Kansai Scene #159 August 2013 by Kansai Scene Magazine

I’m free. Go on, pick me up.

無料 issue 159 August 2013

www.kansaiscene.com

Summer meltdown Beat the heat with: best gelato, stellar beer gardens, free baseball Plus+ Summer Sonic is back Guam: the beach on your doorstep + Where To Go And What To Do —

Kansai Scene is proudly published and printed by Mojoprint

Local listings, news, maps and classifieds

Kansai Scene magazine AUGUST 2013 kansaiscene.com

Contents Features Features

High School Baseball

p08

Travel

Food and Drink

Get the Scoop: Gelaterias

p12

Kansai Beer gardens

p20

Made in Kansai

Tatami mats

Guam p10 COVER ARTIST: Rita Morais Blending hand-drawn elements with Photoshop, Rita has created a cover that sums up how we all feel in mid-summer – about to melt! Find out more about Rita in our interview on p. 34.

p14

Business Matters

Kisaki Clinic

p07

Events

Summer Sonic

p17

KYKK 10,000 people party

p25

Listings Film p24 Events p26 Art

p30

Club

p32

Live Music

p36

Business Finder

p38

Classifieds p40 Maps p44

kansaiscene

@kansaiscene

Kansai Scene is published monthly by Mojoprint Publisher/Creative Director...............Daniel Lee Editor.............................................. Carla Avolio Sub-editor................................Donna Sheffield Production Manager..................... Rie Okamoto Accounts Manager......................... Michiko Lee

Art....................................................Colin Smith Event & Festival............................ Yuki Uchibori Film................................................. Adam Miller Live music................................. Phillip Jackson Club.................................................Terumi Tsuji

Interested in writing for Kansai Scene? Please contact editor@kansaiscene.com after reviewing our writers guidelines: kansaiscene.com/write-for-us

DISCLAIMER Opinions expressed herein are not necessarily endorsed by the publisher. We take no responsibility for the quality or content of advertisements. Public and private parties appproached by those claiming to work for or on behalf of Kansai Scene should call this office to confirm the truth of any such claim, especially where money may be involved.

Contact Kansai Scene General mailbox@kansaiscene.com Editorial editor@kansaiscene.com Advertising sales@kansaiscene.com Tel. 06-6539-1717 Fax. 06-7635-4791 Address Osaka-shi, Nishi-ku, Shinmachi 3-5-7, Eiko Bldg. 2F Website kansaiscene.com A bit of history Kansai Scene was founded by Peter Horvath and Nishikawa Keiko in 2000 and published by Jatin Banker between 2003 – 2011. Published monthly, KS provides English articles, information and listings for visitors and residents of the Kansai area.

Kansai Scene magazine AUGUST 2013 kansaiscene.com

Got some news?

for on the lookout KS is always ents and new newsworthy ev n. und tow openings aro ggestions to Email your su cene.com ais editor@kans

News & Openings

New weekly live venue Reach for the skies TENNOJI — Stores have now begun to open doors in Japan’s tallest skyscraper, Abeno Harukas. The entire building, 300m in height, is home to an observatory, museum and hotel as well as hundreds of shops. It’s divided into two: the Tower and Wing buildings. Tower is now open, with oodles of big brand clothing stores stretching from the 2nd basement to the 14th floor. Wing is set to open in spring 2014, and when it does, Abeno Harukas Kintetsu Department Store will become Japan’s largest department store space (100,000 m2), aiming at sales of 145 billion yen and 45 million visitors in fiscal 2014. Rest areas are provided on every floor, with a total of 700 seats. The restaurant areas from the 12th to 14th floors will offer 44 restaurants and a total of 2,800 seats. abenoharukas-300.jp/en

Free footy for foreigners! KOBE — Vissel Kobe are inviting foreign supporters to come and cheer the boys for free at a J-league division 2 match coming in September. They’re giving away 200 tickets in a lottery for foreign residents. Apply for the lottery online until Sunday September 8, and if you win, the match itself is on Sunday, September 29. icraft.jp/modules/ccenter/?form=5

OSAKA — Diners can eat to the beat of a new sound every week at Hard Rock Cafe Osaka, as the restaurant/ bar has started a live spotlight to feature Kansai-based musicians. Held with the cooperation of Kansai Music Conference, the idea is give musicians a guaranteed audience. And for diners, it’s a live show with no tickets required. • Dates: Every Friday (8/2, 8/9, 8/23, 8/30) • Time: 9pm–9:30pm • Charge: Free entry • Where: 3-6-14 Minami Honmachi, Chuoku, Osaka • Tel: 06-6120-5711 • Business Hours: Mon.-Sat. 11:30 – 24:00 / Sun. 11:30 – 23:00

Fast cars and fast pizza OSAKA — A new Italian bar opened last month in Kita-horie. Nothing so special about that we hear you say, but this place, Italian Bar Ottantasei (86 in Italian) features a batmobile-esque sports car parked inside the restaurant, a funky counter inlaid with a wall of used oil cans and a sporty logo reminscent of motorsports livery. The food is wood-fire pizzas and pasta, served by staff in pit-stop style overalls. A car fanatics dream. ottantasei86.com

hardrockjapan.com

Everybody Awa dance now! OSAKA — Tokushima city is famous for its 400-year-old dance festival Awa Odori. Held for four days from August 12 to 15 every year in Tokushima City, the event attracts as many as 1.3 million visitors. Now the city want to spread the dance throughout the region, so be on the lookout for dance groups in a city near you this month. On August 25, Awa dancers will be parading through Osaka’s Tenjinbashi-suji Shopping Street, known as Japan’s longest shopping street with a total length of 2.6 km. A dance was already held back in May in Kobe, but there’s more to come as Nagata-ku, and Higashinari-ku in Osaka City are planning to hold events too.

Kansai Scene magazine AUGUST 2013 kansaiscene.com

Business Matters doubling up this month Kansai — Connecting business people across Kansai, the Kansai Scene Business Matters (KSBM) oto, Toru Hashim d monthly events are still going an a, ak Os ical Japan’s Polit strong. Thanks to everyone that n Situatio joined Tong Cheuk Fung’s talk in Kyoto last month. Looking ahead to this month, we have not one, but two events planned. Coming up on Aug 7 at Wormwood in Shinsaibashi, we have a topical lecture by Eric Johnston of The Japan Times. As deputy editor for the Osaka office, Eric has been covering both local and national politics for more than a decade and is the only foreign journalist covering Hashimoto on a regular basis. Eric will review the July 21 Upper House election and discuss how it impacts Hashimoto, his party, and the future of Kansai and Japanese politics. Join us for what should be a fascinating event. Then, on Aug 21 at Gosuke in Umeda, we are hosting a presentation by Dr Nelson Yamawake, a Malaysian-born doctor with an inspirational A New Mode rags-to-riches story to tell. for Women’s l He althcare Coming to Japan as student 20 years ago, Nelson has overcome discrimination and financial hardship on his way to obtaining his doctorate in Japan and more recently opening his own women’s clinic in Juso. Learn more about Nelson in this month’s business matters interview on page 7. You can register for either event on our website or Facebook page below:

French Connections

ssion ntation and discu Special prese

foreign re for Kansai’s A special lectu n, Eric Johnsto community by , Osaka office , The Japan Times Deputy Editor

n, Deputy , led by Eric Johnsto oto on a ion in English g Hashim lecture and discuss journalist coverin it impacts presents a timely office. As the only foreign and discuss how Kansai Scene Osaka House election Japan Times Editor for The politics. the July 21 Upper push any and Japanese Eric will review and not to actively regular basis, future of Kansai e discussion party, and the or Kansai Scene. inform and encourag Hashimoto, his is to Japan Times theme. Its objective ily those of The event has a politcial presenter are not necessar of the Disclaimer: This The opinions political agenda.

(Wed)

2013 a the B1F) Osak Date: Aug 7, wood, (Café Absin Venue: Worm Time: 7–9pm 14. Japan, 550-00 Entry: ¥1,000* ie, Nishi-Ku, Osaka, B1F, 1-2-27 Kitahor 6. otsubashi Bldg. shi Station exit Address: South-Y exit 7 or Yotsuba bashi Station e. Access: Shinsai from Café Absinth available upstairs *Food and drink

To register for

either: this event, see

atters e.com/businessm www.kansaiscen tion.com www.wasabicrea inessmatters om/groups/ksbus www.facebook.c

Co-hosted by & Kansai Scene WASABI Creation

Co-hosted by

Business Networking and Presentation Event

Dr. Nelson Yamawak e came to Japan as a penniless student from Malaysia more than 20 years ago. He has overcome discrimina tion and financial hardship on his way to a successfu l career as a doctor (and politician) and more recently, has opened his own women’s clinic in Juso, Kisaki Clinic. In just 3 and a half months he has attracted over 650 patients to his clinic from far and wide. Nelson will share the secrets of his success and provide an insight into the state of women’s healthcare in Japan.

Date: Aug 21 (Wed) Venue: Beer and Pizza Gosuke, Umeda Time: 7:30–9:30pm (doors open 7:00pm ) Entry: ¥3,000 w/2d and light food

Address: Osaka, Kita-ku,

Sonezaki 2-5-24, Chuo 大阪市北区曽根 2-5-24 Bldg 3/4F 中央ビル3/4F

Tel: 075-255-3399

• Access: Umeda

Dr. Neslon Yamawake

The latest news for francophiles in Kansai, by Stephan Ducoup

Bonjour! Welcome to August, when the whole of Kansai unites in mutual suffering under the oppressive summer heat. When I first came to Japan, I remember my friends kept telling me how much they don’t like summer. I couldn’t understand this because in France, summer means long vacations, sunny evenings and petanque tournaments. But after experiencing my first Japanese summer, where I took five showers per day and lost three kilos, I understood what they meant: heat and unbearable humidity! But let’s stay positive, summer in Japan also equals festivals, fireworks, macha ice cream, yukata and outdoor events. So let’s enjoy summer in Kansai, from Wakayama to Suma beach. KOBE: French meeting at Kitano, Cafe de Paris, check the link for the exact date and place (facebook. com/francekansai) KYOTO: French Meeting at Kawa Cafe, Friday 30 August from 6:30pm

If you prefer to stay at home, don’t forget to check out the latest episode of the French/Japanese web drama PARIS ALEAS on parisaleas.com

sta. (10 mins walk)

To register for this

event, see either:

www.kansaiscene.com /businessmatters www.wasabicreation.c om www.facebook.com/g roups/ksbusinessmatte rs

Co-hosted by Kansai Scene & WASABI Creation

kansaiscene.com/businessmatters facebook.com/groups/ksbusinessmatters

Eigo-friendly Yukata class

Good beer! Good times! SANNOMIYA — Kobe Regatta and Athletic Club (KR&AC) are hosting The Great August Craft Beer Tasting on Aug 25. ¥2,500 gets you five 250ml craft beers to savour and with live music, food and even free kakigori shaved-ice for the kids, it promises fun for all the family. krac.org

TSUKAGUCHI — If you love wearing yukata, but always have to rely on friends or YouTube videos for help, this oneoff class is perfect for you. A Japanese kimono teacher with over 40 years’ experience of kimono and yukata dressing is hosting a special English-friendly class to teach you how to dress yourself. The class is on Sunday August 4, 1pm–3pm and you don’t need to own a yukata to join in. A ¥1,000 fee will cover the cost of the lesson plus tea and snacks. For more details, email donna@kansaiscene.com

Kansai Beer Olympics

facebook.com/events/480508212043152

tinyurl.com/kansaibeerolympics2013

OSAKA — So you like beer? Here’s seven hours of all-you-can-drink and more games than you can shake a stick at. The 4th Kansai Beer Olympics will be held on August 25, and no prior training is needed to compete. Grab your friends, sign up as a team and go for glory. There’s even cash prizes to be won.

Networking opportunities Seminars & presentations Connecting professionals in Kansai.

Parties & events

Presentation & networking event:

A new model for women's healthcare with Dr. Nelson Yamawake August 21, Wed, 7:30â&#x20AC;&#x201C;9:30pm @ Beer & Pizza Gosuke, Umeda ÂĽ3,000 w/2d & light food More details and event registration:

kansaiscene.com/businessmatters facebook.com/groups/ksbusinessmatters

Kansai Scene magazine AUGUST 2013 kansaiscene.com

Business Matters

Fingers on the pulse In the space of just three and a half months, the newly-opened Kisaki Clinic in Juso has attracted over 650 patients. We caught up with Dr. Nelson Yamawake for a full examination of his practice’s success. Text: KS

KS: What inspired you to open a women’s clinic? Nelson Yamawake: Women seeing an OB/GYN specialist at a general hospital will invariably have to wait for a very long time - often over 2 hours - before seeing the doctor. This wait can be especially frustrating as many women are trying to fit this in along with work, going grocery shopping and picking up the kids from school. I felt strongly that there must be a better, more convenient, way for women to receive quality healthcare. KS: What makes your clinic unique? NY: In Japan, many women’s clinics are specialised in gynecology, but don’t deal with other female health issues such as breast cancer, pregnancy and childbirth. My clinic has a more holistic focus, including not only gynecologists, but also a breast cancer surgeon and midwives. Therefore, patients can consult with experts for all of their needs under the one roof,

and with a far shorter waiting time. Not to mention we are a multi-lingual clinic and have staff available to consult in English, Korean, Chinese and of course Japanese. KS: Why did you become a doctor? NY: I was born to a very poor family in Malaysia and my parents didn’t have enough money to go to the hospital when they needed care. Growing up like this, I decided to become a doctor to make sure that my parents would never miss out on medical care again. KS: How have you managed to build up such a large patient base in so little time? NY: People are serious about their health and want the best quality care they can find. My clinic has been built around the following principles to ensure we are always providing the best possible service: 1. Treat Japanese people with Japanese manners. 2. First and foremost, think about what’s best for the patient. 3. Help the patient understand the situation, no matter how complex. 4. Be good to those around you, and they’ll spread the word. KS: What are your views on the state of medical care in Japan? NY: There is no doubt that the quality of medical care in Japan is some

of the best in the world. However, it suffers from being over protected by governmental policies. Medical care in Japan will improve even more if there is scope for competition between healthcare providers. KS: What are your hopes for the clinic in the future? NY: To the best of my knowledge, I believe Kisaki Clinic is one of the first private women’s clinics incorporating mammography facilities to provide total health care to women. I hope that there will be more clinics like this in the future, so that more women can receive holistic care throughout their whole lives. • Address: Osaka, Yodogawa-ku, Jusohigashi 2-7-8 3F • Tel: 06-6476-7233 • Web: kisaki-clinic.jp

A New Model for Women’s Healthcare Dr. Nelson Yamawake will be sharing the secrets of his success and providing an insight into the state of medical care in Japan at our upcoming Business Matters event this month: • Date: Aug 21 (Wed) • Time: 7:30–9:30pm • Entry: ¥3,000 w/2d + light food • Venue: Beer and Pizza Gosuke, Umeda For full details and registration visit: kansaiscene.com/businessmatters

Feature

Pitcher this - free baseball! What draws people from all over Japan to Koshien Stadium every summer? KS bags a seat in the outfield for the biannual high school tournament Text: Peter Edmondson

The game has already started, and I don’t even realize it. A couple of pitches have been thrown while I’m busy trying to get in the shade. I’ve traveled all the way from Tokyo to see this game but I’m missing all the action. I may as well have slept in! Then I hear a din of cheers, oohs and ahs forming a crescendo, getting louder and louder. I look up and lo and behold I see a baseball floating in mid-air. A home run, perhaps? Or is gravity going to be cruel? The ball hits the back wall. Gravity is cruel. It’s nothing more than a double. I can hear a couple of groans, but this doesn’t

stop the cheerleaders to my right from congratulating the batter with a nice rendition of ‘We Will Rock You’ played on their surprisingly loud horns and drums. The next batter bunts towards third base. He is congratulated by those who find honor in the humble bunt. And now there is a runner in scoring position. With apparent ease, the fourth batter drives in the first run home with a simple single, and already my team is up on the board. To the left of me I can see a sea of blue horns and shirts jumping up and down, supporting their pitcher by shouting a series of chants

in perfect unison, like a synchronized swimming team. God only knows how long they’ve rehearsed that. To my right, a sea of red, doing the exact same thing with a little more enthusiasm. After all, their team did just bring a man home. I breathe in the air. It is filled with dirt and grime, sunshine, and years of sweat and hard work. I exhale. Ah, Koshien. Ah, koukouyakyu! A young lady with an Asahi keg for a backpack walks by. A beer sounds kind of good right now, but it doesn’t feel quite right. Should I really be drinking beer at a high school baseball game? Before noon?

Kansai Scene magazine AUGUST 2013 kansaiscene.com

Dates This year’s 95th annual tournament is being held at Koshien Stadium from August 8 to 22. Dates may change according to weather.

Tickets Outfield seating requires no ticket and is free. If you want a closer view of

Twice a year there is a national high school baseball tournament held at Koshien Stadium in Hyogo Prefecture. The first tournament is held in the spring, in which 32 teams compete. It’s fun. But the second one, the most exciting one, is held in August and hosts 47 teams, one representative from each of the 47 prefectures. It has been held every year since 1915. Unlike nationals in other countries, all of Japan follows the summer tournament and news sites cover the results like we cover March Madness in the States. I’ve been told even industrious office workers sometimes sneak out of the office to watch the games on TV. Though, nowadays I imagine they just watch updates on their smartphones. The school that wins will get national recognition and naturally it will help boost their image. For most high schools, though, a championship is unrealistic. For these teams, the honor of representing their prefecture is good enough. Just having the opportunity to compete in a tournament that takes place in Koshien, a stadium of inexplicably mythic fame, is rewarding enough. Their dream is simply to step out onto the dirt to play ball. And before they go home, they will shove some of that dirt from the stadium’s field into their bags as a souvenir, like a bottle of holy water. For those teams who do have a fighting chance, the stakes couldn’t be higher. After all, many of these

seniors will not go pro, and some may not even continue playing in college. This is their last chance. The spring tournament was just for practice, but the summer tournament is the grand finale, it is the culmination of their high school careers, for some the best time of their lives, and they need to win. If they lose, they will cry, and if they win, they might also cry. Even if it is only high school baseball, the sheer passion exhibited by these adolescents more than makes up for it as you get to watch some of the best young players in Japan duel it out. This makes it more entertaining than most professional baseball games in Japan. And most importantly, it is free! You don’t even have to make reservations. The only requirement is that you’re happy sitting in the outfield. Even with all the hubbub and media attention, there is always free seating in the outfield. This is probably because the tournament is held on weekday mornings and afternoons. Even if it is free, the outfield is unlikely to disappoint, as you will be able to see everything from the overzealous cheerleading squads to Japan’s young talent.

the action, tickets behind the home plate (¥1,600), by the infield (¥1,200), and bleacher seating (¥500) can be purchased at Lawson, Circle K, and Family Mart. Alternatively, you can purchase tickets the day of the game at Koshien Stadium if there are any seats available.

Insider tip: Saitama’s Strength The spring tournament is like a warm up to the more coveted summer games. Sometimes spring champions will win both titles, but that rarely happens. In the 85 years that both a spring and summer tournament have been held, only seven teams have taken both titles. Last year’s matchup was particularly riveting because the same two teams that faced off in the spring championship met up again in the summer championship. This year’s spring champions, Urawa Gakuin from Saitama, appear to be the team to watch. They destroyed Saibi from Ehime Prefecture in the championship game 17-1! Urawa Gakuin is currently ranked number one nationwide. Saibi is currently ranked thirteenth. However, Urawa Gakuin has not yet qualified for the summer tournament. They will first have to defeat Hanasaki Tokuharu in Saitama Prefecture, who are ranked fourth nationwide. The summer title may prove to be much harder for them to win.

Kansai Scene magazine AUGUST 2013 kansaiscene.com

Travel

No qualms about Guam Looking for a great place to relax? Just three hours by plane, Guam could be your ideal getaway. Text and images: Damon Wolf

There comes a time in everyone’s life when all sushi starts tasting the same, and pink “fatigue” sets in from an overdose of cherry blossoms. Well, no, that actually doesn’t happen to anyone; but occasionally we do find ourselves thirsting for something new that will break our daily routine. Whether it be an exhilarating adventure or simply a time to relax without a cellphone, Guam is your place to take that break. Just a three hour plane ride southeast of Japan, Guam is a tropical paradise right on our doorstep. The most populous island in Micronesia, Guam is 48 km long and only 19 km at its widest point. So small enough to travel around its perimeter in a day, but large enough to spend weeks sightseeing, jungle hiking, caving, fishing, snorkeling, swimming, enjoying cultural activities and recreational sports, or just relaxing on beautiful beaches. And sitting just above the equator, the island averages a balmy 30°C year round, so shorts, swimmers, and suntan lotion are all you’ll need.

A colourful history Guam’s indigenous people, the Chamorros, first settled on Guam nearly 4,000 years ago, but island life changed for them shortly after 1521, when Ferdinand Magellan discovered the Marianas. Spain soon settled its first colony on Guam, introducing Catholicism to the locals, and establishing a dominating presence with its most important spice trade stopover in the Pacific. One can still see a few ancient Spanish bridges and forts standing after nearly 400 years. In 1898 the US took possession of the strategically located island after winning the Spanish-American War, which marked the beginning of American influence in the region. During WWII, Guam was briefly conquered by the Japanese, reminders of which are plentiful across the island. Today, there exists a strong US military presence on two parts of the island; where for the most part, foreign and indigenous cultures successfully coexist.

Accommodation and much more As a place to get your chill or thrill on, you’ll most likely find your home base in the village of Tumon. There are many world-class hotels to choose from, all situated along a beautiful stretch of sandy beachfront. Every hotel offers mountainous buffets, so you never have to worry about going hungry. Entire roast pigs are readily served for the devouring and giant dishes of kelaguin, the Chamorros’ special raw meat marinade, is always available and always a delicious experience. Most hotels have direct access to Tumon Beach, so it only takes a few steps to plunge yourself into the 26°C ocean water to cool off and see some spectacular marine life. You can also rent anything from snorkel equipment, to water bicycles, to windsurfing boards, kayaks and paddle boats. Each hotel is equipped with superb pools, and some additionally offer water slides, spas, banquets, and cultural performances.

Photo courtesy of Guam Visitors Bureau

Kansai Scene magazine AUGUST 2013 kansaiscene.com

When you’re ready to leave the hotel, you can choose from several excursions, the most popular of which is a trip to the Chamorro Village in Hagatna. This outdoor mall hosts an unforgettable night market every Wednesday, with dozens of local venders selling native art, clothes, jewelry, remarkable foods and even the coveted coconut wine, Tuba.

The village of Tumon In addition to being a tropical paradise, Guam holds its own as a haven for shoppers. There’s the Tumon Sands Plaza, which caters for high end shoppers, plus the Micronesian Mall and Guam Premier Outlets just a short drive away. For novelty’s sake, it’s also worth checking out the world’s most profitable K-Mart, located in walking distance from many of the hotels. But if you’ve come from Japan, more shopping is probably the last thing on your to-do list, so take a trip instead to Guam’s spectacular Underwater World Aquarium. There, you can walk 100 metres through one of the world’s longest underwater aquarium tunnels and see over 20 sharks, giant stingrays, and over 80 species of other marine life. There’s also the charming Zoological, Botanical and Marine Garden, which locals call the Cushing Zoo, where you can see indigenous animals and even feed some of the other exotic critters on show.

The real Guam After ticking off Tumon Bay’s big-ticket items, it’s time to experience the real Guam. This will require renting a car, but it’ll be well worth the cost and effort. The first place to check out, just a short drive north of Tumon, is TwoLovers Point - a cliff top lookout with sweeping views of the coastline and glittering Philippine Sea - which got its name from a tragic legend of two star-crossed Chamorro lovers. Keep heading north and you’ll eventually hit Ritidian Beach, probably one of the softest and most beautiful beaches you’ll ever sink your feet into. Part of a National Wildlife Refuge and far enough away from the populated villages, the beach is often deserted, and can be enjoyed along with the several walks and small museum located in the refuge. Being such a small island, it won’t be long until you find yourself driving down towards Guam’s southern tip where you’ll find a concentration of scenic lookouts, waterfalls, and historic sites such as the tiny village of Umatac, which is thought to be where Ferdinand Magellan landed in 1521. Finally, no visit to Guam would be complete without a visit to the Talofofo Falls Resort Park. In addition to having one of Guam’s most popular waterfalls and a cable car that provides stunning aerial views, Talofofo park is also home to the cave inhabited by Sergeant Yokoi

- the Japanese soldier that hid in the jungles of Guam for 28 years. The site’s interpretive displays show how the underground structure was supported and how Yokoi eked out a survival from the surrounding forest. However you’ve spent the day in Guam, be it enjoying the glitz of Tumon or getting dirty off the beaten track, plan to end it watching a spectacular sunset while you prepare for another perfect day to come.

Photo courtesy of Guam Visitors Bureau

When to go In Guam, the dry season is between December to June, although it feels hot and very humid all year round. The best time to go would be between September and March, with the best months being December and January, as the temperature is more forgiving thanks to breezy days and nights.

Getting there Many airlines, including Korean Air, United, Delta, and ANA, fly non-stop between KIX and Guam International Airport.

Kansai Scene magazine AUGUST 2013 kansaiscene.com

Food and drink

Osaka

Get the scoop Next time you’re hankering for an icy treat, do yourself a favour and ditch the soft serve. Instead, go for gloopy scoops of flavour-packed gelato, just like the Italians do. Here, in no particular order, are our favourites. Buon appetito!

• Address: basement level (BF1) of Lucua Mall, Umeda • Price: small ¥490, medium ¥590, large ¥690 • Number of flavours: 18 plus one flavour of the month • Go-to flavour: crema di grom or lampone (raspberry) • Web: grom.it/eng

Text: KS

Grom The first thing you see when approaching Grom is the metres-long line snaking out of the store. Osakans have well and truly cottoned on to the delights of this gelateria, originally from Italy and now with stores globally, and with good reason. This is game-changing gelato. With impeccable standards - only seasonal fruit, no added colours, flavours or preservatives, and all ingredients, even the milk, being imported from Italy Grom is producing gelato of astonishing quality. (Try the crema di grom, chunks of biscuit and choc chip bound in a delicious vanilla cream, to see what we mean.) And with strict adherence to Italian spelling on menus, plus classic Italian flavors like fiordilatte that are scooped out of deep tubs topped with cute silver lids, you’ll feel like you’re a world away from the shopping malls of Umeda.

Pick

Bar & Gelateria Raffinato It may feel like a nightclub, but this slick, marble-and-gold decorated shop in the new Grand Front mall is all about coffee and gelato. Over 20 flavours – ranging from grapefruit and blood orange, to gianduja and cassata – are served by staff dressed smartly in waistcoats and ties. Enjoy your gelato as is, or as a refreshing cocktail topped with spumante, in the outside seating area, then glide seamlessly into the jaw-dropping Panasonic lifestyle store just next door. • Address: basement level (Umekita Hiroba BF1) of Grand Front, Umeda • Price: 2 flavours ¥450, 3 flavours ¥550 • Number of flavours: 20 • Go-to flavour: pistachio, grape, buntan (pomelo) • Web: raffinato-ashiya.com/bg/umeda

Osaka

Kansai Scene magazine AUGUST 2013 kansaiscene.com

Osaka

Kyoto

Gelateria Ruggeri

Caffellatte

Shinpachi

Tucked into a small alleyway opposite Namba Parks, this charming, pocketsized shop is a must for gelato-lovers seeking adventure. Using fresh fruit and, more unusually, vegetables, Ruggeri fearlessly experiments with flavours to produce combinations that are totally unique (and at times downright strange) in the gelato microcosm. Of course there are the classics, but it’s in Ruggeri’s highly seasonal offerings that things get exciting. Think tomato and lemon combo in summer, pumpkin or maple walnut for autumn, sangria in winter, and sakura for spring. And best of all, you can sit at one of the shop’s wooden benches, watching through a large window into the stainless steel kitchen as the owner hand-crafts each crazy combination.

The impassioned tones of the opera greet you as you enter Caffellatte. Italian owner Eddi Tormena and his wife run this gelateria, now in its seventh year, with an unashamed and unadulterated Italian fervour (look for the Vespa). “My recipes and methods are straight from Venice and I don’t change them for local tastes,” Eddi declares. “I make it every second day. We don’t keep it any longer.” His puritan stance may be a little stubborn, but the results are impressive: the flavours and textures are, as the Italians would say, delizioso.

Located in the heart of Arashiyama, Shinpachi has a view any tourist would appreciate, just metres from Katsura River, the Togetsukyo bridge, and the famous mountains. The shop is nearly part of the scenery: it has served gelato since 1986, picking up a couple of awards along the way. The gelato is excellent and its wide range of flavours – such as sakura mochi and Arashiyama tofu – will please those after something a little different. A savouring and suitable companion to the visual pleasantries on offer.

• Address: Osaka, Naniwa-ku, Shikitsunishi 2-8-10 • Price: 1 flavour ¥280, 2 flavours ¥350, 3 flavours ¥450, 4 flavours ¥550 • Number of flavours: 13 • Go-to flavour: pistachio (plus ¥100), white peach (plus ¥50) • Web: ruggeri.jp

• Address: 615-0061, Kyoto, Ukyo-ku, 70-1 Inui-cho Saiin, 1F Gemini building • Price: single ¥320, double ¥480 • Number of flavours: 10 to 16 • Go-to flavour: pistachio, made with Italian nuts • Web: caffe-llatte.com

• Address: 616-8384, Kyoto, Ukyo-ku, 37-17 Sagatenryujitsukurimichi-cho • Price: single ¥330-500 (depending on flavour), double ¥400 • Number of flavours: 16 • Go-to flavour: sakura mochi • Web: sinpachi.com

Gion Gelato Tucked behind a comedy theatre, Gion Gelato is, as its name suggests, a gelataria in Gion. Its walls are plastered with autographs from celebrities who Kyoto undoubtedly enjoyed the sweet desserts on offer. The range of flavours is a little less than the norm, with Kyoto soybean and black syrup being the standouts. • Address: 605-0073, Kyoto, Higashiyamaku, Gionmachi Kitagawa, Gion Centre, 1F, north side • Price: small ¥300, medium ¥500 • Number of flavours: 14 • Go-to flavour: soybean, made from Kyoto soybeans • Web: t-agent.co.jp/gion

Milkissimo

Hyogo

• Address: 1F Nishinomiya Gardens • Price: 1 flavour ¥380, 2 flavours ¥460, 3 flavours ¥540 • Number of flavours: Around 20 on display, change seasonally • Go-to flavour: milk is the #1 best seller, but one of the summer seasonal flavours, Haskapp, was a blood-red coloured tarty treat that went great with it. • Web: milkissimo.com

Rome and Hakodate! They go together like... gelato and sunshine? Well, Milkissimo brags about the fact their head branch in Hokkaido is on the same latitude (41 degrees north) as the home of gelato. Whatever the blurb, the result: sweet Hokkaido milk mixed with some familiar Italian savoury flavours, such as tomato and basil. This 20-seater shop is dead easy to spot near the Gardens entrance, with its purple and pink decor and wavy mountains of gelato on display. Some flavours are also inside a revolving display case to make choosing a flavour all part of the adventure. Decide on a number of flavours instead of serving size, pay, then choose the flavours while a server makes you a mini gelato mountain in a cup. It’s only a small shop but no-one lingers too long in the seated area; the stuff is too yummy to delay.

Made in Kansai

New take on an ancient tradition Which floor do your toes prefer to tread on: fluffy carpet, polished wood or tatami? A look at the past, present and future of Japan’s traditional flooring. Text and images: Lauren Hadler

Tatami is synonymous with Japan. These simple rectangular mats made from rice straw have been a part of Japanese culture for around 1,300 years. They’re an intrinsic element of Japanese architecture, and are useful for more than merely aesthetics. However, the relationship between this traditional product and Japanese lifestyle is shifting. Spending time in Motoyama Tatami, a company based in Kyoto, I saw how a business based on an age-old tradition is adapting, promoting and engaging with modern lifestyles. In other words, how they are keeping tatami alive.

The business of tatami Motoyama Tatami is a third generation business that’s been in operation for the last 90 years. Set back from

Daitokuji Temple, this small shop produces an enormous amount of tatami. The current owner, Hiroshi Motoyama, left his life as a salaryman to take over his father’s tatami business 18 years ago. Today, Motoyama still works alongside his 75-year-old father and another craftsman to produce tatami for the local market. They also have a growing international customer base, because Motoyama understands the need to stay relevant and to look beyond the traditional approaches to tatami. The shop has produced tatami for many important cultural institutions and people. Some of these clients have included: The Rockefeller Centre in New York City; The Japanese Consulate in Washington D.C.; Hiroshi Sugimoto’s photography studio in New York; Temples in Daitokuji; as well as

private clients in the Czech Republic, Germany, Netherlands, Hong Kong, Italy and Britain.

An international project While at Motoyama Tatami I was invited to go and see a new international project in the seaside town of Amino, Kyotango. Umeda Tatami Factory works in collaboration with Motoyama Tatami on some projects, to produce the finest handmade tatami for export. Takayuki Umeda is arguably one of the best tatami craftsmen in Kansai. He grew up making tatami with his father and went to the Kyoto Tatami Technical School with Motoyama. Although he is young he has managed to develop a reputation as the go-to man for this kind of specialised work in Kansai.

Kansai Scene magazine AUGUST 2013 kansaiscene.com

The featured piece was for a family in New York City, designed as a play area for their children. Weighing in at approximately 140 kg and entirely made by hand, this tatami was no small feat. The guys told me that you would never see a piece like this commissioned by a Japanese client; it is unusual and expensive and totally out of the box. The style of this tatami is generally reserved for the shogun as a kind of “oshitone” or small floor cushion. In this instance the oshitone has been appropriated and uses Kyoto size mats. The entire object is handmade, sewn together with every detail scrutinised. The edges of the ‘shu’ are joined taking care to marry the pattern as much as possible at the fold. An object like this takes weeks of work on a daily basis.

Tatami then and now Both of the craftsmen told me that today’s tatami business is markedly different from their fathers’ era. Cheap imitation products have come onto the market from China, and lifestyles are changing; homes that used to be essentially all tatami are taking on a more western feel. One thing that has remained virtually unchanged is the handmade practice. Beautiful and skilful it stands out, ageing gracefully. Machines were introduced about 50 years ago, this coupled with changing attitudes and cheaper imitations means the handmade artisans are dying out. Tatami’s history is extensive, it first appeared in one of Japan’s oldest texts, the Kojiki (Record of Ancient Matters) written 712. Originally tatami was used

to help distinguish the social classes. Now size varies regionally. Kyoto, Chukyo, Kanto and Okinawa all have different measurements. The omote is the traditional cover ‘face’ for tatami core made from the wetland plant Juncus effuses, referred to as igusa. Various grades of igusa come from different regions in Japan. To produce the omote, igusa is harvested at a certain height and covered with mud to dry, increasing the longevity of the material. Tatami is intricate and spectacular. With unique qualities, diverse materials, and specialised craftsmen tatami is far more complex than a mere flooring material. Handmade tatami is art. Let’s hope we see this ancient part of Japanese history continue to diversify in contemporary Japanese society, and overseas.

Tatami care tips • If Japanese tatami is cared for it can last up to 25 years, so be gentle. Don’t wear shoes, drag furniture across it, or leave spills. While it is tough, its appearance can quickly lose lustre without respect. • Only vacuum along the width of the tatami toward the heri (material edge) as vacuuming vertically will damage the omote. • Tatami purifies the air, removing unwanted toxins, acting as insulation, absorbing moisture in the humidity and releasing it during the dryer months. For this reason it needs to have fresh air circulating regularly. • Most spills can be cleaned up with a damp cloth softly rubbing in the direction of the weave (not against it, this will only ingrain the stain). Often products don’t need to be used, just water. If you do want to spray something, read the label! • Never directly place a mattress on tatami for long periods, this results in mould. Futons should be put away every day.

Motoyama Tatami • Address: Kyoto Kitaku Murasakino Monzencho 45. • Tel: 075 491 8608 • Web: kyototatami.com Mentioning this article will get you 5% off. Motoyama’s staff speak fluent English and are happy to help!

Kansai Scene magazine AUGUST 2013 kansaiscene.com

Live music

The essential sounds of summer It’s that time of year again, when Osaka’s humid air is filled with the sounds of cicadas, fireworks and awesome music. Text: Helen Marvell

Roll up, roll up, Summer Sonic’s back in town. Osaka’s biggest music festival takes place in the height of summer, on August 10 and 11, and this year it boasts an impressive lineup of over 60 bands and artists performing across four stages. Summer Sonic claims to be a rock festival, but there’s always a diverse mix of bands and artists to suit everyone’s tastes, which makes the festival difficult to really put in a neat little genre box. This year is no exception, with big ticket names like Metallica and Linkin Park, Cyndi Lauper and Carly Rae Jepsen, Two Door Cinema Club and Bastille, Muse and Smashing Pumpkins, Earth, Wind & Fire and John Legend. The festival also sees the return of Fall Out Boy to Japan after their two-year hiatus. While the big foreign acts tend to get top billing, there’s still a good opportunity to check out some home grown Japanese talent. J-pop girl band favourites Perfume and one of Japan’s biggest rock groups, Mr Children, will be strutting their stuff, alongside local Osaka based punk band Crossfaith (featured in last year’s KS Summer Sonic feature) who are opening the main stage on the Sunday. Kpop is represented this year by CNBLUE and FT Island. Once again the Osaka leg is at Maishima Arena. (This venue gets props from KS because although most of it is like bathing in a giant dustbowl, one of the stages is inside and blissfully air conditioned with nice toilets!). It’s best

to catch a shuttle bus there from JR Sakurajima Station to avoid the traffic and the extortionate parking rates – but be sure to get there early because the lines for the shuttles get huge around midday and apart from the indoor stage, there’s little to no shade! There’s also an all-night dance party on the Saturday night that’s well worth staying up for. KS spoke to some of the artists playing Summer Sonic this year; Sam (guitarist) of Two Door Cinema Club, Dan (singer) of Bastille and Ali (singer/ guitarist) of Zebrahead: KS: What are you looking forward to seeing and doing in Japan? Sam: The Japanese toilet seat. Dan: It’s the first time any of us will have ever been to Japan and we’re so excited! We’re looking forward to just wandering around Tokyo and Osaka and seeing as much as possible. Ali: We all consider Japan like a second home. We’re looking forward to seeing all the friends we‘ve made there throughout the years and catching up. We’re also really looking forward to playing the Summer Sonic shows and drinking lots and lots of beer. KS: How are you preparing for the suffocating Japanese summer? S: I think I’ll be staying indoors a lot of the time. D: We will probably just melt in one sweaty mess!

From top: Zebrahead, Two Door Cinema Club and Bastille

A: We’re training 23 hours a day. I jump on Matty’s (singer/guitarist) back and he carries me up and down a flight of stairs to grab beers for the rest of the band. KS: Are you fans of any Japanese bands or artists? D: I really like the 5 6 7 8’s A: Hell yeah… We really like Maximum the Hormone and Total Fat! KS: And finally, what’s your favourite gelato flavour? S: Honeycomb D: I’m torn between hazelnut and coconut A: The beer flavoured one!

Summer Sonic 2013 Aug 10 & 11 at Maishima Arena For more information on the bands featured visit: zebrahead.com twodoorcinemaclub.com bastillebastille.com To buy tickets and for more information on the event go to summersonic.com

Kansai Scene magazine AUGUST 2013 kansaiscene.com

Language

Fun with Fireworks The Japanese summer just wouldn’t be the same without falling asleep in front of the annual High School baseball tournament (p.8), getting drunk in beer gardens (p.20) and craning your neck at some of the spectacular fireworks displays held across Kansai (p.26). The Biwako display may be one of the biggest, but you will find smaller, though equally as impressive shows in Osaka (Yodogawa) and Kyoto (Uji) too. You can also create your own show with a set of hand-held fireworks in the park or a friend’s back yard. Great fun for kids of all ages. When the sparks start flying, while it’s usually enough to voice your appreciation with oohs and aahs, you may want to use more descriptive language to impress your Japanese friends. Set the conversation alight with these sparklers.

Expressions 数え切れないほどありますね

Kazue kirenai hodo arimasu ne 色鮮やかですね

Iro azayaka desu ne 花火大会は何時から始めますか

Hanabi taikai wa nan ji kara hajimemasu ka? 日本の花火は素晴らしい

Nihon no hanabi wa subarashii 公園で手持ち花火で遊びませんか

Koen de omochya-hanabi de asobimasen ka? この花火大会は今までで一番よかった

Kono hanabi taikai wa ima made de ichiban yokatta

There’s too many to count The colors are beautiful! What time does the show start? Japanese fireworks are amazing! Let’s play with handheld fireworks in the park That was the best fireworks display I have ever seen

Vocab 花火 Hanabi

Fireworks

花火大会 Hanabi taikai

Firework display

線香花火 Senkou hanabi

Type of sparkler

ロケット花火 Rocketto hanabi

Rocket fireworks

手持ち花火 Temochi hanabi

Hand-held fireworks

Kansai Scene magazine AUGUST 2013 kansaiscene.com

Food and drink

A night with the stars Yes, summer days in Kansai can be brutal, but they do give way to balmy evenings that are perfect for outdoor dining. From Tahitian BBQ to poolside dance shows, we’ve sourced this season’s best places for enjoying a cold drink under a canopy of stars. Cheers to that. Text: KS

Osaka

Dublin Garden

Hyatt Regency

Absinthe Solaar

• What: A sheltered, rooftop wooden terrace, overlooking the Dotonbori river and offering a do-it-yourself BBQ experience. Run by the owners of the Dublin Bay Irish Pub, it’s located in the basement of the same building. • Go for: A private party or small gathering, or just to enjoy a pint of Guinness in the sun. Get 10 of you together (with the all-you-can-drink plan) and you can even bring your own BBQ ingredients. • Address: Osaka, Chuo-ku, Dotonbori 2-1-5 Zelkova Due 7F • Tel: 06-6213-1122 • Price: All-you-can-drink ¥2,500 (¥2,000 for women) for 2 hours; BBQ set (assorted meats and grills, salad) ¥2,000 per person • Capacity: 30–40 • Open: 3pm–late. • Access: Namba sta.

• What: A Tahitian summer BBQ featuring a fabulous spread of mains and salads, as well as a dessert buffet thrown in. Set on the hotel’s 9th floor pergola, it also boasts great views over Osaka bay. • Go for: A resort-feel BBQ experience with top-notch fare that’s away from the hubbub of the city. Great for families. • Address: 1-13-11 Nanko-Kita, SuminoeKu, Osaka, Japan, 559-0034 • Tel: 06-6614-7817 • Price: Adults ¥6,500; children ¥2,500 • Open: Until Sep 16. Weekdays 5:30pm– 10pm; Sat, Sun, hols 5pm–10pm • Access: 3 min walk from New Tram Nakafuto Station. Free shuttle bus from JR Osaka every 30 mins. See website for details. • Url: osaka.regency.hyatt.com

• What: Enjoy a mediterranean-style BBQ with delicious meze starters and salads in the stylish surrounds of this Takashimaya rooftop restaurant in the heart of Namba. • Go for: Food served at your table and a fun self-service bar where you can mix your own cocktails and pull your own beers. • Address: Osaka, Chuo-ku, Namba 5-1-18, Namba Dining Maison 8F (inside Takashimaya dept store) • Tel: 06-6633-1445 • Price: ¥5,000 incl. 2 hours all-you-candrink • Open: Until Sep 30. Everyday, 5:30pm– 9pm (Last entry) • Access: Namba station • Url: absinthe-jp.com

Kansai Scene magazine AUGUST 2013 kansaiscene.com

Hankyu Top Beer Garden • What: Located on the roof of the Hankyu terminal building Osaka in Umeda, this 1,000 seater beer garden offers all-you-caneat and drink without any time constraints (well, within opening hours anyway). • Go for: The chance to drink ‘till you drop with 1,000 potential friends • Address: Osaka, Kita-ku, Shibata 1-1-4, Hankyu Terminal Bldg rooftop • Tel: 06-6375-1780 • Price: ¥3,800 adults, ¥2,000 children (4–12 yrs old) • Capacity: 1,000 • Open: Until Sep 22. Weekdays 5:30pm– 9pm; Sat/Sun/hols 5pm–9pm • Access: Umeda sta. • Url: hankyu-hotel.com

Ramada Hotel • What: Island-resort themed fun, featuring a fun lineup Osaka of entertainment, set on the rooftop (17th floor) of the Ramada Hotel in Nakatsu. • Go for: Cold beers, quality food and either Balinese dance, belly dance, samba or even a drag queen show if you time it right. See website for schedule. • Address: 3-16-19 Toyosaki Kita-Ku, Osaka, 531-0072 • Tel: 06-6372-8181 • Price: All-you-can-drink for 2 hours ¥2,500. Food separate, with BBQ sets from ¥5,000 for 3 people • Open: Until Oct 5. Weekdays 6pm– 10:30pm; Sat & Sun 5pm–10pm • Access: Nakatsu sta. • Url: ramada-osaka.com

Osaka

• Tel: 06-6871-2416 • Price: ¥3,900 adults, ¥1,500 children (3–12 yrs old) • Open: Until Sep 30. Weekdays 5:30pm–9pm; Sat 5pm–9pm; Sun/hols 5pm–8:30pm • Access: Senri-chuo sta. • Url: hankyu-hotel.com/hotel/senrihh/ other/beer

Sogo Sky Beer Garden Mexico • What: Outdoor terrace dining at a vibrant, convivial Mexican restaurant in Namba. Enjoy all-you-can-drink and a tasty range of all-you-can-eat Mexican favourites including tacos, burritos and their signature roast chicken with salsa. • Go for: Latin grooves, authentic mouth-watering cuisine and free-flowing margaritas. • Address: ZELKOVA TRE 5F, 2-1-8 Dotonbori, Chuo-ku, Osaka • Tel: 06-6212-6766 • Price: ¥4,000 for 2 hours • Capacity: 20–30 • Open: Until Sep 1. Weekdays 5pm–9pm; Sat & Sun 12pm–10pm • Access: Namba sta.

Senri Hankyu Hotel Poolside Beer Garden • What: Outdoor dining with a carnival vibe thanks to Osaka dance performances (Wed/ Thur nights), an enormous resort-style pool, plus no time limit all-you-can-drink and buffet. Look out for the glamorous ‘beer girls’ serving drinks to grinning male patrons. • Go for: The attractive poolside setting and great variety of food. • Address: 2-1 Shinsenri Higashimachi, Toyonaka, Osaka Prefecture 560-0082

ANA Garden Sky Plaza

Takashimaya Kyoto

• What: A popular hotel rooftop beer garden that’s Kyoto got all the typical decor and menu items plus stunning views of Nijo Castle to boot. • Go for: The view of Nijo Castle (a UNESCO World Heritage site) dramatically illuminated at night. • Address: Nijojo-Mae Horikawa-Dori, Kyoto, 604-0055 • Tel: 075-231-1155 • Price: ¥2,200 for 2 hours all-you-candrink; food à la carte • Open: Until Sep 30 (closed on Aug 16); 6pm–9:30pm • Access: Nijo-jo mae sta. • Url: anacpkyoto.com

• What: Asahi-sponsored venue on the roof of Takashimaya Kyoto department store, serving beer delivered direct from the Asahi brewery in Suita and a buffet spread of beer garden favourites such as yakisoba noodles and karaage fried-chicken. • Go for: No time limit drinking and all the fried food you can stomach, smackbang in the center of Kyoto. • Address: 600-8520 Kyoto, Shimogyoku, Shijo-dori, Kawaramachi nishi-iri, Shincho 52 • Tel: 075-221-8811 • Price: ¥3,500 (¥3,200 women) all-youcan-drink / all-you-can-eat • Open: Until Sep 23; 5:30pm–10pm • Access: Hankyu Kawaramachi Sta, Keihan Gion-Shijo Sta. • Url: takashimaya.co.jp/kyoto

• What: Beer garden on the roof (10th floor) of Sogo department Hyogo store in Sannomiya, offering hot-pot nabe dishes and a kids food corner on top of the standard buffet. • Go for: The nabe dishes! • Address: Kobe Chuo-ku Onoe-dori 8-1-8 • Tel: 078-221-4181 • Price: ¥3,500 men; ¥3,000 women; ¥1,000 kids 3–12 years • Open: 5:30pm–10pm; Sun 5pm–10pm. • Access: Sannomiya Sta.

ANA Crowne Plaza Kobe Beer Garden • What: A luxurious garden Hyogo terrace (10th floor), sweeping views of Kobe, and a gentle sea breeze. • Go for: The views! • Address: 1-Chome, Kitano-cho Chuo-ku Kobe, 650-0002 • Tel: 078 291 1121 • Price: ¥2,500 for 2 hours all-you-candrink. Premium BBQ sets and a la carte food options available. • Open: Until Sep 22. Weekdays 6pm– 9:30pm; Sat, Sun and hols 5pm–8:30pm • Access: Shin-kobe sta. • Url: anacrowneplaza-kobe.jp

Kyoto Tower Hotel Beer Garden • What: All-you-can-drink and Kyoto buffet dining at the top of the Kyoto Tower Hotel, underneath the spire of the tower itself. • Go for: Great views, tasty buffet and snap-happy memories. • Address: 600-8216 Kyoto, Shimogyoku, Karasuma Shijo, Higashi Shiokojicho 721-1, 8F • Tel: 075-361-3212 • Price: ¥3,500 (until Aug 31), ¥3,000 (from Aug 31–Sep 30) • Open: Until Sep 30; 5:30pm–9pm • Access: Kyoto sta. • Url: kyoto-tower.co.jp

Kansai Scene magazine AUGUST 2013 kansaiscene.com

Promotional feature

A house with benefits Fully furnished digs, no key money and ready-made friends. What’s not to love about shared housing? Text: Carla Avolio

As anybody who has come from overseas knows, moving countries is expensive. You have to move out and get rid of all your furniture, only to buy it all back again when you arrive here. It’s time consuming, wasteful and costly, especially if you only need a room for one. But there is a better way - it’s called shared housing, and it’s one of the hottest accommodation trends in Japan right now. Shared housing in Japan is exactly the same as other countries - everyone gets their own room but they share the use of bathrooms, kitchens and living spaces. There are some 1,300 company-run shared houses operating across Japan, with about 300 of these in Osaka. According to Toshika Fujita from shared housing company Entrance Japan, which operate six houses in Osaka prefecture, this new style of accommodation is rapidly gaining popularity as a fun, hasslefree option. “Sharing accommodation with strangers was never really seen in a good light in Japan,” he says. “But the massive success of foreign TV dramas such as Friends has really helped

to raise awareness of the shared houses model.” The most obvious benefit of the shared model is its ease and affordability. You don’t have to pay that exorbitant “key money” or find somebody to be a hoshounin (guarantor). With Entrance Japan, for example, one need only pay an application fee of ¥15,750 and the first two months rent in advance. Further, the rooms are part-furnished with major appliances and beds, and the company will look after the maintenance and general care of the properties. And it’s not just for long-term stayers, Fujita says. “We offer stays as short as one month, which is a really popular option for students.” Not only is share housing easy, it’s also a great way to meet locals when you’re new in town. “Because most of our residents are Japanese, our accommodation offers a great opportunity for foreigners looking to immerse themselves in the language,” says Fujita. While there is a diverse mix of foreigners - those on working holidays, as students, or here on business - most are between 20 and 30 years old, so

there’s great potential to make friends. Entrance Japan even goes one step further, holding events to encourage a community spirit within each house. “We regularly have free yoga classes, and last month we held a somen noodle party,” says Fujita. “These are benefits you just cannot experience with traditional accommodation.” Entrance Japan operate shared houses in Settsu, Miyakojima, Awaza, Toyonaka and Sakai. Here’s how you can score a place in one of them: Arrange to visit the house, then lodge an application, which assess a guest’s suitability for a shared house environment. If it’s successful you then sign a contract and pay the initial fees before moving in. For those living overseas, Entrance Japan will send photos and detailed specifics of each house and will accept Paypal payment. Tel: 06-6136-3330 Email: info@entrance-japan.com Web: entrance-japan.com

Kansai Scene magazine AUGUST 2013 kansaiscene.com

Aug 30

The Lone Ranger Gore Verbinski • 149 mins • August 2 • Action • Armie Hammer, Johnny Depp.

Continuing the craze of disappointing movies starring Johnny Depp in a weird hat, the film is needlessly dark. Told from the aged and crazed Tonto, it maps the Lone Ranger’s rise to infamy.

Film previews

Pick

Man of Steel

Pacific Rim Guillermo del Toro • 131 mins • August 9 • Action • Charlie Hunman, Idris Elba, Rinko Kikuchi

Bringing credibility to the Monster Movie for the first time since 1955, del Toro makes a stylish and engaging romp about robots battling Kaiju (yes, they use the Japanese word).

Zack Snyder • 143 Minutes • August 30 • Action Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Russell Crowe, Michael Shannon

With the dreary 2006 movie Superman Returns failing to reignite the franchise, this time around the Hollywood bigwigs have opted for a much darker telling of the ultimate immigrant, perhaps to fit into Chris Nolan’s “real-world Batman.” Although those two universes will not coexist, with both Nolan and Bale washing their hands of the Batman franchise, Man of Steel could well be the lynchpin from which the DC universe revolves around, whilst hurtling towards a Justice League mega-movie. Although we start with a hobo-like Clark Kent (Henry Cavill) wandering through America and down memory lane, the narrative essentially starts in a similar fashion to Donner’s 1978 Superman i.e. on the dying planet of Krypton. Russell Crowe steps in as the ultimate father figure, Jor-El, a man who managed to save his son, but very little else from his exploding planet. Michael Shannon is suitably chilling as the maniacal General Zod, but whereas Jor-El bites the dust, Zod sticks around as the film antagonist. Once our Superman gets his hiking and flashback sessions over with, we have caught up with his backstory in small snippets of mini-narratives, instead of lengthy arcs that are bound by continuity to establish our main character. It is a common ploy, but one that works well here, as although Kevin Costner and Diane Lane do a fine job stepping in as the homely and supportive Jonathan and Martha Kent, what the audience came to see is Superman making Lois Lane (Amy Adams) weak at the knees, while punching bad guys in the face, which Snyder delivers in his typical stylized and slow-mo fashion. It is by no means the most exciting superhero movie you will watch, but Snyder decided to concentrate on Clark’s weaknesses, not Superman’s strengths, a decision that makes the character vulnerable, and therefore relatable.

Don’t forget you can find a list of local cinemas (and what’s playing) online at: www.kansaiscene.com/cinemas/

World War Z Marc Forster • 116 mins • August 10 • Action • Brad Pitt, Mireille Enos

Adapted from Max Brooks’ book of the same title, the film looks at how a worldwide zombie attack could bring down our delicate society. The best bits of the book may be missing, but it is still a must for any fan of the living-dead.

Star Trek Into Darkness J.J. Abrams • 132mins • August 23 • Action Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto

Having made himself a get-out-of-jailfree-card, Abrams is relishing the chance to rewrite Trek history. With the characters fully developed, there is more room for fights, verbal retorts and, of course, lots of lens flares!

Kansai Scene magazine AUGUST 2013 kansaiscene.com

Events

Come join the party people What’s the most happening city in the world? Kobe, says this social event organiser. Find out why. Text: Daniel Tang

How do we recreate a New Year’s Eve social atmosphere more than once a year? That was the question Kobe native Manesh Gulrajani asked himself as he walked around his beloved city in 2011. “The image I had was of Kobe on December 31,” Manesh said. “People walking in and out of bars and clubs, having a fun time, talking to people they just met. Everyone just having a great time. Why does this have to be only once a year?” Manesh decided to be, as the popular saying goes, the change he wanted to see. In 2006, he started organising KYKK (Kinyou no Yoru wa Kobe de Kimari) gatherings, which were held every other Friday and included events such as dinners, after-parties and networking nights at various restaurants and bars. The concept steadily grew, with more friends starting to organise bigger events. It culminated in the first KYKK 10,000 People Party in 2011. “The first year we had over 100 bars and restaurants participate,” Manesh said. “In 2012 we took it up a notch to have the event for a week, with Octo-

ber 5 being the main day. This year we are taking it up again to another level with lots more going on.” Despite the huge scale of the event, Manesh wants fun to be the name of the game, which is why he’s kept KYKK practicalities simple: everyone buys a wristband, and with it you can enter all the venues and get a special deal. There’s also a main event hall with live events, fashion shows, stand-up comedy, DJ events and a lot more, along with more sub-event halls with more parties. Manesh is so confident about this year’s program, that he says: “On October 4, 2013, Kobe is going to be the most happening city in the world.” It’s a big claim, but Manesh certainly has the feedback and numbers to substantiate it. There are stories of bar owners asking regulars to help them serve to keep up with demand, and a restaurant running out of food at 9pm when it had planned to serve until 5am. Attendee feedback has also been positive, including quotes such as: “It was the best time I had in so many

years,” and “I have never experienced a party like this before. Thank you!” At the heart of its success is an emphasis not just on a hedonistic good night out, but on forging new friendships and social bonds. “The people of Kobe have been so helpful and warm-hearted,” Manesh said. “There is no way I could have done this alone. The members who help out are the key to this project. It takes so much time and effort to organize this event that it goes beyond our imagination, but the more we give, the more we get back.”

KYKK Essentials Festivities start on September 27 and will run for a week, ending on October 6. So far more than 200 establishments will participate. Wristbands are ¥2,000 each and can be bought at any participating establishments in Kobe. A full list is available at: project-kykk.com Volunteers are also needed. Please email info@project-kykk.com

26 Events

Lake Biwa Fireworks Display 第30回びわ湖大花火大会 FREE

Aug 8

Otsu Port Lake Biwa, Shiga

Join millions of spectators at one of the most loved and popular fireworks exhibitions in Japan. Held on Lake Biwa, the event is special in that it offers uninterrupted views of fireworks exploding above the lake’s surface. With the show celebrating its 30th year, organisers are pulling out all the stops. Expect to see 500-metre wide lotus blossoms and maple leaves, plus other wildlife found naturally in the Lake Biwa region, depicted in vivid colours against the night sky. Time: 7:30pm–8:30pm (postponed to the 12th in the event of storms) • Admission: free • Access: JR Biwako line Otsu stn; 15min walk/ Keihan Railway Hamaotsu stn; 5min walk • Tel: 077-511-1530 • biwako-visitors.jp/hanabi

Event Listings Model Railway in Kobe Harbourland

Toei Kyoto Studio Park Summer Attractions

わくわく！鉄道ハーバーランド

映画村ひえひえ王国

Kobe Harbourland Centre Building, Hyogo • Until Sep 1

Toei Kyoto Studio Park, Kyoto Until Sep 8

A great show for all the family with working model railway layouts, miniature bullet trains, real driver’s seats and many activities especially for children.

Beat the heat with loads of cool treats – a haunted house, shaved ice festival, ninjas who throw water over you, and more.

Admission: ¥800 (¥900 at door) adults, concessions • www8.kobenp.co.jp/blog/wakuwaku_tetsudo/

Midsummer Snow Festival 真夏の雪まつり Rokkosan Country House, Hyogo Until Sep 1

Don’t just sweat it out this summer – get your chill on, in a field filled with man-made snow. Admission: ¥600 adults, concessions • rokkosan.com/ country

Admission: ¥2,200 adults, concessions • toei-eigamura. com/2013summer

Free Zoo Trip 姫路市立動物園無料開放 FREE

Himeji City Zoo, Hyogo

Aug 3

Enjoy a free trip to the zoo from 9am–5pm for the regular zoo, and 7pm–9pm for the night zoo experience.

Admission: free (both daytime and evening sessions) • city.himeji.lg.jp/ s60/dobutuen.html

夏休みをあそぼう Lake Biwa Children’s Land, Shiga Until Aug 31

Time: 9am–7pm • Admission: depends on event • Tel: 740-341392 • www.biwa.ne.jp/~kodomo92

Admission: free • www.toukae.jp/ index.html

The World Hibakusha Exhibition 世界ヒバクシャ展京都 Jotenkaku Museum in Shokokuji Temple, Kyoto • Aug 6–Sep 8

A photographic exhibition of hibakusha – survivors of atomic explosions at Hiroshima or Nagasaki – and victims of radiation disasters from around the world.

Summer Fun in Lake Biwa

Summer entertainment for youngsters at beautiful Lake Biwa: swimming in the lake, rock climbing, cycling, and much more.

A 10-day light spectacular where thousands of candles will be lit around the park to wish for world peace.

Flaming Candle Evening 燈花会 FREE Nara Park, Nara Aug 5–14

Time: 10am–5pm (Closed Monday) • Admission: ¥800 adults, concessions • Email: hibakushaten@ gmail.com • no-more-hibakusha.net

Kansai Scene magazine AUGUST 2013 kansaiscene.com

Aug 1

Until Sep 1

「Kage’s Nest」©plaplax

Provided by Biwako Visitors Bureau

Diving Spectacle 竿飛び FREE

Magical Art Exhibition

Isakiji Temple, Shiga

Provided by Biwako Visitors Bureau

光と遊ぶ超体感型ミュージアム「魔法の美術館展」

There’s no better way to begin your August than this: watch a spine-tingling, adrenalin-pumping diving spectacle set against the picturesque backdrop of Lake Biwa. The beautiful Isekiji temple, which sits atop a sheer cliff jutting out of Lake Biwa, plays host to a diving ritual that sees participants plunge from a 7-metre high timber plank into the lake below. According to legend, the ritual started 1,100 years ago when a monk dove from the temple into the lake to collect donations offered by local fishermen. This event was later developed into a form of religious training by mountain monks, and today is held to ward off evil. Check out the steely-nerved divers as they walk along the 13 metre plank, which is said to swing so wildly that some never make it to the end.

Akashi City Museum of Culture, Hyogo

Step into a magical world of light and shadow at the Akashi City Museum of Culture’s innovative media art exhibition. This special exhibition, held only during the summer holidays, showcases artworks made with the very latest in computer technology. So rather than employing traditional materials such as paint, clay or wood, these works instead use sounds, lights and screen images to create wondrous artistic impressions. Children will love the exhibit’s interactive element - chasing mini friends in a nest or catching shadows in a forest - as the museum is transformed into a visual wonderland. Time: 9:30am–6:30pm • Admission: ¥800 adults, concessions

Time: 10am Admission: free • Access: JR Biwako line Omihachiman

• Access: JR / Sanyo Railway Akashi stn; 5min walk

stn bus to Horikiriko; 40min walk

• Tel: 078-918-5400 • akashibunpaku.com/exhibition/

Lounge on soft grass and listen to jazz at an an open-air concert.

Admission: ¥3,000 (¥3,500 at door) adults, concessions • azaleanet. or.jp/event161.html

Hozenji Yokocho Festival Pottery Festival 五條坂陶器祭り Gojozaka, Kyoto Aug 7–10 FREE

A famous three-day pottery market where over 400 roadside shops on the Gojozaka Street will be selling various crockery at bargain prices. Admission: free • toukimaturi.gr.jp

Jazz Picnic in Inagawa 2013 ジャズピクニックイン猪名川 Inagawa Undo Park, Osaka Aug 10

法善寺横丁まつり FREE Hozenji Temple and Surroundings • Aug 10 & 11

Experience old-world Japan with bunraku puppet theatre, rakugo comic story telling, authentic Osaka cuisine and more. Time: 2pm • Admission: free • Access: Subway Midosuji line Namba stn 5min walk

Lantern Service

Dekansho Festival

中元万燈籠

第61回丹波篠山デカンショ祭り

FREE

Kasuga-Taisha Shrine, Nara Aug 14 & 15

FREE Sasayama Castle Ruins, Hyogo • Aug 15 & 16

See the shrine’s vermilion cloisters glow with 3,000 lanterns as part of an 800-year old ritual.

One of Japan’s largest bon dance events features a fireworks display, a large food village, and more

Time: 7pm • Admission: free • kasugataisha.or.jp

Admission: free • dekansho.com

Demon Dance 鬼舞 FREE Shiide Itsukushima-Jinja, Wakayama • Aug 16

See a red-haired demon dancing to drums and flutes and before chasing

Continued overleaf…

Kansai Scene magazine AUGUST 2013 kansaiscene.com

Aug 24 & 25

Provided by Kyoto-design.jp

Provided by Tourism Section Nara Municipal Office

Aug 16

Daimonji Okuribi Bonfire

Basara Festival

五山送り火

バサラ祭り

FREE

Various Parts of Kyoto City

FREE

JR Nara stn, Todaiji Temple and surroundings, Nara

Every year on August 16, the five mountains surrounding Kyoto are set ablaze with giant bonfires as part of a festival that sees ancestral spirits returning to their family homes. Bidding farewell to these spirits as they head back to the netherworld, five massive fires depicting Japanese kanji, a ship and a shrine gate will be lit on the hillsides. For the best seat in the house, catch this dramatic centuries-old Japanese tradition from the safety of a viewing spot between Marutamachi Bridge and Misono Bridge on the Kamo River, or between Saiin and Kinkakuji-michi on Nishioji Street.

Put on your most colourful clothes and prepare to get your groove on at Nara’s two-day dance festival, which sees hundreds of local dancers performing shows around the city centre. Given the name basara, a word used to describe people who stand out in a crowd, the festival is inspired by a trend among samurai during the 14th to 16th centuries to wear showy clothes and behave eccentrically. In this dance extravaganza, organisers hope to encourage modern folk to embody some of that fearless, extravagance from so long ago. Well... for two days at least.

Time: 8pm–8:30pm • Admission: free • Tel: 075-343-0548

Admission: free • Access: JR/Kintetsu Railway Nara stn • www.basaramatsuri.com

Event listings cont. children as part of a religious offering ritual.

Time: 5pm • Admission: free • Access: Nankai Railway Koyashita stn; 3min walk

A large collection of antique kimonos exhibited in a 100-year old Japanese house.

Admission: ¥1,050 • www.tondaya. co.jp

Beach Festa 2013

FREE

Ohana Dance おはな踊り FREE

Hiyoshi-Jinja Shrine, Shiga

An annual rainmaking ceremony where villagers perform a special dance in ornate costumes.

Admission: free • Access: JR Biwako line Kawase stn bus to Gakko-mae • sangyo@town.koura. lg.jp

アンティーク着物展 Tondaya, Kyoto • Aug 18–30

Gangoji Temple, Nara

Aug 24

Aug 21

Antique Kimono Display

Time: 5pm–9pm • Admission: free • Access: Kintetsu Railway Nara stn; 5min walk

夢まつり～音と食の饗宴～

FREE Sennan Satoumi Park, Osaka Aug 18

Admission: free • www.toki-meki. net/pc/index.html

Admission: free • gangara.gr.jp • Access: Hankyu Ikeda stn.

Food and Music in Nara

ときめきビーチフェスタ 2013

Forty-eight teams will compete in beach volleyball, soccer and an obstacle course for a ¥200,000 cash prize!

An array of Buddhist statues are illuminated with sacred lights to pray for children’ healthy growth.

Jizoe Ritual 地蔵会 FREE Gangoji Temple, Nara Aug 23 & 24

An annual midsummer attraction held in a Buddhist temple’s grounds featuring gourmet stalls, live music show and children’s activities. Time: 11am • Admission: free • Access: Kintetsu Railway Nara stn; 5min walk • yume824＠gmail. com

Gangara Fire Festival がんがら火祭り

Rafting Competition ラフティング大会 (北山村) FREE

Okutoro Park, Wakayama

Aug 25

White-water rafting races held in a beautiful valley located in Okutoro Park.

Admission: free • Access: JR Kisei Honsen line Kumanoshi stn bus (60min) to Okutoro-koen • Tel: 0735-49-2119

FREE Ikeda City Hall and Surroundings • Aug 24

Giant flaming torches, over four metres high and weighing 100 kilos, are paraded around the neighbourhood at this annual summer festival worshipping Mt Atago.

Find more listings online at: www.kansaiscene.com/listings

Kansai Scene magazine AUGUST 2013 kansaiscene.com

Art

Until Aug 18

Dojima River Biennale 2013: KS Little Water Dojima River Forum

Kozo Takayama

Until Aug 18 • Art festival with a thematic focus and international lineup at a stylish riverfront complex. Open: 11am–7pm every day during exhibition period • Admission: ¥1,000 • Access: Nakanoshima, Fukushima, Shin-Fukushima or Higobashi Stn • dojimariver.com/topics/biennale2013.html • Access: JR Osaka Stn • artosaka.jp

Pick

The third in a series of thematic biennials at the Dojima River Forum in Fukushima, Osaka focuses on the seemingly basic yet surprisingly profound topic of water. A city largely reclaimed from sea and marsh, and traditionally based around rivers, canals and waterfronts, Osaka was historically known as an aquatic metropolis and serves as an ideal location for this exhibition exploring water’s poetic, cultural, historical and political implications. An international roster of artists includes several multimedia innovators such as Osaka-based Yukio Fujimoto, creator of consciousness-altering sound installations and interactive works; South African William Kentridge, known for his allegorical, expressionistic fusions of drawing and animation; Doug Aitken, prolific Californian video artist and organizer of site-specific installations, collaborations and Happenings; and photographer and multidisciplinary mad scientist Hiroshi Sugimoto, one of Japan’s most internationally recognized artists.

Art Listings Kyoto Bernard Leach’s Animals Asahi Beer Oyamazaki Villa Museum of Art • Until Sep 1

Animal-themed works by a seminal British potter who was deeply inspired by Japanese ceramic traditions. Held at a stately mansion converted into a museum. Open: 10am–5pm • closed Mon (when Mon is a national holiday, open Mon and closed Tue) • Admission: ¥900 • Access: JR Kyoto line Yamazaki Stn, Hankyu Kyoto line Oyamazaki Stn • asahibeer-oyamazaki.com

Taro Yamamoto: 18/24 (Eighteen TwentyFourths) FREE Imura Art Gallery, Kyoto Until Aug 10

Eighteen of a series of 24 paintings based on Japan’s traditional division of a year into 24 mini-seasons, by painter who puts a contemporary spin on Japanese painting traditions.

Hankyu line Tenjinbashisuji 6-chome Stn or JR Loop Line Tenma Stn • konjyakukan.com

Open: 11am–7pm • closed Sun, Mon and hols • Admission: Free • Access: Keihan line JinguMarutamachi Stn • imuraart.com

Open: 11am–7pm • closed Sun, Mon and hols • Admission: Free • Access: Yotsubashi subway line Namba Stn • www.dnp.co.jp/gallery/ ddd

Osaka

The Lady and the Unicorn from the Musée de Cluny, Paris, France

Mucha: Art Nouveau, Illuminating Life The Osaka Museum of Housing and Living • Until Sep 1

Show of work by Alphonse Mucha, focusing on Art Nouveau’s role in the flowering of modern consumer culture around the turn of the last century. Open: 10am–5pm • Admission: ¥300, or ¥800 for this show plus permanent exhibition • Access: Tanimachi or Sakaisuji subway /

Over 100 posters from the LIFE series by Kazumasa Nagai, one of Japan’s leading graphic designers, on the themes of organic life forms and vital energy.

National Museum of Art, Osaka Until Oct 20

DNP Graphic Design Archives Collection V: LIFE – Kazumasa Nagai Poster Exhibition ddd gallery Until Aug 31 FREE

Exquisite medieval collection of France’s Musée de Cluny, including the titular tapestry which is renowned as one of Medieval Europe’s greatest masterpieces, in Japan for the first time. Open: 10am–5pm (until 7pm on Fri) • closed Mon (when Mon is a national holiday, open Mon and closed Tue) • Admission: ¥1,500

Kansai Scene magazine AUGUST 2013 kansaiscene.com

Transforming Arms into Art: Peace-Building in Mozambique

Until Nov 5

National Museum of Ethnology

A civil war in the southeast African nation of Mozambique dragged on for nearly two decades (1976-1992), claiming around a million lives, displacing millions more, and leaving many mutilated and terrorized by landmines. It also left the country with a plethora of surplus AK-47s and other weapons, which artists have been disassembling and refashioning into sculptures. Now 20 of these works and dozens of photos and other materials pertaining to the country and the war have come to Osaka’s National Museum of Ethnology, located in Banpaku Park (Expo ’70 Commemorative Park). The sculptures’ raw vitality and humanistic subject matter stand in stark contrast to the cold metal components from which they are created – components designed to kill that symbolise the wounds from which the country still struggles to recover. One piece, Cycle of Life, depicting a family astride a bicycle, was created from hundreds of dismantled guns and pays tribute to a non-profit organisation based in Ehime Prefecture that has been shipping impounded illegally parked bicycles from Japan to Mozambique. This exhibition inspires visceral emotional reactions, introduces a piece of modern history forgotten by or unfamiliar to many in both Japan and the West, and stands as a powerful testament to the healing power of art. Until Nov 5 • Art fashioned from weapons left over from the Mozambique civil war, and related materials. Open: 11am–5pm • Closed Wed (when Wed is a national holiday, open Wed and closed Thu) • Admission: ¥420 • Access: Osaka Monorail, Banpaku Kinen-koen Stn • www.minpaku.ac.jp

• Access: Keihan Nakanoshima line Watanabebashi Stn • www.nmao. go.jp

Subway Shinsaibashi Station • shinsaibashi-noh.jp

Hyogo Yokoo’s Yokoo Zoo Yokoo Tadanori Museum of Contemporary Art Until Sep 16

Selected works by Yokoo with a wide range of animal themes. This artist is known for bizarre and occasionally grotesque imagery, but this show is suitable for kids as well.

Nearski FREE Little Museum at the New Osaka Hotel • Aug 5–24

Solo exhibition featuring selected bird paintings inspired by life in Osaka, by multi-talented Osakabased British artist, illustrator and designer. Opening party on Aug 6. Little Museum located in lobby of hotel • Admission: Free • Access:

Open: 10am–6pm (until 8pm Fri and Sat) • closed Mon (when Mon is a national holiday, open Mon and closed Tue) • Admission: ¥500 • Access: Hankyu Ojikoen Stn or JR Nada Stn • www.ytmoca.jp

Kunio Kato: Quiet Warmth of a Tiny Story Itami City Museum of Art and The Museum of Arts and Crafts, Itami

(facilities located next door to one another) • Until Sep 1

Storyboards, sketches and materials from the acclaimed Japanese animated film Tsumiki no ie (La Maison en Petits Cubes), winner of the 2009 Oscar for Best Animated Short Film. Open: 10am–6pm • closed Mon (when Mon is a national holiday, open Mon and closed Tue) • Admission: ¥800 • Access: JR Takarazuka line Itami Stn • artmuseum-itami.jp

Bologna Children's Book Fair Illustrators Exhibition Otani Memorial Art Museum, Nishinomiya City • Aug 17–Sep 23

Original prize-winning children’s book illustration from the annual contest in Bologna, Italy, highlights latest trends in the medium.

Open: 10am–5pm • closed Wed (when Wed is a national holiday, open Wed and closed Thu) • Admission: ¥800 • Access: Hanshin Koroen Stn • otanimuseum.jp/home

Great French Paintings from the Clark Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Art Until Sep 1

From the Sterling and Francine Clark Institute in the US, about 70 works by renowned 19th-century French painters never before shown in Japan. Open: 10am–6pm, until 8pm Fri and Sat; closed Mon (when Mon is a national holiday, open Mon and closed Tue) • Admission: ¥1,500 • Access: Hanshin Iwaya, JR Nada or Hankyu Ojikoen Stn • www.artm. pref.hyogo.jp

Find gallery access details and more listings online at: www.kansaiscene.com/listings

Kansai Scene magazine AUGUST 2013 kansaiscene.com

Club

Aug 24–25

Sea of Green 2013 Yogo Kougen Resort Yap Sea of Green 2013 (Dance music) • Acts: A Guy Called Gerald, Oscar Burnside, Pier Bucci, Alejandro Mosso, Mixmaster Morris, Moodman, Coffee.Rumba, Enitokwa, Jibb + more • Open: 1pm • Admission: ¥7,000 (ADV: ¥5,500) • Where: Shiga • Info: seaofgreen.jp

Summer is well and truly here, and while partying in airconditioned clubs is fun, nothing beats the atmosphere of an outdoor music festival. Kansai usually misses out on most of the outdoor parties in Japan, which is why Sea of Green 2013, held only a two hour train ride from Osaka in the beautiful highlands of Shiga, is so exciting. The festival includes all genres of electronic music, with headliners A Guy Called Gerald (UK), Pier Bucci (Chili), Oscar Burnside (Germany), Alejandro Mosso (Argentina), Mixmaster Morris (UK) and Moodman (Japan) along with a number of local talents. 2013 marks 25 years of A Guy Called Gerald, one of the founding members of 808 State, in dance

Left: A Guy Called Gerald, right: Oscar Burnside

music and he will be performing an exclusive live set using vintage Roland equipment. This is going to be a very special performance, so be sure to check the timetable beforehand so you don’t miss it. Go to seaofgreen.jp for more information. Have a great summer!

Club Listings August 2 (Fri)

Podd, mir music prayer • Open: 10pm • Admission: ¥2,500/1D + food (ADV: ¥2,000/1D + food) • Where: Kyoto • Tel: 075-241-0009 • ace-cafe.com

Azure

Heartbeat (Hip-hop) • DJs: B-ball,

The Fun (Hip-hop/Reggae) • DJs:

Nore, Ruffty, Hisakid + more • Admission: Gentlemen: ¥2,500/1D, Ladies: ¥1,000/1D. Foreigners: ¥FREE (Before 11pm: ¥FREE) • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-62120226 • club-azure.net

World Sugiurumn - May The House With You Release Tour (House)

• DJs: Sugiurumn + more • Open: TBA • Admission: TBA • Where: Kyoto • Tel: 075-213-4119 • worldkyoto.com

3 (Sat) AceCafe Happinesses (Techno/House/ Jazz) • DJs: Yoshihiro Okino,

Juzzy, Minami + more • Admission: Gentlemen: ¥2,500/1D, Ladies: ¥2,000/2D. Foreigners: ¥FREE • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-62120226 • club-azure.net

Circus Agile (Techno) • DJs: Kid-B,

Monashee, Ryo Yoshida • Open: 8pm • Admission: ¥3,000/1D (ADV: ¥2,500/1D) • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6241-3822 • circus-osaka. com

Onzieme Hyper Society x block.Party (House) • DJs: Tomoyuki Tanaka,

Taku-Hero, Urban Reserch DJs • Open: 9pm • Admission: ¥3,000/1D • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 066243-0089 • onzi-eme.com

Troop Cafe

5 (Mon)

Distinction (Crossover/Jazz) •

Acts: Kohji Matsuda, Ryo, Tatsuro Yamamoto + more • Open: 11pm • Admission: ¥1,000/1D • Where: Kobe • Tel: 078-321-3130 • troopcafe.tumblr.com

Union Gulp! (House) • DJs: Osakaman, Mottsu, Koji Fujimoto • Open: 9pm • Admission: ¥1,500/1D • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6251-2242 • club-union.jp

4 (Sun) Universe Universal Adventure Live: Juno Reactor - Final Frontier Tour 2013 (Techno/Trance) • Live:

Juno Reactor • DJs: Taiki, Me:ca, TeddyLoid, Akira • Open: 5pm • Admission: ¥5,000 (ADV: ¥4,000) • Where: Namba • tce.bz/ua_live

Union Monday Channel Special (House) • DJs: Andre Collins,

K-Katsu • Open: 10pm • Admission: ¥2,000/1D • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6251-2242 • club-union.jp

9 (Fri) Azure Osaka Safari (Hip-hop/R&B) • DJs: George, Shimotaku, Maru, B-Ball, Bullset + more • Admission: Gentlemen: ¥2,500/1D, Ladies: ¥1,000/1D. Foreigners: ¥FREE (Before 11pm: ¥FREE) • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6212-0226 • club-azure.net

Circus Joujouka “The Sound Kills Despair” Release Party (Techno/ Electro) • Acts: Joujouka, Tsuyoshi,

Funky Gong, Dai aka Energy Dai, O-Man • Open: 8pm • Admission:

Kansai Scene magazine AUGUST 2013 kansaiscene.com

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

Triangle Music By Maurice Fulton & Marcellus Pittman (Techno/ House) • DJs: Maurice Fulton,

Marcellus Pittman + more • Open: 9pm • Admission: ¥3,000/1D (WF & ADV: ¥2,500/1D) • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6212-2264 • triangle-osaka.jp

Union 4Rapture (House) • DJs: Dazzle Drums, Masaaki, Nagisa • Open: 9pm • Admission: ¥2,000/1D • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-62512242 • club-union.jp

10 (Sat)

13 (Tue) World Connect (House/Drum’n’Bass) • DJs: Kyoko, Toyo, Aso • Open: 8pm • Admission: ¥2,000 • Where: Kyoto • Tel: 075-213-4119 • world-kyoto. com

15 (Thu) Onzieme Ligand 1st Anniversary (Techno/ House) • DJs: Shinkawa, Kitten

aka Mikanyan, Genki, Chihiro, Erry, Junky F, FxTxW • Open: 8pm • Admission: ¥1,000/1D • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6243-0089 • onzi-eme.com

16 (Fri)

Azure The Fun (Hip-hop/Reggae) • DJs: Juzzy, Minami, Shimotaku + more • Admission: Gentlemen: ¥2,500/1D, Ladies: ¥2,000/2D. Foreigners: ¥FREE • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6212-0226 • club-azure.net

Circus Lost Weekend (Techno/House)

World Kyoto Daimonji Special (House/ Electro/EDM) • DJs: Verbal, Taku-

Hero, Yan-Yan, Tem + more • Open: 8pm • Admission: Gentlemen: ¥3,000/1D, Ladies: ¥2,500/1D • Where: Kyoto • Tel: 075-213-4119 • world-kyoto.com

• DJs: Hikaru, New Tone Crew • Open: 8pm • Admission: ¥2,500/1D • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 066241-3822 • circus-osaka.com

17 (Sat)

End.

Tightrope Dancing (House) • DJs: Ageishi + more • Open: 8pm • Admission: ¥2,000/1D • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6241-3822 • circus-osaka.com

Dynasty (Techno/House) • Live:

Yuji Ono • DJs: Masamune, Watalu Kanehisa, Milk Bro., Hiran, Yama, Miffy • Open: 9pm • Admission: ¥1,000/1D • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6226-8732

Grand Cafe Daishi Dance monthly regular Midnight! (House) • Live: Shinji

Takeda • DJs: Daishi Dance, Kohsuke, Anyan, Manaboon • Open: 8pm • Admission: ¥3,000/1D (Before 10pm: ¥1,500/1D) • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6213-0031 • grandcafeosaka.com

Troop Cafe Bush (Techno) • Acts: Daze

Maxim Soich, Det-Chin, Moyo, Yudai Tamura, Ike, Tomoaki Imazu Shunji Nakamura • Open: 11pm • Admission: ¥2,500/1D (ADV: ¥2,000/1D) • Where: Kobe • Tel: 078-321-3130 • troopcafe.tumblr. com

Union Elements (Techon/House) •

DJs: Yashima, Junichi Kuwata, Shirakawa, Airi • Open: 9pm • Admission: ¥1,500/1D • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6251-2242 • club-union.jp

Circus

Onzieme DJ Emma “Double Release Tour” feat. seven (House) • DJs: Emma,

Nao Nomura, Osakaman, senda, Atsuo Morita, Eyez • Open: 8pm • Admission: ¥3,000/1D • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6243-0089 • onzi-eme.com

Troop Cafe Summit (Techno/House) • DJs:

Doiike, Arika, Nakatani, Jibb, Takashi • Open: 11pm • Admission: ¥2,000/1D • Where: Kobe • Tel: 078321-3130 • troopcafe.tumblr.com

24 (Sat) Joule Queen presents Infected Mushroom Japan Tour (Trance)

• Acts: Infected Mushroom, Energy Dai, M.Minami, 1000 Dream, Atesh Sai + more • Open: 9pm • Admission: ¥4,000/1D (ADV: ¥3,000/1D) • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6214-1223 • club-joule.jp

World DDD (House) • DJ: Daishi Dance • Open: 8pm • Admission: TBA • Where: Kyoto • Tel: 075-213-4119 • world-kyoto.com

30 (Fri) Circus 80 Kidz DJ Tour (Techno/Electro)

• Acts: 80kidz, Kyoko, Fu-tsuka + more • Open: 8pm • Admission: ¥3,000/1D (ADV: ¥2,500/1D) • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-62413822 • circus-osaka.com

31 (Sat)

¥3,000/1D (ADV: ¥2,500/1D) • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-62413822 • circus-osaka.com

Onzieme Bikini Night Summer 2013 (House) • DJs: Mitomi Tokoto,

O-Man, Hiloco, Kira & Lair • Open: 9pm • Admission: Gentlemen: ¥3,000/1D, Ladies: ¥Free • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6243-0089 • onzi-eme.com

World Source to Soul (Electro/Black Music) • DJs: Dexpistols, North

Wave, Ura, Taisuke, Itayan • Open: 8pm • Admission: TBA • Where: Kyoto • Tel: 075-213-4119 • worldkyoto.com

Chikusa Ski Resort Deepulse - Open Air Outdoor Part (Techno/House) • DJs:

Ree.K, Masa, Kihira Naoki, Yoshiki, Kazuma, Yashima, Hal, Zen + more • Open: TBA • Admission: TBA • Where: Hyogo • deepulse.com

Circus Marcel Fengler - Fokus Release Tour (Techno) • DJs: Marcel Fegler

+ more • Open: 8pm • Admission:

Find more listings online at: www.kansaiscene.com/listings

Kansai Scene magazine AUGUST 2013 kansaiscene.com

Art

The indefinite artist Why a set of flaming Poi are as much tools of the trade as pencils and photoshop for this month’s cover artist Rita Morais. What do you imagine when you hear the word ‘artist’? A paint-spattered easel and canvas being auctioned for millions of dollars? Or perhaps an impoverished manga-ka, hunched over paper and ink to scratch out their stories for a weekly magazine? This month’s cover artist Rita Morais is neither of those, but, as it turns out, she’s also pretty hard to define. Take for example her performance art group Berry. A quick scroll down the Berry Facebook page raises way more questions than it answers. Is that a nurses’ uniform? What’s with the creepy contact lenses? Is that a luminous hula hoop? Where do you get one of those? Well. It all looks a little wild for a former graphic design major. Rita explains: “I had about eight years of drama classes and if I had to choose between visual arts and performative arts, I would probably choose the stage. A friend and I created Berry. It’s a mix of dance, circus and theatre. My friend does hula hoop and I do poi, normally with light or fire. We hold different shows at different venues. It’s a project that takes a lot of my time but makes me incredibly happy.” Let’s rewind. What brought Rita and her flaming poi to Japan in the first place? “Since I grasped the idea that if

I spoke English I could travel and live anywhere in the world, that has been my dream. I love the overwhelming feeling of starting from zero, of imagining all the possible lives I might have in a new place. I love the cultural shock and the gradual feeling of understanding when you move to a new place. I lived in Istanbul for half a year and it was one of the best experiences of my life. It was also this experience that led me to get a job in Japan. “Now, I live five minutes from Namba, in an amazing share house with seven wonderful people, both Japanese and foreigners. It is the biggest living space I’ve seen in Japan and there is always music, painting and learning going on. I love it. I create my artwork from home, I have two rooms and one was transformed into a studiolike space.” When she’s not performing with Berry, Rita also works as a freelance graphic designer. She struggles to absolutely pin down her own visual style too, explaining it’s “maybe because I am too young and still experimenting, maybe because I have a very hard time deciding on a direction and even a medium to use. I like thinking about each work as a new challenge and therefore I will have completely different results

for each work. My favourite themes are people and animals, anything with texture and soul.” Going with the flow, there’s no average time Rita usually finishes her artworks in. She adds: “Sometimes I might do hundreds of 10 second – 1 minute paintings, sometimes the artworks might take up to three weeks. I like drawing, pencil or pen, I really like working with line. Watercolor is my favorite painting material. I also like using photoshop to merge all the parts of an artwork, like the cover for Kansai Scene, where I drew the elements on paper and then merged, colored and added some elements digitally.” Different mediums, different styles, shifting from paper to stage at the speed of whirling poi: it’s no surprise that Rita is flexible when looking to the future. “I don’t know what I want to do with my life yet,” she says “But I know I want to keep moving for as long as I can.” Email Rita on guitita@gmail.com for information on freelance work or collaborations or even just to say hello. And check out Berry on Facebook for information or bookings: facebook. com/BerryMagic

Kansai Scene magazine AUGUST 2013 kansaiscene.com

Live Music Sept 12

Giovanni Mirabassi Paris-based Italian-born jazz pianist Giovanni Mirabassi is definitely not to be missed by genuine jazz piano aficionados. Growing up listening to the likes of Bill Evans, Oscar Peterson, Bud Powell and Art Tatum, Mirabassi had played with Chet Baker and Steve Grossman (US jazz fusion saxophonist) by the time he was 17. Moving to Paris in 1992, his debut album was released in 1996 and went on to receive the ‘Best Soloist’ prize at the Concours International de Jazz d’Avignon. His latest release was the October 2011 album Adelante recorded in Cuba. So far, critics have been more than complimentary of the artist: “Giovanni Mirabassi, a magician, is big news in the world of jazz.” And that’s all you need to know!

Pick

Paris-based Italian Jazz pianist in the vein of Bud Powell and Oscar Peterson • Billboard Live Osaka, Osaka • Jazz • 6:30pm/9:30pm • ¥5,900/¥7,400 • Tel: 06-6342-7722

Live Music Listings August/September Rock & Pop

Zepp, Osaka Sept 8

Soul • 6:30pm/9:30pm • ¥7,900/¥9,400 • Tel: 06-6342-7722

Rap • 6pm • ¥9,000/¥11,000 • Tel:06-7732-8888

Greeeen Japanese backbeat pop hip-hop vocal group Zepp, Osaka Aug 20 Male vocal • 7pm • ¥5,800 • Tel: 06-7732-8888

Todd Rundgren Takamizawa

Takamizawa The Alfee guitarist solo project Namba Hatch, Osaka Aug 17 The Alfee guitarist solo project • Rock • 6pm • ¥6,800 • Tel: 06-6341-3525

Show Ya Japanese reformed ‘80s female rock metal band Club Quattro, Osaka Aug 17 • Rock • 5pm • ¥5,250 • Tel: 06-7732-8888

The Temptations Motown Soul chorus group Billboard Live Osaka, Osaka Aug 19

US Classic Experimental/Prog Rock multi-instrumentalist producer Billboard Live Osaka, Osaka Aug 24 Pop • 3pm/6:30pm • ¥6,300 • Tel: 06-6357-4400

Hibria Technical Power/Speed Metal from Brazil Club Quattro, Osaka Sept 1 Metal • 6pm • ¥6,500 • Tel: 06-6311-8111

Yusu Japanese male pop duo Osaka Jo Hall, Osaka Sept 3-4

Pop • 6:30pm • ¥6,500/¥9,450 • Tel: 06-7732-8888

Pitbull American rapper/singer/producer Namba Hatch, Osaka Sept 9 UVERworld

UVERworld Japanese five-piece rock outfit Zepp, Osaka Sept 5-6 Rock • 7pm • ¥6,000 • Tel: 06-7732-8888

Aiko Japanese female melodic pop vocalist Osaka Jo Hall, Osaka Sept 6-7 Pop • 6th-7pm/7th-6pm • ¥6,500 • Tel: 0570-02-9999

Chabo Ex-RC Succession guitarist and singer Nakaido Reichi Taku Taku, Kyoto Sept 7 Rock Blues • 6pm • ¥6,000 • Tel: 075-351-1321

Pitbull American rapper/singer/producer

Rap • 7pm • ¥9,000/¥11,000 • Tel: 06-7732-8888

Exile Japanese male pop vocal group Kyocera Dome, Osaka Sept 11-12 Pop • 6pm • ¥9,500 • Tel: 06-6357-4400

B’z Veteran Japanese guitar rock duo Kyocera Dome, Osaka Sept 12 Rock • 7pm • ¥5,000/¥8,500 • Tel: 06-6357-4400

Yuki Koyonagi Popular Japanese vocalist Sept 14 Namba Hatch, Osaka Pop • 5pm • ¥6,300 • Tel: 06-6344-3326

Kansai Scene magazine AUGUST 2013 kansaiscene.com

Sep 1

Sep 13

Sep 14 & 15

Hibria

Yat-Kha

Kyary Pamyu Pamyu

Technical, power-speed metal from Brazil; self-explanatory really! Debuting nearly 10 years ago with the 2004 released Defying the Rules, Hibria, who cite their influences as Iron Maiden, Metallica, Megadeth and Dream Theater, have built a strong following in Japan. The band’s new album, Silent Revenge, was released in Japan on June 26. Pile-driving double bass drumming (Eduardo Baldo) and solid bass (Bonhuer Lima) drive the band with intricate and precise guitar work (Abel Camargo and Remto Osorio) overlaid with strong melodic vocals provided by Luri Sanson. At the time of writing, Silent Revenge rates as one of Japan’s top selling metal albums so be quick, tickets will fly!!

This is a real coup for a small venue such as Taku Taku in Kyoto. Yat-Kha, from the Russian area of Tuva, have been finding favour across Europe and now bring their unique mix of traditional folk and heavy rock to Japan. Fronted by the distinctive deep growling vocals of Albert Kuvezin, the band came together over 20 years ago and have pretty much been an underground cult outfit ever since. Now consisting of Kuvezin, Zhenyn Tkachv (drums) and Theodore Scipio (bass), Yat-Kha’s latest release was Poets & Lighthouses back in 2010. Recorded on the Scottish island of Jura, it reached #1 on the European World Music charts.

Model, singer, blogger, businesswoman and “Kawaii Harajuku Ambassador”, Kiriha Takamura seems to have captured the eyes of fans across the globe. At just 20 years old, one has to wonder how she copes with Kawaii ‘phenomenon’ that has grown around her. Starting out as a fashion blogger, her first single Pon Pon Pon was an instant hit worldwide catching the eye of over 50 million YouTube viewers. Follow-up singles included Candy Candy and Fashion Monster before the release of last years full album Pamyu Pamyu Revolution. Her recent and second long-play Nanda Collection debuted at #1 on the album charts. Whatever your musical penchant, no-one can help themselves from having at least a little soft spot for this young pop sensation.

An interesting mix of traditional and rock music from Tuva, Siberia • Taku Taku, Kyoto • Folk Rock • 7pm • ¥4,000/¥4,500

Technical Power/Speed Metal from Brazil

• Tel: 075-351-1321

• Club Quattro, Osaka • Metal • 6pm

Pop fashion idol ‘Kawaii Ambassador’ •

• ¥6,500 • Tel: 06-6311-8111

Orix Theatre, Osaka • Sept 14-15 • Pop • 14th-6pm/15th-4pm • ¥5,000 · Tel: 067732-8888

Kyary Pamyu Pamyu Pop fashion idol ‘Kawaii Ambassador’ Orix Theatre, Osaka Sept 14-15

Pop • 14th-6pm/15th-4pm •¥5,000 • Tel: 06-7732-8888

Rake Japanese R&B singer-songwriter Club Quattro, Osaka Sept 15

Male vocal • 5pm • ¥4,750/¥5,250 • Tel: 06-7732-8888

Jazz & Blues Casiopea 3rd Reformed ‘70s Japanese jazz fusion group

Big Cat, Osaka Aug 23

Jazz fusion • 7pm • ¥6,000 • Tel: 06-6357-4400

Marcus Miller US jazz fusion bassist/multiinstrumentalist Billboard Live Osaka, Osaka Aug 27-29

Jazz Fusion • 6:30pm/9:30pm • ¥9,500/¥11,000 • Tel: 06-6342-7722

Pheeroan akLaff Veteran US jazz drummer Rag, Kyoto Sept 12

Jazz • 7:30pm • ¥3,000/¥4,700 • Tel: 075-241-0446

Giovanni Mirabassi Trio Paris-based Italian Jazz pianist in the vein of Bud Powell and Oscar Peterson Billboard Live Osaka, Osaka Sept 12

Jazz • 6:30pm/9:30pm • ¥5,900/¥7,400 • Tel: 06-6342-7722

Takeshi Yamaguchi and the Cool Dogs Samba/Brazilian jazz guitar and backing band Honmachi Garden City Lobby Sept 6

Jazz • 7:30pm • ¥3,000/¥4,500 • Tel: 075-241-0446

World Havana D Primera & Eddy K A mixture of Cuban Timba and Reggaeton Club Quattro, Osaka Aug 28 World • 7pm • ¥6,300 • Tel: 092-762-4100

Jazz • 7pm • ¥FREE

Rusconi Jazz trio from Switzerland Rag, Kyoto Sept 13

Find more listings online at: www.kansaiscene.com/listings

Kansai Scene magazine AUGUST 2013 kansaiscene.com

Kansai Business Finder Wining & Dining Absinthe Mediterranean Restaurant Cafe/Bar

Nishi-ku, Kita-horie 1-2-27 South Yotsubashi Bldg. 1F Osaka Tel: 06-6534-6635 Url: www.absinthe-jp.com

Asbinthe Solaar Roof Top Restaurant Cafe Bar & Beer Garden

Chuo-ku, Namba 5-1-18 Namba Dining Maison 8F Osaka Tel: 06-6633-1445 Url: www.absinthe-jp.com/absinthesolaar

Outback Steakhouse Australian Themed Steakhouse

Kita-ku, Umeda 2-1-24 Shinsakurabashi Bldg. 1F Osaka Tel: 06-6457-7121 Url: www.outbacksteakhouse.co.jp

Murphy’s Irish Pub First Irish Pub in Japan

> for more listings and maps see kansaiscene.com/business-finder

Chuo-ku, Higashi-shinsaibashi 1-631 Lead plaza 6F Osaka Tel: 06-6282-0677 Url: www.murphysosaka.com

Tel: 06-6213-1122 Url: www.irishpub-dublinbay.com

Tel: 06-6553-2292 Url: www.aliskitchen.jp

Zerro

Go_suke

Fubar

The Place to be...

Beer & Pizza restaurant and bar

Chuo-ku, Shinsaibashi-suji 2-3-2, Queen’s Court Bldg 1F Osaka Tel: 06-6211-0439

Kita-ku, Sonezaki-cho 2-5-24, Chuo Bldg. 3/4F, Osaka Tel: 06-6312-3387 Url: facebook.com/beerpizzagosuke

Restaurant and Bar

Chuo-ku, Shinsaibashi-suji 1-5-22F Osaka Tel: 06-6245-3757 Url: www.fubarosaka.com

Captain Kangaroo Food, Sports & Rock ‘n’ Roll

Kita-ku, Sonezaki-shinchi 1-5-20 Okawa Bldg. 1F Osaka Tel: 06-6346-0367 Url: www.roo-bar.jp

The Blarney Stone Shinsaibashi The Irish Pub in the Heart of Osaka

Chuo-ku, Higashi-Shinsaibashi 2-527 Kohda Bldg B1F Osaka Tel: 06-6484-2220 Url: www.the-blarney-stone.com

Chinese Cafe Eight

The Blarney Stone Umeda

Chinese Cuisine

The Irish Pub in the Heart of Osaka

Chuo-ku, Soemon-cho 7-2 Luz Shinsaibashi 5F Osaka Tel: 06-6125-5338 Url: www.chinesecafe8.com

Kita-ku, Sonezaki 2-10-15 Sonezaki Center Bldg. 6F Osaka Tel: 06-6364-2001 Url: www.the-blarney-stone.com

Dublin Bay

Ali’s Kitchen

Irish Pub

Pakistani & Arabic Cuisine

Chuo-ku, Dotonbori 2-1-5-B1 Osaka

Chuo-ku, Shinsaibashi-suji 1-10-12B1 Osaka

México Mexican restaurant and bar

Chuo-ku, Dotonbori 2-1-8, Zelkova III 5F, Osaka Tel: 06-6212-6766

Education Kobe YWCA Global Network of Women

Chuo-ku, Ninomiya-cho 1-12-10 Kobe Tel: 078-231-6201 Url: www.kobe.ywca.or.jp

Osaka YWCA Global Network of Women

Kansai Scene magazine AUGUST 2013 kansaiscene.com

Kita-ku, Kamiyama-cho 11-12 Osaka Tel: 06-6361-0838 Url: www.osaka.ywca.or.jp

Tel: 06-6582-7177 Url: www.espeto-sports.com

Yuko Tamaki Accounting Office

Tel: 06-4394-8850 Url: www.sweatshopunion.jp/eng

Shops & Services

Accounting & Tax Services

Shinmei Law Office

Arthur Murray Dance School

Mojoprint

Dance Studio

Full Color Printing

Chuo-ku, Minami-senba 3-5-28 Osaka Tel: 06-6245-1731 Url: www.arthurmurray.co.jp

Nishi-ku, Shinmachi 3-5-7, Eiko Bldg. 2F Osaka Tel: 06-6539-1717 Url: www.mojoprint.jp

Marga Language Service

Brastel Remit

Japanese Language School

Chuo-ku, Onoe-dori 5-1-27-8F Kobe Tel: 078-271-6446 Url: www.marga.jp

Osaka Abacus Association Let’s learn Abacus!

Minatoku, Yunagi 2-13-7 Osaka Tel: 06-6572-6877 Url: https://sites.google.com/site/ osakasoroban/

Espeto Sports Acrobatics and Capoeira school

Osaka, Minato-ku, Namiyoke 5-4-20

To list your business in the Kansai Scene Business Finder contact sales@kansaiscene.com for more details.

Send money overseas

Sumida-ku, Yokoami 2-6-2 Tokyo Tel: 0120-983-891 / 03-6869-4851 Url: www.brastelremit.jp

TNT-PC English PC Support

Nishinomiya-shi, Maruhashi-cho 6-8-1F Nishinomiya Tel: 0798-65-7555 Url: www.tnt-pc.com

Miyabi Int’l Gyoseishoshi Law Firm

Chuo-ku, Tanimachi 1-7-3-8F, Osaka Tel: 06-6809-1955 Url: www12.plala.or.jp/ytaccounting/ indexeng.html

Creamy Kids International Modeling Agency

Kita-ku, Umeda 1-2-2 Osaka Ekimae, Dai-2 Bldg. 2F Osaka Tel: 06-6347-7705 Url: www.pre21.com/creamy

Pakmail Amagasaki We Ship Anything, Anywhere!

Tsugiya 2-2-28 Amagasaki Tel: 06-6492-8950 Url: www.pakmail-ama.com

Pakmail Esaka We Ship Anything, Anywhere!

Suita, Esaka-cho 1-23-17 Osaka Tel: 06-6330-8988 Url: www.pakmail-osaka.com

Sweatshop Union

VISA Lawyers in Osaka

T-Shirt Print Shop

Kita-ku, Nishitenma 1-8-9 Viequ tower #2406 Osaka Tel: 06-4981-7439

Naniwa-ku, Sakuragawa 4-5-19 Osaka

Business Lawyer

Kita-ku, Nishi-tenma 4-11-22, Hanshin-shinmei Bldg. 501 Osaka Tel: 06-6362-8013 Url: www.shinmei-law.com/e

Exeo International International Dating Parties

Kita-ku, Umeda 1-1-3-3F Sky Lounge Mariage Osaka Tel: 050-5810-3977 Url: www.exeo-international.com

Travel GS Travel Best Fares in Osaka

Chuo-ku, Higashi-Shinsaibashi 1-13-21, Wadayoshi Bldg 302 Osaka Tel: 06-6281-1230 Url: www.gs-travel.com/en

H.I.S. • No.1 Travel We go the extra mile for you

Kita-ku, Umeda 3-4-5, MainichiIntecio 15F Osaka Tel: 06-6133-0273 Url: www.no1.his-west.jp

Kansai Scene magazine AUGUST 2013 kansaiscene.com

Perkins: mike@perkinsandco.com www.kobe9950eikaiwa.com

Classifieds

Place your ad online at: kansaiscene.com/classifieds

Employment > Education GOOD WITH KIDS? We have a

new location with a need for a new teacher. Adult lessons also. Between Kobe & Osaka in Takarazuka City. Foreign owned, terrific environment - built for us, by us - the teachers. Part-time hours initially. Great chance for the right person. Photo, intro, plus CV if possible. Tony Sands: don.1@mac.com Native P/T English Teacher

Needed Place: 13 mins walk from Sonoda Station on Hankyu. Day: Saturdays 11am-6pm. Pay: 2700-3500/hr+trans(up to 600 yen). Candidates must be cheerful, self-motivated and professional. University degree, experience teaching kids+proper visa required. E-mail CV + recent photo: activeenglish@zeus.eonet.ne.jp www. active-english.org/ English teacher needed A school in Nishinomiya city

is looking for part-time native English teachers. Must be friendly, experienced and reliable. We have kids and adult classes. Teach in a cozy and relaxed atmosphere. We prefer teachers who live nearby. Please send your resume with photo asap. contact@marvinschool.com

TUTOR for Kids American

(or Canadian) tutor to teach kids English in Kobe. For 2.5h in Sunday evenings (or Saturday). Must have proper visa and teaching experience preferred. 2300-2500 Yen/h based on experience + trans. Email CV with photo to: admin@nanno.biz Only successful candidates will be contacted. GENKI SANNOMIYA PT NATIVE

ENGLISH SPEAKERS We're looking for reliable self starters to work in our schools. Flexible schedules and on call evenings are available. Native speakers living close to Sannomiya a plus. We are a no BS company and provide a clean and fun work space. A resume w/ photo to apply. Grad students welcomed! No kid classes! Mr.

FT English Teacher Join us

in opening and managing Friends Eikaiwa's second school! Be the main teacher. Relaxed and easy going. Prep time is paid. Location: Suminodo Station, Daito City Pay: 1500 yen hourly plus travel expenses Hours: Tues-Sat Afternoons and Evenings Bobby Snyder: friendseikaiwa@nifty.com http:// friendseikaiwa.sp.land.to/

P/T NATIVE ENGLISH TEACHER

School in Hotarugaike is looking for part-time teachers. 1,800-2,200yen/ hr. please email resume to Impact Eikaiwa mmiyahara@hpaco.net Tues &/or Thurs Native

English teachers needed Location: Hankyu Takarazuka line or JR Fukuchiyama line Tuesdays kids and adults from 15:40-19:40(12000yen/ day) Thursdays adults 4 classes from 11:00-16:20(13000yen/day) One hour lunch time and breaks included. Email us CV with photo and time availability sunlesson@ yahoo.co.jp PT ENGLISH/FRENCH TEACHERS School in Ashiya/

Okamoto is looking for FT/PT English and French teachers ASAP. University diploma is preferable. Must be native speaker with valid visa. Payment: 2700-3000 yen per hour and transportation. Contact us by email. ashiyaplus@hotmail.co.jp Native English Teachers needed Native English

teachers needed by schools in Nara. University graduates with experience preferred. Please send your resume to miki@naranichibei.jp

Native English Teacher Wanted English School in

Takatsuki & Ibaraki (near JR and Hankyu) requires full & part time experienced teachers for kids and adult. Group and private classes. Friendly atmosphere. ¥250000/mth or 2500/50min. Email: resume w/ photo to coconut-e@nifty.com www. coconut-english.com

MODERN ENGLISH MINOH PT

Native English Teacher wanted Small new growing franchise school. Now only Thu/Fri afternoon + eve classes, expanding to add any weekday plus Sat. Your schedule grows with the school! Ability to work independently a MUST. Start Sept 1st. 1,600/hour + trans. Proper visa required; experience preferred. Email CV + photo please. Modern English: info@modernenglish.net www.modernenglish.net/ Saturday Job Teachers needed for Saturday English

programs at private schools in Kyoto. Preferably someone with a degree in Education or relevant experiences. Please E-mail us your resume and photo at misato@

ultrakids.net or call 0774-44-3929 22,000yen /day 8:45-16:45 (30times/ year) Japan Lead Co.,Ltd. Kansai Corporate Classes CES is seeking professional,

experienced English instructors for 2-hour evening corporate classes for students in Nara, Osaka, Kobe, Shiga and Kyoto for positions starting in August. Hourly rates 4,000-4,500 yen per hour. For more info, please forward resume with availability to mark@cesjapan.co.jp

> General Manager and Group Leader - Kyoto operations

Recruiting passionate traveller to lead/manage Urban Adventure Kyoto tours. Based in our Kyoto office, you will lead bicycle tours and walking tours of the city, sharing your passion for Kyoto with small groups of travellers looking for a unique experience. Marketing, sales, IT and training roles. Aaron Davis: aaron@bashukwaytravel.com www.ventureea.com PART-TIME: Nightclub Hostess スタッフ募集 Bar/

Nightclub Female hostess wanted for Fri&Sat! Located in Fuse (Kintetsu line) we offer Englishonly service. Basic Japanese abil. & proper visa required. Will provide transportation after shift ends. ¥1500/hr~ please call 080-61883645 worldline888@yahoo.com Let's talk in English with customers!

English speaking bar staff

wanted for newly opened bar in Umeda. Beer & Pizza Gosuke. Conversational level Japanese required. All nationalities welcome. 3 hrs a night, 6pm–5am. ¥900/ hr (first month ¥850/hr). Please contact the manager, Mr. Asada at 06-6312-3387 (4pm–midnight). International MODELS & TALENTS wanted AatCaP

Corporation seeks international models and talents. Any nationality is welcomed. Age groups are from baby, junior and young to senior. Please send your resume with photo to talent@aatcap.net http://aatcap. net Phone 06-6341-1462

> Kitchen Staff Part-time assistant required for food production

Kobe Food Store needs PT assistant to help out with food production. Work 5 hours/day on Tuesday, Thursday & Friday (3 days/week) Prefer 1pm to 6pm but work time can be flexible..Pay is 800yen/hour with bus fare allowance 400yen per day. Please contact 080-3277-0188 to start asap on regular basis. www. zest-foods.com Atoo: info@zestfoods.com

> Media / IT Japanese graphic designer wanted Mojoprint is hiring!

We are looking for a Japanese graphic designer to join our team, with immediate start. A great opportunity for a Japanese designer looking to work in an English speaking environment. Native Japanese speakers only. Applications accepted until August 5th. jobs@ mojoprint.jp www.mojoprint.jp/ jobs.php

緊急募集日本人グラフィックデザイナー / DTPオペレーター Mojoprintに働いてみませんか? 電話/メールでの印刷入稿サポート(日本語/英語)、取引先とのやり取り、印刷物のデザイン全般等。また必要に応じて弊社が発行しているフリーペーパー「関西シーン」のサポートまで。jobs@mojoprint.jp www.

mojoprint.jp/jobs.php

IT Tutor English US, UK smo

tutor, site design, seo help, P/T, onsite & online. Kobe or Osaka city centre. Remuneration / hr. ID copy req'd. 24 - 34 yrs. Flex hrs, days. Incl. work samples. Email : kobetradeco@gmail.com

For Rent PlanetOne: A New Kind of Shared House Experience (must see pics) PlanetOne is a beautifully renovated Japanese house in a quiet and up and coming high end residential area in Tennoji, five to ten minutes walk from four stations. Midosuji line 5 minutes, JR line 7 minutes. Experience high end affordable living, without the upfront cost. From 45,000 + 7500 utility. Nate Powell: japanhotelplanet@gmail.com www.airbnb.com/rooms/1089373 Osakako apartments available from 70000yen/

month (west side of Osaka City) 2DK 7000yen/month unfurnished 2DK 75000yen/month semi furnished 2DK 80000yen/month fully furnished 2LDK 90000yen/ month unfurnished No Key Money, No Guarantors needed, No Agency Fees 3month min. stay required. All apartments close to Osakako subway station Alex 09037030314 alex@abhousingosaka.com www.abhousingosaka.com

Bentencho Apartments Available, from 60000yen/

month semi furnished 1DK 60000yen/month semi furnish 1DK 70000yen/month fully furnish 2DK 75000yen/month semi furnish 1LDK 80000yen/month semi 6min walk from Bentencho subway and JR Loopline station. No Key money, No guarantors, No agency fees, 3month min. stay required Alex 09037030314 alex@abhousingosaka. com www.abhousingosaka.com KOBE - OJIKOEN - Zero Key Money 2LDK 51sqm apartment. No

Kansai Scene magazine AUGUST 2013 kansaiscene.com

key money, no agency fee, 7mins walk to Hankyu Ojikoen Station, fully furnished, Y98,000/m, 2 months refundable deposit, Near shops, convenient. Good for couples or sharing. ffeilden@yahoo.co.jp www.ffeilden.com/

Room/Flat Share Shared accommodation for rent in Osaka【Wagokoro】

Rent ¥45,000~, 9.72m2~, 8min walk from JRSenrioka st.【Marche Awaza】Rent ¥46,000~, 7.29m2~, 7min walk from Awaza st. No key money, deposit or guarantor. Furnished. Initial cost: 1st month’s rent & dealing charge(15,750). Contact info: 06-6136-3330 / info@ entrance-japan.com

Flat / House Share SHARE HOUSE MEMBER WANTED!!【TENNOJI】JPY42000~,

8mins walk from st.【SHINFUKAE】 JPY35000~, 5 mins walk from st. 【Nada】JPY48000~, 4mins walk from st. No guarantor nor key money. With common use utensils. Contact info: 06-6222-3123 / info@ dreamers-jp.com/ http://dreamersjp.com/

Health

English Speaking Dentist in Kobe Kitano Dental Clinic is

located near Hankyu Sannomiya Station West Exit. Easy access from JR Sannomiya Station. Drop-in consultations welcome. English spoken. NHI accepted. Appts required. Open Mon-Sat. 9:30am7:00pm (Th&Sat 9:30am-1:00pm) All your general needs, cleaning, etc. Call 078-331-3522 www. kitanoshika.com

Courses and Classes Private Guitar Lessons & Violin Lessons in English We

are highly skilled teachers for the guitar and the violin and we welcome all ages and levels of students. Lesson dates are flexible and on appointment basis. We are teaching everyday of the week except Mondays.For lessons contact us through our site http:// ciciliaongakuin.com or call: 072 655 4373.

Japanese lesson in Osaka

Let's learn Japanese! Taught by a JEES certified native Japanese teacher. At a coffee shop, your office, in Umeda, Kyobashi area. **Instructor can speak English. Brush up on your Japanese Preparation for JLPT (Japanese language proficiency test) www. jpnlessonosaka.net/ Fumiko Nishimura: okafumi355@yahoo. co.jp

Events Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy Mindfulness is a psychological

concept that stems from traditional Buddhist practice. The MindfulnessBased Cognitive Therapy research program being held at Doshisha University in Kyoto is open to all English speaking foreigners living in and around Kyoto. Please visit the website for details. http://doshisha. vpweb.com.au

The Pool Party at Gastro

Garden @7th floor of New Japan in Namba close to Dontobori River. From 1PM to 1AM. 12 hours of fun, BBQ, & good music at this beautiful new outdoor/indoor venue. As a special treat for the ladies, some sexy male eye candy: The Gentleman's Club will be performing. (cont'd below)

We have your favorite DJs

in Osaka and from Kobe rocking this event. DJs: DJ Energy-Dai, D. Byrne, DJ Dennis, DJ Khashi-B, DJ Rob-1, DJ Blaqstone, DJ U-Tan, Ginzu3, Steve Lowrise & DJ Mike. For more info, please check “pool party” at iflyer.tv or “International Party Rockers” on Facebook. FREE ABACUS CLASS for

FOREIGNERS offered by O.C.C.I. and Osaka Abacus Assoc. to promote int'l goodwill. Individualized lessons taught in Japanese or English. Saturdays 10-12 am. Course material provided for free. Near Sakaisuji-Hommachi and Kitahama. Call: Moritomo Ken 066572-6877 https://sites.google.com/ site/osakasoroban/

For Sale (General) BMW K75 S BIKE 750cc Very good

motorbike for exploring Japan! Light blue. Good condition. 22500 km. 1986, Collectors item. BMW top case and side boxes included. JPY 280.000, price negotiable. Selling because we got a baby. Visible in central Kyoto. Contact me at lamuredominique@gmail.com

Cars for export Export

used cars, trucks or buses to your country from all the famous Japanese car auctions with the help of an experienced member and earn a commission. ID copy req'd. Full process done, from bidding to shipping. For more details email : kobetradeco@gmail.com

Announcements Looking for volunteers for the international festival

There is an exchange cultural event at Daian-ji temple in Nara on October 13th (SUN.) We would like you to join us to sell your own food or show performances. If you are interested in this, contact me (Chiyoko): chiyokoito@gmail.com http://goo.gl/6mwyP4

For Sale (second hand) Home and Kitchen Desk,

Kitchen Shelf and Router. Desk in great condition with slide out shelf: ¥2000 or best offer. 100 x 60 x 70cm (LxWxH) Kitchen Shelf ¥2000 or best offer. 90 x 45 x 94cm (LxWxH). NTT Wireless router. ¥3000 OBO. You pick up! http://goo.gl/DMBxIe sjrusek@gmail.com Sayonara Sale Leaving soon japan everything on sale! All

items are less than one year old.Pick up only. http://goo.gl/1m0lN robert costa: costaroby@hotmail.com Sayonara Sale (Osaka) -

Xbox360 Elite in Great Condition! Selling my Xbox360 Elite (Black, 250Gb) it still has the original packaging, 2 controllers) and 18 Games, all in great condition ¥26,000 Please email for more details and pictures Louise Fitzgerald: louise@fizzysensei.co.uk AFFORDABLE MOUNTAIN BIKE FOR SALE (a beautiful white Louis

Garneau) Moving back to Europe so need to find a new owner for my Louis Garneau mountain bike. Originally bought in 2009 (in Kyoto), the bike is in decent shape (brakes just maintenanced).Comes w/lights+helmet Tuukka Toivonen: tuukkatoivonen@yahoo.co.uk

Sorry… Due to space restrictions we are unable to print all classified ads. See kansaiscene.com for more classifieds online, including personals!

Be seen in Kansai Scene There is no better way to reach those interested in foreign lifestyle and cultures living in the Kansai area.

To find out more about how to advertise your business in Kansai Scene, please email sales@kansaiscene.com or call us in English or Japanese on 06-6539-1717.

www.kansaiscene.com

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Kobe City Hall

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Kyoto City Hall

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Kobe Grocers

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Hanakuma Park

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