Kansai’s Monthly Living Guide • Articles • Events • Classifieds • Maps + much more
February 2015 • issue 177
A Miniature Affair 盆栽に恋して
Getting Epicurean in Temma A Visit to the Site of Reversible Destiny Going Speed Dating
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KANSAI SCENE MAGAZINE | ISSUE #177 FEBRUARY 2015 | kansaiscene.com
Inside this Issue 08
Kansai Scene provides monthly English articles, information and listings for visitors and residents of the Kansai area.
Sub-editor..................................... Jason Haidar
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Accounts Manager...................... Michiko Lee Art............................................... Deanna Wright
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Club................................................... Terumi Tsuji
General
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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: Dean Poland
Searching for Love? Exeo International will help you find just who you’re looking for. Promo feature
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Text: Kansai Scene
Foodspotting Ideas on where to take that special someone for delicious culinary delights this Valentine’s day.
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: Sam Evans
The Site of Reversible Destiny
Travel
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Explore one of Osaka’s gastronomic gems.
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Text: Kansai Scene
Tantalizing Temma Feature
Classifieds..............................Michael Gribben
Contact Kansai Scene
Text: Carla Avolio
Appwardly Mobile
Business Matters
Event & Festival..........................Yuki Uchibori Live Music................................. Phillip Jackson
Bilingual 日本語付
Your invitation from Osaka Innovation Hub to create a Kansai travel smartphone app.
Production Manager...................Misa Matsui
Film Reviews..................................Adam Miller
Bjorn Bjorholm is an American man with a head for business and a heart for bonsai. Feature
Publisher/Creative Director........Daniel Lee Editor..................................Celia Polkinghorne
Meet the Master of Miniature
Food and Drink
Text: JJ O’Donoghue
What’s on around Kansai Film p24 Events & Festivals
p26
Art
p30
Live Music
p32
Club
p36
Kansai Scene is proudly published and printed by Mojoprint
Classifieds p40 Maps p44
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Photo © Bjorn Bjorholm
About Kansai Scene
COVER PHOTO: This month’s cover photo was taken by Bjorn Bjorholm, owner of the Bjorvala Bonsai Studio, and apprentice of Japanese bonsai master Keiichi Fujikawa, at his nursery Kouka-en in Ikeda.
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KANSAI SCENE MAGAZINE | ISSUE #177 FEBRUARY 2015 | kansaiscene.com
Out & About
Got some news? Email your suggestions to editor@kansaiscene.com
Reader’s Photo Osaka Castle by Sébastien Delbes Sébastien: This picture was taken in Byodoin in Uji (Kyoto pref.) at the beginning of January. You can see pretty much the same view of this temple on the 10 yen coin.
This month’s reader’s photo of Uji’s famous Byodoin temple comes from Sébastien Delbes. Email your best snaps from around Kansai (with a caption telling us about the shot) to photo@kansaiscene.com
KS Advice Column In the next few months Kansai Scene will be launching an advice column addressing the tricky ins and outs of life as an expat in Japan. Topics will include medical, legal, taxation, and immigration issues, and any other difficult-to-navigate matters that might concern you, the readers. You are invited to submit questions and queries to the Kansai Scene editor’s address editor@kansaiscene.com as suggestions for matters that you would like to see addressed.
Party on the River Boston Clam Shack will play host to our KS international party this month. Located by the river opposite Nakanoshima and just a stone’s throw away from Kitahama station, it serves up delicious Boston-style steamed clams, lobster rolls, and other fishy morsels. Entry includes a plate of selected goodies and two drinks. Come and join us for some relaxed fun and games and the chance to win stuff in our lucky draw. Feb 21 (Sat) • Time: 7:30–10pm • Where: Boston Clam Shack, Kitahama, Osaka • Admission: ¥2,000 (incl. light food and 2 drinks) • Access: Keihan Kitahama Stn (exit 26) • meetup.com/Kansai-Scene • facebook.com/ kansaiscene
Disability Rights Symposium This month a symposium will be held in Kobe for people with disabilities concerning ways to obtain assistance from city welfare services. It will be held in Japanese with English translators available. The event will feature Kentaro Nagaoka, who heads a team of lawyers which has filed a lawsuit on the matter in the Wakayama Court. This is the first legal suit of its kind in Japan, and is designed to compel the government to fulfill its obligations under the law to protect and enable the rights of people living with disabilities in Japan. Additional information is available through emailing kaigohosho@gmail.com Feb 8 • Time: 1:30–4:30pm • Where: Hyogo Kenmin Kaikan, room 303 • Venue located about 150 meters east of the Hyogo Prefectural Capital building, directly behind the Kobe Eiko Church • Access: JR Motomachi Stn; Kenchomae Subway Stn, East Exit 1
KANSAI SCENE MAGAZINE | ISSUE #177 FEBRUARY 2015 | kansaiscene.com
Business Matters
Appwardly Mobile Despite this digital age we live in where information is just a convenient click, swipe, or tap away, KS investigates the apparent lack of stand-out smartphone apps for inbound tourists to Kansai. Text: Kansai Scene
For the traveller coming to Kansai, there are various smartphone apps available providing maps, news, information and insight to help orientate themselves while they’re here, but since free Wi-Fi coverage is still poor to the say the least, gaining access can be a real issue and many still opt for a traditional paper guidebook for the lowdown. Some tourists may have used the Airbnb app to find their perfect holiday rental or checked TripAdvisor for hotel tips. They may turn to Hyperdia to make sure they catch the right train to their next destination, and are most certainly using Google Maps to get around (Wi-Fi access willing).
Searching for restaurant recommendations may see them browsing the Gurunavi, Foursquare or Yelp! directories. For a list of the top sights and attractions they may again turn to TripAdvisor (it’s a fascinating Top 5) or with a few hours to kill, search for a nearby party on Meetup. You can be sure they will either Tweet their experiences to their Twitter followers, post updates to their Facebook page, or upload photos of their selfies with Kuidaore Taro or Glico Man to Instagram. But, remarkably, there isn’t one standout travel app amongst all these that provides a one-stop helping hand for visitors to this tourist mecca, empowering them with all the information they need to make decisions about where to go, what to do, what to eat, or which train to catch to get there. A gap exists in the market it seems, for
a slick, relevant app that ticks all the right boxes. On March 7th then, an ambitious hackathon event hosted by the Osaka Innovation Hub plans to address the matter. The Kansai Mashapp event will see local developers, engineers, and designers compete in teams to mash together data provided by Gurunavi, NTT, docomo and even our own listings and articles here at Kansai Scene, into a slick user interface and attempt to create the mobile app that Kansai (and the rest of Japan for that matter) so dearly needs. Consider too, the government’s goal to increase the number of tourists to Japan from the 13 million current visitors to a whopping 20 million by 2020 (Olympics anyone?), then providing visitors with the tools to enjoy their stay becomes a pretty major concern. The event is open to anyone (individuals or groups) that has experience in app development and is looking for a challenge. It’s a chance to flex your developer muscles and gain some kudos. There are even prizes for the winning entry. It will be held at the Osaka Innovation Hub in Grand Front, over two separate days: Saturday March 7th and Saturday March 21st. Attendance on both days is mandatory. Places are limited, so please register your attendance well in advance. For more details and to register visit innovation-osaka.jp/ja/events/4636
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A Love Affair With Bonsai With a head for business and a heart for bonsai, a young American living in Osaka is earning serious cred in the ancient art of tree training. Text: Carla Avolio • Images: Bjorn Bjorholm
KANSAI SCENE MAGAZINE | ISSUE #177 FEBRUARY 2015 | kansaiscene.com
As for giving the gift of bonsai to woo prospective wives, Bjorholm advises extreme caution… “It’s not a good idea...it’s definitely not like a bouquet of flowers.” Bjorn Bjorholm wants you to regularly prune your juniper tree by pinching off new buds by hand. Bjorn Bjorholm wants you to strip most foliage from its branches, leaving only flattened “pads” at the tips. Bjorn Bjorholm wants you to wrap copper wire around these branches before bending them together to create “clouds” of greenery. Bjorn Bjorholm, in other words, wants you to do bonsai. And if his grand plan goes well, people across all four corners of the globe—and beyond—will be doing the same. “Everybody I know who is involved with it becomes absolutely obsessed,” says the final year bonsai apprentice and owner of Bjorvala Bonsai Studio. “It takes over your life, but in a good way. I want as many people as possible to experience the same joy that I do. That probably sounds incredibly self absorbed, but I can’t help it.” With the name of a Scandi thriller author and the face of a Hollywood heartthrob, Tennessee-born Bjorholm is not exactly the sort of person you’d expect to be the rising star of the bonsai world. But from a small nursery in Ikeda, the 28-year-old is quietly making a name for himself through his skill at growing miniaturized trees and his passion for teaching this to people around the world. And his distinctly non-Japanese phenotype is a symbol of the seismic shift that’s taking place in this ancient art.
“Bonsai’s time in Japan is waning, but there is huge interest overseas,” he says. “My guess is that there are now more foreign bonsai apprentices than Japanese ones.” By tapping into this burgeoning market, Bjorholm hopes to keep this tradition thriving for generations to come. How, then, did a man from Knoxville find himself as a crusader of a 1500-year-old Japanese art? It all started, as so many things do, with The Karate Kid. “I saw the movie and just became obsessed,” he remembers. “I bought a tree when I was 13 and killed it, but by then I was hooked.” It wasn’t long before the teenager got himself on a travel abroad program and was on the plane to Mr. Miyagi’s homeland. His host family, after learning of his interest, took him to the Fujikawa Kouka-en nursery where he met the man who would become his mentor and change his life forever. “When I first met Fujikawa, he was friendly and jokingly said to come back if I wanted to do an apprenticeship,” remembers Bjorholm when meeting the second-generation bonsai nurseryman. Little did the master know that this particular American was in no joking mood. The 16-yearold took Fujikawa’s business card, which he kept for six years. Once at university—where he studied Japanese language and business—Bjorholm started emailing Fujikawa about doing
an apprenticeship, only to be met with Miyagi-like sternness. “He said no for a long time,” says Bjorholm. “He was really worried about my language and that I didn’t understand the nature of Japanese apprenticeships being seven-daysa-week, 365-days-a-year. I ended up begging him to take me on just for a three-month trial.” After months of emailing, Fujikawa finally gave in, and Bjorholm was on his way. Fast-forward seven years and the pair have together created a global bonsai brand that is redefining how business is done in this traditionally inward-looking industry. “I noticed that the best bonsai nurseries were very good at marketing themselves,” says Bjorholm, who is also currently completing a PhD in economics at Osaka University. “So I started to wonder how I could make Fujikawa’s name more well-known, since he is among the best, if not the best, bonsai nurseryman in Kansai.” Bjorholm and Fujikawa’s brand is built around education, which they promote through a bilingual website, a video series shot and edited by Bjorholm titled The Bonsai Art of Japan (now it its 43rd episode), social media platforms, and even merchandise like T-shirts. The crowning glory of all this is the Fujikawa School of Bonsai, created by the pair to provide a bonsai education that is far less formal and
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time intensive than the usual sixyear apprenticeship. Now in its fifth year, the school has seen a stream of international students. But interested parties had better book ahead; the school only accepts two pupils for every five teachers on staff. “This ratio might sound like overkill, but bonsai is an extremely involved art, so this approach allows each student to receive the most in-depth training in the shortest time,” he says. As part of this education program, Bjorholm frequently travels to the US where he leads small-scale workshops on the east and west coasts. In a few months, after he is finally certified by the Nippon Bonsai Association, he hopes to return to his home in the US, where he will establish his own school and nursery. For now, though, he lives happily with his wife, Nanxi Chen, a foreign language instructor, in an apartment in a peaceful corner of Mino. To keep the
peace at home, he maintains separation between work and family. “My wife hates bugs and dirt, so I don’t do any bonsai at home,” he says. “And besides, my garden is just big enough to hang a clothesline.” And as for giving the gift of bonsai to woo prospective wives, Bjorholm advises extreme caution. “Given the amount of work needed to maintain bonsai and keep them alive, it’s not a good idea,” he says, “it’s definitely not like a bouquet of flowers.” But for skilled gardeners, the rewards are unimaginably rich. This past summer, Bjorholm had the chance to style a 350-year-old Shimpaku Juniper named “Hakuryuu” that’s valued at well over six figures. Being given this rare opportunity was the pinnacle of nearly six years as an apprentice. What, then, was going through his head at the time? “Honestly, it was ‘Just don’t f**k up’.”
盆栽に恋して ビジネスの頭脳と、盆栽の心を持つ男。大阪在住の若きアメリカ人が、 日本 の伝統文化を世界に広めている。 文：カーラ・アヴォリオ
ビョーン・ビョーホルムから、皆様へのお願 い。松の新芽を手で摘んで、手入れしてく ださい。松葉を剪定して、先端に平らな房 状の葉だけを残してください。枝をまとめ て銅線を巻いて曲げ、 「緑の雲」を作って ください。 つまりビョーン・ビョーホルムは、読者のみ なさんに盆栽を始めてもらいたいと願って いる。この大計画がうまくいけば、世界の隅 々で、多くの人びとが盆栽の魅力に目覚め てくれるだろうと期待している。 「僕が知っている限り、盆栽を始めた人は みな病みつきになります。生涯やめられなく なるかもしれませんが、それでいいのです。 できるかぎり多くの人に、同じ喜びを体験し て欲しい。まったく自己陶酔のように聞こえ るかもしれませんが、僕は本気です」 今年で見習い期間を終え、一人前の盆栽
職人になる。すでに自身の仕事場「ビョー バラ・ボンサイ・スタジオ」のオーナーでも ある。スカンジナビアのミステリー作家の ような名前。ハリウッド映画の恋人役みた いな甘いマスク。テネシー州で生まれた彼 は、一見して盆栽界の新星と謳われる人 物には見えない。 しかしこの２８歳のアメリ カ人は、池田市の盆栽園で静かにミニチュ アの木を育て、その確かな腕前で名を馳 せるようになった。盆栽を世界の人々に教 えようという情熱も人一倍である。そして この明らかに日本人らしかならぬ風貌もま た、伝統芸術に劇的な変化をもたらす象 徴なのだ。 「日本では盆栽が衰退しています。でも海 外では大きな関心が高まっています。今で は日本人の見習いよりも、外国人の見習い のほうが多いくらいではないでしょうか」
自分が世界市場の開拓に乗り出すことで、 盆栽の伝統が何世代にも渡って隆盛し続 ける。そんな未来を、ビョーホルムは夢見 ている。 しかし、いったいどんな風の吹き回しで、ノ ックスビル出身の男が1500年の歴史を持 つ日本美術の救世主になろうと決めたのだ ろう。最初のきっかけは、映画『ベスト・キッ ド』だった。 「映画を見て、すぐに虜になったんで す。13歳で木を1本買って、枯らしてしまい ました。でもそのときから盆栽の世界に夢 中でした」 その数年後、16歳になったビョーホルム は、留学プログラムに参加するために飛行 機で海を超えた。行き先は、ベスト・キッドの 空手家、宮城健介の祖国である。そしてホ ームステイ先の家族が、彼の盆栽への関
KANSAI SCENE MAGAZINE | ISSUE #177 FEBRUARY 2015 | kansaiscene.com
心を知って藤川光華園へと連れていった。 そこで彼は、やがて自分の師匠となり、そ の後の人生を決めることになる人と出会う のである。 盆栽園の二代目、藤川敬一との邂逅を、ビ ョーホルムは懐かしく振り返る。 「初めて会った藤川先生は気さくな人でし た。 『 見習いになりたかったら、またおいで よ』 と冗談交じりで言ってくれたんです」 しかしこの師匠は、16歳の青年の本気を まだ知る由もなかった。藤川から受け取っ た名刺を、ビョーホルムはその後6年間も 大事に保管する。そして日本語とビジネス を学んでいた大学時代に、Eメールを送っ た。盆栽職人の見習いになるための交渉開 始である。だが藤川敬一の対応は、あの宮 城健介のように厳格だった。メールの交換 は何カ月も続いたという。 「藤川先生には何度も断わられました。僕 の日本語能力を疑っていて、それに年中無 休で続く日本の奉公制度を理解できない だろうと心配されていたんです。それでも 結局、3カ月の試用期間で教えてもらうこ とになりました」 藤川はついに根負けし、ビョーホルムは彼 のもとへ向かった。あの弟子入りの日から 7年。いまや2人は、この内向きな伝統産業 を国際的なビジネスに育てるため、力を合 わせてグローバルな盆栽ブランドを作り上 げている。現在、ビョーホルムは盆栽修行 の傍ら、大阪大学の経済学博士過程を修 了間近だ。 「いい盆栽園は、マーケティングがとても 上手だと気づいたんです。藤川先生をもっ と有名にするにはどうしたらいいか考えま した。関西の盆栽園でも指折りの実力が ありますから」 ビョーホルムと藤川が作った新しい盆 栽ブランドは、教育的な目的を帯びて いた。バイリンガルのウェブサイト、ビ ョーホルムが撮影と編集を担当したビ デオシリーズ「日本の盆栽芸術」 （現 在第43回）、ソーシャルメディア、さら にはTシャツなどの商材によってプロ
ーモーションをおこなっている。 しかし何よ りも画期的なのは、 ２人で作った藤川盆栽 学校だ。通常は６年間もかかる見習い修行 よりずっと手軽に、時間も凝縮したカリキュ ラムで盆栽を教えてくれる。 設立５年目の盆栽学校には、外国からの生 徒も続々とやってくるようになった。だが この盆栽学校は、5人の教師に対して2人 の生徒しか受け入れないという狭き門で もある。 「いくらなんでも極端な割合だと思われる かもしれません。でも盆栽は本当に複雑な 芸術なので、この人数でようやく生徒が短 期間ながら徹底的な訓練を受けることがで きるんです」 教育プログラムの一環として、ビョーホル ムは頻繁に米国を訪ねている。小規模なワ ークショップを、東海岸や西海岸で開催す るのだ。あと数カ月で日本盆栽協会から正 式に免許皆伝となったら、ゆくゆくは米国の 生まれ故郷に帰り、そこで自分の盆栽学校 と盆栽園を設立したいと願っている。 だがまだ現在は、外国語講師のナンシー・チ ェン夫人と閑静な箕面市のアパートに住ん でいる。家庭の平穏を守るため、仕事と家 庭はきっちり分けているのだという。 「妻は虫や土が嫌いなんです。だから家で は盆栽をやりません。それにうちの庭は、洗 濯物をようやく干せるだけの広さしかあり ませんから」
自慢の盆栽をプレゼントして、求婚するの も素敵なことだろう。だがそんな案は即座 に却下された。 「盆栽を手入れするのに必要な手間を考 えたら、それはいい考えじゃありませんね。 花束とはだいぶワケが違いますから」 それでも長い訓練が実って、昨年の夏には 予想外の名誉に浴した。樹齢350年、時価 数千万円という真柏松の剪定が、ビョーホ ルムのもとに舞い込んだのである。6年間 の見習い期間で、まさに最高の瞬間。彼の 頭にはどんな思いが去来したのだろうか。 「ヤバい、 しくじったら終わりだぞって。正 直言って、ビビりましたね」
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Feature
Tantalize Your Tastebuds in Temma Temma is an epicurean delight that falls under the radar of many Kansai visitors and expats. It’s time to shed some light on this littleexplored gastronomic beauty. Text: Sam Evans • Images: Jason Haidar
Come the weekend, Osaka’s Temma district is a bubbling cauldron full of amazing food and drink from all over the world. The atmosphere, like the food, is exciting and fresh in this winding warren lined with some of the hippest establishments around. This is a place where old meets new and affords visitors a unique and underground experience, by day and by night.
By Day A couple of skips west from JR Temma station will land you on the famous Tenjimbashisuji shotengai, allegedly the longest shopping arcade in Japan.
Back from its conclusion down at the Tenjimbashi bridge, it stretches an impressive 2.6 kilometres north to Tenjimbashi-1-chome. At its head lies the Osaka Museum of Housing and Living, which boasts Edo-period exhibitions. Under Tenjimbashisuji’s vaulted roof, you will find everything from bookshops to izakaya to pachinko parlors, all frequented by longtime Osaka residents. This is primarily a locals’ space, and as the aroma of street okonomiyaki drifts through your nostrils you'll suddenly get the feeling that you're in the real Osaka. Take a break from the shotengai a few hundred meters down and head
west across the main road to Ogimachi Park for a picnic and a great view of downtown Umeda before heading back in and along until you reach Temmangu Shrine. Dedicated to Sugawara Michizane, the Shinto deity of scholarship, Temmangu hosts the Tenjin matsuri every year on the 24th and 25th of July. This is rated as one of Japan’s top three festivals alongside Kyoto’s Gion and Tokyo’s Kanda matsuri, and even though the colorful processions make this the best time to visit Temmangu, the shrine's elegantly designed honden (main hall) makes it beautiful all year round.
KANSAI SCENE MAGAZINE | ISSUE #177 FEBRUARY 2015 | kansaiscene.com
Left: Tenma-Ichiba. Above: Friendy faces of Tenma in Banco, Que Rico, and Beer Belly.
By Night Daytime Temma may be more about history and culture, but by night it's all about the food and drink. As the sun slips below the horizon, Temma comes to life in a way that few places in Kansai could only dream of, and the best part is that it's all clustered within a five-minute stumble of the station. Out of the ticket gates turn right into the first maze of snaking allies with a dizzying selection of standing bars and yakitori spots. Head north up Tonya Dori (a slightly wider alley) to go deeper into the rabbit hole. As the alley opens up to a crossroads at the other end, you'll find Tanaka Corner Bar; a lively hangout with cheap beer, mouthwatering soy sauce butter edamame, and a great vantage point for early-evening people watching. Head a minute or so north and you’ll find (or lose) yourself at Luv Wine, a charming corner bar with stools and barrel tables for an authentic wine experience. This place is one of the highest-rated bars in the area, and it emanates trendiness through everything from its wide (if at times a bit pricey) selection of European wines, to its provision of tapas, and the attractive young clientele. It might be an idea to save this one until later for a nightcap to end a perfect romantic evening.
Turning right at Luv Wine will send you past a plethora of oyster bars, yakiniku restaurants and yet more standing bars before you come to the area hub. If you're hungry at this point, why not try Que Rico, a Mexican restaurant serving all the traditional favorites including burritos, enchiladas and the highlight; spicy rotisserie chicken. With the décor consisting of cutouts of colourful Mexican wrestlers, the place is kitsch as you like, but that just adds to the fun. Take in another fetching foreign eating experience at the Spanish Bodegas Marushin just a few doors down. The heart of Temma's bar and restaurant district is Temma-ichiba (Temma market), which consists of two parallel streets of gastronomic hedonism. In this space you'll find spots like Yakiniku Bancho, which is split into two halves; the first for meat and the second for fish. Also, Orb provides an intimate and ultra-modern take on the lobster bar, serving up its reputable crustacean cuisine at a reasonable price with beer and wine to match at ¥460 a pop. Just down the street is the behemoth of the Kansai craft beer scene, Beer Belly. Opened in 2012 by owner Mr. Yahata, this mini beer hall delivers exclusively Minoh beer to your glass which has been kept at a certain
temperature according to the style you asked for. The pilsner is a good recommendation to get you started, but it really doesn't matter because whatever you pick you're going to enjoy it. A bit expensive at ¥500–600 for a half pint and ¥800–1000 for a full one, but thoroughly worth it and enjoyable with a side of fresh garlic bread. Directly across from Beer Belly lies kitchen and bar Gobu. Within this quintessentially Spanish loft-style setting, head chef and Alicante native Pablo Berenguer cooks up what he claims to be the most authentic Spanish food in town. He recommends the squid ink and seafood paellas, but the smoked Spanish ham is fantastic too. A set with specially imported Iberico and Terano ham will set you back ¥1,800. For a cheaper mediterranean option try Banco next door, which flies more on the Italian side of things with great coffee, pizza, and ham bruschetta to die for, and at more budget-friendly prices.
Getting There Temma Station is on the JR Osaka Loop Line between Osaka and Sakuranomiya Stations.
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Travel
The Site of Reversible Destiny Seeking snow and hot springs in Gifu this winter? While you’re there, stop by the Site of Reversible Destiny and test your body and mind in this artistic playground. Text & Images: Dean Poland
Cradled between the mountains of the Yōrō district, Gifu prefecture, the Site of Reversible Destiny resembles a dislocated patch of alien terrain, or perhaps even the set of a 1970’s sci-fi movie. Opened almost 20 years ago, the site is an ‘experience’ park, designed by artist Shusaku Arakawa and his wife Madeline Gins. The peculiar name, Site of Reversible Destiny, is derived from Arakawa’s and Gins’ central artistic thesis: art and architecture have the potential to liberate the body from the bondage of habitual routine. By radically changing the relationship between architectural space and the body, the artists believe it is possible to transcend the mental and physical constraints of everyday life. With 2000 square feet of textured landscape, forced perspectives, disjointed buildings and distorted interiors, the site is designed to throw the
visitor, physically and meta-physically, off balance. “Instead of being fearful of losing your balance, the idea is to look forward to the challenge, to something different,” says Arakawa. It is the aim of the Site of Reversible Destiny to “dislocate the mind and relocate the body”. The site is made up of two main areas: the main pavilion called the Critical Resemblance House, and a large concave basin called the Elliptical Field. A diverse range of vegetation also grows in the area, which not only softens the harsh conceptual contours of the installations, but also transforms the site’s overall appearance as the plants and trees change with the seasons. After passing through the entrance, the first place to head for is the Reversible Destiny Office. Its sloped floors, walls of varying height, and a ceiling design that inversely reflects the floor
design, immediately throws the visitor into Arakawa’s absurdist world. The office also houses drawings, computer graphics and art work by Arakawa, and screens a documentary charting the creation of the site – a good introduction for those unfamiliar with the work of the artists. Between the office and the main pavilion stand two minor installations. The first is the Gate of Non-Dying – a bamboo enclave with the site’s Japanese name, Yoro tenmei hanten chi (養老 天命反転地), engraved on the copperplated ground. The second is the Insect Mountain – a large pile of loose rocks that visitors are invited to clamber over in order to reach a water pump at its peak. The main pavilion, the Critical Resemblance House, has a mazelike interior, carved into sections and roofed with a map of Gifu prefecture. Household furniture including tables,
KANSAI SCENE MAGAZINE | ISSUE #177 FEBRUARY 2015 | kansaiscene.com
sofas, bath tubs, and beds are wedged between narrow, concrete corridors. It is a clear critique of domestic life, a challenge to the preconceived notions of “home life” that have prevented the body and mind from reaching their true potential. Linking the main pavilion to the Elliptical Field is the Exactitude Ridge, a network of trenches and walkways offering views of the Elliptical Field from varying perspectives. With names like “Road of Not Dying” and “Road of Not Disappearing”, it becomes clear that Arakawa and Gins’ intention to challenge the visitors’ sense of self is deadly serious. The Elliptical Field is a collection of smaller installations that aim to disable the body’s normal functions. The bright yellow entrance to the Geographical Ghost, for example, leads to an interior so dark that it is necessary to use your hands and feet to feel your way along the corridor, at the end of which a map of Japan is illuminated on the ceiling by the daylight outside.
At first glance, the Elliptical Field looks like a chaotic collection of artifacts extracted from an extraterrestrial amusement park, but in fact the terrain was designed and shaped with mathematical precision. It is a sensory assault course of low, angular walls, undulating hills, mounds of soil, and steep slopes, with household furniture such as toilets and wash basins strewn around. It is a cross between the perceptual puzzles of an Escher painting and the Dadaist absurdity of Marcel Duchamp. To navigate the area, visitors must crawl on all fours, twist their bodies, slide down slopes on their bottoms and leap over concrete obstacles. As with any other maze complex, the question “Where am I?” is constantly on the visitor’s mind. But in the Elliptical Field, where our bodies are contorted and senses constantly challenged, the question “Where am I?” slowly evolves into “What am I?” as the Site of Reversible Destiny beckons us to relocate our body in a dislocated realm.
The Site of Reversible Destiny If you’re looking for a fun day out, it’s best to visit the Site of Reversible Destiny on Saturday or Sunday when the area is full of clambering kids and stumbling parents. If you are more interested in a deeper, metaphysical experience, it’s best to visit on a weekday. • Open: 9am–5pm (entrance closes at 4pm) • Closed: Mondays (except national holidays); closed the day following a national holiday • Admission: Adults ¥710; high school students ¥510; junior high and elementary school students ¥300 • Access: Yoro Stn, 10-min walk. Maps will guide you to the site. • Tel: 05-8432-4592 • yoro-park.com
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KANSAI SCENE MAGAZINE | ISSUE #177 FEBRUARY 2015 | kansaiscene.com
PROMOTIONAL FEATURE
The Game of Love Exeo International hosts speeddating events to match foreign men with Japanese women. Kansai Scene gate crashed an event in Osaka to find out how it all works. Text: Kansai Scene • Images: Exeo International
Exeo International’s sleek Osaka venue is a smartlyappointed salon on the 33rd floor of the Dai-san building in Umeda. It affords spectacular views over the city, should anyone care to look. But at an Exeo speed-dating party, peering out the window is the last thing on the agenda. Guests come in search of love. Or at least a date. But the odds are in their favor; by the end of the night, more than half of participants will leave with a date. Men and women begin to shuffle in one-by-one and seat themselves in one of about 80 white, leather-bound chairs that line rows of small, square tables throughout the room. Everyone is meeting for the first time, and many cast furtive glances around the room trying to check out the others. But most are engrossed in filling out the profile card before them, vexed by such questions as “What are you good at?” and “What do you look for in a woman?” The answers may prove pivotal, since the cards are exchanged during the event to provide a talking point. After a few minutes, the MC calls for the guests to sit down to watch a pre-recorded video explaining the basic do’s and don’ts of the event. The women are in their assigned seats with the men seated opposite them at random. After the video, the MC gives the command and they’re off. A chorus of three-minute rollercoaster conversations between participants meeting for the very first time ensues, with the sole objective to discover whether or not they fancy each other. But in a blur it’s over, and a bell rings to signal that all the guys must stand up and move one table to their right to engage in a new conversation with the next woman. Rinse and repeat until all the guys have had a chance to talk to every girl. To keep track of things, everyone is assigned a number and there is a check sheet for participants to record notes, about each encounter. Juggling all the bits of paper while still attempting to charm the other person appears to be quite a skill, but most of the guys seem to be well-practised at it.
With the mandatory round over, impression cards are completed and handed in to the staff. This is where each guest circles on the card the numbers of those they are interested in. If the card comes back to a guy with a number he circled highlighted in pink, it means he is onto a winner, since the girl has circled him as well. She may have circled every other number in the room too, but hey, it’s a start. A session of free time ensues where guys can choose four ladies they’d like to sit with and talk to some more. Again, there is only three minutes with each, but it provides a good second chance to ask a few more questions. Finally, it’s eyes down to complete the all important coupling card. This is where participants write the number(s) of guys or girls they’d most like to have a date with. They make their choices in order of preference (up to six!) and hand in their cards to be counted, cross-referenced, and collated by the professional staff. It’s a very slick operation. All that remains is for the MC to announce the ‘couples’ whose numbers have aligned and been successfully matched, and applaud them out of the room as they leave arm-in-arm. For the unlucky ones, there is always next time. As one participant put it, “It’s great! So much fun...it certainly beats going to a bar and wasting all that money on beer to try and find a date!” And with free entry for guys (if you book more than 72 hours in advance), money certainly is no obstacle to finding love. What are you waiting for?
Exeo International Exeo International holds coupling parties twice a month in Osaka. For more details, reservations, and tips on how to prepare visit: exeo-international.com or contact: info@exeo-international.com
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KANSAI SCENE MAGAZINE | ISSUE #177 FEBRUARY 2015 | kansaiscene.com
Language
Language of Love Valentine’s day in Japan doesn’t have to be just a couples’ affair. If you’re up for doing things the conventional way, social codes dictate that on February 14th, women are to step up to the plate first and give chocolate to the important men in their lives. This doesn’t only mean crushes, boyfriends, fiancés, or husbands – but can also include fathers, teachers, bosses, and co-workers. To avoid confusion, there is special chocolate, honmeichoko (“chocolate of love”), and less-special, courtesy chocolate, giri-choco (“obligation chocolate”), which of course is still graciously accepted! Giri-choko is simply store-bought chocolate of no particular special brand. The heart-throbbing honmei-choko, however, is either expensive top-brand chocolate from a specialty store, or it’s handmade by the woman herself at home.
But of course, it’s not all over there. The expression of love is drawn out all the way until next month on howaito dee (“White Day”), March 14th. This is when florists, gift stores, and chocolate shops each claim their share of a gentleman’s February pay check. For those giving gifts of love, the phrase sanbai gaeshi meaning “triple the return” is used to sanction that the return gift should be around three times the cost of the Valentine’s gift. Well, the girls deserve some kind of reward for going first – right? If there’s someone special you’d like to declare your affection for with words as well as chocolate, we’ve prepared some suitable (some a little clichéd!) phrases to try your luck with. Happy Valentine’s Day!
Useful Expressions Valentine's Day / White Day
バレンタインデー / ホワイトデー
barentaindee / howaito dee
I like you (care for you).
すきです。
Suki desu.
I always think about you.
いつも おもっています。
Itsumo omotteimasu.
You are beautiful.
きれいだ。
Kirei da.
You are handsome.
ハンサムね。
Hansamu ne.
I miss you.
あいたい。
Aitai.
You make me happy.
きみが いて しあわせ。
Kimi ga ite shiawase.
Would you like to be my boyfriend?
ボーイフレンドに なって くれる？
Booi furendo ni natte kureru?
Would you like to be my girlfriend?
ガールフレンドに なって くれる？
Garu furendo ni natte kureru?
I adore you.
きみの こと すきで たまらない。
Kimi no koto sukide tamaranai.
You are the love of my life.
わたしの いっしょうの こいびと。
Watashi no isshoo no koibito.
I love you (much more serious).
あいしてる。
Aishiteru.
Will you marry me?
けっこん して ください。
Kekkon shite kudasai.
She’s my fianceé.
ぼくの こんやくしゃ です。
Boku no kon-yakusha desu.
He’s my fiancé.
わたしの こんやくしゃ です。
Watashi no kon-yakusha desu.
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KANSAI SCENE MAGAZINE | ISSUE #177 FEBRUARY 2015 | kansaiscene.com
Food & Drink
Foodspotting Wondering where to take that someone special on Saturday the 14th? Head hand-in-hand to Fukushima for some delicious culinary delights. Text & Images: JJ O’ Donoghue
Kushikatsu
Pancotei
For Valentine’s the perfect restaurant should do two things – impress you and your date. Pancotei delivers. It’s kappo-style, so you’ll be side-by-side with your date (and a stranger). Pancotei, a kushikatsu restaurant, is the pride and joy of chef and restaurateur Tsukasa Yamashiro, who has spent most of his working life making kushikatsu. Like many things Japanese, kusihkatsu is simple in premise; its complexity comes through adornment and tinkering. The empirical question for Yamashiro seems to be: What can be made into bite-sized morsels and pieced together on a skewer before being lightly fried in breadcrumbs (panko)? At Pancotei the answer is – many things. On a recent visit, a few stand-out dishes in the 20-course meal included: A delicate slice of chateaubriand and cheese, kuruma ebi (prawn), a wonderful white truffle covered in black ‘breadcrumbs’, a hulky stick of Italian asparagus, pancetta and mozzarella. Deliciously expensive.
Soba
Sobakiri Karani
This restaurant has, or had, a Michelin star, but you get the feeling that the master couldn’t care less about this. His focus is directed inward. He likes to enforce a Zen-like austerity. Business card-sized signs on the tables tell you to take your phone conversations and your cigarettes outside. Bravo on both counts. There’s also no music. So, what is there? Some of the best hand-made soba in Osaka. I had kamojiru soba, a bowl of sautéed duck served with noodles thin enough to thread through the eye of a needle, all topped with sanshō peppers. The drinks menu is all about sake and constantly changes, as the master selects from local breweries the length and breadth of the country. This is a one-man show, so there is a wait for each dish, but witness the transformation of a couple of eggs into dashimaki-tamago and you won’t particularly care. What may be lacking in atmosphere is made up for with the magnificently delectable cuisine.
Oden
Hanakujira
Open: 11:00am–2:00pm & 5:00pm–8:30pm
At Hanakujira all of Osaka is on show – office workers, families, college kids, dating couples, pensioners, the list goes on. And as with many worthwhile Kansai food spots, there is usually a lengthy queue waiting outside because Hanakujira is a small institution, with a big reputation. The food is oden and there is no better time to indulge than in the depths of winter. At Hanakujira, be ready to join in loud salutes of “Otsukaresama desu” as groups of salarymen trickle in and out. Part of the fun of a place like this is basking in the friendly, down-toearth atmosphere while waiting for all the good things to come out of the vat. Oden staples such as daikon, boiled eggs, and tofu are complemented by inventive dishes such as “the UFO”. The negibukoro is another winner. It’s a dainty little “purse” containing green onion medallions and a soupçon of ginger. Hanakujira has three restaurants all within shouting distance of each other. The original is about as big as walk-in closet.
Open: Mon-Sat 5:30pm–10:00pm • Price
• Price Range: ¥800–¥1,200 for soba • Tel:
Open: 4:40pm–11:30pm • Price Range:
Range: ¥6,000 and up • pancotei.com •
06-4796-2286 • Access: JR Fukushima
¥3,000–¥4,000 • hanakujira.com • Access:
Access: JR Fukushima Stn, 2-min walk
Stn, 4-min walk
JR Shinfukushima Stn, 2-min walk
KANSAI SCENE MAGAZINE | ISSUE #177 FEBRUARY 2015 | kansaiscene.com
Feature
At Play with Brushed Black Ink When Christine Flint Sato first came to Japan she wanted to learn how to use the East Asian brush. Now she invites others to bring out their inner artist and strike up their own love affair for sumi ink art. Text & Images: Michael Lambe
In the 2002 movie Hero, there is a moving scene set in a calligraphy school in the ancient kingdom of Zhao. Under attack from the army of Qin, the teachers and students of the school defiantly continue their calligraphy practice. “Today you will learn the essence of our culture,” says their master, and as a hail of arrows descend on the school, they remain thoroughly absorbed in their art. Their graceful movements are in vivid contrast to the rain of death that falls upon them. Years ago, inspired by this scene, I took a calligraphy lesson at my local community center. I envisioned myself as a master of ink arts, but I found nothing but frustration. “Copy this Chinese character,” said the teacher, so I brushed a series of clumsy squiggles. The brush would not obey me. The ink came out too thick or thin. I could barely draw a straight line. “Hold the pen like this,“ said the teacher, “And move like this.” In a series of swift fluid motions the simple character 生 for life appeared on the paper. I copied her movements and produced another uniquely original, clumsy squiggle. My teacher was amused. The art of brushed black ink seemed impossible. Recently I came across a new book by sumi ink artist Christine Flint Sato, The Sumi Workbook. In it she describes how difficult it can be for Western beginners to adapt to the unpredictable nature of the sumi arts, whether in calligraphy or in sumi-e ink painting. Over 30 years of practicing these arts herself, and teaching workshops both in Japan and in the UK, she has developed her own innovative way of
helping people to learn it. Her aim is to help others overcome the very frustration I felt, by developing a more playful attitude to the materials themselves. Intrigued, I decided to attend one of her workshops and try these new practice methods for myself. Our lesson did not begin with Chinese characters. “I don’t intend to teach shodō calligraphy, or sumi-e in this workshop, ” Christine said. “It’s more of an encounter with sumi, to see how it reacts with the page…” Then we did stretches, for Christine says that relaxation is key. Having loosened up, we began with the simplest of abstractions; the line. Take a breath, she told us and then as you breath out, let the brush move across the page: “The breath tells us how long to draw the line.” And so the whole room fell into a quiet meditative focus, as each student drew repeated lines across the page. Christine moved among us offering tips, “Don’t grip the brush too tightly. Relax with the ink.” Next, we moved onto circles, then squares, then triangles and dots. By focusing on these simple abstract shapes, we were able to familiarize ourselves with the spring of the brush held in different positions and with different pressures and speeds. When we had fully practiced these basic shapes in different shades of ink, we were given free rein to play with more complex designs and combinations. All the while we were encouraged; “Let the breath be the brush’s guide”. Christine told me that this method of using the breath was something she
intuitively came up with. “I wanted to relax into it and get away from the pressure of doing it right.” At the end of the workshop, we came together to share our work and thoughts on the day. Everybody had enjoyed themselves and I was impressed with the work the other members produced. For myself, though I did not produce any masterpieces, my old frustrations slipped away. Simply playing with sumi is fun. Christine Flint Sato gives workshops in Osaka and Nara. To learn more, visit her website sumiwork.com/work.html. The Sumi Workbook is available from amazon.co.jp
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Kansai Scene Listings: What’s on around Kansai
Film Previews
KS
Pick
ILM/Paramount Pictures © MMXIV Paramount Pictures Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
Feb 7
© 2014 Universal Studios.
Fifty Shades of Grey Sam Taylor-Johnson, Drama, 124 mins, Feb 13 Starring: Dakota Johnson, Jamie Dornan, Jennifer Ehle
Perhaps the sexiest movie you’ll see in a cinema that doesn’t smell like disinfectant and loneliness, the film is true to the book that had millions worldwide languishing for a little quiet reading.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 3D Jonathan Liebesman, Adventure, 101 mins, Feb 7 Starring: Megan Fox, Will Arnett, William Fichtner
Rebooting the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise is a “damned if you do, damned if you don’t” situation. On the one hand it is steeped in nostalgia with an aging demographic that looks back at the first movie with fond memories, as well as parts of the second, whilst gleefully ignoring the momentously awful third film. On the other hand, you have a much larger target audience of youngsters and the parents they drag to the movies, who have no vested interest in the lore or the characters and need to be catered to. So here we have a reimagining that both rehashes worn-out ideas and gags to please the fans, whilst introducing plot points that will have the same fans writhing in agony; in short, the worst of both worlds. Many have been quick to criticize the new origin story, but let us not forget how silly it has always been. Others have poked fun at how Shrek-like the turtles are this time around, but if you have sevenfeet-tall, green, bulking monsters, the comparisons are all but unavoidable. These are just mere annoyances however, and are not the real reason why the film falls flat. The trouble lies in the confused plot, which bounces from one set piece to another with very little fluidity, rhyme or reason. The human characters are underdeveloped, the villain has little to no motivation, and our strong female lead is leered over by everyone, including the unwitting audience who have Megan Fox’s (admittedly lovely) derriere shoved in their faces on numerous occasions. That being said, the fights are fun and creative. Shredder is menacing if not a little bland, but most importantly, the turtles (in my humble opinion) are spot on. It’s just a shame they aren’t in it more! It does lay some decent foundations for a great sequel, so long as producer Michael Bay clears off and takes his slow motion with him. Don’t forget you can find a list of local cinemas (and what’s playing) online at: kansaiscene.com/cinemas
© 2014 VILLAGE ROADSHOW FILMS (BVI) LIMITED, WARNER BROS. ENTERTAINMENT INC. AND RATPAC-DUNE ENTERTAINMENT LLC
American Sniper Clint Eastwood, Bio-Drama, 132 mins, Feb 21 Starring: Bradley Cooper, Sienna Miller, Kyle Gallner
Eastwood’s newest blends everyday drama with painfully harrowing decisions. A timely piece that explores the idea that terrorism and innocence are often little else than a change in perception.
Chef Jon Favreau, Comedy, 114 mins, Feb 28 Starring: Jon Favreau, Scarlett Johansson, Emjay Anthony, Robert Downey Jnr.
It seems that Favreau has united the Iron Man crew for this foody feel-good comedy. Not side-splittingly funny, but worth a watch for the cast alone.
© 2014 Lions Gate Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Mortdecai David Koepp, Comedy, 106 mins, Feb 6 Starring: Johnny Depp, Gwyneth Paltrow, Ewan McGregor
Trading in the silly hat for a silly moustache, Depp is Mortdecai, a privileged toff with a penchant for solving crimes in a bumbling fashion that fuses Sherlock Holmes and Inspector Clouseau.
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: Big Eyes, Annie, Sin City: A Dame To Kill For, Gone Girl, The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies, Big Hero 6, 12-12-12, Taken 3, Trash (POR) • From Feb 6: Mortdecai • From Feb 7: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles • From Feb 13: Moomins on the Riviera, Fifty Shades of Grey • From Feb 28: Chef
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: Exodus: Gods &
Kings, Taken 3, Annie, Big Hero 6, Gone Girl, Interstellar, The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies, Big Hero 6, Fury, Wild Card • From Feb 6: Mortdecai • From Feb 7: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles • From Feb 13: Fifty Shades of Grey • From Feb 21: American Sniper
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: Black Coal, Thin
Ice (CHI), Damnation, Life Feels Good (POL), Love Rosie, Bad Milo!, Jimmy’s Hall, Ilo Ilo (SIN), Sixty and the City, The New Rijksmuseum, Adieu au langage (FR) • From Feb 7: Begin Again • From Feb 14: Elena (RUS), The Banishment (RUS), Tonnerre (FR), Mystery (CHI) • From Feb 21: Still Life • From Feb 28: The Face of Love, Rudderless
Theatre Umeda Tel: 06-6359-1080 • ttcg.jp/ theatre_umeda • Discounts: Weds (women, men), 1st of the month: ¥1,000
Now showing: Maps to the Stars,
Jimmy P. Psychotherapy of a Plains Indian, Gagarin: First In Space (RUS), National Gallery • From Feb 7: Elsa and Fred • From Feb 14: The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Him, The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Her • From Feb 28: Aimer, boire et chanter (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 Judge, Annie, Exodus: Gods & Kings, Draft Day, Son of God, Sin City: A Dame To Kill For, Taken 3, Samba (FR), Gone Girl, Big Hero 6, Boyhood • From Feb 6: Mortdecai • From Feb 7: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles • From Feb 13: Fifty Shades of Grey • From Feb 14: Foxcatcher • From Feb 20: The Fault in Our Stars • From Feb 21: American Sniper • From Feb 28: Annabelle
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: Big Eyes, Trash (POR), Big Hero 6, Gone Girl, Annie, Exodus: Gods & Kings, Draft Day • From Feb 6: Mortdecai • From Feb 7: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles • From Feb 13: Fifty Shades of Grey • From Feb 28: Chef
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: Annie, What We Do In the Shadows, Jimmy’s Hall, The Judge, Son of God, Sin City: A Dame To Kill For, Taken 3, Gone Girl, The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies, Big Hero 6, Exodus: Gods & Kings • From Feb 6: Mortdecai • From Feb 7: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles • From Feb 13: Fifty Shades of Grey • From Feb 14: Foxcatcher • From Feb 21: American Sniper
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: About Time, The
November Man, David Bowie Is
• From Feb 14: The Disappearance
of Eleanor Rigby: Her, Last Paradise
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: Annie, Jimmy’s Hall, The Judge, Sin City: A Dame to Kill For, Taken 3, Son of God, Big Hero 6, The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies, Gone Girl, David Bowie Is, Exodus: Gods & Kings • From Feb 6: Mortdecai • From Feb 7: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles • From Feb 13: Fifty Shades of Grey • From Feb 14: Foxcatcher • From Feb 21: American Sniper
Kyoto Cinema Tel: 07-5353-4723 • kyotocinema.jp • Discounts: Weds (women & men), 1st of the month: ¥1,100
Now showing: A Promise,
Atonement, Jimmy P. Psychotherapy of a Plains Indian, Waltz for Monica (SWE) • From Feb 7: Begin Again, Elsa & Fred • From Feb 14: Adieu au langage (FR) • From Feb 21: Still Life
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: Big Eyes, Annie, Exodus: Gods & Kings, Draft Day, Taken 3, Sin City: A Dame to Kill For, Trash (POR), Big Hero 6, Gone Girl, The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies, Samba (FR) • From Feb 6: Mortdecai • From Feb 7: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles • From Feb 13: Fifty Shades of Grey • From Feb 21: American Sniper • From Feb 28: Chef
Kyoto Minami Kaikan Tel: 075-661-3993 • kyotominamikaikan.jp • Discounts: Weds (women), 1st of the month: ¥1,100, Students ¥1,500
Now showing: See website
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: Trash (POR), Sin City: A Dame to Kill For, Taken 3, Big Hero 6, Gone Girl, The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies,
Interstellar, Big Eyes, Annie, Exodus: Gods & Kings
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: Jimmy’s Hall, Son of God, The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies, What We Do In the Shadows, • From Feb 7: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles • From Feb 21: American Sniper
OS Cinema Kobe Harborland Tel: 07-8360-3788 • jollios.net • Discounts: Tues (women), 1st and 16th of the month: ¥1,100; every day after 8pm: ¥1,300
Now showing: Sin City: A Dame To Kill For, Taken 3, Big Hero 6, Gone Girl, Interstellar, The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies, Annie, Exodus: Gods & Kings • From Feb 6: Mortdecai • From Feb 7: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles • From Feb 20: The Fault in Our Stars • From Feb 21: American Sniper
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: Casse-tête chinois (FR), Love Rosie, Samba (FR), Waltz for Monica (SWE), Gagarin: First in Space (RUS), Life Feels Good (POL), National Gallery • From Feb 7: Begin Again • From Feb 14: Foxcatcher, Elsa & Fred • From Feb 21: The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Him, The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Her • From Feb 28: Rudderless, Adieu au langage (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: Annie, Exodus: Gods & Kings, Big Eyes, 12-12-12, Big Hero 6, Taken 3, Gone Girl, Samba (FR), Gone Girl, Fury, Interstellar, Big Hero 6, Trash (POR) • From Feb 6: Mortdecai • From Feb 7: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles • From Feb 21: American Sniper • From Feb 28: Chef
Note: for show times and ticket information, please contact the cinemas directly
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Kansai Scene Listings: What’s on around Kansai
Events Feb 3
Feb 14
Setsubun Sai – Bean Throwing Ceremony 節分祭
Oshima Minato Matsuri 大島 水門祭り
Taga-taisha (Shrine), Shiga
Minato-Jinja (Shrine), Wakayama
Feb 3
February 3rd is setsubun which means “the day before the beginning of spring”. It is also the lunar new year’s eve, when the bean throwing ceremony takes place at temples and shrines across Japan. Many families still perform the traditional ceremony to scare away all the evil spirits and bring good fortune for the year to come. One of historic Shinto shrines, Taga-taisha also celebrates setsubun where hundreds of performers throw beans from a high platform. Join the crowds scrambling to catch the beans. Don’t miss the kagura dance featuring monsters with a menacing appearance performing vivaciously before the ceremony crowd. Time: 11:00am & 2:00pm • Admission: Free • Access: Omi Line,
Feb 14
According to legend, the locals of Oshima-island gave protection to the emperor Ojin fleeing from his pursuers centuries ago. Commemorating this ancient occurrence, a variety of ceremonial events take place at this religious festival. Come and see a Japanese archery spectacle and watch the highly-competitive kaidenma boat race held in the rough sea. Witness a parade of colorfully dressed people. There will be many fun and interesting events scheduled throughout the day. Time: 9:30am • Admission: Free • Access: JR Kushimoto Stn, bus to Oshima-ko • kankou-kushimoto.jp/event/matsuri_minatojinjya
Tagataisha-mae Stn, 10-min walk • tagataisya.or.jp
Feb 19–Mar 1
Mt Rokko Winter Festival 六甲山ウィンター・フェスティバル Mt Rokko, Hyogo • Feb 19–Mar 1
Spectacular ice sculptures will appear at the top of Mt Rokko; engraved art works carved from ice by top-ranking ice sculptors. They are brought to life by special lighting in the evening. On the weekends, a demonstration by professional sculptors on how to make these frosty works of art will be held, as well as many a snowman contest. Rokko Alpine Botanical Garden opens especially on Feb 28th and Mar 1st where pretty little winter flowers will be on show. Time: 10am–8:30pm (3pm–8:30pm on the 19th) • Admission: most events free • Access: JR Rokkomichi Stn, bus to Rokko Cable Shita Stn, cablecar to Rokko Sanjo Stn • rokkosan.com/cable/event/20141216_7512
Kansai Scene Listings: What’s on around Kansai Feb 14
Event Listings February Salon Du Chocolate – The Chocolate Show サロン•デュ•ショコラ2015 LUCUA, JR Osaka & JR Kyoto Isetan Until Feb 14
Born in Paris, this is a worldwide event celebrating chocolate; an incredible variety from worldfamous chocolate companies are on sale. Events include cooking workshops, tastings, demonstrations, and more.
The 18th Kyoto Station Stair Running Competition 第18回ＪＲ京都ビル大階段駆け上がり Muromachi-Koji Square (JR Kyoto Station), Kyoto
Time: 10am • Admission: Free • Access: JR Osaka Stn; JR Kyoto Stn • salon-du-chocolat.jp
The Exhibition Fukumi Shimura: Retracing Her Roots
Feb 14
志村ふくみー源泉をたどる
Come and cheer on the runners sprinting up these 171 steps in Kyoto’s hub railway station. A total of 320 competitors from around the country will race to the top of JR Kyoto Station’s iconic stairway called “Daikaidan”. This fiercely competitive stair-climbing sport is one of the most popular events held annually in the station since the building was rennovated. The first-division teams are seriously competitive while lower-division teams entertain onlookers by wearing funny costumes or giving silly performances.
A living national treasure, Fukumi Shimura, aged 90, is a leading textile artist. This exhibition introduces her long and brilliant career in the fields of vegetable dyeing and weaving.
Asahi Beer Oyamazaki Villa Museum of Art Jan 17–Feb 15 & Feb 17–Mar 15
Time: 10am–5pm (closed Mon) • Admission: ¥900 adults, concessions • Access: JR Yamazaki Stn; 10-min walk • asahibeeroyamazaki.com/tokubetu/syosai43
Throwing Ceremony 節分祭 Ikuta-Jinja (Shrine), Hyogo • Feb 3
Join the bean throwing ceremony held to scare away evil demons and bring good fortune for the year to come. Time: 1:45pm • Admission: Free • Access: JR Sannomiya Stn, 10-min walk • ikutajinja.or.jp
Oto Matsuri – Flambeau Festival お燈まつり Kamikura-Jinja in Kumano Hayatama-Taisha, Wakayama • Feb 6
A thrilling purification ritual with a 1,400-year history. Two thousand men in white clothing dash down 538 stone steps holding flaming torches in their hands. Time: 8pm • Admission: Free • Access: JR Shingu Stn, 15-min walk • kumanohayatama.jp/?page_id=8
Evening of Traditional Osaka Performing Arts 上方伝統芸能ナイト Yamamoto Noh Theater, Osaka Feb 7
An array of traditional performing arts from Osaka will be showcased; comedy plays, comic story telling, narrative ballads, and Noh theater. All performances will be in English on this day.
kbs-kyoto.co.jp/contents/information/2014/info_038887.htm
Time: 6pm • Admission: ¥4,500/¥4,000/¥3,500 • Access: Subway Tanimachi-yon-chome Stn, Exit 4, 2-min walk • kamigata-night. com
Orchid Exhibition 2015
Fishing Show Osaka 2015
Time: 11:00am–4:00pm • Admission: Free • Access: JR Kyoto Stn •
フィッシングショーＯｓａｋａ2015 Intex Osaka • Feb 7 & 8
特別展淡路夢舞台ラン展 2015 Kiseki no Hoshi Botanical Museum, Hyogo Until March 8
An orchid extravaganza is now taking place on the popular holiday island Awaji with massive displays of vividly colorful tropical blooms. Bursting with brightness and heady fragrance, this botanical exhibit is an exotic feast for the senses. Visitors can not only admire these 20,000 orchids in 2,000 varieties, but also buy from a selection of the flowers for sale and join workshops on the plants. Find varieties from simple houseplants to hard-to-find species, as well as sculptural displays and dynamic arrangements. Time: 10am–6pm • Admission: ¥1,500 adults, concessions • Access: JR Maiko Stn, bus to Awaji Yumebutai • kisekinohoshi.jp
Courtesy of Nara Tourism
Shikayose – Herding Deer with the 6th Symphony Pastoral 鹿寄せ Tobihino in Nara Park • Until Mar 15
Shikayose is a popular tourist attraction held in the crisp cold morning in Nara Park. Hundreds of deer living in the park rush to get fed when a French hornist plays a verse of the 6th Symphony Pastoral. Time: 10am (closed Mon) • Admission: Free • Access: JR or Kintetsu Nara Stn, bus to Kasugataisha Omotesando • naradeer.com/events
Setsubun Sai – Bean
Famous fishing tackle companies from home and abroad gather at Intex Osaka. The latest and popular fishing tackles will on display and for sale. There will be fishing workshops and other events on the day.
Time: 9am–5pm • Admission: ¥1,200 (¥1,400 at door) adults, concessions • Access: Cosmosquare Subway Stn, 9-min walk • fishing. or.jp
World Hobby Fair 2015 次世代ワールドホビーフェア 2015 Kyocera Dome Osaka, Osaka Feb 8
One of the largest showcases of video games, high- tech toys with the latest technologies, and trendy arcade machines. Visitors can try these newest toys as much as they
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Kansai Scene Listings: What’s on around Kansai like for free and also buy them to take home.
Time: 9am–4pm • Admission: Free • Access: Hanshin Line, Dome-mae Stn • whobby.com/information/ spot_osaka.php
The UNICEF Cup Kobe Valentine Love Run 2015 ユニセフカップ 神戸バレ ンタイン・ラブラン Kobe Port Island, Hyogo • Feb 8
A charity marathon to celebrate Valentine’s Day, there will be a variety of events including a family run, a fancy-dress race, a pair jog, and more. Time: 9am • Admission: Free • Access: Port Island Line, Shimin Hiroba Stn
Hina Matsuri Kiko – Doll Festival 日野 ひな祭り紀行 Hinomachi Town, Shiga • Feb 8–Mar 8
Classical Japanese dolls called hina ningyo will be on display for pedestrians. Enjoy strolling among traditional Japanese houses on the streets between the Ookubo and Murai areas. Time: 9am–4pm • Admission: Free • Access: Omi Line, Hino Stn, bus to Hino Keisatsusho-mae • biwa. ne.jp/~hino-to/hino-hina.html
Nara Rurie なら瑠璃絵 Todai-ji (Temple) and Surroundings, Nara Feb 8–14
Feb 13 & 14
A fun event for cosplayers! Dress up and take photographs with deer in the atmospheric Nara Park. Register by Feb 10. Time: 3pm–9pm • Admission: Free for onlookers, ¥2,000 for cosplayers • Access: JR or Kintetsu Line, Nara Stn, bus to Daibutsuden Kasugataisha-mae • nara-storytourism.com/#!winterkosupurefesta/c5hx
Osaka Automesse 2015 大阪オートメッセ2015 Intex Osaka • Feb 13–15
One of the largest motor shows focusing on car modification, you can find everything you need to customise your car. Time: 9am–6pm • Admission: ¥2,100 (¥2,700 at door) adults, concessions • Access: Cosmosquare Subway Stn, 9-min walk • automesse.jp
Kyoto Cuisine Exhibition 第５９回高島屋「京の味ごちそ う展」 Takashimaya Department Store, Kyoto Feb 18–24
Enjoy mouth-watering exhibits at this popular exhibition of Japanese cooking; lavish dishes from 130 of Kyoto’s famous restaurants will please your eyes and satisfy your tastebuds. Time: 10am • Admission: Free • Access: Hankyu Line, Kawaramachi Stn • takashimaya.co.jp/kyoto
A spectacular show of lights featuring the ultramarine blue color loved by the ancients. Enjoy strolling between temples and shrines along the paths emanating a romantic blue aura. Time: 6pm–9pm • Admission: Free • Access: JR or Kintetsu Line, Nara Stn • rurie.jp
Feb 21
KS International Party 関西シーンインターナショナルパーティー Boston Clam Shack, Osaka
Join us for fun, games and good times at Boston Clam Shack in Kitahama. There’ll be some delicious food to sample as well as the chance to win stuff in our lucky draw. Check our Meetup or Facebook pages for details. Feb 21 (Sat) • Time: 7:30–10pm • Admission: ¥2,000 (incl. light food and 2 drinks) • Access: Keihan Kitahama Stn (exit 26) • meetup.com/Kansai-Scene • facebook.com/ kansaiscene
Challengers try to hold 150kg of kagami-mochi (rice cake) to please a deity of the temple. Female participants will attempt to hold 90kg of kagami-mochi. Register by 11:30am on the day if you would like to test your strength.
Feb 28
Time: 9am–5pm • Admission: Free • Access: Daigo Subway Stn, 10-min walk • daigoji.or.jp
Enjoy sampling fresh sake in an atmospheric traditional sake cellar. Stalls of food and local produce will be open, and there will be rakugo story telling on stage. Time: 10am–3pm • Admission: Free • Access: Rokko Island Line, Minami Uozaki Stn, 2-min walk • kikumasamune.co.jp/kinenkan
Sunakake Matsuri – Sand Fight Festival
Chinese New Year Celebration
Hina Doll-Making Demonstration
Hina Matsuri – Girls’ Day
砂かけ祭
2015 春節祭
Hirose Shrine, Nara • Feb 11
Kobe Nankin-Machi • Feb 19–22
東之湖と東之華の実演とお雛 様のお話
Ichihime-Jinja (Shrine), Kyoto • Mar 3
A truly unique religious event where a fierce sand fight occurs between shrine workers and visitors. It is believed the harder they fight, the more rain will fall during the year.
Time: 2pm • Admission: Free • Access: JR Horyuji Stn, 20-min walk • hirosetaisya.p-kit.com
Nara Winter Cosplay Festa 奈良公園ウィンターコスプレフ ェスタ Nara Prefectural New Public Hall, Nara
The year of sheep is welcomed with glittering festivities in Kobe’s China town. A dragon parade, a lion dance, a kung fu demonstration, Chinese gourmet food and stalls selling all things Chinese. Time: 11am • Admission: Free • Access: JR or Hanshin Line, Motomachi Stn, 5-min walk • nankinmachi.or.jp
Nakae Jungoro-Tei in Gokasho Omi Syonin Yashiki, Shiga • Feb 28
Famous doll artists from Shiga will demonstrate how to make these traditional Japanese dolls for Girls’ Day celebrations. Time: 1:30pm • Admission: ¥600 adults, concessions • Access: Omi Line, Gokasho Stn, 20-min walk • higashiomi.net
Godairiki-San – A Strength Contest
The Delights of New Sake
五大力尊仁王会 餅上げ力奉納
生もと新酒を楽しむ会
Daigo-ji (Temple), Kyoto • Feb 23
Kikumasamune Shuzo Kinen-Kan, Hyogo
ひいなまつり Ichihime-jinja holds this historic festival to keep evil spirits away from young girls. There will be a demonstration of how to dress in a ceremonial kimono, a souvenir photograph session, traditional dance by human dolls, and many other events. Time: 1pm–4pm • Admission: ¥1,000 • Access: Keihan Line, Kiyomizu-gojo Stn, 5-min walk • ichihime.net
Find more listings online: www.kansaiscene.com/ listings
Kansai Scene Listings: What’s on around Kansai
Community Events Submit your Event to Kansai Scene Having an exhibition? Staging a gig? Organizing 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 Event
• Where: Congre Convention Hall A, B2 Floor, Grand Front Osaka Tower-C • For registration, visit innovation-osaka.jp/ja/ events/4251
Silver Ball Planet Pinball Tournament
Hack Osaka 2014
Global Innovation Conference “Hack Osaka 2015” The theme for this year’s conference is “How to Develop Regional Startups and Innovative Ecosystems,” and will feature Mr. Don Burton, Managing Director of Techstars, Mr. Hannes Graah, Director of Spotify Japan, Mr. Khailee Ng, Managing Partner of 500 Startups, and Mr. Tim Romero, Japan Representative Director of Engine Yard. In addition to the lectures, will be an “International Pitch Contest”, whereby entrepreneurs from various countries will compete to present best business plans to a panel of judges, and a networking event. Feb 10 • Time: 1–7pm • Admission: Lectures are free, but to join the networking event requires ¥4,000
Everyone welcome to take part in this monthly pinball tournament at Big Step's fantastic pinball arcade Silver Ball Planet. All ages and levels welcome. Go head to head in teams and battle for pinball glory. Machines used for each tournament change each month. See Facebook for details. Feb 28 • Time: 4pm • Admission: Just pay to play (¥100 per game) • Where: BIG STEP 4F, Amemura • Access: Midosuji or Nagahori Subway Line, Shinsaibashi Stn, Exit 7 (3-min walk); Yotsubashi Stn, Exit 5 (3-min walk) • big-step.co.jp
Global Matchmaking in Kyoto Are you single and in your 30s or 40s? Kyoto International Community House is hosting an International matchmaking event. It’s a chance to meet lots of people from different cultures and an opportunity to exchange language, culture, and friendship. Advance registration is required and all foreign applicants must reside in Japan to take part. There is a
limit to 50 men and 50 women, so grab your place now! Application Deadline: Sat Feb 14. Mar 8 • Time: 2–6pm • Entry: Foreigners ¥2,000 / Japanese ¥3,500 • Where: kokoka (Kyoto International Community House), Keage, Kyoto • Registration: www. kcif.or.jp/HP/jigyo/tabunka/jp/ kokokon
Mar 6–May 6 • Where: Kodaiji Temple, Kyoto • Entry: ¥600 • kanhikari.com/
Kobe Dances! International Dance Festival Discover Kansai's rich cultural heritage through dance. Local groups will perform dances from Peru, India, Scotland, Japan, and beyond. Check the website for details about dance workshops for the public. Feb 21 • Time: 6–7:30pm • Entry: Free • Where: Canadian Academy Auditorium, Rokko Island, Kobe • www.kobedances.com
Fumikata Tomita chairs
KANHIKARI ART EXPO 2015 An art event gathering 30 artists from Japan and overseas in historic Japanese Temples. Artists of various genres are participating, such as Fumitaka Tomita a Japanese woodwork artist creating beautiful wooden furniture. This year the event will be held from the 6th of March to the 6th of May at the Kodaiji temple, and also from the 27th of April to the 6th of May at the Mitera Sennyuji temple and the Higashi-Honganji temple.
Two Comedy Shows from Pirates of the Dotombori! This month comedy group Pirates of the Dotombori will treat Osaka to not one but two of its riotous improv shows!
Feb 8 • Time: 7pm for 7:30 start • Bar Dyson, Shinsaibashi • ¥TBA Feb 22 • Time: 7pm for 7:30 start • Rooftop Bar OO, New Japan Bldg, Namba • ¥TBA For tickets and more information visit piratesofthedotombori.com
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Kansai Scene Listings: What’s on around Kansai Until Mar 29
Yokoo Tadanori: Great Nirvana
KS
Pick
Yokoo Tadanori Museum of Contemporary Art
……but! 1995 Artist (Deposited in Yokoo Tadanori Museum of Contemporary Art)
The state of Nirvana is a heightened sense of awareness that has been attained only by one before: the great Buddha. Fascinated with Buddha, Yokoo Tadanori has amassed almost 600 Buddha effigies and statues, providing the inspiration for this exhibit, which sees Buddha presented in his enlightened state alongside the living. The collection harmonizes what seem to be contrasts – the sacred and the ordinary, life and death, now and then. The Enlightened Buddha, relaxed on his side with one elbow propped up, is apposed with characters like ordinary laymen, alluring naked women, and small animals and children. Mediums include paintings, posters, and book bindings reminiscent of Salvador Dali’s surrealism and Van Gogh’s color palate. Until Mar 29 • Large display of surreal and imaginative works by Yokoo Tadanori using Buddha as the main subject • Open: 10–6pm (until 8pm Fri & Sat) • Closed: Mon • ¥700 • Access: Hankyu Oji-koen Stn, 6-min walk • ytmoca.jp
Until Apr 7
Hanshinkan Fashion Style : Osaka + Kobe 1950s-1970s In post-war Japan, Western dressmaking schools and classrooms sprouted up. Styles like miniskirts, hippie, folk, and prep that were influenced by Western dress makers and designers slowly made their way into Japanese everyday wear. The new styles especially flourished in the Osaka-Kobe area, where dresses made by renowned Japanese designers were spread across the area through a unique relationship between department stores and fashion houses. Not limited to dresses alone, accessories, and hair and makeup trends that highlight the distinctive style of the area will also be on display. Until Apr 7 • Exhibition of Hanshinkan Fashion Style from the 1950s–1970s • Open: 10am–6pm • Closed: Wed • Admission: ¥500 • Access: JR Sumiyoshi Stn or Hanshin Uozaki Stn, take the Rokko Liner to Island Center Stn • fashionmuseum.or.jp/english
Christian Dior / Designed by Daimaru Osaka / Coat(1954-55) / YASUKO UEDA COLLEGE OF FASHION
Kobe Fashion Museum
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Kansai Scene Listings: What’s on around Kansai
Art Listings Tsukioka Settei and His Pupils: Ukiyo-e Paintings by Osaka-based Artists Osaka Museum of History Until Feb 16
Utilising a style very different from Utamaro and Hokusai, the famed ukiyo-e artists of the Edo period, Settei and his pupils produced a variety of Osaka-tinged depictions of “the floating world” – the hedonistic lifestyle popularized by growing entertainment districts and economic growth of the era. Open: 9:30–5pm (8pm Fri) • Closed: Tues • ¥600 • Access: Tanimachiyon-chome Subway Stn • mus-his. city.osaka.jp/eng/index.html
Women’s Lifestyle & Costumes in Joseon Dynasty Koryo Museum of Art Until Mar 29
total) including sculptures are organized by the themes “Nature, its Threats and Beauty,” “Cultural Heritage Rescue,” and “Tell the Memory.”
Yu Araki《COLLECTED MOMENTS (Part)》 2011-
Osaka
Open: 10–6pm (until 8 Fri & Sat) • ¥510 • Access: Hanshin Iwaya Stn • artm.pref.hyogo.jp/eng/home.html
Gaikotsu Miyatake 60th Memorial Exhibition Itami City Museum of Art Until Mar 1
Display of publications by famed author, journalist, and media historian Gaikotsu Miyatake, known for his parody, satire, and wordplay. Includes a special issue of his magazine Kokkei Shimbun (Satirical News). Open: 10am–6pm • Closed: Mon • Admission: ¥600 • Access: Hankyu or JR Itami Stn • artmuseum-itami.jp
Kyoto
Until Mar 1
OBJECTS IN MIRROR ARE CLOSER THAN THEY APPEAR the three konohama
Inspired by the message seen universally on car side mirrors, this exhibition is based on the theme “closeness”. This group exhibition by seven young artists, and curated by Arata Hasegawa, encourages a discussion of concepts related to boundaries and the sense of distance. It showcases contemporary work that is not confined by categorical boundaries or genre, but rethinks values and ideas that stretch beyond this. This is a thought-provoking display providing a glimpse at new ideas in contemporary art.
An introduction to the clothes, ceramics, paintings, furniture, and embroidery of the people of the Joseon Dynasty era, on which the popular Korean TV series Dae Jang Geum is based.
My Body, My Emotions
2014 Painting Work
Open: 11–7pm • Closed: Mon • Free • Access: Nijojomae Subway Stn • gallery.kcua.ac.jp
Until Mar 1 • Mixed-media group exhibition on the theme
Nara
thethree.net
Open: 10–5pm • Closed: Mon • ¥500 • Access: JR Kyoto Station, take the #9 city bus and get off at Kamogawa Chugakko-mae • koryomuseum.or.jp
Tezukayama Gallery Until Feb 14
The third solo exhibition by Kotatsu Iwata featuring 10 new paintings. Using a silk-screen printing technique on canvas to create visual effects similar to those found in manga, Iwata takes images and subjects from magazines and the Internet to mold new perspectives from the familiar. Open: 11am–7pm • Closed: Sun, Mon, and holidays • Admission: Free • Access: Yotsubashi Subway Stn, Exit 5 • tezukayama-g.com/en
Hyogo Twenty years after the Hanshin, Awaji Earthquake: Disaster and Historical Heritage Hyogo Prefectural Museum of History • Until Mar 8
A memorial exhibition of the Great Hanshin Earthquake and other catastrophic natural disasters from 1914 to 2004. Various works (113
KCUA • Feb 2–Mar 1
A two-artist exhibit of works comparing the condition of their minds and bodies. Sasaoka explores the ageing of his body to that of his mind. Morimoto relates the psychological feeling in response to physical sensations like touch, smell, and taste.
“closeness” • Open: 12–7pm • Closed Mon–Wed • Free • Access: 10-min walk from Hanshin or JR Nishikujo Stn •
Satoru Uchiyama: “The Human Being to Click, the Animal to Click, the Machine to Click”
Portraits of an Era – Anniversary of the Great Hanshin Earthquake
Gallery Out of Place Until Feb 15
Kobe Artists Museum Until Mar 22
Works reflecting Uchiyama’s idea that we are becoming unable to process reality because of rapid technological advancement that we must accept and use without question. One work uses paint deliberately injected into a bubble wrap wall installation.
Open: 12–7pm • Closed: Mon–Wed • Free • Access: 7 min walk from JR line Nara Stn, East Exit • outofplace. jp
Kobe Port Town Landscapes:
Exhibition of paintings of Kobe’s beautiful cityscapes by local artists who have had personal experiences with natural disasters and wartime in the area.
Open: 10–6pm; 2/11 • Closed: Weds; 2/12 • ¥200 • Access: Island Center Stn on Rokko Island line • city.kobe. lg.jp/culture/culture/institution/ yukarimuseum
Samples from Zurich: From Impressionists to Surrealists Kobe City Museum Until May 10
Exhibition of 74 celebrated works by world renowned painters, including a 6-meter-long Monet and selections by Van Gogh, Rousseau, Edvard Munch, and Paul Klee, exclusively from Kunsthaus Zurich – The Museum of Modern Art in Zurich, Switzerland. Open: 9:30–5:30 • Closed: Mon • ¥1500 • Access: 10-min walk from JR/Hanshin Motomachi Stn • city.kobe.lg.jp/culture/culture/ institution/museum
Find more listings online: kansaiscene.com/listings
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Kansai Scene Listings: What’s on around Kansai
Live Music
KS
Pick
Apr 4
Genshi Shinbo – Pink Floyd Trips Formed by guitarist Takehiko ‘Shake’ Kogure (ex-Red Warriors) in 2012 as a Pink Floyd tribute band with the aim of focusing on Floyd’s earlier work as opposed to a set list of ‘classics’ (though fear not they do have Shine On You Crazy Diamond and Wish You Were Here in their repertoire). The band, advertising themselves as consisting of well-known Japanese rock alumni is an eight piece of Lovely Reina and Miori Moritomi on vocals, Yutaro Ogida on bass, drummer Katsumi Kashiwabare, lead vocalist Kenneth Andrew (who last year shared the stage with Deep Purple’s Ian Paice), Yoshitaka Mikuni and Rei Atsumi (ex-Vow Wow) on keyboards and Shake on guitar. Looking to the future Genshi Shinbo have their sights on the summer festivals worldwide and one day hope to be able to recreate Pink Floyd’s famous performance in Pompeii! Japanese Pink Floyd Tribute band playing Floyds earlier works Uwaya Gekijyo Live House, Kobe • April 4 • Rock • 8pm • ¥4,500 • Tel: 090-6608-8686
Live Music Listings Feb/Mar Rock & Pop Yohito Teraoka Ex-Jun Skywalker member and renowned producer Taku Taku, Kyoto
Feb 8 • Rock-pop • 4pm • ¥4,500 • Tel: 075-351-1321
Ultimate Tribute Fest. Ft. YAC/DC, Ama Halen, Mitanie Crue and KISS! Japanese tribute bands festival Club Alive, Osaka
Feb 9 • Rock • 6pm • ¥2,500 • Tel: 06-6213-8585
Gerard Way Ex-My Chemical Romance lead vocalist Big Cat, Osaka
Feb 16 • Rock • 7pm • ¥6,500 • Tel: 06-7732-8888
Mineral US four piece Emo band from Houston, Texas Janus, Osaka
Feb 17 • Emo • 7pm • ¥4,800/¥5,300 • Tel: 06-6214-7255
OK GO
Uli Jon Roth
US alternative rock band from Chicago now based in Los Angeles Club Quattro, Osaka
German guitarist solo and exScorpions Club Quattro, Osaka
Feb 18 • Rock • 7pm • ¥6,000 • Tel: 06-6535-5569
Feb 22 • Rock • 6pm • ¥8,500 • Tel: 06-6311-8111
St. Vincent
Clementine
US musician singer-songwriter Anne Erin Clark Club Quattro, Osaka
Japan based French singersongwriter Billboard Live OSAKA, Osaka
Feb 19 • Art Rock • 7pm • ¥6,500 • Tel: 06-6311-8111
The Mirraz Arctic Monkeys influenced Japanese rock band formed 2006 Namba Hatch, Osaka
Feb 21 • Indie rock • 6pm • ¥3,500 • Tel: 06-6882-1224
The Miceteeth Japanese ska band formed 1999 Shangri-La, Osaka
Feb 21 • Ska • 7pm • ¥4,000/¥4,500 • Tel: 06-6343-8601
Scandal Japanese all-girl rock band from Osaka Orix Theatre, Osaka Feb 21-22 • Rock • 21st6pm/22nd-5pm • ¥5,400 • Tel: 06-6357-4400
Feb 23 • French Pop • 6:30pm/9:30pm • ¥6,000/¥7,500 • Tel: 06-6342-7722
One Direction British talent show pop winners Kyocera Dome, Osaka
Feb 24 • Pop • 7pm • ¥11,000/¥25,000 • Tel: 06-77328888
Magokoro Brothers Japanese rock duo formed in 1989 of Yo-King and Sakurai Hidetoshi Taku Taku, Kyoto
Feb 25 • Rock-pop • 7pm • ¥5,500 • Tel: 075-351-1321
Richard Thompson British singer-songwriter and musician spanning four decades Billboard Live OSAKA, Osaka
Feb 25 • Folk-rock • 6:30pm/9:30pm • ¥7,900/¥9,400 • Tel: 06-6342-7722
KISS US glam rock legends Osaka Jo Hall, Osaka
Feb 25 • Rock • 7pm • ¥9,000/¥12,500 • Tel: 06-63414506
Tsuji Ayano Japanese female vocalist and ukulele player Janus, Osaka Feb 27 • Pop • 6pm • ¥4,700 • Tel: 06-6357-4400
Trio de Ruinas Japanese sax, drums and bass trio UrbanGuild, Kyoto
Feb 27 • Fusion • 7:30pm • ¥2,500/¥3,000 • Tel: 075-212-1125
a flood of circle Japanese experimental rock trio Big Cat, Osaka
Feb 27 • Rock • 7pm • ¥3,240 • Tel: 06-6357-3666
Sissy 3rd album release tour for Japanese four-piece band Live Square 2nd Line, Osaka
Kansai Scene Listings: What’s on around Kansai
Feb 25
Mar 11
Richard Thompson
Mar 7
Mogwai
Judas Priest
spanning four decades
Scottish post rock five piece formed 1995
British metal legends
Billboard Live OSAKA, Osaka • Feb
Big Cat, Osaka • Mar 11 • Post-rock • 7pm •
Orix Theatre, Osaka • Mar 7 • Metal • 5pm •
25 • Folk-rock • 6:30pm/9:30pm •
¥6,500 • Tel: 06-6535-5569
¥9,800 • Tel: 06-7732-8888
West London born folk rock acoustic and electric guitarist, singer-songwriter Richard Thompson was a founding member of the influential 60’s group Fairport Convention and stayed with the band until 1971 (later saying “I left Fairport as a gut reaction and didn’t really know what I was doing, except writing”). Finding commercial solo success in the 80’s Thompson has also worked over the years with such musicians as Sandy Denny, Gerry Rafferty and Willie Nelson. He was awarded an Ivor Novello for his songwriting (2006) and has had some of his compositions recorded by artists such as David Gilmour, Dinosaur Jr., Elvis Costello, R.E.M. and Loudon Wainwright III. Last year Richard Thompson released the album Acoustic Classics featuring 14 songs from his back catalog.
Scottish post-rockers Mogwai last December released the new six track ep Music Industry 3. Fitness Industry 1.. Formed in Glasgow, Scotland in 1995 and proudly boasting an almost unchanged line-up from thirty years ago (the only member not in the fold in 95 being Barry Burns, multiinstrumentalist who joined in 1998). Last year also saw the release of the their eighth studio album Rave Topics. The band is not usually so prolific with their releases leaving two to three years between each. Most of Mogwai’s music is instrumental, on this subject guitarist Stuart Braithwaite commented “I think most people are not used to having no lyrics to focus on. Lyrics are a real comfort to some people. I guess they like to sing along and when they can’t do that with us they can get a bit upset”.
Pushing the Redeemer of Souls album with a worldwide tour, the aging British metal masters Judas Priest play five dates in Japan including one gig in Osaka. Formed in Birmingham, England in 1969 with blazing twin guitars and the distinctive vocals of front-man Rob Halford the band has sold over 45 million albums since the release of the 1974 Rocka Rolla. Other metal and rock bands, both of Priest’s earlier days and today, would cite them as a major influence on the genre and were ranked by MTV as the second Greatest Metal Band of all time (one place behind Black Sabbath of course!). Many band’s would expect to be slowing down after more than 45 years but Priest’s latest album was their first top ten charting album in the US.
British singer-songwriter and musician
¥7,900/¥9,400 • Tel: 06-6342-7722
Feb 28 • Rock • 5pm • ¥3,500 • Tel: 06-7732-8888
The Bawdies 50’s and 60’s beat music influenced Japanese rock band Namba Hatch, Osaka Feb 28 • Rock • 6pm • ¥3,800 • Tel: 06-6357-4400
Vamps Popular Japanese rock band Osaka Jo Hall, Osaka
Feb 28 • Rock • 7pm • ¥9,200 • Tel: 06-7732-8888
Hero Four-piece Japanese visual kei rock band Varit, Kobe
Mar 4 • Rock • 6:30pm • ¥3,800/¥4,300 • Tel: 078-392-6655
Incubus American Rock band from California Dojima River Forum, Osaka
Mar 4 • Rock • 7pm • ¥7,200 • Tel: 03-3475-9999
Arch Enemy Swedish melodic death metal band Big Cat, Osaka Mar 5 • Metal • 7pm • ¥7,500 • Tel: 06-7732-8888
Original Love Takao Tajima solo project of Japanese Original Love band Taku Taku, Kyoto
Mar 6 • Rock-pop • 7pm • ¥5,400 • Tel: 075-351-1321
Judas Priest British metal legends
Orix Theatre, Osaka
Mar 7 • Metal • 5pm • ¥9.800 • Tel: 06-7732-8888
Mix Speakers Inc. Japanese visual kei rock band formed 2006 Muse, Kyoto
Mar 8 • Rock • 5pm • ¥4,560/¥5,100 • Tel: 075-223-0389
Mamoru Miyano Japanese actor and singer Grand Cube Osaka, Osaka
Mar 8 • Pop • 6pm • ¥TBA • Tel: 06-6357-4400
Woo Young Korean K-pop singer from boy band 2PM Namba Hatch, Osaka
Mar 9-11 • Pop • 7pm • ¥8,500 • Tel: 06-6344-3326
Mogwai Scottish post-rock five piece formed 1995 Big Cat, Osaka
Mar 11 • Post-rock • 7pm • ¥6,500 • Tel: 06-6535-5569
Kazumasa Oda Ex-Off Course frontman solo Osaka Jo Hall, Osaka
Mar 11-12 • Folk rock • 6:30pm • ¥8,640 • Tel: 06-7732-8888
Wayne Krantz American guitarist and composer with Anthony Jackson and Cliff Almond Club Quattro, Osaka
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Kansai Scene Listings: What’s on around Kansai Interview // Arch Enemy Formed in 1996 by guitarist Michael Amott, who prior to this was a guitarist with the successful British grindcore band Carcass, the Swedish Melodic Death Metal band Arch Enemy are still going strong after nearly twenty years. KS caught up with Michael Amott to find out about the upcoming Japan dates. The band’s website states, in regards to the upcoming Japan dates, “We’ll take this opportunity to play a long set list, digging deeper into the new album and also some cool surprises!”. Many bands nowadays get away with playing little over an hour, how long will the Arch Enemy setlist be time-wise and any hints as to the ‘cool surprises’? We are very much looking forward to playing Japan again and to have the opportunity to play five shows in five cities around your country is something that we do not take for granted and we aim to bring the most powerful and interesting Arch Enemy concert to date. I don’t believe that we have ever compromised on our show and have always offered the most that we can to our Japanese fans. The show will be long, dramatic and powerful – nobody should leave the concert hall disappointed! Arch Enemy have had a good following in Japan since the early days of the Black Earth album. Metal has always been popular in Japan but with the majority of media exposure here given over to J-Pop commerciality, in your own experiences would you say that your Japanese fan base is as strong as it ever was (or growing even)? It is true that we have been very fortunate with having a strong fan base in Japan since the early beginnings of the band. Judging by our continued success and popularity in Japan it seems that our music continues to attract new listeners and also our old true fans remain faithful to the band, it really is something that we are very proud of and grateful for. Over the years there has been a certain amount of musical chairs within the band. As the only surviving member from the 1996 line-up do you think that many fans (especially long time followers) see Michael Amott as Arch Enemy as opposed to the band being a collective group and with two new members joining in 2014 what does the future hold for Arch Enemy? I never imagined that we would have so many different members in the band over the years, that was never my intention. The member changes have been necessary for Arch Enemy to continue. You would have to ask the longtime fans themselves how they view Arch Enemy now in 2015. To me, Arch Enemy is still very much a band and the core of myself, Daniel Erlandsson and Sharlee D’Angelo has remained intact since 1998 – that’s a long time! At the moment I feel very energized and positive about the future and of course the Japan tour will be something special for us and the fans! Swedish melodic death metal band Big Cat, Osaka • Mar 5 • Metal • 7pm • ¥7,500 • Tel: 06-7732-8888
Mar 5
Arch Enemy @ Big Cat Osaka Mar 12 • Fusion • 7:30pm • ¥5,800 • Tel: 06-6535-5569
Toshinori Yonekura Japanese singer-songwriter and producer from Osaka Muse, Kyoto
Mar 14 • Pop • 5pm • ¥7,020 • Tel: 075-223-0389
Luna Sea Japanese visual kei rock band Osaka Jo Hall, Osaka
Mar 14 • Rock • 5:30pm • ¥9,500 • Tel: 06-7732-8888
M.pire Seven piece South Korean idol pop group Abeno Rock Town Hall, Osaka
Mar 15 • Pop • 5pm • ¥6,000/¥6,500 • Tel: 06-6632-6900
Pink Floyd Trips The ultimate Pink Floyd tribute band Uwaya Gekijyo Live House, Kobe
Apr 4 • Rock • 8pm • ¥4,500 • Tel: 090-6608-8686
Jazz & Blues
Shanti Singer-songwriter-lyricist Shanti Snyder from Kanagawa Mr. Kelly’s, Osaka
Feb 18 • Jazz pop • 7pm/9:30pm • ¥5,400/¥5,700 • Tel: 06-63425821
Mehliana Taming the Dragon featuring Brad Mehldau and Mark Guiliana Club Quattro, Osaka
Mar 10 • Jazz • 7:30pm • ¥6,800 • Tel: 06-6535-5569
Monday Michiru Japanese-American singer, actress and songwriter Billboard Live OSAKA, Osaka
Mar 12 • Club Jazz • 6:30pm/9:30pm • ¥5,400/¥6,900 • Tel: 06-6342-7722
Jun Kajiwara & Kumi Adachi Japanese blues and fusion guitarist’s collaboration Rag, Kyoto Mar 15 • Blues fusion • 7pm • ¥3,888/¥4,860 • Tel: 075-255-7273
Soul and R&B Jarrod Lawson Californian musician and soul jazz singer Billboard Live OSAKA, Osaka
Mar 2 • Soul • 6:30pm/9:30pm • ¥5,900/¥7,400 • Tel: 06-6342-7722
© Vincent Catala
Richard Galliano Septet French composer and accordion player Billboard Live OSAKA, Osaka
Feb 15 • 4:30pm/7:30pm • ¥7,000/¥8,500 • Tel: 06-6342-7722
Find more listings online at: www.kansaiscene. com/listings
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Kansai Scene Listings: What’s on around Kansai
Club
Feb 15
Piccadilly A superb and long-awaited club has finally opened its doors in Umeda! Club Piccadilly is the first major club in the Umeda area since the legendary club Sazae closed down in 2007. The venue used to be a movie theater and has been transformed into a gorgeous nightclub with a spacious dance floor, beautiful high-ceiling chandeliers, glass-walled VIP rooms, a huge LED screen behind the DJ booth, and of course a powerful sound system. Guests can enjoy a different kind of music for every day of the week; techno/house on Thursdays, hip-hop/ open format (“all mix” or “genre blending”) on Fridays and Sundays, and EDM/house on Saturdays.
On Sunday February 15th, Club Piccadilly welcomes DJ Five from S.K.A.M Artist, one of the foremost DJ collectives and management agencies based in LA and Las Vegas, along with the Osaka’s finest hip-hop DJs. DJ Five mixes hip-hop, R&B, rock, house, and everything in between. Audiences love his diverse music style. Regular admission to the club is ¥2,000 for men and ¥1,500 for women (both with one drink ticket), but the charge is only ¥1,000 with a drink for non-Japanese guests on Sunday the 15th. If you want to see a DJ from the world’s top entertainment city at the hottest club in Osaka, do not miss this.
Sunday Opera (Hip Hop) • DJs: Five, Lead, Martin, Hero • Open: 7pm - 1am • Admission: Gentlemen: ¥2,000/1D, Ladies: ¥1,500/1D (Before 9pm: Gentlemen: ¥1,500/1D, Ladies: ¥1,000/1D, Foreigners: ¥1000/1D) • Where: Umeda • Tel: 066809-5895 • clubpiccadilly.com
Club Listings February 5 (Thu) Piccadilly Screen (House/Techno/ Progressive) • DJs: Maar aka
Supermaar, Shinji, Unbalance, Maho, Sak • Open: 7pm - 1am • Admission: Gentlemen: ¥2,000/1D, Ladies: ¥1,500/1D (Before 9pm: Gentlemen: ¥1,500/1D, Ladies: ¥1,000/1D) • Where: Umeda • Tel: 06-6809-5895 • clubpiccadilly.com
6 (Fri) Circus Into The Underground (Techno/ House) • DJs: Barac, Aoki
Takamasa, Fumi • Open: 10pm • Admission: ¥2,000 (ADV: ¥1,500) • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-62413822 • circus-osaka.com
Metro Reflexion presents “Mugen + Bilateral” Double Release Party (Dubstep/Bass Music)
• Live: Goth-Trad • DJs: Ena, Young Animal, 1450m, Aki, Dizmo, Dhalsim • Open: 10pm
• Admission: ¥3,000/1D (ADV: ¥2,500/1D) • Tel: 075-752-2787 • metro.ne.jp
Onzieme
Onzieme
Bouther, Taku-Hero, Boys Get Hurt, Soleil Soleil + more • Open: 9pm • Admission: ¥3,500/1D • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6243-0089 • onzi-eme.com
Infinity (Electro/House) • Live: Shya7 feat. Ko-Matsushima • DJs: Ko-Matsushima, Senda, Ypy, High Velocity + more • Open: 9pm • Admission: ¥2,500/1D • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6243-0089 • onzi-eme.com
Piccadilly Novel (Hip Hop) • DJs: Koya,
B=Ball, Masamune, S.U, Masa, Maurice • Open: 7pm - 1am • Admission: Gentlemen: ¥2,000/1D, Ladies: ¥1,500/1D (Before 9pm: Gentlemen: ¥1,500/1D, Ladies: ¥1,000/1D) • Where: Umeda • Tel: 06-6809-5895 • clubpiccadilly.com
7 (Sat) Circus Lark (Electro) • DJs: Nekes, Yoshiki, Yoske, Spot • Open: 11pm • Admission: ¥2,500 (ADV: ¥2,000) • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-62413822 • circus-osaka.com
Rivera feat. Jerry Bouthier (Electro/House) • DJs: Jerry
Piccadilly Mirage (House/EDM) • DJs:
Benkay, Marvy, High Velocity, Iori • Open: 7pm - 1am • Admission: Gentlemen: ¥2,000/1D, Ladies: ¥1,500/1D (Before 9pm: Gentlemen: ¥1,500/1D, Ladies: ¥1,000/1D) • Where: Umeda • Tel: 06-6809-5895 • clubpiccadilly.com
Singh’s Bar Euphoria (Progressive Trance) •
DJs: Show-hey, Mintama, Hiroto, Fly, Seixxx • Open: 10:30pm • Admission: ¥1,500 • Where: Nanba • Tel: 06-6632-4433 • singe-kitchen. com
8 (Sun) Piccadilly Sunday Opera (Hip Hop) • DJs:
Lead, Martin, Hero • Open: 7pm - 1am • Admission: Gentlemen: ¥2,000/1D, Ladies: ¥1,500/1D
(Before 9pm: Gentlemen: ¥1,500/1D, Ladies: ¥1,000/1D) • Where: Umeda • Tel: 06-6809-5895 • clubpiccadilly.com
10 (Tue) Circus Circus presents Tomoki Tamura (House/Techno) • DJs: Tomoki
Tamura, Hiro Ezaki • Open: 10pm • Admission: ¥2,000 (ADV: ¥1,500) • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-62413822 • circus-osaka.com
Metro Rub A Dub 29th Anniversary! (Reggae) • Acts: Ryo the Skywalker,
Kurtis Fly, D-Aqua, Rockers Train, Bass Green, Rub A Dub Soldier + more • Open: 10pm • Admission: ¥3,000/1D (ADV: ¥2,500/1D) • Tel: 07-5752-2787 • metro.ne.jp
11 (Wed) Circus Yuko Lotus “Knife Ridge Breakin” Release Anniversary (Dance) •
Live: Percussion Dub Session • DJs: Yuko Lotus, Fulltono, Quantonic, Kushami • Open: 6pm–12am • Admission: ¥3,000 (ADV: ¥2,000) •
Kansai Scene Listings: What’s on around Kansai Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-62413822 • circus-osaka.com
Onzieme Escape (Hip Hop) • DJs:
Martin, Ax, Naka-g, Jacky, Merit • Open: 9pm • Admission: Gentlemen:¥2,000/1D, Ladies: Free • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 066243-0089 • onzi-eme.com
12 (Thu) Metro
Houz’ Proud People (Techno/ House) • DJs: Kohei, Masahiko
Takeda, Koji Sawamura • Open: 10pm • Admission: ¥3,000/1D (ADV: ¥2,500/1D) • Tel: 07-57522787 • metro.ne.jp
Piccadilly Dramma (House/Techno/ Progressive) • DJs: Senda,
Kojiman, Silverfox, Yop, Asaura • Open: 7pm–1am • Admission: Gentlemen: ¥2,000/1D, Ladies: ¥1,500/1D (Before 9pm: Gentlemen: ¥1,500/1D, Ladies: ¥1,000/1D) • Where: Umeda • Tel: 06-6809-5895 • clubpiccadilly.com
13 (Fri) Circus
Classics (House) • DJs: Kaoru
14 (Sat)
19 (Thu)
Circus
Metro
Andy Stott “Faith in Strangers” Release Tour (Techno) • Live:
Nebula (Techno/House) • DJs: Hal, Kazuma, Podd, Tok • Open: 10pm • Admission: ¥1,500/1D • Tel: 07-5752-2787 • metro.ne.jp
Andy Stott • DJs: Kihira Naoki, Ooshima Shigeru, Aida, Masahiko Takaeda • Open: 10pm • Admission: ¥3,000 (ADV: ¥2,500) • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6241-3822 • circus-osaka.com
Onzieme Nu Wave feat. Panorama – Valentine’s Day Special (Techno/ House) • DJs: Shinichi Osawa,
Sekitova, Van Cliffe, Elli-Rose, Unbalance + more • Open: 9pm • Admission: ¥3,500/1D • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6243-0089 • onzi-eme.com
Piccadilly Mirage (House/EDM) • DJs:
Benkay, Ko-Matsushima, H-Man, Iori • Open: 7pm–1am • Admission: Gentlemen: ¥2,000/1D, Ladies: ¥1,500/1D (Before 9pm: Gentlemen: ¥1,500/1D, Ladies: ¥1,000/1D) • Where: Umeda • Tel: 06-6809-5895 • clubpiccadilly.com
Rooftop Bar OO & Gastro Garden Alzar – Elevation to The Hidden Paradise (EDM/House/Techno)
Inoue, Mangoose, Lossname, Dejirumasara, Kitam • Open: 10pm • Admission: ¥2,000 (ADV: ¥1,500) • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 066241-3822 • circus-osaka.com
• DJs: Takekiyo Ishimoto, Shinji, Silverfox, Kim-Galaxy + more • Open: 8pm • Admission: ¥2,000/1D • Shinsaibashi • oo-u.jp
Metro
World Peace Love
Second Royal presents Tops Japan Tour 2015 (Rock/Electro) •
CyberJapan presents Bikini Night Winter 2015 (EDM/House)
Live: Tops, Mitsume, Homecomings, Juvenile Juvenile, Agreement The Superfree, Seuss • DJs: Halfby, Handsomeboy, Technique + more • Open: 10pm • Admission: ¥3,000/1D (ADV: ¥2,800/1D) • Tel: 07-5752-2787 • metro.ne.jp
Onzieme Favorite Kors (EDM/Dance) •
DJs: Murakamigo, Ree-age, Gena Gena Giann + more • Open: 9pm • Admission: ¥2,500/1D • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6243-0089 • onzi-eme.com
Piccadilly Novel (Hip Hop) • DJs: B=Ball,
Masamune, S.U, Masa, Maurice • Open: 7pm–1am • Admission: Gentlemen: ¥2,000/1D, Ladies: ¥1,500/1D (Before 9pm: Gentlemen: ¥1,500/1D, Ladies: ¥1,000/1D) • Where: Umeda • Tel: 06-6809-5895 • clubpiccadilly.com
• DJs: Mitomi Tokoto, Kenji.T, Erry • Open: 8pm–1am • Admission: Gentlemen: ¥3,000/1D, Ladies: Free • Where: Kyoto • Tel: 07-5212-4119 • world-kyoto.com
15 (Sun) Cheval
Best Sunday Night feat. Botnek (Electro) • DJs: Botnek, Taku-Hero
+ more • Open: TBA • Admission: Gentlemen: TBA • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6243-6288 • cheval-osaka.com
18 (Wed) Onzieme Escape (Hip-hop) • DJs:
Martin, Ax, Naka-g, Jacky, Merit • Open: 9pm • Admission: Gentlemen:¥2,000/1D, Ladies: Free • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 066243-0089 • onzi-eme.com
Piccadilly Sequence (House/Techno/ Progressive) • DJs: Nao Okada,
Yuuka, Kenji Tsukida, Reiji • Open: 7pm–1am • Admission: Gentlemen: ¥2,000/1D, Ladies: ¥1,500/1D (Before 9pm: Gentlemen: ¥1,500/1D, Ladies: ¥1,000/1D) • Where: Umeda • Tel: 06-6809-5895 • clubpiccadilly.com
20 (Fri) Circus SecretSundaze supported by Qube TV (House/Techno) • DJs:
Giles Smith, James Priestley + more • Open: 10pm • Admission: ¥2,000 (ADV: ¥1,500) • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6241-3822 • circus-osaka.com
Metro Undermine – 8th Anniversary Special – Day 1 (Techno/ House) • DJs: Hiroshi Watanabe,
Compufunk, Ryoma Sasaki, Fulltono + more • Open: 9pm • Admission: ¥2,300/1D • Tel: 075752-2787 • metro.ne.jp
Onzieme Himlen (Progressive House/ Techno) • DJs: Kitten, Nao, Dimitri
MaSato.M, Jima, Dsk, Mizooki, Simax • Open: 9:30pm • Admission: ¥2,500 • Where: Kyoto • Tel: 075212-3223 • gypsy-kyoto.com
Joule Electric Trance Bomb – Returns (Trance) • Acts: Shanti, O-Man +
more • Open: 10pm • Admission: Gentlemen: ¥2,000/1D, Ladies: ¥1,500/1D • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6214-1223 • club-joule.jp
Metro Undermine – 8th Anniversary Special – Day 2 (Techno/House)
• Live: Hiroshi Watanabe, iToy, Ryoma Sasaki • DJs: Satoshi Fumi, Pinch, Fulltono+ more • Open: 9pm • Admission: ¥2,300/1D • Tel: 075752-2787 • metro.ne.jp
Piccadilly Mirage (House/EDM) • DJs:
Benkay, Ko-Matsushima, H-Man, Iori • Open: 7pm–1am • Admission: Gentlemen: ¥2,000/1D, Ladies: ¥1,500/1D (Before 9pm: Gentlemen: ¥1,500/1D, Ladies: ¥1,000/1D) • Where: Umeda • Tel: 06-6809-5895 • clubpiccadilly.com
22 (Sun) Piccadilly Sunday Opera (Hip Hop)
• DJs: Lead, Martin, Hero • Open: 7pm–1am • Admission: Gentlemen: ¥2,000/1D, Ladies: ¥1,500/1D (Before 9pm: Gentlemen: ¥1,500/1D, Ladies: ¥1,000/1D) • Where: Umeda • Tel: 06-6809-5895 • clubpiccadilly.com
Absinthe, MaSataka, Tune + more • Open: 9pm • Admission: ¥2,500/1D • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 066243-0089 • onzi-eme.com
25 (Wed)
Piccadilly
Escape (Hip Hop) • DJs: Martin, Ax, Naka-g, Jacky, Merit • Open: 9pm • Admission: Gentlemen:¥2,000/1D, Ladies: Free • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 066243-0089 • onzi-eme.com
Novel (Hip-hop) • DJs: Kango,
Benkay, Atsuo Morita, Satoshi, Soery • Open: 7pm–1am • Admission: Gentlemen: ¥2,000/1D, Ladies: ¥1,500/1D (Before 9pm: Gentlemen: ¥1,500/1D, Ladies: ¥1,000/1D) • Where: Umeda • Tel: 06-6809-5895 • clubpiccadilly.com
Onzieme
26 (Thu)
21 (Sat)
Piccadilly
Circus
Yashima, Osakaman, Yabu • Open: 7pm–1am • Admission: Gentlemen: ¥2,000/1D, Ladies: ¥1,500/1D (Before 9pm: Gentlemen: ¥1,500/1D, Ladies: ¥1,000/1D) • Where: Umeda • Tel: 06-6809-5895 • clubpiccadilly.com
Club Snoozer (Rock/Dance) • DJs:
Soichiro Tanaka + more • Open: 11pm • Admission: Gentlemen: ¥2,500/1D, Ladies: ¥1,500/1D • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-62413822 • circus-osaka.com
Gypsy Treks #16 feat. DJ Isao (Techno/ House) • DJs: Isao aka Sudo,
Gala (House/Techno/ Progressive) • DJs: Nao Nomura,
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KANSAI SCENE MAGAZINE | ISSUE #177 FEBRUARY 2015 | kansaiscene.com
Kansai Scene Christmas Party Thanks to everyone that joined our fabulous christmas party at the Swiss么tel Nankai, Osaka on Dec 19th last year. We had some wonderful prizes to give away in our lucky draw thanks to our generous sponsors, including a first prize stay for two at the hotel. Katsuhiro Nakagawa was the lucky winner! Check out our Facebook and Meetup pages for details of upcoming parties.
Party Report
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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]
SAWANOCHO AREA, 1DK SEMI FURNISHED 55000YEN/MONTH . 4min walk to Sawanocho Nankai
Koya train line, or 8min walk to Abiko JR Hanwa station. 15min by train to Namba or Tennoji. Semi furnished for 55000yen/month. Available on 4 and 5th floors. No elevator building. No Key money, No Guarantors needed, No Agency fees, 6month minimum contract. Alex 09037030314 Contact: alexb <alex@abhousingosaka.com> Website: www.abhousingosaka.com
[2303-90-2015-02-19]
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 [2243-90-2015-02-19]
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 [2141-90-2015-02-01]
KOBE - SANNOMIYA & MIKAGE HANKYU. Two apartments, both
semi-furnished, no key money nor agency fee, 2 months refundable. MIKAGE: Y98,000/month, 61sqm, very sunny, views, natural location. SANNOMIYA (Kasuganomichi): Y89,000/month 43sqm, very convenient. ffeilden@yahoo.co.jp 090-9286-1216 Contact: Ffeilden <ffeilden@yahoo.co.jp> Website: www.ffeilden.com/ [2407-436-2015-
02-21]
Shared House GREEN APARTMENT; RENOVATED SHARED HOUSE OSAKA AREA.
10 residents shared house, fully renovated from 40 yrs old fish sausage factory. convenient, 5mins walk from Bentencho st; 4 sts to Umeda by JR Kanjosen, 3 sts to Honmachi by subway Chuo line. monthly, rent ¥38k~46k and expenses ¥10k. at contract, admin fee ¥30k and deposit one month rent are asked. Contact: j.kumakiri@ gmail.com <j.kumakiri@gmail. com> Website: www.facebook.com/ GreenApartmentOsaka [2389-1577-
2015-02-16]
Jobs Education NATIVE ENGLISH TEACHER(S) WANTED. JETS Academy (English
school designed for adults) in Nishinomiya (1 min. from Hankyu Nishinomiya-Kitaguhi stn) seeks a native English teacher for levels beginner to advanced, classes on Saturdays @ 16:00 ~17:30 p.m. (4,000 yen/1hr + transportation) Please send your resume (w/photo) to info@jetsacademy.org Contact: Yuri Ito <info@jetsacademy.org> Website: www.jetsacademy.org [2381-437-2015-02-15]
PART TIME NATIVE ENGLISH TEACHER NEEDED. We are looking
for a native English teacher. Tuesday and Wednesday. From 2:30pm to 9:30pm. 10,000yen a day plus transportation. Our school is in Hirano-ku Osaka, about 1 min walk from Deto Station (Tanimachiline). Please email your resume to nobuizu@lapis.plala.or.jp Contact: ulc_nob <nobuizu@lapis.plala. or.jp> [2360-1602-2015-01-26] KANSAI CORPORATE CLASSES.
CES seeks English/other languages corporate instructors/interpreters for (2-7 teaching hours a day) Hyogo, Shiga, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, Okayama and Wakayama areas for 1-12mth courses starting immediately. 3,500-4,000 yen per hour. For more info, please forward C/V with availability to mark@ cesjapan.co.jp Contact: Manager <mark@cesjapan.co.jp> [2193-772015-07-31]
PRE-K ENGLISH TEACHER WANTED IN OSAKA. We are
looking for a native English speaker to teach a Children's pre-school class one day a week from 9:30am to 2:30pm for 2000yen/hr in addition to transportation costs. If you are interested,please e-mail us with your resume at info@vacation-es.co.jp. Contact: Lauren <info@vacation-es. co.jp> Website: www.vacation-es.jp/ [2378-446-2015-02-07]
TEACHER NEEDED ASAP. Need
in the future. renumeration is JPY3000 per hour Contact: cdel3000 <chrisdelacy2003@yahoo.co.uk> [2417-1674-2015-02-26]
SATURDAY ENGLISH TEACHING JOB IN IZUMI FUCHU. Saturday
English Teaching in Izumi Fuchu. Looking for responsible, competent English teacher for Saturday work in Izumi Fuchu. Self motivated teacher able to teach different ages prefered. Transportation, 10,000 yen per day. Must be available every Saturday. Call Success English School at 06 7860 4700. Contact: SUCCESS ENGLISH SCHOOL <sethlr@yahoo.com> Website: osaka-english.com [2412-2109-201502-23]
NATIVE ENGLISH TEACHER WANTED (PART-TIME). Native
English teacher wanted soon. (part-time) Wed,Thur,Fri and Sat in Osaka and Hirakata city.Love children and also adults. 3000yen per lesson (first 1month 2500 yen) pay transportation up to 1000 yen. Long term. Please send e-mail with your picture to (s-techfield@nyc. odn.ne.jp) Come on the Genki sensei! Contact: Thomas English <s-techfield@nyc.odn.ne.jp> Website: thomasenglish.info/ [23931024-2015-02-16]
TEACHERS WANTED. School
in Ashiya/Okamoto is looking for FT/PT English, French and Korean teachers ASAP. University diploma is preferable. Must be native speaker with valid visa. Payment: 2700-3000 yen per hour and transportation. Please send your resume with a photo by e-mail, ashiyaplus@hotmail.co.jp. Contact: Ashiya Plus <ashiyaplus@ hotmail.co.jp> Website: www. comlanguageschool.com [2397-252-
Teacher ASAP Looking for English teachers to fill different shifts. Kids to Adult Classes. Have a set curriculum so no prep time needed. School located in front of Sugimotocho station on the Hanwa Line. Send email to staff@areyouglobal.net Contact: aaronoflion <staff@areyouglobal. net> [2370-1900-2015-02-05]
2015-02-17]
KIDS TEACHER IN FUSE, HIGASHIOSAKA. A small school in Fuse,
NATIVE ENGLISH TEACHER WANTED!. NATIVE ENGLISH
Higashi-Osaka is looking for a reliable, friendly ,experienced kids English teacher. Classes are small and consist of 4-5 kids. We need a part-time teacher for one day a week initially, but this could increase
TEACHER wanted! After school for kids(age 7-9) near Minamimorimachi station. Work hrs: M-F 4pm-6pm. Starting:midMar. JPY2500-3500/hr + Trans. Requirements: Valid visa, teaching
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Kansai Scene Classifieds > kansaiscene.com/classifieds experience in Japan. Please send us your recent photo and resume to: info@manabiokids.com Contact: Manabiokids <info@manabiokids. com> Website: www.manabiokids. com [2366-948-2015-02-03] LOOKING FOR TEACHER. P/T
native friendly English teacher needed Mo, Wed, from 4-9pm for kids junior-high and high-school students Thur. 10:00 am -7:30 pm in Kamishinjo, HANKYU KYOTO LINE 10 mins. from Osaka (Umeda) by-semi express please call 066321-6108 1-5pm DISC ENGLISH SCHOOL Contact: disc1018 <disc_eng@yahoo.co.jp> Website: www.disc-school.co.jp [2401-12402015-02-19]
RELIABLE NATIVE ENGLISH TEACHER FOR DOCTORS. Students
centered L.school URGENTLY requires RELIABLE Native English Teacher for Doctors class on Friday 14:00-15:30 in Hirano,Osaka. Rate starts 5,000yen/90min.&amp;train cost. More than 5 years teaching experience in Japan preferable. Proper working visa needed. Send C/V to hello@gentimeless. com Contact: Kazuko Hill Ito <hello@gentimeless.com> Website: globalenglishnetwork.seesaa.net/ [2402-213-2015-02-19]
PT ENGLISH TEACHERS WANTED.
Small yet friendly and growing school in Settsu looking for PT English teachers for kids and adults. Monday and Thursday afternoon – evening. Experience preferred but not required. Please send your CV and photo via email to abies_kids@ yahoo.co.jp Contact: abies taro <abies_kids@yahoo.co.jp> [2399707-2015-02-23]
Kitchen staff PART-TIME HOSPITALITY HELP WANTED. Hotel Nikko Osaka
located right in the center of Osaka is looking for those interested in the part time jobs in Restaurant Service and Front Service. Interested applicants should have Japanese capability and full visa requirement
to work in Japan. Please email us at morita.sh@hno.co.jp for more details. Contact: Hotel Nikko Osaka <morita.sh@hno.co.jp> Website: www.hno.co.jp [2409-2098-2015-02-22]
Health & Beauty ENGLISH SPEAKING NAIL SALON IN KOBE,SUMIYOSHI. Pressnail
salon is located just 1 min walk from JR Sumiyoshi station(north exit). ¥500 off or Soft gel removal free on your first visit! If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us! Salon hours: 09:0020:00 TEL: 078-857-6678 Contact: Pressnail <pressnail_sumiyoshi@ yahoo.co.jp> Website: www.salonde-press.com [2415-2112-2015-02-26]
Community For Sale MACBOOK PRO 2011 EXCELLENT CONDITION!. I am interested in
selling my top-notch Macbook Pro 15"; early 2011. It's in very good condition. My price is ¥50,000 It's a great bargain! If interested, please contact: violansky <violansky@ gmail.com> [2365-2052-2015-02-01]
SCUBA DIVING GEAR FOR SALE.
Full set of MARES dive gear. Fully serviced, used on less than 50 dives. Includes Mares Vector BCD, Proton/Abyss regulators, gauges, Suunto dive computer, 5mm wet suit, knife, tables. Best offer! Contact: MikeG <mc_gringo@ yahoo.com> [2329-2029-2015-02-06] SAYONARA SALE/GIVEAWAY.
Sayonara Sale/Giveaway: Books,Clothes,Sundries,Toys for all ages,and more! For info see: http:// qhdh3hdf.imgur.com/all/ Contact: Sakura123 <seanireland123@ hotmail.com> [2406-2091-201502-20] ]
Language HELLO. I can teach you Spanish all
levels welcome namba area see you
soon Contact: eto <osakaemiliano@ gmail.com> [2314-1949-2015-02-03] LANGUAGE EXCHANGE GROUP IN OSAKA ON MONDAY NIGHT!.
political issues vis-a-vis using Skype video conference. Join us! Contact: mimihana <wholegirl60611@yahoo. com> [2391-2085-2015-02-16]
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 [2043-447-2015-02-09]
OSAKA BOOK GROUP'S MARCH MEETING. Our next pick is "The
Community Services
NATIVE AMERICAN FLUTE PLAYERS. Any Native American
VOLUNTEER TEACHERS AND STAFF WANTED. Kozmoz
International has been running the local food bank in Kyoto since 2003. Our activities are funded by teaching English in Kyoto. Looking for volunteer teachers and food bank staff! Thank you Contact: kozmozinternational <renraku@ kozmoz.org> Website: www. kozmoz.org [2368-2054-2015-02-04]
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 [1235-1249-2015-01-10]
Announcements FREE ZEN & TAICHI EXPERIENCE.
We practice Yo-Zen, Qigong and traditional taichi with an internationally-recognized master in Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe at early morning gatherings with English instruction. We have many other classes. Contact: zentaichi <vlkpes@ gmail.com> [2388-2079-2015-02-15] BE A YOUTUBE NEWSCASTER.
Interested in creating a new YouTube video blog with a few good women expats? We&#039;ll be discussing a variety of social and
Book Thief " by Markus Zusak. The meeting happens on March 8 Takamura Wine &amp; Coffee Roasters, starting at 2pm. Contact: Massa <bookisbetter2012@yahoo. co.jp> Website: www.facebook.com/ masanaka [2394-337-2015-02-16]
Flute players out there? Want to get together once a month to play, exchange ideas, have fun? All welcome! Contact: Ian <Daystogo2001@yahoo.co.uk>
[2355-2043-2015-02-22]
KOBE DANCES! INTERNATIONAL DANCE FESTIVAL. Discover
Kansai&#039;s rich cultural heritage through dance. Local groups perform dances from Peru, India, Scotland, Japan, and beyond. Check the website for details about dance workshops for the publ Contact: Maya Ross <kobedances@gmail. com> Website: www.kobedances. com/ [2418-2135-2015-02-26]
Kids MOM WHO RISE MIXED KID IS LOOKING FOR FRIENDS. I'm a
single mom of mixed kid who lives in Osaka. I'm looking for friends who grew up as mixed kids here, know or share Infos raising mixed kids, have similar experiences and so on. Thanks. Contact: High-t <love_summer_christmas@yahoo. co.jp> [2371-2057-2015-02-13]
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
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Toho Annex Hep 5 Hep Navio
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National Museum of Art
Police Station
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Grand Front Osaka / Knowledge Capital
Westin Hotel
Loft
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200m
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Blue Wave Inn
Nishiohashi
Nagahori Tsurumi-Ryokuchi line Nagahoribashi
Ali’s Kitchen
KitaHorie line
Naniw
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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
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Junkudo
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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
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Hotel Monterey
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Tominaga Hospital
Daimaru Dept. South
Shinsaibashi
Best Western Hotel fino
3F GS Travel
Daimaru Dept.
The Silver Ball Planet Big Step
Midosuji
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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.
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Nankai Namba Station
Fraser Residence
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Kobe Ikuta Junior High School
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Kawaramachi
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Shijo-dori Minamiza Theatre
Church
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Gion Gion Kaikan Kyoto Museum of Contemporary Art Gion Hotel
Joko-in
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Kyoto Royal BLDG.
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Sanjo Teramachi Shotengai Shinkyogoku Shotengai
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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
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Teramachi Area
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Aoyama
Shiyakushomae
Jomo Gas
Daimaru
Police Station
Mitsui Sumitomo Bank
Kyoto City Hall
Tozai Subway Line
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Tokyu Hands
Sansei Hosp.
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Kobe YWCA
1F Bistrot Cafe De Paris
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Sannomiya
Yamamoto-dori
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