Kansai Scene #180 May 2015

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

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May 2015 • issue 180

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y r a s r e Anniv ISSUE

2000 | 2015

Plus+

KS: 15 Years in the Making Dining Out in Kobe Pirates, DJs, and a Huge Party!

www.kansaiscene.com

15 Years. 15 Things We Love About Kansai.

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KANSAI SCENE MAGAZINE | ISSUE #180 MAY 2015 | kansaiscene.com

Inside this Issue 08

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

Kansai top spots and hidden haunts from the people that brought you Kansai Scene.

Feature

Publisher............................................Daniel Lee Managing Editor..............Celia Polkinghorne Editor............................................. Jason Haidar

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Accounts Manager...................... Michiko Lee Art............................................... Deanna Wright

The KS 15-Year Anniversary Party!

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Kansai Scene: How it all Began Did you know the first issue of KS was launched from the living room of a small apartment in Osaka?

Club................................................... Terumi Tsuji Classifieds..............................Michael Gribben

Feature

Contact Kansai Scene General

mailbox@kansaiscene.com

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Advertising sales@kansaiscene.com 06-6539-1717

Fax.

06-7635-4791

Address

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

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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: Jason Haidar

Language Talking about celebrating anniversaries in Japanese and how to offer congratulations.

Language

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Text: Kansai Scene

Foodspotting Sensational Sannomiya spots to take your culinary fancy.

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.

Craft Beer Corner

Food & Drink

Website kansaiscene.com

Write for Kansai Scene

Text: Kansai Scene

Cozy spot in the back streets, or high up looking over the city – there’s a craft beer spot for everyone in Umeda.

Editorial editor@kansaiscene.com Tel.

Text: Kansai Scene

Feature

Event & Festival..........................Yuki Uchibori Live Music................................. Phillip Jackson

Text: Kansai Scene

We’re gearing up for a huge celebration and we’ve invited some local favorites to come and entertain you.

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

Film Reviews..................................Adam Miller

The Editors’ Guide to Kansai

Food & Drink

Text: Clare Midgley

What’s on Around Kansai Film p22 Events & Festivals

p25

Art

p30

Live Music

p32

Club

p36

Kansai Scene is proudly published and printed by Mojoprint

Classifieds p40 Maps p44

Connect with Kansai Scene…

Catch up with KS on social media

Facebook kansaiscene

Twitter

@kansaiscene

15 th

ary AnniveISrsSUE

2000 | 2015

ON THE COVER: We splashed out on some fancy silver ink for our 15th anniversary cover. The design features a koinobori carp streamer, used in Japan to celebrate Kodomo no hi (Children’s Day) on May 5th.

Instagram kansaiscene

Meetup Kansai-Scene

Design: Daniel Lee

About Kansai Scene

KANSAI SCENE MAGAZINE | ISSUE #180 MAY 2015 | kansaiscene.com

Out & About

Got some news or need some advice about living in Kansai?

Email your suggestions to editor@kansaiscene.com

Talking Business We had a fantastic turnout at our Kansai Scene Business Matters

A winning photo from last year’s Kameraoke competition by Steve Freeman.

Send us your best seasonal shots to photo@kansaiscene.com and win a KS t-shirt if selected!

Local Eyes Explore, capture and share photos of your local community with Kameraoke 2015: Local Eyes. One of Kansai’s most popular annual events invites you to submit as many photos as you can across four themes: Local History, Local Trade, Local Motion and Local Life. These themes are yours to interpret, just keep it local and get your submissions in by May 31st! As always, EVERYONE will have at least one photo on display at the June 21st exhibition at Pinebrooklyn Gallery. Get in touch with Kameraoke for full details! kameraoke.com or kameraoke2015@gmail.com

presentation event on April 11, as we invited four guest speakers to tell us all about the ins-and-outs of setting up a business in Japan.

Naoki Maekawa from Shinmei Law started things off with the low-down on incorporating a business. Frances Lin from Noah House followed with information about securing office space and then we were treated to an excellent presentation by Dr. Philip Sugai from the Doshisha Business School GMBA on the importance of adding value to your product or service.

Finally Thomas Bertrand, CEO of Kyoto-based bento retailer Bento&co provided a truly inspirational account of how he went about setting up his own business and the challenges he faced to get where he is today.

A PDF of the slides used in the presentations is available to download from our Kansai Scene Business Matters Facebook page.

We are planning similar events over the coming months, so keep your eyes peeled for more details as and when they are made available. facebook.com/groups/ ksbusinessmatters/

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KANSAI SCENE MAGAZINE | ISSUE #180 MAY 2015 | kansaiscene.com

Kansai Scene International Party We took over the fabulous Silver Ball Planet pinball arcade in Shinsaibashi's BIG STEP building for our April party. For many it was a first chance to experience the thrill of pinball, but for others it was a nostaligic trip down memory lane. Congratulations to Watabe for winning the hard-fought, head-to-head playoff competition!

Photos by Kenneth Chan

Party Report ď„ł Apr 18

We asked 15 editors and contributors from the past 15 years for their favorite Kansai things.

KANSAI SCENE MAGAZINE | ISSUE #180 MAY 2015 | kansaiscene.com

15 People. 15 Favorite Things.

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My Favorite Kansai…

Peter Horvath Nishikawa Came to Japan in 1995 after graduating from university in Hungary.

Founded Kansai Scene in 2000 and King Printers in 2003. He officially retired in 2009.

Jatin Banker Joined Kansai Scene in 2000 as a Graphic Designer. He was then Publisher & Art Director from 2003 to 2013. Now he is involved in outsourcing printing and design services between Japan and the Philippines.

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Sightseeing Spot

Katsuoji Temple in Minoh, north of Osaka – gorgeous in autumn particularly.

Driving along the Ikoma Skyline.

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Omiyage / Souvenir

Kuro-goma paste – black sesame paste.

Wasabi peanuts.

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Food

It has to be Sushi.

Unagi-don.

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Getaway

Arima Onsen, Hyogo. It’s a beautiful tranquil town and hot spring heaven.

Perfect after a Mt. Rokko hike.

Day trip – Yamanobe-no-michi (Japan’s oldest walking trail). Weekend trip – Kumano area, Wakayama.

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Watering Hole

Always good craic at The Blarney Stone.

Spa World, Tennoji. Not a bar, but a great place to get wet!

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Outdoor Activity

A relaxing dip in a steaming hot Onsen.

Attending traditional festivals .

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Festival

Danjiri Matsuri, Kyoto.

Koinobori (carp streamers) for Children’s Day.

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Hanami Spot

Osaka Castle Park.

Mount Yoshino, Nara.

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Fall Leaf Spot

Minoh Waterfall, Osaka.

Arashiyama, Kyoto.

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Family / Friends Day Out

Lake Biwa, Shiga. – peaceful and picturesque.

Asuka Village, Nara.

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Place to Take Visiting Relatives / Friends

Awaji-shima, Hyogo.

Tadao Ando’s architecture projects at various locations in Kansai.

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Restaurant

Fugetsu, a chain of Okonomiyaki restaurants.

Ume no Hana – serves splendid tofu dishes.

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Temple or Shrine

Fushimi Inari, Kyoto, – one of the most iconic Kyoto spots.

Hasedera, Nara Prefecture.

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Kansai Memory

Getting Kansai Scene’s first ever issue printed.

Publishing every single issue of Kansai Scene for a decade.

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Describe Kansai in 15 words or less.

A endless exploration of ‘The Best of Japan’.

Kansai is a splendid kaleidoscope of Japan.

KANSAI SCENE MAGAZINE | ISSUE #180 MAY 2015 | kansaiscene.com

Joey Parker

Luke Hunter

Nicholas Coldicott

Joey was the manager of KS between February 2009 and March 2010. Now an English instructor, he and his partner Yuki recently celebrated the birth of their daughter in January of this year, Tija Jane Parker.

Luke Hunter was the Editor at Kansai Scene in 2009. He is from Melbourne, Australia and currently lives in Osaka. He likes long walks in the park, piña coladas, and getting caught in the rain.

Nick worked on the Kansai Scene editorial team in 2012 and 2013. He’s been living in Tokyo for 16 years, but dreams of moving to Kansai. He’s written extensively about the region, including the first Time Out Kyoto guidebook.

There is something about Koya-san. It’s so green and fresh with a special feeling in the air I can’t describe.

Koya-san is still my favorite place to visit despite the recent increase in tourism It still seems to have retained its mystique. An overnight stay in a temple is a must.

Kansai is one big sightseeing spot.

Antique or old geisha dolls encased in glass boxes. Found in recycle shops. My mother has six of them.

Hanshin tigers jerseys, traditional fans, chopsticks, sake sets, Japanese knives or plastic food.

A bottle of Takocham – champagne designed to go with takoyaki – from D&Department usually gets a giggle.

Kushikatsu from Daruma. Menu item doteyaki.

Every Sunday I find myself on autopilot heading to my favorite yakitori.

Shojin ryori.

Lake Biwa. Camping on the river around Omimaiko and waking up for the sunrise. It’s Magic.

Anywhere down on the Kihanto peninsula.

Start at Yoshino in southern Nara and head south.

The Miyamasou ryokan. It’s so remote that there’s no cellphone signal. And there are no TVs. All you can do is take a bath, take a walk, eat, drink or sit on your balcony looking at nature.

Two spots. My close friends and family at Cafe Absinthe and Slices.

Regular at Cinquecento in Osaka’s Minami area followed by a late night session at one of the Kama Sutra branches.

In Kyoto, I always visit Yoramu Sake Bar. In Osaka, it has to be Rogin’s Tavern, the beststocked bourbon bar in the world.

Going to waterfalls and spending the day there for a picnic.

Hiking, barbecues, sailing in Osaka bay, and motorcycle trips with friends to local hot springs in the mountains.

A meal on a kawadoko over Pontocho. I’d pick Misoguigawa. It serves French cuisine, but with Japanese ingredients and a kaiseki-style service.

Yabusame – archery on horseback.

The Tenjin Matsuri in Osaka in summer captures all that is a Japanese summer festival – fireworks, food stalls, traditional summer dress, chuhai and beer.

I wish I could have gone to the Kyoto Whisky Festival.

Old favorite would have to be close to home, Utsubo park.

I arrived in Japan during hanami season almost 20 years ago and went straight to Osaka-jo.

Today Osaka-jo is still a favorite of mine.

I like the tree in the garden of Taizoin in Kyoto, but I don’t suppose you would make friends by laying a tarp under it and cracking open some beers.

Tetsugaku-no-michi (Philosophers Walk), in Kyoto is a beautiful and tranquil walk.

Minoh isn’t far away and has a nice stroll for the station up to the waterfall. Don’t recommend trying the ‘famous’ tempura fried leaves as they taste as good as they sound.

Tofukuji. I’ve only been there once in autumn, but I’ll never forget that view.

Going to the beach in Wakayama. Catching some waves if you’re lucky.

Osakajo for sunrise. Early morning at the castle is a hub of activity. Look out for the sun screamers that stand on the edge of the east side of the moat wall and scream at the sun as it rises over Mt Ikoma.

Uji is a lovely place.

In Kyoto, Kinkakuji and in Nara, Daibutsu.

Small local drinking holes and counter restaurants that you patronize are always great as the locals are always friendly and will often go out of their way to make visitors to feel welcome in Japan.

Depends on the friends. Perhaps a game of kodo – or incense sniffing – at Yamadamatsu Kobo in Kyoto if they’re classy, or a night at Misono Universe in Osaka if they’re not.

Petit Rose Italian restuarant in Higashi Shinsaibashi.

Izakayas are great and usually a good lively representation of the Osaka buzz that we know so well.

The best meal I’ve eaten in Kansai was at Hajime in Osaka. Can’t afford to eat there again, though, so I’ll say Kiln in Kyoto.

Personal favorite is Ryoanji in Kyoto. The perfect zen garden.

Back to Koya-san again! The stroll to the temple though the Okunoin cemetery with its magnificent trees and moss covered tombstones should be on every traveller to Kansai’s itinerary.

Kanga-an in Kyoto. It’s got a bar in it.

The Halloween Rampage party organized by myself, Woody, and Dom last year on the top floor of Bigstep. Twas epic.

Getting to spend 10 days in Fiji with 12 other journalists from local magazines around Japan to write reviews for several five star resorts.

Sliding open the door to what I thought was a mochi restaurant and finding myself in the home of a random Kyoto family, who looked surprised and probably lock their door nowadays.

Kansai has a lot to offer every visitor. Everyone takes something special back home with them.

Edgy and friendly. Outspoken and polite.

Aggressive and humbly passive. Dedicated and hardworking. Professional and streetwise.

Home!

Kyoto might be the world’s greatest city, Osaka the most underrated. Plus Kobe, et cetera.

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KANSAI SCENE MAGAZINE | ISSUE #180 MAY 2015 | kansaiscene.com

Donna Sheffield

Carla Avolio

Terumi Tsuji

Donna Sheffield is from Yorkshire, England and was on the Kansai Scene Editorial team from June 2010 to November 2014.

Carla Avolio is an Australian freelance writer and was the Managing Editor of Kansai Scene between October 2012 and April 2014. After her 18 months in Japan, Carla moved to Texas.

A professional party girl from Osaka, Terumi Tsuji has been working as Kansai Scene’s Club Editor for more than 10 years. She loves clubbing and outdoor festivals which is why she’s a perfect addition to the KS team.

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Arashiyama, for its traditional feel and natural beauty all year round. I always take visiting friends to the bamboo forest for a photo session.

Fushimi Inari Taisha in Kyoto.

Osaka Sky Building is one of my favorite sightseeing spots in Osaka. The building itself looks really cool and the sunset view from the observatory is amazing.

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I always take friends to the Momofuku Ando Ramen Museum where you can create your own noodle cup.

Face tissue for girls; Something hilarious from Den Den town for boys.

I always bring 551 Horai steamed pork buns as a souvenir. Also Kuidaore Taro Pudding is my recent favorite souvenir.

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I love agedashi tofu, but recently at a few festivals I spied an agedashi mochi stand. It’s basically gooey rice cakes prepared the same way – with bonito and dashi. Simple and delicious.

Soba.

Mmm... it’s too difficult to pick one since all the food in Kansai is good! I always miss udon from Osaka when I go to Tokyo. Udon soup in Tokyo tastes just like soy sauce :(

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Arima Hot Spring. It’s pricey, but it’s famous for a reason. I recommend renting a private hot spring for a few hours, and visiting the toy museum in the village.

Yunomine Onsen in the Kumano Kodo area.

I love Kitahama. There are some good restaurants and cafés along the river terrace and also a beautiful park. Great if you want to have a nice relaxing weekend in the city.

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I love the atmosphere at both Mickey’s Club and Midnight in Sannomiya. Great crowds and great staff, I always get a warm welcome even when I haven’t been in ages.

Banco in Shinsaibashi.

Cafe Absinthe in Amemura serves the best Mojito in Osaka. On the weekend, they often have DJs, so I usually have some drinks and shisha there before going to the clubs.

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In summer, I love walking around Mt. Koya in Wakayama. It’s not too steep, and it’s fractionally less humid than the rest of Kansai.

Jogging around Nagai Koen with all the hardcore runners.

It’s quite typical but I love fireworks during the summer time.

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Nipponbashi Street Festa in March, where cosplay gals and guys come out to play and the street is closed to traffic for a few hours.

The fireworks festivals during summer. Girls tearing around town in yukata with bra straps showing. Different.

The Yodogawa Fireworks Festival is quite something! Too bad they had cancel last year due to the heavy rain.

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Shukugawa is hard to beat, because there’re loads of great spots to be found along the river.

It never feels too crowded and it’s easy to find from the train.

The Osaka Mint.

It is not a typical place but Kansai University Senriyama Campus is my favorite hanami spot. You cannot have a barbecue or drinks on campus but you can have lunch at school cafeteria instead.

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Suma Rikyu Park, near JR Suma Station, is a huge and quiet spot to enjoy some leaves.

Minoh.

Arashiyama in Kyoto has great fall leaf spots but there are too many people there during the season. I usually enjoy the fall leaves in my neighborhood.

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A lot of my friends like anime, so I take them shopping in Nipponbashi, and also to Mandarake in Shinsaibashi. Many a budget has been blown there.

Cat Cafe for an only-in-Japan dose of quirk.

I often take my friends to the Expo Commemoration Park to say hi to Tower of the Sun created by Taro Okamoto. There is the National Museum of Ethnology in the park and it is full of surprises. You can spend a day there.

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It’s simple, but I always start off people’s Kansai visit with a turn on the Hep 5 ferris wheel in Osaka. I love that you can play your own music as you go round.

Arashiyama.

When I have friends here from overseas or outside Osaka, I usually take them to Shinsekai to have its famous kushikatsu.

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Modernark Pharm Cafe is a vegetarian restaurant in Motomachi that does amazing things with vegetables and has a very snuggly cat.

Kissho in Sakai where husband and wife serve exquisite yakiniku Korean BBQ.

There are many small restaurants/bars in the Tenma area so I usually go restaurant hopping.

Shrimp restaurant Orb is my favorite.

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Sanjusangendo temple in Kyoto has a room with 1001 buddhist statues, and it also hosts an annual archery event called Toshiya.

Sumiyoshi Taisha.

Fushimi Inari Taisha is the coolest shrine in the world. Walking through the tunnels of hundreds of torii gates is just magical.

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So many it’s hard to choose, but carrying a portable shrine in Nishinomiya as part of its annual festival was really memorable.

Sleeping in stairwells waiting for the first train.

I was born and raised in Osaka so I have too many good memories to share. I moved to Tokyo after I graduated from University for work but I came back to Osaka in six months. Tokyo was the way too big and too busy for me.

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Tokyo’s way cooler and more welcoming little sister.

A place where a bunch of brash Aussies can feel at home for a while.

Great food and friendly people – Osaka is the best!

KANSAI SCENE MAGAZINE | ISSUE #180 MAY 2015 | kansaiscene.com

Phillip Jackson

Yuki Uchibori

Adam Miller

Phillip Jackson is originally from England and now lives in Kyoto with his wife and two children. He has been writing the Live Music Listings for Kansai Scene since 2004.

Yuki Uchibori has lived in Osaka her whole life, and has been the Event & Festival listings writer for Kansai Scene since September 2008.

Adam Miller has been film writing for Kansai Scene since August 2011. Having spent his time in Japan living in the concrete jungle of Nagoya, Kansai remains an untainted retreat for him.

Iwashimizu Hachiman Shrine in Kyoto. The shrine is a cable car ride up the mountain and also has a monument to Thomas Edison as it was bamboo from here that was used for filaments in his early light bulbs.

Nara Park with lots of (a few too many…) cute deer.

For my money, you can’t beat Nara, especially the Great Buddha at Todaiji. Sure the deers are a little mangy and it gets crazy busy, but the thousands of candles that are lit at night time during obon really are serenely beautiful.

Tenugui – traditional Japanese cotton cloths with both traditional and modern designs.

Giant strawberry Pocky.

It’s all about the jizake (local sake). I won’t make enemies by naming a single brand, but no matter what you go for, you’re sure to impress whoever it is you’re buying for.

My favorite Japanese food is okonomiyaki, and Kansai is the best place to get the perfect okonomiyaki!

A bowl of hot udon noodles – I have this for lunch almost every day.

Kobe beef! Steak Land in Kobe cooks the steak right in front of you exactly to your liking, and it just melts in your mouth.

For a great two-day getaway in Kansai, couple up a visit to Nagahama and Hikone in Shiga.

Nagahama is famous for glasswork and Hikone its castle and traditional shopping streets.

Going and bathing in a traditional hot spring.

Inunakiyama onsen, which is just an hour away from Osaka, is the best for me.

I’m a boring family man now, so a trip to the Ikea in Kobe or Osaka is as good as it gets!

Anywhere that sells Kirin Heartland. One of which is the recently opened Irish Pub directly opposite JR Uji Station in Kyoto, The Rockin’ Hearts (they also have live music).

The Beehive in Kyobashi for great live jazz music! (JR Loop Line, Kyobashi Stn, South Exit)

ING in Kyoto is a dark little nook that is like stepping into the innards of a jukebox. If there is a particular band you want to listen to, chances are they have something tucked away.

The Daikichi Mountain hiking trail in Uji, Kyoto. Close to Ujigami Shrine, the trail is a steady 20-minute walk up to a viewing area at the top and then it’s another 20-minute trail down the other side bringing you out by Kosho-ji.

I’m not a really active person but I like to feed the cats living in my neighbourhood.

Strolling through the hills of Arashiyama is fantastic, as the high street and surrounding area is often packed, but not many venture into the wilderness.

The obon symbols and kanji fires that burn around the mountains of Kyoto in August are always a favorite.

Ohatsu Tenjin Summer Festival; an annual religious event held in the busiest area of Osaka.

The climax is in the evening with taiko drums and an umbrella dance!

The Osaka Oktoberfest (which is in May!) takes some beating…does that count as a festival?

Take a walk from Keihan Demachiyanagi Station in Kyoto heading north along the river (Kamogawa) and you’ll see a fantastic display of blossoming trees along the river bank.

Nara Park. You can see deer chasing after the cherry blossoms as the petals flutter around in the air. (It is because deer love eating cherry blossoms!)

My friend’s parents own a small country house in the rolling hills outside Kyoto. It is so stunning. I won’t reveal its name in case hordes of KS readers overrun the place!

Arashiyama and Tofukuji – the popular viewing bridge at Tofukuji is great but can get a little crowded!

Osaka Castle Park. It is perfect scenery with the Castle, the stone walls, and red and yellow leaves.

Autumn leaves are just a precursor to the coming winter, so it’s a time to mourn summer and prepare for skiing!

Umekoji Koen in Kyoto. It has a large, open space ideal for picnics, and a small children’s playground. Also, right next to it are both the Kyoto Railway Museum and the Kyoto Aquarium.

Himeji Castle recently underwent renovation works and was fully re-opened to the public in March 2015. It is a must see!

See number 4…it would probably be the new Anpanman Museum in Kobe.

For me it’s always Arashiyama in Kyoto. It has the temples and shrines, the river, bamboo forest, places to eat, and of course, monkey feeding up the mountain.

Taiko-en is a famous wedding hall in Osaka.

My friends from overseas love to go and see traditional Japanese brides there.

Kinkakuji if you can brave the crowds, Ginkakuji if you cannot.

I enjoy a visit to the Ikedaya izakaya in Sanjo, Kyoto. It’s an Ikedaya Incident/Shinsengumi themed izakaya that would especially appeal to anyone interested in the Meiji Restoration period of Japanese history.

An udon restaurant called Dotonbori Imai.

Can I say Steak Land again? That place really is awesome.

Mimuroto-ji in Kyoto. It’s a very quiet and relaxing place to collect your thoughts.

With 12 stunning Buddhist statues, ShinYakushiji is my favourite Buddhist temple to visit.

My money’s still on Todaiji.

I remember some years back taking the river boat ride from Kameoka to Arashiyama. It’s a rough ride and not for the faint-hearted at times but definitely memorable.

The Jeff Beck concert in Osaka in April in 2014.

One of my best buddies lives in Kyoto, so anytime I can meet up with him is a night to remember…so long as I don’t black out and forget everything.

Traditional, exciting, old, modern, historic, beautiful, cultural, welcoming, unforgettable – the true heart of Japan!

Sure Kansai has the long history, famous foods and striking scenery, but Nagoya has…erm… miso-katsu.

Kansai is a wonderfully interesting and provoking mix of the past, present, and future.

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KANSAI SCENE MAGAZINE | ISSUE #180 MAY 2015 | kansaiscene.com

Felicity Tillack

Jason Haidar

Celia Polkinghorne

Daniel Lee

Felicity Tillack has lived in Japan since 2006, and despite attempting to leave the country twice, has never been able to settle anywhere long that didn’t have ready access to onsen and takoyaki.

Jason Haidar has been an Editor of Kansai Scene for the past year and regularly contributes feature articles and photos. Hailing from Monterey, California, his stint in Japan has spanned almost five years.

Before coming to Japan in July of 2011, Celia Polkinghorne was working in Western Australia as a reporter and radio presenter for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. She has been the Managing Editor of Kansai Scene since April 2014.

Daniel came to Japan on the JET programme in 1998 and never left.

He started Mojoprint in 2007 and has been the publisher of Kansai Scene since July 2012. He lives in Osaka with his wife and five-yearold son.

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Definitely Koyasan - it’s beautiful in any season, and has the most relaxing atmosphere.

Himeji Castle is the epitome of the Japanese castle. It has recently been reopened after a five-year restoration project.

Kawayu is such a beautiful place if you’re willing to travel the distance. Digging your own onsen in the river is a lot of fun.

Too hard to single out, but I do have a soft spot for castles. Himeji Castle is wonderful.

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Multi-flavoured Kit Kats are pretty popular.

A little pricey, but a souvenir you will keep forever and be proud to display is one of the beautiful Japanese masks.

The sesame and the choc-bananaflavoured yatsuhashi they sell outside Kiyomizudera in Kyoto are a tasty treat.

Okaki and senbei rice crackers.

Beautifully presented, delicious and light and easy to carry.

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Takoyaki is the best kind of food: it’s easy to carry and share and easy to make at home. And it goes great with beer!

Kobe beef is a great way to treat yourself.

Nothing beats good-quality sashimi but of the Kansai-specific foods, kushikatsu from Daruma or somewhere in Shinsekai is a scrumptious treat.

Tonkatsu from Katsukura was a staple when living in Kyoto, but I’d say yakitori would have to be a favourite.

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South coast of Wakayama in summer for beach picnics and swimming.

The old pilgrimage trail Kumano Kodo was the most memorable hike I’ve ever done.

A temple stay in Koyasan is perfect for leaving city hustle and bustle behind for a day and a night.

An escape into the countryside on an overnight bike trip. Stay in a ryokan, soak in an onsen and see the views from the saddle. Perfect.

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Random kushikatsu joints in Shinsekai are fun, cheap, and delicious.

Too many great craft beer spots to list! Rogin’s Tavern in Moriguchi is the go-to whiskey spot for quality and selection.

Ikaga near Amemura in Shinsaibashi. ‘Mama’ and ‘Papa’ and their dogs JJ and PP are awesome.

Beer Belly in Higobashi for Minoh beer direct from the brewery.

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Festivals!

A great hike is going up Mt. Rokko and hiking down the other side to Arima onsen for a well-earned soak.

Doing traditional log rafting, ikada kudari, along the Kitayama river in Wakayama was the best Kansai outdoor activity I’ve done.

Getting out on my bike and forcing myself over the mountains in the beautiful Kansai countryside.

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Nachi Taisha Fire Festival in Wakayama and Yokaichi Kite Festival in Shiga.

For a traditional festival the Kishiwada Danjiri Matsuri is as exciting as it gets.

The action-packed ones like danjiri matsuri.

Jidai Matsuri in Kyoto. A photogenic procession of imperial court cosplayers.

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Along the river in Tenmabashi is gorgeous.

Mandaiike park that has a small pond in the center near my house.

It is lined with cherry blossoms all the way around and has a chill local vibe.

Most beautiful view of cherry blossoms I’ve seen is at the top of Mt. Yoshino. Best hanami – Mandaiike in Tezukayama.

Himeji Castle is truly spectacular but the Philosopher’s Walk in Kyoto is very special (if you can beat the crowds). Neither particularly good for a picnic mind you.

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Around Ikoma, especially the walk up to Hozanji temple is very nice.

I really enjoy Mt. Hiei near Lake Biwa. It is often much less crowded than the more famous spots in Kansai, which allows for a more intimate experience.

Most beautiful autumn leaves I’ve seen were on the walk to the waterfall in Minoh.

The area around Minoh waterfall is incredible. All the more rewarding if you cycle up the hill to get there.

Riding bikes around Osaka city with friends.

It is fun to just pick an area, head through a shotengai and turn down a random alley to see who and what you stumble upon.

I had a fantastic day out with friends on Awaji Island last year.

You need a car to get around – there’s lots to explore.

A day walking around Kyoto or simply a trip to Tsurumi-Ryokuchi park for a picnic.

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Wakayama - the castle, the Tokugawa shrine, the old tombs. Maybe a quick trip to Kada to show off the cool/creepy Awajishima doll shrine.

A Mt. Koya temple stay and walk in one of the oldest and largest graveyards in Japan, Okunoin, is fantastic and will leave you with or reinvigorate your love of Japan.

I like to take the whiskey-lovers to the Yamazaki distillery. There’s still lots to do once the whiskeysampling is done!

Cycling around Osaka’s streets at night is a great way to see the city.

A trip to the depachika food courts in the basement of department stores is also a must.

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Garam Masala near the JR Station in Wakayama city.

As a Californian I need burritos. El Zocalo Burrito is my go-to spot to scratch that itch.

There is a 76-year-old restaurant known as Yasuke in Shimoichi-cho near Yoshino, that serves the most exquisite omakase-style Japanese cuisine.

La Tortuga in Kitahama. The menu is a mouthwatering fusion of Spanish and French flavors. The lamb chops with couscous are fantastic.

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Hozanji in Ikoma has become a favourite.

Todaiji temple in Nara is massive and holds the world’s largest bronze Buddha statue.

I love Kiyomizudera in Kyoto for its grand scale, scenic views and the souvenir street leading up to it.

Ryoanji in Kyoto is serene.

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Chancing upon the best cosplay day out ever in Port Europa, Wakayama.

My recent private tour of Himeji Castle before it opened was something that I will never forget.

Hiking Kumano Kodo. Getting my parents into a purikura booth while they were visiting Osaka was pretty hilarious though.

Taking the stage as part of a teachers band to play at the Saikyo Shogyo High School bunkasai festival in Kyoto.

Don’t neglect the edges beyond Kyoto and Osaka. Shiga, Wakayama, and north Hyogo are worth it.

Kyoto for culture, Osaka for nightlife, Kobe for beef, Nara for deer.

Duck into the alleyways and explore the back streets. Kansai will sweep you off your feet.

The cultural heart of Japan. From takoyaki to taiko, it’s got it all.

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KANSAI SCENE MAGAZINE | ISSUE #180 MAY 2015 | kansaiscene.com

Event

Come join our party!

We’re throwing our own 15th birthday bash next month at Onzieme in Osaka with special guests Pirates of the Dotombori and Kansai Beatz Krew!

Text: Kansai Scene • Images: Pirates of the Dotombori & Kansai Beatz Krew

Kansai Scene 15th Anniversary Party • Date: June 20, 2015 • Time: 5:30–9:30pm* • Where: Live&Bar 11 (Onzieme), Shinsaibashi • Entry: ¥1,500 (w/1d) • Access: Shinsaibashi Stn *Guests can stay at Onzieme free of charge from 9:30 onwards and enjoy their regular club night.

Next month we’re inviting all of Kansai to come to Onzieme and have a chortle and a shimmy with us to celebrate our 15th anniversary! We’ve roped in some special guests to keep you amused, and have you dancing through the night.

Pirates!

Kansai’s longest-running bilingual comedy troupe the Pirates of the Dotombori will be lining up to tickle your funny bone and what a treat they are indeed.

A diverse, improvisational comedy group, this gang of jokesters is almost 10 years old since being called together by Captain Mike Staffa in December of 2005.

Since then they have recruited members from all over the world to provide the best bilingual entertainment in English and Japanese.

What makes this flight of funnymen and women so great is that they completely make everything up on the spot using your ideas. Their Who’s Line?-style (or for the Aussies among us Thank God You’re Here-style) skits become a hilarious, mishmash narrative of audience requests and quick thinking. They’re so unpredictable that even they have no idea what’s coming next! And it’s belly-laugh inducing.

Now led by Captain Bill Reilly, the Pirates of the Dotombori is the staple of the Kansai improvisational scene. Their high-energy, short-form shows are the result of years of training, performances, and a shared love for improvisational comedy.

Find out more about Bill, Kwame, Baz, Brooke, Simon, Tony, Dan, Zach, and Chaka – the Pirates of the Dotombori – and their monthly shows at piratesofthe-

dotombori.com

DJs!

“Trying to make the world better, one party at time.”

That’s the mantra of Kansai Beatz Krew who have been holding down the Kansai party scene since 2013.

Founded by an international group of friends from an array of backgrounds, they all saw a common need for something fresh in the local club scene.

“We felt there was something lacking from the party scene in Kansai. It seemed all of the events and parties around Kansai were the same, they all had the same vibe.”

So they got together and formed the legendary Kansai Beatz Krew with members DJ Dawang, GTO, DJ AdoboMix, DJ Arom, DJ Flight, DJ Lef_T, and DJ Nedtek. Each brings their own unique style and flavor to the turntables in Hip Hop, RnB, Classic House, Old School, Funk, and even Alternative Rock styles. The tracks they spin are as eclectic as the members’ backgrounds.

“We provide an international party atmosphere that is safe, fun, and fresh, as many partygoers can hear great music they may have never heard before, as well as some of the standard party tracks.”

You can find KBK every weekend at various hot spots around Kansai or catch their latest mixes on Blackan Radio. Kansai Beatz Krew DJs have several monthly and weekly events – search Kansai Beatz Krew on Facebook for more details.

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KANSAI SCENE MAGAZINE | ISSUE #180 MAY 2015 | kansaiscene.com

Feature

Kansai Scene: Fifteen Years in the Making This month KS is 15 years young! So we decided to take a trip down memory lane to when it all first began.

Text & Images: Kansai Scene

 It is our birthday! Kansai Scene is celebrating its 180th issue, a milestone we’re pretty proud of. KS has published 15 years’ worth of monthly news, feature stories, listings, articles, photographs, and classifieds since its inception in May 2000. And at 15,000 copies a month for 180 months, that’s some 2.7 million printed copies!

Kansai Scene exists to make it easy for you to access English language information on living in Kansai, with minimal effort. We pull out all the stops to put this information at your fingertips and do it because we truly love it. A lot of blood, sweat, and tears have gone into the magazine over the years from its dedicated string of editors, writers, salespeople, photographers, designers, and office staff. So we want to say a big thank you for reading, and keeping us going all this time, and we would like to share with you a brief potted history of the magazine.

It Began in Nishinakajima

Back in 1995, when the the internet was just in its infancy, Kansai expats turned to Kansai Time Out for their English-language lifeline. KTO was a well-respected magazine with a 20-year

pedigree. Safe to say, they knew what they were doing. But Peter Horvath, Hungarian national and then-manager of the Higashi-Umeda branch of the H.I.S. travel agency, thought otherwise.

He’d seen city magazines all over the world and he simply felt that KTO could and should be better. So why not do it himself? He mulled over the idea for a few years and then in 1999, without any previous publishing, design, or writing experience, he quit his job, formed his own company, and set about putting together a team to launch his own magazine.

It takes a certain kind of individual to pull off such a feat. Leaving a secure job in a large firm to plunge head-first into an industry you know nothing about takes a giant leap of faith. He found an editor, a designer, some eager volunteers and, perhaps more importantly, managed to win over a number of key advertisers with his unflagging enthusiasm and passion. They bought into his vision.

Finally, after months of planning, sales calls and liaising with printers, advertisers, galleries, museums, bars and hotels, the first issue of Kansai Scene was launched from the living room of a small apartment in Nishinakajima, Osaka. It wasn’t pretty, but it was the new kid on the block and proved an instant success with readers and advertisers alike.

The first three or four issues were a real challenge for the fledgling publisher, particularly when it came to meeting deadlines.

KANSAI SCENE MAGAZINE | ISSUE #180 MAY 2015 | kansaiscene.com

“Everything took too long. Too long was spent on writing, re-writing, and editing articles. Too long on tweaking and perfecting QuarkXPress layouts, and too long procrastinating over cover designs,” Peter said.

A few of the original team left or were replaced in the early months, and slowly, learning on the job, they were able improve the production process and get up to speed. After six months or so, it was a well-oiled machine.

The Tokyo Experiment

With two years of KS publishing experience behind him, Peter set his sights on the alluring Tokyo market. He felt that KS had already hit the ceiling as far as advertising was concerned. In June 2002, Tokyo Scene was launched.

It was a bilingual version of Kansai Scene, with content that was shared between both Kansai and Tokyo. It started brightly and had great promise, but with so many other Englishlanguage print media titles saturating the market, attracting advertisers was extremely difficult. Realizing it simply wasn’t financially viable to continue for any longer, Peter pulled the plug after just 12 issues.

From Publishing to Print

It was also during those first few years, that Peter began to notice a big demand from advertisers for other marketing materials – business cards, flyers, and leaflets. With an in-house design team and strong ties with a printing company, he was wellpositioned to seize the opportunity to supplement the magazine’s advertising

income with print and design jobs.

Within a few months, this new revenue stream proved more profitable than the magazine itself, and by 2003, he was able to launch King Printers as a separate business. Where Tokyo Scene failed, King Printers flourished (and continues to this day).

With Peter then largely out of the Kansai Scene picture, its art director Jatin Banker, was left to steer the magazine through its next chapters.

The office relocated to Namba and a new team was assembled. The production process shifted from QuarkXpress to Adobe InDesign and with the proliferation of the internet, more attention was paid to the magazine’s web presence and an online classifieds system was developed. For the next five or six years, the magazine continued to grow from strength to strength and then, somewhat unexpectedly in 2009, its only rival Kansai Time Out decided to cease publication after 32 years in the business.

It was also around this time that Kansai Scene was sold temporarily to Metropolis KK – publishers of the Tokyo English language magazine of the same name. Just 12 issues later however, it was hastily returned to Peter. A few more ownership changes ensued until, in June 2012, the magazine was bought out by its current publisher, Daniel Lee, one-time Kansai Scene designer and founder of Mojoprint.

been able to streamline operations to the extent that most of the magazine is now planned and edited remotely, with only a few core staff required in the office (Mojoprint HQ in Shinmachi).

Consider that there were six full-time staff required to create KS back in 2003 and this is a massive change.

We are proactive in our use of Facebook and Twitter, have launched a KS Instagram account, and are always on the lookout for new channels to distribute our content. To that end, we recently developed an API to allow third-party services and applications to access our content, which allows us to interact with our readers in ways never before possible. Back in the real world too, we now organize monthly events and seminars in an attempt to engage the community at a grassroots level.

With new technology comes new challenges and opportunities for the magazine. The ability to adapt to the changing media landscape is probably the number one reason KS has managed to remain in print all these years.

By remaining relevant and listening to our readers’ needs, we’re confident the magazine has a bright future, and we look forward to serving the local community for the next 15 years and beyond. Whatever format its delivery happens to take (be it digital or analogue), the need for quality content and relevant information will always remain. 

Current Trends

Fast-forward to May 2015, and thanks to Cloud-based applications such as Dropbox and Google Drive, we have

“The first issue of Kansai Scene was launched from the living room of a small apartment in Nishinakajima, Osaka. It wasn’t pretty, but it was the new kid on the block and proved an instant success.”

Get in Touch You can reach us at editor@ kansaiscene.com, connect with us on Facebook (kansaiscene) or Twitter (@kansaiscene), or join our Meetup Group (meetup. com/Kansai-Scene) to find information about upcoming KS events.

Get Involved If you’d like to write for Kansai Scene, please see our writers guidelines at kansaiscene.com/ write-for-us

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KANSAI SCENE MAGAZINE | ISSUE #180 MAY 2015 | kansaiscene.com

Food & Drink

Craft Beer Corner Cozy spot in the back streets, down low in an industrial lounge, or up high over the city – Umeda has a craft beer spot for you.

Text & Images: Jason Haidar

Craft Beer Bar Marciero

Craft Beer Base BUD

Open: Mon, Wed–Fri 5pm–2:00am,

Open: 11:30am–10:30pm except Sat

lunch, 5:00pm–11:30pm (l.o. 10:45pm)

weekends 3:00pm–2:00am • Closed: Tue

5:00pm–10:30pm • Price Range: • ¥1000

• Admission ¥300 seating charge •

• Drink Prices: 284ml ¥650; 380ml ¥880;

pint, ¥700 half pint • Food Price Range:

Price Range: ¥630–¥1480 • Sizes: Small

474ml ¥1080; 568ml ¥1280 on tap • Food

¥380–¥1000 • craftbeerbase.com •

(240ml), Medium (400ml), Large (650ml)

Price Range: ¥380–¥980 • facebook.com/

Access: Osaka Station Dai-Ichi Bldg B2F

• Food Price Range: ¥380–¥4000 •

A cozy bar with seating for 13, Marciero offers a nice retreat from the lights and noise of Umeda’s busy shopping area. Opened about two-and-a-half years ago by owner Hideaki Yoshii, who creates a welcoming atmosphere playing host, bartender, and chef, this little bar has gained a reputation for having unique foreign and domestic beers always on hand. With eight taps continuously flowing with hard-to-find brands and brews, it makes a trip down Umeda’s side streets well worth the effort. While there, sample something from their eclectic food menu. Not sure what to get? Take Yoshii’s advice, “Don’t think too much about pairing.

Just eat what you want and drink what you want.” Sounds simple enough.

Brand new on the ever-growing Kansai craft beer scene, opened on March 25th, this is the latest shop opened by owner Ai Tani that also includes the original Craft Beer Base and bottle shop, Craft Beer Base Seed. Located on the second basement floor of the Dai-Ichi building, it is a mix between a hip, industrial-esque bar and comfortable lounge atmosphere to enjoy one of their constantly rotating craft beers from Japan and abroad. Adding to the ambiance is the incredibly hospitable staff, led by Planning Manager Masaki Tsuchiya who is keen to inform about the latest and greatest beers they have on tap. If you can’t choose just one great beer to try, start with their sampler set of four 150ml beers for ¥1,200.

CRAFT BEER HOUSE molto

With 24 taps, a full food menu, and a commanding view of the Umeda cityscape, Molto is a place for a long lunch or to settle into for the evening. Situated on the 31st floor of the Hankyu Umeda Grand building, this is easily one of premier spots to enjoy a Japanese craft beer in Kansai. The taps are dedicated to ever-changing ji-biru goodness so the task of selecting a beer can be daunting. No worries, hop on the Brewery Beer Flight and have the staff select a three-beer (140ml each) sampler set of some of Japan’s finest for ¥1,280. Make sure to pick up the member’s card for ¥300 which saves you and anyone with you about ¥100 on your drinks!

Open: 11:30am–3:00pm (l.o. 2:00pm)

craftbeerbar.marciero • Access: Umeda

craftbeer-molto.com • Access: Umeda

Station

Stn, Hankyu Grand Bldg 31F

KANSAI SCENE MAGAZINE | ISSUE #180 MAY 2015 | kansaiscene.com

Language

Congratulations!

Kansai’s celebrating milestones all round this year. Kansai Scene’s 15th, outdone only slightly by the temple town of Koya-san, which is celebrating its 1,200th anniversary!

Even the Hanshin train line just had its 110th birthday last month. So many things to celebrate, so many reasons to say omedetou (congratulations)! Try out some of these lines on your celebrating friends and acquaintances (starting at Kansai Scene’s anniversary bash next month! See page 13 for details).

Illustration: Nicole LaRue

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Useful Expressions Our (magazine’s, etc.) 15th anniversary is coming up.

わたしたちの（ざっし）は もうすぐ １５しゅう ねんを むかえます。

Watashitachi no (zasshi) wa mousugu 15 shuunen o mukaemasu.

Happy 15th anniversary!

１５しゅうねん おめでとう！

15 shuunen omedetou!

How did (the business, etc.) first start?

（＿＿＿＿は）さいしょ どうやって はじまっ たん ですか？

(________wa) saisho douyatte hajimattan desuka?

How long have you been married?

けっこん して どの くらい ですか？

Kekkon shite dono kurai desuka?

How did you first meet?

どうやって しりあったん ですか？

Douyatte shiriattan desuka?

Was it love at first sight?

ひとめぼれ でしたか？

Hitomebore deshitaka?

How are you going to celebrate?

なにか おいわい を する つもり ですか？

Nanika oiwai o suru tsumori desuka?

Are you having a party?

パーティー を しますか？

Paati o shimasuka?

What is the exact date (of your anniversary)?

きねんび は なんにち ですか？

Kinenbi wa nannichi desuka?

What’s one of your favorite memories?

いちばん いい おもいでは なん ですか？

Ichiban ii omoide wa nan desuka?

いちばん ほこれる ぎょうせきは な

What is your proudest achievement?

ん ですか？

Ichiban hokoreru gyouseki wa nan desuka?

What are your plans for the future?

しょうらいの てんぼうは なん ですか？

Shourai no tembou wa nan desuka?

I wish you the best!

がんばって！

Ganbatte!

Let’s make a toast.

かんぱい しましょう。

Kampai shimashou.

Good luck for the future.

かがやかしい みらい を。

Kagayakashii mirai o.

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KANSAI SCENE MAGAZINE | ISSUE #180 MAY 2015 | kansaiscene.com

Food & Drink

Foodspotting What’s on the menu in Sannomiya? Take a load off and find out while soaking up the atmosphere in the heart of Kobe.

Text & Images: Clare Midgley

Cafe

Miyabi Cafe

If you’re craving a change of café scene, or simply need some time out after navigating Kobe’s hectic Sannomiya Station, visit nearby Miyabi Cafe for a reviving coffee in relaxing surroundings. A bakery at street level and a café above, Miyabi takes the typical coffee-shop dessert menu to a new level with its signature ‘honey toast’ – a tempting combination of brioche and ice cream. The café’s golden-lit, restful atmosphere, combined with a generous sprinkling of power points, attracts rows of laptop users catching up on work or study, while a window seat overlooking Sannomiya’s north side is ideal for a spot of people watching.

Take a moment to experience the calm and sip chai latte from a colorful china cup before heading back out to face the world. And nobody will blame you for giving in to the tasty array of baked goods on sale as you leave!

Sashimi

Gyoshou Taka-Aki

Sashimi fanatics and seafood lovers, look no further than Gyoshou Taka-Aki for ultra-fresh fish in the centre of Kobe. On the way in, you’ll pass tanks and boxes brimming with the fruits of the ocean, straight from Kobe’s central fish market. Take a seat upstairs or downstairs and order the assorted sashimi, which comes enticingly presented on a bamboo boat with daikon and shiso. Wedges of juicy tuna and creamy salmon are accompanied by rarer treats, such as sea urchin and abalone. For a break from raw fish, there’s breaded shrimp with a lemon mayonnaise dressing, or oysters fetched from their iced box by the front door especially for you, then cracked open and fried in butter. If you’re feeling daring, the finely-sliced fugu (pufferfish) comes highly recommended. One of four restaurants in the Taka-Aki family, this flagship branch also boasts a well-stocked bar.

Open: 7am–10:30pm • Price Range:

Tofu

Daizuya

Get ready to cast off your preconceptions of tofu as a plain and unexciting vegetarian staple. At Daizuya, the humble soy bean’s versatility is exploited to the max, creating an array of tastes and textures. The ¥3000 seasonal set menu combines the traditional with the unexpected; as well as tucking into tempura, shrimp rice, steamed vegetables and soup, you’ll sample tofu flavored with mustard, black sesame, miso, and green tea. The variety of Daizuya’s soy-based offerings – including firm and soft tofu, regional varieties, and even tofu skin with avocado (surprisingly delicious) – is matched only by the range of condiment options. If you’re not fond of bean curd, see the à la carte menu for alternatives, such as grilled chicken, or shrimp and avocado salad. Make a reservation to be sure of securing a booth, and enjoy the comfortable surroundings, new taste sensations, and service with a friendly smile.

¥350–¥1000 • Access: JR Sannomiya

Open: Lunchtime: 11:30am–2pm; Evening:

Stn, less than 5-min walk • tabelog.com/

5pm–1am • Price Range: ¥1000–¥5000

Open: Sun–Sat; Lunchtime: 11:30am–2pm;

hyogo/A2801/A280101/28042387

• Access: JR Sannomiya Stn, 5-min

Evening: 5pm–12am • Price Range: ¥1500–

walk • tabelog.com/en/hyogo/A2801/

¥4500 • Access: JR Sannomiya Stn, 6-min

A280101/28003491

walk • ko-z.com/daizuya

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 Kansai Scene Listings: What’s on around Kansai

Film Previews  May 23

KS

Pick

© 2014 Twentieth Century Fox Film

© 2015 Sony Pictures Digital Productions Inc. All rights reserved.

The Maze Runner Wes Ball, Action, 113 mins, May 22 • Starring: Dylan O’Brien, Aml Ameen, Ki Hong Lee, Kaya Scodelario

The Maze Runner is yet another franchise trying to mine that sweet Hunger Games cash; teens in the not-so-distant future are put in the middle of a mysterious and deadly maze.

Chappie Neill Blomkamp, Sci-Fi, 120 mins, May 23 Starring: Sharlto Copley, Hugh Jackman, Dev Patel, Sigourney Weaver

In a recent interview with UPROXX, Neill Blomkamp admitted that his second outing “wasn’t quite there.” Although Elysium was cool to look at, had some great action scenes, and was centered around an interesting core idea, many believe the film was not as engrossing or as well-rounded as his directorial debut, District 9.

So has Blomkamp learned from his mistakes with Chappie, or is he merely a one hit wonder who managed to fluke a home run his first time around? Unfortunately the answer to that question is not so cut and dried.

Chappie very much feels like a Blomkamp film; it is a gritty near-future dystopia with cool gadgets and questionable characters. The titular Chappie is played by Blomkamp’s go-to guy, Sharlto Copley, and is a naïve AI robot who absorbs the culture he finds himself in, like an impressionable baby with super strength. Earlier on than the trailer may have you believe, he falls in with some unsavory characters, and picks up some bad habits…if that makes you think of a dark Short Circuit 2, you aren’t too far off.

The supporting cast is mostly great, but not really given that much to play with. Dev Petel is the geeky genius, Hugh Jackman is the staple psychopath, and Sigourney Weaver is predictably awesome but underused. Much like the talented cast, the action scenes are spectacular but are given the limelight far less often than you would like. Not only that, the narrative can seem a little silly at times, and the jumps in technology that are necessary to drive the plot seem far too advanced for a film with PS4 product placements.

I personally prefer Elysium, as for all its flaws it kept me engaged, whilst Chappie did have me wishing for a fast-forward button at certain points. Blomkamp remains an interesting director with a very distinct artistic style, but if you are already sick of him, this will be little else than a nail in the proverbial coffin.

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

© 2013 ASIA & EUROPE PRODUCTIONS S.A. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

The Zero Theorem Terry Gilliam, Sci-Fi, 107 mins, May 16 • Starring: Christoph Waltz, Lucas Hedges, Melanie Thierry

Some see this as a return to form for Gilliam, but for my money it just reminds you of how good Brazil and 12 Monkeys really are. Interesting but not memorable, the movie is an unfortunate missed opportunity.

© Universal Pictures

Blackhat Michael Mann, Drama, 133 mins, May 8 • Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Viola Davis, Wei Tang

You know you’re in trouble when the trailer says “From the Maker of Heat,” a movie so old it could vote. The only reason you’d like this movie is if you love Thor, or really boring plots about hacking.

 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: Furious 7, Whiplash, Birdman (or The Unexpected Virtue of Innocence), The Search, Cinderella, Into the Woods, Jupiter Ascending, Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb • From May 8: Blackhat • From May 22: The Maze Runner • From May 29: Pitch Perfect

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: Jupiter Ascending, Cinderella, Furious 7, Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb, American Sniper • From May 1: Focus • From May 23: Repeated

Birdman

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: The Two Faces of

January, Kite, Narco Cultura, In the Blood, Ninja: Shadow of a Tear, Café de Flore (FR), Redband, Inherent Vice, The Last Five Years, Mommy (FR), Hearts & Minds, Pride, Jessabelle • From May 2: Clown • From May 9: Young Ones, Horns, GMO OMG • From May 16: Reclaim, The Zero Theorem, Ode to My Father (KOR), Imagine, Dying of the Light • From May 30: Vice

• From May 16: Revenge of the

Green Dragons

• From May 23: Deux jours, une

nuit (FR)

• From May 30: Get On Up

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: Furious 7, The Good Lie, Cinderella, Magic in the Moonlight, The Imitation Game, Jupiter Ascending, Night at the Museum, Into the Woods, American Sniper • From May 1: Focus • From May 15: The Signal • From May 16: Run All Night • From May 22: The Maze Runner • From May 23: Chappie

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: The Good Lie, Furious 7, Whiplash, The Search, Cinderella, Night at The Museum: Secret of the Tomb, Jupiter Ascending, Birdman (or The Unexpected Virtue of Innocence), Into the Woods • From May 8: Blackhat • From May 15: The Signal • From May 22: The Maze Runner • From May 23: Chappie

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: Furious 7, Magic in

the Moonlight, Jupiter Ascending, Cinderella, American Sniper • From May 1: Focus • From May 16: Run All Night • From May 22: The Maze Runner • From May 23: Chappie • From May 30: A Walk Among the Tombstones, San Andreas

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

Now showing: All Is By My Side, La Ritournelle (FR), Begin Again, Diplomatie (FR), Die Alpen - Unsere Berge von oben (GER), Plemya (UKR) • From May 9: The Trip to Italy

Mon (men), Weds (women), 1st and 25th of the month: ¥1,000

Now Showing: Mommy (FR),

Road, The Tribe

• From May 2: Looking for Johnny

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: Furious 7, Magic in the Moonlight, Birdman (or The Unexpected Virtue of Innocence), The Two Faces of January, Jupiter Ascending, Into the Woods, Cinderella • From May 10: Focus • From May 16: Run All Night • From May 22: The Maze Runner • From May 23: Chappie

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

Now showing: Mommy (FR), Café

de Flore (FR), Back on Track (GER), Kahaani (HIN), Peace on the Tigris (JP), Hearts and Minds, Papusza (POL) • From May 2: Pride • From May 9: Dior & I, Any Day Now • From May 14: The New Rijksmuseum • From May 16: La Danza Realidad (SP), Rush • From May 23: The Trip to Italy, Nine • From May 30: Deux jours, une nuit (FR), Advanced Style, K2 (ITA), Philomena

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: Furious 7, Cinderella, Whiplash, The Good Lie, Birdman (or the Unexpected Virtue of Innocence), Jupiter Ascending, Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb, Into the Woods, The Search • From May 8: Blackhat • From May 15: The Signal • From May 22: The Maze Runner • From May 23: Chappie • From May 29: Pitch Perfect

Hyogo Magic in the Moonlight

OS Cinema Mint Kobe

Cinem@rt Tel: 06-6282-0815 • cinemart.co.jp/ theater/shinsaibashi • Discounts:

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: Furious 7, Cinderella, Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb, Jupiter Ascending, Into the Woods, The Theory of Everything, The Imitation Game • From May 1: Focus • From May 8: Blackhat • From May 22: The Maze Runner • From May 23: Chappie

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: American Sniper • From May 16: Run All Night • From May 23: Chappie

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: Furious 7, Cinderella, Jupiter Ascending, Night at the Museum, Secret of the Tomb, Into the Woods • From May 1: Focus • From May 22: The Maze Runner • From May 23: Chappie

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: Whiplash, The Search, Birdman (or The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance), Magic in the Moonlight, The Two Faces of January, Back on Track (GER) • From May 2: Mommy (FR) • From May 16: All Is By My Side • From May 16: Die Alpen - Unsere Berge von oben (GER) • From May 23: Horns, The Zero Theorem, Pride • From May 30: Deux jours, une nuit (FR), Get On Up

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: Cinderella, Whiplash, Furious 7, Birdman (or The Unexpected Virtue of Innocence), The Good Lie, Into the Woods, Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb, Jupiter Ascending • From May 15: The Signal • From May 22: The Maze Runner • From May 23: Chappie • From May 29: Pitch Perfect

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

23

 Kansai Scene Listings: What’s on around Kansai

Events  May 17

 May 17

Mifune Festival

Waka Festival – Commemoration of Shogun Ieyasu

三船祭 Kurumazaki Shrine, Kyoto

和歌祭

 May 17

The scene of an ancient boat party on a river will be reenacted in Kyoto. Come and see a beautiful reproduction of courtly boating from the Heian period. After a ritual held to commemorate the deity of Kurumazaki-jinja, performers dressed in colorful period costumes will proceed along the Togetsukyo Bridge and board the boats. Watch around 20 richly decorated boats sail through Arashiyama along the river Oi. Each boat has its assigned role, for example, there is a boat carrying musicians playing music, while dance performances are given on another boat, poetry is recited on another, etc. Sensu fans of all colors are floated on the water’s surface by ladies dressed in the 12 layers of kimono known as juni-hitoe in what is a beautiful and graceful spectacle.

Time: 1pm–3pm (boating) • Admission: Free • Access: Keifuku Line, Arashiyama Stn • jnto.go.jp/eng/location/spot/festival/

Kishu Toshogu Shrine and Surroundings, Wakayama  May 17

With an energetic performance showcasing a mikoshi (portable shrine) and a dynamic costume parade, the festival attracts tens of thousands of visitors every year. This religious event takes place annually on the second Sunday of May. The highlight of the day is the mikoshi procession where 50 men carefully carry it down the 108 steep stone steps. Don’t miss the dazzling parade of traditional Wakayama performance arts. It is said that this festival originally started as a memorial service for the founder and first shogun of the Tokugawa shogunate.

Time: 11:30am–4pm • Admission: Free • Access: JR Wakayama Stn; Nankai Wakayamashi Stn, bus to Gongen-mae • wakamatsuri. com

mifunematsuri.html

 May 31

Aioi Peron Festival – Dragon Boat Race 相生ペーロン祭り Aioi-Wan Bay, Hyogo  May 31

Aioi is known for the annual dragon boat races held during the Aioi Peron Festival, which takes place on the last weekend of May each year.

In 1655, the dragon boat races were brought from China to Nagasaki.

Later in 1922, some Nagasaki industrial workers were transferred to Aioi and they brought the dragon boat races with them. Rigged with decorative patterns and fierce dragon heads, the boats are crewed by 32 people each and on board are drummers, a gong percussionist, and a cox. Many other exciting events will take place alongside the boat races, and the festival is a great day out for everyone. Attractions include a colorful parade of energetic dance teams, food stalls and more.

Fireworks will light up the festival in the evening on the 30th.

Time: 8am–5pm • Admission: Free • Access: JR Aioi Stn, 20-min walk • aioi.in/ season.html#season01

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26

 Kansai Scene Listings: What’s on around Kansai  May 31

Wakanagi Concert – Japanese Folk Music

Event Listings May

邦楽の会 和奏伎 演奏会～日本の民

Exhibition of Antique Musha Ningyo Dolls

謡と祝い唄～

商家につたわる武者人形めぐり

Creo Osaka East  May 31

Traditional Japanese music troupe Wakanagi will hold its annual concert; a golden opportunity to learn about traditional Japanese music and entertainment.

This free music show will include a shamisen performance, a comedy routine, rakugo (traditional storytelling), folk dancing, and singing. It is a rare chance to see classical Japanese juggling on stage as well. English translation will be provided.

Time: 2pm • Admission: Free • Access: JR Loopline Kyobashi Stn, 11-min walk; Nagahori Tsurumi-ryokuchi Subway Line, Osaka Business Park Stn, 9-min walk • wakanagi.com/activity/concert/ plan.html

Gokasho Omi Shonin Yashiki, Shiga  Until May 31

The laid-back town of Gokasho will host this annual event; musha ningyo dolls representing the heroes of Japanese legends are on display in historic houses.

Time: 9:30am–4:30pm Admission: Adults ¥600, concessions • Access: JR Notogawa Stn bus to Plaza Sanpoyoshi • higashiomi.net

Tea Ceremony Room, Kobun-tei Special Opening

This historic tea hut situated in the Shorenin temple is now open to the public. Feel free to join a tea ceremony (no experience is required).

Provided by Biwako Visitors Bureau

洋菓子フェスタ in Kobe Daimaru Kobe, Hyogo  Until May 5

東近江大凧まつり Fureai Undo Park, Shiga  May 31

Spectacular, giant, Japanese kites will be flying in the sky at the Higashi Omi Giant Kite Festival. Enjoy the competitive performance as 40 teams fly traditional kites showing off their beautiful designs. The largest kite in Japan, which is 15 meters high, 12 meters wide, and 700 kilograms in weight, will fly sometime between 11:30am and 2:30pm. Watch as 100 kite launchers propel the kite into the sky. There will be food stalls, a local produce market, stage shows and many other attractions during the event.

Time: 9:30am–3pm (Postponed to Jun 7th in case of rain) • Admission: Free • Access: JR Notogawa Stn, free shuttle bus to venue • oodako.net/about_festival/index.html

Osaka City Abeno Life Safety Learning Center  May 2–6

A special hands-on experience for children below junior-high-school age where they don an orange uniform and learn rescue drills.

Time: 10am & 1pm • Admission: Free • Access: Tanimachi Subway Line, Abeno Stn, Exit 1 or 7 • abenobosai-c.city.osaka.jp

Shorenin Temple, Kyoto Saturday, Sunday and national holidays until May 5

Confectionary Festa in Kobe

Higashi Omi Giant Kite Festival

Junior Rescue Challenge ジュニア・レスキューチャレンジ

好文亭の特別拝観

Time: 10am–3:30pm • Admission: ¥1,000 (Plus ¥500 usual admission) • Access: Tozai Subway Line, Higashiyama Stn; 5-min walk • shorenin.com/english

 May 31

Time: 1pm • Admission: Free • Access: JR or Kintetsu Line, Nara Stn, bus to Daibutsuden Kasugataisha-mae • todaiji.or.jp/ index.html

A grand showcase of cakes and pastries! There is a bespoke layer cake competition and an exhibition of sugar sculptures and sugar novelties. There will be a café featuring special sweets for this event. Sweets can be purchased to take home.

Time: 10am–8pm (May 5th 10am– 4pm) • Admission: Free • Access: JR or Hanshin Line, Motomachi Stn; 3-min walk • kfo.or.jp/yogashifesta/2014

Memorial Service for The Emperor Shomu 聖武天皇祭 Todaiji Temple, Nara  May 2

This is a Buddhist service for the Emperor Shomu who erected the statue of the Great Buddha, daibutsu. There will be a parade of 300 people and traditional Japanese court music, bugaku, will be performed on the stage near Kagami pond.

May 4: Shinoda Fireworks Festival

Shinoda Fireworks 篠田の花火 Shinoda Shrine, Shiga  May 4

The Shinoda hanabi display is a surprisingly spectacular fireworks show. Different styles including a Niagara Falls-style fireworks provide for an explosive experience.

Designated as a significant intangible folk cultural asset, this traditional Japanese fireworks display is unique to Shiga.

Time: 7pm • Admission: Free • Access: JR Omihachiman Stn bus to Ueda • omi8.com/maturi/shinoda. htm

Pet Animal Kingdom 2015 みんな大好きペット王国 2015 Kyocera Dome, Osaka  May 5 & 6

A popular event featuring small animals you can keep at home.

Visit with your own pets and enjoy the animal-petting sections, a dog fashion show, and a Q&A corner.

No animals are for sale at this event.

Time: 10am–5pm • Admission: ¥1,400 (¥1,600 at door) adults, concessions • Access: Hanshin Line, Dome-mae Stn; Subway Line, Nagahori Tsurumi-ryokuchi Line, Dome-mae Chiyozaki Stn • petoukoku.jp

The 16th Opening of

 Kansai Scene Listings: What’s on around Kansai Craftsmen’s Studios 第16 回湖西手仕事工房めぐり あけっぴろげ Takashima City, Shiga  May 8–10

Eight craftsmen’s studios are now open for visitors. See these potters, dyers, glass workers, and woodworkers around the scenic west side of Lake Biwa. See website for more details.

Time: 10am–6pm • Admission: Free • Access: JR Adogawa Stn • akeppiroge.web.fc2.com/index.html

Shinkaichi Music Street 2015 第15回神戸新開地音楽祭 Minatogawa Park and Surroundings, Hyogo  May 9 & 10

More than 150 selected rock, jazz, pop, folk, and classical bands will perform in the streets throughout the neighbourhood of Shinkaichi.

Time: Noon–8pm • Admission: Free • Access: Hankyu or Hanshin Line, Shinkaichi Stn • shinkaichi.or.jp/ ongakusai

Guided Walk around Imai-cho 今井町並み散歩 Imai-Cho Town, Nara  May 9–17 (Main day – 17th)

Featuring its historic townscape from the Edo period, Imai-cho hosts a variety of events to attract sightseers on these days – guided walking tours, open houses, art exhibitions, a fancy-dress parade, hands on workshops of traditional Japanese crafts, and more.

Time: 9am–4pm • Admission: Most events free • Access: Kintetsu Line, Yaginishiguchi Stn; 5-min walk • 3.kcn.ne.jp/~imaicho/sanpo.html

Time: 10:30am • Admission: Free • Access: Karasuma Subway Line, Marutamachi Stn • kyokanko. or.jp/aoi

Oasis 2015 第20回オアシス2015 OBP Twin21, Osaka  May 15–17

A wonderful international art exhibition sanctioned by the Expo Milano 2015 Japan Pavilion featuring artists from France, Monaco, Spain, Turkey, Italy, Vietnam, Japan, and more.

Time: 11am–6pm • Admission: Free • Access: JR Osakajokoen Stn or JR Kyobashi Stn; 5-min walk • reijinsha. com/event/oasis.html

Tour of Japan 2015 Stage 1: Sakai ツアー・オブ・ジャパン2015堺 ステージ Daisen Burial Mound (mausoleum attributed to the Emperor Nintoku)  May 17

This is one of the largest international cycling races where first-class competitors ride against the clock over a distance of 2.65km at this Daisen Park circuit course.

Time: 10am (race starts 10:50am) • Admission: Free • Access: JR Mozu Stn; 5-min walk • toj.co.jp

第44回 神戸まつり The Former Foreign Settlement and Surroundings, Hyogo  May 17

The streets of Kobe will come alive with Brass bands, Japanese folk dance, Samba, baton twirling, and stalls selling cuisine from around the world all day long!

Time: 11am–5pm • Admission: Free • Access: JR Sannomiya Stn • kobematsuri.com

関空旅博2015 Kansai International Airport, Osaka  May 23 & 24

Aoi Festival 葵祭 Kyoto Imperial Palace and Surroundings, Kyoto  May 15

One of the oldest festivals, Aoi Matsuri even appears in the well-known Tale of Genji. A parade straight out of a Heian picture scroll, participants walk to Kamigamo-jinja from the Imperial palace via Shimogamo-jinja

Kansai Scene International Party 関西シーンインターナショナルパーティー MoeJoe, Minami-semba, Osaka

Host to our May party is MoeJoe, Osaka’s newest hangout, serving up yummy American and Mexican soulfood from its stylish, wooden paneled location in Minamisemba. And whatsmore, it’s non-smoking! Expect delicious food, great people and good times. Due to its size however, this party is limited to just 50 people so RSVP on our Meetup page today!  May 23 (Sat) • Time: 7–10pm • Admission: ¥2,000 (incl. 1 drink and food platter) • Access: Shinsaibashi Sta • meetup. com/Kansai-Scene • facebook.com/kansaiscene

The 45th Kobe Festival

Kanku Tabihaku 2015 – Air Travel Fair

May 15: Aoi Festival

 May 23

Kanku Tabihaku 2015 is a grandscale event where people can collect a variety of information on domestic and overseas air travel.

Attractions include international music and dance performances, tasty international cuisine, a quiz show, and more.

Time: 10am–5pm • Admission: Free • Access: JR or Nankai Line, Kansai Airport Stn • tabihaku2015.com

Horticultural & Gardening Show 三田まちなみガーデンショー Sanda Chuo Park, Hyogo

 May 23 & 24

Calling all green thumbs! This event will feature a gardening goods market, a potted plants workshop, horticultural therapy, and live music. Guests will have the chance to visit the locals’ gardens on these days.

house from the Edo period. A local storyteller will perform in this traditional Japanese house.

Time: 2pm–2:30pm • Admission: Free • Access: JR Senda Stn, 20-min walk • city.wakayama.wakayama. jp/menu_1/gyousei/bunshin/ nakasujike

Time: 10am–5pm • Admission: Free • Access: JR Shin-Sanda Stn, bus to Chuokoen-mae • city.sanda.lg.jp

Kifune Festival

Sand Sculpture Contest

Kifune-Jinja Shrine, Kyoto  Jun 1

第47回 砂まつり大会 Shirahama Beach, Wakayama  May 24

Amateur teams will turn thousands of tonnes of smooth, white sand into fabulous works of art.

Contestants will start building sculptures from dawn.

貴船祭 Various rituals will be carried out at this shrine in the mountains and the traditional performance art of izumo kagura is a must-see.

Time: 11am • Admission: Free • Access: Eizan Line, Kibuneguchi Stn, bus to Kibune • kifunejinja.jp

Time: 12:30pm • Admission: Free • Access: JR Shirahama Stn, bus to Shirahama • nanki-shirahama.com

Story Time in a Japanese Traditional House 古民家で昔ばなしを聞く会 Former Nakasuji Family House, Wakayama  May 30

Designated as a nationally important cultural property, this old house is a village headman’s

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

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28

 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 Step Harvest Vol 3

Pirate Banter

Mt. Koya Light Show

Craft Beer Live 2015

 May 3

 May 10

 May 12–17

 May 30 & 31

7:30pm start • ¥1000 (+1 drink) • piratesofthedotombori.com

Access: Nankai Koya Line from Namba Stn to the end, then take cable car • Where: Konpon Daito Pagoda • Time: 1st show 7:20pm; 2nd show 8:10pm • Admission: Free • koyasan1200-hikari.jp

Food meets market meets music.

Another instalment of this popular event.

BIG STEP building, Amemura, Shinsaibashi • Time: 11am–5pm

Sakai Blues Festival  May 3 & 4

Take the opportunity this Golden Week to go and relax and soak up the blues tunes at the Sakai Blues Festival at various locations around Sakai City. Events start around noon and go until around 5pm. Venues include Sakai City hall and Kawaramachi Park. For more information, email info@ sakai-bluesfestival.com or visit the website.

If you can’t wait til the KS party in June to have a laugh with the squadron of stooges that is Pirates of the Dotombori, head to Dyson in Shinsaibashi on Sunday, May 10th for their next improv comedy show.

TED Kobe  May 24

The inaugural “TEDxKobe” will take place this month with the theme “Dive into Diversity.

This independently organized event licensed by TED (Technology, Entertainment and Design) will be held in order to share unique and worthy ideas from Kobe. This is a conference event delivered by today's leading thinkers and doers under the ideal of “Ideas Worth Spreading.”

Access: Nankai Koya Line, Sakaihigashi Stn • Admission: Free • sakai-bluesfestival.com

Takatsuki Jazz Street Festival  May 3 & 4

One of the greatest free music shows in Japan, the Takatsuki Jazz Street Festival will hit the streets once more around JR and Hankyu Takatsuki stations. It’s a two-day extravaganza of live jazz featuring over 300 acts, comprising more than 3,000 artists, performing in 40 different locations in-and-around Takatsuki City. Chill out in one of the four parks, stand and watch curbside, or sit in one of the many cafés featuring live jazz throughout the event.

Access: JR Takatsuki Stn; Hankyu Takatsuki-shi Stn • www.0726.info

Cinco De Mayo Festival 2015  May 4–6

Celebrate in style at the biggest Cinco De Mayo celebration in Japan. Entrance to the event is free but a wristband must be purchased for 500yen in order to buy food, drinks or products.

Osaka Castle Park Taiyo No Hiroba • Time: 11am–8pm • Entry: Free (¥500 wristband) • www. cincodemayo.jp

The mountain buddhist village of Koyasan in Wakayama will hold a light show for six nights in celebration of its 1200th anniversary.

DAAS + Kumamoto Art Exhibit  Until May 10

In a rare duo show, the artists DAAS and Teruko Kumamoto, will be showing at SoHo Gallery in Osaka. In this exciting exhibition, animals will be the main theme and the contrasting styles of these two artists will be highlighted. Teruko Kumamoto’s work is exclusively black and white images of animals and their stories, executed as sculptures and illustrations on small and medium sized canvases, where as DAAS’ paintings are larger works on wood, full of vibrant and powerful colors, which convey an immediate sense of energy and beauty.

SoHo Art Gallery • Access: Subway Tanimachi Line, Tanimachi-9-Chome Stn • Tue–Sat 12pm–7pm; Sun until 5pm • soho-art-gallery.com

Time: 9:30am–8:30pm • Where: Kobe Art Center • Admission: ¥8,000 adults, ¥6,000 students • contact@tedxkobe.com (guests must contact to register) • tedxkobe.com

“British Media Images of Japan”  May 30

Justin McCurry (The Guardian) and David McNeill (The Independent, The Economist ) will talk about how the British news media sees Japan today, 70 years after the end of World War II. Moderated by Eric Johnston of The Japan Times and sponsored by the British Association of Japanese Studies.

Time: 1:30pm–5:30pm • Admission: Free but Space is Limited. RSVP at erichartley1964@gmail.com • Where: Osaka City University, Umeda Satellite Campus • Access: 5-min walk from JR Osaka Stn or Umeda Stn • osaka-cu.ac.jp/ja/ about/university/access#umeda

Craft Beer Live brings craft beer breweries from around Kansai together for a two-day event held in Osaka at the Minatomachi River Place (next to Namba Hatch). The event features 21 Kansai-based breweries and other local craft beer bars serving up roughly 90 beers and great food too, plus a range of live performances.

Time: Sat 12:00–20:00; Sun 11:00– 18:00 • Admission: Free • Drinks: On the day ¥400 (one), ¥2,800 (seven), Advance ¥2400 (seven) • Where: Minatomachi River Place Plaza 3 • craftbeerlive.com

Tezukayama Music Festival  May 30 & 31

The best day of the year in Tezukayama and a fun day out with friends and family, come and enjoy all-day music and excellent food and flea market stalls all the way around the big pond in Tezukayama.

Time: 10am–5pm • Admission: Free • Access: Nankai Koya Line, Tezukayama Stn, 5-min walk to Mandaiike Park • tezukayama.com/ hoge/ongakusai

Silver Ball Planet Pinball Tournament  May 30

Everyone is 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.

Time: 4pm • Admission: Just pay to play (¥100 per game) • Where: BIG STEP 3F, 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

30

 Kansai Scene Listings: What’s on around Kansai  Until May 31

The National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto

Guess What?

KS

Pick Hardcore Contemporary Art’s Truly a World Treasure: Selected Works from the YAGEO Foundation Collection

マーク・クイン《ミニチュアのヴィーナス》 2008年 ヤゲオ財団蔵 © Marc Quinn

Big, small, towering, miniature, colorful, monochrome, gradiented, texturized – if you thought contemporary art was just random colors and lines splattered on a canvas, The National Museum of Modern Art in Kyoto is out to prove you wrong. Featuring around 70 pieces from one of the most powerful art collectors in the world, Pierre Tie Min Chen, the exhibit is a highlight reel of some of the world's most well-known and respected contemporaries like Andy Warhol, Gerhard Richter, and Marc Quinn, whose works are alongside those of equally respected Japanese, Chinese, and Taiwanese artists. This sampling of Chen's collection, known as one of the greatest private contemporary art collections in the world, is divided into ten sections such as "Muse," "The Sublime," "Dignity," "Reality," "Memory," "The Existential Condition," and "New Beauty". Aficionados can get a more detailed run-down of the gallery at the museum curator-led talk on May 23rd (1pm–1:30pm), but even casual art fans shouldn't miss a glimpse of this internationally envied art collector's paradise.

Until May 31 • Contemporary art selection from collector Pierre Tie Min Chen’s private collection, featuring originals by Andy Warhol, Gerhard Richter, and more • Open: 9:30am–5pm (until 8 on Fri) • Admission: ¥1200 • Access: Subway Tozai Line Higashiyama Stn, 10–min walk • momak.go.jp

 Until May 31 Kyoto International Manga Museum

Some might say manga is to art as Kyary Pamyu Pamyu is to pop music – distinctly Japanese. Is it possible to experience manga without thinking “Japan”? Contemporary artist Yuichi Yokoyama answers this challenge with his conceptual style coined "neo manga" that has been making waves for the past decade.

Yokoyama, who was trained in oil painting, shares his experience of universal expression through manga by omitting dialogue and elements considered unique to the Japanese. He uses onomatopoeia and meticulously ordered symmetric lines to deftly depict movement and emotion. This exhibit features Yokoyama's latest project, 'Neo Wall', a projection mapping of a specially produced manga piece on a massive wall just outside of the museum.

Anyone looking for a break from ‘standard’ manga will enjoy this new-era take on the iconically Japanese art.

© Yuichi Yokoyama

Yuichi Yokoyama: This is Neo Wall – Gathering Celebrities and Beasts

Until May 31 • Projection mapping and exhibition of recent work by unconventional manga artist Yuichi Yokoyama • Projection Mapping Open: 6pm–9pm; cancellations possible due to weather • Exhibition Open: 10am–6pm • Closed: Wed (except 5/7) • Admission: Free (¥800 general admission to museum) • Access: Karasuma or Tozai Subway Line, Karasuma Oike Stn • kyotomm.jp

 Kansai Scene Listings: What’s on around Kansai

Art Listings

 Until Jun 29 Decoupled Horizons

Archeologist Heinrich Schliemann and The Tiryns Ruins: The Full Story

As a part of the international photography festival Kyotographie, Czech artist Tomas Svab used an industrial-grade line scan sensor to process his film, creating exaggerated lines and other effects that add a visual sense of rhythm and time to the scenes and subjects.

Calling all history buffs – 28 original illustrations from Heinrich Schliemann’s 18th-century excavation of the Ancient Greek Tiryns Ruins, the mythological birthplace of Hercules, and original bilingual editions of “The Ruins of Troy” are now on public display for the first time. In addition, two Japanese lectures on the ruins’ history and Greek iconography will be held on May 2nd and 30th.

Open: 9:30am–4:30pm • Closed: Tues • Admission: ¥400 • Access: JR Sakurai or Kintetsu Line, Tenri Stn, 20-min walk • sankokan.jp/english

In Praise of Nara – Contemporary Art and the Beauty of Nara Loved by Okakura and Fenollosa Nara Prefectural Museum of Art  Until May 24

Rediscover Nara’s cultural history through a collection of Japanese paintings, sculpture, and various handicrafts from the Meiji period that served as the inspiration for contemporary pieces by Tenshin Okakura and Ernest Fenollosa, whose works are also on display.

Open: 9am–5pm • Closed: Mon & Holidays • Admission: ¥800 • Access: Kintetsu Nara Stn, 5-min walk • pref.nara.jp

Kyoto Masaharu Sato “1×1=1” Imura Art Gallery  Until May 23

For Masaharu Sato’s fifth solo exhibition at the gallery, the artist is releasing five new photo digital paintings, produced using the special technique of duplicating a photo and painting a duplicate, which is then placed alongside the original seamlessly. Can you figure out which side is real in his “unrealistic world”?

Open: 11am–7pm • Closed Sun, Mon, and holidays • Admission: Free • Access: Keihan Marutamachi Stn • imuraart.com

Kyoto Art Hostel Kumagusuku  Until May 10

Open: 1pm–7pm • Admission: Free • Access: Hankyu Line, Omiya Stn, 5-min walk • kumagusuku.info

101 Masters From the History of Japanese Photography Hosomi Museum  Until May 17

Take a journey through Japanese history and the development of the art of photography from late Edo period to the end of the 20th century through 101 photos hand-selected by the master photographers and their families.

Open: 10am–6pm • Closed: Mon • Admission: Free • Access: Subway Tozai Line, Higashiyama Stn, 10-min walk • emuseum.or.jp

Osaka Kunio Sato “Happiness?”

Kunio Gallery  Until Jun 26

Gallery of wonderfully cute personified animals lovingly painted by well-known artist Kunio Sato. Drop by the gift shop for goodies printed with his most popular illustrations.

Hankyu Umeda Gallery

Mitsuaki Iwago’s World "Cats" Travelogue

ＩＷＡＧＯ ＴＳＵＡＫＩ Ⓒ ＭＩ

Nara

Tenri University Sankokan Museum  Until Jun 8

31

The Cesar Millan or Steve Irwin of cats, Iwago doesn't just take pictures of cats around the world, he has an intuitive sense about their nature. He studies cats with the same knowledge and awareness as his dogwhispering and crocodile-wrangling counterparts, understanding how things like the color of a cat's coat, its gender, its environment, and its interactions with humans around it affect its behavior. And like a pro model photographer, he knows just what techniques to use to bring out the best in his furry feline subjects.

Ever since being inspired by the abundant nature (and colonies of cats!) of the Galapagos Islands at the age of 19, Iwago has been taking photographs of animals all around the world, particularly gaining fame and a NHK international program for his beloved feline shots. The pictures are not an just of cute cats from around the world – although many are ‘aww’-inducingly cute – rather, Iwago's pictures are an experience of the unique lifestyles of cats on Earth.

Until May 11 • Gallery of selected shots and video from internationally beloved animal photographer Misuaki Iwago’s NHK program “World "Cats" Travelogue” • Open: 10am–8pm (10am–9pm on Fri), 10am–6pm on 5/11 • Admission: ¥600 • Access: Hankyu Line Umeda Stn • hankyu-dept.co.jp

Open: 11am–7pm (11am–6pm on Sun) • Closed: Sat & Holidays • Admission: Free • Access: Tanimachi Subway Line or Keihan Line, Tenmabashi Stn, 5-min walk • kunio.biz

Shiga

Hyogo

Comb, Hairpin, and Cosmetics Set Exhibition

Para-Motion Select Seian Art Center  Until May 9

Paving the Way to Modernization: A Journey Through the History and Art of Kobe

Koyano Museum of Antiques  Until Dec 25

Just as the desire to be beautiful has persisted for millennia, the tools and styles of the past have much in common with those of the present.

About 1,500 familiar (plus many unfamiliar) cosmetic products and hair and beauty accessories from the Meiji and Edo periods are on display, along with paintings of Edoperiod hairstyles.

Open: 11am–6pm • Closed: Sun & Holidays • Admission: ¥500 • Access: JR Kyobashi Stn, 5-min walk • koyafron.co.jp/museum/index

Using the theme, “the essence of communication,” four Seian University of Art and Design students go beyond paint and easel to create dynamic pieces that comment on our increasingly fuzzy relationship with technology, time, and human interaction.

Open: 12pm–6pm • Closed: Sun & May 4–6 • Admission: Free • Access: JR Kosei Line to Ogoto Onsen Stn, Seian school bus • seian.ac.jp/ gallery

BB Plaza Museum of Art  Until Jun 14

Exhibition of paintings, prints, rare photographs, and more that profile how train lines and consequent urbanization are connected to the development of the arts and culture in Kobe. This is a part of the Hanshin train line 110th anniversary celebrations.

Open: 10am–6pm • Closed: Mon (Closed 12:30pm–3:30pm on May 24 for a concert) • Admission: ¥400 • Access: Hanshin Iwaya Stn • bbpmuseum.jp/english

32

 Kansai Scene Listings: What’s on around Kansai

Live Music

KS

Pick

 Jun 11 - 12

Haruomi Hosono

Sixty-seven-year-old Haruomi Hosono, also know as Harry Hosono, is a musician, producer, and songwriter probably best recognized for his work in the bands Happy End and Yellow Magic Orchestra (alongside internationally acclaimed Ryuichi Sakamoto). Covering a variety of styles, Hosono has been recording albums since 1973 as well as movie and video soundtracks.

Seen as a Japanese pioneer of electronic ambient music, playing bass and synthesizer, his latest work is the 2013 release Heavenly Music (a collection of mostly covers including “Close To You” (The Carpenters), “Radio Activity” (Kraftwerk) and “When I Paint My Masterpiece” (Bob Dylan)) and features a guest appearance from his old bandmate Sakamoto.

An interest but non-musical titbit about Harry Hosono is that his grandfather Masabumi Hosono was the only Japanese passenger and survivor of the sinking of the Titanic.

Japanese musician best known for his work with Ryuichi Sakamoto • Taku Taku, Kyoto • June 11-12 • Ambient electronic • 7pm • ¥6,000/¥7,500 • Tel: 07-5351-1321

Live Music Listings May/June Rock & Pop Southern All-Stars Popular Japanese pop-rock band Kyocera Dome, Osaka  May 16–17 • Pop-rock • 16th – 6pm; 17th – 5pm • ¥9,000 • Tel: 06-7732-8888

Angra Brazilian metal outfit formed 1991 Big Cat, Osaka

 May 18 • Metal • 7:30pm • ¥7,500 • Tel: 06-6535-5569

Juno Reactor British electronic trance performance group Big Cat, Osaka

 May 19 • Trance • 8pm • ¥5,800/¥6,500 • Tel: 06-6258-5008

Little Barrie London based rock trio formed 1999 Club Quattro, Osaka

 May 22 • Rock • 7pm • ¥5,000 • Tel: 06-6311-8111

Lä-Ppisch Japanese ska band Big Cat, Osaka

 May 22 • Ska • 7pm • ¥6,500/¥7,000 • Tel: 06-6344-3326

Polysics Japanese new-wave and rock band from Tokyo Taku Taku, Kyoto

 May 23 • Rock • 6:30pm • ¥3,800/¥4,300 • Tel: 07-5351-1321

Triceratops Japanese rock trio Namba Hatch, Osaka

 May 24 • Rock • 5pm • ¥4.950 • Tel: 06-6341-3525

Mr. Children Popular Japanese pop-rock band formed 1988 Osaka Jo Hall, Osaka

Mika Lebanese-British singer-songwriter Namba Hatch, Osaka

 May 27 • Singer-songwriter • 7pm • ¥7,500 • Tel: 06-6535-5569

Sex Machineguns Japanese heavy-metal band formed 1989 Muse, Kyoto

 May 27 • Metal • 6:30pm • ¥4,000/¥4,500 • Tel: 07-5223-0389

Mari Natsuki Japanese singer, dancer and actress Junko Nakajima Taku Taku, Kyoto

 May 29 • Pop • 7pm • ¥5,800 • Tel: 07-5351-1321

Impellitteri US speed-metal band from Los Angeles formed 1987 Club Quattro, Osaka

Idina Menzel

Idina Menzel American actress and singer, the voice of Frozen’s Elsa Osaka Jo Hall, Osaka

 June 1 • Female vocal • 7pm • ¥7,500/¥8,500 • Tel: 06-6341-4506

Nickelback Canadian rock band from Alberta formed 1995 Zepp, Osaka  June 2 • Rock • 7pm • ¥9,500/¥10,500 • Tel: 05-70200888

Queeness

Sonata Arctica  May 20 • Metal • 7pm • ¥7,000 • Tel: 06-6311-8111

 May 30–31 • Pop • 6pm • ¥5,800 • Tel: 05-7020-0888

 May 29 • Metal • 7pm • ¥7,500/¥8,000 • Tel: 06-6311-8111

 May 19–20 • 7pm • ¥7,560/¥8,100 • Tel: 06-7732-8888

Power-metal band from Finland Club Quattro, Osaka

 May 25 • Singer-songwriter • 6:30pm/9:30pm • ¥7,900/¥9,400 • Tel: 06-6342-7722

John Hiatt

John Hiatt American guitarist, pianist, singersongwriter since the 1970s Billboard Live OSAKA, Osaka

Japanese Queen tribute band Rock Town, Osaka

 May 30 • Rock • 7pm • ¥4,000/¥4,500 • Tel: 06-6632-6900

aiko Japanese pop singer-songwriter Zepp, Osaka

MAGMA

MAGMA French prog rock band formed 1969

 Kansai Scene Listings: What’s on around Kansai

 May 19

 Jun 14

Juno Reactor

Formed 25 years ago as an art project creating experimental music and nonmusical soundtracks, the group’s first single “Laughing Gas” was released in 1993, which was soon followed by the long play debut Transmissions.

Founding member Ben Watkins has also worked on the soundtrack to the Matrix films and video games. Music

by Juno Reactor has appeared in many movies including Eraser, Lost In Space, Beowulf and Mortal Kombat.The band’s latest studio recording is the 2013 The Golden Sun Of The Great East. The eighth album from Juno Reactor is described by the group as “an exotic mix of surging trance beats, cinematic vision, and lustrous world-music flavors.”

The current band line-up consists of founder Ben Watkins, British drummer Budgie, Israeli dancer and percussionist Mali Mazal, singer Taja Devi from Slovenia, Indian singer Hamsika Iyer, Spanish guitarist Amir Haddad, and guitarist Sugizo from Japan.

 Jun 10

Michael Schenker

Ex-Scorpions, ex-UFO, classic-rock guitar legend is back in Japan and this time, accompanying him and his band as special guests, are Graham Bonnet and Band.Schenker and his band Temple of Rock recently released the new studio album Spirit On A Mission which features fellow ex-Scorpions Herman Rarebell (drums) and Francis Buchholz (bass), plus guitarist Wayne Findlay, and ex-Rainbow vocalist Doogie White. Asked about the new album title Michael says “a while ago I was asked how I wanted to be remembered and I said ‘as a spirit on a mission, spreading joy of music from a place of pure self-expression.”

Although Graham Bonnet is best known by rock fans for his Rainbow days in the late seventies (Down to Earth album), Schenker followers will also know him from his vocals on the Michael Schenker Group album Assault Attack.

The Iron Maidens

Formed in 2001, Iron Maiden tribute band The Iron Maidens bill themselves as the world’s only female tribute to Iron Maiden. From Los Angeles, California the band released an album of Maiden covers in 2005 that also featured keyboards by Michael Kenney (keyboards on the original Iron Maiden Seventh Son of a Seventh Son album in 1988) and cover artwork by Derek Riggs, the man behind many a Maiden original covers and the creator in many respects of Eddie. The band’s second album, the 2007 Route 666, featured a guest appearance from Motorhead guitarist Phil Campbell, who has also played live with the band. In a recent live review the band was described as “simply the best Iron Maiden tribute band out there with a show that will not disappoint.”

If you like Iron Maiden but don’t have an opportunity to see them then you can’t go far wrong with The Iron Maidens as a back-up plan!

Classic rock guitarist with special guest British electronic trance performance

Graham Bonnet Band • Zepp, Osaka • June

US Iron Maiden female tribute band • Club

group • Big Cat, Osaka • May 19 • Trance •

14 • Rock • 5pm • ¥9,000 • Tel: 05-7020-

Quattro, Osaka • June 10 • Metal • 7pm •

8pm • ¥5,800/¥6,500 • Tel: 06-6258-5008

0888

¥6,000/¥6,500 • Tel: 06-6311-8111

Club Quattro, Osaka

 June 3 • Prog rock • 7:30pm • ¥8,600 • Tel: 06-6535-5569

Eikichi Yazawa and band Orix Theatre, Osaka

J.D. SOUTHER

 June 7 • Punk • 6pm • ¥3,300 • Tel: 06-6357-4400

Japanese musician best known for his work with Ryuichi Sakamoto Taku Taku, Kyoto

Miwa

 June 4 • Rock • 7pm • ¥7,500/¥10,500 • Tel: 06-63443326

Japanese high-energy garage punk trio Club Quattro, Osaka

Hosono Haruomi

Italian technical death-metal band Namba Rockets, Osaka  June 9 • Metal • 6pm • ¥6,000 • Tel: 06-6649-3919

Z’s

The 50 Kaitenz

Fleshgod Apocalypse

J.D. Souther American musician and songwriter John David Souther Billboard Live OSAKA, Osaka

 June 8 • AOR • 6:30pm/9:30pm • ¥7,500/¥9,000 • Tel: 06-6342-7722

 June 11–12 • Ambient electronic • 7pm • ¥6,000/¥7,500 • Tel: 075351-1321

Japanese singer-songwriter Osaka Jo Hall

Michael Schenker

The Iron Maidens

 June 14 • Rock • 5pm • ¥9,000 • Tel: 05-7020-0888

 June 10 • Singer-songwriter • 7pm • ¥6,800 • Tel: 05-7020-0888

US female Iron Maiden tribute band Club Quattro, Osaka  June 10 • Metal • 7pm • ¥6,000/¥6,500 • Tel: 06-6311-8111

Classic-rock guitarist with special guest Graham Bonnet Band Zepp, Osaka

33

34

 Kansai Scene Listings: What’s on around Kansai

Interview // Little Barrie

 May 22

London based, UK rock trio Little Barrie released their debut album We are Little Barrie 10 years ago in 2005, produced by musician and producer Edwyn Collins. The band then set off on tours across Europe, Japan, Australia, and the US. Last year saw the release of the group’s fourth studio album Shadow which showed a different direction. Kansai Scene spoke with founding member Barrie Cadogan about the upcoming Japan shows and the album Shadow.

The album Shadow is now a year old, and you recently penned the theme to the US show Better Call Saul. Is this a small taster for other new material, and is there a new Little Barrie studio album on the horizon?

The theme for Better Call Saul was written as a separate project to other new Little Barrie material. We are working on new songs, but the sound is different again from the ‘Saul’ theme. There’s gonna be a new Little Barrie single in the summer, an album will come later on.

We Are Little Barrie, King of The Waves, and Shadow were all produced along with Edwyn Collins. You’ve had a long association with him – what kind of influence would you say he’s had on the band?

Edwyn Collins has had a massive influence on the band.

He helped us make our first album when we had no money in his amazing studio which helped us get a record deal.

Before moving to London I was fascinated by the sound of his records – his production sounded a lot more unique and interesting than lots of other artists at the time. We then found out he was doing all of this himself with his engineer Seb Lewsley. We have so much respect for Edwyn as a great songwriter, musician and producer but more than that as a human being. He has fought incredibly hard since suffering a stroke 11 years ago to rebuild his life and his career and still find time to help people like us and many other artists too.

You say about Shadow, “We don’t want to repeat ourselves.” How would you describe the way Little Barrie has changed or progressed since the first album We Are Little Barrie 10 years ago?

The band sound has definitely evolved over the years. You get interested in different things. When we started, we were more directly influenced by soul, early funk, and R&B. When we were working on our second album, there were more R&B and blues influences and we were also getting into rockabilly rhythms and sounds. Our third album King Of The Waves was more hard-hitting than anything we’d done before and we were more into surf and garage music.

We wanted a more explosive record. With Shadow I wanted something more dark and cinematic, but still capturing the spirit of the band’s live performances. I wanted to make an album that felt like a film score by a guitar band. It’s is my favourite album we’ve done so far, it’s key for us as it defined us as a band. The next thing we do will move on again.

London based rock trio formed 1999 • Club Quattro, Osaka • May 22 • Rock • 7pm • ¥5,000 • Tel: 06-6311-8111

Little Barrie @ Club Quattro

World WeiWei Wuu WeiWei’s Anthology featuring Hiroki Kashiwagi Chinese erhu musician & Japanese cellist Billboard Live OSAKA, Osaka

 May 24 • World • 4:30pm/7:30pm • ¥5,000/¥6,500 • Tel: 06-63427722

Akiko Yano & Hiromitsu Agatsuma Japanese jazz-pop musician Akiko Yano & Japanese shamisen artist Agatsuma Billboard Live OSAKA, Osaka

 May 29 • World • 6:30pm/9:30pm • ¥6,500/¥8,000 • Tel: 06-63427722

Jazz & Blues

 May 19 • Jazz pop • 6:30pm/9:30pm • ¥6,400/¥7,900 • Tel: 06-6342-7722

Robert Glasper Experiment American jazz pianist and producer Billboard Live OSAKA, Osaka  May 26–28 • Jazz • 6:30pm/9:30pm • ¥7,900/¥9,400 • Tel: 06-6342-7722

Cholet-Kanzig-Papaux Trio Double bass, drums & piano jazz trio Rag, Kyoto

 May 26 • Jazz • 7:30pm • ¥4,000/¥4,500 • Tel: 07-5255-7273

Keiko Lee Jazz-pop vocalist Keiko Lee sings The Beatles Mr. Kelly’s, Osaka

 June 13 • Jazz • 7pm/9:30pm • ¥5,500/¥6,000 • Tel: 06-6342-5821

R&B and Soul Toshinori Yonekura Japanese R&B pop singer and producer Namba Hatch, Osaka

 May 22 • Pop • 7pm • ¥7,560 • Tel: 06-7732-8888 Wouter Hamel © Sanja Marusic

Wouter Hamel (Guest Shingo Sekiguchi) Dutch pop-jazz singer and musician with style comparisons to Jamie Cullum Billboard Live OSAKA, Osaka

Koda Kumi R&B pop vocalist from Kyoto Osaka Jo Hall

 May 29–31 • Pop • 29th – 7pm; 30th – 5pm; 31st – 4pm • ¥8,200 • Tel: 06-6341-3525

Find more listings online: kansaiscene.com/listings

36

 Kansai Scene Listings: What’s on around Kansai

Club

 May 15 - 17

Stihl no Mori Kyoto The annual, outdoor Star Festival will be back bigger and better than ever! Featuring many of the world’s best DJs and producers, the highlight of the festival will be Squarepusher aka Tom Jenkinson, the pioneer of Drill’n’Bass. He just released new album “Damogen Furies” from the prestigious electronic label Warp Records in April and he will play all new live show and eagerly anticipated new material on Saturday night. Other headline acts include the techno prodigy Koze, top techno producer/DJ from Belgium Peter Van Hoesen, Sebastian’s (from Minilogue/Son Kite) new unit with Ulf Eriksson, London Elektricity, the man behind the best Drum’n’bass label Hospital and many more. The festival starts on Friday afternoon and will last until Sunday afternoon, but the music will stop at midnight. Bringing your camping gear is highly recommended since there is no accommodation at the venue. If you don’t have camping gear, you can rent a nice Logos tent at the festival. For more information, visit the festival website.

The Star Festival 2015 (Dance Music) • Acts: Squarepusher, Koze, Peter Van Hoesen, Sebastian Mullaert & Ulf Eriksson, Zip, Lawrence, London Elektricity, Nobu + more • Open: 3pm • Admission: ¥7,500 (Group Tickets for 4 people: ¥28,000, Group Tickets for 10 people: ¥65,000) • Where: Hiyoshi (Kyoto) • thestarfestival.com

Club Listings May

World

Socore Factory

Flash! (EDM/House) • DJs: Nakata

Matango (Techno) • Live: Akiko

Circus

Yasutaka, Verbal, Erry, Mellow • Open: 8pm–1am • Admission: ¥3,500/1D (ADV: ¥3,000/1D) • Where: Kyoto • Tel: 07-5212-4119 • world-kyoto.com

Zipangu presents Eddie C (Techno/House) • DJs: Eddie C,

2 (Sat)

1 (Fri)

Norio, Keiburger • Open: 10pm • Admission: ¥2,500 • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6241-3822 • circus-osaka.com

Joule Tance Fridays feat. Mekkanikka (Trance) • DJs: Mekkanikka,

Energy Dai, Kasah, MoXoN, Devun • Open: 10pm • Admission: ¥2,000 • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-62141223 • club-joule.jp

Onzieme Jack (Dance) • DJs: Make Love

Sound, No Border + more • Open: 9pm • Admission: ¥2,500/1D • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-62430089 • onzi-eme.com

Union Trunk (House) • Live: Miki Shinichi

• DJs: Loe, YodaHaruka, Masanao Shibata • Open: 9pm • Admission: ¥1,000/1D • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6251-2242 • club-union.jp

Circus

Election (Techno/House) • DJs:

MK, Silver Fox, Umehara, High Velocity • Open: 10pm • Admission: ¥2,500 • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6241-3822 • circus-osaka.com

Honto Record

Kiyama, CazU-23 • DJs: Tuttle aka MarginalMan, Jimmer, Spinnuts • Open: 11pm • Admission: ¥2,800/1D (WF: ¥2,300/1D ) • Where: Horie • Tel: 06-6567-9852 • socorefactory.com

Troop Cafe Extro 10th Anniversary (Disco/ House) • Acts: Black Devil Disco

Club + more • Open: 11pm • Admission: ¥3,000/1D (Foreigners: ¥2,000/1D) • Where: Kobe • Tel: 07-8321-3130 • troopcafe.jp

3 (Sun / Nat Hol)

Port. (Techno/House) • Koji

Sawamura, Fumi, Takashi Himeoka • Open: 11pm • Admission: Free • Where: Kyoto, Marutamachi • facebook.com/ events/1423920631243069

Onzieme 802Kidz DJ Set in Onzieme (Electro/House) • DJs: 802Kidz,

Ko-Matsushima, Ypy, Key Toy’s Crew, Yuuka+ more • Open: 9pm • Admission: ¥3,000/1D • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6243-0089 • onzi-eme.com

Circus Danny Krivit Japan Tour in Osaka (House) • DJs: Danny Krivit,

Masaaki + more • Open: 10pm • Admission: ¥2,500 • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6241-3822 • circus-osaka.com

Daikokudani Camp Site Trancist Festival (Trance) • Acts: Gu, Humanoid Interface, Gravity aka Akai, Masa, Ree.k, Show-Hey, Seiji Animaminimal + more • Open: 2pm; May 5th (Tue) 3pm • Admission: ¥6,500 (ADV: ¥5,500) • Where: Kyoto • trancist.com

4 (Mon / Nat Hol) Circus Roni Size Japan Tour (Drum’n’Bass) • DJs: Roni Size,

1945 aka Kuranaka, Toyo, Keita Kawakami, Rasty • Open: 10pm • Admission: ¥3,000 (ADV: ¥2,800) • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-62413822 • circus-osaka.com

Joule Electric Trance Bomb (Trance)

• Live: Growling Virus aka Bansi (G.M.S) & Cyrus The Virus • DJs: O-Man, Shunya, Shiva + more • Open: 10pm • Admission: Gentlemen: ¥2,500, Ladies: ¥2,000 • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-62141223 • club-joule.jp

Mishima Beach Side Electro Beach Osaka (EDM)

• Acts: Steve Aoki, Knife Party, R3hab, W&W, Dvbbs, Cash Cash + more • Open: 12pm • Admission: ¥9,800 • Where: Maishima • electrobeachosaka.com

 Kansai Scene Listings: What’s on around Kansai 5 (Tue / Nat Hol) Namura Zosen Atochi One Nation – Goldenweek Special (Techno/House ) • Acts:

Nina Kruaviz, Scuba, Mathew Jonson, Vakula, Kyoto Jazz Massive, Goth-Trad, Ageishi, Sodeyama + more • Open: 1pm–10pm • Admission: ¥4,000 (ADV: ¥3,500) • Where: Kitakagaya • namura.cc

Onzieme Gorillaz Sound System DJ Set Japan Tour 2015 (Electro/ House/Bass Music) • DJs: Gorillaz

¥1,400) • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6243-0089 • onzi-eme.com

Troop Cafe Rush Hour Label Night (Techo/ House) • Acts: Soichi Terada,

Antal, San Proper, Telly, Mitsuki • Open: 11pm • Admission: ¥1,000 • Where: Kobe • Tel: 07-8321-3130 • troopcafe.jp

World DDD (House) • DJs: Daishi

Dance, Yoshikatsu Ikeuchi • Open: 8pm–1am • Admission: Gentlemen: ¥3,000/1D, Ladies: ¥2,000/1D • Where: Kyoto • Tel: 07-5212-4119 • world-kyoto.com

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

13 (Wed)

6 (Wed)

Onzieme

Onzieme Escape Special (Hip hop) •

Live: Moomin • DJs: Martin, Ax, Naka-g, Jacky, Merit • Open: 9pm • Admission: Gentlemen: ¥2,000/1D, Ladies: Free • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6243-0089 • onzi-eme.com

Escape Special (Hip hop) •

Live: Moomin • DJs: Martin, Ax, Naka-g, Jacky, Merit • Open: 9pm • Admission: Gentlemen: ¥2,000/1D, Ladies: Free • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6243-0089 • onzi-eme.com

15 (Fri)

8 (Fri)

Onzieme

Circus

DJs: Kitten, Dmitri, Nao Okada, Marvy, Yoshiki Yamamoto + more • Open: 9pm • Admission: ¥2,500/1D • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 066243-0089 • onzi-eme.com

Chaos (Techno) • DJs: Zip, Fumiya

Tanaka • Open: 11pm • Admission: ¥3,000 • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6241-3822 • circus-osaka.com

Onzieme Sobriquets (Electro/House) • DJs:

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

9 (Sat) Circus Life And Death feat. Tale Of Us & DJ Tennis (Techno) • DJs:

Life Of Us, Tennis • Open: 11pm • Admission: ¥3,000 (ADV: ¥2,800) • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-62413822 • circus-osaka.com

Grand Cafe XXXX (House/EDM) • DJs: Licca,

Kitten, DB, Chiika, Mizuki, Aira + more • Open: 9pm • Admission: Gentlemen: ¥2,000/1D, Ladies: ¥1,500/1D • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6213-0031 • grandcafeosaka. com

Onzieme Youarehere(Techno/House) •

DJs: Dosem, Mnmn, Osakaman x U:ichi, Sou, Unbalance • Open: 9pm • Admission: ¥3,000/1D (ADV:

Hemlen 1st Anniversary (Progressive House/Techno) •

World Cosmic - Electric Dance (EDM/ House) • DJs: Kento, Kazunari,

Show-T • Open: 8pm-1am • Admission: Gentlemen: ¥2,500/1D, Ladies: ¥1,500/1D • Where: Kyoto • Tel: 07-5212-4119 • world-kyoto. com

16 (Sat) Onzieme Eleven Lights (Progressive House/Electro) • DJs: Kento,

Alphashot, Maurice, Nick + more • Open: 9pm • Admission: ¥3,000/1D • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 066243-0089 • onzi-eme.com

20 (Wed) Onzieme Escape Special (Hip hop) •

Live: Moomin • DJs: Martin, Ax, Naka-g, Jacky, Merit • Open: 9pm • Admission: Gentlemen: ¥2,000/1D, Ladies: Free • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6243-0089 • onzi-eme.com

22 (Fri)

29 (Fri)

Circus

Circus

Nick Hoppner “Folk” Release Tour (Techno) • DJs: Nick Hoppner

Satoshi Tomiie “New Day” Release Japan Tour 2015 (House)

+ more • Open: 10pm • Admission: ¥2,500 • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6241-3822 • circus-osaka.com

Joule Tance Fridays feat. Gabriel & Dresden (Trance) • DJs: Gabriel &

Dresden, Kitten, Shinji, AwaCHan • Open: 10pm • Admission: ¥2,000 • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-62141223 • club-joule.jp

Onzieme

• DJs: Satoshi Tomiie + more • Open: 10pm • Admission: ¥2,500 • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-62413822 • circus-osaka.com

Onzieme Othello (House/R&B) • DJs: Kango, Bounce Catz, Room 1405, Roo, Yuuna + more • Open: 9pm • Admission: ¥2,500/1D • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6243-0089 • onzi-eme.com

Troop Cafe

Grand Groove (House/R&B) • DJs: Hasebe, Urata, Masakaz, ReeAge, Giann + more • Open: 9pm • Admission: ¥2,500/1D • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6243-0089 • onzi-eme.com

Goma -Live in Kobe (Dance) • Acts: Goma + more • Open: 11pm • Admission: ¥3,000/1D (ADV: ¥2,500/1D) • Where: Kobe • Tel: 07-8321-3130 • troopcafe.jp

23 (Sat)

30 (Sat)

Circus

Circus

Hip Hop Circus (Hip hop) • DJs:

Cosmos (Techno/House) • Live: Neutral (Fumitake Tamura + Aoki Takamasa) • DJs: Kohei, Yosuke Yukimatsu, Fumi • Open: 10pm • Admission: ¥2,500 • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6241-3822 • circus-osaka.com

Toshibo, Urata, Questa + more • Open: 10pm • Admission: ¥2,000 • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-62413822 • circus-osaka.com

Onzieme Hush! feat. JoHnny D (Techno/ House) • DJs: Johnny D, Yashima,

Hiloco, Sekitova, Masataka + more • Open: 9pm • Admission: ¥3,000/1D • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 066243-0089 • onzi-eme.com

Troop Cafe Lovers Jak (Techo/House) • Acts: Sai, Takeshi Kouzuki, Hankyo, Yuko Nshida • Open: 11pm • Admission: ¥2,500/1D (ADV: ¥2,000/1D, Foreigners: ¥1,500/1D) • Where: Kobe • Tel: 07-8321-3130 • troopcafe.jp

World Sprung (Techno) • DJs: Takkyu Ishino + more • Open: 8pm-1am • Admission: Gentlemen: ¥3,000/1D, Ladies: ¥2,000/1D • Where: Kyoto • Tel: 07-5212-4119 • world-kyoto. com

27 (Wed) Onzieme Escape Special (Hip hop) •

Live: Moomin • DJs: Martin, Ax, Naka-g, Jacky, Merit • Open: 9pm • Admission: Gentlemen: ¥2,000/1D, Ladies: Free • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6243-0089 • onzi-eme.com

Onzieme Nu Wave feat. Panorama (Techno) • DJs: Shinichi Osawa,

Sekitova, Can Cliffe, Elli-Rose + more • Open: 10pm • Admission: ¥3,000/1D • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6243-0089 • onzi-eme.com

World Tachytelic (Electro, Drum’n’Bass)

• DJs: Taku Takahashi, Takeru John Otogro • Open: 8pm-1am • Admission: Gentlemen: ¥3,000/1D, Ladies: ¥2,000/1D • Where: Kyoto • Tel: 07-5212-4119 • world-kyoto. com

37

40

 Kansai Scene Classifieds > kansaiscene.com/classifieds Accommodation For Rent KADOMA CITY, OWADA AREA. 1R Apartment 40000 semi. Right by Owada Keihan train line, 2minute walk. 1R apartments available on 2nd and 5th floors. (No elevator building) 17 square meters, semi furnished (washing machine, curtains, lights, refrigerator, futon) 40000yen/month. 1month refund. deposit, utilities additional.

Supermarket close by. Alex 09037030314 Contact: alexb <alex@ abhousingosaka.com> Website: www.abhousingosaka.com [2643-902015-05-14]

KOBE - HANKYU MIKAGE / OKAMOTO. 61 sqm, semi-

furnished, no key money, no agency fee, 2 months refundable deposit, Y98,000/month. This is a sunny, spacious flat in a natural location near stream and mountain trail, 20 mins walk from Hankyu Mikage, bit more to JR Sumiyoshi. Regular buses too. ffeilden@yahoo.co.jp 090-9286-1216 Contact: ffeilden <info@ffeilden.com> Website: www. ffeilden.com/ [2567-436-2015-05-18] IMAZATO AREA, 1K, 3. 5000/ month, near Namba. 2min walk to Imazato Kintetsu Nara and Osaka line.7min walk to Shoji and Shinfukae of subway sennitimae.10min by train to Namba.35000/month.6th floor.Autolock.Elevator.

Aircondition.Closet. Shoesbox.

No key money.No agency fees.6 monthes minimum contract.2 monthes deposit.09063621682 mail:jahoda3mk8@ezweb. ne.jp Contact: mari komeda <marikome507@yahoo.co.jp> [26275603-2015-05-07]

Room/flat share FREE RENT FOR 1 MONTH. 1 MONTH FREE RENT. CENTRAL OSAKA. Need tenants now as owner really busy. 2 min train to Shinsaibashi, 6 min train to Umeda Station, Rooms available in sunny newly renovated 3DK. These rooms will fill quickly. 37,000 or 47,000 plus utilities. No Key Money.

Call 08056375067. See webpage for photos. Contact: HelloMarty <chuppi2011@gmail.com> Website: www.liveinosaka.weebly.com/ photos.html [2653-5649-2015-05-13]

Jobs Education

plus bonus, transportation fee, health insurance, payment holidays.

Plaz send CV Contact: yuka <enderra514@hotmail.com> [2660-

yuzutakikita@yahoo.co.jp Contact: Yoshiko Takikita <yuzutakikita@ yahoo.co.jp> [2611-1414-2015-04-30]

4964-2015-05-24]

Ecole de français à Osaka (Kita-ku), nous recherchons un(e) professeur de français à temps partiel, avec diplôme FLE et/ou expérience de l'enseignement au Japon. Horaires modulables selon votre emploi du temps. Envoyez votre CV avec photo : info@ecole-petitbonheur. jp Contact: Petit Bonheur <sonnet. jerome@hotmail.com> Website: ecole-petitbonheur.jp [2621-5610-

IDEAL TEACHING JOB FOR SOMEONE...... Terrific location in

Nishinomiya, nice classroom, neat team share schedule. Mostly adults.

Long term handmade school. Need part-time teacher(s). This really is the best place for the right person.

Qualifications and experience of course a plus. Personality & spirit most valuable. Please mail us!

Contact: Tony Sands <don.1@mac. com> [2624-519-2015-05-06]

ASAP PT ENGLISH TEACHER..

FT possibility. Tennoji and SE Osaka. Teaching adults and kids.

Looking for reliable, fun teachers to work in relaxed atmosphere with small classes. Can sponsor VISA and accommodation available.

Please send CV and cover letter to info@michaelsenglishschool. jp Contact: alex.serey <alex. serey@michaelsenglishschool. com> Website: www. michaelsenglishschool.jp/index. html [2605-5593-2015-04-30]

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]

PART-TIME NATIVE ENGLISH TEACHER. Part-time native English

teacher for an adult focused English school. Conveniently located on both JR and Hankyu Kyoto lines. No kids classes. Work in a relaxed yet professional atmosphere. May turn into a full-time opportunity for the right person. Send CV, recent photo and availability to: info@sunrises.j Contact: sunrises <info@sunrises. jp> [2618-5612-2015-05-01]

NATIVE ENGLISH TEACHER WANTED. Native English Teacher

(Canada,Australia,America,Engla nd)wanted in OsakaCity, Hirakata, Neyagawa and DaitoCity.Love children and long term. 3000yen per lesson.Please send the resume with your picture to as follows s-techfield@nyc.odn.ne.jp Contact: Thomas English <s-techfield@nyc. odn.ne.jp> Website: thomasenglish. info/index.html [2623-1024-201505-06]

FULL-TIME TEACHER IS WANTED.

The position is available for taking care of infant kids and you'll be in any class as English teacher for the kids up to 12 years old from early evening. We offer you monthly salary will be increased every year,

LOOKING FOR ENGLISH TEACHER.

Bright person a must!. Tuesday or Wednesday or both 4:30pm~6:10pm (-40 min: 2classes for Kids) 2,250 yen / class. 1000 yen /transportation fee. Interested applicants please send recent pic and resume to

PROFESSEUR DE FRANCAIS.

2015-05-03]

KIDS ENGLISH TEACHER WANTED. English Nursery school

in Shinkobe is looking for a cheerful English teacher who can make curriculum. Japanese speaker is better. We need a P/T teacher for Mon-Fri (including public holidays) 8:30~ 12:00 , JPY150,000/ month, plus transportation cost.

Please contact ; cattleyakids@ yahoo.co.jp Contact: Cattleya Kids <cattleyakids@yahoo.co.jp> [26075594-2015-04-30]

PT ENGLISH TEACHERS WANTED.

Small yet friendly and growing school in Settsu looking for PT native English teachers for kids and adults. Mon,Thu 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> [2613-7072015-04-30]

PART-TIME ENGLISH TEACHER IN OSAKA (START ASAP). Start Date:

ASAP End Date: September 2015 (possibility of renewal) Location: JR Kashima Day: Wednesday Length: 2 hours (6:00PM-8:00PM) Rate: 5,000/hour Travel Cost: reimbursed Lesson Type: Corporate business English Send your resume to: resumes@languagehouse.jp Contact: Language House <resumes@ languagehouse.jp> Website: languagehouse.squarespace.com/

[2576-5311-2015-04-27]

SEEKING A P/T ENGLISH TEACHER. We are looking for a

P/T English teachers for adults and kids in Ibarakishi and Suita Please email royalenglish725@gmail.com RES Contact: Royal English School <royalenglish725@gmail.com>

[2645-1446-2015-05-14]

INTERVIEWING FOR ENGLISH TEACHERS IN KANSAI AREA.

Seeking native-level English speakers to teach English conversation classes in Kawanishi, Hyogo Prefecture (about 20 minutes from Umeda, Osaka by train).

Tuesdays 18:00-21:00 ( 3 hours) and Wednesdays 18:00-21:00 (3 hours). 1,562 yen per hour plus transportation. If interested please contact Derek now. Contact: Derek <ma1_11@hotmail.com> [2659-5657-

2015-05-16]

PART-TIME ENGKISH TEACHERS FOR KIDS. We are looking for

P/T English teachers with the requrement as below. Located Yao city, Osaka. 1min away from JR SHIKI station. Time: 16:00 to 19:00 Mon to Fri. Payment:2000 YEN plus transportation fee. Teaching Kids are between 3 to 12 years old. Please send CV and cover letter Contact: yuka <enderra514@hotmail.com>

[2547-4964-2015-05-24]

KIDS TEACHER IN FUSE, HIGASHIOSAKA. Small, friendly, community

minded, school based in Fuse is looking for good, reliable, English teachers to teach 40-50min kids classes from May (2-5 students p/ class). We have vacancies for Tues, Weds and Thurs. We pay Y3000 p/class but not travel expenses so teachers living near Higashi-Osaka are preferred. Contact: cdel3000 <chrisdelacy2003@yahoo.co.uk>

[2656-1674-2015-05-16]

PART TIME TEACHERS WANTED IN KYOTO AND ASHIYA. We are

now hiring afternoon and Saturday program part time teachers for our Kyoto and Ashiya location. We teach all subjecs in English. Math, robotics, science, and art. We have SAT prep courses for high school students. ¥2,500~3,000 / hr. plus transportation Please send CV/ picture to: yse@earth.ocn.ne.jp Contact: YSE International School <yse.education.center@gmail.com> Website: www.yse-edu.net [25535023-2015-04-23]

TEACHER NEEDED ASAP. Friendly

and bright teacher needed asap.

Different shifts available Monday through Saturday. School located in Osaka at Sugimotocho Station on the Hanwa line. 2000 yen an hour plus transportation. Contact Brian at staff@areyouglobal.net Contact: aaronoflion <staff@areyouglobal. net> [2632-1900-2015-05-08]

ALT'S NEEDED FOR SOUTH KYOTO. Looking for ALT teachers

for South Kyoto. Native level English with teaching skills required from May Pay: 150,000~170,0000 JPY per mounth including transportation fee Hours: 08:30-16:30 Mon to Friday, One year contract Experience is needed Contact: Cem Mail: cem@ brain-power.co.jp Tel: 090-54630278 Contact: brain power 1 <info@ jatem.org> [2644-4227-2015-05-14] P/T NATIVE ENGLISH TEACHER.

We are currently looking for a P/T Native English Teachers to teach TUE-FRI 2:50〜6:50pm at our school in Sekime Takadono.

5 station from Umeda on the Tanimachi line. Applicants must be love children and have passion for teaching.Please send your resume and recent photo.

KIDS FIRST English School 06(6956)2871 Contact: Kayo Ofoia <elijahjamjam@icloud.com> [2640-

4668-2015-05-09]

42

 Kansai Scene Classifieds > kansaiscene.com/classifieds PART-TIME PRIVATE TEACHING JOBS IN ALL KANSAI AREA.

Looking for language students?

Have you already registered at hello-sensei ? Pick your lesson fee, schedule and location then students will directly contact you!

Available for : English, Chinese, Korean, French, Spanish, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Thai, Vietnamese, Indonesian, Burmese and Arabic Contact: hell-sensei <contact@hello-sensei.com> Website: hello-sensei.com/en/sensei

osakawestsidebistro [2619-92-201505-03]

Classes & events

[1300-227-2015-05-20]

TEACHERS WANTED. School in

General SEARCH ENGINE EVALUATOR.

Leapforce is looking for highly educated individuals for an exciting work from home opportunity.

Applicants must be self motivated and internet savvy. This is an opportunity to evaluate and improve the results for one of the world's largest internet search engine companies. Contact: leapforce <elizabeth@leapforce.com> Website: www.leapforceathome.com

[2642-5638-2015-05-13]

Entertainment SHOW DANCERS WANTED. The Burlesque Entertainment Cabaret in Namba is looking for show dancers.

Approx. 3 performances a night between 7pm–1am. Decide your own schedule. If you love music and dance or are serious about dancing we want to hear from you!

Over 18yrs old only. From ¥2,200/ hr. Must speak some Japanese.

Tel: 0120-300-440 Contact: The Burlesque Entertainment Cabaret <shinji-kawada@insou-west.co.jp> Website: en.the-burlesque.com [2598-5545-2015-04-24]

Kitchen / waiting staff COOK AND PROMOTION STAFF.

Cook - Part-time or Full-time and promotion staff for a family owned American style bar & grill located in Kita Horie, Osaka, near American Mura. Japanese or foreigner, but must speak enough English to work in English speaking environment.

For cook position, experience necessary. Contact: Vincent Patrick <usavincent@yahoo.com> Website: sites.google.com/site/

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

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

[2646-1905-2015-05-14]

Ashiya/Okamoto is looking for FT/PT English, French & Korean teachers ASAP. University diploma preferable. Must be native speaker with valid visa. Payment: 2700-3000 per hour + transportation. Please email resume & photo, visa type & date valid till to: ashiyaplus@ hotmail.co.jp Contact: Ashiya Plus <ashiyaplus@hotmail.co.jp> Website: www.comlanguageschool. com [2655-252-2015-05-16]

is an excellent self-defense. Want to learn Tai Chi? Let's try! Contact: KaoKakao <kao_kakao@hotmail. com> [1855-1402-2015-05-07]

KANSAI INTERNATIONAL OUTDOOR CLUB. For fun in the

Events CANADA DAY CELEBRATION.

Canada Day is July 1st but we are going to celebrate on June 28th at Okura Kaigan. Come join fellow Canadians and friends of Canada for a BBQ on the beach. Canadian beer and wine will be available.

More information to follow in next month's Kansai Scene and on the Kansai Canadian Association Website. Contact: Mark Robinson <mgr@gol.com> Website: www. kansaicanada.com [2597-1283-201506-26]

Community Announcements 美味しい春のセルビア料理教室. 4月 26日(日) 午後 13時から17時 美味し い春のセルビア料理を習いませんか? 料理経験がなくても気軽にできます。ぜ ひチャレンジを!!! Contact: KaoKakao

<kao_kakao@hotmail.com> [21581402-2015-05-08]

SPRING SERBIAN COOKING CLASSES. Serbian Cooking Classes

April 26 (Sunday) p.m. 13:00 to 17:00 Kyoto.The main dish, salad, dessert.You stomach will be very full with delicious food. As soon as possible, is a 20persons maximum!

Contact: KaoKakao <kao_kakao@ hotmail.com> [2047-1402-2015-05-12] KANSAI JAM SESSIONS. Are

you stuck in a rut and need some inspiration from a fellow musician?

Or are you learning to play an instrument and need some pointers?

Then this is the group for you!

Contact: Alicia Marie Sparnon <aliciasparnon@hotmail.com> Website: www.facebook.com/ groups/369217796584514/ [24482202-2015-05-07]

WHY NOT TAI CHI?.

Health maintenance・Health recovery・Increase physical strength・Health and longevity.

Body and mind I will be strong. It

outdoors, join IOC Kansai! Nonprofit international group enjoys hiking, cycling, running, camping, winter sports, water sports etc. See our website, join an event, attend our get-together on 9th May or outdoor get-together on 14th June.

Hope to see you there! Contact: iockansai <edeanjapan@gmail.com> Website: Http://www.iockansai.com

[2173-1879-2015-05-13]

ENGLISH TEACHER/INSTRUCTOR.

Hello Everyone, My Name is Saranya and i reside in japan for the past 3 years. I am looking for jobs in the position (English Teacher/ Instructor) in Hyogo area. I have corporate teaching experience and personally love teaching. Regards Saranya Contact: saranya.devarajan <saranya.devarajan@gmail.com>

[2628-1760-2015-05-07]

LEARNING TO CODE? JOIN US!.

Whether you're an expert, beginner or just curious, join people on the same journey. Share a project or course you're working on or just socialize with ppl who love to code. We don't mind what language you speak or code in.

Join the G+ community or the Meetup http://is.gd/coffeeandcod Contact: BadCodeKansai <kevin. bradley0928@gmail.com> Website: is.gd/badcode [2464-2630-2015-05-11] WAKE UP KYOTO. Wake Up

– Young Adults for a Healthy and Compassionate Society, is a world-wide network of young people practicing the living art of mindfulness; under the guidance of Venerable Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh. Let's build a Sangha here in Kyoto, email wkupkoto@gmail.com . Contact: plumtree <wkupkyoto@ gmail.com> Website: plumvillage. org/about/wake-up-youngpractitioners/ [2536-4664-2015-05-05]

LET'S OPEN A LANGUAGE SCHOOL. I'm looking for a partner,

or partners to help me open a language school in Osaka. You would help me find a location for the school, run the school, get students for the school and teach at it if you wanted to. For details contact: hkwhkwhkw19722015@ gmail.com Contact: HKW2015 <hkwhkwhkw19722015@gmail. com> [2637-5633-2015-05-09]

YMCA GLOBAL YOUTH CONFERENCE. Youth in Action:

Education, Society & Government Activities include: classes in Japanese culture & language, workshops and keynote speeches on education, society & government, cultural night celebrations, a model UN style “City Summit Conference” and optional tours of Osaka.

Conducted Contact: Dominic Pangrazio <dominic-pangrazio@ osakaymca.org> Website: www. osakaymca.org [2614-5581-2015-04-30]

Language Exchange HISTORY OF EUROPE-TALKS IN JPANESE OR ENGLISH. If you

interested in historiy, please bring your favorite topics to me. I know especially about Medieval Europe, the others. Please speak and teach, and I am going to tell you things which I studied. Contact: Shinya Hada <sinya-hada@hotmail.co.jp> [2351-2007-2015-05-19]

LET'S LANGUAGE EXCHANGE.

Hi,I'm 37years old male.I live in Higasiosaka city. I want to improve my English skills. I'm a very friendly person so feel free to talk to me!

I don't mind if you are a man/ woman, young/old! I'll teach you some Japanese too! I'd like to meet at around NANBA. I'm Contact: KAZU <xxxxdejimaxxxx@yahoo. co.jp> [2504-4038-2015-04-25] LANGUAGE EXCHANGE GROUP IN OSAKA ON MONDAY NIGHT!.

Let's do language exchange with us.

My friends are looking for partners.

We also have Japanese class at the same place. Volunteers help your study. Any level is OK! Let's study together! Contact: Rimi Makino <rimim@hotmail.com> Website: www.facebook.com/rimi.makino.3 [2367-447-2015-05-05]

OSAKA BOOK GROUP'S JUNE MEETING. Margaret Atwood's "The

Handmaid's Tale" will be discussed on June 14th at Takamura Wine & Coffee Roasters, starting at 2pm.

Contact: Massa <bookisbetter2012@ yahoo.co.jp> Website: www. facebook.com/masanaka [2679-3372015-05-22]

Sorry…

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

See kansaiscene.com for more classifieds online.

Theater Umeda

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InterContinental Osaka Hotel Umeda Sky Building German Consulate 35F

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JR Osaka Sta.

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National Museum of Art

Police Station

Shinmei Law Office

Tosabori River

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Drop Inn Osaka

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New Hankyu Osaka Hotel

Grand Front Osaka / Knowledge Capital

Westin Hotel

Loft

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200m

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Moe Joe

Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau

Blue Wave Inn

Cafe 1F Absinthe

Family Mart

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Daimaru Dept.

North

OPA

Daimaru Dept.

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

Lunar Club

Kansai Tourist Information Center Cross Hotel

Dublin Bay / Dublin Garden

Namba Hatch

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Hotel Monterey

AEON MaxValu

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Suomachi-dori (Europe street)

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HigashiShinsaibashi 1F Zerro

Soemon-Cho

Shooters 5F Hotel Metro the 21

B1 Burlesque

Pure Osaka B1

Dotonbori Hozenji Temple

Namba Walk (underground)

4

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Sennichimae line Nipponbashi sta.

Nipponbashi Namba walk

BIC Camera Kintetsu Nara line

Namba Toho Cinemas Namba

Visitors Information Center

Absinthe Solaar 8F

Motomachi

Murphy’s 6F

Hanshin expressway (loop route)

Little Long Beach

Inari

Hotel T’point

Fubar 2F

Osaka Shochikuza

Namba Namba Sta.

Hotel Ichiei

Best Western Hotel fino

Shinsaibashi

Namba Hips Beer House 86 Karaoke 86

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Tominaga Hospital

Spotaka

L&L

River

Nest Hotel

3F GS Travel

Daimaru Dept.

South

Balabushka 4F

Coolabah 1F

Uniqlo 5F Boy

Nikko Hotel

The Silver Ball Planet Big Step

Horie Park

Hearton Hotel

Crysta Nagahori (underground shopping) Nagahoribashi Nagahori Tsurumi-Ryokuchi line

Ali’s Kitchen El Pancho 8F

Yotsubashi

KitaHorie

Tokyu Hands

Arthur Murray

Nagahori dori Shinsaibashi

Nishiohashi

Kitahorie Hospital

Louis Vuitton

Shinsaibashi-suji (shopping arcade)

Mizuho Bank

Midosuji

Kansai Scene Mojoprint Office

a-suji

Minami-senba

Big Beans Supermarket

Life Supermarket

Covent Garden

Hearton Hotel

Sakaisuji

Shinmachi

Takashimaya Dept. Store

Swissôtel Nankai Osaka

Cine Pop Namba Oriental Hotel Junkudo MUJI/LOFT Tower Records

Nankai Namba Station

Fraser Residence

Misono Building Namba Plaza

6

NipponBashi

McDonalds Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium

Namba PARKS

Pub Bar 30 2F

Namba -naka

7

Naniwa Sports Center Naniwa Post Office

Toys”R”Us Jack and Queen Naniwa Ward Office

Yamada Denki LABI1 Namba

N 0

Post Office

Bank

Police Station

Hospital

Hotel

Church

Shrine

Temple

100m Movie Theatre

8

Shinsaibashi/Namba

Namba Shrine

Orix Theater

Kobe Sauna

Kobe Ikuta Junior High School

tetsudo Kobe kosoku

JR Motomachi sta.

Minato Bank

Police Station

ine wa yl ub Movie Theatre

Kobe Kokusai Shochiku

Oike-dori

Sanjo

Wakamatsu-dori

Butterfly

World

Kawaramachi

Marui

Takashimaya

Yamatoji-dori

Keihan Line

Kawaramachi-

Kiyamachi-dori

dori

Kyoto Royal BLDG.

Kiraku Inn

ori awa-d Shirakkawa river Shira

Gion s hijo

Junkudo 7F Bal

Sanjo

The Gael Irish Pub

Shijo-dori Minamiza Theatre

Church

Shrine

Temple

Movie Theatre

Gion Gion Kaikan Kyoto Museum of Contemporary Art Gion Hotel

Joko-in

0 Hotel

200m

Hotel Okura

Mina

Fuji Daimaru

N 0

Movix Kyoto

Teramachi Shotengai Shinkyogoku Shotengai

Hospital

Temple

Sannomiya Hanadokeimae st.

Sanjo-dori

Hankyu Line

Bank

Shrine

Hanamikoji-dori

Gokomachi-dori

Fuyacho-dori

Tominokoji-dori

Yanaginobanba-dori

Sakaimachi-dori

Kyoto Post Office

Church

Kobe City Hall

OPA

Teramachi Area

Hotel

Kyoto Royal Hotel Kyoto Asahi Kaikan Starbucks

Jomo Gas

Daimaru

no

San

Hospital

Aoyama

Shiyakushomae

Kawara Machi

Police Station

Mitsui Sumitomo Bank

Kyoto City Hall

Tozai Subway Line

Bank

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

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

e

Post Office

miya

Flower road

Daimaru Dept.

Kainan lin

Ali’s Kitchen 3F

Sannomiy

d.

Subway

Iznt 4F

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

Guild 2F

Kyukyoryuchi Daimarumae

Nankin-machi

Tokyu Hands

Sansei Hosp.

Midnight 5F Hobgoblin 7F a

Sanchika un

Hanshin line

Ikuta jinja

Mickey’s Club 5F Hotel Monterey

Motomachi

Kitanozaka

Ikuta Police Station

Pontocho

Hyogo-ken Prefectural Hall

ka

za

do

Fu

Sh iei Ya ma te s

Oriental Dental Clinic 4F Hotel Tor Road

Kobe Grocers

Sanjo

Soraku Park

Hunterzak

Pearl Street

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

Kobe YWCA

1F Bistrot Cafe De Paris

a

Kitano-cho Tor Road

Sannomiya

Yamamoto-dori

200m

N Yasaka Jinja