Kansai Scene #174 November 2014

Kansai’s Monthly Living Guide • Articles • Events • Classifieds • Maps + much more

November 2014 • issue 174

Kyoto: Access all Areas Plus+

Colorful Leaves Minus the Crowds A Mie Autumn Getaway Osaka Innovation Hub: Business Matchmaker

www.kansaiscene.com

障害者の京都旅行

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KANSAI SCENE MAGAZINE | ISSUE #174 NOVEMBER 2014 | kansaiscene.com

Inside this Issue 08

Kansai Scene provides monthly English articles, information and listings for visitors and residents of the Kansai area.

Wheeling Around Kyoto An ex-pat shares his personal tips for wheelchair users exploring Kyoto.

Feature

Publisher/Creative Director........Daniel Lee Editor..................................Celia Polkinghorne Sub-editors............................Donna Sheffield

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Production Manager...................Misa Matsui

More Leaves, Less Crowd

Accounts Manager...................... Michiko Lee

Feature

Art............................................... Deanna Wright Film Reviews..................................Adam Miller

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Live Music................................. Phillip Jackson Club................................................... Terumi Tsuji

Contact Kansai Scene General

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Advertising sales@kansaiscene.com Fax.

06-7635-4791

Address

Osaka-shi, Nishi-ku, Shinmachi 3-5-7, Eiko Bldg. 2F Mojoworks KK

Making Way for New Business Connecting cutting-edge ideas with a global market – Osaka Innovation Hub helps people create and innovate.

A Weekend in Mie

Feature

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Saturday school is taking leaps and bounds at Kobe’s St. Michael’s International School..

Promo feature

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A BIT OF HISTORY Kansai Scene was founded by Peter Horvath and Nishikawa Keiko in 2000 and published by Jatin Banker between 2003 – 2011.

Text: KS & St Michael’s International School

Foodspotting Three cosy cafés to curl up in this autumn.

If you would like to write for KS, 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.

Text: Kansai Scene

Saturdays at St Michael’s

Website kansaiscene.com

Write for Kansai Scene

Text: KS & Osaka Innovation Hub

Forty-eight waterfalls and fabulous foliage – Koochidani in Mie is a perfect autumn getaway destination.

mailbox@kansaiscene.com

06-6539-1717

Text: KS

Business Matters

Editorial editor@kansaiscene.com Tel.

Text: Michael Gillan Peckitt

Ideas on less-beaten tracks for enjoying this year’s autumn colors.

......................................................... Jason Haidar

Event & Festival..........................Yuki Uchibori

Bilingual 日本語付

Food & Drink

Text: Janelle McNeill

What’s on around Kansai Film p22 Events & Festivals

p25

Art

p30

Live Music

p32

Club

p36

Apartments p39 Kansai Scene is proudly published and printed by Mojoprint

Classifieds p40 Maps p44

Connect with Kansai Scene…

Catch up with KS on social media

Photo © Tim Wilkinson (timwilko.com)

About Kansai Scene

COVER PHOTO: This month’s cover photo of maple leaves in their autumnal glory was taken at Sanzen-in Temple in Ohara

by Tim Wilkinson. timwilko.com

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Out & About

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

Tenjin Matsuri by Sébastien Delbes Sébastien Delbes: This shot was taken at Osaka Tenmangu during this year’s Tenjin Matsuri. Flutists played while girls and children were dancing with colored umbrellas shouting “Wasshoi!”

Reader’s Photo We’re farewelling summer and the warm weather with a photograph by Sébastien Delbes from one of Osaka’s biggest summer festivals – the Tenjin Matsuri. Congratulations Sébastien! Email your best snaps from around Kansai (with a caption telling us about the shot) to photo@kansaiscene.com

Kansai Scene T-shirt Competition!

Call for Entries

The rules:

Love Kansai? Want to share the love on a t-shirt? Get sketching and enter Kansai Scene’s 2014 T-shirt design competition. Sponsored by Sweatshop Union T-shirt print shop, Osaka.

• Design must include the Kansai Scene logo • You must use our special template (download from website) • The design must be digital artwork (preferably vector) • Use no more than 3 flat colors • T-shirt color itself can be any color you choose • Max 3 entries per person • How to enter: Download the entry form at kansaiscene.com/t-shirt-competition/ and send your entries to competition@kansaiscene.com no later than December 7th 2014.

• All entries will be posted to our Facebook page and readers invited to vote for their favorites.

• A winner will be chosen by Kansai Scene on December 10th and announced in the January edition of the magazine.

The theme: Kansai Ultimately we are looking for designs that people would actually want to wear. Typography, illustration, graphic design - it’s up to you.

The prizes: One lucky winner receives 10 printed T-shirts of their design, an iTunes gift-card, and will have their work featured in Kansai Scene - the magazine and online. Not to mention the glory of seeing your T-shirts being worn around town!

KANSAI SCENE MAGAZINE | ISSUE #174 NOVEMBER 2014 | kansaiscene.com

Business Matters

Where New Businesses Are Born All new products need parents. Osaka Innovation Hub is the local matchmaker, as it connects cutting-edge Japanese commerce with a global market. General Director Masaaki Yoshikawa explains more.

Text: Kansai Scene • Images: Osaka Innovation Hub

What is the Osaka Innovation Hub? OIH is an organization that brings people together to help them innovate. It’s based in the Grand Front development in central Osaka. It was established at the end of April last year to encourage entrepreneurs to launch new businesses or products. OIH’s goal is to bring together business partners, funding, advisors and, of course, entrepreneurs to develop new products and services. We call that the “Innovation Eco-system”.

Is the OIH open to anyone, or do you need to become a member?

OIH is open to everybody! We welcome energetic and innovative people who want to go into the global market with something new, and of course they’ll enter the Japanese market too.

Everyone is welcome to attend the many interesting programs held at OIH, and they’re all free of charge.

Please do come and join us.

What kind of success stories have you had connecting businesses together?

The “Moff ” band is one of our success stories. It’s a kids’ toy, worn on the wrist, which is connected to your smartphone. When the wearer moves their arm in a certain way, it makes various sounds that correspond. For example, you can pretend you are

sword fighting, playing tennis, or hitting drums. Moff ’s members first met each other while attending the “MonoApp-Hackathon” program run by OIH.

meet potential business partners, mentors, venture capitalists and so on. You can share ideas and begin to build up your network.

What’s a Hackathon?

A Hackathon is a new way of developing an application or software in a short period of time. It’s run by engineers, designers and users who meet for the first time, and they develop prototypes together. They work energetically, and occasionally all night long!

The “Mono-App-Hackathon” is a Hackathon where participants develop hardware that connects with the Internet.

Are there any major events coming up this winter?

“Hack Osaka 2015” will be held at Grand Front Osaka conference hall on February 10th next year. We’re planning lots of exciting activities here, such as a keynote speech, panels by up-and-coming entrepreneurs, global pitch contests and many networking opportunities. Please check our website for more details.

Find out more about OIH:

What’s the Osaka Hackers Club?

The Osaka Hackers Club is a membership organization for innovators who want to start a business. We support them with mentoring, funding, and building business alliances. They work with the foreign community doing business across Kansai.

What kind of assistance can OIH provide foreign entrepreneurs looking to launch their own business in Japan?

OIH provides the opportunity to meet others through inspiring programs, such as business plan contests or workshops discussing new business or products. When you attend, you can

innovation-osaka.jp

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KANSAI SCENE MAGAZINE | ISSUE #174 NOVEMBER 2014 | kansaiscene.com

Feature

Kyoto: Access all Areas Autumn is one of the most beautiful times of year to be in Kyoto, but for some of us this old city is not as accessible as it could be. An expat shares his personal tips for wheelchair users exploring Kyoto.

Text: Michael Gillan Peckitt • Images: As Credited

 If Hokkaido’s claim to fame is beer and seafood, and Tokyo has its otaku culture, then the Kansai region surely has the best pick of temples and shrines. From the oldest temple in Japan, Shitennoji in Osaka, to the 1,600 temples of Kyoto, visiting these spots is often the main reason people come to Kansai.

However, if you’re a wheelchair user, or your soon-to-be visiting friend is, you’ll definitely need to allow some extra pre-planning for the trip. Japan can be difficult for a tourist to navigate at the best of times, but throw in the complications associated with mobility problems, such as not knowing whether the place you want to see is accessible or not, what should be a dream holiday can quickly become a nightmare. If you lack a local friend to help you research and plan, or indeed you are the local friend being counted on, here are some basic pointers of accessibility you should consider.

If you’re a wheelchair user coming from abroad, before you even board the plane, know that the type of wheelchair you are using can matter. Do you use a wheelchair that has a steering

wheel? If you do, try to obtain the use of a joystick or manually operated model for the trip. Japan’s health and

safety officers, particularly on trains, do not seem to like the steering wheel models, and you may have to go to great lengths to demonstrate why you need that model. Your wheelchair should also be the smallest model you can comfortably use, as Japanese streets may be quite flat, but they are also very narrow.

If your Japanese is good, or you know a Japanese speaker who can help you out, phoning ahead to the places you will stay to check their level of access is a good idea. You might be pleasantly surprised; the Japanese service industry is legendary for being one of the few places where the customer is still always right.

There are some access issues to consider in rail and subway stations. Most stations in Kyoto are accessible regardless of your mobility, but sometimes there will be no electric escalator going down to the track, only those exiting the station. The elevator can place you quite far from the track, and often can only be found at one particular exit.

The limited number of elevators can be an issue in larger stations, such as Kawaramachi, a station in Gion, where leaving by the wrong exit can place you in an entirely different part of town than you intended. I wouldn’t recommend avoiding particular train lines, as the most direct route is always the quickest, but leaving yourself plenty of time to navigate stations is the key to an enjoyable visit.

Gion is one of my favourite places to visit, as I was once rescued from a stampede of drunken Japanese men during a festival at Yasaka Shrine by an apprentice geisha, a maiko. I was stumbling very slowly down a staircase, the entrance to the shrine, with a herd of merry salarymen behind me. A maiko appeared and took my hand, and the herd parted like the red sea.

Nobody messes with geisha in Kyoto!

However, despite friendly geisha and the images of the wise sages of Japanese Buddhism, with their long walking sticks and equally long beards, the path to enlightenment is apparently not always wheelchair accessible and never barrier free.

I was once rescued from a stampede of drunken Japanese “ men during a festival at Yasaka Shrine by an apprentice geisha...A maiko appeared and took my hand, and the herd parted like the red sea. Nobody messes with geisha in Kyoto!”

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The main entrance to many temples and shrines is marked by a long and steep staircase. This is no accident, as they were constructed to inspire awe and wonder, and to provide a physical hardship for the pilgrim, one to mirror the journey that your spirit should be undertaking. Well, becoming one with everything maybe a worthwhile pursuit, but it can also be very exhausting!

But all is not lost.

Many temples and shrines have websites, showing where the entrance and exits are, and many of the websites are thankfully also in English, so a bit of research can help you avoid disappointment. Some places, such as Yasaka Shrine in Gion, have a back entrance that can help you avoid

the stairs.

If you want to see Kinkakuji, The Temple of the Golden Pavilion (and no visit to Kyoto is complete without seeing it!), it is ultimately accessible, but not without a lot of effort. The famous

Zen temple Ryoanji is entirely inaccessible, as it is so old, its structures cannot take wheelchairs. If you really want to see a Zen temple, I recommend Myoshinji for being slightly more accessible.

As a side note, Todaiji in Nara, with its giant wooden Buddha and adjacent deer-filled Nara Park is really quite flat and very accessible (and pre-dates many of the temples in Kyoto). It is also worth noting that Sanjusangendo, and Ginkakuji (The Temple of the Silver Pavilion, in Kyoto) are actually quite wheelchair accessible, so there enlightenment is guaranteed!

Let these three words be your mantra: “research, research, research”.

Make sure you take the right exit at stations, avoid Kyoto during festivals, unless you’re certain you can physically take it (superhero maiko I’m sure are not always on hand), and you’ll have a great time. Enjoy Kansai! 

Michael is a part-time lecturer at Osaka University. He runs a blog thelimpingphilosopher. wordpress.com detailing his experiences of living in Japan with a disability, and is the author of an Amazon e-book, Gaijin Story: Tales of a British Disabled Man in Japan.

障害者の京都旅行 秋は京都がもっとも輝く季節。だがこの美しい古都を、 自由自在に歩き回れ ない人々もいる。 日本で長く暮らし、 自身も障害者である著者が、車椅子で 京都を訪ねるコツを指南する。 文：マイケル・ギラン・ペキット・翻訳：Endo Tazlu

ビールと海の幸なら北海道。オタク文化の 聖地は東京。そんな旅行者の視点から見れ ば、関西地域の魅力はなんといいっても神 社仏閣の豊富さだ。日本最古の寺である大 阪の四天王寺から、1,600軒もの寺院を擁 する京都まで、古刹の拝観が目当てで関西 を訪れる旅行者は多い。 しかし、あなた自身が車椅子の利用者だっ たり、これから日本にやってくる友人が障害 者なら、あらかじめ念入りな準備が欠かせ ない。簡単そうに見えても、外国人は日本 旅行で思わぬ困難に出くわすことがある。 ましてや目的地へ本当にたどり着けるのか 否かを分ける移動手段の問題がからんでく ると、夢の休日が一転して悪夢に変わりか ねない。あなたの日本旅行を手助けしてく

れる現地の友人がいない場合、あるいはあ なたが来日する友人を招く立場である場合 に、障害者が知っておくべきあれこれをご 紹介しよう。 もしあなたが車椅子で日本を旅するつもり なら、車椅子の種類が大問題になることを 飛行機搭乗前から思い知らされることにな るだろう。ハンドル付きの電動車椅子をご 利用の方は、操縦桿で操作するタイプか、 手動の車椅子を旅行用として準備したい。 ハンドル付きの電動車椅子は日本中の安全 基準担当者に嫌われ、特に電車移動の際に 苦労を強いられる。なぜ自分がハンドル付 き電動車椅子を必要とするのかを説明する だけで、気が遠くなるほどの時間がかかる のだ。さらに車椅子は、ぎりぎり快適に扱え

る最小のサイズでなければならない。日本 の歩道は凹凸が少ないが、その反面とても 道幅が狭いからだ。 日本語が十分に話せる人や、旅の補助をし てくれる日本語話者がいるのなら、あらか じめ宿泊先のバリアフリー度を電話で問い 合わせておこう。そうすれば、滞在先で嬉 しい驚きが待っているかもしれない。客の わがままをいつも受け入れてくれる、世界 的に希少なサービスが日本のおもてなしの 伝統である。 鉄道や地下鉄の駅でも、移動時に考慮すべ き問題がいくつかある。京都のほとんどの 駅はバリアフリーになっているが、エスカレ ーターの整備は不完全だ。出口に向かう上 りエスカレーターだけで、ホームに降りる

KANSAI SCENE MAGAZINE | ISSUE #174 NOVEMBER 2014 | kansaiscene.com

下りエスカレーターが少ない。エレベータ ーはホームからかなり離れた場所にあり、 エレベーター付きの出口も1箇所だけとい う場合が多い。 エレベーターの数が少ないと、河原町のよ うな大きな駅では困ったことになる。河原 町は祇園の最寄り駅だが、出口を間違えた だけで目的地とはまったく異なる方角に放 り出される。京都は乗り換えが少ないほど 速く移動できるので、避けるべき路線は特 にない。それでも快適な旅行を望むなら、駅 構内での移動にかかる時間をたっぷりとみ ておくのが得策だ。 祇園は私のお気に入りの場所である。とい うのも、祭の時期の八坂神社で、酔っ払い の集団から芸妓に救い出されたことがある のだ。本殿に向かう石段をやっとの思いで よろよろと下っていると、後ろから酒に酔っ たサラリーマンの一団が押し寄せてきた。 そこに一人の舞妓さんが現れて私の手を 取ると、群衆は潮が引くようにいなくなった のである。京都で、芸妓に粗相をする者は いないのだ。 そんな親切な舞妓さんや、長い杖の似合 う老僧が、日本の古き叡智のシンボルであ る。にもかかわらず、悟りへの道は車椅子 に厳しい。そして神社仏閣がバリアフリー であることは滅多にない。 多くの神社仏閣の入り口付近では、長く険 しい石段が待ち受けている。たまたまそう なったわけではない。石段が聖地への畏怖 と驚嘆を呼びおこし、巡礼者の肉体に労苦 を与え、精神的な鍛錬の旅路を反映させる ように設計されているのだ。そのような苦 行を、一度しっかりと体験する価値もあるだ ろう。だが、いかんせん精も根も尽き果てて しまう。 しかしここで諦めてはいけない。 多くの神社仏閣にはウェブサイトがある。入 口と出口の場所が明記され、ありがたいこ とに英文の解説を掲載したサイトも多い。 事前に下調べをしておけば、現地で失望さ せられることもないだろう。祇園の八坂神 社の裏門のように、階段を回避できるルー トも見つけることができる。 京都観光のハイライトのひとつである金閣 寺は、車椅子で十分に訪ねることができる ものの、それなりに骨は折れる。その一方 で、禅寺の代表である竜安寺はまったく訪 問不能だ。あまりにも古く、構造上、車椅子 では見学できない。どうしても禅寺を訪ね たいのなら、竜安寺よりやや障害者にやさ しい妙心寺をお勧めする。 ついでにいえば、大仏で有名な奈良の東大 寺や、鹿と触れ合える隣接の奈良公園もお 勧めだ。起伏がほとんどないので車椅子で も訪ねやすいし、京都の多くの寺よりも長 い歴史がある。京都では三十三間堂と銀閣

Many temples and shrines in Japan are not very wheelchair-friendly at first sight. Many have a back entrance however (including Yasaka Jinja above), so it pays to do your research.

「祭もたけなわの八坂神社で、酔っ払いの集団 から救い出されたことがある。一人の舞妓さんが 現れて私の手を取ると、群衆は潮が引くようにい なくなった。京都で、芸妓に粗相をする者はいな いのだ。」 寺がいい。車椅子でも楽に拝観でき、快適 な悟りの時間が約束されている。 関西の旅を成功させる魔法の真言、それは 「リサーチ、リサーチ、リサーチ」である。 駅では正しい出口を間違えずに探し出すこ と。そして肉体的に耐えられる自信がない かぎり、祭りの時期の京都は避けること （親 切な舞妓さんに出会える保証はない）。 事前の準備をしっかりと整えて、素晴らしい 関西の旅をお楽しみください。

マイケルは大阪大学の非常勤臨時講 師。障害者の視点から見た日本生活 をブログ（thelimpingphilosopher. wordpress.com）で公開している。著 作「Gaijin Story: Tales of a British Disabled Man in Japan」をアマゾン の電子書籍で発売中。

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Feature

Leafing Through the Wilderness Love admiring autumn leaves, but hate the autumn crowds? Head out to this quieter spot in Mie and get your fill of kouyou the way nature intended.

Text & Images: Peter Edmondson

 There is nothing quite like kouyou (colorful autumn leaves) in Kansai.

When the leaves change to their fiery reds, golds and oranges, the already gorgeous architecture of the temples come alive, the mountains look like they’ve been freshly painted, and it is easy to spend a whole day just admiring your surroundings. Unfortunately, more often than not, autumn is also associated with hordes of people also trying to enjoy the leaves, and obstructing your view and cramping your style as they do it. Finding a peaceful location with enough personal space to simply admire nature can be a challenge.

Luckily, far from the crowds of Kiyomizudera, there are many quiet escapes outside of the big cities where you can take a break. One such place is Koochidani (香落渓). Located near Nabari-shi in Mie Prefecture, this location is not only stunning, it is also not well trafficked. While you may run into a few photographers trying to capture the spirit of the season and some tourists taking in the sights, you

will be able to appreciate the leaves at your own pace.

The leaves themselves are well worth the extra journey time, but to make a day trip out of it, arrive early to allow yourself plenty of wandering time.

Continue walking up the road from the station until you reach a sign that reads 赤目滝近道 akametaki chikamichi or “Shortcut to the Akame 48 Waterfalls”.

Although it claims to be a shortcut, the path to the famous waterfalls of Mie Prefecture is actually quite a long hike. Press on, however, and you will not be disappointed. The path winds in and out of Japanese cedar forests. Each breath rejuvenates your next step, and the green above acts as a shade from the sun.

By the time you make it to Akame 48 Waterfalls, you may admittedly be quite tired. But this should not put you off visiting one the most popular strings of waterfalls in Japan. As the name suggests, this trail takes you down a path with no fewer than 48 waterfalls of all different shapes and sizes. At the very end there is a zoo-like

exhibit featuring multiple Japanese giant salamanders. The only downside to Akame 48 Waterfalls is that it can draw large crowds, the same crowds you might have been hoping to avoid. But after a day of leaf-viewing and hiking in forests, it might be a nice transition from nature to the city before you head back home.  • When to go: Peak kouyou season for Koochidani is November 10–20.

• How to get there: Take the Kintentsu Osaka Line to Nabari Stn. A Kintetsu bus departs from Nabari Stn - Get off at Koochidani (about 25 minutes) • Stay: Alternatively, you can stay at Shorenji Lake Hotel the night before. This ryokan features an onsen overlooking mountains and Shorenji Lake.

They will happily drop you off at Koochidani.

• shorenjilake.com

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Feature

Keeping the Zen in Autumn Ready to go out and see nature’s fiery autumn show but not willing to line up with the crowds? Here are four Kyoto spots that can offer you the best of the leaves without having to join the masses.

Text: Kansai Scene • Images: Tim Wilkinson

If you’ve been in Kansai long enough to already have experienced the popular spots in their crimson-orange glory, or you’re just not good with crowds the caliber of Osaka’s Minoh Park, or Kyoto’s Kinkaku-ji, Tofuku-ji, and Arashiyama, then it’s definitely worth putting in a little more effort to find your own slice of Kansai’s fall season. Kyoto still has the cream of the crop, but if you’re willing to go a little more out of your way - you can find some true gems of spots, and a bit of peace and quiet.

Bishamon-do Temple in Yamashina

Saihō-ji (西芳寺) Saihō-ji’s strategy for staving off the crowds and retaining a Zen feel to autumn leaf-viewing is that it asks for reservations to be made prior to visiting. An application by return postcard is required and they prefer for the application to arrive up to seven working days before the intended visit.

The other strategy is the price, charging a ¥3,000 fee to visit, which is the highest entry charge of all Kyoto temples and shrines. Visitors are given access to the grounds for 90 minutes.

Saihō-ji is a temple in Matsuo (Nishikyō Ward, Kyoto) which is famed for its moss garden. Because of this, it is commonly referred to as Koukedera meaning “moss temple”. A registered UNESCO World Heritage Site, Saihō-ji was open to admission to the general public on a walk-in basis until 1977. After that, regulations (such as the advance application) were put into place to protect the delicate moss from the hordes of tourists that were flocking to the temple.

Before being allowed access to the garden, visitors must engage in an activity, which varies from day to day. These include zazen (sitting meditation), shakyō (hand copying sutras), and chanting sutras. Visitors are then asked to write down their name and address and a wish. The monks keep all the sutras in the pagoda and pray for all.

The most famous times to visit are either during the rainy season (early June to mid-July), when the moss becomes extra green and lush from the rains, or in late autumn when the changing leaves create a beautiful color contrast with the moss.

• Access: JR Kyoto Stn, 1-hour bus ride to Kokedera-michi, 5-min walk • Admission: ¥3,000 (adv reservation required) • jnto.go.jp/eng/location/spot/shritemp/saihoji.html

KANSAI SCENE MAGAZINE | ISSUE #174 NOVEMBER 2014 | kansaiscene.com

Yamashina (山科)

Hieizan (比叡山)

There are two spots in the Yamashina area of Kyoto which are more likely to provide a peaceful leaf-viewing experience.

The reason it’s possible to escape the crowds at Daigoji (醍醐 寺) is simply because there is so much there, and the further you venture, the less company you have. Daigoji is laid out in three parts: Sambō-in, Shimo-Daigo (Lower Daigo), and Kami-Daigo (Upper Daigo).

Sambō-in and Shimo-Daigo are at the base of the mountain, easily accessible, and attract the most tourism; KamiDaigo is on top of the mountain, requires a long, strenuous hike to reach, and is therefore less visited.

The streets around Sambō-in can be freely traversed, but entering the main area, the museum, Shimo-Daigo, or Kami-Daigo requires separate admission. The first three have combined ticketing, while Kami-Daigo is separate.

“Daigo” can be translated as the idea of “crème de la crème”, or “the best of the best”, and it’s easy to understand why after a visit during the turning of the autumn leaves. It’s also a very historical place; one of the pagodas was built in 951 and is said to be the oldest building in Kyoto.

Daigoji has also been known to have illuminations for visitors after dark from mid-November to early December, so if you don’t have to rush home, be sure to ask if it’s happening while you’re there.

Mount Hiei lies to the northeast of Kyoto, on the border between the Kyoto and Shiga prefectures. At 848 meters, Hieizan’s leaves are among those likely to change color earlier in the season. The mountain affords views of Kyoto, Ohara, Lake Biwa and Shiga – another reason to make the extra effort to get out there. The main attraction is the temple complex of Enryaku-ji. The complex spreads out over the mountain, but is concentrated in three areas (Todo - east area, Saito - west area, and Yokawa) connected by paths.

There are also more minor temples and shrines.

For making the most of the autumn colors, the cable car ride up the mountain is a highlight (if you’re in the right place at the right time, you might also spot wild deer and monkeys).

The attractions on the mountain are quite spread out, so there are regular buses during the daytime connecting them.

The center for these is the bus center, in front of the entrance to the main temple complex at Tō-tō (東塔), “East Pagoda”.

• Access: Subway Daigo Stn, 10-min walk • jnto.go.jp/eng/location/spot/shritemp/daigoji.html

• Access: JR Line, Hieizansakamoto Stn; Keihan Line, Demachiyanagi Stn; The mountain can be ascended from either the Kyoto side by Eizan cable car and ropeway, or from the Shiga side by Sakamoto cable car.

There is also a toll road that leads up to the temple, which is used by buses from central Kyoto • japan-guide.com/e/e3911.html

Bishamon-do Temple is the other Yamashina spot which

is a great place to visit during Autumn. The temple is quite famous for its autumn leaves, but like Daigo, it is a little out of the way and so doesn’t get as crowded as the sights closer to the center of the city.

It is situated on the hillside close to JR Yamashina Station (just one stop from JR Kyoto Station), and is one of the oldest temples in Kyoto (established in the north of Kyoto in 703 and moved to its current location in 1665). It is a beautiful building with nice artworks and a meticulously-kept inner garden. There are plenty of great photo opportunities in the temple grounds and on the landscaped hillside in front of the temple, especially at this time of year when the maple leaves are blazing red.

• Access: JR or Subway Yamashina Stn, 20-min walk; Keihan-Yamashina Stn, 20-min walk Escape the crowds at the stunning Daigoji temple in Yamashina

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KANSAI SCENE MAGAZINE | ISSUE #174 NOVEMBER 2014 | kansaiscene.com

PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

New Saturday School a Top Class for Kids Kobe-based St. Michael’s International School is expanding its Saturday School program, and kids are loving their new classes. KS caught up with English language section coordinator Steve Moinester to find out more.

Text: KS • Images: St. Michael’s International School

St. Michael’s now has a Saturday School program for internationallyminded kids. How’s it going?

We’ve had an excellent start and there is a lot of excitement and buzz surrounding the program. Initial interest has allowed us to open three grade levels which we will be expanding to five levels in April 2015. One of the levels will be a new Preparation for Grade 1 class for children aged four to six years old.

Feedback from parents and children has been very positive. I’ve received many appreciative emails from parents praising the curriculum, teachers, and the overall positive effect the program has on the children. Some children have told their parents they wish every day was Saturday! The other really positive feedback we’ve received is about our natural and organic lunch which has been very popular. We are fortunate to have a health-conscious vendor located around the block that provides us with custom-made lunches for the children.

What kinds of kids attend the Saturday School program?

We have a wide variety of students from different backgrounds, but for the

most part the children fall into three categories: native speakers, children who have returned from living abroad, and children in families that place a special focus on English education.

While not required, in almost all cases the children have at least one parent that is fluent or near-fluent in English. The families tend to be internationally-minded and want their children to develop fluency in the English language. Many have considered entering their child in a full-time international school, but they are concerned about their child maintaining their Japanese language skills as well as the cost of these schools. Our Saturday School program satisfies the needs of these families by providing a high quality, integrated, and comprehensive English-based education at a reasonable cost, while allowing the children to also develop their Japanese language skills in their weekday schools.

What are the criteria for entry into the program?

For our new Preparation for Grade 1 class, entry is open based on space availability. For all other classes, a placement test is required to ascertain the child’s level in reading, writing,

listening, and speaking. Placement is based primarily on ability, not age. In other words, it is possible for a child to be in third grade in the Japanese school system, but in a Saturday School class aimed at the second grade level. This flexibility allows us to match students of similar ability. *The next open-house tour will be Saturday, November 22. Please call to make a reservation or fill-in the Open House reservation form online if you would like to attend.

St. Michael’s International School • Address: 650-0004 Kobe, Chuo-ku, Nakayamate-dori 3-17-2 • Access: JR Sannomiya/ Motomachi Stn, 15-min walk • Tel: 078-221-8028 • smis-english.com

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KANSAI SCENE MAGAZINE | ISSUE #174 NOVEMBER 2014 | kansaiscene.com

Language

Fall Fun and Frenzy Useful Expressions

One of Japan’s two favorite times of year has returned - aki (autumn) is beckoning us outdoors and Kansai boasts an endless array of momijigari (leaf-watching) places to go and admire it. But if you’re not sure where to go, how to get there, or where to take the best photo - you only have to ask! See our recommendations on page 14.

Don’t forget to try out the fabulous autumn culinary treats and omiyage (souvenirs); kuri-kinton (boiled chestnuts mashed with sugar and twisted in fabric into a raindrop shape); wagashi kuri manju (Japanese chestnut cake; and ohagi (sweet red bean paste and mochi - pounded rice), just to name just a few.

Whether you’re braving the Kyoto crowds for popular colorful leaf spots, or searching for a quieter experience along paths less trodden, here is some Japanese that could help you along the way. Happy leaf-watching!

kouyou

こうよう

colorful leaves

momiji

もみじ

Japanese maple leaves

Is there a good spot to see autumn leaves around here?

このへんで こうようの めいしょ は ありますか？

Konohen de kouyou no meisho wa arimasuka?

Do you think I could get some nice photos there?

いい しゃしんが とれそう ですか？

Ii shashin ga toresou desuka?

Is it walking distance?

あるいて いけますか？

Aruite ikemasuka?

Should I ride my bicycle there?

じてんしゃに のった ほう が いいですか？ いちばん だいすき な こうようの スポッ

Jitensha ni notta houga iidesuka?

Where’s your favorite autumn leaf spot?

ト は どこ ですか？

Ichiban daisuki na kouyou no spotto wa doko desuka?

How do you get there by train?

でんしゃで どう いきますか？

Densha de dou ikimasuka?

Is it crowded?

こんで いますか？

Konde imasuka?

Do you know of a less-crowded spot?

を しってますか？

Amari konde inai tokoro o shittemasuka?

Do you know if there’s wheelchair access?

くるまいす でも いけますか？

Kurumaisu demo ikemasuka?

Is there much parking available?

あまり こんで いない ところ

じゅうぶんな ちゅうしゃじょう は ありますか？ こん しゅうまつの てんきは ど

Juubun na chuushajou wa arimasuka?

Kon shuumatsu no tenki wa dou narimasuka?

What’s the weather going to be like this weekend?

う なりますか？

Are there any special autumn snacks or foods I should try?

うが いいもの ありますか？

Nanika aki no tabemono de tabeta houga iimono arimasuka?

Do you like momiji tempura?

もみじ てんぷらは すき ですか？

Momiji tempura wa suki desuka?

なにか あきの たべもので たべた ほ

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KANSAI SCENE MAGAZINE | ISSUE #174 NOVEMBER 2014 | kansaiscene.com

Food & Drink

Foodspotting If you’re in Osaka and the autumn chill hits, here are three cosy spaces you could curl up with a coffee in.

Text & Images: Janelle McNeill

Kita Horie

Minami Horie

Umeda

Max Relaxing

A Clean Sweep

Unforgettable Coffee

Inspired by the Portland, Oregon coffee scene, Granknot owner Katsuya Shibano has shaped his café in Kita Horie with a distinct edge of understated, stylish calm. Beautiful wooden shared tables encourage an energy for connecting people, while sweet side tables allow for solitary time or more private catch ups. Panini morning sets are ¥600, or try the sumptuous French toast set for ¥800. If world coffees are your passion, Ethiopian, Indonesian and Brazilian brews are available. Pop some leftover dollar bills in the tip jar to support Shibano-san’s long overdue honeymoon to Portland, back from which he is sure to bring a deeper edge to his already authentic love of fine coffee creating. Combine a visit to Granknot with exploration of graffitiladen backstreets, and quirky shopping at nearby boutique stores.

The industrially cool D & Department was once a broom factory, but has been transformed into a luxurious, sleek, inner-city haven; a comfortable space for delightful dining. Located opposite a park, it’s a super family-friendly place with high chairs, kids’ lunch sets, and gorgeous comfortable lounges. The vast choices for set lunches are ¥1,000– ¥1,400, or try the house proud omurice with a Minoh beer. It’s a great venue for a private party, special evening date, or creative meeting spot. Head downstairs to be dazzled by gorgeous furniture, crockery and original souvenirs. Check out the mega bling Tamade supermarket nearby, Tables café next door, or stroll over to Minami Horie. Located throughout Japan, D & Department is one special culture to experience.

Forget Me Not Coffee is the first area to welcome you as you enter the groovy and modern café The Place. It’s a very sweet coffee stand, and a bright addition to the Osaka scene. Say hello to chief barista Yukinori, while you kampai the day away with decorative lattes, ¥30 yen biscotti, and a wave to the nearby Sky Building. With high ceilings, trendy light installations, and a spacious layout, the magnetic allure of the space beckons you in. Lunch sets are ¥1,000. For something different, try the Tasmanian lamb. Ask senior sommelier and store manager Yamamotosan about the monthly craft beer and wine choices. Located next to the longrunning Shangri-la Live House, it’s also an ideal date spot.

D & Department Dining

Open: Forget Me Not Coffee: 11:30am–

Open: Dining 11:30am–12 midnight; Shop

11:30pm; The Place: Lunch 11:30am–3pm

Granknot

11:30am–8pm • Closed Wednesdays •

(closed Weds), Dinner 5pm–11:30pm

Open: 8am–6pm • Closed: 1st and

Price Range: ¥1,000–¥3,500 • Access:

(closed Weds); The Common Place:

3rd Thurs of month • Price Range:

5-min walk from Exit 5 of Sakuragawa

10am–7pm every day • Price Range:

¥1,200–¥4,500 • Access: Tsurumi-

Subway Stn heading south on Minami

¥1,000–¥4,000 • Access: Umeda Stn;

Ryokuchi Subway Line, Nishiohashi Stn,

Horie Koen Dori, just off Naniwa Suji •

Walk over from Umeda toward Umeda Sky

Exit 4 • tabelog.com/osaka/A2701/

d-department.com/jp/shop/osaka/dining

Building • the-place.jp

A270201/27076622/dtlphotolst/1/smp2

Forget Me Not Coffee/The Place

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 Kansai Scene Listings: What’s on around Kansai

Film Previews  Nov 22

KS

Pick

© 2014 Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc. and Paramount Pictures. All Rights Reserved.

Expendables 3 © EX3 Productions, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Expendables 3 Patrick Hughes, 126 mins, Action, Nov 1 Starring: Anyone who ever held a gun in a 1980’s movie

Mel Gibson may make a decent psychopath (no surprise there), but everything else in Expendables 3 falls flat; Antonio Banderas is comical, Harrison Ford is inaudible, and regrettably Kelsey Grammer is no action star!

Beauty and the Beast Christophe Gans, 112 mins, Fantasy, Nov 1 Starring: Vincent Cassel, Léa Seydoux, Andre Dussollier

Interstellar

Released in France as La belle et la bete, this is modern retelling of the classic tale of Beauty and the Beast may well be style over substance, but there is a lot of style here. Seydoux is a mesmerizing Belle, and Cassel is fittingly charming/creepy as the prince/beast.

Christopher Nolan, Science Fiction, 169 mins, Nov 22 Starring: Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain

Christopher Nolan is known to concentrate much more on the “fiction” than the “science” in his science-fiction movies, which is by no means a criticism; the technology in Inception (arguably) falls apart if you question it too much, but the film is engaging and entertaining enough to allow pithy remarks and short bursts of exposition to stand in for in-depth explanations. The director likes to leave questions unanswered, giving the audience the space to fill in the gaps as they see fit, which is rather rare in modern blockbusters.

Interstellar teeters on the same delicate tightrope of centering a narrative on unbelievable tech that is so well constructed on screen that the audience willfully accepts it. With the earth slowly becoming uninhabitable for the human race, a select group of experts are sent on a pioneering mission to find a suitable planet to which we can all escape. Matthew McConaughey is Cooper, the unwitting pilot of the expedition, who not only has the weight of the world on his shoulders, but also the burden of leaving a loving family, as he embarks on a journey that could take decades. McConaughey has been on top form these past few years and Interstellar keeps his batting average high.

The film is filled with juxtapositions, from the dustbowl barrenness of earth to the infinite beauty of the universe, or Cooper’s deep family ties that attach him to a handful of people and the greater picture of potentially saving an entire populace of people he doesn’t know. As always, Nolan keeps a steady pace, never lingering on a touching moment long enough for it to become sappy, or bombarding us with unnecessary violence or action. The 169-minute run-time may annoy some, but telling a story on this scale while trying to retain a personal touch is no easy task.

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

Sabotage © 2013 DEA Productions, LLC All Rights Reserved.

Sabotage David Ayer, 109 mins, Action, Nov 7 Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sam Worthington, Terrence Howard

Drug cartels, gun-toting agents, double crossings, kidnapped families, revenge killings, Arnie smoking a cigar... this film has everything, apart from a coherent plot.

It is still Arnie’s best flick in years, as much a mystery as an all-out action.

Runner Runner © 2013 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. All Rights Reserved

Runner Runner Brad Furman, 91 mins, Thriller, Nov 21 Starring: Ben Affleck, Justin Timberlake, Gemma Arterton

Bat-to-be Ben Affleck is the best part of this color-by-numbers thriller. A down-and-out genius is picked up by a morally questionable millionaire, and has to navigate dealing with the police and securing his own safety.

 Kansai Scene Listings: What’s on around Kansai

Cinema Listings (selected theaters) Osaka Toho Cinemas Umeda Tel: 06-6316-1312 • tohotheater. jp • Discounts: Weds (women), 1st & 14th of the month: ¥1,100, every day after 8pm: ¥1,300

Now showing: Beauty and the Beast (FR), The Legend of Hercules, Grace of Monaco, A Most Wanted Man, The Equalizer, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, A Million Ways to Die in the West, Million Dollar Arm, Le Grand Cahier (HUN), Guardians of the Galaxy • From Nov 7: Sabotage • From Nov 21: Runner Runner • From Nov 22: Interstellar • From Nov 28: Fury

Umeda Burg7 Tel: 06-4795-7602 • burg7.com • Discounts: Weds (women) 1st of the month: ¥1,100; every day after 8pm: ¥1,300

Now showing: If I Stay, WTF (FR), Dracula Untold, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, Guardians of the Galaxy, Getaway • From Nov 22: Interstellar

Cine Libre Umeda Tel: 06-6440-5930 • ttcg.jp/ cinelibre_umeda • Discounts: Weds (women, men), 1st and 15th of the month: ¥1,000

Now showing: Le Week-End,

Montage (KOR), Argerich (FR), The Ridge (SP), Yves Saint Laurent (FR), Frank, Himself He Cooks, The Hundred-Foot Journey • From Nov 8: The Double, Pee Mak Phrakanong (TH) • From Nov 15: The Young and Prodigious T.S. Spivet • From Nov 22: Big Bad Wolves

Theatre Umeda Tel: 06-6359-1080 • ttcg.jp/ theatre_umeda • Discounts: Weds (women, men), 1st of the month: ¥1,000

Now showing: Nymphomaniac, Red Family (KOR), Red Obsession, Tom à la ferme (FR) • From Nov 8: La mer à l'aube (FR)

Osaka Station City Cinema Tel: 06-6346-3215 • osakastationcitycinema.com • Discounts: Weds (women), 1st of the month: ¥1,100, every day after 8pm: ¥1,300

Now showing: The Equalizer, Dracula Untold, The Expendables 3, Mindscape, Out of the Furnace, About Time, Jersey Boys, Non-Stop, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, Guardians of the Galaxy

• From Nov 14: Boyhood, Devil’s

Knot

• From Nov 22: Interstellar • From Nov 28: Fury

Toho Cinemas Namba Tel: 06-6633-1040 • tohotheater. jp • Discounts: Weds (women), 1st & 14th of the month: ¥1,100, every day after 8pm: ¥1,300

Now showing: Beauty and the Beast (FR), A Million Ways to Die in the West, Million Dollar Arm, The Equalizer, Dracula Untold, The Legend of Hercules, Grace of Monaco, About Time, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, Guardians of the Galaxy • From Nov 7: Sabotage • From Nov 22: Interstellar • From Nov 28: Fury

Namba Parks Cinema Tel: 06-6643-3215 • parkscinema. com • Discounts: Weds (women), 1st of the month: ¥1,100; every day after 8pm: ¥1,300

Now showing: Grace of Monaco,

The Hundred-Foot Journey, No Tears for the Dead (KOR), The Legend of Hercules, The Equalizer, Dracula Untold, Jersey Boys, Mindscape, Guardians of the Galaxy • From Nov 15: Paranoia • From Nov 22: Interstellar • From Nov 28: The 100-YearOld Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared

Cinem@rt Tel: 06-6282-0815 • cinemart.co.jp/ theater/shinsaibashi • Discounts: Mon (men) Weds (women), 1st and 25th of the month: ¥1,000

Now showing: Frances Ha

Kyoto Movix Kyoto Tel: 07-5254-3215 • smt-cinema. com • Discounts: Weds (women), 1st and 20th of the month: ¥1,100; every day after 8pm: ¥1,300

Now showing: Grace of Monaco, The Equalizer, Dracula Untold, The Legend of Hercules, The Equalizer, The Hundred-Foot Journey, Jersey Boys, Mindscape, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes • From Nov 8: The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared • From Nov 22: Interstellar • From Nov 28: Fury

Kyoto Cinema Tel: 07-5353-4723 • kyotocinema.jp • Discounts: Weds (women & men), 1st of the month: ¥1,100

Now showing: Frances Ha, Le Week-End, Jealousy (FR), Le Grand Cahier (HUN), Merci (FR) • From Nov 8: Frank, Tom à la ferme (FR) • From Nov 15: The Young and Prodigious T.S. Spivet • From Nov 22: Nymphomaniac • From Nov 29: La mer à l’aube (FR)

Toho Cinemas Nijo Tel: 07-5813-2410 • tohotheater. jp • Discounts: Weds (women), 1st & 14th of the month: ¥1,100, every day after 8pm: ¥1,300

Now showing: The Expendables

3, The Legend of Hercules, Grace of Monaco, A Most Wanted Man, The Equalizer, Dracula Untold, A Million Ways to Die in the West, Million Dollar Arm, About Time • From Nov 7: Sabotage • From Nov 14: Devil’s Knot, Boyhood • From Nov 21: Runner Runner • From Nov 22: Interstellar • From Nov 28: Fury

Kyoto Minami Kaikan Tel: 075-661-3993 • kyotominamikaikan.jp • Discounts: Weds (women), 1st of the month: ¥1,100, Students ¥1,500

From Nov 8: Little Land (GRE) Nov 15 only: Jaques Demy Un Rêve

de Cinéma (FR)

Hyogo OS Cinema Mint Kobe Tel: 07-8291-5330 • jollios.net • Discounts: Tues (women), 1st and 16th of the month: ¥1,100; every day after 8pm: ¥1,300

Now showing: Beauty and the Beast (FR), Grace of Monaco, The Legend of Hercules, The Equalizer, Dracula Untold, A Million Ways to Die in the West, Million Dollar Arm, Mindscape, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, Guardians of the Galaxy

Kobe Kokusai Shochiku Tel: 07-8230-3580 • smt-cinema. com • Discounts: Tues (women), 1st of the month: ¥1,100; every day after 8pm: ¥1,300

Now showing: Jersey Boys, The Equalizer, The Expendables 3 • From Nov 15: Paranoia • From Nov 22: Interstellar

OS Cinema Kobe Harborland

Now showing: Grace of Monaco, The Expendables 3, The Legend of Hercules, The Equalizer, Dracula Untold, Non-Stop, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, Guardians of the Galaxy • From Nov 7: Sabotage • From Nov 22: Interstellar • From Nov 28: Fury

Cine Libre Kobe Tel: 07-8334-2126 • ttcg.jp/ cinelibre_kobe • Discounts: Weds (women, men), 1st and 15th of the month: ¥1,100

Now showing: Le Week-End, Argerich (FR), Yves Saint Laurent (FR), Frank, Himself He Cooks, The Hundred-Foot Journey, Le Grand Cahier (HUN) • From Nov 15: The Young and Prodigious T.S. Spivet • From Nov 22: Nymphomaniac • From Nov 29: Les garcons et Guillaume, a table (FR)

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: Grace of Monaco, The Legend of Hercules, A Most Wanted Man, Jersey Boys, The Equalizer, Dracula Untold, Beauty and the Beast (FR), The Expendables 3 • From Nov 7: Sabotage • From Nov 14: Devil’s Knot, Boyhood • From Nov 21: Runner Runner • From Nov 22: Interstellar • From Nov 28: Fury

Nara Movix Kashihara Tel: 07-4421-1700 • smt-cinema. com • Discounts: Weds (women) Thurs (men), 1st and 20th of the month, 3rd Tues of the month: ¥1,100; every day after 8pm: ¥1,300

Now showing: Grace of Monaco, The Equalizer, Dracula Untold, The Legend of Hercules, The Equalizer, The Hundred-Foot Journey, Jersey Boys, Mindscape, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes • From Nov 8: The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared • From Nov 22: Interstellar • From Nov 28: Fury

Tel: 07-8360-3788 • jollios.net • Discounts: Tues (women), 1st and 16th of the month: ¥1,100; every day after 8pm: ¥1,300

Note: for show times and ticket information, please contact the cinemas directly

23

 Kansai Scene Listings: What’s on around Kansai

Events

 Nov 7–9

Classical Japanese Performing Art, Shinsenen Kyogen

 Nov 3

神泉苑狂言 FREE

2014 Nishijin Kimono Garden Party

Shinsenen Temple, Kyoto

Masked actors make the audience roar with laughter with their funny gestures in their dazzling costumes, playing along to festival music with gongs, flutes and taiko drums.

This is Shinsenen kyogen, a classical Japanese performing art held annually at this historic temple. Kyogen (meaning literally mad words) is a traditional comedy, and teaches Buddhist beliefs by telling hilarious stories. Unlike widespread kyogen, all the actors wear masks and play without dialog in Shinsenen kyogen. Laughter is a global language! A total of 30 programs will be performed during the event.

Time: 11/7 6:30pm; 11/8, 11/9 1pm and 6:30pm • Admission: Free • Access: Subway Nijojo-mae Stn; 2-min walk • shinsenen. org/index.html

2014西陣きもの・帯フェスティバル FREE

Kamigamo Shrine, Kyoto

The Japanese traditional garment, the kimono, is worn mainly just for special events these days. Held at the designated World Heritage Site of Kamigamo-jinja, this event aims to encourage people to wear the kimono more. Every year, hundreds of people come to enjoy a kimono contest, stage shows, and many other delightful events at the shrine’s grounds.

Cups of green tea will be whisked up at a tea ceremony held on the lawn, and a team of geisha will serve it to guests. Look forward to an ikebana (Japanese flower arranging) show and a dance by kimono-clad beauties. The raffle and the tea ceremony will be free if you are wearing a kimono.

Time: 11:30am–3:30pm (entrance open until 1:30pm) • Admission: Free • Access: City bus to Kamigamojinja-mae • nishijin-nsk.jp/ festival

 Nov 7–24

Art Festival Hanarart – Modern Art at Japanese Traditional Houses はならぁと 2014

©HANARART 2013

FREE

Koriyama Castle Town and other areas, Nara

Old Japanese houses get a new lease of life in this festival, as they become homes for art installations. Walk around eight different areas and enjoy spectacular modern artworks in a variety of old houses. Houses will be open at different sites on different days. From Nov 7–16, see the houses at Koriyama Castle Town, Nara Kita-machi and the approach to Ikoma Hozanji Temple. Nov 8–9 go to Tawaramoto Jinai-cho, and Gose-machi only on the 9th. Nov 15–16 visit Gojo-shinmachi, and Nov 15–23 the houses in Imai-cho will be open. The final viewing will be Nov 20–24 at Yagifudanotsuji. See the website for more details.

Time: 10am–5pm • Admission: Free • hanarart.jp

25

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 Kansai Scene Listings: What’s on around Kansai  Nov 9

Event Listings November

Provided by Biwako Visitors Bureau

The Special Open House of The Kyoto Imperial Palace 京都御所一般公開 FREE Kyoto Imperial Palace, Kyoto •  Until Nov 5

Kuge Yakko-Furi – Procession of The Court Infantrymen 福田寺公家奴振り FREE

Fukudenji Temple, Shiga

Enjoy watching an elegant Japanese parade from the 18th century. This is a re-enactment of the kuge yakko-furi, held at the wedding of princess Kaneko and Fukudenji temple’s heir in the Edo period. You’ll see yakko, court infantrymen, with the hem of their kimono tucked up, parading through the town. They will walk slowly in procession, sometimes giving rhythmical shouts, and other times they’ll perform an impressive juggling act with long spears. Designated as Shiga’s intangible cultural treasure, this historical parade takes place biannually in the spring and the autumn.

Time: 1pm • Admission: Free • Access: JR Maibara/Nagahama Stn, bus to Nagasawagobo-mae • yakkonosato.sakura.ne.jp/htm01/ kuge01.htm

Usually, advance applications are needed to tour the former Imperial Palace, but on this day it’s open to the public with no advance notice needed. There will be kemari classical performing art on Nov 1st and Imperial court music on Nov 2nd.

Time: 9am–3:30pm • Admission: Free • Access: Subway Imadegawa Stn, 8-min walk • kunaicho.go.jp/ event/kyotogosho/kyotogosho. html

Heijokyo Tenpho Sai – Ancient Capital Heijokyo Festival 平城京天平祭 秋2014 FREE Heijokyo Palace Site, Nara  Nov 1–9

Beautiful autumn flowers will help make this festival a wonderful visual spectacle. Ceremonies from ancient Japanese court life will be re-enacted.

Time: 10am–4pm • Admission: Free • Access: Kintetsu Line Yamatosaidaiji Stn; 15-min walk • tenpyosai.jp

 Nov 30

Osaka Great Santa Run

The Kobun-Tei Tea House Special Open 好文亭 特別拝観 Shorenin Monzeki Temple, Kyoto  Nov 1–30

Osakaグレート サンタ・ラン Osaka Castle Park

The Santa Run event returns to Osaka! Since 2009, many cities around the world have encouraged people to dress in Santa costumes and raise money for kids who have to spend their Christmas holidays in hospital. Last year, more than 6,000 Santas of all ages completed the run in Osaka. This year it is hoped that 10,000 Santas will run, jog and walk through Osaka Castle Park. Feel free to come and join them. Tickets will be available for the first 10,000 participants/runners. See the website for more details.

Time: 10am • Admission: ¥3,000 which includes a Santa suit (it’s free to watch!) • Access: JR Osakajokoen Stn • santa-run.com

The temple’s tea house Kobun-tei will be open to the public this month, and you can join the formal tea ceremonies.

Time: 10am–3:30pm • Admission: ¥500 to enter the temple, ¥1,000 for tea ceremony • Access: Subway Higashiyama Stn; 5-min walk • shorenin.com

archery, a ninja show, and a demonstration of Japanese pikes.

Time: 9am–4pm • Admission: Free • Access: JR Himeji Stn, 15-min walk • himeji-kanko.jp

Autumn Antique Doll Exhibition 秋の人形展 Hokyoji Temple, Kyoto  Nov 1–30

This classical Buddhist convent will showcase some fantastic antique dolls which successive emperors sent their daughters.

Time: 10am–4pm • Admission: ¥600 adults, concessions • Access: City bus to Horikawa Teranouchi • hokyoji.net

Shitennoji Wasso – Ancient Celebration 四天王寺ワッソ Naniwa Palace Site Park, Osaka  Nov 2

Wasso is a spectacular carnival commemorating the cultural exchange between Japan and other Asian countries. Enjoy a colorful parade, exotic dancing and music, plus ethnic food stalls.

Time: 10:30am–5pm • Admission: Free • Access: Subway Tanimachi-4chome Stn, 5-min walk • wasso.net

Humanoid Rescue Robot Contest 2014 ヒト型レスキューロボットコンテ スト2014 FREE Osaka ElectroCommunication University (Campus in front of the station)  Nov 2

At the OECU Cup, humanoid robots – each of them manoeuvred by a single operator – will compete in tasks designed to help people in disasters.

Time: 1pm–5:30pm • Admission: Free • Access: Keihan Line, Neyagawashi Stn, 3-min walk • jiyukobo-oecu.jp

Himeji Castle 2014

Osaka Castle Autumn Festival

姫路城物語2014

大阪城天守閣の秋祭り

FREE Himeji Castle, Hyogo  Sundays & National Holidays

FREE Osaka Castle  Nov 2–3

Finally, the restored Himeji castle has shed her veil and is welcoming visitors to the town again. A variety of attractions will take place this month to celebrate the castle’s return to glory. The reopening of the castle will actually be on March 27 next year, so don’t expect to get in just yet! Attractions this month include an experience of Japanese

Falconry demonstrations and traditional Japanese martial arts shows will be held on Nov 2nd.

Taiko drumming and a play about a samurai battle will take place on Nov 3rd.

Time: 10am • Admission: Free • Access: JR Loop Line, Osakajokoen Stn, 15-min walk

Kusatsu Illuminating

 Kansai Scene Listings: What’s on around Kansai Streets

November Festival

草津街あかり華あかり夢あかり

霜月大祭

FREE Kusatsu Stn and Surroundings, Shiga  Nov 7–8

FREE Harimanokuni Sosha Shrine, Hyogo  Nov 13–16

Handmade lanterns will illuminate the streets leading around 1.5 km away from the station. There will also be live music on the lantern-lit streets.

One of the largest religious festivals in Himeji, this features a purification ritual held in the sea, demonstrations of martial arts, a religious dance and more.

Bellows Festival

Vetro Montagna Koyasan 2014

Time: 6pm–9pm • Admission: Free • Access: JR Kusatsu Stn • kusatsumachiakari.net

鞴祭り FREE Ikutama Shrine, Osaka  Nov 8

You can see a traditional steel forge here today, as blacksmiths will perform a demonstration to please the god of the shrine.

Time: 11:30am • Admission: Free • Access: Subway Tanimachi-9chome Stn, 4-min walk

Kanikaku Sai Fesival – Memorial Service for Isamu Yoshii かにかく祭 FREE Gion Shirakawa, Kyoto  Nov 8

Geisha and maiko (the younger apprentices) take part in a service to commemorate Isamu Yoshii, a playwright who loved Gion. It’s a rare opportunity to photograph real geisha and maiko freely.

Time: 11am • Admission: Free • Access: City Bus to Shijo Keihanmae • Tel: 07-5561-1115

Mitejima Art Festival 2014 みてアート2014 FREE Neighborhood of JR Mitejima Stn, Osaka  Nov 8–9

Various art exhibitions will take place in unexpected spots in Mitejima. Check out the post office, the park paths and cafés around town. Here you’ll find workshops on art, craft, live music and more.

Time: 11am–4pm • Admission: Free • Access: JR Mitejima Stn • miteart. blogspot.jp

Nada Gogo Sake Plaza, Sake Sampling 灘五郷ＳＡＫＥプラザ Kobe Asahi Building, Hyogo  Nov 10–12

Enjoy the delights of Japanese sake at this charity sampling event.

Five famous sake breweries from Nada will compete with their speciality drinks.

Time: 5pm–8pm • Admission: ¥500 • Access: JR Motomachi Stn, 5-min walk • nadagogo.ne.jp

Time: 9am • Admission: Free • Access: JR Himeji Stn, 15-min walk • sohsha.jp

ヴェトロモンターニャ高野山 2014 FREE Kongobuji Temple, Wakayama  (date TBA)

If you love classic cars, here’s a great chance to see over 70 rare automobiles on the road. They will tour the area on a route to Shirahama hot spring.

Time: 11am • Admission: Free • Access: Nankai Line, Koyasan Stn, bus to Senjuin-bashi • koya.org/ index2.html

Buddhist Monk Kakupan Festival かくぱん祭り FREE Negoroji Temple, Wakayama  Nov 22

A celebration for the founder of this temple will be held today.

Many events are being planned, for example you can listen to live biwa Japanese lute music, and see a demonstration of matchlock guns.

Time: 9:30am–3:30pm • Admission: Free • Access: JR Izumi-Sunagawa Stn bus to Negoroji • negoroji.org

Sukunahikona-Jinja Annual Festival 神農祭 FREE Sukunahikona Shrine, Osaka  Nov 22–23

Sukunahikona-jinja is home to the gods of medicine.

This festival commemorates an event in the past, when pharmaceutical companies distributed free medicine during a cholera epidemic.

Time: 10am • Admission: Free • Access: Subway Kitahama Stn • sinnosan.jp

Free Admission to Himeji Zoo 姫路市立動物園 無料開放 FREE Himeji City Zoo, Hyogo  Nov 23

The zoo will be open to the public for free, from 9am to 5pm. The

 Nov 21

Kansai Scene International Party @ Beer House 86 関西シーン インターナショナル パーティー Beer House 86, Namba, Osaka

Join us for our November party at the swanky beer and dining bar Beer House 86. Breaking from our normal ¥1,000 with one drink tradition, this time its an all-you-can-drink party, for just ¥2,000 entry, including the chance to win free tickets and other cool stuff in our lucky draw. A great chance to meet new people, expand your personal or business network and have a great time! See our Facebook or Meetup.com pages for details of all our upcoming parties and events.  Nov 21 (Fri) • Time: 7:30–10pm • Admission: ¥2,000 (all-

you-can-drink + lucky draw ticket) • Access: Beer House 86, Namba HIPs 4F, Namba Stn exit 15-B • meetup.com/KansaiScene • facebook.com/kansaiscene

night zoo will also be accessible to the public from 7pm to 9pm.

Admission: Free (both daytime and evening sessions) • Access: JR Himeji Stn, 5-min walk • www.city. himeji.lg.jp/dobutuen

Food Festival Wakayama 2014 食祭WAKAYAMA 2014 FREE Wakayama Castle, Wakayama  Nov 24

One of the most popular events in Wakayama, this is a great day to sample local cuisine. Enjoy a delicacies market, a cooking contest by famous chefs and a variety of attractions.

Time: 10am–4pm • Admission: Free • Access: JR Wakayama Stn; Nankai Line, Wakayama Stn, bus to Shiyakusho-mae • Tel: 07-34351234

Hot Air Balloon Flight 第38回熱気球琵琶湖横断 FREE Lake Biwa, Shiga  Nov 29–30

Colorful balloons will take to the sky from Omi Shirahama beach. Short balloon rides will be available at Aoyagi-shogako. Please note, adverse weather may result in cancellation.

Time: 7am • Admission: Free • Access: JR Omi-Takashima Stn, 5 mins by taxi to Omi Shirahama Suiei-jo • takashima-kanko.jp/ new/20141010_1704.html

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

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 Kansai Scene Listings: What’s on around Kansai

Community Events Submit your event to Kansai Scene Having an exhibition? Staging a gig? Organising a business seminar? Think KS should know about it? Well, you can now submit your own event listings to Kansai Scene. Absolutely free. All listings will be posted online, and the best selection listed here. Priority will be given to free, or not-for-profit events.

kansaiscene.com/submit-event-kansai-scene Art

Admission: Free Where: Nishinomiya International Association, close to JR Nishinomiya.

Tel: 0798 32 8680 Email: niairuka@chive.ocn.ne.jp

You are More than Beautiful What: Photography Exhibition Artist: Maroesjka Lavigne Where: SoHo Art Gallery Tel: 06-4394-7456 When: Nov 18-23; Tue–Sat: 12pm–7pm; Sun: 12pm–5pm.

Admission: Free

A Belgian photographer explores the links between evolving standards of beauty, trends in plastic surgery and demonstration of wealth in South Korea.

June Kaneko

Give Me An Easy Life

What: Ceramic exhibition When: Nov 1–Dec 25 Where: Sokyo Gallery, Kyoto Admission: Free gallery-sokyo.jp

What: Exhibition, music and party Artists: Eri Moon / Seal Pool / Memento / Kazuya Kitaura / Naoto Shiozaki / Hajime Wada / Retsudoh Fujimura / Taichi Yoshimura DJs: SOL-G / ALUCA / TV EYE / Mr.POTATO / AATY Where: Cafe Bar Pratas pratas.info When: Nov 22, 6:30pm–12 midnight Admission: Free givemeaneasylife.tumblr.com

Give Me An Easy Life brings together artists and DJs from the Osaka underground to create a one-night party at Pratas Cafe in the historic Misono Building.

The party starts at 6pm, so there's ample time to view the prints, collages, wood carvings, t-shirts and photographs while grooving to the sounds and mingling with Osaka's scene makers.

Jun Kaneko @ Sokyo Gallery

Jun Kaneko is internationally renowned and highly respected in contemporary arts and contemporary ceramic fields. He is known for creating huge Dango, but in this exhibition, he will present 22 smaller works where he re-investigates the relationship of intimately scaled artworks to a traditional Japanese building. The exhibition is a visual and conceptual challenge to his work.

Event Shelter on Disasters Time What: Emergency preparation event When: Nov 22, 11.45am–4pm

Disaster prevention class run

by Nishinomiya International Association, aiming to help foreign residents understand what happens in a disaster, experience an emergency shelter life and taste emergency food. Only 10 people may join, and you must apply by Nov 18th. No Japanese knowledge is necessary, as interpreters will be on site.

Kansai Scene International Party What: International Party When: Nov 21, 7:30–10pm Admission: ¥2,000 all-you-can-drink + lucky draw ticket Where: Beer House 86, Namba HIPs Bldg 4F, Namba facebook.com/kansaiscene

Kansai Scene’s very own monthly party moves to Beer House 86 this month, a swanky new venue in the Namba HIPs building. Meet new friends, explore the best venues in town and win stuff in our lucky draw.

Silver Ball Planet Pinball Tournament What: Pinball tournament Where: Silver Ball Planet, Big Step, Shinsaibashi facebook.com/silverballplanet When: Nov 29, 4pm

Admission: Just pay to play (¥100/ game)

All ages and skill levels welcome at the monthly pinball tournament at Big Step's fantastic pinball arcade, Silver Ball Planet. Go head to head in teams and battle for pinball glory.

See Facebook for details.

Uzume: The Power to Open a Wind Cave What: Butoh Performance When: 3pm Nov 15/16, 7pm Nov 15.

Admission: ¥3,000 adv (¥3,500 door) Where: Gojo-Kaikan, Kyoto Access: Keihan Kiyomizu-Gojo stn, 15min./JR Kyoto stn bus to Kawaramachi-Gojo 5min.

Tel: 090-7098-2869 E-mail: ima_kiraza@yahoo.co.jp

Annual performance by Kyotobased Butoh dance company Kiraza.

Avant-garde butoh dance in a traditional Japanese theater.

Hysteria! Kamihikouki's Issue 2 Launch Party What: Party and live When: 7–11pm, Nov 9 Where: Viva La Mort, Sakai Admission: ¥1,000 (includes 1 drink, a copy of the brand new magazine, and entrance into the art raffle)

Kamihikouki is a community-based, nonprofit art and writing magazine with the goal of bringing together artists in the Kansai area. The event will feature live experimental music, audiovisual entertainment, and an art raffle. Food and a full bar will be available.

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 Kansai Scene Listings: What’s on around Kansai  Nov 8–9

Erotic Expo

(Namura Adult Amusement Park)

KS

Pick

Osaka Creative Center 2F (white chamber) former site of the Namura Shipbuilding Co. Ltd.

Leave your reservations (and kids) at home for a surprise-filled, twoday-only adult amusement park, and enjoy a variety of exclusive erotic entertainment in an open, creative, and contemporary environment.

In partnership with the AIDS Prevention Association, LETTEr Arts, an organisation that has prided itself in bringing together social and sexual minority artists and their works since 2002, has coordinated an extravaganza of burlesque, dance, drag, and bondage performances, in addition to pole dancing, live body painting, and more for your pleasure. A unique and sensational opportunity.

Nov 8–9 • Adult entertainment and art exposition, gallery, showcase, and performance extravaganza • 1pm–8pm • Admission (per day): ¥4,500 (¥3,500 adv. or in costume); Students ¥3,500 (¥3,000 adv) plus ¥500 shipyard entrance fee • Access: Yotsubashi Subway Line to Kitakagaya Stn, Exit 4, 10min walk • letter-arts.com/eroticexpo2014 • Adv Tickets: e-plus.jp

 Free Stuff! KS has 4 pairs of tickets to give away to lucky readers. To enter the draw, send an email with the subject ‘Erotic Expo’ to giveaway@kansaiscene.com before Nov 6 (Thu). Winners will be notified by email and tickets can be collected at the door.

 Until Jan 12

Ancient Egyptian Queens and Goddesses: Treasures from The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

Inner Coffin and Mummy Board of the Chantress of Amun-Re, Henettawy / Rogers Fund, 1925 (25.3.183a, b; 25.3.184) Image © The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Kobe City Museum

Despite Cleopatra being the most renowned of the powerful women who made a mark on Ancient Egyptian history, she was not the only one. Hatshepsut, who became the pharaoh in 1478 BC, is known to be one of the most successful rulers of Egypt. You can learn more about her here, as an exhibition hailing from the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York will be shown for the first time ever in Japan. It boasts approximately 200 pieces of beautifully preserved statues, jewelry, cosmetics, and other ancient relics of royal women and deities. Want to take one home? You can buy miniature replica charms of select pieces and other goods in the exclusive museum shop collection for under ¥1,000.

Until Jan 12 • Collection of about 200 Ancient Egyptian relics, with pharaoh Hatshepsut and other royal women and deities as central figures • Closed Mondays (except holidays) • 9:30am–5:30pm, Saturdays until 7pm • Admission: ¥1,500 • Access: JR or Hankyu Line to Sannomiya Stn, 10-min walk • met-egypt2014.jp

 Kansai Scene Listings: What’s on around Kansai

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Art Listings Shiga

Taikichi Irie and Kason Sugimoto –The Diverse Worlds of Photography and Calligraphy

Art in Wonderland Sagawa Art Museum • Until Jan 12

Irie Taikichi Memorial Museum of Photography Nara City • Until Jan 12

Get up close and playful with these colourful, high-tech installations that illustrate the dynamics of light and shadow in this interactive, allages, and often ‘magical’ event.

Joint museum exhibition juxtaposing the landscape photography of Irie and the scrawling-style calligraphy of Sugioka, allowing for both visuals to capture the Japanese spirit of the subject.

Kyoto

Open: 9:30am–5pm • Closed: 11/25 • Admission: ¥500 • Access: JR/ Kintetsu Line to Nara Stn, bus to Wariishi-cho, 10-min walk • irietaikichi.jp

Murou Art Forest Permanent Exhibition Nara • Permanent Exhibit

Large-scale outdoor installation artworks that double as landslidepreventing structures. Enjoy one-of-a-kind views and nature through the impressive designs of world-renowned Israeli sculptor Dani Karavan.

Open: 10am–4pm • Closed: Tuesdays • Admission: ¥400 • Access: Kintetsu Line to Muroguchi Ono Stn, 20-min walk • www.city.uda.nara.jp/ sanzyoukouen/concept

Osaka Goodbye, Nadar Nadar Gallery • Nov 18–23

After four years of offering 12 edgy, modern, and sometimes otherworldly displays of art to the general public, Nadar Gallery will celebrate its 13th and final showing with approx. 100 monochrome prints by 20 artists.

Open: 11am–7pm • Admission: Free • Access: Shinsaibashi Subway Stn, Exit 5 • nadar.jp/osaka

Early Modern Japanese Art 1750–1850 Osaka Art Museum • Until Dec 7

Exhibition displaying a contrast of styles in select Edo-period, raisedcloth pictures (long tapestry-like paintings on specially blended cotton cloth) by Kyoto-Osaka region artists including Hayashi Rouen, Ito Jakuchu, and Mori Tetsuzan.

Open: 9:30am–5pm and national holidays • Closed: Mondays • Admission: ¥300 • Access: JR Tennoji Stn, Central Exit • osakaart-museum.jp/def_evt/kinseikaiga

中崎透＋山城大督＋野田智子）PHOTO SPOT PARTY, 2014年, 六甲ケーブル / 撮影：佐藤祐介

Nara

Open: 9:30am–5pm • Closed: Mondays • Admission: ¥1,000 • Access: 30 mins by bus from Moriyama Stn, JR Biwako Line • sagawa-artmuseum.or.jp

Robert Doisneau “20 Years Later – Doisneau’s Paris” Kahitsukan – Kyoto Museum of Contemporary Art • Until Nov 30

Approx. 60 original signed prints

by French photographer Robert Doisneau, former Vogue and Life magazine fashion photographer and Parisian candid shooter, shown in remembrance and reverence of his death 20 years ago.

Open: 10am–5:30pm • Closed: Mondays • Admission: ¥1,000 • Access: 3-min walk from Keihan Line Shijo Stn • kahitsukan.or.jp

Nishijin Sky: Teresita Fernández + Masataka Hosoo Exhibition Kyoto University of Art & Design Entrance Lounge • Until Jan 15

Collaborative effort between two artists – the American, Fernández, (known for large-scale modern sculptures) and the Japanese, Hosoo, (expert in traditional weaving techniques from Nishijin, Kyoto) – that yielded a stunning experimental, large-scale, freestanding textile that resembles the night sky.

Open: 9am–5pm • Closed: 11/12,13 • Admission: Free • Access: 10-min walk from Eizan Line Electric Railway to Chayama Stn • kuad-entrance. com/en

Motohiko Odani "Terminal Moment” Kyoto Art Center • Nov 11–Dec 14

Using the themes of physical sensations and psychological states, this extraordinary artist blends pain, fear, beauty, and ugliness into reality by means of his unbelievably intricate (and sometimes unsettling) sculptures and interactive installations.

 Until Nov 24

Rokko Meets Art Festival Various Locations Atop Mt. Rokko

Just before it gets too cold to enjoy the fresh mountain air without seeing your own breath, take a day trip or two to the autumn-leaf flecked Mt. Rokko to see it in a whole new way. With contemporary art surrounded by, and often incorporated into, the surrounding natural environment, you can enjoy a 360-degree view of the artworks, unobstructed by walls or display boxes.

Artworks are made from both wood and stone, hanging and free-standing, brightly lit and camouflaged, blocky and intricate – there’s no limit to the variety and size here. Explore ’til closing, grab some original handmade goods, then relax at the nearby Arima Hot Springs for a complete autumn retreat.

Until Nov 24 • Contemporary art, sculpture, and performances in an outdoor natural setting, scattered along nine sites on Mt. Rokko • 10am–5pm (some exhibits can be viewed until 9:30pm depending on the site); weekends and holidays until 10pm • Admission: ¥1,850 • Access: Hankyu Rokko Stn or JR Rokkomichi Stn, Kobe City Bus #16 to Rokko Cable-shita Stn, At Rokko Cable-Sanjo Stn take the bus to Rokko Mtn Area • rokkosan.com/art2014

Open: 10am–8pm • Admission: Free • Access: 5-min walk from Hankyu Railway Karasuma Stn, Exit 22/24 • kac.or.jp/eng

Noguchi Hisamitsu “Cinema Graphics” The Museum of Kyoto • Until Dec 7

On the cutting edge of print design in the 50s and 60s, Noguchi Hisamitsu achieved iconic status in Japan for his European film posters, like Les Quatre Cents Coups and Jeux Interdits. While

the exhibition centers on these works, it also presents the works Noguchi created for book covers, magazine illustrations, and more.

Accompanying the exhibit are screenings of the artist’s favorite films and their theater trailers.

Open: 10am–6pm; until 7:30pm on Fridays (last entry 30 mins before closing) • Closed Mondays (except holidays) • Admission: ¥1,000 • Access: Subway Tozai Line Karasuma-Oike Stn, Exit 5, 3-min walk • bunpaku.or.jp

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 Kansai Scene Listings: What’s on around Kansai

Live Music  Dec 6

Quique Sinesi & Hikaru Iwakawa

KS

Pick

This is a unique combination of an Argentinian jazz, tango and folk guitarist and a Japanese quena flute player.

Born in 1960 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Quique Sinesi mixes world and classical music with jazz improv to form a style all of his own. With his name credited on nearly fifty recordings since 1980, Sinesi is regarded as one of South America’s most important guitarists.

Hikaru Iwakawa first took up the Andes quena flute at age nine, and soon after, the siku and ocarina. Like Quique Sinesi, Iwakawa mixes elements of a number of genres to come up with a unique sound.

In 2013 the two recorded the album deseo and Iwakawa has since been based in Argentina.

Argentinian acoustic guitarist and Japanese quena flute player • Live Spot Rag, Kyoto • Dec 6 • World • 7:30pm • ¥4,400/¥5,500 • Tel: 07-5255-7273

Live Music Listings Nov/Dec Rock & Pop Rottengraffty Japanese five-piece rock band 15th anniversary tour Namba Hatch, Osaka Nov 15 • Rock • 6:30pm • ¥3,300 • Tel: 06-6357-4400

Manipulated Slaves Japanese melodic thrash band formed 1994

Muse, Osaka Nov 16 • Metal • 3pm • ¥3,500/¥4,000 • Tel: 06-6245-5389

Goodbye Holiday Japanese four-piece pop band

Rock Town, Osaka Nov 16 • Pop • 6pm • ¥2,700 • Tel: 06-6882-1224

Sadie Japanese visual kei rock band formed 2005

Club Quattro, Osaka Nov 18 • Rock • 7pm • ¥4,300/¥4,800 • Tel: 06-6341-4506

Sex Machineguns

Kamijo

Oreskaband

Japanese heavy metal band formed 1989

Japanese singer ex-Lareine and Versailles

Japanese all-girl ska band from Sakai

Dreams Come True

Personz

9mm Parabellum

Japanese rock pop guitar and vocal duo

Japanese 80’s pop-rock band

Japanese rock band formed 2004

Buck Tick

Ben Watt

Japanese 80’s rock band

British DJ, musician and radio presenter

Shangri-La, Osaka Nov 18 • Metal • 7pm • ¥4,000 • Tel: 06-6882-1224

Osaka Jo Hall, Osaka Nov 19–20 • Pop • 6:30pm • ¥6,500 • Tel: 06-6341-3525

Keishi Tanaka Japanese acoustic guitarist, singersongwriter

Taku Taku, Kyoto Nov 21 • singer-songwriter • 6:30pm • ¥3,500 • Tel: 07-5351-1321

Oda Tetsuro Japanese guitarist, singer-songwriter and producer Big Cat, Osaka Nov 21 • Rock pop • 7pm • ¥7,000 • Tel: 06-6341-3525

Anthem 80’s Japanese metal band

Big Cat, Osaka Nov 22 • Metal • 6pm • ¥6,500 • Tel: 06-7732-8888

Muse, Osaka Nov 22 • Visual kei rock • 5:30pm • ¥5,400 • Tel: 06-6245-5389

Club Quattro, Osaka Nov 22 • Pop-rock • 5pm • ¥6,300 • Tel: 06-7732-8888

Namba Hatch, Osaka Nov 22–23 • Rock • 6pm • ¥6,500 • Tel: 06-6882-1224

Triceratops

Janus, Osaka Nov 25 • Sakai • 7pm • ¥2,500/¥3,000 • Tel: 06-6214-7255

Namba Hatch, Osaka Nov 25-26 • Rock • 7pm • ¥3,800/¥4,300 • Tel: 06-6341-3525

Club Quattro, Osaka Nov 26 • Alt. folk rock • 7:30pm • ¥7,000 • Tel: 06-6311-8111

Japanese rock trio formed 1996

Big Cat, Osaka Nov 24 • 5pm • ¥4,800/¥5,300 • Tel: 06-6341-3525

Morrie Ex-Dead End Japanese singer, guitarist

Taku Taku, Kyoto Nov 24 • Rock • 5pm • ¥6,300/¥6,900 • Tel: 07-5351-1321

Brutal Truth

Brutal Truth & Napalm Death 90’s grindcore and death metal Club Quattro, Osaka

 Kansai Scene Listings: What’s on around Kansai

 Dec 10

 Nov 26

 Nov 26

Tahiti 80

Ben Watt

David Matthews

French indie pop-rockers Tahiti 80, whose debut release was 15 years ago in 1999, was formed by guitarist and singer Xavier Boyer and bassist Pedro Resende. They took their unusual band name from a souvenir T-shirt belonging to Boyer’s father.

Their first album was the wellreceived Puzzle, which was followed by Wallpaper for the Soul. This year’s Ballroom is their sixth studio release and instead of self-producing the album, as they had done previously, Tahiti 80 opted for a collaboration with producer Richard Swift to gain, as they say, “some new ideas”.

The album was released last month so this tour will highlight some of their new material and after receiving a positive response at Fuji Rock Festival in the summer, Tahiti 80 will no doubt have an eager audience waiting for them.

British multi-genre singer-songwriter, producer, radio presenter, multi-instrumentalist, DJ and author Benjamin Brian Thomas Watt is probably best known as one half of the duo Everything But The Girl.

Everything But The Girl was formed in 1982 in Hull, England along with vocalist Tracey Thorn (Watt and Thorn actually married in 2008, 27 years after meeting).

Watt is bringing his trio, which features ex-Suede guitarist Bernard Butler, for just three dates in Japan including this one in Kansai. His new album, Hendra recently won the Best Difficult Second Album award (AIM Independent Music Awards) and he describes it as a downbeat genre “folk-rock record in an electronic age” which also features Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour.

Keyboardist, arranger, composer, and bandleader David Matthews has played with some of the greats and legends of music during the past forty years. The American musician was born in Kentucky in 1942. He earned a bachelor’s degree in composition and soon found himself in 1970 as James Brown’s arranger and bandleader, an admirable start for a young man still in his twenties.

Over the years he has also worked with such well-known figures as Buddy Rich, Bonnie Raitt, George Benson and Grant Green as well as with Nina Simone on her landmark 1978 album Baltimore.

So, how does a busy musician like David Matthews keep his feet on the ground? By spending three months of the year sailing on his 31ft sailboat Setting Sun.

British DJ, musician and radio presenter • Club Quattro, Osaka • Nov 26 • Alt. folk

American keyboardist, composer and

French indie pop band from Paris • Muse,

rock • 7:30pm • ¥7,000

arranger • Mister Kelly’s, Osaka • Nov 26 •

Osaka • Dec 10 • Indie • 7pm • ¥6,500

• Tel: 06-6311-8111

Jazz • 6pm/9pm • ¥5,400 • Tel: 06-6342-5821

• Tel: 06-6245-5389

Nov 27 • Metal • 7pm • ¥7,800 • Tel: 06-6535-5569

Deftech

Kemuri

Electro pop duo from Japan and Hawaii

Japanese ska punk band formed 1995

Eikichi Yazawa

Seina

Popular Japanese singer and personality

Japanese female vocalist

Muse, Kyoto Nov 28 • Pop • 7pm • ¥4,800 • Tel: 075-223-0389

Aoi Teshima

Aoi Teshima Japanese female vocalist and voice actress

Billboard Live OSAKA, Osaka Nov 28 • Pop • 6:30pm/9:30pm • ¥5,400/¥6,900 • Tel: 06-6342-7722

Osaka Jo Hall, Osaka Nov 29–30 • Rock pop • 11/29 7pm; 11/30 5:30pm • ¥5,500/¥10,500 • Tel: 06-6344-3326

Nano.RIPE Japanese four-piece indie band

Muse, Osaka Nov 29–30 • Indie • 5pm • ¥4,200/¥4,700 • Tel: 06-6245-5389

Varit, Kobe Nov 30 • Ska • 6pm • ¥4,000 • Tel: 06-6535-5569

Janus, Osaka Dec 1 • Rock pop • 7pm • ¥2,500/¥3,000 • Tel: 06-6214-7255

Sarah Brightman British female vocalist

Osaka Jo Hall, Osaka Dec 2 • vocalist • 7pm • ¥13,000/¥15,000 • Tel: 06-63414506

Tom Bailey

Thompson Twins Tom Bailey “Thompson Twins’ ALL HITS” 80’s British New Wave featuring Tom Bailey

Billboard Live OSAKA, Osaka Dec 3 • New Wave pop • 6:30pm/9:30pm • ¥9,300/¥10,800 • Tel: 06-6342-7722

33

34

 Kansai Scene Listings: What’s on around Kansai  Dec 8

The Pillows

David Matthews

Japanese alternative rock trio

American keyboardist, composer and arranger

Big Cat, Osaka Dec 5 • Rock • 7pm • ¥4,320 • Tel: 06-6341-3525

Yusuke Fujita Japanese singer-songwriter, guitarist Taku Taku, Kyoto Dec 5 • Rock pop • 6:30pm • ¥3,500/¥4,000 • Tel: 075-351-1321

Buckcherry Californian rock band formed 1995

Sam Lee & Friends

Club Quattro, Osaka Dec 9 • Rock • 7:30pm • ¥6,600 • Tel: 03-3475-9999

Tahiti 80 French indie pop band from Paris

BBC Radio once tried to capture the spirit of Sam Lee’s music as “…somebody doing really creative things with traditional English folk” and The Independent newspaper describing him as “…one of the most promising folk singers to emerge from the London scene this decade”.

Mercury Music Prize nominated artist Sam Lee released his debut album Ground of its Own in 2012. Between his current schedule of live shows and studio sessions, Kansai Scene caught up with Sam to find out a little about the music and his upcoming trip to Japan.

On your website you describe the sound of Sam Lee & Friends as “incomparable to anything else in the folk revival’s canon”. To someone who hasn’t heard you before, how would you describe what they will experience?

An eclectic mix of sounds and arrangements based around a heart of songs learned from an ancient tradition of folk songs going back hundreds of years. The songs all go back into deep remembering of social history and carry wonderful, unique tunes that capture the spirit of ancient Britain.

You’ve played in Japan before, what has the reaction to European folk and your style been like from the Japanese audiences in the past?

The audiences have always been so complimentary and appreciative. I am always touched how much Japanese audiences respond so openly to these songs and our arrangements.

The band is Sam Lee & Friends, could you tell us a little about the “friends”?

They are my friends! We all came together as appreciators of exploratory music, traditions and ethnic sounds and have all studied and researched the sounds of cultures from around the world. We bring our learnings and ideas to the sound of the band. We are mostly London-based and all of the musicians play in other bands that make music in all sorts of styles from jazz to classical.

British folk musician, singer-songwriter • Taku Taku, Kyoto • Dec 8 • Folk • 7pm • ¥3,800 • Tel: 07-5351-1321

Muse, Osaka Dec 10 • Indie • 7pm • ¥6,500 • Tel: 06-6245-5389

The Vamps Japanese hard rock duo

Namba Hatch, Osaka Dec 5, 6, 8, 9, 11, 12, 14, 15 • Rock • 7pm • ¥7,190 • Tel: 06-7732-8888

Plastic Tree/Hero/ Aldious Japanese visual kei rock acts

Big Cat, Osaka Dec 14 • Rock • 5pm • ¥5,500/¥6,000 • Tel: 06-6258-5160

Jazz & Blues

Mister Kelly’s, Osaka Nov 26 • Jazz • 6pm/9pm • ¥5,400 • Tel: 06-6342-5821

The Manhattan Transfer US jazz fusion vocal group Billboard Live OSAKA, Osaka

Nov 26–27 • Fusion • 6:30pm/9:30pm • ¥11,000/¥12,500 • Tel: 06-6342-7722

Saori Yano Bebop Night Japanese jazz saxophonist

Mister Kelly’s, Osaka Dec 4 • Jazz • 7:30pm/9:15pm • ¥4,800/¥5,000 • Tel: 06-6342-5821

Lewis Nash American jazz drummer

Mister Kelly’s, Osaka Dec 8–10 • Jazz • 7pm/9pm • ¥4,500/¥6,000 • Tel: 06-6342-5821

Hikari Ichihara Quartet Japanese female trumpet player

Mister Kelly’s, Osaka Dec 11 • Jazz • 7:30pm/9:15pm • ¥4,000/¥4,500 • Tel: 06-6342-5821

R&B & Soul The Stylistics US soul music vocal group

Billboard Live OSAKA, Osaka Nov 13–16 • Soul • 13–14 4:30pm/7:30pm; 15–16 6:30pm/9:30pm • 10,500/¥12,000 • Tel: 06-6342-7722

Yuya Matsushita Japanese R&B and Hip-Hop singer Muse, Kyoto Dec 2 • R&B • 7pm • ¥5,400 • Tel: 07-5223-0389

World Nathan East

Nathan East US jazz and rock pop bass player

Billboard Live OSAKA, Osaka Nov 12 • Jazz fusion • 6:30pm/9:30pm • ¥8,300/¥9,800 • Tel: 06-6342-7722

Livio Minafra Italian jazz pianist and accordionist

Mister Kelly’s, Osaka Nov 18 • Jazz • 6pm/8:30pm • ¥3,240 • Tel: 06-6342-5821 Chicken George, Kobe Nov 19 • Jazz • 7pm • ¥4,000/¥4,500 • Tel: 07-8332-0146

Quique Sinesi & Hikaru Iwakawa Argentinian acoustic guitarist and Japanese quena flute player

Live Spot Rag, Kyoto Dec 6 • World • 7:30pm • ¥4,400/¥5,500 • Tel: 07-5255-7273

Sam Lee & Friends British folk singer-songwriter

Taku Taku, Kyoto Dec 8 • Folk • 7pm • ¥3,800 • Tel: 07-5351-1321

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

36

 Kansai Scene Listings: What’s on around Kansai

Club

 Nov 21

Circus The legendary Swedish progressive trance unit Son Kite will return to Osaka for the first time in seven years. Sebastian Mullaert and Marcus Henriksson started the duo in 1996 and their debut album Minilogue was released on Liquid Audio Soundz in 1999. With the phenomenal success of their third album Colours in 2004, they became the icon of progressive trance and headlined countless trance festivals around the world. The pair took a break from Son Kite moniker to work on the minimal-techno oriented project Minilogue in the mid 2000s. They have performed Son Kite live sets occasionally but haven’t released any tracks for almost a decade. Finally their long-awaited new album Prisma will be out from the prestigious label Iboga Records in this November. This is a must-see for progressive sound lovers.

Son Kite 4th Album Prisma Release Party (Progressive/Techno) • Live: Son Kite • DJs: Shu, Icci & Mitsuyasu • Open: 11pm • Admission: ¥3,500 (ADV: ¥3,000) • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6241-3822 • circus-osaka.com

Club Listings November 1 (Sat) Big Step Penthouse Halloween Rampage VII (Dance)

• DJs: Sayurita, Big Ted, Vegas, Hiro, Shawn Basik, Dom Pang, Steve Lowrise + more • Open: 8pm • Admission: ¥3,000/1D • Where: Shinsaibashi • Info: facebook.com/ events/268894693307184

Circus Progressivision (Progressive Trance) • DJs: Shu, PTBK, Zoa •

Open: 11pm • Admission: ¥2,000 • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-62413822 • circus-osaka.com

Rooftop Bar OO & Gastro Garden Black Moon Party Osaka – Halloween Special (EDM/House/ Techno) • DJs: 1session, AI, Ciao,

Dmitri Absinthe, J Amour + more • Open: 10pm • Admission: Gentlemen: ¥3,500/1D, Ladies: ¥3,000/1D • Shinsaibashi • oo-u.jp

Onzieme Eleven Lights Halloween Special! (EDM) • DJs: Benkay,

Ko-Matsushima, High Velocity, Hmen, Sak + more • Open: 9pm • Admission: ¥3,000/1D • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6243-0089 • onzi-eme.com

Troop Cafe Black Market (New Wave/ Post Punk/Disco/Dub) • Acts:

Onzieme Orange Halloween Night (EDM/ Electro/House) • Acts: CyberJapan

Dancers, Tsukamoto, Shou K, Kano, Hill’s + more • Open: 9pm • Admission: ¥2,000/1D • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6243-0089 • onzi-eme.com

Ave, Ikebe, Johnny, Ninomiya + more • Open: 11pm • Admission: ¥2,000/1D • Where: Kobe • Tel: 078321-3130 • troopcafe.tumblr.com

7 (Fri)

2 (Sun)

Livity Sound Night (Broken Beats/Techno) • Live: Livity

Circus Zettai-mu “King of Dub-Jah Shaka” (Dubstep/Dub) • Acts:

Jah Shaka, 1945 aka Kuranaka, Ageishi • Open: 10pm • Admission: ¥4,000 (ADV: ¥3,500) • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6241-3822 • circus-osaka.com

Daihikaku Technogaoka vol.8 (Dance Music)

• Live: Unyo303, Compufunk, Bonnounomukuro • DJs: Kihira Naoki, Kentaro Iwaki, Yukke, Zen + more • Open: 7pm • Admission: ¥3,000 (ADV: ¥2,500) • Where: Ashiya • technogaoka.com

Circus Sound • DJs: Peverelist, Kowton, Asusu • Open: 10pm • Admission: ¥3,500 (ADV: ¥3,000) • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6241-3822 • circus-osaka.com

Onzieme EDM Color (EDM) • DJs: Ko-Taro, Kelly, Kenji, Shinji + more • Open: 9pm • Admission: ¥2,500/1D • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-62430089 • onzi-eme.com

8 (Sat) Circus Kyoka IS Release Japan Tour vol.2 (Electronic) • Live: Kyoka, Metome

• DJs: Calm, Keiburger • Open:

11pm • Admission: ¥2,500 (ADV: ¥2,000) • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6241-3822 • circus-osaka.com

Triangle Andres Japan Tour 2014 Osaka (Hip Hop/Soul/House) • DJs:

Andres aka DJ Dez, Kensei, Kaikiyo, Questa, Shinya, Ageishi + more • Open: 9pm • Admission: ¥3,000 (ADV: ¥2,500) • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6212-2264 • triangleosaka.com

Onzieme Nu Wave ft. Panorama (Electro/ Techno) • DJs: Shinichi Osawa,

Sekitova, Alyn, Unbalance, Sak, Shinju + more • Open: 10pm • Admission: ¥3,000/1D • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6243-0089 • onzi-eme.com

Troop Cafe Visitors ft. Beppe Loda (Disco) • Acts: Beppe Loda + more • Open: 10pm • Admission: ¥3,000/1D (WF: ¥2,500/1D, Foreigners: ¥1,500/1D) • Where: Kobe • Tel: 078-321-3130 • troopcafe.tumblr.com

38

 Kansai Scene Listings: What’s on around Kansai 9 (Sun) Circus 89Kidz Face Release Tour (Electro) • DJs: 89Kidz, Taku-Hero,

Nkzy, Jiro, Reload Reload, Imoto Kazuya, Yuichirou, Assan • Open: 8pm • Admission: ¥2,500 (ADV: ¥2,000) • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6241-3822 • circus-osaka.com

14 (Fri) Circus Goth-Trad presents Back To Chill “Mugen” Release Party (Bass music/Dubstep) • DJs: Goth-Trad,

Fulltono + more • Open: 11pm • Admission: ¥2,500 (ADV: ¥2,000) • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-62413822 • circus-osaka.com

15 (Sat)

Inoue, Eiki, Naoki Yoda • Open: 10pm • Admission: ¥3,000/1D (ADV: ¥2,500/1D) • Tel: 075-7522787 • metro.ne.jp

Troop Cafe Summit presents The Tour (Techno) • Acts: Nobu, Sodeyama,

Doiike, Nakatani, Jibb + more • Open: 10:30pm • Admission: ¥3,000/1D (WF: ¥2,000/1D, Foreigners: ¥1,500/1D) • Where: Kobe • Tel: 078-321-3130 • troopcafe.tumblr.com

16 (Sun) Onzieme

Damage, Crossbread • DJs: Altz, Tveye • Open: 10pm • Admission: ¥1,500 • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6241-3822 • circus-osaka.com

Compufunk Records The Box #2 (Techno/House)

• Live: Byakudan, A# • DJs: Kihira Naoki, Lost • Open: 10pm • Admission: ¥2,000/1D (WF: ¥1,500/1D) • Where: Shinsaibashi • compufunk.com

Onzieme Eleven Lights (EDM) • DJs: Benkay,

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

Metro Do it Jazz! (Jazz/Brazil/Nu Jazz)

• Acts: Yoshihiro Okino, Kawasaki & The Magic Sessions, Cosmic Butterfly, Masaki Tamura, Kazuhiro

Onzieme Deep Jam-Fashion x Music (Electro/House/Techno) • Acts:

Soft&Hard, Tetsuya Nishimura, Yuya Nara, Kaz, Bat, Yuuka + more • Open: 9pm • Admission: ¥3,000/1D (ADV: ¥2,000/1D) • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-62430089 • onzi-eme.com

23 (Sun)

Bubble (House/Techno/Electro)

• DJs: Hosohoso, Yop., Ohooji, Ikebara + more • Open: 10pm • Admission: ¥2,000/1D • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6243-0089 • onzi-eme.com

21 (Fri)

Circus Damage Home Sweet Home Release Party (Electro) • Live:

• Acts: Gilles Peterson, Kyoto Jazz Massive, Toshio Matsuura, Jimbo, Yoku, Ageishi, Yashima, Nao Nomura + more • Open: 3pm–11pm • Admission: ¥4,000 (ADV: ¥3,500) • Where: Kitakagaya • thestarfestival.com

Onzieme Riot powered by Leflah (Hip Hop/ EDM) • DJs: Shintaro, Jun, 4Rest,

Alphashot + more • Open: 9pm • Admission: ¥2,500/1D • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6243-0089 • onzi-eme.com

22 (Sat) Circus Loscil/Arovane Japan Tour 2014 (Electronic/Ambient) •

Live: Loscil, Arovane, Ametsub, Eadonmm • DJ: Lady Citizen • Open: 11pm • Admission: ¥3,500 (ADV: ¥3,000) • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6241-3822 • circus-osaka.com

Namura Zosen Atochi Kyoto Jazz Massive 20th Anniversary presents Gilles Peterson Japan Tour 2014 (House/Techno/Crossover)

Onzieme Himlen (House/Techno/Electro)

• DJs: Sugiurumn, Kitten, Dmitri, Marvy, Nao, Tune + more • Open: 9pm • Admission: ¥2,500/1D • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-62430089 • onzi-eme.com

28 (Fri) Circus Petre Inspirescu Japan Tour (Techno/House) • DJs: Petre

Inspirescu + more • Open: 10pm •

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

Onzieme Breakaway (Hip Hop/EDM) • DJs:

Hasebe, Ree-Age, Tora, Masakaz, Giann, Ar + more • Open: 9pm • Admission: ¥2,500/1D • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6243-0089 • onzi-eme.com

29 (Sat) Circus Club Snoozer (Rock/Dance) • DJs:

Soichiro Tanaka + more • Open: 10pm • Admission: ¥2,500 (ADV: ¥2,000) • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6241-3822 • circus-osaka.com

Onzieme Hush! ft. James Zabiela (House/ Techno) • DJs: James Zabiela,

Yashima+ more • Open: 9pm • Admission: ¥3,600/1D (ADV: ¥2,000) • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6243-0089 • onzi-eme.com

40

 Kansai Scene Classifieds > kansaiscene.com/classifieds 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 [1613-335-2015-04-06]

KOBE, ASHIYA 2DK FOR 90000YEN/MONTH. Has a

yard!!. 1st floor 2DK apartment, with 20 square meter yard. 44 square meter apartment. Recently remodeled, very clean. Unfurnished at 90000yen/month, semi furnished 100000yen/month, fully furnished at 110000yen/month. 10minute walk to Ashiya JR station. No key money, 1month refund. deposit, 6month min. contract. Contact: alexb <alex@abhousingosaka.com> Website: www.abhousingosaka.com [2243-90-2014-11-19]

1K WITH LOFT IN OSAKA CITY RIVERSIDE RESIDENCE..

Furnished Studio with loft in Osaka city JR Mitejima.Only 7 min to Osaka Umeda area by JR or Hanshin line. Convenient & Safe.

Furnished:54,000-64,000yen. No key money. 1month deposit. Minimum 6months contract. Call to Passage Mansion. Steve:09025919960 Contact: passage <kr_toa@po.twin. ne.jp> Website: passage.sunnyday.jp

[2231-1627-2014-11-10]

TANIMACHI 6, 2 STORY HOUSE, 110000 FULLY FURNISHED.

Small 2 story townhouse, Fully furnished for 110000yen/month.

6month minimum contract stay, 1 month deposit, No key money, No guarantors. Utilities extra. 4min walk to Tanimachi 6chome and Matsuyamachi subway stations. Old nostalgic area of Osaka with many restaurants and shopping close by.

Alex 09037030314 Contact: alexb

<alex@abhousingosaka.com> Website: www.abhousingosaka.com [2141-90-2014-11-01]

Room/flat share PENTHOUSE APARTMENT IN KOBE. Spacious, 124-square-meter

apartment has room(s) available.

Modernly furnished + special extras. (Surround-sound movie system, 2-person sized bathtub, tons of closet space and gorgeous views!) 45,000 yen pus bills. Contact Darren, 090 5045 9549,and/or see my blog. (Rooms now all furnished) Contact: Zoob <zoobiechan110@ yahoo.com> Website: www. kobeliving.blogspot.jp/ [2225-9582014-11-08]

Jobs Education ENGLISH TEACHER WANTED.

Looking for English Teachers who can teach private lessons or semi-private lessons from 10am to 3pm on Wednesday and from 1pm to 4pm on Saturdays. Native speaker. Valid visa is needed. All students are adults. No need to prep time. Please send your resume to chachaenglish2007@gmail. com. Contact: CHACHA English <ruriminori2004@yahoo.co.jp> Website: www.chachaenglish.com/ [2241-1953-2014-11-18]

KANSAI CORPORATE CLASSES.

CES is seeking instructors for English(Other languages also) for corporate classes in Osaka, Shiga, Nara, Hyogo and Wakayama areas starting immediately. 1-5 Days a week. 3,500-4,500 yen per hour. For more info, please forward C/V with availability to mark@cesjapan.co.jp Contact: Manager <mark@cesjapan. co.jp> [2193-77-2015-01-23] FT/PT NATIVE ENGLISH TEACHER IN IZUMISANO, OSAKA. (1) FT

Native English Teacher: 256,000yen/ month+incentives+travel Wed 2-9 Thu 2-9 Fri 2-9 Sat 10-6 Sun 10-6 (2) PT Native English Teacher: 2000

yen/lesson+travel Tue 2-9 Wed 2-9 Fri 2-9 Sat 10-5 or 10-6 Sun 10-5 or 10-6 Izumisano, Osaka Contact us for more details. gtec.recruiting@ gmail.com Contact: gitech <gtec. recruiting@gmail.com> Website: gtecbeta.seesaa.net/ [2232-1742-2014-

German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Thai, Vietnamese, Indonesian, Burmese and Arabic.

Register now! http://hello-sensei. com/en/sensei Contact: hell-sensei <contact@hello-sensei.com> Website: hello-sensei.com/en/sensei

11-15]

[2201-1905-2014-10-31]

TEACHER NEEDED FOR SATURDAY PROGRAM IN KYOTANABE. A dynamic and

PART-TIME ENGLISH INSTRUCTOR FOR KIDS . A cozy friendly school

successful Saturday program for returnee elementary school students requires an enthusiastic and creative teacher from November 8th onwards. If you are interested in joining the team, please email a resume and cover letter to the address below for more details. cwrussell11@gmail.com Contact: Craig Russell <cwrussell11@gmail. com> [2226-1931-2014-11-08]

ALT TEACHERS WANTED FOR TOYONAKA. We are looking for

Native-level English speaking ALTs for elementary and j.high schools .

No visa support.Send your resume with a photo with e-mail. Pay: 1400-1600 YEN ( transportation included) Hours: 08:30 – 16:15 (7Hrs) Start: November, 2014 to March, 2015 Contact: cem@brainpower.co.jp Contact: brain power <cem@brain-power.co.jp> [2230-

1874-2014-11-10]

TUESDAY NIGHT ENGLISH TEACHER. Friends Eikaiwa is in

search of a teacher who can work Tuesday nights from 4:00 or 5:00 to 9:00. Kids and adults. 1500 yen hourly. Prep and travel time paid. Native speakers wanted, but non native speakers with perfect English accepted. School is located next to Hanaten station in Tsurumi-ku. Contact: Friends Eikaiwa <friendseikaiwa@gmail. com> Website: friendseikaiwa.com/ hanaten/ [2258-274-2014-11-24]

PART-TIME PRIVATE TEACHING JOBS IN ALL KANSAI AREA.

Looking for teaching jobs? Pick your own lesson fee, schedule and location then students will directly contact you! Available for: English, Chinese, Korean, French, Spanish,

looking for a PT teacher who is reliable, professional and enjoys teaching small kids, Tue/Thur mornings. Valid visa and experience required. Japanese skills preferred.

JR Izumifuchu. Y2000-2500 / hour of teaching + transport (Y1000).

Please send resume, photo to mimigosmile@gmail.com Contact: MimiEnglish <mimigosmile@gmail. com> [2206-1908-2014-11-04]

SEEKING ENGLISH CONVERSATION INSTRUCTOR ASAP. Friendly school in

Shijonawate City, is seeking an qualified English instructor, for teaching from child until adults as P/T The school is located 5mins walk from JR Shinobugaoka St .

Working day is Wed 14–20:30 The wage is 1500-2500/h. plus transport If you’re interested please send your resume with a photo Contact: openarms <openarms0218@ yahoo.co.jp> Website: www. openarmsenglish.com [2251-16312014-11-24]

General WANTEDスタッフ募集. WANTED スタッフ募集. Foreign, female hostess

wanted for Fri-Sat, 20:30-01:00 Located in Fuse kintetsu line, ¥1500/hr~ Conversational Japanese and proper visa required. will provide transportation after shift, please call 080-6188-3645 or e-mail kikaku111@hotmail.co.jp Contact: Mr Higuchi <kikaku111@hotmail. co.jp> Website: www.facebook.com/ SWING.Fuse [2214-1661-201411-03] WANNA BECOME A PART TIME SINGER AT BARS & CLUBS?.

Western Soul/R&B/Pop/Dance

42

 Kansai Scene Classifieds > kansaiscene.com/classifieds music cover band is looking for female singers to perform at bars & events mainly on Fri/Sat nights in Kobe/Osaka. Band: sax/guitar/ bass/drums & 3 lead female vocals.

Paid gigs guaranteed. Covered artist: Old/new Billboard top hits artist, Lady gaga, Katy Perry, Bruno Ma Contact: Soulkiss Ng <soulkiss07@ hotmail.co.jp> Website: www. facebook.com/soulkissbandjapan [2202-227-2014-11-02]

FOREIGN NATIVE SPEAKERS WANTED !!. If you are interested

in a part time job and speak one or more foreign (European word except English) languages (preferred), contact us. Kobe, Osaka, Kyoto-based is preferred. The job consists of checking the spelling, grammar of car navigation devices.

Tell us what languages you speak and if possible inclu Contact: Kobe Addtech <j_kosaka@kobe-addtech. co.jp> Website: www.kobe-addtech. co.jp [2220-1927-2014-11-08]

BAR TENDERS AND SECURITY STAFF WANTED. English speaking

bar tenders and security staff wanted for new International Bar in Umeda area. Native Japanese preferred, but any nationality okay if you speak Japanese too.

Email us for details. Contact Bob <worldpubosaka@gmail.com> Website: facebook.com/worldpub. osakaumekita [2263-2014-11-25]

Classes & events BEAUJOLAIS NOUVEAU PARTY!.

ESPACE FRANCE invites you to enjoy this year's BEAUJOLAIS NOUVEAU. On Nov 22 (Sat) we're holding a fun party at AVALON (near Shinsaibashi) with french food, wine and foot-stomping live music from the accordion trio PARISSOLA. Entry: ¥2,000/1drink.

More info: www.espacefrance.jp Tel. 06-6534-1002 Contact: Yoshiko Nakai <bonjour@espacefrance.jp> Website: www.espacefrance.jp [22441954-2014-11-19]

JAPAN TRAILRUNNING TOUR IN OSAKA, KYOTO, KOBE. JAPAN

TRAILRUNNING TOUR IN OSAKA, KYOTO, KOBE. TRAIL RUNNERS OSAKA is hold a trailrunning tour every Sat and Sun. 9:00am-15:00pm around Mt.Rokko in KOBE, Kyoto Trail.

Entry fee is 4,000yen. We run with 10-15 people together. If you want to make friends in Japan, this might be the best way to join in our tour. Contact: joeblack <tornadomagician@gmail.com> Website: www.facebook.com/ trailrunrun [2247-1755-2014-11-22]

Health & Beauty ENGLISH SPEAKING HAIRDRESSER IN MINAMIHORIE.

N SALON is located just 5 mins walk from Nishiohashi station (exit 6) or Sakuragawa station (exit 2). Special 20% OFF discount on your first visit! Open: 11:00-20:00 (Tue-Fri) 10:00-19:00 (Sat & Sun), Closed: Mon & 2nd/3rd Tue. For appointments, tel: 06-6556-9926 or email: nsalon1221@gmail. com Contact: N Salon (Noriko) <nsalon1221@gmail.com> Website: www.nsalon1221.com [2245-1488-

Funane <aiming2004jp@yahoo. co.jp> [2219-240-2014-11-06]

Announcements

SPANISH. i have experience

KANSAI INTERNATIONAL OUTDOOR CLUB. For fun in the

teaching spanish at jica/interac/ berkely/schools to japanese people i can teach you spanish all levels welcome Contact: eto <osakaemiliano@gmail.com> [2260-

1949-2014-11-24]

SPANISH/ENGLISH. Hola I can

teach you spanish in namba area if interested iam here hasta pronto Contact: buscobusco <osakaphd@ gmail.com> [2255-1948-2014-11-24]

LOOKING FOR PEOPLE WHO WANT SPEAK FRENCH. フランス

語を話すした. オフ私の日中に私と一 緒にフランス語を話すしたい人を探し ている42歳のフランス人の男性。私は 日本語と英語を話す french man 42

years old looking for people who want speak french with me during my days off i speak japanese and english . Contact: bruno rousselet <mermazj@yahoo.com> [2164-356-

2014-11-08]

Community Services

2014-11-19]

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

Let’s do language exchange with us. My friends are looking for English, German Spanish and others partners. We also have Japanese class at the same place. Any level is OK! Let's study together!! Contact: Rimi Makino <rimim@hotmail. com> Website: www.facebook.com/ rimi.makino.3 [2043-447-2014-11-09] IT WILL REALLY STRETCH YOUR ABILITIES.. Would it be possible

to have a time for studying Japanese in Umeda? If it would be more effective for you, I would be glad to support. Best wishes, Arogatohgozaimasu Contact: Kazuo

INFORMATION IN ENGLISH. Osaka

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 [1235-1249-2014-11-10]

KANSAI SPECIAL EDUCATION SUPPORT MEETUP GROUP. THE

CEE BEE CENTER in Takarazuka is starting a Special Education Support Group for monthly discussion meetings starting in October for parents of children with Special Education Needs and teachers. Contact: Cecil Burton <theceebeecenter@gmail.com> Website: www.meetup.com/KansaiSpecial-Education-Support-Group/

[2209-1740-2014-10-30]

outdoors, join IOC Kansai! Nonprofit international group enjoys hiking, cycling, kayaking etc. See our website, join an event or attend our get-together on 8th November.

See you there! Contact: iockansai <edeanjapan@gmail.com> Website: Http://www.iockansai.com [2173-

1879-2014-11-12]

NOVEMBER29(SAT) PECHAKUCHA NIGHT OSAKA@ GRANDFRONT. You can enjoy

presentations and networking with drinking@GrandFront Osaka.10 presenters give the presentation with each 20 seconds and 20 slides. about 6 minutes.Topic is anything, just you need passio Contact: Pechakuchanightosaka <asuka. mukoda@softbank.ne.jp> Website: www.pechakucha.org [2224-19332014-11-08]

BASSIST WANTED. bassist wanted

for funky rocky outfit original material and family vibe We are 3 experienced musos, but huge chops not required, just creativity, sunny disposition, work ethic and weekends available Contact: sedgey <davidlridgway@gmail.com> [21391852-2014-10-27]

WANNA SING AT BARS AND CLUBS?. Osaka/Kobe popular

entertaining band is looking for female vocals. If you could dance & sing(in English), join us ! Lots of fun & paid gigs guaranteed. Covered artists: Katy Perry, Lady GaGa, Contact: Soulkiss Ng <soulkiss07@ hotmail.co.jp> Website: www. facebook.com/soulkissbandjapan

[1300-227-2014-11-19]

Sorry…

Due to space restrictions we are unable to print all classified ads.

See kansaiscene.com for more classifieds online.

Theater Umeda

Umeda

InterContinental Osaka Hotel Umeda Sky Building German Consulate 35F

Yodobashi Camera

JR Osaka Sta.

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Mitsukoshi Isetan

Hankyu Grand Bldg

Ume

Lucua

Toho Annex Hep 5 Hep Navio

Osaka YWCA

Hotel Kinki sh

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Ogimachi Dori

Ana Crowne Plaza

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NTT Data

Hotel Elsereine Osaka

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Dojima

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6F Untitled

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Kita Shinchi

Dojima Avanza 4F Junkudo

Oebashi Bank of Japan

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Church

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Ostec Exhibition Hall Shrine

Temple

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Boston Clam Shack

Kitahama

Hospital

Mitsui Sumitomo Bank

Yodoyabashi

Police Station

US Consulate

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Edobori Utsubo Park

Post Office

Shinmei Law Office

Tosabori River

National Museum of Art

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Granvia Bookstore hin ns Hilton Ha 6F Plaza West Umeda Hilton Hotel E-ma Hotel Burg7 Kansai The Blarney Maru Herbis Stone Bldg #4 1F Bldg.

Ent Tower Records TGI Fridays 3/4F Osaka Dental Clinic Beer & Pizza Bldg #3 Outback Bldg #1 Bldg #2 GO_SUKE Steakhouse 33F Creamy 2F B1 Exeo

Herbis Ritz Osaka .2 Carlton No ute Ro

Ogimachi Park

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Hankyu Umeda Kinokuniya Sta. ABC Mart

Umekita Ship Craft Beer Base

Maruzen & Junkudo Club Noon

New Hankyu Osaka Hotel

Grand Front Osaka / Knowledge Capital

Westin Hotel

Loft

0 Movie Theatre

200m

6

N

Blue Wave Inn

Nishiohashi

Nagahori Tsurumi-Ryokuchi line Nagahoribashi

Ali’s Kitchen

KitaHorie line

Naniw

Horie Park

MinamiHorie

2F Tezukayama Gallery

Dotonbori

OPA

Onzieme 11F Cinem Triangle @rt Triangle Park Apple Store Drop Clapper Fanj twice Lunar Grand Club Cafe Ghost Balabushka Ultralounge 4F

Cross Hotel

Coolabah 1F

Spotaka

L&L

river

Dublin Bay / Dublin Garden

Namba Hatch

amb a St

JR N

Junkudo

ba

OCAT

Little Long Beach

Inari Max Value

Hotel T’point Murphy’s 6F

Fubar 2F

Suomachi-dori (Europe street)

The Blarney Stone B1

HigashiShinsaibashi 1F Zerro

Soemon-Cho

Shooters

Pure Osaka B1

Beer House 86 Karaoke 86

5F

Hotel Metro the 21

Dotonbori

Namba Hips

Nam

Hotel Monterey

a.

Tominaga Hospital

Daimaru Dept.

South

Shinsaibashi

Best Western Hotel fino

3F GS Travel

Daimaru Dept.

The Silver Ball Planet Big Step

Midosuji

a-suji

Family Mart

Boy 5F

Daimaru Dept.

North

Nikko Hotel

Cafe 1F Absinthe

Yotsubashi

Covent Garden

Uniqlo

El Pancho 8F

Yotsubashi

Kitahorie Hospital

Minami-senba

Tokyu Hands

Arthur Murray

Crysta Nagahori (underground shopping)

Nagahori dori Shinsaibashi

Sakaisuji

Mizuho Bank

Shinsaibashi-suji (shopping arcade)

Shinmachi

Shinsaibashi/Namba

Kansai Scene Mojoprint Office

Motomachi

Hanshin expressway (loop route) Namba Walk (underground) Sennic himae lineNipponbashi Nipponbashi sta.

Kintetsu Nara line Namba walk

Namba Namba Sta.

Namba

Cine Pop Toho Cinemas Namba Visitors Information Hotel Center Ichiei Takashimaya Junkudo Dept. Store MUJI/LOFT Absinthe Swissôtel Tower Solaar 8F Nankai Records Osaka

NipponBashi

Nankai Namba Station

Fraser Residence

5

McDonalds Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium

Namba PARKS

Pub Bar 30 2F

Namba -naka

Naniwa Post Office

6 Jack and Queen Naniwa Ward Office

Post Office

Bank

N

LABI Yamada Denki

0 Police Station

Hospital

Hotel

Church

Shrine

Temple

100m Movie Theatre

Kobe Sauna

Kobe Ikuta Junior High School

tetsudo Kobe kosoku

JR Motomachi sta.

Minato Bank

Movix Kyoto

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Kobe Kokusai Shochiku

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200m

Sanjo

Butterfly

Wakamatsu-dori

Yamatoji-dori

ori awa-d Shirakkawa river

The Gael World

Kawaramachi

Marui

Takashimaya

Shijo-dori Minamiza Theatre

Church

Shrine

Temple

Movie Theatre

Gion Gion Kaikan Kyoto Museum of Contemporary Art Gion Hotel

Joko-in

0 Hotel

Hanamikoji-dori

Kiyamachi-dori

dori

Kawaramachi-

Kiraku Inn

Shira

Gion s hijo

Fuji Daimaru

Kyoto Royal BLDG.

Pontocho

Junkudo 7F Bal

Keihan Line

Sanjo Teramachi Shotengai Shinkyogoku Shotengai

Hospital

Temple

Oike-dori

Sanjo-dori

Hankyu Line

Police Station

Shrine

Hotel Okura

OPA

Bank

Church

Sannomiya Hanadokeimae st.

Kyoto Royal Hotel Kyoto Asahi Kaikan Starbucks

Gokomachi-dori

Fuyacho-dori

Tominokoji-dori

Yanaginobanba-dori

Sakaimachi-dori

Kyoto Post Office

Hotel

Kobe City Hall

Mina

Kawara Machi

Teramachi Area

no

San

Hospital

Aoyama

Shiyakushomae

Jomo Gas

Daimaru

Police Station

Mitsui Sumitomo Bank

Kyoto City Hall

Tozai Subway Line

Bank

miya anno JR S Sun City OS Cinemas 7F Junkudo iya Mint Kobe m no San Tower Hotel Tokyu Inn SannomiyaRecords SOGO Dept.

Marga 5F Kinokuniya 8F Kobe Kokusai Kaikan 1F HSBC Port liner

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Post Office

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Flower road

Daimaru Dept.

Kainan lin

Ali’s Kitchen 3F

Sannomiy

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Subway

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Route 2 San Plaza Sannomiya Cine Marui Center Phoenix Center Plaza East Plaza West Junkudo Kowka 4F

Guild 2F

Kyukyoryuchi Daimarumae

Nankin-machi

Tokyu Hands

Sansei Hosp.

Midnight 5F Hobgoblin 7F a

Sanchika un

Hanshin line

Ikuta jinja

Mickey’s Club 5F Hotel Monterey

Motomachi

Kitanozaka

Ikuta Police Station

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Oriental Dental Clinic 4F Hotel Tor Road

Kobe Grocers

Sanjo

Soraku Park

Hunterzak

Pearl Street

Kobe Mosque Kobe Womens St. Michael’s Junior International College School Yamate kansen

Kobe YWCA

1F Bistrot Cafe De Paris

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Kitano-cho Tor Road

Sannomiya

Yamamoto-dori

200m

N Yasaka Jinja