Kansai Scene #167 April 2014 by Kansai Scene Magazine

KANSAI’S ENGLISH MAGAZINE

無料 issue 167 April 2014

www.kansaiscene.com

As fresh as it gets 極めつけの生食

Plus+ DIY Easter egg activities Cheat sheet to hoikuens Listings: Where to go & what to do Kansai Scene is proudly published and printed by Mojoprint

Events / Art / Film / Live / Club / Maps & Classifieds

KANSAI SCENE MAGAZINE | ISSUE #167 APRIL 2014 | kansaiscene.com

Contents Features Features

Extreme washoku

p08

Recomended samurai sites

p18

HOPE at the Hilton

p21

Business Matters

COVER PHOTO:

Blackan internet radio

p07

Dine outside your comfort zone on this month’s cover story: the freshest facets of traditional Japanese cuisine. See page 08 for our bilingual special.

Kids & Family

Easter activities for children

p12

Childcare in Japan

p14

Event

KYOTOGRAPHIE p25

Listings Film p22 Events p26 Art

p30

Live Music

p32

Club

p36

Classifieds p40 Maps p44

kansaiscene

@kansaiscene

Kansai Scene is published monthly by Mojoprint Publisher/Creative Director...............Daniel Lee Editors...........Carla Avolio / Celia Polkinghorne Sub-editors...... Donna Sheffield / Jason Haidar Designer...................Carolina Sandoval Durazo Sales Manager...........................Ryuichi Fukuda 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 | ISSUE #167 APRIL 2014 | kansaiscene.com

News & Openings All that Jazz Osaka — Osaka was selected as the host city for the UNESCO sponsored International Jazz Day event on April 30. The day features workshops from top international musicians and culminates in a star-studded live performance in Osaka Castle Park. Tickets for the finale are sadly no longer available, but as part of the celebrations, the day before on Apr 29, a 1km stretch of Midosuji, from Shinsaibashi to Namba, will be transformed into the Midosuji Jazz Street. Expect live music, workshops, food and drink stalls, parades, and special Jazz boats along the Dotonbori that you can board to cruise along Osaka’s waterways. They will even be putting turf down in front of the main stage to add to the ambience. Grab a hamper and make a day of it. International Jazz Day, Apr 30. jazzday.com Midosuji Jazz Street, Apr 29 (public

Got some news? Email your suggestions to editor@kansaiscene.com

Five of the best... Hanami spots for active types Each month, KS brings you five of the hottest tips

ner, Yamamoto Miwa (19) was chosen from 678 entries by a panel of judges. Expect to see a lot more of Mio and Tsukushi in the coming months as they will be put to work promoting Osaka to pop culture fans the world over. To see all the entries and learn more about Osaka Pop see: osaka-pop.com

Philosopher’s Walk, Kyoto Follow in the footsteps of influential 20th century philosopher Nishido Kitaro as you walk the path he used for daily meditation. The stone thoroughfare follows a weaving canal for 1.7 miles through Kyoto’s Higashiyama district and is lined with hundreds of sakura trees that explode with colour every April. everytrail.com/guide/the-philosopher-s-walk-in-kyoto

Mascots revealed

Osaka Pop International Cool Japan Awards? Well, here they are. The win-

Though the World Heritage-listed Yoshino is awash with some 30,000 sakura trees, people flock to the four groves leading up Mount Yoshino, as the trees there blossom at different times throughout spring. The highest grove, Oku-senbon, lies 800m up the mountain trail. yoshinoyama-sakura.jp/english

holiday) from 1pm–5pm

Osaka — Remember there was a competition to design the new Osaka City mascot characters as part of the

Yoshino, Nara

Enryakuji Temple, Shiga Founded in 788 and now the headquarters of the Tendai sect of buddhism, this monastery has an enthrallingly gory past. Take the pleasant walk through the hilly, pink forests of its three areas: Todo, Saito and Yokawa to see the historical buildings and find out for yourself. visitkansai.com/sightseeing/hieizan-enryakuji

Satsuskiyama Park, Ikeda Sprawling up the side of Mount Satsuki, Satsukiyama Park boasts five hiking trails with stunning views of the Osaka Plain. However, if you prefer to take a more relaxed approach to cherry blossom viewing, the park also houses a free botanical garden, zoo and petting zoo that are open for the bulk of the day. osaka-info.jp/en/search/detail/sightseeing_1804

Sakurai, Nara Abundant with sakura trees and miles into the countryside, this lessknown location really is a treat for the senses. The river that snakes through the town has steps leading down to it at some points, making it ideal for gathering. city.sakurai.nara.jp/english/sakurai01

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Business Matters

The muso’s new best friend Promoting yourself as a musician can be challenging, which is why many artists are turning to internet radio stations like Blackan. KS investigates how in only three years, this webcast station has become one of Kansai’s most important resources for promoting and branding music. Text: Matthew Coslett • Images: Blackan Radio

To make it in today’s market, musicians have become multitalented media manipulators, spending as much time maintaining twitter accounts and online profiles as actually recording. In this new style of promoting, internet radio is becoming increasingly important. As the dominant internet station in the Kansai-area, Blackan has shown that there is a big audience for digital radio. In a world where internet hits can make or break an artist, the station commands the level of attention that can build a career. Their recent interview with the artist Elliot already has over 120,000 hits on YouTube and the top 15 most popular broadcasts have a minimum of 100,000 views each. This level of success is the result of nearly 10 years of hard work. Blackan is the latest incarnation of the company KCC which specializes in promotion and music. Starting off designing flyers and name cards, the company then expanded into creating magazines. Their popular magazine, Kansai Events Pocket Guide featured articles on upcoming events, industry issues and clubbing. After years of writing about music and making connections, KCC expanded into radio shows in 2011. The show was named Blackan as a compilation of the words for their inspirations, BLACK music and KANsai. Although Blackan started with predominately

black sounds, the station represents all genres of music, including drummers, pianists and a monthly Latin night. “We always try to make the show about the artists and their music,” Louis ‘Jaja’ Boston, the CEO of KCC explains. “The shows are 30 minutes of discussion; 30 minutes of live music. We talk about all kinds of things: how they got into making music, who influenced them and how their style has evolved.” Boston is also keen to stress that the company is interested in the unique issues that affect music created by foreigners in Japan. “We are interested in how artists can uplift themselves and get through barriers… We also ask how foreign music is changing the music scene in Japan.” As a company like Blackan grows, the most important concern has become attracting a higher calibre of celebrity without losing the core values that define the brand. This has resulted in a unique situation where interviews with local legends like Shingo Nishinari, Joseph Nkosi and Alicia Saldenha are transmitted alongside international celebrities such as Black Uhuru, Baby Chris and Obama’s favourite artist Warrior King. “My aim is to get all these artists ‘out there’,” Boston says. Exposure is one of the key things that attracts artists and as a result KCC is always keen to use technology to

increase its brand awareness. Recently, an official Blackan Radio app was launched, so listeners can access the show anywhere. “When we do a live show it all goes to Ustream so you can watch it live. We also use YouTube, tunein radio and facebook, so you can listen to a show anywhere,” Boston says. He is keen to point out that digital media offers chances for promotion that are unique to the medium. “Lots of musicians don’t know how to promote themselves. If you are a musician, there’s always something going on here that will help you gain exposure. So any musicians and promoters out there should contact me.”

Blackan shows are available through: • The app: Blackan Radio • The website: blackan.com • Soundcloud: blackanradio • Youtube: blackanchannel • Tunein radio • Facebook Anyone interested in collaborating with Blackan Radio should contact:

blackanradio@gmail.com

KANSAI SCENE MAGAZINE | ISSUE #167 APRIL 2014 | kansaiscene.com

Feature

As fresh as it gets 極めつけの生食

Fresh, raw ingredients are a key part of washoku. All very well when it’s simply veg, but how about the fleshy, beady-eyed, wriggly kind of raw? Foreign stomachs might need some extra training to prepare for this extreme washoku experience. 火を通さない新鮮な食材は、和食の基本である。その生食される素材が、植物ならばまず問題はない。だがあまりに生々しく、皿の上から睨み返し、まだ生き生きと動いているような動物はどうだろう。究極の和食体験を志す外国人は、あらかじめ心の準備が必要である。 Text: Perrin Lindelauf 文：ペリン・リンデラウフ Images: KS 写真：KS

Eight steps to extreme washoku enlightenment! 究極の和食体験へと通じる８つのステップ

Stage one Maki zushi - rolled sushi. Easy-to-swallow raw food cunningly concealed in seaweed. 巻き寿司。海苔で周到に生ものを隠してあるから食べやすい。

Stage two Nigiri zushi - chunky raw flesh on rice. Tip: head to a genuine sushi bar and get off the sushi train. 握り寿司。生魚の切り身が米に乗っている。クリアするコツは、回転レールのない昔ながらの寿司屋に行くこと。

KANSAI SCENE MAGAZINE | ISSUE #167 APRIL 2014 | kansaiscene.com

Washoku, Japan’s contribution to world cuisine, has been all over the news since its UNESCO Cultural Heritage inscription and its praises have been spread as thick as miso paste. Delicious it may be, some Japanese food is anything but easy for foreigners to swallow. Lacking dishes that are particularly spicy, sweet or sour, some washoku dishes make their mark with rawness. “But I like sushi!” you protest. Indeed, I did too. I ate plenty of cucumber rolls and the occasional sliver of salmon back home. Upon arriving in Japan I found that I had to pass several stages of rawness that I had never considered even edible, descending like Dante through rings of hell and just hoping that I’d pop out into culinary heaven in the end. Stage One: rolled sushi. Rawness is concealed. Stage Two: nigiri-zushi. A big piece of raw fish sits on a lump of rice. Stage Three: sashimi. A big piece of raw sea-creature without the pretense of rice. Most foreign visitors are aware of these levels, even if they aren’t able to conquer them. When dining back home, something one rarely sees is a head. Not so in washoku. I was served shrimp with their heads still attached and fish grilled whole on a skewer. Their glassy eyes bored into my soul and it took a lot of effort to clear Stage Four: food with faces. Close behind this tête-à-tête was Stage Five: eating those faces. Crunching up brains, eyes and various organs got easier when I started head-first and then moved on to the meatier tail. But eating whole creatures in single bites? There was something monstrous about swallowing hundreds of chirimen-jako (baby sardines) in one mouthful, like I was a creature of the depths in some Lovecraftian horror. But at least those little fish are dried.

Stage three Sashimi. No hiding behind the rice here, just swallow the slab of naked fish. 刺し身。生魚を隠す米はなし。丸裸の切り身を飲み込むしかない。

和食がユネスコ無形文化遺産に登録されたことをきっかけに、日本の食文化への賞賛は世界中で広まっている。だが味の良さはさておき、和食には口に入れるのさえ憚られる料理もある。味覚の問題ではない。この国には、ナマナマしすぎる料理が存在するのだ。「でも寿司はみんな好きだよ」と、あなたは反論するだろう。私自身もそうだった。母国ではかっぱ巻きがお気に入りだったし、サーモンの刺し身も食べた。それでも日本にやってきて、乗り越えなければならない幾つものステージがあることを知った。これまで食べ物だとさえ思わなかったものを、覚悟を決めて食べるのだ。地獄へ降りるダンテのように、最後には食の天国へと到達できることをただ祈りながら。ステージ１は、巻き寿司だ。生の食材はまだ隠されている。ステージ２は、握り寿司。ごはんの上に、生魚が一切れ乗っている。ステージ３は刺し身。海の生物をそのまま切り身にして、米の台座なしで食べる。クリアできるかどうかは別にして、ここまでのステージは大抵の外国人旅行者もご存じのはずだ。西洋風の食事で、動物の頭部を目にすることは稀である。でも和食は違う。エビは頭付きで出てくるし、全身を串刺しにされた魚も見た。生気を失った彼らの目は、心に深く突き刺さる。ということでステージ４は、動物の顔付き料理。ここをクリアするのに、私はかなり難儀した。食材とのにらめっこが終わると、すぐ次の段階がある。ステージ５では、その動物の顔を食べる。脳みそや目玉などを噛み砕くには、まず頭からかぶりつき、身の詰まった尾の方に向かうと食べやすい。しかし一口でたくさんの動物を食べる感覚は別次元だ。何百匹ものちりめんじゃこを口に入れたとき、自分がSFホラー映画の奇怪な生物になったみたいでゾッとした。この小魚たちが乾燥してあったのは、せめてもの救いである。

Stage four Food with faces. Unsurprisingly, fish eyes start popping out after a good grilling. Look your prey in the eye and chow down. 動物の顔付き料理。魚を焼くと、目玉はもちろん飛び出してくる。獲物と視線を交わしながら食べよう。

KANSAI SCENE MAGAZINE | ISSUE #167 APRIL 2014 | kansaiscene.com

Fast-forward several years. I walked into a Kanazawa restaurant with my hotel’s assurance that it served local specialties. The menu’s calligraphy was exquisite but completely impenetrable. Unable to order anything sensibly I uttered those four syllables of doom: o ma ka se. “It’s up to you.” The chef nodded, smiling. I ordered some sake, feeling confident. I’d been in Japan a while and had cleared some stages of extreme washoku. My confidence began to flag at the first dish of fried whole shrimp. Stage Six was still frontier territory and not so easy. Shrimp are normal enough, I told myself and ate them without complaint. As if to taunt me, the following sashimi dish had a whole prawn, the bright blue color of its organs exposed. Gulping sake, it began to occur to me that the specialties of a seaside town probably wouldn’t include really great biscuits or a new take on the peanut butter sandwich. Then the real trouble arrived. “Hotaru-ika,” said my chef, serving up a plate of small, purple, formerly fluorescent firefly squid. Whole raw creatures were a heretofore avoided Stage Seven. I dunked the limp squidlettes in soy sauce and crunched up the hard beak inside their heads, wiping the sweat from my brow when that was done. It was at that moment that the old man down the counter was served a large metallic bowl. He picked up a sieve and began scooping little wriggling fish into a dish of dipping sauce. I stared as one of them flipped off the sieve and made a break for it. What was that!?! I asked myself in horror. I managed to choke down those little squid, but eating minnows? I’m glad I didn’t order that. You can imagine my despair when I spotted a smiling waitress carrying a

Desperate to get them to stop moving, I doused them in soy sauce and waited while they suffocated in the salty brine. それから数年後。金沢で宿泊先のホテルに訊ね、地元の名物が食べられるという店に入った。筆書きのメニューは見事だが、読解は不可能。自分で選ぶことは諦め、私は運命の言葉を口にした。「おまかせで」。笑顔でうなずく店主。自信を取り戻した私は日本酒を注文した。思えば日本に来てしばらく経つし、困難なステージを幾つか乗り越えてきた。だがそんな自信も、最初に出てきたエビの丸揚げを見て揺らぎはじめる。ステージ６、動物の丸焼き。ハードルは高いが、「エビなんてまだノーマルな方じゃないか」と自分に言い聞かせ、文句を言わずに食べた。するとまるで私をからかうように、次の皿ではクルマエビの活造りが青い内蔵をさらけ出している。酒をごくりと飲み干しながら、私はようやく気付き始めた。海沿いの街の名物なのだから、洒落たビスケットやサンドイッチというわけにはいかないのだぞと。そして大きな難関がやってきた。「ホタルイカです」と店長。小さな、紫色の、キラキラとしたイカたちが皿に盛られている。できれば避けたかったステージ７、それは動物を丸ごと生で食べる料理だ。ぐったりとしたイカの全身を醤油に浸し、頭部の硬いくちばしを噛み砕き、何とか飲み下して額の汗をぬぐった。そのとき、カウンター席の老紳士に、大きな銀色のボウルが運ばれてきた。彼はザルを手に取り、逃げ惑う小魚たちをすくって醤油皿に入れる。その１匹がぴょんと跳ね上がり、脱出を企てる様子を私は見つめていた。「なんだありゃ！？」。恐れおののきながら自問する。「さっきの小イカは何とか飲み込んだが、生きた魚を食べるのは勘弁だ。注文しなくてよかった」。笑顔の女性店員が、銀色のボウルを持ってこちらに歩いてくる

Stage five

Stage six

Eat the faces too. Dive head first, literally! 動物の顔も食べる。口の中へ、魚が頭から飛び込むように。

Whole cooked creatures. Doesn’t sound so bad? Try the little sparrows suzume they serve on sticks in yakitori restaurants. 動物の丸焼き。大したことないって？焼鳥屋で、スズメの串刺しをご体験あれ。

KANSAI SCENE MAGAZINE | ISSUE #167 APRIL 2014 | kansaiscene.com

metallic bowl my way. She placed before me Stage Eight: live creatures. Within were four-centimetre-long clear fish. “Iwana-no-ko,” said my waitress. Baby char. They swam about the bowl vigorously, looking for a way out. I looked for a way out too, but my pride had me trapped. You can’t say omakase and then turn your nose up at what comes to your table, even if you think the staff is placing bets on your reactions. I caught the fish with some difficulty and dumped them into the small bowl of ponzu sauce. Unsurprisingly, they didn’t appreciate moving from fresh water to citrus juice and thrashed wildly. Desperate to get them to stop moving, I doused them in soy sauce and waited while they suffocated in the salty brine. Steeling myself, I picked them up and chewed as fast as I could then chased each one with sake. I was panting when the chef came out with one last plate. “A gift for our special guest, funazushi.” He placed a plate of fermented fish before me and I thanked him, even though intentionally rotten fish ranked high on my list of inedible foods. I was drunk and nothing could top those little fish, not even a rotten one. Perrin Lindelauf (@perrinl) is the author of National Geographic Traveler: Japan, 4th Edition. ペリン・リンデラウフ（@perrinl）は、「National Geographic Traveler: Japan」第4版の執筆者です。

のが見えたときの絶望感は、ご想像いただけることと思う。眼前に現れたのはステージ８、すなわちまだ生きている動物だ。「イワナの子です」と店員。ボウルの中では、体長４センチほどの魚たちが、元気に泳ぎまわりながら逃げ道を探している。私もこの場から逃げ出したかったが、プライドが許さなかった。「おまかせ」と言ったあとで、出てきた料理にケチをつけるのは無作法だ。たとえ店の人が、私の反応を面白がって賭けの対象にしているとしか思えないときでも。大苦戦しながらも魚を捕らえ、ポン酢の器に放流する。もちろん彼らとて、真水から酢の中へ移動してのたうち回るのは本意ではない。やけくそな気分でポン酢の底に沈め、塩気に窒息して成仏するのを待つ。感情を押し殺しながら箸で取り出し、猛スピードで噛み、１匹ごとに酒で流し込んだ。店長が最後の皿を持ってきたとき、私はほとんど虫の息だった。「特別メニューの鮒寿司でございます」。私は礼を言った。むろん、わざわざ腐らせた生魚だって「食べられないものリスト」の上位にある。だが私はもう酔っ払っていたし、あの生きた小魚の衝撃に比べたら、腐った魚など恐れるに足りない。

Stage seven

Stage eight

Whole raw creatures. Tentacles, fins, innards and all. 動物をまるごとナマで。触手も、ヒレも、内蔵もすべて丸呑み。

Live creatures. Complete this stage and you’ve earned a black belt in extreme washoku. まだ生きている動物。このステージを完了した外国人は、和食体験における有段者と認めよう。

KANSAI SCENE MAGAZINE | ISSUE #167 APRIL 2014 | kansaiscene.com

Kids & Family

Eggcelent family fun Devouring chocolate bunnies is a tasty way to celebrate Easter, but there’s plenty more parents can do with kids. Text and images: Melissa Dunstan

Easter is almost upon us! This year Easter is in the 3rd week of April and Easter Sunday is April 20. For some of us, especially those with kids, this holiday represents the day the Easter Bunny comes and delivers chocolate eggs. Traditions vary across the world, but one of the most fun activities to do over Easter is to decorate boiled eggs, hide them, then set the kids off on an Egg Hunt. Here are my tips for doing this in Kansai.

Egg Coloring Where this tradition came from is unknown but it’s such a fun thing to do with the whole family. You can buy egg coloring kits (as well as Chocolate Easter Bunnies) on the Foreign Buyer’s Club (fbcusa.com) website for under ¥600. These kits usually include five coloring tablets; one wire spoon to hold your egg while dipping into the colors; a magic crayon (you can write on the eggs before you color them and because of the wax the colors don’t adhere); some stickers; and the box, which turns into a very useful egg drying tray. After you have boiled your eggs and let them cool, you can get started on preparing your dyes. According to the package, you can dissolve your dye

tablets in water, lemon juice or vinegar. All of these work fine. Just make sure you have lots of newspaper down and smocks on the kids. This will be messy and there will be spills. If you want more exotic eggs try buying some colored glitter and drawing patterns on the eggs with glue and pouring some glitter on top to give the eggs a bit of extra sparkle. Messy but fun. If you want something simpler and less messy why don’t you make your hard boiled eggs into bunnies. All you need is: pink pompoms to use as the nose, construction paper for the ears, glue and a permanent marker to draw on the eyes and whiskers.

Egg Hunt On Easter Sunday morning at our house we have an Easter Egg Hunt. We hide the eggs we have colored and candy from the Easter Bunny. As our kids are still young we print out Easter Bunny footprints and place them near the hidden eggs and candy to give clues. The kids love it! (Just don’t forget where you hid everything! You don’t want to smell out the lost eggs in the heat of August!) If you’d like to join an outdoor Easter Egg Hunt you have your chance this year at Utsubo Park.

Happy Easter!

Easter Event this year at Utsubo Park There will be an Easter Egg Hunt, Easter games, prizes and you can meet the Easter Bunny! Sign up and register your child on Facebook (Utsubo Park Easter Egg Hunt 2014). Or email Melissa at: kids.events. osaka@gmail.com • Date: Sunday April 27 (Rain Date: Tuesday April 29) • Time: Check-in 9:30 • Fee: ¥2,000 per child Downloadable Easter Bunny Footprints: blog.lovemae.com. au/2012/03/follow-bunnyprintable.html

KANSAI SCENE MAGAZINE | ISSUE #167 APRIL 2014 | kansaiscene.com

Kids & Family

Taking care of the kids Organising childcare in Japan is no child’s play. Here’s an intro guide to hoikuen for working parents-to-be. Text: FMS

Gaining admission to a Japanese-approved public nursery (ninka hoikuen or just hoikuen) can be daunting for Japanese and non-Japanese parents alike, with mammoth waiting lists and lengthy application procedures. For Kansai mums and dads who landed their little ones spots to start this month, earning a place was likely no mean feat. Admission is competitive but for very good reason. Japanese hoikuen are safe (adhering to very strict national guidelines regarding building structure, staff-to-child ratio, nutrition

and general health and safety) well staffed, and affordable. They cater to primarily working parents, who need longer childcare hours than available at yochien (kindergarten), and who don’t have time to make lunch boxes every day. New admissions are taken each April at the start of the academic year, but application deadlines are usually around the end of October of the previous year. It can take several months of research and preparation before parents hand in their applications.

But how do you find a hoikuen? Who can apply? When do you apply? Here we help you navigate the process. The first step For information regarding public nurseries, look to your local ward office or childcare administration office. They can give you a list of all the hoikuen

KANSAI SCENE MAGAZINE | ISSUE #167 APRIL 2014 | kansaiscene.com

in your city, along with application forms (hoikusho nyusho moshikomisho) and guidelines. Many popular hoikuen will host group observations, usually once or twice a month leading up to the application deadline, while others can arrange private visits. Although all hoikuen adhere to national guidelines, they each have a very individual philosophy. Some are very play-orientated, some more geared towards learning and study, music, sport, etc. Some have almost no parental involvement (other than showing up at events like sports day), while others expect parent participation as often as once a month. Therefore at the initial visit, be sure to ask lots of questions to try to find the hoikuen that will be the best match for your child’s personality, your employment style, and personal preferences as to what your child does at daycare.

The application A hoikuen may or may not have an English speaker, so if you are not a confident Japanese speaker it is wise to bring a native speaker along with you. After making your visits, it is time to fill in the application. One page is for you to fill out basic information about your child. The other pages are for the Human Resources department at your workplace. Your employer will need to provide an official seal or hanko stating that you are an employee, verifying your working hours, what kind of work you perform, and what your salary is. If any other adults, such as grandparents, are registered as living at your address, you will need to provide similar documentation for them too. On the application, you will be asked to list your preferred hoikuen. Parents in rural areas often get their first choice, but those in urban areas face stiffer competition. Along with your application form, you will also need a copy of your end of year income and withholding tax certificate (Gensenchoshuhyo) which is issued in December each year. If you are accepted, your proof of income will be used to calculate your basic monthly fee (Hoikuryo).

Securing a spot The application deadline is usually around the end of October or start of November (although applications are accepted any time, they need to be updated every six months) and you will be informed of whether your application has been successful in February or March for admission in April, which is the start of the Japanese academic year. Classes are grouped for children by age and children can generally enter public nursery at either four or six months old, depending on the individual hoikuen’s policy. If entering the baby class (under age one at entry) you hold the best chance at getting a spot, for the sole reason that there is a full class of spaces available. After age one it becomes more difficult. Basically your only chance of securing a space is if someone else leaves, you receive a temporary or emergency placement, or the city hall allocates more spaces to a certain age group. Parents will sometimes find that after being declined at age one or two, they are accepted when their child is three at which time the teacher-to-child ratio steeply declines. So stay positive. Even if you receive bad news, you will remain on their waiting list unless you ask to be removed, and you may receive a nice surprise in a few months’ time, or the following year.

Who can apply for public hoikuen? Anyone can apply for a public hoikuen but priority will be given to those deemed to need the service most. Unlike kindergartens and private hoikuen, which grant access on a firstcome-first-serve basis, public hoikuen admissions are assessed and decided by a panel on an individual case-bycase basis, usually at the local ward office. Children of single, separated, or divorced parents are given high admission priority, as are children of parents who are currently unemployed and receiving welfare, but unable to search for a job because of a lack of childcare. Families without grandparents nearby will often be given priority also. Children with older siblings attending the same nursery will usually be given

priority over those who don’t have a brother or sister there, and often a generous sibling discount is given.

Can I apply on a temporary basis if I am pregnant or get sick? Temporary hoikuen places are available and these are most commonly utilised by pregnant women with an older child. This is generally available from their final two months of pregnancy until the baby is four months old. The application process is slightly different, and you will need to visit your application centre along with your Mother and Child Handbook (Boshi techo) to apply. Parents who are unable to look after their children due to disability, a hospital stay, or an ongoing medical condition are also eligible for temporary or part-time hoikuen admission. This varies greatly among individual cities and according to the condition, so contact your local ward office for more information. Temporary care is also available to families who have been the victims of a natural disaster, a fire, or women who have fled their homes to escape domestic violence. Those attending college, university, or even driving school, are also eligible to apply for a temporary spot.

My child has been declined entry to hoikuen this year. What can I do? There are a number of other options available, such as kindergartens, or other private nurseries (Muninka hoikuen), which may or may not, be licensed. The standards of care vary enormously between facilities, and they are usually charged per hour or per day, making them significantly more expensive than public facilities. Private facilities only need one licensed teacher (Hoiku shi) to open, meaning it is possible that your child may be cared for by someone without certified experience or training in childcare. However, many parents attest to these facilities being excellent.

KANSAI SCENE MAGAZINE | ISSUE #167 APRIL 2014 | kansaiscene.com

Free Stuff!

Feature

Must-see samurai sites

reader One lucky KS volution. of Samurai Re to: can win a copy ail your name em w dra e th m To enter kansaiscene.co giveaways@ by April 17. ct Mark the subje ’. lution ‘Samurai Revo

Their swords are now behind museum glass, but the samurai spirit lives on in movies, books, and sites dotted around Kyoto. Meiji Restoration author Romulous Hillsborough shares his Kyoto must-see spots. Text and images: Phil Jackson

The turbulent times of Japan’s Meiji restoration have been the focus of Romulous Hillsborough’s work for many years. His 1999 book Ryoma – Life of a Renaissance Samurai was hailed by former Japanese Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi as “A magnificent book and painstaking achievement”. Last month, the US writer released a new book on the subject called Samurai Revolution – The Dawn of Modern Japan Seen Through the Eyes of the Shogun’s Last Samurai. KS asked Hillsborough which sites in Kyoto he personally recommends as must-see places for anyone interested in the era of Sakamoto Ryoma, Katsu Kaishu, Shogun Yoshinobu and the feared Wolves of Mibu Shinsengumi! Here are his choices.

Nijo Castle (二条城)

Hamaguri-gomon (蛤御門)

A castle of the shogun during the Edo Period. On the 13th day of the Tenth Month of Keio 3 (1867), the last shogun, Tokugawa Yoshinobu, summoned senior officials of 40 feudal domains to the Grand Hall of Nijo Castle, where he announced his intent to abdicate and restore political power to the Imperial Court. One of the 17 Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto, Nijo Castle is also an UNESCO World Heritage Site. A must-see part of the castle is Ninomaru Palace. city.kyoto.jp/bunshi/nijojo/

One of the so-called Nine Forbidden Gates of the Kyoto Imperial Palace, this was the site of the heaviest fighting between the Choshu-led rebels and forces of Tokugawa allies, most notably Satsuma and Aizu, during the so-called

english

Gate at Kyoto Imperial Palace

KANSAI SCENE MAGAZINE | ISSUE #167 APRIL 2014 | kansaiscene.com

Incident at Hamaguri-gomon, on 7/19 of Genji 1 (1864). Choshu’s defeat marked the end of the Sonno-Joi (Revere the Emperor and Expel the Barbarians) movement, which thus far had divided the country for approximately 10 years. Evidence of what appear to be bullet marks can be seen on the beams of the gate. sankan.kunaicho.go.jp/english

Teradaya Inn (寺田屋) A so-called “boat inn” along the river in Fushimi that was the site of two famous incidents: the fratricidal battle among samurai of the powerful Satsuma domain on the night of 4/23 in Bunkyu 2 (1862); and the near-fatal attack on Sakamoto Ryoma by samurai under the Fushimi Magistrate (Bakufu samurai) on 1/23 of Keio 2 (1866), on the night after Ryoma had brokered the allimportant Satsuma-Choshu Alliance at Kyoto. Look out for katana blade marks in the wooden beams of the upstairs rooms. Tereda-ya, Miniami hama-cho, Fushimi-ku, Kyoto City, 612-8045 Tel:075-622-0243

Bullet marks on the beams of the gate.

Excerpt from Samurai Revolution: “As I Katsu Kaishu, commissioner of the shogun’s navy followed the Yodogawa river connecting Ōsaka and Kyōto . . . , a boat with three samurai approached from upstream. They went to the bank to land. I was very frightened. Unable to advance or retreat, I stood still and waited to see what they would do. Upon landing, two of them suddenly drew their swords and stabbed one another. The other man, who was behind them, stabbed himself through the throat while standing. I was very startled; gooseflesh covered my body—and for a moment I was unable to walk...After a while I calmed down and, realizing that Chōshū had lost, I headed back to Kōbé.”

Terayada Inn

Excerpt from Samurai Revolution: “Just then the woman I’ve told you about (her name is Ryō, and now she’s my wife), came running up to us from the kitchen and warned, ‘Look out! The enemy has suddenly attacked. Men with spears are coming up the stairs.’ I jumped up and, meaning to put on my hakama trousers, realized that I had left it in the next room. So I put on my swords, grabbed my six-shooter, and crouched down toward the back of the room. My companion Miyoshi Shinzō put on his hakama and swords—and with spear in hand, he also crouched down.” from a letter written by Ryoma to his family, reporting the event; translated by Romulus Hillsborough.

The Gravesite of Sakamoto Ryoma and Nakaoka Shintaro The graves of Sakamoto Ryoma and Nakaoka Shintaro lay side by side in the cemetery at Ryozen Gokokuji Shrine, in Higashiyama on the east side of Kyoto. The cemetery contains the graves of numerous heroes of the Meiji Restoration, including men killed by the Shinsengumi* at Ikedaya and in the fighting at Hamaguri-gomon. It is apt that Ryoma and Nakaoka share the same gravesite—they were assassinated one month and one day after their efforts had forced the shogun to announce his intention to step down. gokoku.or.jp/en * The Shinsengumi (新選組 or 新撰組) (meaning the new squad) was a special police force organized by the Bakufu (military government).

Excerpt from Samurai Revolution: Shortly before his death, Ryōma had renewed the plan he had previously shared with Kaishū to send rōnin to Ezo in the far north of Japan to settle and exploit that mineral-rich wilderness, train them in the naval sciences, and save them from dying in the revolution. He was working on the plan with Hayashi Kenzō, a Hiroshima samurai in the employ of Satsuma. In the eerily prophetic closing to a letter to Hayashi, dated 11/11, Ryōma advised him to be very careful for his life, then wrote, “Now is the time for us to act. Soon we must decide on our direction, whether it lead to pandemonium or paradise.” Early in the morning five days later, Hayashi, summoned by Ryōma from Ōsaka for “an urgent discussion” in Kyōto, encountered the aftermath of that pandemonium, with Ryōma, Hayashi wrote, “his sword drawn, lying in a pool of blood.”

Terayada Inn

KANSAI SCENE MAGAZINE | ISSUE #167 APRIL 2014 | kansaiscene.com

Language

It’s up to you! Are you up for a culinary adventure? Feel like taking the pilgrimage down the path to washoku enlightenment? A far cry from your favorite kura sushi dishes, the eight stages of washoku (see feature on page 08) will challenge the bravest of culinary explorers. Whether you just want to get your feet wet with some local or more traditional dishes, or roll the dice and leave it up the chef, we have you covered. If you find yourself staring down at a dish that is staring right back at you, here are some phrases that could come in handy...

おすすめはなん

What do you recommend?

ですか。

Osusume wa nan desu ka?

It’s up to you.

おまかせ。

Omakase.

What’s a local specialty?

じもとりょうりは

Jimoto ryouri wa nan desu ka?

I want to try something new.

あたらしいもの

なんですか。

をたべてみたいです。ぼうけんしてみ

Atarashii mono o tabete mitai desu.

和食 Washoku, traditional Japanese cuisine, commands apprecia-

tion of the “fruit of the mountains” 山の幸 yama no sachi as well as the “fruit of the sea” 海の幸 umi no sachi. Below are some bounties of the mountains and the sea that you can ask for on your road to washoku appreciation. FISH

魚

さかな

sakana

tuna

鮪

マグロ

maguro

tuna belly

大トロ

おおトロ

o-toro

yellowtail

鰤

ブリ

buri

mackerel

鯖

サバ

saba

salmon

鮭

シャケ

sake

eel

鰻

ウナギ

unagi

scallop

ホタテ

hotate

カキ

kaki

oyster

蠣

です。

Bouken shite mitai kibun desu.

shrimp

蛯

エビ

ebi

This is delicious!

おいしいです。

Oishii desu!

grilled fish

焼魚

やきざかな

yakizakana

いままでこんな

やさい

Ima made con na mono o tabeta koto ga arimasen.

VEGETABLES

野菜

I’ve never had something like this before.

yasai

bamboo shoot

筍

たけのこ

takenoko

lotus root

蓮根

れんこん

renkon

radish

大根

だいこん

daikon

mushroom

茸

きのこ

kinoko

potato

じゃが芋

じゃがいも

jagaimo (imo)

sweet potato

さつま芋

さつまいも

satsumaimo

asparagus

アスパラガス

asuparagasu

onion

玉葱

たまねぎ

tamanegi

eggplant

茄子

なす

nasu

pickled plum

梅干し

うめぼし

umeboshi

pickles

漬物

つけもの

tsukemono

I’m feeling adventurous!

たいきぶん

ものをたべたことがありません。

Is that still alive!?

まだいきていま

I don’t want anything with eye balls, please.

めだまがついて

Can I have some water, please? More sake, please!

すか。いるものはたべたくありません。おみずをください。もっとさけをください。

Mada ikite imasu ka? Medama ga tsuite iru mono wa tabe taku arimasen. O mizu o kudasai. Motto sake o kudasai.

KANSAI SCENE MAGAZINE | ISSUE #167 APRIL 2014 KANSAI | kansaiscene.com SCENE MAGAZINE | ISSUE #167 APRIL 2014 | kansaiscene.com

Feature

Bringing HOPE to those in need More than 13 million people have been helped by HOPE, and this month you can help even more, by pampering yourself in the name of charity. Text: KS

If you’re feeling the stresses and strains of modern life, there are many ways available to improve your mood. For example, a simple massage or a haircut can make you feel good. At HOPE at the Hilton, you can increase that feel-good feeling times a thousand, as the money you spend on these things will go to help poor people around the world. The week-long HOPE at the Hilton event is held annually in Nagoya and Osaka to raise money and awareness for the HOPE International Development Agency in Japan. So where does that feel-good cash actually go? HOPE’s mission is “to extend compassion to the neglected poor and help them become self-reliant.” Who exactly are ‘the neglected poor’? Millions of people across the globe, living in extreme poverty in remote areas with little access to development agencies. Countries that HOPE works in include Afghanistan, Cambodia, Ethiopia, and the Philippines. HOPE also provides assistance in Japan, to tsunami affected areas. But HOPE doesn’t just throw cash donations to these needy communities and leave them to it. The money is used to help them become self-reliant.

For example, there’s the Cow Bank program in Cambodia. Farmers here depend heavily on cows to plow and fertilise their land, but many can’t afford one. HOPE loans a female cow to a family for 18 months to help with their farming and give birth to a calf. The family are trained to care for the livestock so when mother cow is returned to the bank, they can keep and raise the calf to become a selfsufficient farm. In the 13 years HOPE has existed, it has helped transform the lives of more than 13 million people around the world. From Cow Banks to well-digging, there will be lots more information available on HOPE projects at the Hilton; look out for the display in the lobby and as places are limited, arrive early to make sure you don’t miss out on a little relaxing me time. Knowing the money you just spent might bring HOPE to a person who needs it; well, won’t that massage or haircut today feel even better? hope.or.jp/en

HOPE at the Hilton week 14th-20th April

Hilton Hotel, Osaka Charity Cut (10am-4:45pm, 14 April) Some of Osaka’s leading stylists will be donating their time and skills. Get a 45-minute hair cut for just ¥2,000. Relax for Charity (10am-6pm, 15th April) The Hilton Spa are opening their doors to support HOPE projects. A 30-minute massage will cost just ¥2,000. Eat for charity (all week) Dine at the Hilton Hotel’s Checker’s Restaurant and 5% of your bill will go directly towards supporting HOPE projects! Family Day (20th April) This will be a fun occasion for kids to learn more about HOPE projects. Activities for kids will include colouring in their own cows and taking home cow balloons.

Kansai Scene Listings: Where to go & what to do

Film previews

Pick

August: Osage County

Captain America: Winter Soldier

The Amazing Spiderman 2

Anthony and Joe Russo,

Starring: Andrew Garfield,

Action, 136 mins, April 19

Emma Stone, Jamie Foxx

Marc Webb, Action, April 25

Starring: Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson,

John Wells, Drama, 121 mins, April 18 Starring: Julia Roberts, Meryl Streep, Juliette Lewis, Dermot Mulroney

We can’t choose our family, and no matter how dysfunctional it may be, in times of need, there is a powerful need to come together; this drama sees disbanded siblings reunite to support their less than perfect mother.

Samuel L. Jackson, Robert Redford

This month sees the release of two iconic Marvel characters who may have fought side by side in the comics, but now that rights have been split between studios, these heavy hitters are battling against each other to secure your hard-earned cash. Both are sequels and both have trailers that make them look absolutely fantastic, but which film is the smarter choice? Being a long-standing Spiderman fan, I was extremely excited by the 2012 reboot, even if it did come just 5 years after Sam Raimi’s trilogy. The trailer eluded to a deep mythology tied to Peter’s parents, a beefy role for Dr. Connors, plus it actually seemed that the young Peter enjoyed being a hero… unfortunately the film was lackluster, enjoyable but all but forgettable. A bad guy with no motivation, and an athletic, cool, witty and confident pre-bite Peter, who was a bit of a dick in the Spidey suit, along with a love story that failed to ring true all made the movie seem a little rushed or thrown together, as if Sony had a three year time limit to get the movie made before their claims to the character expired…which would just be crazy! Captain America on the other hand was seen by many (including myself) as an outdated and boring character; the ultimate Boy Scout who embodied old-fashioned ideals of patriotism and always fighting the good fight. What a stroke of genius it then was to make a 1940s period piece, tying in the Stark legacy and laying the foundations for the Marvel universe all but effortlessly. The movie was far better than any had hoped for and Cap’s fish-out-of-water act in The Avengers also made him a sympathetic and likeable leader. Winter Soldier is introducing an awesome villain, and throwing up a questionable debate in regards to protection/aggression. In modern times of civil wars, privacy arguments and drone strikes, a blockbuster asking who the good guys really are seems rather topical. Over at Sony, Amazing Spiderman 2 may well be suffering from what left a bitter taste in our mouths back in 2007, too many villains; an evil necessity as the studio gears up for their Sinister 6 franchise. The mech-Rhino suit may look awesome, and Jamie Foxx may have brought a nice spin to the Electro character (and ditched his stupid costume), but his main motivation is weak to say the least, and is a mere excuse for CGI brawls. Both films will be fun, fast and frantic, but whereas Cap seems to be a cog in a much larger universe, Spiderman seems to be swinging solo.

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

Credits pending

Crows Explode Toshiaki Toyoda, Action, 129 mins, April 12 Starring: Yuya Yagira, Kyosuke Yabe, Ryo Katsuji

A far cry from Takashii Miike’s far superior Crows Zero, this sequel with all new cast and crew may be inferior, but still has decent fights and set pieces, albeit with less weight behind the punches.

Credits pending

Thermae Romae II Hideki Takeuchi, 112 mins, April 26 Starring: Hiroshi Abe, Aya Ueto, Kazuki Kitamura

A sequel to the 2012 time-slip comedy. Abe is back as Lucius, a man who nabs ideas from modern Japan to give to ancient Rome, which in turn inspired modern society. This snake eating its own tail device hasn’t evolved much for the sequel.

Kansai Scene Listings: Where to go & what to do

Cinema listings (selected theaters) Osaka Toho Cinemas Umeda • Tel: 0663161312 • tohotheater.jp • Discounts: Weds (women), 1st & 14th of the month: ¥1,100, every day after 8pm: ¥1,300

• Now showing: The Lego Movie,

Lone Survivor, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, Frozen, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug • From Apr 19: Captain America The Winter Soldier • From Apr 25: The Amazing Spider-Man 2

Umeda Burg7 • Tel: 0647957602 • burg7.com • Discounts: Weds (women) 1st of the month: ¥1,100; every day after 8pm: ¥1,300

• Now showing: The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, Frozen, Robocop • From Apr 5: Adele: Chapters 1&2 • From Apr 19: Captain America The Winter Soldier • From Apr 25: The Amazing Spider-Man 2

Cine Libre Umeda • Tel: 0664405930 • ttcg.jp/cinelibre_umeda • Discounts: Weds (women, men), 1st and 15th of the month: ¥1,000

• Now showing: Fruitvale Station, Oh Boy, Die Frau mit den 5 Elefanten, Jeune & Jolie • From Apr 5: For No Good Reason • From Apr 12: The World’s End, The Broken Circle Breakdown • From Apr 19: The Railway Man • From Apr 26: Parked

Theatre Umeda • Tel: 0663591080 • ttcg.jp/theatre_umeda • Discounts: Weds (women, men), 1st of the month: ¥1,000

• Now showing: Jackass Presents:

Bad Grandpa, Don Jon, Grand Piano, Dallas Buyers Club • From Apr 19: Plot for Peace

Osaka Station City Cinema

• From Apr 4: Grudge Match • From Apr 18: August: Osage

County

• From Apr 19: Captain America The Winter Soldier • From Apr 25: The Amazing Spider-Man 2

Toho Cinemas Namba • Tel: 0666331040 • tohotheater.jp • Discounts: Weds (women), 1st & 14th of the month: ¥1,100, every day after 8pm: ¥1,300

• Now showing: The Lego Movie, Lone Survivor, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, Frozen, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug • From Apr 18: August: Osage County • From Apr 19: Captain America The Winter Soldier • From Apr 25: The Amazing Spider-Man 2

Namba Parks Cinema • Tel: 0666433215 • parkscinema.com • Discounts: Weds (women), 1st of the month: ¥1,100; every day after 8pm: ¥1,300

• Now showing: The Lego Movie,

Lone Survivor, One Chance, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, Frozen, Robocop • From Apr 4: Grudge Match • From Apr 19: Captain America The Winter Soldier, The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones • From Apr 25: The Amazing Spider-Man 2

Cinem@rt • Tel: 0662820815 • cinemart.co.jp/theater/ shinsaibashi • Discounts: Mon (men) Weds (women), 1st and 25th of the month: ¥1,000

• Now showing: The Motel Life, Don Jon, Fruitvale Station, Ain't Them Bodies Saints • From Apr 5: Adele: Chapters 1&2 • From Apr 12: The World’s End • From Apr 19: Act of Killing

Kyoto Movix Kyoto

• Tel: 0663463215 • osakastationcitycinema.com • Discounts: Weds (women), 1st of the month: ¥1,100, every day after 8pm: ¥1,300

• Tel: 0752543215 • movix.co.jp • Discounts: Weds (women), 1st and 20th of the month: ¥1,100; every day after 8pm: ¥1,300

• Now showing: The Lego Movie, Saving Mr. Banks, One Chance, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, Philomena, Frozen, Robocop, All is Lost, 12 Years a Slave

• Now showing: Frozen, Robocop, Philomena, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty • From Apr 19: Shadow Hunter

NOTE: prices have changed from April due to the tax increase.

• From Apr 19: Captain America The Winter Soldier • From Apr 25: The Amazing Spider-Man 2

Kyoto Cinema • Tel: 0753534723 • kyotocinema.jp • Discounts: Weds (women, men), 1st of the month: ¥1,100

• Now showing: Gebo et L'Ombre, Dieta Mediterranea • From Apr 5: Tie pohjoiseen, Oh Boy, The Woman with the 5 Elephants, Poker House • From Apr 12: The Broken Circle Breakdown • From Apr 19: The Act of Killing

Toho Cinemas Nijo • Tel: 0758132410 • tohotheater.jp • Discounts: Weds (women), 1st & 14th of the month: ¥1,100, every day after 8pm: ¥1,300

• Now showing: The Lego Movie,

Lone Survivor, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, Frozen, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug • From Apr 19: Captain America The Winter Soldier • From Apr 25: The Amazing Spider-Man 2

Hyogo OS Cinema Mint Kobe • Tel: 0782915330 • jollios.net • Discounts: Tues (women), 1st and 16th of the month: ¥1,100; every day after 8pm: ¥1,300

• Now showing: Frozen, Robocop, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, Lone Survivor, One Chance • From Apr 18: August: Osage County • From Apr 19: Captain America The Winter Soldier • From Apr 25: The Amazing Spider-Man 2

Kobe Kokusai Shochiku • Tel: 0782303580 • shochiku-eigakan.com • Discounts: Tues (women), 1st of the month: ¥1,100; every day after 8pm: ¥1,300

• Now showing: Robocop, Philomena, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug • From Apr 4: Grudge Match • From Apr 11: Paranormal Activity • From Apr 19: Shadow Hunter

OS Cinema Kobe Harborland • Tel: 0783603788 • jollios.net • Discounts: Tues (women), 1st and 16th of the month: ¥1,100; every day after 8pm: ¥1,300

• Now showing: Frozen, Robocop, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, Lone Survivor, One Chance • From Apr 19: Captain America The Winter Soldier • From Apr 25: The Amazing Spider-Man 2

Cine Libre Kobe • Tel: 0783342126 • ttcg.jp/cinelibre_kobe • Discounts: Weds (women, men), 1st and 15th of the month: ¥1,100 • Now showing: Saving Mr. Banks, Fruitvale Station, Grand Piano, 12 Years a Slave

• From Apr 5: Adele: Chapters

1&2

• From Apr 12: Jackass Presents:

Bad Grandpa

• From Apr 26: Le Passe

Toho Cinemas Nishinomiya OS • Tel: 050-6868-5051 • tohotheater.jp • Discounts: Weds (women), 1st & 14th of the month: ¥1,100, every day after 8pm: ¥1,300

• Now showing: The Lego Movie, Lone Survivor, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, Frozen, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug • From Apr 19: Captain America The Winter Soldier • From Apr 25: The Amazing Spider-Man 2

Nara Movix Kashihara • Tel: 0744211700 • movix.co.jp • Discounts: Weds (women) Thurs (men), 1st and 20th of the month, 3rd Tue of the month: ¥1,100; every day after 8pm: ¥1,300

• Now showing: Frozen, Robocop, Philomena, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, Lone Survivor • From Apr 4: Grudge Match • From Apr 5: Jeune & Jolie • From Apr 12: What Maisie Knew • From Apr 19: Captain America The Winter Soldier • From Apr 25: The Amazing Spider-Man 2

KANSAI SCENE MAGAZINE | ISSUE #167 APRIL 2014 | kansaiscene.com

Event

World in focus This year, Kyoto’s international photography festival is taking contemporary art into the city’s most iconic locations. Text: Lauren Hadler

Royal White Tiger © Tim Flach

The annual KYOTOGRAPHIE International Photography Festival will open again in Kyoto this month. This event runs for three weeks and welcomes 13 exhibitions held in 15 venues across the city. The theme this year is Our Environments, which highlights the different stages in our lives, our interactions and our relationships with each other and our world. Exhibitions include Xavier Barral’s astounding Mars, a Photographic Exploration, with video installation by Shiro Takatani, featuring mindblowing, never before seen images of the red planet; the 2014 HSBC winner Akiko Takizawa with her series Where we Belong; Werner Bischof ’s contemplative post-war Japan; Stanley Greene’s Shadows of Change, showing both climate change in Greenland and a selection of the personal work; Tim Flach’s incredibly moving More than Human portraits; and the Japanese landscape of nuclear power with Taishi Hirokawa’s work Still Crazy. These

exhibitions and many more will be presented in iconic locations like The World Heritage Shimogamo Shrine, Government protected Mumeshia, The Museum of Kyoto, Shimidai Gallery, Institut français du Japon, Murin-an and Kyoto JR Station. KYOTOGRAPHIE will be accompanied by KG+ the festival’s satellite program, which supports the growth of emerging artists. This year KG+ will hold around 45 exhibitions by 60 plus photographers. Part of the festival’s appeal is its commitment to challenge the traditional models of gallery space; the exhibitions and venues offer a unique opportunity to experience contemporary art in a variety of locations. The venues all have specialised scenography exclusively done for each exhibition, allowing the architecture and art to work in harmony. This festival is a truly international event that seeks to bring a new attitude toward photography and a new paradigm for showing art in Japan. An extensive Public Program will run in conjunction with the exhibitions, including live events with Daisuke Yokota and Satoshi Machiguchi, children’s photography workshops, live improvisational story events with Shinji Ishii, and talks with photographers like Rinko Kawauchi, Akiko Takizawa and Stanley Greene. There’ll also be events with special guests, including, Xavier Barral, Ivan Vartanian, Simon Baker the Curator of Photography and International Art at the Tate, London, and Pascal Beausse the Head of Photographic Collections at CNAP, Centre National des Arts

Barkhanes in the crater zone, from Mars, a photographic exploration © NASA / JPL / The University of Arizona / Éditions Xavier Barral

Plastiques, Paris. This festival creates opportunities and events that bring people together of all ages, cultures, and backgrounds, uniting ancient history and contemporary art. KYOTOGRAPHIE and KG+ aim to foster an appreciation of photography and actively seek out innovation and true collaboration. This year there is something for everyone, so pick up a brochure and we’ll see you there! - Lauren Hadler is KYOTOGRAPHIE’s Public Program Director and is a member of the Executive Committee. She also engages in curation and arts management through her consultancy HYDE.

KYOTOGRAPHIE 19 Apr‑11 May

Single entry tickets can be bought at each venue on the day or you can pick up a Passport for ¥2,000, which allows entry into all 13 exhibitions. For full listings and event information in English and Japanese please go to the KYOTOGRAPHIE website: kyotographie.jp and like us on Facebook for daily updates during the festival. Programs are filling up fast, so register at: educationinfo@kyotographie.jp

Kansai Scene Listings: Where to go & what to do May 03 – 05

Event pickups

Heijokyo Tempyo Sai – Festival of Ancient Nara 平城京天平祭 FREE

Heijokyo Palace Site, Nara

The ancient city of Nara will again host Heijokyo Tempyo Sai, a spring festival that’s been celebrated for over 1,300 years. With enormously diverse activities to participate in and spectacles to see, this festival provides an opportunity to experience the ancient cultural life of the city. Enjoy re-enactments of the Imperial Guards and the nobility dining at a banquet, plus a dazzling parade of historic court people. There’ll be a playground and craft workshops for the kiddies, plus exciting street traditional performances, a bustling market and delicious food all over three days. Time: 10am – 4:30pm • Admission: free • Access: Kintetsu Railway Yamato-Saidaiji stn; 15 min walk • tenpyosai.jp

Creatous Magazine Showcase Vol. 3 Apr 18

Calling all fashion-forward folk of Kansai, Osaka’s iconic Central Public Hall in Nakanoshima will be the stunning location of a catwalk fashion show. Now in it’s third year, the show is the brainchild of veteran fashionista and Mode Gakuin teacher, Hanama Jisato, who hopes her event can help kickstart the fashion scene in Osaka – once considered the hub of the Japanese fashion world. Incorporating a make-up show, special guest appearances and booths offering the latest fashions to take home, this event provides a great opportunity for talented local designers to showcase their work. The post-show networking event offers the chance to rub shoulders with the designers, industry pros and models. Time: First show: 3pm–4:30pm, Second show: 7pm– 8:30pm • Admission: ¥2,500 (adv) ¥3,000 (door) • Access: Yodoyabashi Sta.

Kansai Scene Listings: Where to go & what to do Apr 06

Apr 06

Tightrope Lion Dancing

Puppet Show Festival

伊勢の森神社梯子獅子

第18回なにわ人形芝居フェスティバル

FREE

Isenomori-Jinja Shrine, Hyogo

Nestled in the heart of a mountain, the historic Isenomori shrine will be the setting for a whole day of fascinating ceremonies, including a thrilling tightrope performance. This spectacular performing art is part of a religious ceremony with a 300-year history. Wearing heavy headdresses, lion dancers will bravely perform on a tightrope crossing a 10m valley. Set against a backdrop of beautiful cherry blossoms, their acrobatics are sure to keep you on the edge of your seat. Time: at Noon • Admission: free • Access: JR Kobe line Maiko stn

Isshinji Temple and Surroundings, Osaka

Heralding the arrival of spring, this festival is a large collection of puppet shows put on by various puppet theatre companies from across the country. The performances will be staged at Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines around the area of Shimoderamachi. While the puppets are the main stars, there’ll also be a whole range of other exciting activities like a children’s art exhibition, buskers, a ninja experience, craft workshops and more. Food stalls ranging from Italian cuisine to takoyaki dumplings will take care of any grumbling tummies.

bus to Tsuna Ichinomiya IC; 10 min Taxi • Tel: 0799-25-5820 Time: 10am – 3:30pm • Admission: ¥700 (one-time payment) provides entrance to every theatre • Access: Subway Tanimachi line Shitennoji-mae Yuhigaoka stn •terateratera.sakuraweb.com/ ningyoufes/18/index.html

Hikiyama Float Festival 長浜曳山祭り FREE

Nagahama Hachimangu shrine & Surroundings, Shiga

One of the largest religious events in Japan, the Nagahama Hikiyama Festival was designated an important intangible folk cultural property in 1979. Featuring 14 sumptuous floats and a traditional kabuki play performed by children, the festival draws great number of visitors from around the world. Dazzlingly decorated with valuable tapestries and exotic wooden carvings beautifully coated with gold and lacquer, these floats are often described as “a moving museum”. One of the highlights is the sight of the kabuki plays performed aboard the floats. These magnificent floats parade around the town on the 14th and 15th. Admission: free • Access: JR Biwako line Nagahama stn • nagahama-hikiyama.or.jp

Apr 13 – 16

Kansai Scene Listings: Where to go & what to do

Event listings April Japanese Garden Open Public 法華寺国史跡名勝庭園公開 Hokkeji Temple, Nara Apr 01 – Jun 10

A beautiful Japanese garden in the Buddhist convent of Hokkeji temple, which is an officially designated historic site, is open to the public. Admission: ¥1,000 adults, concessions • hokkeji-nara.jp

Cherry Blossoms and Tea Ceremony 観桜茶会 Heianjingu Shurine, Kyoto Apr 01 - 15

A casual tea ceremony takes place in an authentic, officially-designated Japanese garden. Admission: ¥600 adults, concessions (to enter the garden) •heianjingu. or.jp

Japan Girls Expo

日本女子博覧会

Intex Osaka, Osaka • Apr 12

Featuring beauty salons, a fashion show, fortune telling booths, live performances and gourmet food. Admission: ¥3,000 (¥3,500 at door) • japan-girls-expo.com/hall

Kemari – Ancient Japanese Football 春季例大祭蹴鞠奉納 FREE

Shiramine Jingu Shrine, Kyoto Apr 14

Traditional style of football held to celebrate the annual festival of Shiramine Jingu. Performers in colourful kimonos elegantly juggle and pass the ball. Admission: free • www10.ocn. ne.jp/~siramine

Chinka Festival 鎮花祭 FREE Izumo Daijingu Shrine, Kyoto Apr 18

Tatsuno Park and Surroundings, Hyogo Apr 01–20

Celebration the end of winter at one of the finest cherry blossoms spots. A parade of samurai warriors, a tea ceremony, a beauty contest and more will take place on the 6th. Admission: free • tatsuno-kanko. com/modules/news/article. php?storyid=28

Yagyu Cherry Blossom Festival 柳生さくら祭り FREE Yagyu no Sato, Nara Apr 05 & 06

A spring festival around Yagyu-han Jinya Ruins where traditional Japanese martial arts and varieties of other entertainments will take place. Admission: free • Access: Kintetsu Railway Nara stn 50min bus to Yagyu Ojicho

はちけんやお花見フェスタ FREE Hachikenyahama, Osaka Until Apr 20

Cherry blossoms are in full bloom along the promenade at Nakanoshima Park; there will be food trucks, stalls, and street performances on weekends. Admission: free • nigiwai-xing. net/21.html

Syoryoe – Court Dance 聖霊会舞楽大法要 FREE Shitennoji Temple, Osaka Apr 22

Biwako Jazz Festival in Higashi Omi

Artistic lanterns will be exhibited in the streets in Yuasa Town. Admission: free • Access: JR Kinokuni line Yuasa stn; 10 min walk • Tel: 0737-63-0401

FREE The Centre of Higashi Omi City, Shiga • Apr 19 & 20

Around 140 bands will play a range of music at 36 stages scattered around the peaceful and scenic town of Shiga. Admission: free • biwako-jazzfes. com

The Mermaid on Display 春期マーメイド号探検隊 Nishinomiya Shell Museum, Hyogo Apr 19 & 20

Kenichi Horie was the first person to sail solo across the Pacific Ocean. His yacht, Mermaid will be open to the public. Admission: ¥200 adults, concessions • shellmuseum.jp/shell_db

第８回ゆあさ行灯アート展 FREE

Yuasa-cho The important traditional building preservation area, Wakayama • Apr 25–29

Snake Dance ジャンジャカ踊り FREE

Dojoji Temple, Wakayama • Apr 27

Called Janjaka odori in Japanese, this is a religious dance featuring a 25m paper-mache serpent. Admission: free • Access: JR Kinokuni line Dojoji stn; 5 min walk

Kusatsu History Festival 草津宿場まつり FREE Kusatsu city Hall and Surroundings, Shiga • Apr 27

第６回御堂筋サイクルピクニック

This annual carnival of the historic city, Kusatu, features a grand parade of people from the samurai period ranging from the aristocracy to peasants. Admission: free • 932matsuri.com

Nakanoshima Park, Osaka • Apr 20

Showa Era Day

Midosuji Cycle Picnic

A cycling event to support safe riding and appeal for cycle ways on the Midosuji Street. There’ll be a riding tour, a cycling wear fashion

An annual celebration featuring culture from the Showa era (from 1926 to 1989) with various live music performances, stalls, tea ceremonies, a parade, children games, a wrestling show and much more. Admission: most of events are free • showacho.jp

Mibudera Kyogen Pantomimes 壬生狂言 Mibudera Temple, Kyoto Apr 29 – May 05

One of THE Japanese classical performing arts of kyogen whereby masked actors play silent comedies teaching people about the Buddhist faith. Admission: ¥800 adults, concessions • mibudera.com/eng/index.html

This is a thousand-year-old ritual celebrated with a wonderfully elegant court dance bugaku. Admission: free • shitennoji.or.jp

Twilight Beauty Yuasa Lantern Art Exhibition

ルin東近江2014

龍野さくら祭

Hachikenya Cherry Blossom Festa

A centuries-old religious festival where male performers, adorned with pretty flowers, dance for the prevention of epidemics and the falling of blessed rain. Admission: free • izumo-d.org/ top.htm

第６回びわこJazzフェスティバ

Tatsuno Cherry Blossoms Festival

show, and stalls selling food and cyclists’ gear. Admission: most events are free • cyclepicnic.wordpress.com/event

どっぷり昭和町 Momogaike Park and Surroundings, Osaka • Apr 29

Infiorata Kobe 2014 インフォラータこうべ FREE Sannomiya Ajisaidori & Surroundings, Hyogo Apr 26 – 27 & May 03 – 06

Pavements blanketed with colourful tulip petals is just one of the many ways this flower festival will brighten up the streets of Kobe. Admission: free • infiorata.jp

Kenpyo Festival – Ice Festival 献氷祭 FREE Himuro-Jinja Shrine, Nara May 01

An annual celebration for the deity of ice where art works made from ice pillars will be offered to the god and performance art of bugaku will take place in the afternoon. Admission: free • himurojinja.jp/ index.html

Shigaraki Ware Market 第８回しがらき作家市 FREE The Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park, Shiga • May 02 – 05

A fair of Shigaraki ware where over 100 artists display and sell their works in a beautiful hillside park. Admission: free • sccp.jp

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

Kansai Scene Listings: Where to go & what to do Until May 11

Czech Posters for Films From the Collection of Terry Posters

Pick

The National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto

Known for children’s books, puppet shows, and animation, the Czech Republic has also produced many great movie poster designs, including posters for Hollywood movies that radically differed from the originals. This exhibition presents 82 posters, from the 1950s to 1980s, from the collection of Prague gallery Terry Posters. Posters for Czech New Wave films of the 1960s and for European, US and Japanese films showcase the tension, humor and beauty generated when films and graphic design intersect. Mar 21- May 11 • An introduction to the fascinating and littleknown world of Czech film posters • Open: 9:30am-5pm, Fridays until 7:30pm • Closed: Mon • Admission: ¥430 • Access: Subway Tozai line Higashiyama Stn • www.momak.go.jp

Une femme douce Film: 1969 / France / Robert Bresson Poster: 1970 / Olga Poláčková-Vyleťalová

Art Listings Osaka

Hyogo

Kyoto

Bird 2013-01 / 撮影：加藤健 ‘Neutral Palm Square’2014

Koike Kazuma: Neutral Palm Square

星型の刺繍を背守りにした百徳着物／写真：石内都／所蔵：真成寺

FREE Tezukayama Gallery Mar 28–Apr 26

FREE LIXIL Gallery - Osaka Mar 7–May 20

Cheerfully colorful, darkly hallucinatory and crisply executed paintings by a Japanese artist who spent his early life in Argentina and Spain.

Semamori are charms that until the 1930s were often stitched into the backs of children’s kimonos by their mothers to ward off evil that crept in from behind.

Open: 11am–7pm • Closed: Sun and Mon • Admission: Free • Access: Namba Stn • tezukayama-g.com

Semamori

Open: 10am–5pm • Closed: Wed • Admission: Free • Access: JR Osaka Stn • www1.lixil.co.jp/gallery

Atsuhiko Misawa: ANIMALS in ASAGO Asago Art Village Gallery Space Mar 15–May 11

Life-size and lifelike wooden animal sculpture series combining traces of the chisel with delicately painted features.

Open: 10am–5pm • Closed: Wed • Admission: ¥800 • Access: 10 minutes by taxi from Nii Station on the JR Bantan line • www.city.asago. hyogo.jp/category/2-7-1-0-0.html

©RMN-Grand Palais (musée d'Orsay) / Hervé Lewandowski / distributed by AMF

Impressionists at Waterside: Depicting Urban Resorts – Paris, the Seine, and Normandy The Museum of Kyoto Mar 11–May 11

Until Apr 26

Sadaharu Horio: A Matter of Course – Now

Until Jun 1

BB Plaza Museum of Art

“Putting Finger” Masahiko Sato + Tatsuya Saito FREE

ddd gallery

At perhaps Osaka’s greatest gallery dedicated to graphic design, two designers exhibit a variety of interactive works that are complete as images only when a visitor to the gallery places a finger somewhere on the picture. These are the result of a multi-year investigation into the relationship between the finger (and by extension the body) and graphic design, and present the viewer with an entirely new mode of expression and exciting new range of possibilities. Mar 12-Apr 26 • Graphic design works that are catalyzed by the viewer’s placement of a finger in a designated place on the picture • Open: 11am-7pm (until 6pm on Sat) • Closed: Sun, Mon, and hols • Admission: Free • Access: Yotsubashi line Namba Stn • dnp.co.jp/gallery/ddd/

Hiroshi Sugimoto + Kyoto Artisans: A TIDDLERS SCHOOL FREE Kyoto University of Art & Design Entrance Lounge Apr 2–Aug 28

Sculptures and tea utensils from artist Hiroshi Sugimoto’s collection, done by Kyoto artisans or executed in collaboration with them. Open: 9am–5pm • Admission: Free • Access: Eizan-Dentetsu line Chayama Stn • kuad-entrance.com

Mar 21-Jun 1 • Artifacts of massive ongoing avant-garde project by prolific local artist. Museum is right next to Hyogo Prefectural Museum. • Open: 10am-6pm • Closed: Mon • Admission: ¥300 • Access: Hanshin line Iwaya Stn • bbpmuseum.jp/

Eadweard r. York: AmerWrecka

Works by the Impressionists, including Monet and Caillebotte, on one of their favorite themes: waterside landscapes and people’s activities near the water.

Open: 10am–6pm, Fridays until 7:30pm (Last entry 30 minutes before closing) • Closed: Mon • Admission: ¥1,200 • Access: Subway Karasuma-Oike Stn • bunpaku.or.jp

Born in 1939, Sadaharu Horio at age 15 decided to dedicate his life to art, but couldn’t attend art school and went to work in a shipyard. Undeterred, he worked full-time until retirement while making art at a superhuman pace, doing up to 100 exhibitions and performances every year, including live “one-minute paintings.” A former member of avant-garde art group Gutai, Horio has been engaged since 1985 in the ongoing project “A Matter of Course.” This aims to render visible what we cannot see and take for granted. One practice is applying paint to every object around him every day, a ritual manifesting the gradual accumulation of repeated actions. This exhibition assembles 3,000 objects painted this way, and other artifacts of actions brought together in one place and at one time: Now.

FOIL GALLERY Mar 21–Apr 13

Takashi Kiuchi「I’ d Rather Be a Shellfish,too」2013

Takashi Kiuchi and His Era 2: Sayonara Kiuchi-san FREE Gallery Parc Mar 21–Apr 6

Pun-riddled, surreally humorous works by leading proponent of his own movement, Kiuchism. Open: 11am–7pm, Fri until 8pm • Closed: Mon • Admission: FREE • Access: Subway Tozai line KyotoShiyakushomae Stn • galleryparc. com

Street photos by punk purveyor of “infamous photography” who has also done portraits of famous people from John Lee Hooker to The Smashing Pumpkins to Allen Ginsberg.

Exhibition focusing on the world of monochromatic art, particularly prints that are heavy on black and photographs bathed in light

Open: 9:30am–5pm • Closed: Mon • Admission: to be announced • Access: From JR Wakayama Station to Kenchomae bus stop • momaw.jp

Open: 11:30am–8pm • Closed: Wed • Admission: ¥300 • Access: Subway Imadegawa Stn • foilkyoto.com

Wakayama The Realm in Monochrome The Museum of Modern Art, Wakayama Mar 1–May 25

SATO Tokihiro, #330 Taiji, from Photo-Respiration Series, 1998

Find more listings online: kansaiscene.com/listings

31 Sadaharu Horio – Atarimae-no-koto / Axel Vervoordt Gallery, Belgium/2011 Photo: Aya Horio

Energy-Generating Fingertip

Kansai Scene Listings: Where to go & what to do

Live Music

Venom/ Morbid Angel/ Eyehategod/ Uncle Acid

Pick

Venom

UK’s Venom came together in 1979 and their first two albums Welcome to Hell (1981) and Black Angel (1982) are seen as major influences on the thrash metal genre that followed. The band’s classic line-up and days were from 1981 to 1986 but with a number of musical chairs and reunions taking place the current line-up consists of Conrad Lant (bass/vocals), La Rage (guitar) and Danny Needham (drums). Venom are joined by fellow US thrashers Morbid Angel who made their debut in 1987. Another band with a lot of personnel changes Morbid Angel still has two original members from the early days in Trey Azagthoth (guitar) and David Vincent (vocals/bass). Making up the final places of the billing are sludge metallists Eyehategod and British psychedelic doom band Uncle Acid.

Morbid Angel

Eyehategod

Kabuto Metal 2014 featuring ‘80’s speed metal and thrash • Namba Hatch, Osaka • Metal • 3:45pm • ¥10,500 • Tel:06-6535-5569 Uncle Acid

Live Music Listings Apr/May Rock & Pop Television plus support The 50 Kaitenz Influential seventies New York City rock band Varit, Kobe

Apr 15 • Rock • 7pm • ¥7,300 • Tel:078-392-6655

access Japanese electro-pop duo Namba Hatch, Osaka

Apr 17 • Pop • 7pm • ¥6,700/¥7,200 • Tel:06-6357-4400

Venom/Morbid Angel/

Eyehategod/Uncle Acid

Galneryus

Bob Dylan

Metal festival headlined by ‘80’s speed metal Venom

Japanese power metal band from Osaka formed 2001

US folk singer-songwriter

Apr 19 • Metal • 3.45pm • ¥10,500 • Tel:06-6535-5569

Apr 20 • Metal • 6pm • ¥5,000 • Tel:06-7732-8888

Apr 21-23 • Folk-rock • 7pm • ¥13,000/¥22,000 • Tel:06-63414506

lego big morl

Hosono Haruomi

Asking Alexandria

Japanese four piece rock band from Osaka

Japanese electronic ambient musician

English metalcore outfit formed 2008

Apr 19 • Rock • 5.30pm • ¥3,000 • Tel:06-7732-8888

Apr 20-21 • Electronic ambient • 20th-6pm/21st-7pm • ¥5,800/¥6,800 • Tel:075-351-1321

Apr 24 • Metal • 7pm • ¥6,000 • Tel:06-6535-5569

Namba Hatch, Osaka

Shangri-La, Osaka

Fukuyama Masaharu Popular Japanese singer-songwriter and actor Kyocera Dome, Osaka

Apr 19-20 • Rock-pop • 19th6pm/20th-5pm • ¥6,500/¥12,000 • Tel:06-7732-8888

Big Cat, Osaka

Taku Taku, Kyoto

Dregen Swedish garage rock vocalistguitarist

Zepp, Osaka

Club Quattro, Osaka

Richard Sinclair U.K. Prog.

Varit Kobe Apr 25 • Workshop/Live • 8pm.

Club Quattro, Osaka

iznt Kobe

Apr 21 • Rock • 7pm • ¥5,500 • Tel:06-6311-8111

Apr 27 • Workshop/Live • 8:30pm.

Shuyoucan Ohmihachiman

Kansai Scene Listings: Where to go & what to do Aprl 19

May 5

May 13

Lego big morl

Merry

Temples

Formed in Osaka in 2006, the fourpiece indie rock outfit Lego big morl (lego for short) has had a rapid rise to fame. Coming together from the ashes of other defunct bands, they were touring after a year and by 2008 the mini album Tuesday & Thursday was released and they began appearing at the big music festivals. This mini album was followed by the single “Ray”, which was featured in the drama Akai Ito and later covered in 2010 by Japanese singer-actress Ko Shibasaki. Musically the band cover many genres from the funky “Wait?” to the ambient “Balance” (Baransu), the emotional “Ray” and the rockin’ “knock to me”. Lego big morl’s eighth and new single “Rainbow” is released just a week after this gig so you might be in for a sneak preview.

Japanese visual kei rock bands usually have some quite interesting names, but in contrast, Merry is quite a bland choice. There is nothing bland, though, about the band musically. With a good mix of rock ‘n’ roll, heavy rock, punk, blues and fusion, they are led by vocalist, and ex-Dir En Grey roadie, Gara. Debuting with the 2003 album Gendai Stoic (which was labelled in the genre jazz-rock) Merry’s last album was a best of compilation over a year ago, but they did release the single “Zero” last November. Currently on a 17 date Zombie Tour, some venues are already selling out so don’t hang around getting your tickets for this one.

Psychedelic British rock band Temples were formed in Kettering, Northamptonshire in 2012 by singer-guitarist James Bagshaw and bassist Thomas Warmsley and have made leaps and bounds in just two short years. The duo had worked together previously in bands and Temples was initially to be a studio project. With the addition of Sam Toms on drums and Adam Smith on keyboards and guitar their debut album Sun Structures was released last month and ex-Oasis guitarist Noel Gallagher has already criticized major radio stations for not giving them the airplay that the deserve. Temples are a band to watch out for in the future.

Japanese visual kei rock band in zombie

Up and coming English psychedelic rock

guise • Rock

band • Club Quattro, Osaka • Rock • 7pm •

May 10 • Varit, Kobe • 6pm

¥5,500 • Tel:06-6535-5569

Four piece rock band from Osaka • Shangri-

May 11 • Taku Taku, Kyoto • 5pm

La, Osaka • Rock • 5:30pm • ¥3,000 • Tel:06-

May 18 • AKASO, Osaka • 5pm

7732-8888

• ¥4,590 • Tel:06-6357-4400

May 1 • Live • 7pm. Live ¥5,000 Workshop ¥10,000 • Tel: 090-1133-1501

Neverland, Nara Apr 29 • Rock • 4pm • ¥5,300 • Tel:0742-36-2431

Apr 30 • Contemporary folk • 6.30pm • ¥3,500/¥4,000 • Tel:075351-1321

& Keiko Terada (4th)

Kazuyoshi Saito

NoGoD

Silent Siren

Rag, Kyoto

Japanese singer-songwriter

Japanese visual kei rock band formed 2005

Japanese all-girl pop band

Osaka Jo Hall, Osaka

Apr 25-26 • Singer-songwriter • 25th-7pm/26th-6pm • ¥5,500/¥6,000 • Tel:075-351-1321

Big Cat, Osaka

Apr 29 • Rock • 6.15pm • ¥4,000/¥4,500 • Tel:06-6258-5008

Christopher Cross

John Mayer

American singer-songwriter

US recording artist, producer & environmentalist

Billboard Live Osaka, Osaka Apr 28-29 • AOR • 28th6.30pm/9.30pm 29th4.30pm/7.30pm • ¥7,900/¥9,400 • Tel:06-6342-7722

Plastic Tree 90’s Japanese visual kei rock band from Chiba

Osaka Jo Hall, Osaka

Apr 30 • Acoustic rock • 7pm • ¥8,000/¥9,000 • Tel:06-6341-4506

Cicala-MVTA Contemporary Japanese grass roots music group Taku Taku, Kyoto

Namba Hatch, Osaka

May 1 • J-Pop • 7pm • ¥4,500/¥5,000 • Tel:06-7732-8888

Good4nothing Melodic punk quartet from Osaka

Kyoto resident female rock guitarist and guests May 4-5 • Rock • 7pm • ¥3,000/¥5,500 • Tel:075-241-0446

Larry Graham American funk bass player ex-Sly Family Stone Billboard Live Osaka, Osaka

Muse, Kyoto

May 7 • Funk • 6.30pm/9.30pm • ¥8,500/¥10,000 • Tel:06-6342-7722

May 2 • Rock • 6.30pm • ¥2,500/¥3,000 • Tel:075-223-0389

Yo La Tengo

Adachi Kumi with special guests Tsubokura Yuiko (3rd)

New Jersey indie rock trio formed 1984 Club Quattro, Osaka

May 7 • Rock • 7pm • ¥6,000 • Tel:06-6535-5569

Kansai Scene Listings: Where to go & what to do Tortoise

Apr 16 • Jazz-pop • 6.30pm/9.30pm • ¥12,500/¥14,000 • Tel: 06-63427722

May 10 • Rock • 4.30pm/7.30pm • ¥6,500/¥8,000 • Tel:06-6342-7722

Chabo

Billboard Live Osaka, Osaka

Merry Japanese visual kei rock band in zombie guise Varit Kobe

May 10 • Rock • 6pm • ¥4,590 • Tel: 06-6357-4400

African Horizon Kansai based musician Olu Togun is part of the African Horizon tour featuring Pedro Kouyate. Kansai Scene caught up with Olu to ask him a little about the band and what to expect. KS: Your music has roots in Mali rhythms and beats but you’re incorporating contemporary instruments. What kind of reaction do you get from audiences, are they coming along looking for ‘ethnic world’ music or do you find that they really appreciate how you’re taking the music into new realms? Olu: They have welcomed the mixture of traditional and non-traditional elements that I tend to put into each performance. The audiences here do come expecting traditional garb and more natural sounds that they may have heard via a film or program with reference to Africa. There are such sounds in the music I perform but only in part. Guests who attend my performances are sure to recognize African ethnic sounds, broader “world” sounds and potentially original elements in any given composition I or we perform. KS: Can you tell us a little about the band? Olu: Pedro Kouyate (strings and vocal), Florent Dupuit (tenor sax, flute), Jun Hata (blues harp), Thomas Posner (bass), Ryo Shimizu (bass) and other respective musicians come from several musical backgrounds. The griot tradition, standard jazz and other more contemporary genres. KS: How would you describe your music to someone coming along to see you for the first time? Olu: Pedro Kouyate’s compositions can be described as Mandingue ethnic and folk music that has been given continued expression in the modern urban context. The Mandingue ethnic musical tradition that he sustains in his music is ever more dynamic as he adorns it with instruments that are not particularly of the same tradition. It may be likened to modern day fusion in the jazz realm. African Horizon are playing six dates in Kansai, including: • Route 26, Osaka, Apr 12, ¥2,500 • D & Department, Osaka, Apr 18, ¥3,000 • The Place, Osaka, Apr 19, ¥3,000

Japanese singer guitarist Taku Taku, Kyoto

Apr 17 • Blues • 7pm • ¥6,000 • Tel: 075-351-1321

Akimitsu Iwase Quartet

Flow

Jazz piano four piece

Japanese twin vocals five piece rock band

Apr 20 • Jazz • 7pm • ¥2,500 • Tel: 075-223-0398

May 10-11 • Rock • 6pm • ¥4,764 • Tel: 06-6341-3525

Hot Tuna

Alice Nine

Taku Taku, Kyoto

Club Quattro, Osaka

Japanese visual kei rock band from Tokyo formed 2004 Big Cat, Osaka

May 11 • Rock • 5.30pm • ¥5,500 • Tel: 06-7732-8888

Brian Setzer Orchestra

Blue Note, Kyoto

US blues rock acoustic Japan tour Apr 29 • Blues • 7pm • ¥6,000 • Tel:0 75-351-1321

Manami Morita Trio New York piano trio Manami Morita with Zak Croxall and Thomas Hartman Mister Kelly’s, Osaka

Rocka-Billy-Revival US guitaristsinger-songwriter

Apr 30 • Jazz • 7.30pm/9.30pm • ¥4,500 • Tel: 06-6342-5821

May 12 • Rocka-Billy • 7pm • ¥8,300/¥9,300 • Tel: 06-6341-4506

Michel Camilo & Tomatito

Temples

Grammy Award winning pianist and Spanish guitarist

Namba Hatch, Osaka

English psychedelic rock band Club Quattro, Osaka

May 13 • Rock • 7pm • ¥5,500 • Tel: 06-6535-5569

Acid Black Cherry Ex-Janna Da Arc Japanese musician now solo

Billboard Live Osaka, Osaka

May 12-13 • Latin Jazz • 6.30pm/9.30pm • ¥11,000/¥12,500 • Tel: 06-6342-7722

World

Osaka Jo Hall, Osaka

May 13 & 15 • Rock • 6.30pm • ¥7,800 • Tel:06-7732-8888

Disclosure British brothers electronic music duo Big Cat, Osaka

May 14 • Electro pop • 7pm • ¥5,800 • Tel: 06-7732-8888

Mao Abe Japanese pop singer-songwriter Zepp, Osaka

May 14 • Female vocal • 7pm • ¥5,555 • Tel: 03-5354-6435

People in the Box Japanese rock trio formed 2003 in Fukuoka Club Quattro, Osaka

May 15 • Rock • 7pm • ¥3,600/¥4,000 • Tel: 06-6357-4400

Jazz & Blues Sylvie Vartan

Contact and further info: www.african-horizon.com

Billboard Live Osaka, Osaka

American post rock band from Chicago formed 1990

Bulgarian-French Ye-Ye singer

Brieg Guerveno @ Studio Partita

2nd DEMAT! Kansai Celtic Music Festival Bands are coming especially from France, Ireland, and Japan for this unique annual event. Don’t miss it! Studio Partita, Osaka

May 18 • Folk-Electro-Rock.12pm ADV ¥2,000/ DOOR ¥2,500. www. Kansaibreizh.com/demat

African Party Authentic African rhythm and percussion four piece group Rag, Kyoto

Apr 26 • World • 7.30pm • ¥3,200/¥4,000 • Tel: 075-241-0446

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

Kansai Scene Listings: Where to go & what to do

Club Apr 18

May 05

The Kobe Convention Center Onzieme The progressive house ambassador Nick Warren is coming back to Osaka. As a true pioneer of the UK and global dance scene, he has been a world-renowned DJ and producer for over two decades. He is also one half of progressive house duo Way Out West with Jody Wisternoff, head A&R for Hope Recordings and host of The Sound Garden on Frisky Radio. Nick and Jody are now working on the new Way Out West album so hopefully we can get to see the two of them together in the near future. Lime feat. Nick Warren (House/Techno) • DJs: Nick Warren, Yashima, Dimitri, Freak Menu + more • Open: 9pm • Admission: ¥3,000/1D • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6243-0089 • onzi-eme. com

During Golden Week holiday the very first EDM music festival in Kansai, Music Circus ’14 will take place at Kobe Convention Center. The festival features over 40 DJs and producers on four different stages and the lineup will include the Grammy-nominated Steve Aoki, trance superstar Ferry Corsten aka System F, Dutch DJ-brother-duo Showtek, Japanese tech-dance icon YOJI, UK hard house unit LAB4 and the list goes on. Even if you aren’t familiar with these names or EDM music, don’t worry. You will love this festival if you like positive uplifting pop or dance music. Just be sure to get the Gold Ticket if you want to check out the the main stage acts. Go to music-circus.jp for more information. Music Circus ’14 (Electric Dance Music) • Acts: Steve Aoki, Ferry Corsten, Showtek, Yoji, Lab4, Estiva, Tetsuya Komuro, Tomoyuki Tanaka, 80Kidz + more • Open: 11am - 9pm • Admission: Gold Ticket: ¥8,000, Silver Tickets: ¥6,000 • Where: Kobe • musiccircus.jp

Club Listings April 4 (Fri) Circus Classics (House/Techno) • DJs:

Kaoru Inoue, Mangoose, Ground, Dejirumasara, Kitamu, Shin • Open: 9pm • Admission: ¥2,500/1D (ADV: ¥2,000/1D) • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6241-3822 • circus-osaka. com

Joule Pryda Friends presents Fehrplay & Jeremy Olander (Progressive/ Trance/Techno) • DJs: Takekiyo

Ishimoto, Dmitri Absinthe, Fujimon, Tune, Hirro, Joey Parker + more • Open: 9pm • Admission: ¥2,500/1D • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6214-1223 • club-joule.jp

Metro Reflexion (Dubstep/Bass Music) • DJs: Karma, Horsepower

Productions, Dizmo, Deejay Oshaley, Young Animal + more • Open: 9pm • Admission: ¥3,500/1D (ADV: ¥2,500/1D) • Tel: 075-7522787 • metro.ne.jp

5 (Sat) Circus Soulection Japan Tour (Electro/ Techno) • DJs: Esta, Starro, Julio,

Metome, Terror Fingers, DJS2, Mightwhales, Green Diesel • Open: 10pm • Admission: ¥3,500/1D (ADV: ¥3,000/1D) • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6241-3822 • circus-osaka.com

Onzieme Hyper:Society x The Block Party (Houes/Electro) • DJs: Tomoyuki

Tanaka, Taku Takahashi, Taku-Hero, Urban Reserch DJs + more • Open: 9pm • Admission: ¥3,000/1D • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-62430089 • onzi-eme.com

6 (Sun)

Studio Partita

• DJs: Metrik, Toyo + more • Open: 7pm • Admission: ¥3,000/1D • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-62413822 • circus-osaka.com

Daddy G (Massive Attack DJ Set) Japan Tour (Bass Music/

Dub/Techno) • Acts: Daddy G, Dry&Heavy, Mighty Massa, SakDub-I, Cassis Soda, Fulltono + more • Open: 9pm • Admission: ¥3,500 (ADV: ¥3,000) • Where: Kitakagaya • namura.cc/partita.html

Troop Cafe Distinction (Jazz/Crossover) •

DJs: Kohji Matsuda, Ryo, Tatsuro Yamamoto • Open: 11pm• Admission: ¥2,100 • Where: Kobe • Tel: 078-321-3130 • troopcafe. tumblr.com

Circus Metrik Japan Tour (Drum’n’Bass)

10 (Thu) Onzieme Seven (House) • DJs: Nao Nomura,

Osakaman, Senda, Asaura, Kojiman, Bancho • Open: 9pm • Admission: TBA • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6243-0089 • onzi-eme.com

Circus Connected Underground - Tagtraumer2 Japan Tour (Techno) • DJs: Tagtraumer2,

Kansai Scene Listings: Where to go & what to do Ryoma Sasaki, Shingo, Fulltono, Makoto Murakami • Open: 7pm • Admission: ¥2,000/1D • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6241-3822 • circus-osaka.com

Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6241-3822 • circus-osaka.com

11 (Fri)

Circus

Lee Bannon “Alternate/Endings” Release Tour (Bass Music/ Techno) • DJs: Bannon, Eyez, Ladi

Sonica Dj QP (Techno) • DJs:

Metrik, Toyo + more • Open: 7pm • Admission: ¥3,000/1D • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6241-3822 • circus-osaka.com

Joule Rolling Thunder in Japan feat. MatZo (EDM) • DJs: MatoZo, Blue

Cosmic Monkey, Shinji , Kagula, Dr.Void, Shin + more • Open: 9pm • Admission: ¥2,500 (ADV: ¥2,000) • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 066214-1223 • club-joule.jp

Metro Undermine (Techno) • Acts: Tagtraumer2, Les Trucs, Ryoma Sasaki, Taiki Masai, Fulltono + more • Open: 9pm • Admission: ¥2,500/1D • Tel: 075-752-2787 • metro.ne.jp

12 (Sat) Circus Freedom Time (Jazz/House) •

DJs: Kawasaki, Yosuke Tominaga, Hiroko Otsuka, Yoshinori Okino, Yoshihisa Fujii, Takaharu Furutani + more • Open: 8pm • Admission: ¥3,000/1D (ADV: ¥2,500/1D) • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-62413822 • circus-osaka.com

Onzieme Elektrojunkie feat. All Out (Electro/House) • DJs: Lucan

Valentine, Verbal, Ko-Matsushima, Ypy, Yuuka • Open: 9pm • Admission: ¥3,000/1D (ADV: ¥2,000) • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6243-0089 • onzi-eme.com

Seven Lounge Absolute Lounge (Techno/ House/Electro) • DJs: Axel

Karakasis, Q’hey, Shine, Dan Elliot, Atta, Abe-C + more • Open: 10pm • Admission: ¥3,000/1D • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6120-2277 • 1-16-20 Shinsaibashi Stagia 1F, Higashi Shinsaibashi, Chuo-ku, Osaka City

13 (Sun) Circus Agile Feat. Function (Techno) •

DJs: Function, Monashee + more • Open: 7pm • Admission: ¥3,000/1D (ADV: ¥2,500/1D) • Where:

18 (Fri)

Citizen, Yop., Yuuna • Open: 9pm • Admission: ¥3,000/1D (ADV: ¥2,500/1D) • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6241-3822 • circus-osaka. com

19 (Sat) Circus Osakapop presents Ryukyudisko (Techno) • DJs: Ryukyudisko +

more • Open: 9pm • Admission: ¥3,000/1D (ADV: ¥2,500/1D) • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-62413822 • circus-osaka.com

Onzieme Eleven Lights (EDM) • DJs: Benkay, Kento, Mitsuda Daisuke, Marvy, Alpha-shot • Open: 9pm • Admission: ¥3,000/1D • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6243-0089 • onzi-eme.com

25 (Fri) Circus Pampa Night with DJ Koze & Lawrence & Axel Boman (Techno/House) • Live: Lawrence

• DJs: Koze, Alex Boman • Open: 10pm • Admission: ¥3,500/1D (ADV: ¥3,000/1D) • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6241-3822 • circus-osaka.com

26 (Sat) Circus Low End Theory Japan - Spring 2014 Tour (Bass Music) • Acts:

Dibiase, Daddy Kev, Nobody, D-Styles, Nocando, Magikal Mistakes + more • Open: 9pm • Admission: ¥3,500/1D (ADV: ¥3,000/1D) • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6241-3822 • circus-osaka. com

Onzieme Midnight Request (Electro/ House) • DJs: Dex Pistols, Juse,

Yuuna, An + more • Open: 9pm • Admission: ¥3,000/1D • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6243-0089 • onzi-eme.com

27 (Sun) Studio Partita Moodymann Japan Tour Osaka (House) • DJs: Moodymann,

Marter, AHB Trio, Ten, Ageishi, Banzawa, Yasuhisa, Fumi + more • Open: 3pm -11pm • Admission: ¥4,000 (ADV: ¥3,500) • Where: Kitakagaya • namura.cc/partita. html

28 (Mon/Before National Holiday) Circus Goodweather #35 Akkord Japan Tour (Bass Music) • DJs: Akkord,

Part2Style Sound, Fulltono, Sav, Nousless • Open: 11pm • Admission: ¥3,000/1D (ADV: ¥2,500/1D) • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6241-3822 • circus-osaka. com

Troop Cafe Bush - 8th Anniversary (Techno)

• DJs: Margaret Dygas, Soichi, Yudai Tamura, Det-Chin, Tomoak,

Imazu, Shunji Nakamura, Ike • Open: 10:30pm• Admission: ¥2,500/1D (WF: ¥2,000/1D, Foreigners: ¥1,500/1D) • Where: Kobe • Tel: 078-321-3130 • troopcafe.tumblr.com

29 (Tue/National Holiday) Maishima Sports Island Mai Asia Music Festival (All mix) • Acts: Takkyu Ishino, Shingo

Nishinari, Skazi, Sonpub, Okadada, Metome, Obachan + more • Open: 10am - 9pm • Where: Maishima • my-fes.com

5/3 (Sat) Onzieme Man From Tomorrow (Techno)

• DJs: Jeff Mills, Ken Ishii, Sekitova. Loe + more • Open: 9pm • Admission: ¥TBA • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6243-0089 • onzi-eme.com

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Ffeilden<ffeilden@yahoo.co.jp> Website: www.ffeilden.com/

Room/flat Share SHARED ACCOMMODATION FOR RENT IN OSAKA. Wagokoro:

Accommodation For Rent APARTMENTS IN KOBE WITH NO KEY MONEY. 1 room apartments

from 40,000 yen per month. 2 and 3 bedroom apartments also available from JR Kobe to Rokko Michi. Email kevin@elliottventures.com, call 090 6777 9864 for a viewing or visit www.elliottventures.com or find us on Facebook. Contact: kevin elliott<kevin@elliottventures.com> Website: www.elliottventures.com SHARE OR RENT A NEWLY-BUILT FURNISHED CONDOMINIUM. No

fee/ Deposit. Unused Furnished Japanese/western 2style room of newly-built condo. South balcony. Separated bathroom/ toilet. Washer/ refrig/ oven/ are-cond. 5min ShinOsaka stat. No fee for using internet in each room. Rent ¥40-¥60k incl. all living-fee. Woman only. Email by oba@ce.em-net.ne.jp Contact: Tei Shouga<oba@ce.em-net.ne.jp> KOBE - KASUGANOMICHI. 2LDK 43 sqm apartment. Y89,000/ month, Zero key money. 2 months refundable deposit. No agency fee. Hankyu &amp; Hanshin Kasuganomichi, one station from Sannomiya. Very convenient location, recently renovated, furnished. info@ffeilden. com 090-9286-1216 Contact:

Rent ¥39,000~, 9.72m2~, 8min walk from JRSenrioka st. / Marche Awaza: Rent ¥46,000~, 7.29m2~, 7min walk from Awaza st. No key money, deposit/ guarantor. Furnished. Initial cost: 1st month’s rent+handling fee(15,750). Mention Classified ad = handling fee is FREE: info@entrance-japan.com Contact: Entrance Japan<info@ entrance-japan.com> Website: www. entrance-japan.com

Shared House 5M HIGH-CELLINGED LIVING ROOM IN CENTRAL OSAKA..

Furnished 19m2room and a balcony available . Apartment is gorgeous and stylish. Convenient location near Namba and Shinsaibashi. Across the street is Kozu park and shrine, beautiful cherry blossom viewing. Montly rent is ¥65,000 or ¥80,000 for couple, +electricity, deposit is ¥50,000. no k Contact: vimaivi<maivivi2003@yahoo.co.jp> SHARED HOUSE IN ITAMI EASY ACCESS OSAKA AND KOBE.

a-sharehouse itami-shimizu-cho just opened in Itami-city. Easy access to both Osaka and Kobe. Starting from 48,000 including utilities/ internet. Interior and facilityies are new. contact ask@a-sharehouse.com or https://www.facebook.com/a. sharehouse/ Contact: a-sharehouse <ask@a-sharehouse.com> Website: www.a-sharehouse.com SHARE HOUSE SUPPORTER.

Share-college KOBE. JR Nada station Room charge 43000(included utilities) about 17000en lower than the normal charge!! 2 person, English speaker or teacher. Task is petit support 2 hour per week. Contact: DREAMERS INC<info@dreamersjp.com> Website: dreamers-jp.com

Jobs Education PT ENGLISH TEACHER IN SUMINODO. Friendly and

motivated teacher needed to help our Suminodo branch grow. Proper visa and native speaker required. Pay starts at 1500 Yen Hourly. Transportation and prep time paid. Tues and Wed afternoons and evenings, Sat mornings. Email Bobby at friendseikaiwa@ gmail.com. Thanks! Contact: Eri Aoki<friendseikaiwa@gmail. com> Website: friends-suminodo. lolipop.jp ESL TEACHERS NEEDED NOW..

Kyoto, Ashiya, Sanda KIDS academic environment. Takarazuka mostly ADULTS student base with serious student motivation. We are looking for great teachers to join our team. It’s easy to find a teacher. Our students are expecting skill and talent. Several positions open now…. All serious applicants replied Contact: Tony Sands<don.1@mac. com>

ENG TEACHER & PT JPN ENG TEACHER / STAFF WANTED.

English teacher position for kids and adults classes from Wednesday to Saturday required. Prefer teacher who lives close to Ibaraki and Suita. Positions available ASAP. Please email us atroyalenglish725@gmail. com 072-637-9899 Contact: Royal English School<royalenglish725@ gmail.com> ENGLISH TEACHERS WANTED.

Venetia International is seeking a P/T native English teacher for kids and adults in Kyoto for daytime and evening classes. We are a small, friendly and professional conversation school. Motivated, qualified, reliable teachers please email resume to info@venetiainternational.com Contact: Venetia International<info@venetiainternational.com> Website: www. venetia-international.com KANSAI CORPORATE CLASSES.

CES is seeking professional, English/

Chinese/Korean/Indonesian corporate instructors for p/t corporate classes (2-7 Hours a day) in Shiga, Sakai, Osaka, Hyogo, Nara and Kyoto. P/t hourly rates 3,5004,500 yen per hour. For more info, please forward C/V with availability to mark@cesjapan.co.jp Contact: Manager<mark@cesjapan.co.jp> PT NATIVE ENGLISH TEACHER NEEDED IN MORIGUCHI. We are

seeking a Native English Teacher for children. Wed, Fri &amp; Sat. About 10 classes/week. Trans. up to ¥1,500/ day. ¥2,600/hour for teaching, ¥820/hour for prep, meeting, paperwork etc. Experience preferred Proper VISA required. Please send your CV to TOMOGAKUEN norikofurui@jbandjust.jp Contact: Tomogakuen<norikofurui@ jbandjust.jp>

NATIVE ENGLISH TEACHER NEEDED!. who is available on 1

or 2 days of weekday (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or Friday,) in the morning or in the afternoon school term ; from April to March. The Location: YMCA Language Center 1. at Shin-KOBE, or 2.at Gakuentoshi in WEST -KOBE. Payment is based on 10-minute rate. according Contact: KOBE YMCA Language Center<htamura@ kobeymca.org> Website: kbym.jp/ language/index.html NATIVE ENGLISH TEACHER WANTED.. English School in

Takatsuki &amp; Ibaraki (near JR and Hankyu) requires full &amp; part time experienced teachers for kids and adult. Group and private classes. Friendly atmosphere. ¥250,000/mth or 2500/50min. Email: resume w/ photo to &lt;coconut-e@nifty.com&gt; Contact: Noriko Usuda<coconut-e@ nifty.com> Website: www.coconutenglish.com FRIDAY KIDS TEACHER NEEDED . Sunshine Kids is looking for

a Native English teacher for children. Fridays from 10am to 6pm near SenriChuo. 6 lessons. 15,000 plus transportation. Please email resume to tony@

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KANSAI SCENE MAGAZINE | ISSUE #167 APRIL 2014 | kansaiscene.com

sunshine-kids.com Contact: Tony Romani<tonyromani73@gmail. com> Website: www.sunshine-kids. com

Or 18;00 to 22:00. For more information call: 090-5966-8670. Contact: Meera<sodhiparminder@ gmail.com>

SEEKING A NATIVE ENGLISH SPEAKER IN SAKAI. We are seeking

BAR STAFF WANTED! OSAKA'S FAMOUS AND FUN BAR ZERRO.

an English teacher for a teaching position. Previous experience and availability on Saturdays is preferred. One private adult lesson pays 2000 Yen plus travel expenses. Applicants who are interested, please send your resume to the address listed below info@vacationes.co.jp Contact: Lauren<info@ vacation-es.co.jp> Website: www. vacation-es.jp/

PART-TIME ENGLISH TEACHERS NEEDED FROM APRIL. Mon Mor

Univ Classes: one year, Monthly payment + travel cost, High School Classes: two times a week, 8 or 9 lessons a week, CELTA or related plus experience, Kyoto or Shiga residents preferred. Send resume : Ivy International Language Academy, E-mail: academy@ivyintl.co.jp Fax: 075-255-323 Contact: ivy international<academy@ivy-intl. co.jp> Website: www.ivy-intl.co.jp/

PART-TIME ENGLISH TEACHER.

Work two or three days a week, Qualification; TESOL etc. Pay 3,000 yen per 45-minute lesson. Send your resume to Takimoto(Mr) Kansai International High School (5 minute-walk from Tennoji-station, Osaka-city) TEL 06-6621-8108 Email: T_Takimoto@tg-group.ac.jp Contact: kihs<kihs@tg-group.ac.jp> Website: www.tg-group.ac.jp/kihs/ TEACHERS WANTED. School

in Ashiya/Okamoto is looking for FT/PT English, French and Korean teachers ASAP. University diploma is preferable. Must be native speaker with valid visa. Payment: 2700-3000yen per hour and transportation. Contact us by email, ashiyaplus@hotmail.co.jp Contact: Ashiya Plus<ashiyaplus@ hotmail.co.jp> Website: www. comlanguageschool.com

General BEACH RESORT JOBS IN OKINAWA. Work in a Ski/Summer

Resort this year! Experience the natural beauty of Japan, improve your Japanese, make life-long friends, and get paid for it! Telephone Interviews are being held now. For further details and the Application Form, please visit our website at http://www.sanconjp. com/english.html Contact: SAN Consulting<info@sanconjp.com> Website: www.sanconjp.com/

INDIAN RESTAURANT SEEKS FEMALE WAITING/HALL STAFF.

Indian Restaurant in Umeda seeks female waiting/Hall staff. Meal included. Train ticket will be paid. Nice and friendly atmosphere. Working Hours 17:00 to 22:00

Dental Clinic<kitano@kitanosika. com> Website: www.kitanoshika. com

Community Community Services

International, friendly and fun bar Zerro seeks PT, bartenders and kitchen staff. Hours 7pm - 5am, Sun. to Sat., negotiable. No experience is welcome but need big smiles:) Further details at interview. Contact barzerro@gmail.com or call us 06-6211-0439 after 6pm. 5min from Namba stn. FB: Bar Zerro Contact: Bar Zerro<barzerro@gmail.com> ENGLISH SPEAKING BAR STAFF WANTED FOR NEWLY OPENED.

bar in Umeda. Beer & Pizza Gosuke. Conversational level Japanese required. All nationalities welcome. 3hrs a night, 6pm-5am. ¥900/ hr (first month ¥850/hr). Please contact the manager, Mr. Asada at 06-6312-3387 (4pm - midnight). Contact: Mr. Asada <gogosuke@ hotmail.com>

Classes & Events Classes

FREE JAPANESE LESSONS IN KOBE. KICC volunteers offer one-to

PARTY HARD 4/28 (MON).

PARTY HARD at Bar One, April 28 (Monday) 10PM to 6AM. Tuesday is a national holiday. Free Champagne for ladies before 12AM. 100,000yen cash throw out. Japan’s wildest party in Osaka and Tokyo. (Party Hard Tokyo to April 19) For more info, check out “Party Hard 2014” on facebook or iflyer.tv Contact: International Party Rockers <internationalpartyrockers@gmail. com> Website: www.facebook.com/ events/800626576632748/

FREE ABACUS CLASS FOR FOREIGNERS. FREE ABACUS

JAPAN BURLESQUE FESTIVAL.

Gorgeous retro-style burlesque dancers from USA, France and Australia with the best Japanese burlesque performers. At Osaka's most stunning 30's era cabaret house, Beronica. Dinner available at the venue. 6th of April, 5:30pm -10:30pm. BERONICA, next to JR Kyobashi station. 3500 at the door. Contact: efricker<edward_fricker@ hotmail.com>

Information Service for Foreign Residents offers information in English. Serivce is free of charge. Please feel free to contact us at 066941-2297 or jouhou-c@ofix.or.jp. Open Monday to Friday. Contact: Osaka Information Service for Foreign Residents<jouhou-c@ofix. or.jp> Website: www.ofix.or.jp/life/ index_e.html

Announcements chatting and walking with the Kansai Ramblers on the second Sunday every month. Information in Japanese and English can be found at www.facebook.com/groups/ kansairamblers Contact: Kansai Rambler<paseohiking@gmail. com> Website: www.facebook.com/ groups/kansairamblers/

OSAKA BOOK GROUP'S APRIL MEETING. We will talk about "The

Events popular School Bazaar at St. Michael’s International School on Saturday 26 April (10:00-3:00), for a fun-filled day with lots of international food, games, fun stalls &amp; rummage sales, music, dance and Raffle. Raffle tickets on sale until 1:00pm on the day. Everyone welcome! Contact: St. Michael’s International School<head@smismail.org> Website: www.smis.org

INFORMATION IN ENGLISH. Osaka

ATTENTION HIKERS! . Enjoy

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 06-6572-6877 <moritomo@osakaabacus.or.jp> Website: sites.google. com/site/osakasoroban/

ST MICHAEL’S INTL SCHOOL BAZAAR APRIL 26. Join our

one free Japanese lessons once a week for six months for foreign residents of Kobe. 12 min. from Sannomiya st. Mon-Fri 9:00-17:00 Tel: 078-291-8441 Contact: Kobe International Community Center (KICC) <kic03@kicc.jp> Website: www.kicc.jp/kicc/index_eng.html

START YOUR WEEKEND OFF AT BAR ONE.. Every Friday start your

weekend off at Bar One. Every week the DJ line-up changes to provide the party people with a range of sounds from some of the hottest DJs in Osaka including DJs from International Party Rockers and Kansai Beat Krew. Check out Bar One on facebook or www.bar-one.jp Contact: International Party Rockers <internationalpartyrockers@gmail. com> Website: www.bar-one.jp

Health & Beauty 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-1pm) All your general needs, cleaning, etc. Call 078-331-3512 Contact: Kitano

Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry" by Rachel Joyce at Cafe Garb on April 6, starting at 12.30pm. Afterwards, we plan to view cherry blossoms in Osaka Castle park or s Contact: Massa<bookisbetter2012@ yahoo.co.jp> Website: www. facebook.com/groups/ OsakaBookGroup/

Language Exchange LANGUAGE EXCHANGE GROUP IN OSAKA ON MONDAY NIGHT!.

Let&#039;s do language exchange with us. My friends are looking for their partners. We also have Japanese class at the same place. Any level is OK! Contact: Rimi Makino<rimim@hotmail.com> Website: www.facebook.com/rimi. makino.3

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

ARC 6F

Grand Front Osaka

Umeda Sky Building 35F German Umeda 4F Consulate Garden Cinema Westin Hotel

JR Osaka Sta.

Mitsukoshi Isetan

Ume

Lucua

Loft Maruzen & Junkudo Club Noon

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Yodobashi Camera

Craft Beer Base

Theater Umeda

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Ostec Exhibition Hall Shrine

Temple

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Miyabi Int’l Law Firm

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Naniwabashi/kitahama

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Hospital

Mitsui Sumitomo Bank

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National Museum of Art

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US Consulate

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Navio Toho Plex

Hankyu Dept.

Nishi Umeda

Umeda

Entrance InterContinental Japan Osaka Hotel

200m

Arthur Murray

Crysta Nagahori (underground shopping)

Nagahori dori Shinsaibashi

Nishiohashi

Nagahori tsurumi-ryokuchi line Nagahoribashi

Ali’s Kitchen

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2F Tezukayama Gallery 1F DDD

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Spotaka

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Hotel Monterey

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Tominaga Hospital

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Visitors Information Center

Motomachi Bank

Police Station

Suomachi-dori (Europ

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Hanshin expressway (loop route) Namba Walk (underground) Senni chimae lineNipponbashi bash Kintetsu Nara line 5 Namba walk Nippon

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Cine Pop

Takashimaya Dept. Store Swissôtel Nankai Osaka

Junkudo MUJI/ Tower Records

Nankai Namba Station Post Office

The Blarney Stone

Toho Cinemas Namba

Inari

Murphy’s

Namba

Little Long Beach

Hotel T’point

Dublin Bay / Dublin Garden

Namba Hatch

GS Travel

Fubar

Daimaru Dept. South

Cross Hotel

Shinsaibashi 3F

Daimaru Dept.

Big step

Horie Park

MinamiHorie

OPA

Midosuji

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Family Mart

5F Boy

Shinsaibashi-suji (shopping arcade)

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Uniqlo

Daimaru Dept. North

Nikko Hotel

Cafe 1F Absinthe

Yotsubashi

Covent Garden

El Pancho 8F

Yotsubashi

Kitahorie Hospital

Minamisenba

Tokyu Hands

Sakaisuji

Mizuho Bank

Shinsaibashi/Namba

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Kansai Scene Mojoprint Office

Hospital

Hotel

Church

200m Shrine

Temple

Movie Theatre

Hotel Monterey

Post Office

JR Motomachi sta.

Minato Bank Mitsui Sumitomo Bank

Teramachi Area Bank

Police Station

Hospital

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Sanjo Kyoto Royal BLDG.

Kawaramachi-

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Wakamatsu-dori

Kiraku Inn

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The Gael World

Kawaramachi

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Takashimaya

Shijo-dori Minamiza Theatre

Church

Shrine

Temple

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Gion Gion Kaikan Kyoto Museum of Contemporary Art Gion Hotel

Joko-in

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200m

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Butterfly

Junkudo 7F Bal

Teramachi Shotengai Shinkyogoku Shotengai

Hanamikoji-dori

Movix Kyoto

Fuji Daimaru

Kobe Kokusai Shochiku

Yamatoji-dori

Gokomachi-dori

Sanjo-dori

Hankyu Line

Movie Theatre

Oike-dori

OPA

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Hotel Okura

Mina

Kawara Machi

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Kobe City Hall

Kyoto Royal Hotel Kyoto Asahi Kaikan Starbucks

Jomo Gas

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Sannomiya Hanadokeimae st.

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Fuyacho-dori

Tominokoji-dori

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Sakaimachi-dori

Kyoto

Tozai Subway Line

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World Express

Flower road

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Daimaru Dept.

Kainan lin

Police Station

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Tomson Real Estate Sansei Hosp.

Port liner

Guild 2F

Kyukyoryuchi Daimarumae

Bank

Sannomiy

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Kyoto City Hall

Post Office

Iznt 4F

Midnight 5F Hobgoblin 7F a

Sanchika un

Hanshin line

Nankin-machi Subway

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Motomachi

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Tokyu Hands

Kobe Sauna

Kobe Ikuta Junior High School

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Pontocho

Hyogo-ken Prefectural Hall

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Ikuta Police Station

Keihan Line

Oriental Dental Clinic 4F Hotel Tor Road

Kobe Grocers

Gion s hijo

Soraku Park

Hunterzak

Pearl Street

Kobe Mosque Kobe Womens St. Michaelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Junior International College School Yamate kansen

Kobe YWCA

1F Bistrot Cafe De Paris

Kitano-cho Tor Road

Sannomiya

Yamamoto-dori

200m

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