworks will sparkle over the sea at Shin Maiko Hama Beach during the Mitsuumi Matsuri Sunset. The highlight of the festival will definitely be the 500m firework display nicknamed Niagara Falls, which will be reflected in the surface of the shoals. Witness the traditional Hiage ritual where people throw flaming torches into the air to light the festival flame five meters off the ground. There will also be exciting stage performances including taiko drumming, yosakoi dance, a quiz game and many other events.

The peaceful beach, which is famous for its beautiful tidal flats, is full of energetic atmosphere on this day.

• Admission: most of the events are free.

• Access: Omi Railway Yokaichi stn • Tel: 0748-22-0186 • Email: info@odakocci.jp

Ukai, Kyoto Jul 1–Sep 17 The traditional fishing method of cormorant fishing will be shown at Togetsukyo. This ancient fishing performance can be viewed from boats. Please go to the jetty that is upstream from Togetsukyo Bridge.

• Time: 7pm & 8pm until Aug 31, 6:30pm & 7:30pm in Sep (Closed Aug 16) • Admission: ¥1,700 adults, concessions • Where: Arashiyama Togetsukyo Bridge • Access: JR Sagano line Saga Arashiyama stn, 15min walk/Keifuku Railway Arashiyama stn, 10min walk • Tel: 075-861-0302 Tanabata no Yube in Shitennoji, Osaka Jul 7–9 Shitennoji temple hosts one of the national events of Tanabata. To commemorate a romantic story about Vega and Altair, tanabata is

celebrated annually. A large walk through bamboo ornament shaped like a tunnel will be appeared.

Experts will help visitors to look at stars through telescopes. Interesting stalls will line the precincts.

• Time: 5pm • Admission: free • Where: Shitennoji temple • Access: Subway Tanimachi line Shitennoji-mae Yuhigaoka stn • Tel: 06-6774-3333

Piano Concert Rachmaninov “Moment Musical”, Osaka Jul 8 Multivariate pianist Noriko Harada and one of Kansai’s most accomplished pianists, Taku Kuno, will perform selections from masterpieces by Chopin, Schubert and Schumann. Moment Musical op.16 by Rachmaninov played by Taku Kuno is a must-hear.

• Time: 7pm (doors open at 6:30pm)

• Time: Noon–9pm • Admission: free • Access: Sanyo Railway Aboshi stn bus to Kamayanishi, 10min walk • Tel: 079-322-1004 • Fax: 079-322-2625

• Admission: ¥2,500 adults (¥3,000 on door), concessions • Where: Osaka Central Public Hall • Access: Subway Midosuji line Yodoyabashi stn, 3min walk/ Keihan Railway Naniwabashi stn • Tel: 080-6117-9551 • Email: takukuno@gmail.com

Beer Fest Osaka 2012 Jul 14–16 Indulge yourself with an amazing variety of craft beers at this yearly beer-tasting event. Over 200 different beers will be available in 50cc samples with only the entrance fee to pay. You can buy advance tickets from every convenience store.

• Time: 2pm–6pm on the 14th, 12:30pm–4:30pm on the 15 & 16th • Admission: ¥4,300 (¥4,700 on door) • Where: Kyocera Dome • Access: JR Loop line Taisho stn, 7min walk/Hanshin Railway

Dome-mae stn • Tel: 0797-34-7751 • Email: mail@beertaster.org • www.beertaster.org

Meet Whales at Kujira Hama Park, Wakayama Jul 14–Aug 20 Let’s swim with whales in the sea at the peaceful Taiji-cho town. You can watch two small whales in a special area of this bathing beach.

They will be released into the bathing area twice a day while you swim there.

• Time: 9am–5pm • Admission: free • Where: Kujira Hama Kaisuiyokujo (bathing beach) • Access: JR Kinokuni line Taiji stn bus to Kujirahama Kaisuiyokujomae • Tel: 0735-59-2335 Tropical Flower Show, Hyogo Jul 14–Sep 23 Come and appreciate the exhibition of bewitching tropical flowers

EVENT

jul 2012 | kansaiscene.com

Japan International Birdman Rally 2012

Jul 29

MATSUBARA BEACH, SHIGA

Provided by Biwako Visitors Bureau

Jul 28 & 29

27

Shintaro Fujiyama Edo Tezuma Japanese Magic Dinner Show THE ST. REGIS OSAKA, OSAKA

Who will fly and who will flop? This event is full of amazement and laughs. The Japan International Birdman Rally is a spectacular annual event celebrating the sky and the water. This thrilling flight competition for human-powered aircrafts takes place in the picturesque lakeside town of Matsubara in Hikone City. Competitors attempt to fly off the lake-jetty with home-made humanpowered flying machines. The competitors then compete on distance and time. Some of the aircrafts fly brilliantly over Lake Biwa for great distances, and others plunge straight into the water. The Birdman Rally is subject to weather conditions. Adverse weather for flying may result in cancellation of the event.

• Time: 8am on the 28th, 6am on the 29th • Admission: free • Access: JR Biwako line Hikone stn • Tel: 0749-22-1411 • Email: kanko@ma.city.hikone.shiga.jp held at one of the largest botanic gardens in Japan. On the 4th to 15th of August, live music performances will be put on including belly dance, Hawaiian dance and bossa nova music.

• Time: 10am–6pm (10am–8pm Aug 4 to 15) • Admission: ¥600 adults, concessions • Where: Kiseki no Hoshi Botanical Museum • Access: JR Kobe line Maiko stn bus (intercity bus) to Awaji Yumebutai-mae • Tel: 0799-74-1200

Isekaido Walk & HangeshoEn Garden, Nara Jul 15 Join a guided tour of the remote mountain village of Mitsue. The party will experience making konjac food, walk along a hillside path, visit the Hangesho Garden and a spa in the village. Booking by the 9th of July is essential.

• Time: 9:30 am–5:15pm • Admission: ¥4,500 adults, concessions (including bus, making konjac, lunch and spa) • Where: Haibara stn south exit to meet the guide • Access: Kintetsu Railway Haibara stn • Tel: 0745-95-2070 • www.vill. mitsue.nara.jp/kanko/summary

Kobe Love Port Minato Matsuri, Hyogo Jul 15 & 16 Come and join a two-day summer celebration for the prosperity of this port town, Kobe. It features a wide range of events including exciting live performances, a sightseeing helicopter and many other entertainments.

• Time: 10am–8pm • Admission: most of the events are free • Where: Meriken Park • Access: JR Kobe line Motomachi stn east exit, 15min walk • Email: 2012minato@gmail.com

Expect to be impressed by this amazing entertainment dinner show! Performing in Japan and overseas, Shintaro Fujiyama is a master of the timehonoured illusion of Japanese traditional magic, and he continues to pass down the art. In this event, he will elegantly float paper butterflies with folding fans, enigmatically mystify the audience with tricks using boxes and balls, and showcase many more miraculous performances. Enjoy this brilliant artistic performance and marvellous full-course dinner including fresh seafood dishes and sushi Osaka style. To join this event, contact the hotel by July 25th. The hotel is also offering a special room and ticket deal for this dinner show.

• Time: 6pm–8:15pm (5pm doors open) • Admission: ¥18,000 • Access: Subway Midosuji line Hommachi stn exit 7 • Tel: 06-6258-3333 • www.stregisosaka.co.jp

Minato Matsuri Fireworks Display, Wakayama Jul 22 Four thousand fireworks will explode offshore at Wakayama port. Impressive fireworks that look like chrysanthemums are a must-see.

• Time: 8pm–9pm (postponed to the 25th if it rains) • Where: Wakayama-ko Port • Access: Nankai Railway Wakayamako • Tel: 073-432-3116 Soemon-cho Summer Festival, Osaka Jul 22 & 23 Soemon-cho shopping districts presents a two-day outside event.

Every year, this summer festival serves up exhilarating performances and entertainment including goldfish scooping and a beauty contest. Also there will be a special beer garden serving fine food from

famous restaurants in Soemon-cho.

• Time: 5pm–10pm • Admission: free • Where: Aiaubashi Bridge in Soemon-cho • Access: Subway Sennichimae line Nipponbashi stn, 5min walk/Midosuji line Namba stn, 6min walk • Tel: 06-6214-5925

Bunraku Special Summer Programme, Osaka Jul 21–Aug 7 The National Bunraku Theatre invites you to the fantastic world of traditional puppet shows. The first performance features humorous and adventurous stories, which will thrill children. The second and third performances will be selections from tragic romance masterpieces. An English earphone guide will be available.

• Time: 1st performance 11am–1pm, 2nd 2pm–5:50pm, 3rd 6:30pm–8:10pm • Admission:

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EVENT

kansaiscene.com | jul 2012

© SUPERKIDS

Jul 31

Aug 4

Sakai Ouo Yoichi

Ongaku no Ehon, Zoorasian Brass & Tsuru-Usagi

OHAMA PARK, SAKAI

OSAKA CENTRAL PUBLIC HALL, OSAKA

Experience the exciting atmosphere with fullblooded shouting of auctioneers. This is a huge fish auction with 700 years of history behind it. With various exhilarating attractions, this large event attracts over 200,000 visitors every year. Attend the fish auction, browse 300 stalls, watch interesting stage shows and enjoy the excitement and fun at this summer gala! A unique ceremony called hocho-shiki — a traditional performance of fish cutting — will also be held. The traditional way of fish auctions will be demonstrated. A glove boxing competition will be held as well. Finally, fireworks will flamboyantly decorate the night sky.

An entertaining and magical recital of classical music played by lovable animals that will totally captivate and charm children. The show includes an Indian lion, golden takin and douc langur on trumpet, Malayan tapir on horn, Sumatra tiger on trombone, polar bear on tuba and the string quartet of Tsuru-Usagi rabbits, plus the grand conductor okapi, these animal musicians are all the cream of the crop. In this event, this wonderful ensemble will perform popular light classical music, children’s songs and famous theme tunes from films for all the family.

Enjoy authentic orchestra music in the early 20th-century space of this atmospheric old building.

• Time: 1pm–9:30pm • Admission: free • Access: Nankai Railway Sakai stn, 3min walk • Tel: 072-227-8841

Adults ¥4,600 adults, concessions • Where: the National Bunraku Theatre • Access: Subway Sakaisuji/Sennichimae line Nihonbashi stn • Tel: 06-62122531 • http://ticket.ntj.jac.go.jp/ top_e.htm

Bon Odori Dance, Hyogo Jul 28 Everybody will be welcome to join this dance event. Bon odori dance used to be a religious dance, but nowadays it is held as a major summer attraction throughout Japan.

• Time: 6pm–8:30pm (Cancelled if it rains) • Admission: free • Where: Sunshine Wharf Kobe

• Access: Hanshin Railway Ogi stn, 7min walk • Tel: 078-414-1516

Konotori Tajima Airport Festival 2012, Hyogo Jul 28 & 29 Have a great family day out at this two-day airshow. Watch aerobatic displays and a demonstration by a Self Defence Forces helicopter.

Experience a hot air balloon ride and hang-gliding. Enjoy an exhibition of aeroplanes, stage performances and many food stalls!

• Time: 10am–3:30pm (Adverse weather for flying may result in cancellation) • Admission: free

• Time: 1:30pm (doors open at 1pm) • Admission: ¥2,000 adults, concessions • Access: Subway Midosuji line Yodoyabashi stn, 3min walk/ Keihan Railway Naniwabashi stn • Tel: 06-6208-2002 • Fax 06-6208-2003 • www.superkids.co.jp/z-brass • Where: Konotori Tajima Airport • Access: JR Sanin Honsen line Toyooka stn bus to Tajima Airport Terminal-mae • Tel: 0796-23-1401 • Email: taf@d2.dion.ne.jp • www.tajima.or.jp/taf/

Biwako Takashima Peron Competition, Shiga Jul 29 Set on the scenic Lake Biwa, the fiercely competitive dragon boat races will be held. Cheer for rowers paddling in unison with a gong and a drum!

• Time: 9am–3pm • Admission: free • Where: Imazu-cho

Minami-hama Beach • Access: JR Kosei line Omi Imazu stn, 10min walk • Tel: 0740-25-8040

Hikone Kita Biwako Fireworks Display, Shiga Aug 1 This is absolutely beautiful.

The reflections of 1,000 fireworks will colour the surface of the lake.

• Time: 7:45pm–8:30pm (postponed to Aug 2nd if it rains) • Admission: free • Where: Matsubara Suieijo (bathing beach) • Access: JR Biwako line Hikone stn, 30min walk • Tel: 0749-23-0001 • Email: info@hikoneshi.com

jul 2012 | kansaiscene.com

Nachi no Hi Matsuri KUMANO NACHI-TAISHA, WAKAYAMA Jul 14

This is one of the three biggest fire festivals in Japan. In this famous festival, ceremonies are carried out in accordance with ancient tradition. After displaying several different classical performing arts, tall red totems representing 12 gods will travel to the waterfall, believed to be a very sacred place. At the entranceway of the waterfall, a group of people holding torches join the totems. The assembly will go up steep stairs raising and swinging the flaming torches. It will be a very impressive sight to see.

• Time: 10am • Admission: free • Access: JR Kinokuni line Kii-Katsuura stn • Tel: 0735-55-0321 • Email: nachi@kumanonachitaisha.or.jp

Ohatsu Tenjin Natsu Matsuri TSUYUNOTENJINSHA SHRINE, OSAKA Jul 20 & 21

The eye-opening Yakutaiko float will be parading around in the centre of Osaka showing off its taiko drumming performance. A lion dance team, a singing folklore group and traditional music band will also walk among tall buildings and the underground shopping complex. The Ohatsu Tenjin Natsu Matsuri is the most important religious event in the Tsuyunotenjinsha located in the busiest area in this urban city. Do not miss the vigorous performance by the Yakutaiko float and the locals held on the evening of July 21st. You’ll hear powerful sounds from the taiko drum, festival music and chanting. Lots of people descend on this neighbourhood during these days. Omikuji fortunes written in English and Japanese are available to purchase at this shrine.

• Time: 7pm–10pm on Jul 20th, 11am–11:30pm on Jul 21st • Admission: free • Access: Subway Tanimachi line, Higashi-Umeda stn • Tel: 06-6311-0895 • Email: guujiyoshi38@yahoo.co.jp

FESTIVAL 29 Fuchin Taisai Festival, Nara Jul 1 At the end of the event, believers will offer their prayers in a shower of falling sparks from the fire of Roman candles. This is the Fuchin Taisai Festival, held annually to pray for protection from storms, typhoons and gales. Following the solemn ceremony performed in the morning, various entertainments are offered to the god.

• Time: 10am–10pm • Admission: free • Where: Tatsuta-taisha shrine • Access: JR Yamatoji line Sango stn, 7min walk • Tel: 0745-73-1138 Gion Matsuri, Kyoto Jul 1–31 Kyoto is at its most vibrant during the Gion Matsuri.

There are many ceremonies and rituals in the neighbourhood of Yasaka-jinja throughout July.

The highlight is Yamaboko-junko held on the 17th. Highly decorated floats move in the major streets in the city.

• Time: depends on events • Admission: most of the events are free • Where: Yasaka-jinja and surroundings • Access: Keihan Railway Gion-shijo stn; 5min walk/Hankyu Railway Kawaramachi stn, 8min walk to Yasaka-jinja • Tel: 075-752-7070 Tanabata Matsuri, Osaka Jul 6 & 7 This ancient shrine, Hatamono-jinja houses the heroine in the national legend of Tanabata as the deity. Bamboo trees decorated with colourful paper tags are lined closely in the precincts on these days. It is said that wishes and hopes written on the tags will come true.

• Time: in the evening on Jul 6th, 10am–11:30pm on July 7th • Admission: free • Where: Hatamono-jinja • Access: JR Gakkentoshi line Tsuda stn, 10min walk • Tel: 072-891-4418 Tenjin Matsuri, Osaka Jul 24 & 25 Celebrate the one of the three largest religious festivals in Japan, which sees hundreds of Japanese flat-bottomed boats taking to the river in a spectacular river parade. Taiko drums will perform powerfully around the Tenmangu shrine while thousands of fireworks explode in the night sky.

• Time: 6:30pm on July 24th, 3:30pm on Jul 25th • Admission: free • Where: Osaka Tenmangu shrine • Access: JR Tozai line Osakatenmangu stn • Tel: 06-6353-0025 Hiwatari Matsuri, Kyoto Jul 28 A fire-walking ritual, which involves walking across hot embers on your bare feet, will take place at this hillside temple. Everybody can be a participant in this ritual with the help and support of mountain monks. To enter you must apply by 8pm on Jul 28.

• Time: 7pm • Admission: ¥500 • Where: Tanukidaniyama Fudoin temple • Access: Eizan Railway Ichijoji stn, 15min walk/ Keihan Railway Sanjo stn bus to Ichijoji Sagarimatsu-cho • Tel: 075-722-0025

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FEATURE FLEA MARKET

Osaka

Banpaku Garage Sale Jul 8 (Sun) & 22 (Sun) • Time: 9:30am–4:30pm • Admission: Adult ¥350, Child ¥100 • Where: Banpaku Park, Osaka • Access: Osaka Monorail Banpaku Kinen Koen station • Tel: 06-6362-6322 ORC 200 Flea Market Jul 8 (Sun), 11 (Wed) & 22 (Sun) • Time: 10am–5pm • Admission: free • Where : ORC Hiroba, ORC 200, Osaka • Access: JR Loop Line/ Cyuo Line Bentencho station • Tel: 06-6281-0770 Swapmeet in Hanahaku Jul 14 (Sat)–16 (Mon) • Time: 10am–4pm • Admission: ¥300 • Where: Hanahaku Park, Osaka • Access: Nagahori Tsurumiryokuchi Line Tsurumiryokuchi station • Tel: 06-6312-2220 Aozora Marche Jul 15 (Sun) • Time: 10am–5pm • Admission: free • Where: Rinku Town Seacle, Osaka • Access: JR Kansaikuko Line Rinku Town station, Nankai Kuko Line Rinku Town station • Tel: 06-6692-2340 • http:// aozoramarche.web.fc2.com Tezukuri Sanpo Market Jul 16 (Mon) Workshop, Materials market, Craft market • Time: 11am–6pm • Admission: free • Where: enkul, Tanimachi 4chome, Osaka • Access: Chuo Line/Tanimachi Line Tanimachiyonchome station, 2min walk • http://ameblo.jp/te-sanpo/ Shitennouji Kotto Ichi Jul 21 (Sat) & 22 (Sun) Antique market • Time: 8:30am–4pm • Admission: free • Where: Shitennoji temple, Osaka • Access: Subway Tanimachi Line

kansaiscene.com | jul 2012

Shitennoji station, 5min walk • Tel: 06-6771-0066

• Tel: 075-864-6513 • http:// kamigamo-tedukuriichi.com

Namba Minatomachi River Place Flea Market Jul 29 (Sun) • Time: 10am–4pm • Admission: free • Where: Namba, Osaka • Access: Subway Yotsubashi Line, Midosuji Line Namba

Gojyoshichihonmatsu Tezukuri Ichi Jul 24 (Tue) • Time: 10am–3pm • Admission: free • Where: Diripa Kyoto, Kyoto • Access: JR Kyoto Line Tanbaguchi station 5min walk, JR Kyoto station bus 73 or 75 to Kyoto Research Park Mae

Naniwa no Collector’s Market Jul 29 (Sun) Automobiles, equipments, parts & instruments • Time: 6am–noon • Admission: ¥300 • Where: Maishima Sports Island Event Hiroba A, Osaka • Access: JR Sakurajima station bus to Lodge Maishima, 10min walk

Kyoto

Morino Tezukuri Ichi Jul 7 (Sat) & 8 (Sun) • Time: 10am–4pm • Admission: free • Where: Shimogamo jinja, Kyoto • Access: JR Kyoto station Bus 4 or 205 to Shimogamo jinja, Keihan Demachiyanagi station, 10min walk • http://monocro.info Yamazaki Toka Ichi Jul 10 (Tue) • Time: 10am–3pm • Admission: free • Where: JR Yamazaki station, Minamigawa hiroba, Kyoto • Access: JR Kyoto Line Yamazaki station • Tel: 075-953-1292 • http://blog.livedoor.jp/to_kaichi/ Kitayama Craft Garden Jul 14 (Sat) • Time: 10am–5pm • Admission: free • Where: Tobanmeiga no niwa (Garden of Fine Arts), Kyoto • Access: Subway Karasuma Line Kitayama station • Tel: 075-864-6513 • http:// kamigamo-tedukuriichi.com Hyakumanben Tezukuri Ichi Jul 15 ( Sun) • Time: 8am–4pm • Admission: free • Where: Chion ji (Temple), Kyoto • Access: From JR Kyoto station Bus 206 or 17 to Shijyo Kawaramachi, or Bus 201, 31, 17, 3 to Hyakumanben • www.tedukuri-ichi.com Kamigamo Craft Market Jul 22 (Sun) • Time: 9am–4pm • Admission: free • Where: Kamigamo jinja, Kyoto • Access: JR Kyoto station Bus 9 to Kamigamo jinja, Hankyu Kawaramachi station Bus 37 to Kamigamo jinja

Omoshiro Tezukuri Ichi Jul 28 (Sat) • Time: 10am–3pm • Admission: free • Where: Toyokuni shrine, Kyoto • Access: Kyoro Shichijyo station 10min walk, JR Kyoto station bus 206 or 208 to Sanjusangendo • www.omosiro1.com

Hyogo

Rokko Island Fleamarket Jul 1 (Sun), 8 (Sun) & 15(Sun) • Time: 10am–4pm • Admission: free • Where Rokko Island, Kobe • Access: From JR Sumiyoshi station/Hanshin Uozaki station, take Rokko Liner to Island Center station • http://www.newsdust. com/fleabazar/scene.html Neko no Hako Jul 7 (Sat) & 8 (Sun) Original art works on a cat theme • Time: 10am–5pm • Admission: free • Where: Kobe Fashion Plaza 3F, Kobe • Access: JR Kobe Line Sumiyoshi station or Hanshin Uozaki station, take Rokko Liner to Island Center station • Tel: 078-597-6930 • http://kobecraft.jp/neko Kobe Crafts Arcade Jul 7 (Sat) & 8 (Sun) • Time: 11am–6pm • Admission: free • Where: Kobe Motomachi Shotengai • Access: JR Kobe Line Motomachi station • http://kobe-crafts.com Takarazuka Garden Market Jul 14 (Sat) & 28 (Sat) • Time: 10:30am–4:30pm • Admission: free • Where: Takarazuka Garden Fields, Hyogo • Access: Hankyu Takarazuka Line Takarazuka station /JR Takarazuka station 10 min walk • www.gardenfields.jp Mayasan Rucksack Market Jul 21 (Sat) • Time: 11am–4pm • Admission: free • Where: Mayasan Kikuseidai, Hyogo • Access: Hankyu Rokko station/JR Rokkodo station bus

to Maya cable shita, take Maya Cable Railway to Maya View Line Hoshinoeki station • Tel: 078-251-8307 • www. nadatama.com/modules/weblog

Asaichi Market (Farmers Market) Takarazuka Jul 22 (Sun) Fresh vegetables & dairy goods • Time: 9am–11pm • Admission: free • Where: Mukogawa Kasenjiki Park, Takarazuka • Access: Hankyu Takarazuka Line Yamamoto station, 5min walk • Tel: 0797-81-4175 Nanko-san no Tezukuriichi Aug 1 (Wed) • Time: 10am–4pm • Admission: free • Where: Minatogawa shrine, Kobe • Access: JR Kobe station 3min walk • Tel:078-303-1543

Nara

Miwa no Ebisu Ichi Jul 1 (Sun) • Time: 10am–4pm • Admission: free • Where: Ebisu shrine, Miwa, Nara • Access: JR Sakurai Line Miwa station • Tel: 0744-49-3818 Organic Market Jul 29 (Sun) • Time: 9am–2pm • Admission: free • Where: JR Nara station, Nara • Access: JR Nara station, Kintetsu Line Nara station, 15min walk • Tel: 070-6505-2536 • http://organic710.exblog.jp/

Shiga

Monzen Art Ichi Jul 17 (Tue) • Time: 10am–3pm • Admission: free • Where: Moriyamadera (Temple), Shiga • Access: JR Moriyama station 10 min walk • Tel: 077-582-3123 • http://mkannon.com/art.html Kusatsu Art Jul 21 (Sat) • Time: 10am–4pm • Admission: free • Where: JR Kusatsu station, Shiga • Access: JR Kusatsu station east exit • Tel: 077-564-5201 • www.kusatsufan.jp/art

Wakayama

Tezukuri Market Jul 21 (Sat) • Time: 10am–4pm • Admission: free • Where: Keyaki Street, Wakayama • Access: JR Wakayama station • Tel: 073-433-4890

TOKYO

jul 2012 | kansaiscene.com

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TOKYO SCENE A quick roundup of what’s happening in that other place this month.

Tokyo International Book Fair Jul 5-8 The name is slightly misleading — the Tokyo International Book Fair is really the largest publishing exhibition in all of Asia, and also features magazines, newspapers, maps, travel guides and way more.

And, yeah, books. Here’s your chance to learn about all the latest innovations in the publishing world, including companies from all over the world. If you are an aspiring writer looking to make connections in the world of publishing, this show might give you some invaluable opportunities.

• Time: 10am to 6pm • Admission: ¥1,200 • Where: Tokyo Big Sight • Access: Kokusai-Tenjijo-Seimon • Tel: 03-3349-8507 • www.bookfair.jp/en JCCA Classic Car Festival Jul 8 Feeling nostalgic? Well, here’s a chance to cure that longing for the olden days, by watching old cars race one another. The Japanese Classic Car Association will showcase all sorts of old automobiles on July 8th at Tsukuba Circuit.

It’s not just a chance to look at cars, but also a chance to

watch hese vintage machines race against one another. Even if you don’t pine for drive-in theaters and Leave It To Beaver, the JCCA Classic Car Festival has plenty to keep you entertained.

• Time: From 8am • Admission: ¥3,500, ¥2,500 for Junior High and High School students, free for elementary students and younger • Where: Tsukuba Circuit • Access: Furukawa Station • Tel: 048-458-6660 • www.jcca.cc/event/2012/ tsukubaSummer

Thank Earth Tokyo Jul 14 During the summer months, Yoyogi Park is the place to be on the weekends. Barring surprise rainstorms, the various festivals held in one of Tokyo’s largest parks draws huge amounts of visitors. The Thank Earth Tokyo event boasts a vague theme, something something help the Earth something something NPOs, but also includes live music and dances, along with plenty of food and bazaars. All of the above are the cornerstones of a great Yoyogi Park weekend event, so anticipate big crowds, but for good reason.

• Time: 11am to 6:30pm • Admission: Free • Where: Yoyogi Park • Access: Harajuku Station • Tel: 03-3469-6081

• http://thank-earth-tokyo-2012. jimdo.com

100% Silk Tour Japan Jul 21 100% Silk is one of the more adventurous labels in America at the moment, an imprint unafraid to showcase artists blurring the lines between dance, pop and ambient music. Some of their best artists will be doing a brief tour of Japan in July, and this Tokyo stop looks like the highlight. Ital, Magic Touch and Mi Ami will perform, as will Tokyo’s own ambient-pop maker Sapphire Slows, one of the best young artists in the country today. Artists on Tokyo dance label Diskotopia will DJ. • Time: 11:30pm • Admission: ¥2,500 in advance, ¥3,000 at the door • Where: WWW • Access: Shibuya Station • Tel: 03-5458-7685 • www-shibuya.jp/access Fuji Rock Festival Jul 27-29 It’s one of, if not the, best music festivals in Japan every year, and in 2012 the Fuji Rock Festival has gone British. The three headlining acts all hail from England, starting with Friday’s top act, reunited rockers The Stone Roses.

The next day sees Noel Gallagher from Oasis take the main stage with his new project Noel

Gallagher’s High Flying Birds.

Radiohead, still considered by many the best rock band in the world today, close out Fuji Rock on Sunday. The festival also includes the reunited At The Drive-In, Jack White and Justice among many more.

• Time: 9am to 11pm every day • Admission: ¥42,800 for a three-day pass, ¥17,800 for a one-day pass • Where: Naeba Ski Resort • Access: JR Echigo Yuzawa • Tel: 03-5465-0800 • www.smash-uk.com/frf12

Sumidagawa River Fireworks Jul 28 Here’s when summer really starts, with the most popular summer festival in all of Tokyo.

You can expect all the usual staples of the summer hanabi — food, booze and, most importantly, a lot of fireworks — 20,000 fireworks to be exact. That’s a lot of explosions.

• Time: 7:05pm • Admission: Free • Where: Asakusa • Access: Asakusabashi Station or Ryogoku Station • Tel: 03-5608-1111 • www.sumidagawa-hanabi.com

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LINGO

kansaiscene.com | jul 2012

Life’s a beach S Text: Wes Lang • Image: KS

ummer is synonymous with swimming, so while digging out your swimwear, commit these seasonal biichi (beach) lingo to memory. First off, Japan may very well be the only country where beaches officially open and close based solely on the calendar month, so you could find yourself attending one of the many umibiraki (beach opening) events that usually coincide with the Umi no hi (Marine Day) holiday on July 16th.

Once arriving for a day at the beach, head to a handy uminoie (beachfront shop) for an unhealthy lunch of yakisoba or ramen, pay an exorbitant fee to use the showers, or rent an unsightly parasoru (parasol) or ukiwa (inflatable swim ring). Next, lather on the hiyakedome (sunscreen), and head out for some nikkouyoku (sunbathing) or a refreshing swim. It’s often helpful to inquire about the swimming abilities of your companions by asking oyogi

LINGO

jul 2012 | kansaiscene.com

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wa tokui desu ka? (Are you a strong swimmer?) If they reply with Iie, boku wa kanazuchi desu (No, I can’t swim at all) then perhaps you shouldn’t let them near the water unless it’s a tooasa no biichi (shallow water beach). Watch out for kurage (jellyfish), especially during the latter part of August.

At the end of the day, it’s best to follow the ancient Japanese proverb tatsutori ato wo nigosazu which literally translates as “a flying bird does not dirty the nest it is about to leave,” but is more commonly referred to as “clean up after yourself.”

On some beaches you can actually find signs in Japanese bearing this old adage. ビーチ

biichi

the beach

海開き

umibiraki

the official ‘opening’ of the beach

浮輪

ukiwa

inflatable swim ring

日焼け止め

hiyakedome

sunblock

日光浴

nikkouyoku

sunbathing

泳ぎは得意ですか？

oyogi wa tokui desu ka

Are you a strong swimmer?

金槌

kanazuchi

(lit: iron hammer) someone who can’t swim at all

遠浅

tooasa

a beach that remains shallow far out to sea

立つ鳥跡を濁さず

tatsutori ato wo nigosazu

Don’t leave behind any garbage.

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FILM

kansaiscene.com | jul 2012

Brave Jul 21

Yes, it’s got beautiful animation, but the first thing you’re really going to notice about this movie is the accents. If you find them unusual, it’s because Scotland doesn’t get much screen time in Hollywood. It usually just gets lumped in with the rest of the UK and rarely gets to show off its distinctive side. The last memorable movie highs were probably Trainspotting, Harry Potter (just the stunning outside shots of Hogwarts and the two lines by Cho Chang) and Mel Gibson mooning the English in Braveheart.

Man on a Ledge Jul 7 Hey, you up there! Don’t jump!

A crazy man is teetering on the ledge of a Manhattan hotel rooftop, threatening to leap unless he gets to talk to detective Lydia Mercer, the local police negotiator. Turns out the man is an ex-cop, accused of taking part in a diamond heist.

Is he guilty as hell, and can Lydia save his bacon before he ends it all? Expect some dramatic twists and plenty of stomach-churning over-the-ledge camera shots as action man Sam Worthington keeps us guessing. A good one for fans of slower-paced thrillers like Phone Booth and The Fugitive.

• Crime, Thriller/USA/English • Starring: Sam Worthington, Elizabeth Banks, Jamie Bell • Director: Asger Leth • Walt Disney Studios

United Jul 7 The Busby Babes were a gifted team of young footballers, tragically reduced in number by an air crash in 1958. The lads, who played for UK team Manchester United, were the youngest side to ever win the Football League. Eight of them, all in their early twenties, died in the Munich air crash, a refueling stop their plane made after a match in Yugoslavia. This film is a dramatic retelling of their story, and how it affected the club. The drama is cut with interviews from survivors of the crash, giving extra pathos to this tragic tale.

• Drama, History, Sport/UK/ English, German/90mins • Starring: Dean Andrews, Kate Ashfield, Natalie Burt • Director: James Strong • Go! Cinema

Thank goodness, then, that Pixar and Disney have decided to breathe new life into the old mountains, by making ancient Scotland the setting for Brave. They could have created a new fantasy land, but instead used historic Scottish clothing, traditions and voice actors to create a believable world, and a heroine we can all root for.

Merida is a willful red-headed lass, handy with a bow and arrow and direct with her words. To the utter frustration of her royal parents, she’s not interested in getting hitched and continuing the family line. With her generous curves and wild hair, she’s the most realistic-looking girl to come out of the Disney studios, and thankfully, there’s no chiseljawed prince sharing her movie trailers.

During an archery competition to decide on her future husband, Merida shows up the hapless suitors by hitting the target herself (and busting a corset as she does). But she doesn’t just annoy her folks with this, as in defying a centuries-old tradition, she unwittingly brings chaos to the kingdom. Of course, she intends to fix her mistake — and so enlists the help of an eccentric witch, which only leads to more trouble. Feisty female family fun — and as with all Pixar creations, make sure you stay until after the credits roll for some bonus laughs.

• Animation, Action, Adventure/USA/English • Starring: Kelly Macdonald, Billy Connolly, Emma Thompson • Directors: Mark Andrews, Brenda Chapman, Steve Purcell • Walt Disney Studios Japan

Shark Night 3D Jul 14 Just when you thought it was safe ... hold up. Is this yet another movie where dumb humans swim into shark-infested waters and then somehow act surprised when the irritated sharks take a nibble? Poor old sharks. They must be bored of all the bad press by now. Well, at least this group of hapless humans have an excuse — the lake they’re swimming in isn’t usually shark territory, but an artificial one created by crooks who are recording their misery for internet viewing pleasure. Seven dumb humans plus 15 narky sharks equals one predictable aquatic gore-fest.

• Horror, Thriller/USA/English/ 90mins • Starring: Sara Paxton, DustinMilligan, Chris Carmack • Director: David R Ellis • Pony Canyon

Helter Skelter Jul 14 Leggy model Ririko looks to have it all: her perfect face is plastered across magazines and billboards, men swoon at her feet and women jealously want to be her. But beauty is only skin deep, and it turns out Ririko has spent more time on the operating table than a surgeon to keep her A-list looks. When Ririko’s clinic goes under investigation, her perfect facade starts to crumble, literally. Life becomes a helterskelter of emotions as she now has to juggle her looks, love life and career falling apart.

• Drama, Comedy/Japan/Japanese • Starring: Kaori Momoi, Kiko Mizuhara, Anne Suzuki • Director: Mika Ninagawa • Asmik Ace Entertainment

FILM

jul 2012 | kansaiscene.com

The Dark Knight Rises Jul 28

Since Christian Bale slid into the snug-fitting bat-shoes of the comic world’s darkest superhero, he’s created a new legion of Gotham fans. Not alone, of course — because every superhero needs his trusty sidekicks.

Director Christopher Nolan poured his dark brilliance into the scripts, the same creative mind that delivered Memento and Inception. Solid headline actors Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman, and Gary Oldman play their supporting parts again with flair, a casting director’s dream of a lineup.

The Lady Jul 21 Aung San Suu Kyi is surely one of the bravest people around, someone who is not afraid to stand up for her beliefs, even though they have led to her being attacked, put her life in jeopardy and placed her under house arrest.

Suu Kyi is the leader of the National League for Democracy, a political party who have long fought to win control in Burma from the hands of military rule. The scriptwriter interviewed key figures in Suu Kyi’s entourage to get a closer insight into her story.

• Biography, Drama/France, UK/ English, Burmese/132mins • Starring: Michelle Yeoh, David Thewlis, Jonathan Raggett • Director: Luc Besson • Kadokawa Pictures

We Have a Pope Jul 21 The Pope has passed away — and all the vatican bigwigs have decided Cardinal Melville is the best man to step into the white robes. All goes well, until the new Pope has to step out onto the balcony to address the faithful millions. Behind the scenes, Cardinal Melville is overcome with fear and panic. He can’t do it.

Yet he must. Worried about the faithful followers, the vatican bigwigs start pulling all the strings they can to get him to rally.

They even enlist a psychoanalyst to help the cardinal get a papal grip. Will the Pope prevail?

• Comedy, Drama/Italy, France/ Italian. German, Latin, English/102mins • Starring: Michel Piccoli, Nani Moretti, Jerzy Stuhr • Director: Nani Moretti • GAGA

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But we all know it’s the villains who maketh the main man. They have to be dark where the hero is light. They have to be threatening. They have to make us need a super-hero. It’s not an easy thing to pull off, but this Batman franchise has delivered these guys in spades.

Cillian Murphy put the fear into us in Batman Begins with his sack-masked Scarecrow. Though physically unimposing, Scarecrow meddles with victim’s minds using fear gas, which brings their fears to life on his face.

He’ll be back for more mind-meddling this time.

The late Heath Ledger’s memorable Joker won’t make any appearance in this installment, as a mark of respect to the actor.

How to follow the Joker? Enter Bane. Looming large over Gotham, with a creepy-looking gas mask, he’s got a plan, and the muscle power to see it through. Lingering by his side is the mysterious Selina Kyle – better known as Catwoman.

It’s eight years since the events of The Dark Knight, and Batman has been hiding away from Gotham after taking on responsibility for the crimes of the late District Attorney Harvey Dent. Of course, he has to come back and face the villains — and his personal demons — for this final installment. There’s never been a better time to become a Bat-fan.

• Action, Crime, Drama/USA, UK/English • Starring: Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Gary Oldman • Director: Christopher Nolan • Warner Bros

Dirty Hearts Jul 21 History books tell us the Second World War ended in 1945. However, some people at the time just didn’t believe it. In Brazil, there was a group of Japanese immigrants who thought Japan’s surrender was just propaganda from the Allies. They formed an organisation called Shindo Renmei, and killed fellow Japanese who accepted the truth, calling them traitors to the emperor. We meet the wife of a Shindo Renmei member, Miyuki, and see her slowly lose her gentle husband Takahashi to the violence and inhumanity of gang warfare.

• Drama, History, Thriller/Brazil/ Japanese, Portuguese/90mins • Starring: Tsuyoshi Ihara, Takako Tokiwa, Eiji Okuda • Director: Vincente Amorim • Interfilm

Tokyo Skytree: sekai ichi no himitsu Jul 28 Godzilla has a tough time ahead on his old stomping ground of Tokyo.

After he’s trampled the gaudy red Tokyo Tower, he’ll have to make a beeline for the new giant on the skyline: Tokyo Skytree. Now the tallest tower in the world at 2,080 ft — that’s twice the size of the Eiffel tower — Tokyo Skytree has been mobbed with visitors since it opened in May. This documentary charts the almost four-year construction period, and promises some stunning aerial shots and comments from the people involved. What secrets does the tower hold? Watch and marvel.

• Documentary/Japan/Japanese/ 60mins • Starring: Hiroshi Kamiya, Yoko Hikasa • Director: Nogami Junich • Kadokawa

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DVD

CINEMA

DVD RELEASE LISTINGS The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn — Part 1 Jul 2 Bella and Edward finally do the deed — get married — but there’s a bump of trouble on the way.

Coriolanus Jul 3 Ralph Fiennes stars in the blood-thirsty Shakespearian tale of a fallen Roman hero.

Paul Jul 4 Two British sci-fi nerds befriend a wise-cracking alien on a road trip across Area 51.

Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows Jul 4 Robert Downey JR is back on fine form as the eccentric, egomaniac detective taking London’s mysteries in his stride.

Underworld: Awakening Jul 11 Kate Beckinsale squeezes back into the leather and fangs to team up with other clans and battle humankind.

StreetDance Jul 13 A street dance crew and a ballet dance class share rehearsal space and more in common than they thought.

In Time Jul 18 Time is money in the future, and Justin Timberlake’s running on empty in this stylish sci-fi.

War Horse Jul 18 A young man’s mission to save his beloved horse sees him join the cavalry.

K-On! The Movie Jul 18

Five musical schoolgirls take a trip to London and show the Brits how it’s done.

Puss in Boots Jul 20

The coolest sword-fighting cat on the block gets his own backstory.

OSAKA OSAKA TOHO CINEMAS UMEDA • Tel: 06-6316-1312 • www.tohotheater.jp • ¥1,000: Wed for women, 1st & 14th of the month • ¥1,200: after 8pm • Now showing: One Day, The Amazing Spider-Man

• From July 7: Man on a Ledge • From July 13: Brave Hearts Kaien • From July 14: Shark Night • From July 21: Ookamikodomo No Ame To Yuki, Brave • From July 28: The Dark Knight Rises, Eightranger

UMEDA BURG7 • Tel: 06-4795-7602 • http://burg7.com • ¥1,000: Wed for women, 1st of the month • ¥1,200: after 8pm • Now showing: Trespass, The Amazing Spider-Man, Rinjyo, Les Contes de la nuit • From July 7: Man on a Ledge • From July 14: Paikajinan kaisakusen, Magical Girl Lyrical • From July 21: Brave, The Lady • From July 28: The Dark Knight Rises UMEDA GARDEN CINEMA • Tel: 06-6440-5977 • www.kadokawa-gardencinema. jp/umeda • ¥1,000: Wed for women, 1st of the month • Now showing: Les Infideles • From July 7: We Need To Talk About Kevin • From July 14: United CINE LIBRE UMEDA • Tel: 06-6440-5930 • www.ttcg.jp/cinelibre_umeda • ¥1,000: Wed for women, 1st & 15th of the month • Now showing: Attack The Block, Rurouni Kenshin, Flypaper • From July 7: This Must Be The Place • From July 14: Magical Girl Lyrical, The Human Centipede 2

kansaiscene.com | jul 2012 • From July 28: Crazy Horse, Girigirino Onnatachi

THEATRE UMEDA • Tel: 06-6359-1080 • www.ttcg.jp/theatre_umeda • ¥1,000: Wed for women, Tue for men, 1st of the month • Now showing: Bellflower, Black Bread, La Proie • From July 7: Anpanman The Movie 2012 • From July 14: The Lincoln Lawyer, Conan The Barbarian, Iwasaki Chihiro • From July 28: Betty Blue, Les femmes du 6eme etage OSAKA STATION CITY CINEMA • Tel: 06-6346-3215 • www.osakastationcitycinema. com • ¥1,000: Wed for women, 1st of the month • Now showing: The Amazing Spider-Man, The Rum Diary, Always, Rinjyo • From July 6: Let The Bullets Fly • From July 7: Man On A Ledge, Soup, Gusuko Budori No Denki • From July 13: Brave Hearts Kaien • From July 14: Helter Skelter • From July 21: Starship Troopers: Invasion, Habemus Papam, Brave • From July 28: The Dark Knight Rises, Big Miracle TOHO CINEMAS NAMBA • Tel: 06-6633-1040 • www.tohotheater.jp • ¥1,000: Wed for women, 1st & 14th of the month • ¥1,200: after 8pm • Now showing: One Day, The Amazing Spider-Man • From July 6: Let The Bullets Fly • From July 7: Anpanman The Movie 2012, Man on a Ledge, Soup • From July 13: Brave Hearts Kaien • From July 14: Shark Night • From July 21: Ookamidomo No Ame To Yuki, Brave • From July 28: The Dark Knight Rises, Eightranger

NAMBA PARKS CINEMA • Tel: 06-6643-3215 • www.parkscinema.com • ¥1,000: Wed for women, 1st of the month • ¥1,200: after 8pm • Now showing: The Amazing Spider-Man, The Rum Diary, Always

CINEMA

jul 2012 | kansaiscene.com • From July 7: Gusuko Budori No Denki, Man on a Ledge • From July 14: Helter Skelter, The Lincoln Lawyer • From July 21: Brave, Starship Troopers: Invasion • From July 28: The Dark Knight Rises

CINEM@RT • Tel: 06-6282-0815 • www.cinemart.co.jp/theater/ shinsaibashi • ¥1,000: Wed for women, Mon for men, 1st of the month • Now showing: Love and Cash, Hello Ghost • From July 7: This Must Be The Place • From July 14: The Big Year

• From July 21: Irainin, Graffreeter Toki • From July 28: Princess Ka’iulani

KYOTO MOVIX KYOTO • Tel: 075-254-3215 • www.movix.co.jp • ¥1,000: Wed for women, 1st & 20th of the month • ¥1,200: after 8pm • Now showing: The Amazing Spider-Man, Always, The Rum Diary, Rinjyo • From July 7: Gusuko Budori No Denki, Man on a Ledge • From July 13: Brave Hearts Kaien • From July 14: Helter Skelter,

The Lincoln Lawyer • From July 21: Brave, Starship Troopers: Invasion • From July 28: The Dark Knight Rises

KYOTO CINEMA • Tel: 075-353-4723 • www.kyotocinema.jp • ¥1,000: 1st of the month • ¥1,300: Wed • Now showing: Memories of Anne Frank, Arirang, The Way • From July 7: Faust, Road to Nowhere, Two-Lane Blacktop • From July 14: Ippenjyonin • From July 21: This Must Be The Place, The Snow of Kilimanjaro, Tintin et Moi • From July 28: Death in Venice, Vidal Sasoon The Movie, Chichino Syonanoka TOHO CINEMAS NIJO • Tel: 075-813-2410 • www.tohotheater.jp • ¥1,000: Wed for women, 1st & 14th of the month • ¥1,200: after 8pm • Now showing: One Day, The Amazing Spider-Man, The Way • From July 6: Let The Bullets Fly • From July 7: Anpanman The Movie 2012, Man on a Ledge, Soup • From July 13: Brave Hearts Kaien • From July 14: Helter Skelter, Shark Night • From July 21: Ookamikodomo No Ame To Yuki, Brave, Habemus Papam • From July 28: The Dark Knight Rises, Eightranger

KOBE OS CINEMA MINT KOBE • Tel: 078-291-5330

• www.jollios.net • ¥1,000: Tue for women, 1st & 16th of the month • ¥1,200: after 8pm • Now showing: The Amazing Spider-Man, Beyond The Oneday Story of 2PM & 2AM • From July 7: Man on a Ledge • From July 13: Brave Hearts Kaien • From July 21: Ookamikodomo No Ame To Yuki, Brave • From July 28: The Dark Knight Rises, Eightranger, Road to Ninja-Naruto The Movie

KOBE KOKUSAI SHOCHIKU • Tel: 078-230-3580 • www.shochiku-eigakan.com • ¥1,000: Tue for women, 1st of the month • ¥1,200: after 8pm • Now showing: Love Masao-kun ga Iku, Always, The Rum Diary • From July 7: Gusuko Budori No Denki • From July 14: Helter Skelter, The Lincoln Lawyer • From July 21: Starship Troopers: Invasion • From July 28: The Dark Knight Rises CINE MOSAIC HARBORLAND MOSAIC 3F • Tel: 078-360-0700 • www.cinemosaic.jp • ¥1,000: Tue for women, 1st & 16th of the month • ¥1,200: after 8pm • Now showing: The Amazing Spider-Man • From July 13: Brave Hearts Kaien • From July 14: Pokemon Movie 2012 • From July 21: Ookamikodomo No Ame To Yuki

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CINE LIBRE KOBE • Tel: 078-334-2126 • www.ttcg.jp/cinelibre_kobe • ¥1,000: Tue for women, 1st & 15th of the month • Now showing: Trespass, The Skin I Live In, The Snow of Kilimanjaro, Black Bread • From July 7: La Proie • From July 14: Kueki Ressha, This Must Be The Place • From July 28: Habemus Papam, Les femmes du 6eme etage

NARA MOVIX KASHIHARA • Tel: 0744-21-1700 • www.movix.co.jp • ¥1,000: Wed for women, Thu for men, 1st & 20th of the month, 3rd Tue of the month • ¥1,200: after 8pm • Now showing : The Amazing Spider-Man, Always, The Rum Diary, The Kid With a Bike • From July 7: Gusuko Budori No Denki, The Skin I Live In, Man on a Ledge • From July 13: Brave Hearts Kaien • From July 14: Helter Skelter, The Lincoln Lawyer • From July 21: Brave, Ookamikodomo No Ame To Yuki • From July 28: The Dark Knight Rises, Road to Ninja-Naruto The Movie

Text: Michael Vezzuto

Jul 8 Jul 14

O

n July 8th at The Symphony Hall in Osaka, Berlin’s other famous orchestra drops in for a visit. The Berlin Symphony Orchestra, also known as the Berliner Symphoniker, performs a program of Romantic favorites under the baton of their chief conductor, Lior Shambadal. The program consists of Mendelssohn’s sprightly 4th Symphony, nicknamed the Italian and written while the composer was traveling through Italy (yes, we’ve already heard this work at several concerts this year, but it never grows stale), and Beethoven’s 6th Symphony, nicknamed the Pastoral for its gentle musical evocation of the German countryside (but watch out for that thunderstorm in the fourth movement). The centerpiece is Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto, with the solo part performed by Ilya Kaler, the only violinist to win gold medals at The Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow (in 1986), the Sibelius Competition in Helsinki (in 1985), and the Paganini Competition in Genoa (in 1981).

This is a program full of beautiful melodies played by very fine musicians, a safe choice for those who don’t attend concerts regularly, and perfect for a romantic July afternoon.

Homegrown talent is on display as the Izumi Sinfonietta conducted by Norichika Iimori give the premiere performance of the young, up-and-coming Japanese composer Kenji Sakai’s Danse Macabre. Sakai is 34 years old, currently lives in Paris, and may be the first composer to have a Twitter account (follow his tweets at http://twitter.com/#!/ isakajenki). He recently won the Queen Elizabeth International Grand Prize for Composition, which makes him very much a composer of the moment. The title of his work, Danse Macabre, invokes the work of the same name written by Camille Saint-Saëns in the 19th century, and Sakai acknowledges that elements of that score have been incorporated into his own. Izumi Sinfonietta have picked up on the new work’s Gallic reference and perform three early 20th century French works to fill out the program: the delightful Sérénade by Jean Françaix, Claude Debussy’s gorgeous, mysterious Danse sacrée et Danse profane for harp and string orchestra featuring Naori Uchida as the harp soloist, and Francis Poulenc’s barnstorming Concerto in G minor for Organ, Strings, and Timpani featuring Kaoru Dobashi as the organ soloist. The program takes place on July 14 at 4pm, and certainly uses the full resources of Izumi Hall. All in all, this is an excellent program taking full advantage of its location, and offering a world premiere performance.

Jul 14

© Eisuke Miyoshi

Classical musings

写真提供：ザ・シンフォニーホール

38 CLASSICAL

There’s a certain type of concertgoer who will run to any concert on which a Mahler symphony is programmed. It’s no wonder, really. Mahler’s huge, lushly orchestrated symphonies, which probe both the suffering and weight of life on Earth and heights of heavenly bliss in the span of a single work, are all events in themselves. If you’re curious, Seikyo Kim conducts the Kansai Philharmonic Orchestra perform Mahler’s 5th Symphony, the one with the meltingly gorgeous Adagio as the penultimate fourth movement. This particular work goes from darkness to light (sometimes with Mahler it’s the opposite!), starting with a funeral march and ending in conjugal bliss. The program opens with the heavenly, miraculously transparent Prelude to Wagner’s final opera, Parsifal, a fitting companion to the Mahler. No need to worry about catching the train after this concert. Once the music’s over, you’ll be able to fly!

Berlin Symphony Orchestra, Ilya Kaler (violin)

• Lior Shambadal (conductor) • The Symphony Hall, Osaka • Jul 8 • 2pm • ¥8,000, ¥6,000 • JR loop line Fukushima Station or Oyodo-minami-1-chome bus stop • 06-6453-6000 • www.asahi.co.jp

Izumi Sinfonietta Osaka

• Norichika Iimori (conductor) • Izumi Hall • Jul 14 • 4pm • ¥5,000 • Keihan Kyobashi Station, JR loop line OsakajoKoen station, subway Nagahori Tsurumi-ryokichi line Osaka Business Park station exit 1 • 06-6944-1188 • www.izumihall.co.jp

Osaka Philharmonic Orchestra

• Seikyo Kim (conductor) • The Symphony Hall, Osaka • Jul 14 • 2pm • ¥5,000, ¥4,000, ¥3,000 • JR loop line Fukushima Station or Oyodo- minami-1-chome bus stop • 06-6453-6000 • www.asahi.co.jp

39

LIVE

jul 2012 | kansaiscene.com

Jul 4

A Flood of Circle

Jesse Harris

Classic rock influenced J-Rock outfit

Jesse Harris has become a regular visitor to Japanese shores and continues to grow in popularity with every gig. This time around there are two live spots in Kansai, July 5th at Kyoto’s Taku Taku and then on to Osaka for a performance at the recently reopened Club Quattro on July 10th.

The Grammy award-winning New Yorker releases his newest album Sub Rosa later this month through Dangerbird Records. Harris’ eleventh studio album features 14 tracks recorded in Rio De Janeiro between November last year and this spring (a freebie track featuring Brazilian music legend Dadi and Norah Jones is available to download via Harris’ website).

An accomplished musician in his own right, Jesse Harris first stepped in to the spotlight writing and playing guitar on the Norah Jones mega-hit ‘Don’t Know Why’. On his new album, his influences are evident from the location of the recording, and Harris says: “Music is to Brazil what food is to Italy — something they just do better than a lot of other countries.”

We wait with baited breath for the release on the 31st.

Musically tight, interesting and atmospheric melodies taking evident influence from classic and progressive rock pioneers (I’m sure there’s more than a hint of Led Zep’s Dazed and Confused in the recommended track Forest Walker) as well as more than a little rock ‘n’ roll punk.

All in all an exceptional band that came together in 2006 in Shimokitagawa. A self-titled EP was released in 2007, followed by the trio’s first full album Buffalo Soul in early 2009.

A Flood of Circle are currently pushing their latest release, a live DVD (Love is Like a Rock n Roll — The Movie) recorded earlier this year, and an addition to the fourth album of the same name. The DVD goes on sale this month and is well worth a look, because this band are really good live.

A Flood of Circle at Club Quattro has to go down as gig of the month on two counts, firstly they are a top-class band and secondly at just ¥3,150 it’s exceptional value for money.

• Club Quattro, Osaka • Rock • 7pm • ¥3,150 • Tel: 06-6357-3666

Tatuya Ishii Zepp, Osaka Jul 1 • Pop-rock • 5pm • ¥8,500 • Tel: 03-5798-7640

Kishidan Namba Hatch, Osaka Jul 6 • Rock • 7pm • ¥5,515 • Tel: 06-6341-3525

A Flood of Circle Club Quattro, Osaka Jul 4 • Rock • 7pm • ¥3,150 • Tel: 06-6357-3666

Elephant Kashi Mashi Zepp, Osaka Jul 6–7 • Rock • 6th-7pm/7th-6pm • ¥5,800 • Tel: 06-7732-8888

Jesse Harris Taku Taku, Kyoto Jul 5 • Singer-songwriter • 7pm • ¥4,800 • Tel: 075-351-1321

Triceratops Big Cat, Osaka Jul 8 • Pop-rock • 6pm • ¥4,500/¥5,000 • Tel: 06-6341-3525

Palais Schaumburg Conpass, Osaka Jul 6 • New Wave • 7pm • ¥5,000 • Tel: 06-6535-5569

Acid Black Cherry Osaka Jo Hall, Osaka Jul 8 • Rock • 5pm • ¥7,350 • Tel: 06-7732-8888

Jul 5

Grammy winning US singer-songwriter

• Taku Taku, Kyoto • 7pm • ¥4,800 • Tel: 075-351-1321 • Club Quattro, Osaka • 7:30pm • ¥4,800/¥5,800 • Tel: 06-6311-8111

Jesse Harris Club Quattro, Osaka Jul 10 • Singer-songwriter • 7:30pm • ¥4,800/¥5,800 • Tel: 06-6311-8111 Electric Mary Club Quattro, Osaka Jul 11 • Rock • 7pm • ¥6,500 • Tel: 06-6311-8111 The Mods Big Cat, Osaka Jul 12 • Punk • 7:30pm • ¥4,900/¥5,400 • Tel: 06-6357-3666 Maya Vik Taku Taku, Kyoto Jul 12 • Female Vocal • 7pm • ¥3,500/¥4,700

• Tel: 075-351-1321

Mark Kozelek Taku Taku, Kyoto Jul 13 • Singer-songwriter • 7pm • ¥4,200/¥4,700 • Tel: 075-351-1321 Anthem Big Cat, Osaka Jul 14 • Metal • 6pm • ¥6,000/¥6,500 • Tel: 06-7732-8888 Oshio Kotaro Namba Hatch, Osaka Jul 14 & 15 • Guitar vocal • 14th-6.30pm/ 15th-5pm • ¥5,000 • Tel: 06-6882-1224 Silverstein Rockets, Osaka

40

LIVE

Maya Vik

kansaiscene.com | jul 2012

Jul 7

Norwegian synthpop solo musician

• Taku Taku, Kyoto • Pop • 7pm • ¥3,500/¥4,000 • Tel: 075-351-1321

• Rock • 7pm • ¥3,500/¥4,000 • Tel: 06-6649-3919

Chris Duarte Wynterland, Kobe Jul 19 • Blues Guitar • 7pm • ¥5,000/ ¥5,500 • Tel: 06-6644-9272

Jul 16

Canadian rock-punk post-hardcore quintet

She’s got big hair, plays bass and synth and in 2007 was voted the most beautiful woman in Norway (Elle Mann magazine); Maya Vik. The Grammy awardwinning musician was previously part of the band Furia and put out her debut solo album in November of last year, Chateaux Faux-Coupe.

Vik takes in a lot of musical styles (pop, soul, funk, electronic) and has also been busy working with various other artists, including US hip-hop duo G-Side and Londonbased synth pop band Royalty.

As well as going it solo and collaborating, the musical workaholic Norwegian is also a member of the band Montee. Their latest release Isle of Now claims to display a “progressive take on both contemporary and timeless pop music.”

Coming to the intimate Taku Taku it should be an energetic and steamy affair, as the Nordic beauty’s pop-synth funky tunes will get the (no doubt packed) venue moving.

Jul 16

Silverstein

Canadian rockers Silverstein return to Japan as part of an Asian and Australia/New Zealand tour after a gruelling spring European schedule. Formed in Ontario in 2000, the band have to date released five studio albums, plus a quirky little mini-album in February featuring songs all less than ninety seconds in length (aptly named Short Songs).

Musically, the band have used a good mix of rock and punk styles, the track ‘My Heroine’ is a fine example as vocalist Shane Todd switches throughout the song from Death Metal growls to punk-pop Green Day-esque harmonies. On the whole it’s catchy, easy listening rock that seems to always draw a sizable crowd both live and in album sales.

Interestingly, the band name refers to the children’s author Shel Silverstein, of whom the band are big fans.

• Rockets, Osaka • Rock • 7pm • ¥3,500/¥4,000 • Tel: 06-6649-3919

• Rock • 6pm • ¥5,500/¥6,000 • Tel: 06-6344-3326

• Female vocal • 5:30pm • ¥6,500 • Tel: 06-7732-8888

Tatuya Ishii Zepp, Osaka Jul 22 • Pop-rock • 5pm • ¥8,500 • Tel: 03-5798-7640

Kobe Jazz Meeting ft.

Hiromi Uehara and Gerald Clayton Kobe International House, Kobe Jul 23 • Jazz • 6:30pm • ¥6,800 • Tel: 06-6535-5569

Magazine Gap Shinsaibashi Blarney Stone, Osaka Jul 19 • Pop-rock • 9pm • ¥FOC • Tel: 06-6484-2220

Thomas Enhco Mr Kellys, Osaka Jul 22 • Jazz Piano • 1pm/2:30pm • ¥3,500/¥3,800 • Tel: 06-6342-5821

Ayumi Hamasaki Osaka Jo Hall, Osaka Jul 21 & 22 • J-pop • 6:30pm-21st/4pm-22nd • ¥7,500/¥8,500 • Tel: 06-7732-8888

Wyse Muse, Osaka Jul 22 • Rock • 5pm • ¥5,500/¥6,500 • Tel: 06-6245-5589

Inoran Big Cat, Osaka Jul 22

Ayaka Hirahira Grand Cube, Osaka Jul 22

Leyonna & Blues the Butcher Taku Taku, Kyoto Jul 24 • Blues • 7pm • ¥4,000/¥4,500 • Tel: 075-351-1321 Fuji Rock Festival ft.

Buddy Guy, Stone Roses, Elvis Costello, Jack White, Radiohead, Beady Eye, Ray Davies, The Kooks, Ocean Colour Scene plus others Jul 27–29

• Multi-Genre • 9am • ¥17,800 (1 day)/¥42,800 (3 days) • Car Parking ¥3,000 • Campsite from ¥3,000 • Tel: 06-6535-5569

T-Square Namba Hatch, Osaka Jul 28 • Fusion • 5pm • ¥6,300 • Tel: 06-7732-8888 The Jaywalk Club Quattro, Osaka Jul 28 & 29 • Pop-rock • 6pm • ¥6,500 • Tel: 06-6311-8111 Akino Arai Namba Hatch, Osaka Jul 29 • Female vocal • 6pm • ¥5,500/¥6,000 • Tel: 06-6357-4400

CLUB

jul 2012 | kansaiscene.com

JUL 15

41

Sunrise Awaji Awajishima

Appleblim

A brand new genre-blending festival Kuniumi Music Festival will take place on Sunday July 15th on Awaji Island. The line-up includes the Japanese hip-hop legend Tha Blue Herb, Over Acoustic Underground, the jam band fronted by Toshi-Low from the Japanese melodic hardcore band Brahman, UK dubstep icon Appleblim, Marcel Fenger, resident DJ at Berghain in Berlin, SO from the labyrinth festival and lots more. You can get to the festival by car or bus in less than two hours from Osaka, and even quicker from Kobe. For more information and full listings, go to the website listed below.

THA BLUE HERB

• Kuniumi Music Festival (Techno/House/Hip-hop) • Acts: Tha Blue Herb, Overground Acoustic Underground, Appleblim, Marcel Fengler, Kaoru Inoue, Namoba, Damage, SO + more • Open: 10am–9pm • Admission: ¥4,800 (Adv: ¥3,800) • http://kuniumi-ongakusai.com/

1 (SUN) Circus Orionbeats ‘Awesome Beats’ Release Party (Techno/Electro) • DJs: Tetsushi Hiroyama from Ryukyudisko, Kenji Marui, KimGalaxy, Kazuya Tanaka, Shimaxx aka Shima • Open: 6pm–12am • Admission: ¥2,500/1D (Adv: ¥2,000) • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6241-3822 • http://circus-osaka.com Joule DJ Kentaro Contrast Album Release Tour in Osaka (Breaks/ Drum & Bass) • DJs: Kentaro, Foreign Beggars, Toyo, Kenz1, Koichi Sato + more • Open: 5pm • Admission: ¥3,500 (Adv: ¥3,000) • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6214-1223 • http://club-joule.jp OWL OSAKA Sunset Party featuring Dimitri from Paris (House) • DJs: Dimitri

from Paris, Monashee, Ken-P, Idiot deUx, chucky, RYoma • Open: 5pm–9pm • Admission: Men: ¥3,000/2D, Women: ¥2,500/2D (¥Free before 6pm) • Where: Umeda • Tel: 06-6362-0822 • http://owl-osaka.net

6 (FRI) Circus Circus Show Case Friday (Drum & Bass) • DJs: Toyo, Masashi, Rasty • Open: 6pm–12am • Admission: ¥2,000/1D • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6241-3822 • http://circus-osaka.com Troopcafe Soundbar featuring Yoku (House) • DJ: Yoku • Open: 11pm • Admission: ¥2,500/1D (WF: ¥2,000/1D) • Where: Sannomiya • Tel: 078-321-3130 • http://troopcafe.tumblr.com

Triangle

Double Feature (House/Techno) • DJs: Ageishi, DNT • Open: 7pm–1am • Admission: ¥2,000/1D • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6212-2264 • www.triangle-osaka.jp

7 (SAT) Circus Circus Grand Open 7.7.7 DJ Nobu 7 Hours! (Techno) • DJ: Nobu • Open: 6pm–12am • Admission: ¥2,500/1D (Adv: ¥2,000/1D) • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6241-3822 • http://circus-osaka.com G2 FPM Birthday Bash! (House/ Electro) • DJs: Tomoyuki Tanaka aka FPM, Taku-Hero, Saito, YPY, Shinji + more • Open: 7pm • Admission: ¥2,000 (Adv: ¥1,500) • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6244-3177 • http://g2-osaka.net

8 (SUN) Triangle Joker Record presents Alienn Japan Tour (Psychedelic Trance) • Live: Smashed, Pure Pressure, Alienn • DJs: Minoru, Pirokichi, Provoke + more • Open: 7pm–1am • Admission: Men: ¥3,500, Women: ¥2,500 • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6212-2264 • www.triangle-osaka.jp 13 (FRI) Bar Jaai Chopstick Mind (Techno/House) • DJs: yodaHaruka, tatsuo.y, Sachi, Goldtights, Milk Bro, Masanao • Open: 10pm • Admission: free • Where: Shinsaibashi Circus Circus Show Case Friday (Drum’n Bass) • DJs: Toyo, Masashi, Rasty • Open: 6pm–12am • Admission: ¥2,000/1D • Where: Shinsaibashi

42

CLUB

kansaiscene.com | jul 2012

• Tel: 06-6241-3822 • http://circus-osaka.com

• Tel: 06-6214-1223 • http://club-joule.jp

Conpass

Rockets

Mark Ernestsu Japan Tour (Techno) • Acts: Mark Ernestus • Open: TBA • Admission: ¥TBA • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6243-1666 • http://compass.jp

Grand Cafe

Nakata Yasutaka (House/Electro) • DJs: Nakata Yasutaka + more • Open: 7pm–1am • Admission: ¥3,000/1D (¥1,500/1D before 10pm) • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6213-0031 • www.grandcafeosaka.com

Joule

Teionclub featuring Dynamic (Psychedelic Trance/Techno/Hard Dance) • DJs: Dynamic, Takatsugu Wada, Energy-Dai, O-Man, Chang • Open: 6pm • Admission: ¥2,500 (Before 8pm: ¥1,500) • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6214-1223 • http://club-joule.jp

Troopcafe

Bush (Techno) • Live: Pubric Lover • DJs: Kiuchi, Soichi, Mio • Open: 11pm • Admission: ¥2,500/1D (WF: ¥2,000/1D) • Where: Sannomiya • Tel: 078-321-3130 • http://troopcafe.tumblr.com

Union

4Rapture (House) • DJs: Dazzle Drums, Masaki, Kunio Yasumatsu • Open: 9pm • Admission: ¥2,000/1D • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6251-2242 • www.club-union.jp

14 (SAT) Circus Circus Show Case (Techno/House) • DJ: Naoya Sugimoto • Open: 6pm–12am • Admission: ¥2,000/1D • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6241-3822 • http://circus-osaka.com Joule Yoji-Exclusive Club Nite Chapter 09 (Hard Dance/Trance) • DJs: Yoji, SHine, M.Minami, Tommy, Motoshi, Nine • Open: 8pm • Admission: ¥3,000/1D • Where: Shinsaibashi

Lark Mild (Techno) • Live: Aoki Takamasa, Kai • DJs: Kohei, Spot • Open: 11:55pm • Admission: ¥2,500/1D (WF: ¥2,000/1D) • Where: Namba • Tel: 06-6649-3919 • www.namba-rockets.com

15 (SUN) Owl Osaka Sunset Party featuring Extension vs NWC (Techno/House) • DJs: Ken Ishii, Mademoiselle Yulia, Mykal, Taku-Hero • Open: 4pm–9pm • Admission: Men: ¥3,000/2D, Women: ¥2,500/2D • Where: Umeda • Tel: 06-6362-0822 • http://owl-osaka.net 16 (MON/NATIONAL HOLIDAY) Circus Marc Houle in Circus (Techno) • Acts: Marc Houle, Kunimitsu • Open: 6pm–12am • Admission: ¥2,500/1D (Adv: ¥2,000/1D) • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6241-3822 • http://circus-osaka.com Owl Osaka Sunset Party featuring Reboot presents Axel Krakasis Japan Tour (Techno) • DJs: Axel Karakasis, Q’hey, D41 ex.energydai, DK-Baseline, Kasuya Tanaka • Open: 4pm–9pm • Admission: Men: ¥3,000/2D, Women: ¥2,500/2D • Where: Umeda • Tel: 06-6362-0822 • http://owl-osaka.net 20 (FRI) Circus Warm (Dubstep/Drum & Bass ) • DJs: Razor Rekta, Dubtro, Light-one, Big Ted, Z.Z • Open: 6pm–12am • Admission: ¥2,500/1D (Adv: ¥2,000/1D) • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6241-3822 • http://circus-osaka.com 21 (SAT) Circus Circus Show Case featuring O.N.O (Techno) • DJs: O.N.O from Tha

Blue Herb, Naoya Sugimoto • Open: 6pm–12am • Admission: ¥2,500/1D (Adv: ¥2,000/1D) • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6241-3822 • http://circus-osaka.com

Giraffe Osaka

Bikini Night (House) • DJs: Mitomi Tokoto, OMKT, Taku Nakahara, H.Nakajima, Ranson • Open: 7pm –1am • Admission: ¥3,000/1D (free for girls in bikinis!)

• Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6211-1516 • http://giraffe-osaka.net

Onzieme

Ministory of Sound featuring Gregori Klosman (House/Electro) • DJs: Gregori Klosman, Jaxx Da Fishworks + more • Open: 7pm • Admission: ¥3,000/1D • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6243-0089 • www.onzi-eme.com

Owl Osaka

Sunset Party featuring Unite (House) • DJs: Mitomi Tokoto, Taku Nakahara, Junky Jun, Bird • Open: 5pm–9pm • Admission: Men: ¥3,000/2D, Women: ¥2,500/2D (¥Free before 6pm) • Where: Umeda • Tel: 06-6362-0822 • http://owl-osaka.net

Rockets

Spectrum (Techno) • Live: A.Mochi • DJs: Lyoma, Kihira Naoki, Ooshima Shigeru, Loe • Open: 11pm • Admission: free • Where: Namba • Tel: 06-6649-3919 • www.namba-rockets.com

Troopcafe

Soundbar featuring Mojuba Nacht x Summit! (House?Techno) • DJs: Oracy aka Don Williams, Stereociti, Doiike, Arika, Nakatani, Takashi, Jibb • Open: 11pm • Admission: ¥TBA • Where: Sannomiya • Tel: 078-321-3130 • http://troopcafe.tumblr.com

22 (SUN) Circus New Sentiment (Techno/Hard Dance/Trance) • DJs: Nhato, M.Minami, Monashee • Open: 6pm–12am

• Admission: ¥2,500/1D • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6241-3822 • http://circus-osaka.com

Owl Osaka

Sunset Party (Electro/Techno/ House) • DJs: Kyoko, Jommy, Taku-Hero, NKZY, First + more • Open: 7pm–9pm • Admission: Men: ¥3,000/2D, Women: ¥2,500/2D • Where: Umeda • Tel: 06-6362-0822 • http://owl-osaka.net

27 (FRI) Circus Circus Show Case Friday (Drum’n Bass) • DJs: Toyo, Masashi, Rasty • Open: 6pm–12am • Admission: ¥2,000/1D • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6241-3822 • http://circus-osaka.com 28 (SAT) Circus Circus Show Case (Techno/House) • DJ: Naoya Sugimoto • Open: 6pm–12am • Admission: ¥2,000/1D • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6241-3822 • http://circus-osaka.com Onzieme Blue Windy Night featuring Hush (House/Techno) • DJs: Burnski, Masanori Morita, Yashima, Nao Nomura, Yabu, Masataka • Open: 7pm • Admission: ¥3,000/1D • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6243-0089 • www.onzi-eme.com 29 (SUN) Circus Feiern (Techno) • DJs: Dyed Soundrom, Fumi, Tetsuo • Open: 6pm–12am • Admission: TBA • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6241-3822 • http://circus-osaka.com Owl Osaka Sunset Party featuring Aerial7 (Electro/Techno/House) • DJs: 2Boy, Ko-Matsushima, Taku-Hero, Shinji • Open: 7pm–9pm • Admission: Men: ¥3,000/2D, Women: ¥2,500/2D • Where: Umeda • Tel: 06-6362-0822 • http://owl-osaka.net

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FEATURE MUSIC

kansaiscene.com | jul 2012

A local rose blooms

KS TALKS TO OSAKA-BASED TRINIDADIAN, ALICIA SALDENHA, ABOUT HER DEBUT ALBUM, DANCE WITH THE SUN, RELEASED IN JUNE. Text: George Bourdaniotis Photos: Courtesy of Alicia Saldenha

• www.lovealicia.com • Dance with the Sun available in stores and on iTunes • http://www.basisrecords.com/ indigo/profile-e.php

S

aldenha left her native Trinidad to study in Cardiff, Wales, before coming to Japan over 10 years ago to conduct research.

During her time at Osaka Gaidai, she joined the jazz circle and played clubs in Mino-o. But her studies left little time for her to concentrate on her material.

“I was doing standards everybody knew, because it takes time to form a band and arrange songs. I was frustrated for so long, because I had ideas and great songs no one was hearing. I was happy when I finished my PhD in ethnomusicology and anthropology; I could focus on the songs I’d written. It took years to find musicians flexible enough to play my music. Ones who could accept who I was, because I’m not Japanese.

After all that, I thought it was a shame to let that all go. Kansai is my home so I wanted to release my album from here.”

From a young age, Saldenha wrote songs and entertained her mother and her friends, and she dreamed of a career on stage in musicals. Her influences span the genres — from opera and musical theatre to funk, calypso and jazz — so she was anxious about finding a local producer for her album, who could hear the sounds in her head as she did.

Saldenha e-mailed several US producers and found Andrew Felluss.

“I didn’t expect him to reply, because he’d worked with Mary J Blige, Mariah Carey ... Andrew had looked at my YouTube channel and was impressed with my songs, my voice and my stage presence.” Felluss found Saldenha “amazing musicians” to play on the album — Grammynominated pianist, Barney McAll; Mark Kelly, who worked with Meshell Ndegeocello; Chris Eddleton, who worked with Lizz Wright; Takuya Kuroda, who tours with Jose James; and Kaleta, previously of Fela Kuti’s ensemble. The independently released Dance with the Sun was recorded during two visits to NYC, and all tracks, bar one, are self-penned. Saldenha describes her style as “funky soul with a twist of island sugar cane.”

Saldenha felt she received true recognition when Japanese nu-jazz instrumental combo, indigo jam unit, (their lower case) approached her to collaborate. “As an artist, I had many opportunities to work with people. Sometimes I wondered if I’d made the right decisions. I met a group I respected; I love their music. They respected what I was doing.

Just being invited to do the album is a huge gift.” Saldenha’s resolve paid off; the collaboration album, Rose, won the Tokyo Jazz Notes Album of the Year, last year. “I wanted to do something I could be proud of. That was more important than fame or money. Though it’s not a commercial album, the way people reacted makes me feel everything I’ve sacrificed and all the time I put in was worthwhile. A dream come true.”

As part of the Rose tour, Alicia sang at Billboard Osaka. “I’ve stood on their stage as a guest, but it was overwhelming being the feature act — another of my dreams. I never wanted to get to these places doing something mediocre, because it was an easy ticket.”

Meeting R&B singer, Ledisi, at Billboard was a turning point. “Billboard is a great place for networking; it’s the only place to meet great musicians. I saw two shows back-to-back and was blown away. She put the same amount of energy into both shows. She sings out and doesn’t hold anything back.” Meeting her afterwards, Saldenha asked advice on performing without tiring or damaging her voice. “I was still finding my own voice. She gave me a lot of advice and recommended books. Those books helped change my approach to singing. I am really grateful.”

46

DRINK

kansaiscene.com | jul 2012

S Dancing on the roof Ramada Osaka, Beer Garden Text: Christian Page Photos: courtesy of the Ramada Hotel

RAMADA OSAKA, BEER GARDEN • 3-16-19 Toyosaki Kita-Ku, Osaka, 531-0072 • Access: subway Midosuji /Hankyu Nakatsu stn • Open: until October 5th; Mon–Sat, 6pm–10:30pm; Sun and hol, 5pm–11pm • Price: all you can drink, two hours, adult, ¥2,000 in advance, ¥2,500 on the door; all you can eat and drink, two hours, ¥5,000; special prices for children; see website for other specials • Tel: 06-6372-8181 • Email: beergarden@ramada-osaka.com • www.ramada-osaka.com

ummer time is beer garden time. Yay! Kansai is not short of rooftop venues offering a variety of experiences from mock jungles to flocks of pigeons. In all our years of rooftop hopping KS seems to have missed this one: the Ramada Hotel Nakatsu, a short stroll from Umeda. And our oversight is our loss.

This being the Ramada, the beer garden is a bit more than a beer garden. I don’t know if a roof can ever be described as cosy, but this one gets close to it. It’s a very human scale, and has a comfortable, tasteful air.

The centerpiece is the buffet, arranged, as is the way of centerpieces, right in the middle of the space with the restaurant-style tables and chairs either side. At the far end of the roof are wooden booths containing comfy sofas. The area is lit with tastefully discreet lamps, which let the lights of the city do their thing.

Not only the city lights do their thing: the whole city around you adds romance to the location: in one direction you see the night-lit waters of the Yodogawa, and in the other you have the floodlit towers of Umeda.

So much for the view, what about the food?

The effect of the long buffet tables is of a banquet, as is the food on them: Thai curry with naan, fried chicken, steak with rocket and balsamic dressing, smoked salmon with capers, tuna salad, cheese, mozzarella salad, grilled fish, cold meats and salami, pizza and a lot of other things that found their way onto my plate without finding their way into my notebook.

There is a good variety of drinks. Obviously, beer on tap and in a pleasing variation on a theme, the black beer that seems to have become de rigueur this summer. There are the mixed drinks and soft drinks you would expect, sparkling red and white wine, and of course, regular wine. The red was chilled but it didn’t ruin the evening.

The Ramada has introduced its own innovation to the rooftop dining experience: live entertainment. On most nights of the week, your food will be garnished with song and dance. The night we visited, the song and dance meant a troupe of drag queens (their terminology, not mine) and a mini carnival of samba dancers.

Normally, diners are treated to only one act, but this was a special occasion. The drag queens did what drag queens do, miming to disco hits and enforcing audience participation with techniques such as planting knickers on the heads of innocent bystanders. The performance drew some curious office workers in adjacent buildings to their windows.

The samba dancers produced an emphatic audience reaction without planting any knickers on any heads.

The ladies had barely jiggled through the first number when they were joined by a very uninhibited male diner who wanted to jiggle with them. The precedent set, a larger number of men got on their feet too, and then women, until the dancers and diners had formed a big, exuberant, dancing chain right round the buffet. This had the unfortunate effect of keeping the non-jiggling diners temporarily away from the nosh.

Depending which night of the week you go, you might be able to see belly dancing or salsa as alternatives to samba and drag shows.

CLASSIFIEDS 49

jul 2012 | kansaiscene.com

Join the Community Place your own ad online at classifieds.kansaiscene.com Please note: Kansai Scene is not responsible for the content of communications made through either printed or online classified ads.

Room/flat share SHARE APARTMENT!NEAR NAMBA Our house is 10mins bike ride to Namba. Share mates are all Jap for now. Room E: rent ¥41,000/m.

Room F: rent ¥47,000/m. (less than 6mon +¥4000) expence ¥8000/m.

Furnished, air-con, internet. A mon deposit ID w/pic. GATE Co,. Ltd (Mayumi) www.flickr.com/photos/617 E: high.time.gate@hotmail.co.jp NICE FLAT 3 MIN. FROM TENNOJI Seeking tidy, nonsmoking, cat loving flatmate from August.

Rent: ¥40K/m incl. bills.

E: nilufer@michaelsenglishschool.jp LOOKING for A FEMaLE ROOMMATE Furniture apartment living 2 jap female & looking a female roommate at awaza area, near stn & walk 3mins. Rent: ¥52,500/m, Email: osaka_house@clear.ocn.ne.jp FEMALE SHARE IN NAMBA JF looks for a female sharemate, Great loc, 10mins walk to Namba/ Shinsaibashi sta, 5mins walk to Nipponbashi sta, Fully furnished private room, Free internet access (wireless), ¥37,000/m +Utlt(split), No key money, Nonsmoker preferred Email: shushu8127@gmail.com BIG ONE ROOM Fully furnished 14 mat apt. 1.5km from Keihan Neyagawa st. 33K/mth, for more info call Kiba: 090-3160-8070 E-mail: kiba_jp@hotmail.com MAN WITH A VAN - OSAKA I have a small van that can be used to move/ pick up furniture, boxes or anything similar. The van has a roof rack w/ a cover for beds. I just need to know 3 simple things to quote a crazy low price: Closest stn on both ends.Access, which floor, elevator, etc.Brief outline of items E: raymondo_kaluku@hotmail.com

2K ¥20,000/M 3MIN JR. SUMIYOSI ¥20,000 (¥30,000 for 2) 3minJR. Sumiyosi, RokkoIland.

Women only apt has special offer.

Frig, Washer, Shower Bath & Lava, Tv, free Net, will be more furnished.

English Native Speaker Only & Academic/Religious approval pref.

Min 6 mon, ¥60,000 Refundable Dep. E: sumiyosiapart@livedoor.com APARTMENT IN KAKOGAWA An international couple own 2 story flat.1st floor we live & you can rent 2 flr w/ family or sharemate. 3 LDK bath toilet separate.

Near JR kakogawa st convnient.

Email: momotaropga@hotmail.com ¥45K 3LDK APT ALOHA & YOGA; ROOM JF look 4 a female room mate in 3LDK apt in Morinomiya, Osaka. 5 min walk to Midoribashi stn & 7 min walk to Morinomiya stn/ Osaka Castle Park. Fully furn room w/WIFI, AC, & ¥45K or ¥50K/m. ¥2500/night. No key money, 20K refundable dep. Short stay OK. www.facebook.com/roomshareosaka Email: misatomatsuoka@gmail.com OFFER GUEST ROOM IN OSAKA Easy & cheaper guest room/house near subway, awaza, tanimachi4 chome, namba stn, available anytime, the fee is ¥2700/day/person.

Email: makedream@tulip.ocn.ne.jp SHORT STAY/VACATION HOME OSAKA Conveniently located traditional small house 3 stops from Tennoji Stn, south Osaka City.

Furnished, clean, cozy! Available for short monthly, weekly & daily stays.

8-min walk from JR Kami or 20-min walk from Hirano Subway Stns. http://kami.kyotodesign.com/ Email: kathy@kyotodesign.com SEEK A FEMALE JAP ROOMMATE! American male teacher is looking for a Jap female roommate to share a room in Umeda. The rent is ¥30,000/mo. The loc is very con, near major train stns.

Email: canyoubemyfriend@usa.com REASONABLE ACCOMADATION Fully furnished apt in Osaka.

3 min to Daikokucho Midousuji & Yostubashi; Subway Line.6 min to JR Imamiya, 15 min to Namba on foot. 1–5 persons room. Single ¥5,250/night. Over 7nights, ¥4200/ night+Utility. Tel 06-6647-3719 www.osaka-hotelweeklygreen.com/ E: hotelweeklygreen@ams.odn.ne.jp

Employment ENGLISH TEACHER WANTED Senshin Gakuen Kindergarten seeks F/T teacher. Starting July. Must: currently reside in Japan (West Osaka) Be a native Eng speaker w/ a 4 yr degree. LOVE kids! Have a valid working visa. Send cover letter & resume to: mitsuishidaikindergarten@yahoo.co.jp PT CHILDREN ENGLISH TEACHERS Minerva is seeking PT Children Eng Teachers for classes around Kansai.

Pay: ¥2,000-2400/hr depending on qualification & experience. If you enjoy working w/ children & available for PT work Mon thru Sat, Pls email us for an interview.

Email: workinkansai@minel.jp PT NATIVE ENG TEACHER IN NAMBA Seeking PT Native English teachers in NAMBA. Wed, Thu 13:00-21:00, Those positions would start in Aug. Adult classes. Close to stn. University Degree req.

Experience preferred. Pls send resume. www.ivy-ryuugakucom Email: info@ivy-ryuugaku.com SECRETARY/RECEPTIONIST Friendly, cheerful, front desk receptionist required for English school in Shin Fukae. 5 stops from Namba on Sennichimae line. Must speak Jap & some English. Send resume or T: 090 1599 9767. www.osaka-eng.com Email: info@osaka-eng.com CORPORATE CLASSES ¥4,000 HR Part-time teachers for evening classes (Wed in South Osaka. Experience & qualifications pref (must be native English speakers w/ a strong command of English). Pls clearly state availability & visa status in the covering letter. www.hireme101.com Email: nphojin@ecc.co.jp PT NATIVE ENGLISH TEACHER PT Native American man teacher for kids & adults in Settsumotoyama, Kobe needed ASAP. Tues. 14:30-18:00 Wed. 15:00-20:00 Sat. 9:30-16:30, ¥2,000/hr + Trans. University Degree, teaching experience, & proper visa req. Pls email your CV w/ recent pic. www.lchanakotoba.com Email: hanakotoba8758@ybb.ne.jp NATIVE ENGLISH TEACHER NEEDED We are looking for Native English Teacher for kids (2-12 yrs old) in Sumiyoshiku, Osaka city. Preferably

experience, proper visa, female & must love kids. Pls send your resume & pic immediately. www. oliveis.net. Email: mail@oliveis.net CHEMISTRY TEACHER WANTED Chemistry teacher wanted for pre college/college entry level. Pls contact Michael’s English School on adept77@yahoo.com or phone 080-3786-7765 www.michaelsenglishschool

PT ENGLISH TEACHER-KOBE Now Hiring-Friendly, enthusiastic & reliable Native English speakers to join us at our English Cafe in downtown Kobe on weekdays & weekends. Send resume w/ recent pic http://cafe-lingo.com/ Email: kobelingo@gmail.com ENGLISH TUTOR IN KYOTO SOUGHT Looking for an English tutor for our child, 9y/o during summer holiday mainly in August. Training in writing & spelling. Near Mt. Yoshida close to Kyoto University. Pls email us: gaijinj@hotmail.com ENGLISH CONV FOR RETURNEES Are you back from working overseas & would like to continue practicing your English or do you have little children who you want to continue speaking English? Consider calling JMI English School at 078-785-3930 (Tarumi, Kobe) Email: yargow@hotmail.com ENGLISH SCHOOL FOR SALE Smith’s School of English franchise for sale. 1 min from Hankyu Line stn, 25 min from Osaka. Run parttime so room for expansion.

Competitively priced for a quick sale as returning to the UK. Email: school4sale63@yahoo.com NATIVE ENGLISH TEACHER WANTED JETS Academy, an English school for adults in Nishinomiya seeks an well-experienced native English teacher for its discussion class designed for business people (intermediate~advanced) on Sat (16:00-17:30). ¥4,000/hrs w/ transpo. www.jetsacademy.org Email: info@jetsacademy.org E-SCHOOL ASSISTANT. Part-time position. cheerful, fast, organized, responsible & adaptable person is wanted. Makino stn on Keihan line.

Job: posting, operating, cleaning, booking, event planning. contact; impact_rb@i.softbank.jp

50 CLASSIFIEDS TUTOR FOR KIDS Native tutor to teach kids English at their house in Osaka/Kobe Must have proper visa & teaching experience pref. ¥22,002,500/h based on experience + trans. Email CV w/ pic to NANNO & Co. Email: recruit121@nanno.biz ENGLISH TEACHER FOR ADULTS Tired of teaching kids? I have a great teaching opportunity available 30 min from Namba. If you are interested pls send your resume & a new pic to mottoeigo@yahoo.com.

Position starts in two weeks.

CORPORATE ENGLISH TEACHER AEON Kansai Corporate Division is recruiting part-time teachers for corporate classes in the Kansai area.

Applicants must have valid visa, bachelor degree (or higher), teaching experience in Japan. ¥4,000/hr w/ transpo & bonuses.

SEEKING SINGING TEACHERS National Theater of Young Artists seeks professional teachers of singing classes on weekday evenings. Send mail w/ resume and availability to us. Working place is Ashiya, ShinOsaka or Kyoto. www.nationaltheater.jp. E: hello@nationaltheater.jp PART-TIME TEACHING JOBS Tired of absurd Japanese school/ office policies & dress code? Pick your own lesson fee, schedule & loc then students will directly contact you! Also Korean, Chinese, French, Spanish, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Thai, Vietnamese, Indonesian in all Kansai areas http://hello-sensei.com/en/sensei Email: contact@hello-sensei.com SOCCER/ FUTSAL COACH Hiring a soccer/ futsal coach to teach a group of kids about 2~3 time a month in Kyoto. The coach needs to be a native English speaker, experienced in soccer/futsal, & good w/ kids both Jap & foreign. Basic Jap needed.

Email: we.are.one.japan@gmail.com SEEKING NAT ENGLISH TEACHER Guaranteed salary, trans. & bonuses.

We are in Nakamozu, an affluent suburb in South Osaka. Foreign owned, w/ a professional yet fun work environment. Ps email resume w/ pic & cover letter.

E: karl.hannaford@eikaiwa360.com PT ENGLISH CONV TEACHER WANTED JR Osaka Tenmangu/ Minami Morimachi Looking for PT

kansaiscene.com | jul 2012 Eng Conv Teacher for adult classes, esp on weekday nights. Must be English as a native language. No teaching experience nor Japanese skill necessary. Send us your CV by email w/ your pic attached. www.hafadai-language.com E: teachers-ka@hafadai-language.com

PART-TIME SECRETARY-TEACHER Cheerful, friendly, staff required for small English school at shin FukaeSennichimae line or Fukaebashi (Chuo Line) 3days/week. send CV in English. www.osaka-eng.com Email: trisha-d@gol.com P/T ENGLISH TEACHER NEEDED We are looking for a cheerful & enthusiastic P/T Native English Teacher for kids’ classes. Hankyu Ibaraki-shi & Hankyu Takatsuki-shi, Osaka. 4-7:30 Mon. (Takatsuki) 4:557:10 Thurs (Ibaraki), & 10-2:35 Sat. (Ibaraki) Send your resume to: merrylandtakatsuki@hotmail.com GROUP LEADER Adventure operator seeking Jap nationals committed to responsible travel. Fluent English, traveled extensively in Japan, exceptional organisation, great people skills & interested in showing Japan’s heart & soul & passing on the amazing things offered here. www.bashukwaytravel.com E: aaron@bashukwaytravel.com FLYER STAFF Make extra cash! Any nationality OK. Mornings &/or evenings on the JR Kyoto line.

1000/hr + up to ¥500 transpo. Send availability, nearest stn & a recent pic to: info@sunrises.jp WRITE SHORT ENGLISH STORIES Internet based company seeking english speaker or writer to write short stories. Personal computer or laptop needed Performance based salary. Can be done in free time.

Email: 851club@gmail.com LOOKING FOR BUSINESS PARTNER !

American man is looking for a Jap business-partner to run a new Eikaiwa School in Umeda & Mukonosuko together. Lets work together & share the profit. Come & check out the schools & have a chat.

Email: nicetomeetyou@japan.com FULLTIME CHEF/COOK Full time position available on rokko island kobe. mon-fri work only & shift ends at 7pm, 40 hrs per week. Experience prefered, w/ on site training also

available. Good salary, fantastic hrs, weekends are off. Position starts Aug. E: vince@cezarskitchen.com

ITALIAN RESTAURANT Kitchen & Hall; staff. P.T.&F;.T.staff to work in Honmchi. Shop N.06 6266 1577-HP.090 9164 2905 FINANCIAL ADVISOR Guardian Int’l is a professional but friendly expanding financial planning firm looking for experienced candidates in Shanghai. Remuneration includes: high commissions, quarterly bonus’, renewal commission & funds; under management fees. www.gifp-ltd.com Email: careers@gifp-ltd.com PART TIME TEACHER Venetia Int’l seeks P/T native English teachers for kids & adults in Kyoto from mid Aug. We are a friendly, professional conversation school w/ a 35-yr history.

Attractive salary & working conditions in a warm supportive environment. Qualified, reliable teachers. www.venetia-international.com E: info@venetia-international.com ILLUSTRATOR/GRAPHIC DESIGNER I am an Australian Graphic Designer & Illustrator! Pls contact me if you would like any design or illustration work. I can also help teach you Eng. Email: shiroiusagiart@hotmail.com TELECOMS ENGINEER I have over 10 yrs experience in telecoms & internet cabling infrastructure. I am able to splice fiber optic cable & terminate copper cabling from cat3 through to cat7. I am Looking for any type of work in this field PT/FT or contract Email: doge.colliyama@gmail.com NEED AN ENGLISH TEACHER? Friendly experienced American male teacher is looking for a part-time teaching job in the evenings & weekends. Pls call 09039294994 !

Email: dambadam@yahoo.com TUESDAY ENGLISH TEACHER Experienced American English teacher, 30, looking for part-time work on Tues. Available to teach kids/adults/business classes. My style is fun & easy-going but also a little serious. If you have anything available pls contact.

E: joshuajameswood@gmail.com YOUR MUSIC MAN I can make music for your school or classes, & already have examples so you know what I

can do. My studio is software based & is portable, so I can work w/ you at the school/Kindergarten. http:// www.wix.com/robertmackenzi2/ tinytunesrecords#!tracks E: robertmackenzie@hotmail.com

FOOD PHOTOGRAPHER/CHEF well conversant w/ graphic design & various cuisines of the world is looking for a suitable position in hotel, restaurant & catering industry. www.anthonyfantao.com Email: afantao@gol.com

For Sale General PLAYSTATION 3 GAMES PS3 PS3 GAMES: The Orange Box ¥2000 Fallout 3 - ¥2000 Fallout New Vegas ¥2000 Fight Night Round 4 ¥2000 Dead Rising 2 - 2¥000 Mass Effect 3 ¥3000. E: mike.osaka1@gmail.com SAYONARA SALE IN OSAKAHIRAKATA Sayonara sale, will leave Jpn on July 31st, I have lots items to sale: ipod dock, wifi router, ref single bed, water cooker, rice cooker, computer table & chair, microwave & bicycles, email me for info, price & pics. E: ceile25hoor@yahoo.com SAYONARA SALE Im selling a lot of stuff. Its not in the best condition but it is usable & we are willing to listen to any offers (must be able to collect). We have 3 sofa’s, 2 metal & wooden shelving units, a single, double bed, 3 kitchen bins, Plastic draws a small dinning table & chairs.

E: austin_manu8@hotmail.co.uk SAYONARA SALE BARGAINS Everything avail for pickup till midlate Jul. Have furniture, appliances, bedding, bike & other items. For pics & prices, check Facebook photo album (under ‘Laura Hitchon’) or picasaweb.google.com/1024530 57774347578284/SAYONARASALE#.

Email: laurahitchon@hotmail.com SAYONARA SALE — MORINOMIYA All has gotta go! TV/Guitars/Bass/ Printers/Drum/ more! http:// musicandmoresale.blogspot.jp/ RICE COOKER Tiger Ricecooker ¥3,000 Can meet at Juso or Umeda Hankyu. tavishgilmour@gmail.com www.amazon.com/Tiger-JAG-B18URice-Cooker-cup/dp/B0019WXQOU

CLASSIFIEDS 51

jul 2012 | kansaiscene.com TOSHIBA WASHING MACHINE PORT ISL Toshiba washing machine for sale. ¥5000. Port Island, Kobe.

Email: meyerssensei@hotmail.com COUCH AND KOTATSU IN KITA-KU Like new kotatsu & 200 cm couch from ikea. Firm & comfy. Must go by Jul 2nd, so the highest offer takes it.

Everything in the pics is for sale. www.flickr.com/photos/41963826@ N04 E: dblbasscleph@hotmail.com MOVING OUT SALE IN MINOH!!!

We are leaving Japan in July. The items for sale are bed, sofa, crib, changing table, toddler bed, kitchen cabinets, fan, heater, warm seating blanket & many more. Pls email at rmitra80@gmail.com for pic.

MONSTER SAYONARA SALE! Leaving Japan in one month.

Everything must go! Furniture, Bose speakers, PS3, appliances, kitchen ware. Everything!

Email: byebyeshinsekai@gmail.com BUNK BED Bunk bed for barter or trade. Pick up in Kobe. Pictures: www.kingjunker.weebly.com Email: king_junker@yahoo.com APPLE IPHONE 4S Product Incls Apple iPhone 4S 32GB Black & White Unlocked (Never Lock) Import Apple Earphones w/ Remote & Mic Dock Connector to USB Cable USB Power Adapter Documentation Email: carlosjphoneltd@gmail.com APPLE IPAD 3RD GENERATION Apple iPad 3rd generation LTE WIFI 4G tablet Pc Available Package Content: 1 Apple New iPad, 1 Dock Connector to USB Cable, 1 10W USB Power Adapter, Documentation Email: carlosjphoneltd@gmail.com SALE SONY PSP 3000+ ACCESORIES Sale Sony PSP 3000,mystic silver, very good cond (like new). Include MS-Pro duo 4giga plus black case.

Asking price, ¥10,000, negotiable. contact hanz_q@yahoo.com

Vehicles EXPATS SEND CARS HOME FOR CASH Expat in Japan? Know dealer/s back home looking for used cars or trucks esp. RHD ? You can earn cash,commission for the introduction. Export company in Japan will supply from auctions & do full process to ship. For info: twentytwelvenatsu@gmail.com

CASH FOR YOUR JUNK CAR Do you have Junk Car, old or unwanted Car Recycle it for Extra Cash. Do you need a reliable company to take your old Car? Call us Now 090-6629-2446 http://huyouhinkaisyu.jp/what_we Email: mrjerryjb@gmail.com GORILLA NV-LB58DT dashboard car navigation system. Boxed. http:// minkara.carview.co.jp/partscatalog/ parts.aspx?pt=101318 ¥15,000 o.n.o Email: porubado@yahoo.co.uk

Lang. Exchange JAP-ENG EXCHAGE I am a Jap instructor. I teach Jap, Jap Cultur, & you correct my English at a cafe in Kobe.

E: wakinohama123@yahoo.co.jp BRITISH ENGLISH EXCHANGE Friendly English guy now looking for a sincere lady to improve Jap & learn all about Jap culture if you have a little free time sometimes on a Sun or Mon lets help eachother.

Email: abcenglish@softbank.ne.jp LANG EXCHANGE COMMUNITY A website where you can find a lang partner from another country who wants to do a lang exchange travel www.languageforexchange.com Email: edu.luis.go@gmail.com SKYPE JAP/ENG EXCHANGE Experienced, qualified Eng teacher (British woman, 32) looking for Japa exchange partner on Skype.

LANGUAGE EXCHANGE I have just set up The A.K.K (Aussies Kiwis in Kansai) at FACE BOOK on line. Pls join us! becoming friends w/ Kansai locals & other English-speaking people in Osaka thru lang & friendship. visit at www.facebook.com/ groups/aussiesalute/ Email: karintoprince@yahoo.com ENG LANGUAGE / PIANO LESSONS Hello, I am a native English speaker living in Koriyama. If you are interested in Eng Language lessons or English piano lessons, send me an email. I can speak some Jap. All ages welcome. E: czwegers@gmail.com EXCHANGE ENG-JAP 30’s F looking for Eng-Jap exchange partner. (pref. female) If you study/work at Osaka/ Umeda area, why not have lesson before school/ job in the morning?

Email: sweetmimoza77@gmail.com

LETS GET STARTED IN UMEDA! If you would like to learn more Jap, let me give you a hand, okay? Let me take you through my experiences.

Keep a positive attitude & do not hesitate to start it. If you are interested, than pls feel free to email: aiming2004jp@yahoo.co.jp ENG-JAPANESE IN UMEDA-KOBE! American teacher is looking for a Jap language exchange partner in Umeda & Kobe. Lets have fun speaking in Jap & English in a cafe!

Email: timetochange@myself.com JAP-LATIN SPANISH Jap woman is looking for language exchange/ Spanish-Jap around in Umeda. I used to teach Jap as a pro. I’m very interested in learning especially Latino Espanol. Latino americano (na) pref.

My Spanish level is zero but I speak English. Serious reply only por favor.

Email: pianoyr9@yahoo.co.jp LET’S DO LANGUAGE EXCHANGE! I and my friends (JF)are looking for lang exchange partner. Let’s study together in OSAKA. Any level is OK!!

Email: rimim@hotmail.com

Friendship SARGING Do you have game?

Lets go out & get the HBs. If you have game lets get in the field. www.stunpals.com Email: iconoclastkansai@gmail.com SEEKING WESTERN WOMAN Englishman, 40s, cultured, great company, would like to meet nice western woman for dating. Any age ok. Mainly into dining, music, travel. Your pic gets mine.

Email: whoisus5@gmail.com LOOKING WOMEN IN TOKYO I’m 27 yrs guy, shifting to Tokyo area, if someone thinking to move Tokyo pls let’s friends & more Email: romi2dj@gmail.com BEACH BOY SEEKS BEACH GIRL Western guy seeks girlfriend to travel/hit the beach this summer.

Sun, sea, sand, fun.

Email: erstwhile99@gmail.com LNLY HOUSEWIVES ENGLISH LESSON US man, experienced teacher, has many travels & has lived in many exciting places, Do you want travel English, friendly conversation, help w/ emails, music or movie

English? Private or group, coffeeshop or cafe, first 30min. trial lesson is free. E: serioussensei@gmail.com

LOOKING FOR A NICE GIRL I’m a jap-european man. Good looking w/ long hair. 30 years old.

Looking for a woman between 20-35 yrs. Good looking, any nationality, in good position & easy going.

I speak jap, spanish. If you are interested in a serious relationship.

Email: red6400xeno@yahoo.co.jp SEEKING FOR A NICE WOMAN I’m 31, single Jap male. I like movies, manga, anime, games etc. Looking for a serious relationship w/ a nice woman who has the same interest.

I also like taking pics. It’ll be nice to visit many places w/ somebody.

Drop me a line if you are interested!

Email: rgm79_efsf@yahoo.co.jp VISITING JAPAN I’m in the process of visiting Japan this winter & would love to get in touch w/ a female to show me around & develop a good friendship. I am an American male in my 30’s, well built & tall. Pls contact me on my email and I can fill you in w/ the details.

Email: sphinx1376@gmail.com HAIRDRESSING IN SHINSAIBASHI I’m a hairdresser working in osaka, sinsaibashi area. I used to work in london for 5yrs as a stylist. I would like to give you 50% off hair cut.

E: yo-environment@hotmail.com HOUSEWIVES FUN LESSONS English teacher w/ 8 yrs experience specializing in lessons during the day for housewives w/ free time in the day. Offering fun lessons w/ intellectual, humorous, emotional or physical stimulation. Email: myouken_mountain@softbank.ne.jp MAN SEEKS FEMALE Iam looking for serious relationship I like music reading books sports ice cream jap food in japan everybody we are busy we live for work so lets live for be more happy too please mail me: erwinromel1@yahoo.com M OR W-LET’S DO BUSINESS!!!!

US exp’d guesthouse mngr (6yrs) needs partner w/ empty building/ fudosan. We can begin a new guesthouse for int’l residents. I’m from Seattle, WA & also know that city & real estate market very well if you have US plans. Let’s talk more.

Email: ted.travis@hotmail.com

52 CLASSIFIEDS SINGLE MALE SEEKS NICE JPGIRL Im new in town, my best friends are lesbians, I like historical sites, & I like to do anything fun like roller-blade, travel, road trips. Im romantic, spontaneous, fun, & have a good sense of humor. If you want to know more, drop me a line.

Email: afffinity@hotmail.com CUB FOR COUGAR 26 yr old male looking for an older woman for serious relationship. Sense of humour, in Kansai & replies w/ pics would be great, Thanks. Am not looking for married women, or affairs!.Hope to hear from you.

E: onetoanother97@yahoo.co.uk ROMANCE I am 29 yrs old male gaijin living in Osaka. I am looking for romance or serious relationship w/ Japanese girl. I am a simple & honest guy. I like nature.

Email: joyforever2982@yahoo.com SCUBA DIVING Shall we go scuba diving to wakayama? Contact me if you want to find a diving buddy.

E: matsuurahideo@hotmail.com I HEART COSPLAY Do you like cosplay also? My friends & I like to dress up & chat about cosplay at a cafe in Kobe or Osaka & online. Join us!

KinkiDominatrix at gmail dot com. http://www.fetlife.com SEEKING KEYBOARD PLAYER We are a band playing minimal, atmospheric music & we are rehearsing regularly in Juso. Please respond to robotturbomarie@gmail.com And check www.youtube.com/ creativediffs to hear some of the music, & more!

ANY WF OUT THERE FOR DATES? I will get straight to the point: I would like to meet a caucasian girl for dates. Be courageous & take the plunge by messaging me!

E: amaimonosuki@hotmail.com AMERICAN M SEEKS NEW FRIENDS Asian-American male in 20’s from LA living in Osaka is seeking for new friends to play basketball, go clubbing, etc. I’m looking to meet both Jap & Non-Jap (pref. English speakers). If you’re interested or just want to learn English drop me a line!

Email: t_tkglobe85@hotmail.com SWEET SMART HUMOR GUY SEEKS WEF I’m easygoing, humor, smart, nice Jap American guy looking for a

kansaiscene.com | jul 2012 sweet woman from Western culture for friend & more to enjoy life, good times. I’m trilingual scientist, like to enjoy nature. Some intelligence, openminded heart, sense of humor is preferred (to get along better).

Email: benzene98@hotmail.com

FREE AIKIDO CLASSES Akido classes in Itami. Try it free for a month.

Great for self defense. Call 0906503-1517 for info, check the: http://Http://iaikido.om Email: anthony@iaikido.com THE SPECIAL ONE Cool & interesting guy looking for a special lady in South Osaka. She is a Christian & a native English speaker. I like hiking, sightseeing, music & photography.

Email: robertcools@operamail.com FRENCH IN NAGOYA Frenchman 40 in Nagoya, relaxed, educated, nice, looking for relaxed Jap female in Nagoya or surrounding prefectures to enjoy food, nomikai, nightlife, yama aruki, body surfing, visiting places, or enjoyable safe adventures. Sometimes traveling around Japan. E: planetnagoya@yahoo.com BASSIST LOOKING TO JAM I started playing bass about a year ago, would love to jam w/ some folks. I’m particularly into reggae, but am down for rock or whatever also, of course. I’m not particularly good at improv, but if you tell me a set list you wanna play I can totally learn them on the quicky-quick.

Email: design@justinwestphal.com GOOD COMPANY JF(40s) is looking for company who can enjoy together, movies, concerts, drinking or something like that. People in Osaka pref. Serious replies only.

Email: qq646violin@yahoo.co.jp

Announcements ENGLISH TEACHERS CONF. JUL 21 Free mini-conference at KUIS Amagasaki campus on Sat., Jul 21 w/ the theme of Effective Lang Teaching: The Never-Ending Challenge.

Co-sponsored by both Osaka & Kobe JALT chapters, as well as KUIS & some publishers, & is FREE for all. http://lilt.jalt.org/events/july OPEN MIKE POETRY READING Come to Reading Words, an open mike poetry/fiction reading event

in Nakatsu July 29. More details at readingwords08@yahoo.com

YUKATA DAY Try on yukata (summer kimono) & enjoy matcha tea & Jap sweets. Date: Jul 14, 13-15. Fee: ¥300 Place: Nishinomiya City International Association (NIA) Call NIA at 0798-32-8680 for detail. www.nishi.or.jp/homepage/nia Email: niasakura@ceres.ocn.ne.jp LOOKING FOR BOOK DONATION We are planning to open private library for international community in Kyoto on weekends. If you have books you don’t need any more, we would appreciate your donation.

If you could help us, pls contact: E: yua105@hotmail.com FREE YUKATA LESSONS IN KYOTO Meet new friends & learn how to wear yukata from a bilingual teacher!

Bring your yukata & obi. After one lesson you’ll be ready to wear yukata w/ confidence, anytime & anywhere! Jun 24th 15:30~ 90min Jul 14th & 15th 17:30~ 60min [Women Only] facebook.com/ miyabiyuki. www.miyabi-yuki.jp/ Email: info@miyabi-yuki.jp GOT A GHOST? Are ghosts real Paranormal investigation team seeking new sites. Seen something Heard someone. Email us today. No charge. E: nightjapan@gmail.com FRIDAY NIGHT FUTSAL We play futsal every Friday night near central Osaka & we are looking for new players. Different abilities welcome.

We play from 6-8pm. Email: sundayfootyjapan@yahoo.co.uk KYOTO VIOLIN & CELLO LESSONS All levels are welcome! Our studios are mins walk from JR Kyoto & JR Yamashina stns. Very experienced teachers. Feel free to contact us for any inquiries. E: violincello.lesson@ googlemail.com ESL KINDERGARTEN WORKSHOP Kid’s Talk Press will be holding workshops in Aug for our materials & system free of charge for kindergarten ESL teachers. www.kids-talk-press.com Email: kids_talk_press@mac.com KANSAI CANADIAN ASSOCIATION Your Canadian Club in the Kansai.

The KCA (Kansai Canadian Assoc.) always welcomes all new members.

Visit us: www.kansaicanada.com

LOOKING FOR PART TIME GUITARIST Western Soul/R&B/ Pop/Dance music cover band is looking for guitarist to perform at bars & events mainly on Fri/Sat nights in Kobe/Osaka. Band: sax/ guitar/bass/drums & 3 lead female vocals. Paid gigs guaranteed. www.myspace.com/soulkissjapan Email: soulkiss07@hotmail.co.jp BASSIST NEEDED RHCP COVER BAND Can you funk it like flea? We are looking for a good bassist to fill a newly opened vacancy in a Red Hot Chili Peppers cover band. You should have live experience & own gear, + a reasonably flexible schedule for rehearsals and gigs. Email: dave_ iconmedia@yahoo.co.uk VOLUNTEER AT OSAKA YMCA We, at Osaka YMCA Lang center are looking for volunteers who can teach their language & culture in charity lessons. All lesson fees from students will be given towards a fund for restoring cities in Tohoku. Email: tosabori-language@osakaymca.or.jp http://www.oylc.org/ LANGUAGE SEMINAR IN AMAGASAKI There will be a free lang seminar for university & high school teachers of English on July 21st. Program includes two plenary speakers, poster & paper presentations & teaching materials display.

Check: www.eltcalendar.com/event WANNA SING AT BARS & CLUBS? Osaka/Kobe popular entertaining band is looking for female vocals.

If you could dance & sing(in English), join us! Lots of fun & paid gigs guaranteed. Covered artists: Adele, Katy Perry, Lady GaGa, Beyonce, Rihanna and many more soul/R&B;/pop artists. www.myspace.com/soulkissjapan Email: soulkiss07@hotmail.co.jp BASIC JAP COOKING CLASSES!!

Are you interested in learning how to cook basic Jap dishes but worry about your Jap level? No need to worry, this class is taught in English!

Next lesson will be on 7/19 evening next to Oji Stn, Nara. Call: 0745-342588, or email: info@88-english.com More KS classifieds online!

Because of space, we are unable to print all classified ads. Visit www.kansaiscene.com for more ads and to place your own.

Post Office

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Police Station

Hospital

Hotel

Church

Shrine

Temple

Movie Theatre

Bar/Club/Live House

Gallery/Museum

Shop

Restaurant/Cafe

KS distribution point

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IKUTA POLICE STATION IKUTA JINJA

MIDNIGHT EXPRESS 5F POLICE BOX TRINITY 3F HOBGOBLIN 7F HOTEL MONTEREY TOKYU HANDS IZNT 4F CALIENTE 3F

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