Kansai Scene #211 December 2017 by Kansai Scene Magazine

FREE MONTHLY GUIDE COVERING OSAKA • KYOTO • HYOGO • NARA • WAKAYAMA • SHIGA

DEC 2017 / ISSUE 211

Exploring Oyamazaki Forest Hiking, Fall Leaves, and Whisky

PLUS+ >

A LONG WEEKEND IN KAGOSHIMA FUSION HEALTH FOOD IN OSAKA CHRISTMAS MARKETS AND WINTER LIGHT SHOWS

INCLUDING

FIND OUT WHAT’S ON AROUND KANSAI

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

About Kansai Scene

Winter is here, but it s not too late to enjoy the last of the autumn leaves – our writer Randy Poehlman recommends a hike in the Oyamazaki area and a tipple and the Suntory Whisky Distillery while you re there (p 04).

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

Ready to get into the Christmas spirit? Sip on mulled wine and admire Christmas-light displays at the Umeda Sky Building s German Christmas Market. If you re in Kobe, don t miss the Kobe Luminarie, which will be back again at its biggest and brightest from the 8th to the 17th.

Publisher.......................................................Daniel Lee Managing Editor..........................Celia Polkinghorne Editor.........................................................Jason Haidar Production Manager............................... Misa Matsui Production Assistant......................... Miyoko Morita Accounts Manager..................................Michiko Lee Art.........................................................Peggy Holsclaw Cinema.................................................. Miyoko Morita Event & Festival....................................Yuki Uchibori Live Music.............................................Phillip Jackson Club........................................................Saiko Fujiwara

Got a few days oﬀ over the Christmas/New Year period? Consider a trip south to Kyushu where you can bathe in the hot sands of Ibusuki, browse the perfectly manicured gardens at Sengan-en, and get your fill of Satsuma cuisine and sweetpotato shochu.

General ...........................mailbox@kansaiscene.com Editorial...............................editor@kansaiscene.com Advertising .......................... sales@kansaiscene.com Tel. ............................................................06-6539-1717 Fax. ...........................................................06-7635-4791 Address........................................Osaka-shi, Nishi-ku, ............................................................ Shinmachi 3-5-7, ................................................................... Eiko Bldg. 2F ................................................................ Mojoworks KK Website............................................. kansaiscene.com

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

Kansai Finder Events & Festivals.......................................................10 Art ........................................................................................... 16 Live Music ......................................................................... 19 © Randy Poehlman

Contact Kansai Scene

For more places to go and things to do this December, check out the event listings on our Kansai Finder pages (p 10–28). From all of us at Kansai Scene, have a merry Christmas and a happy New Year.

Club ........................................................................................24 Cinema.................................................................................26 Classifieds.........................................................................27 Getting Around / Maps............................................29

ON THE COVER: This month’s cover image was taken at Oyamazaki by Randy Poehlman.

A Day in Oyamazaki

Farewell the fall season with a forest hike and a sampling of Japan s finest whisky. FEATURE Text: Randy Poehlman

Foodspotting

Jump start your healthy eating New Year s pledge with a lunch date at one of these health-food restaurants. FOOD & DRINK Text: KS

Fly South for Winter

Landscape gardens, natural sand baths, and a cranky volcano await you in Kagoshima. TRAVEL Text: Celia Polkinghorne

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FEATURE

Bidding Farewell to Fall For the best whisky, hiking, and fall-leaf experience in Kansai, you can t beat Oyamazaki. Text & Images: Randy Poehlman

here is a place between Kyoto and Osaka that combines spectacular autumn-leaf viewing, a rich war history, forest hiking, and a delightful whisky experience. Oyamazaki is perhaps most famous as the home of the Yamazaki Whisky Distillery, but there are many other reasons to visit this quaint small town. The autumn-leaf viewing in Oyamazaki, while certainly picturesque, is less popular than other major Kyoto landmarks, meaning it is not completely overrun with tourists and camera-toting locals. If you want to enjoy the season in a relaxed and tranquil environment, then this off-the-beaten-path destination is for you. The leaves remain vibrant shades of red, orange, and yellow into early December. With a number of temples in the hills behind Oyamazaki, there are many scenic views awaiting you, the most striking of which is Yokokuji, which sits in a fairly remote location on the opposite side of Mt. Tennozan. The mountain, although fairly historic, is only 270m high, so it is easily traversable, and the summit can be reached in an hour from the town s two main train stations (Hankyu Oyamazaki and JR Yamazaki). Roughly another hour of hiking is required to reach Yokokuji from the summit. Yokokuji, constructed in 806,

has a rich history and is known for growing a vast array of hydrangea ďŹ&#x201A;owers, which bloom in June and July, but the various maple trees that line the perimeter of the temple also make for an impressive autumn display. Perhaps the most alluring aspect of the Oyamazaki hike is the presence of natural bamboo forest passages that are generally free of other people, making for unique photo opportunities and a chance to explore without the crowds. In December, the dirt trails are largely covered with fallen foliage from both the bamboo and the maple trees, creating a thick blanket of leaves to walk through. For the more adventurous types, after leaving Yokokuji temple, you can extend the hike to PonPon Mountain, which is a further 5km along the trail. You can access the trail from a gate in one of the parking lots of Yokokuji. The view from the top of PonPon Mountain is vast and clear. This peak is a top spot to enjoy a picnic and is mostly free of tourists. There are beautiful temples along the trail towards the peak of PonPon Mountain, which will also be awash with bright autumn colors. The history of Oyamazaki includes a spectacular battle in 1582 which pitted the waring samurai armies of Hideyoshi Toyotomi and Akechi Mitsuhide against one another. The foothills of Oyamazaki were identiďŹ ed

Kansai Scene Magazine / ISSUE #211 DECEMBER 2017 / kansaiscene.com

Feature GETTING THERE From Hankyu Umeda Stn, take the Hankyu Kyoto Line for 30 mins to Oyamazaki Stn From JR Osaka Stn, take the JR Tokaido Main Line for 26 mins to Yamazaki Stn

DISTILLERY DETAILS » Open: 9:30am–5pm (Last entry at

4:30pm) » Closed: Over the New Year holiday

as an important strategic passageway into Kyoto, and the narrow pathway between the hills and river at the bottom of Mt. Tennozan made it a likely spot of conﬂict after Mitsuhide had attacked Oda Nobunaga two weeks earlier, usurping leadership of Kyoto. Hideyoshi s forces of roughly 20,000 warriors attacked Mitsuhide s forces, and after a battle that claimed roughly 6,000 casualties on both sides, the death of Nobunaga had been avenged and Hideyoshi erected a castle on Mt. Tennozan. The remains of the castle are reachable on the hiking trail en route to Yokokuji. There are richly colored murals depicting the battle near the top of Mt. Tennozan. If you are inspired to plan an Oyamazaki hike, you can ﬁnd a

Coffee Break Between all the hiking and whisky sampling, you may want to break up your day with a light lunch or a coffee. Hermit Green Cafe, steps from the Hankyu Oyamazaki station, is a trendy spot with very comfortable seating and nice views from the large windows on the second floor. It offers a Western-style menu, with pasta dishes, salads, coffee, and cake.

number of maps and pamphlets at the JR Yamazaki train station, but most printed materials are in Japanese. The routes to the top of Mt. Tennozan from the train stations are pretty easy to follow, with adequate signage and trail markers. The route is a common hiking trail and you will likely encounter a number of hikers also out enjoying the experience. There are a few fairly steep sections on the initial climb from the forest edge, up to the castle ruins, but technical hiking gear is not required. You will be comfortable in a pair of trainers and normal street wear. If you re a whisky lover as well as a hiking enthusiast, Oyamazaki should deﬁnitely be high on your list of places to visit. The Yamazaki Whisky Distillery, a mere 500 meters from Oyamazaki s two train stations, is also an excellent place to take in the charms this small town has to offer. To tour the distillery, an advanced reservation is required, but be warned that the tour is extremely popular and reservations are currently unavailable for this season. However, periodically there are cancellations, so if a tour

and during distillery shutdowns On Dec 19, the distillery will be closed due to the maintenance of plant equipment. The last business day of 2017 will be Dec 24. In 2018. It will be open again from Jan 7 » Tel: 075-962-1423 » Website: suntory.com/factory/ yamazaki

is appealing to you, call ahead because you might get lucky. There is a ¥1,000 fee for the tour. Without a reservation or a formal tour, you can certainly still enjoy various elements of the distillery. After checking in at the front gates, you can head into the museum and wander through the extensive whisky library, browse the gift shop, and check out the tasting room. Here you can sample various products, including some of Suntory s ﬁnest (and priciest) drams, like the Yamazaki 25-year-old and the 30-year-old Hibiki. Be sure to bring plenty of cash as credit cards are not accepted. The 15ml tastings are served in whisky ﬂutes and come with a paper tag so you can organize and enjoy your tasting experience. Sample prices range from between ¥100 per tasting for common production whisky to ¥3,000 per tasting for special limitededition whiskies. KS

Kansai Scene Magazine / ISSUE #211 DECEMBER 2017 / kansaiscene.com

Food & Drink

/ GREAT PLACES TO EAT

FOODSPOTTING

Get a head start on your New Year s resolutions by eating healthy at these Osaka fusion health-food spots. Text & Images: KS

T-Greens

Genmai Cafe

Sangmi

T-Greens is an oasis of healthy eating in the Tenjinbashisuji shopping arcade and perfect for a mid-shopping lunch stop. All meals come with their signature genmai (brown rice) cooked in hojicha (a type of Japanese green tea) as well as all-you-can-eat access to the buffet-style salad bar. Higawari (daily changing) lunch sets are ¥990 with something different depending on the day you visit – Mondays they serve a tasty loco moco. The main menu features pasta and curry dishes, grilled meat dishes, and buddha bowls. There is a vegetable curry and a veg-only buddha bowl for vegetarians. They are expert coffee makers and all milk coffees are presented with some very cute latte art. This attractive and welcoming space seats up to 50 customers at either booths, two-person wooden tables, or at a large bench in the middle of the room. Menus are in Japanese only.

ゲンマイカフェ

サンミ

Nestled between Shinsaibashi and Honmachi in the Shinsaibashi shopping arcade, this organic, vegan-and vegetarian-friendly cafe is a top pick for a no-fuss, fast and wholesome lunch. Seating about 35 people, Genmai serves ¥1,000 Japanese macrobiotic lunch sets which include brown rice balls, soup, and plenty of vegetables. There are four kinds of soup and 15 to 16 diﬀerent rice-ball ingredients to choose from. They also serve curry, brown-rice waffles, glutenfree cookies and cakes, and there is a nice range of drink options with exotic choices such as a ginger soy latte. The restaurant is almost totally vegan except for the supplement packets they give out with meals, which contain fish products, however, they do use kombu dashi (seaweed base) rather than fish dashi in their soups. English menus are available.

Sangmi has made healthy eating easier with four convenient locations throughout Osaka. Their philosophy homes in on three key elements: external beauty, internal health, and well being. Each of their dishes is carefully prepared using locally sourced ingredients, with the base of each meal sets being their signature brown rice – grown pesticidefree in Hiroshima. Although the food is organic and mainly locally sourced, it is not vegetarian or vegan. At lunchtime, there are a couple of sets to choose from for a price of around ¥1,000, including brown rice, your choice of a main dish, soup, some few small sides. While it s unlikely you ll have room for dessert, if you can fit it in, go for the tofu pudding with brown-sugar syrup – one of their most popular dishes. Lunch in the Shinsaibashi restaurant gets busy quickly, so go early to snag a table. Menus are in Japanese only.

OPEN: 11am–11pm • Price RANGE: ¥1,000– ¥3,500 • ACCESS: JR Osakatemmangu Stn;

Minamimorimachi Subway Stn, 4-min walk down the Tenjinbashisuji shopping arcade • TEL: 06-6356-3901 • t-greens.com

OPEN: 12pm–6pm (hours may vary, call to confirm) • Price RANGE: ¥1,000–¥3,500 • ACCESS: Shinsaibashi Subway Stn, 5-min walk down the Shinsabashisuji shopping arcade (2F) • TEL: 06-4704-4811 • TABELOG: GENMAI CAFE (ゲンマイカフェ)

OPEN: Lunch ~11am–9pm (times vary by store) • CLOSED: Sun • Price RANGE: ¥1,000– ¥3,500 • ACCESS: Abeno Stn; Shinsaibashi Stn; Miyakojima Stn; Tanimachi-4-Chome Stn • sangmi.jp

Need more dining options? Check kansaifinder.com/places to search all of our food and drink spots, or add your own favorites to the list.

Kansai Scene Magazine / ISSUE #211 DECEMBER 2017 / kansaiscene.com

TRAVEL

A Perfect Long Weekend in Kagoshima This winter, swap mulled wine for shochu and make a year-end getaway to Kagoshima. Text: Celia Polkinghorne • Images: Jason Haidar

agoshima, the land of the sweet potato (satsuma imo) and home of imojochu (sweet-potato liquor), is perched on the southern tip of Kyushu. Endowed with lush, verdant vegetation, sweeping ocean views, rivers, hot springs, mountains, and of course, that hot-tempered volcano – Sakurajima, it makes the perfect destination for a longweekend escape. What s more, Kagoshima has been voted Japan s friendliest city, and you only have to spend a day there to see why. So, pack a suitcase and your camera and ﬂy south this winter for a few days of adventure and a drink or two with the locals.

Day 1 Garden, Volcano, Local Cuisine STROLL THROUGH SENGAN-EN Meander through the traditional Japanese garden and UNESCO World Heritage site of Sengan-en. With the volcano Sakurajima as its backdrop, this stately residence and picturesque landscape garden dates back more than 350 years when it was created by Shimadzu Mitsuhisa, who ruled the area in those feudal times. Regular guided tours take place where guests can enjoy the private inner garden while drinking matcha and eating traditional Japanese sweets. Getting there: There’s a bus loop between Kagoshima Station and Sengan-en. A taxi ride takes about 10 minutes. » senganen.jp/en/top

EXPLORE SAKURAJIMA Over thousands of years, Kagoshima s landscape has been shaped by one thing – the towering active volcano of Sakurajima. Rising above sea level at 1,117 meters, the stillactive volcano dominates the view from nearly every angle within the city. From Kagoshima port, you can take a short ferry ride across to the volcanic peninsula. There is a bus tour that ferries visitors around the 77 km base of the volcano

Kansai Scene Magazine / ISSUE #211 DECEMBER 2017 / kansaiscene.com

Feature

stopping at all the top lookout spots for marvelous views of the mountain and across the bay of downtown Kagoshima. Getting there: Kagoshima port is accessible by bus, tram, or taxi.

EAT IN YATAI-MURA Treat yourself to the best of Kagoshima cuisine, also called Satsuma cuisine, in the bustling web of alleyways known as Yatai-mura ( food stall village ). Try Satsuma age (fried ﬁsh cake), tonkotsu (slowly stewed pork chops), or the much-loved kurobuta (black pork) in one of the many hole-in-the-wall eateries. Don t forget to chat up the friendly locals while you re at it. Location: 6−4 Chuo-cho, Kagoshima-shi

Day 2 Distillery Tour, Sand Onsen, Shochu Tasting SAMPLE SHOCHU AT MEIJIGURA At Meijigura Distillery, the shochu-making process hasn t changed for more than a hundred years. This distillery, which has been around since the Meiji era (1868–1912), still uses the same brown clay pots and wooden barrels as when it ﬁrst opened. Distillery director Kazuto Kukino will take you on a tour of the facility and have you sampling the goods in no time. Getting there: From Kagoshima-Chuo Station, take the JR Ibusuki Makurazaki Line to Makurazaki Station. Walk five minutes to the distillery.

» kagoshima-kankou.com/for/

dining/50928

Kansai Scene Magazine / ISSUE #211 DECEMBER 2017 / kansaiscene.com

DETOX IN A NATURAL SAND BATH Located in Ibusuki is a special stretch of beach that is naturally heated by a hot spring. Called the Sunamushi Onsen Sayuri sand bath, this is a phenomenon unique to Kagoshima and has been clinically proven to be beneﬁcial for detoxing and boosting circulation. Face up, and covered up to the neck in hot, black sand, temperatures reach between 50 to 55° C. Getting there: From Kagoshima Station, take a train or a bus to Sunamushi. Ibusuki is a 40-min drive from Kagoshima » sa-raku.sakura.ne.jp/en

HAVE A NIGHTCAP AT SHOCHU BAR ISHIZUE Allow bar owner and shochu connoisseur Yuichi Ikehata to pour you a digestif at the stylish Shochu Bar Ishizue. The sleek, wood-panel bar has hundreds of bottles of imojochu lining

Feature

the walls. With 13 distilleries and more than 2,000 different brands of shochu in Kagoshima alone, there is a seemingly endless variety to choose from.

bone, and enjoy the freshest sushi breakfast going at the market restaurant. Location: 37-5 Jonan-cho, Kagoshima-shi » kic-update.com/en/text-en/4512

Location: 6-1 Senibamachi Fuwa Building 4F, Kagoshima-shi » honkakushochu-bar-ishizue.com/

hsrc/access.html

Day 3 Fish Market, Glass Workshop, Tenmonkan EAT FRESH SEAFOOD AT THE FISH MARKET You might feel like a ﬁsh out of water in this smelly place (or being awake before 7am!), but it is certainly worth the early-morning alarm to see the Kagoshima Fish Market in action. There is an English tour run by a local hotel association which will take you through the hustle and bustle where you can see live ﬁsh auctions, eat fresh tuna straight off the

VISIT A GLASS WORKSHOP Watch masters at work at Iso Kogeikan, a Satsuma Kiriko cut-glass workshop. Satsuma Kiriko is a form of overlaid crystal glass that ﬁrst appeared in Kagoshima around 150 years ago when Japan opened up for trade with the West. Skilled craftsmen meticulously cut away at the delicate layered glass creating beautiful dishes, glasses, and bottles that can be bought in the adjoining shop.

LUNCH AND SHOPPING IN TENMONKAN Look no further than restaurant Ichi Nii San for a kurobuta (black pork) lunch. Located in the heart of downtown Kagoshima in the Tenmonkan shopping arcade, order the recommended lunch special: thin slices of boiled pork served with rice and vegetables. Walk it off with souvenir shopping in the arcade, and don t forget to stop off at Tenmonkan Mujaki for some Shirokuma shave ice – a sweet, refreshing local dessert. Location: Closest Tram stop to Tenmonkan shopping arcade is Tenmonkan-dori » ichiniisan.jp/access/kagoshima/

tenmonkan.html » mujyaki.co.jp

Location: 9700-1 Yoshino-cho, Kagoshimashi (located next to Sengan-en » Satsumakiriko.co.jp

Getting There Peach flies to Kagoshima three times a day from Kansai Airport.

Kansai Scene Magazine / ISSUE #211 DECEMBER 2017 / kansaiscene.com

Events  Cultural

NOV

FEB

22 25 >

Osaka Castle Illuminage 大阪城イルミナージュ

Osaka Castle Park • Until Feb 25

Head to Nishinomaru garden and enjoy the grandiose view of Osaka Castle splashed with an array of colors and special effects during the 3D projection-mapping extravaganza that is the Osaka Castle Illuminage. Designed with a samurai-period theme, there will also be illuminations with a French townscape motif to celebrate a friendship with the Dukes of Brittany. With a traditional Japanese street performance, lightsaber sword plays, food stalls, and many other attractions, this will be a memorable winter event for the whole family. TIME: 5pm–10pm ( lit-up from 5:30pm to 9:30pm) • ADMISSION: ¥1,200 adults, concessions • ACCESS: Tanimachi-4-chome subway Stn, 10-min walk, JR Morinomiya Stn, 15-min walk • www.

illuminagegroup.com/osaka2017-2018

Kansai Scene Magazine / ISSUE #211 DECEMBER 2017 / kansaiscene.com

Events  Cultural DEC

14 Kansai Temple Markets Explore Kansai s wonderful monthly temple markets and grab a bargain. You ll find a lot of antiques, including old kimono, ceramics and lacquerware, but you may also unearth some more contemporary curiosities. Perfect as souvenirs or gifts for friends and relatives back home. » Shitennoji Temple Flea

Market:

Dec 21 & 22 • Shitennoji Temple Grounds, Osaka • Access: 5-min walk from Shitennojimae Stn, Tanimachi Line » Toji Market Kyoto:

Dec 21 • Toji Temple • Access: 15-min walk from JR Kyoto Stn » Kitano Tenmangu Market:

Dec 25 • Kitano Tenmangu Shrine • Access: Tenmangu-mae bus stop

47 Ronin Festival 赤穂義士祭

Ako Castle & Surroundings, Hyogo • Dec 14

December 14th marks the anniversary of 47 samurai heroes who took revenge on the death of their lord in the Edo period. This national legend is still much loved by Japanese people – it is on TV, and in ﬁlms and plays even today. Visit the hometown of these heroes and see the festival held to pay tribute to the great achievement of the samurai. Witness the grand parade reenacting combat scenes and featuring elegant costumes from this period. The renowned kabuki actor, Baijaku Nakamura will join the parade along with a variety of other entertainment groups. On the eve of the festival, the center of the town will be illuminated with candles and lanterns. TIME: 10am • ADMISSION: Free • ACCESS: JR Banshu-Ako Stn • city.ako.lg.jp/kensetsu/kankou/ akogishisai.html

DEC

New Year’s Countdown & Starlight Illusion 2018 ニューイヤーズカウントダウン2018

Wakayama Marina City, Wakayama • Dec 31 Celebrate New Year s Eve and welcome 2018 with an exciting live music show and the Starlight Illusion fireworks display. This is one of the largest New Year s Eve events in Kansai held annually at Wakayama Marina City. Enjoy the gig with a star DJ from FM 802, a guest band, and local musicians. At the end of the show, a display of 6,000 stunning fireworks spreading across the sky above the Port Europa will celebrate the clock ticking over into the new year. TIME: 7pm–12:40am • ADMISSION: Free • ACCESS: JR Kainan Stn, bus to Marina City • marinacity.com/porto/event/countdown2018

Kansai Scene Magazine / ISSUE #211 DECEMBER 2017 / kansaiscene.com

Events  Cultural DEC

DEC

23 25 >

DEC

14 25 >

Umeda Snowman Festival 2017 梅田スノーマンフェスティバル2017

Various locations in Umeda • Nov 23 - Dec 25 Now in its eighth year, the annual Umeda Snowman Festival will see hundreds of snowman decorations, snowmanthemed events, and even snowmanshaped treats appear around the Umeda area in the run up to Christmas. Take snaps of your favorites and post to Instagram and Twitter to enter the Snowman Award photo contest, or go on a stamp collecting pilgrimage as part of the Snowman Rally for the chance to win some novelty items. There will be live music performances every Saturday, Sunday and holiday, with a highlight being the Umeda Connect Choir who will perform on Dec 2 and 3. Running in tandem, is the Osaka Hikari Renaissance event, which will feature a giant 10m tall snowman in the Nakanoshima rose garden from Dec 18–25. ADMISSION: Free • umedaconnect.jp/ special/snowman

Event organiser? List your event online for free at

Osaka Hikari-Renaissance 2017 Nakanoshima Island, Osaka • Dec 14–25

Nakanoshima Island will be ﬂooded with a sea of colorful lights in a spectacle that has been described as the greatest free light show in Kansai. Fantastic images will be projected on to the facade of Osaka City Central Public Hall. A romantic illuminated arcade will be set up beside the City Hall featuring a variety of brightly shining ornaments to set the holiday mood, and Taiwanese lanterns will create an exotic atmosphere as they swing in the evening breeze. Street-food booths and mobile catering will provide visitors a great selection of tasty treats. Quality live music and street performances will add a festive touch to this fabulous light show. TIME: 5pm • ADMISSION: Free ACCESS: Keihan Line, Naniwabashi Stn • hikari-kyoen.com

Kansaifinder.com

Kansai Scene Magazine / ISSUE #211 DECEMBER 2017 / kansaiscene.com

Osaka

TIME: 1:15pm, 2pm & 3:30pm • ADMISSION: ¥2,300 adults, concessions (to enter the aquarium) • ACCESS: Subway Osakako Stn, 5-min walk • kaiyukan.com/index.html

Ramen Expo 2017 ラーメンExpo2017 in 万博公園

Expo70 Commemorative Park • Dec 1–3, 8–10, 15–17 & 22–25 Forty selected noodle restaurants from all over the country will serve their ramen specialties at ¥800 a bowl.

Sicilian Dream シチリアンドリーム

Grand Front, Knowledge Theater • Dec 9 - Dec 10 SICILIAN DREAM - 2 days of great events, wine and sweets dedicated to Sicily, Italy: a ﬁlm screening (Italian with Japanese subtitles), 3 different types of concerts, a conference (Japanese only), and special Sicilian sweets and wine. TIME: 15:30-20:00(12/9), 11:00-20:00 (12/10) • Entry FEE: Free (3 events) 1,000/1,500yen (2 concerts) • http:// www.iicosaka.esteri.it/iic_osaka/ja

German Christmas Market 2017 ドイツクリスマスマーケット大阪2017

Umeda Sky Building • Until Dec 25 Sip on mulled wine and admire Christmas-light displays at this German Christmas Market. There s an antique merrygo-round, twinkling huts, a nativity scene, and much more. TIME: From noon Mon–Fri; From 11am weekends • ADMISSION: Free • ACCESS: JR Osaka Stn, 10-min walk • skybldg.co.jp/event/xmarkt/2017/ index.html

Santa Claus Diver サンタダイバー∼水中からメリークリスマス∼

Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan • Until Dec 25 Kaiyukan presents a special seasonal event where dons his wetsuit and scuba gear once a year to dive with a whale shark, making sure to wave to all the eager spectators there to see scuba diving Saint Nick!

TIME: 11am–9pm • ADMISSION: Free (¥250 park entry) adults, concessions • ACCESS: Osaka Monorail Koenhigashiguchi Stn • 2017.ramen-expo. com

Osaka Great Santa Run Osaka グレートサンタ•ラン

Osaka Castle Park • Dec 3 An annual charity event where thousands of Santas run through Osaka Castle Park. Join this fun activity, and your entry fee will be donated to children who will spend Christmas in the hospital. TIME: 10am • ADMISSION: ¥3,200 adults, concessions • ACCESS: JR Osakajokoen Stn • santa-run.com

Yassai Hossai – Firewalking やっさいほっさい

Iwatsuta Shrine • Dec 14 Witness this curious religious event where participants shout Yassai Hossai! while walk on red hot coals. TIME: 7pm • ADMISSION: Free • ACCESS: Nankai Line, Ishizugawa Stn, 5-min walk • sakai-tcb.or.jp/event/ index.php?id=102

Swiss Music Box Christmas Concert 2017スイスオルゴールクリスマスコンサート

Izumi Hall • Dec 19 Hear all your favorite Christmas carols played on street organs and by antique music boxes. Enjoy the crystal clear acoustic sounds in this classical music hall. Children under ﬁve are not permitted.

Events  Cultural DEC

DEC

can participate. The reception desk to book opens at 10am.

15 18 >

TIME: 1:30pm & 2:30pm • ADMISSION: ¥600 (museum entry) adults, concessions • ACCESS: Subway Tenjinbashisuji-6-Chome Stn, Exit 3 • konjyakukan.com/event.html

Hyogo Christmas Flower Show 2017 光りと花のページェントクリスマスフラワーショー2017

Kiseki no Hoshi Botanical Museum • Until Jan 14

Kyoto Arashiyama Street Lighting 嵐山花灯路

Sagano & Arashiyama • Dec 8–17

On-Matsuri おん祭

Explore the atmospheric, dimly lit paths of the classical neighborhoods of Sagano and Arashiyama. Temples and shrines will be opened throughout these evenings. TIME: 5pm–8:30pm • ADMISSION: Free •

Kasuga Shrine, Nara • Dec 15–18

The On-Matsuri is a festival held at Wakamiya Shrine which stands in the precincts of the Kasuga Taisha, one of the oldest shrines in Japan. Historic pageantry lasts for four days to celebrate the deity of Kasuga-taisha. On the 17th, the grand parade starts at noon and classical performing arts can be seen one after another until late at night. After the parade, various performances will be staged at the Nara National Museum. TIME: depends on event • ADMISSION: Free • ACCESS: JR / Kintetsu Line, Nara Stn, bus to Kasuga-taisha Omotesando • kasugataisha.or.jp/onmatsuri

ACCESS: Hankyu Line, Arashiyama Stn,

5-min walk • hanatouro.jp/index.html

Exhibition of Kyoto Cuisine 第112回京料理展示大会

Miyako Messe • Dec 13 & 14 Allow yourself to be tempted by the sight and smell of exquisite Japanese cuisine. Traditional Kyoto dishes are on display in this exhibition. There will be a local produce market, a dance performed by maiko (geisha apprentices), and more. TIME: 10am–4pm • ADMISSION: ¥600 (¥800 at door) adults, concessions • ACCESS: Subway Higashiyama Stn, 8-min walk • kyo-ryori.com/sp_taikai17

New Year’s Eve at Yasaka Shrine おけら参り

TIME: 1pm • ADMISSION: ¥2,500 (¥3,000 at door) • ACCESS: JR Osakajokoen Stn • izumihall.jp/schedule/list. html?page=3&y=2017&m=12

Tempozan Gospel Festival 天保山ゴスペルフェスティバル

Tempozan Marketplace • Dec 23 Twenty selected groups showcase their best performances on the central stage in the Tempozan Marketplace. Watch the special performance by the

internationally regarded singer Costie Payne. TIME: 2pm • ADMISSION: Free • ACCESS:

Subway Osakako Stn, 5-min walk • kaiyukan.com

Mochi Rice Cake Pounding 町家の餅つき

Yasaka Shrine • Dec 31 A traditional custom unique to Kyoto, locals receive sacred ﬁre at Yasaka-jinja and bring it back home, spinning a piece of cord that is burning at one end. TIME: 7pm • ADMISSION: Free • ACCESS:

Keihan Line, Gion-shijo Stn • yasakajinja.or.jp

The Osaka Museum of Housing and Living • Dec 23 A hands-on activity for kids – pounding mochi (rice cake) to make Japanese sweets. The ﬁrst 20 children under 15 years old

Kansai Scene Magazine / ISSUE #211 DECEMBER 2017 / kansaiscene.com

Enjoy the festive season in the botanical garden with a Scandinavian-style ﬂoral display. Pop music will be performed at the foot of the main Christmas tree from Dec 23rd to 25th. TIME: 10am • ADMISSION: ¥600 adults, concessions • ACCESS: JR Maiko Stn, bus to Awaji Yumebutai • kisekinohoshi.jp/ exhibition/archives/9381

Lantern Fair 南京町ランターンフェア

Kobe Nankin-Machi • Dec 7–25 Enjoy an exotic evening out in Chinatown in Kobe. Colorful Chinese lanterns illuminate the streets throughout the town. TIME: 4pm–10pm • ADMISSION: Free • ACCESS: JR / Hanshin Line, Motomachi Stn, 5-min walk • nankinmachi.or.jp

Kobe Luminarie 神戸ルミナリエ

The Former Foreign Settlement & Surroundings • Dec 8–17 A fantastic Italian-style illumination event in the heart of Kobe. This year, the light show will be even brighter with 100,000 more LED bulbs than last year. A ¥100 donation is appreciated. TIME: 6pm–9:30pm Mon to Thur; 6pm– 10pm Fri; 5pm–10pm Sat; 5pm–9:30pm Sun • ADMISSION: Free • ACCESS: JR/ Hanshin Line, Motomachi Stn, 5-min walk • kobe-luminarie.jp

Himeji Robo-Challenge 姫路ロボ•チャレンジ第23回

Himeji Science Museum • Dec 16 & 17 At this popular bipedal robot contest, humanoid robots will compete against one another in both timed races and one-on-one ﬁghts. Entry-level contests will be on the 16th and standardlevel on the 17th. TIME: 10am–4pm • ADMISSION: Free (museum entrance ¥500 adults,

concessions) • ACCESS: JR Himeji Stn, bus to Hoshinokoyakata-mae • city.himeji.lg.jp/atom/robo/robo_ challenge/index.html

Stn, bus to Enryakuji Bus Centre • hieizan.or.jp

Wakayama Nara Japanese Archery 御弓始祭

Oyamato Shrine • Jan 4 Japanese archery will be performed to celebrate the new year. Archers wearing classical kimono shoot arrows in the Ogasawara style of archery. TIME: 1pm–3pm • ADMISSION: Free • ACCESS: Kintetsu Line, Tenri Stn, bus

to Oyamatojinja-mae • ooyamatohp. net

Shiga Hot Air Balloon Flight 第41回熱気球琵琶湖横断

Lake Biwa • Dec 2 & 3 Colorful, majestic hot air balloons will rise into the sky at the Omi Shirahama bathing beach. (Adverse weather may result in cancellation.) TIME: 7am • ADMISSION: Free • ACCESS: JR Omi-Takashima Stn, 5-min by taxi to Omi Shirahama Suiei-jo • takashima-kanko.jp/ new/20171103_1704.html

Sennin-Buro Hot Spring 仙人風呂

Kawayu Onsen Hot Spring • Until Feb 28 A giant open-air public hot spring bath is open for free. Located on the riverbank, the large bath is a genuine natural onsen, which will be illuminated by lanterns on Saturday evenings. TIME: 6:30am–10pm • ADMISSION: Free • ACCESS: JR Shingu Stn, bus to Kawayu Onsen • hongu.jp/event/ senninburo

Laughter Ritual 初詣初笑い神事

Nyu Shrine • Jan 2 & 3 Laugh your head off for a good start to the New Year! Enjoy the company of Mr. Suzufuri who will be wearing a colorful costume and doing his best to make you giggle. TIME: 10am–3pm • ADMISSION: ¥200 • ACCESS: JR Gobo Stn, shuttle bus to Nyu-jinja • guruwaka.com/ hatsumoude-hatsuwarai

Demon Defying Ceremony 鬼追式

Hieizan Enryakuji Temple, Shiga • Dec 31 Fierce oni (demons or ogres) will frighten onlookers until Buddhist monks conquer these evil spirits. This is an annual religious ceremony for a good start to the new year. TIME: 10:30pm • ADMISSION: Free • ACCESS: Keihan Line, Demachiyanagi

Event organiser? List your event online for free at

Kansaifinder.com

Events  Art Magical Power of Nippon’s Realism Nara Prefectural Museum of Art

UEDA Kaoru "Egg on a Spoon", 1986 Toyohashi City Museum of Art ＆ History

Realism in art has captivated the human mind for centuries. Creators aim to capture and display various aspects of their conscious experience of reality for the consideration of their viewers, and modern technology has allowed them to produce such works at increasingly precise levels. Traditional Japanese artistic techniques, often influenced by the world of Western art, have continually adapted to aid the desire for accurate reproductions of real-life objects. In this exhibition, viewers can see works of various mediums, like paintings, sculptures, and crafts, that focus on the genre of modern Japanese realism with a collection of pieces brought to Nara from around the country. Realism Exhibition • Until Jan 14, 2018 • OPEN: 9am–5pm • CLOSED: Mon • ADMISSION: ¥800 • ACCESS: Kintetsu Line, Nara Stn, Exit 1, 5-min walk • TEL: 0742-23-3968 • www.pref.nara.jp/ dd.aspx?menuid=11842

Views of Kobe Port In commemoration of the 150th anniversary of Kobe Port s opening in 1868, a number of works portraying the beloved port and its surrounding area are on display. The opening of the port infused the city with a sense of exoticism that attracted many artists and photographers. This exhibition brings together a collection of their works that includes detailed oil paintings, woodblock and graphic prints, watercolors, Nihonga, and photography provided by the Kobe Municipal Archives Museum. Guests can see the diﬀerent ways the port has been represented throughout time, as well as the transformation it has brought to the modern and cosmopolitan Kobe area. Don t miss this opportunity to view a taste of history through these varied and time-honored creations. Views of Kobe Port Exhibition • Until Feb 18, 2018 • OPEN: 10am–5pm • CLOSED: Mon • ADMISSION: ¥800 • ACCESS: Rokko Island line, Island Center Stn, 1-min walk • TEL: 078-858-1520 • www.city.kobe.lg.jp/ yukarimuseum

Kansai Scene Magazine / ISSUE #211 DECEMBER 2017 / kansaiscene.com

KAWANISHI Hide One Hundred Scenes of Kobe Offing of Kobe 1952∼61 Watercolor on Paper. © Kobe Artists Museum

Kobe Artists Museum

Events  Art Osaka Casal Collection Osaka City Museum of Fine Arts •  Until Jan 21 The Casal Collection, which was assembled by Ugo Alfonso Casal, comprises some 4,000 works of Japanese lacquer, mainly makie dating from the Edo period to the Meiji and Taisho periods. One of only a few collections in Japan assembled by a European. OPEN: 9:30am–5pm • CLOSED: Mon • ADMISSION: ¥900 • ACCESS: Tennoji Stn, 10-min walk • TEL: 06-6771-4874 • osaka-art-museum.jp/en

Kyoto Floating HRD Fine Art •  Until Dec 30 Witness the works of Japanese artists Yuna Ogino and Kaori Tanaka, and Korean artist Yoonjeong Choi in this group exhibition. These three painters have joined forces to present works exploring the concept of ﬂoating through abstract imagery. OPEN: 11am–6pm • ADMISSION: Free

• ACCESS: Karasuma subway line, Kuramaguchi Stn, 2-min walk • TEL: 075-414-3633 • hrdfineart.com/top-e. html

Hyogo Collection Exhibition II: Travelers of Art

Great Collectors: Masterpieces from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston Kobe City Museum The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston – one of the world s leading hubs for art lovers due to the quality and scale of its collection – has been financed over the years by Boston citizens, private collectors, and companies, without help from the state or federal government. This exhibition serves as a tribute to those who have had a hand in forming the museum s collection, and features some 80 works brought together and transported to Japan for their superb character. Highlights include art from Ancient Egypt, China, and Japan, as well as distinguished French masterpieces by Monet and Van Gogh, in addition to a selection of contemporary works. Boston Fine Arts Exhibition • Until Feb 4, 2018 • OPEN: 9:30am–5:30pm (until 7pm Sat, until 9pm Nov 24, Dec 22, Jan 26) • CLOSED: Mon (except Jan 8 ), Dec 29-Jan 1, Jan 9 • ADMISSION: ¥1,500 • ACCESS: Sannomiya Stn, 10-min walk • TEL: 078391-0035 • city.kobe.lg.jp/ museum

Vincent Van Gogh Postman Joseph Roulin 1888 Gift of Robert Treat Paine 2nd, 35.1982 Photograph © Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

BB Plaza Museum of Art •  Until Feb 4 A number of artists departed for Europe during the pre-war era with the aim of extending their studies, while others, like Yoshiro Amitani and Isao Nishimura, remained in Japan to continue focusing on Westernstyle painting from home. This exhibition presents a collection of works by these internationally minded painters. OPEN: 10am–6pm • CLOSED: Mon • ADMISSION: ¥400 • ACCESS: Hanshin

line, Iwaya Stn, 1-min walk • TEL: 078802-9286 • bbpmuseum.jp/english

‘80s Girly Collection Takarazuka City Tezuka Osamu Manga Museum •  Until Feb 20 Check out a collection of over 1,000 beloved Japanese goods created during the 1980s, before smartphones and the internet dominated the entertainment industry. A number of renowned fashions, characters, and commodities made their way into the Japanese psyche via these products. OPEN: 9:30am–5pm • CLOSED: Wed • ADMISSION: ¥700 • ACCESS: Hankyu

or JR line, Takarazuka Stn, 8-min walk • TEL: 0797-81-2970 • www.city. takarazuka.hyogo.jp/tezuka/index.html

Shiga Passion & Vision

Viewers can enjoy and ﬁnd solace in this mix of beautiful and horrifying pieces, inspired by the uneasiness and anxiety of life. OPEN: 10am–5:30pm • CLOSED: Sat, Sun & holidays • ADMISSION: Free • ACCESS: JR Konan Stn, 15-min walk • TEL: 074886-0334 • http://a-yamanami.jp

Yamanami Kobo Gallery Gufguf •  Until Dec 28 This exhibition presents a variety of drawings and paintings from passionate artists who use their works to convey their strongest emotions and visions.

Kansai Scene Magazine / ISSUE #211 DECEMBER 2017 / kansaiscene.com

Events  Live Music Alley Cats LV

JAN

The Alley Cats are becoming regular visitors to Japan, returning to Chicken George, Kobe following two successful shows last year. The band features Faster Pussycat founding member and guitarist Brent Muscat along with Japanese guitarist Takashi Ohashi, bassist Zach Throne, and drummer Stephen Mills. This time around, the band has a newly released single Speed Racing Superstar, so more material to follow last year s EP could be on the way. Brent Muscat ﬁrst found fame when his glam-rock band Faster Pussycat released its debut album in 1987 with hits including Bathroom Wall and Don’t Change That Song. The band broke up in 1993 after three albums reached gold status. Faster Pussycat is together again but without Muscat and only singer Taime Downe from the original lineup.

Dec / Jan

Roll-B Dinosaur

Rock band featuring ex-Faster Pussycat guitarist Brent Muscat • Chicken George, Kobe • Rock • 7:30pm • ¥5,000/¥5,500 • TEL: 078-332-0146

The Artist Formerly Known as LADYBABY

Dec 21

Rock & Pop

Dec 22

Osaka jo Hall, Osaka • Rock pop • 5pm • ¥7,560 • TEL: 06-6341-3525

ROYALcomfort

Japanese rock band featuring vocalist Diamond Yukai

Japanese pop idol duo

Live house Soma, Osaka • Rock • 7pm • ¥4,000/¥4,500 • TEL: 06-6212-2253

Music Zoo, Kobe • Pop • 6pm • ¥3,000 • TEL: 06-6357-4400

Japanese pop trio

Japanese rock band playing tribute to AC/DC

Steve Lukather

Homecomings

Big Cat, Osaka • Pop • 3pm/7pm • ¥3,500 • TEL: 06-6341-3525

Live House Soma, Osaka • Rock • 6:30pm • ¥5,000/¥5,500 • TEL: 066212-2253

Dec 21 & 22

Dec 23

Californian rock guitarist originally with TOTO

Japanese indie pop quartet

To Session Dec 9

The Stylistics Dec 12, 19 & 28

Billboard live OSAKA, Osaka • Rock • 6:30pm/9:30pm • ¥11,500/¥12,500 • TEL: 06-6342-7722

Keel

Umeda Trad, Osaka • Rock • 6pm • ¥4,200/¥4,700 • TEL: 06-6341-3525

Dec 25 & 26

Billboard Live OSAKA, Osaka • Soul • 6:30pm/9:30pm • ¥12,000/¥13,000 • TEL: 06-6342-7722

Dec 22

Japanese visual kei rock band

Dec 16 Japanese rock pop duo

Club Quattro, Osaka • Indie • 7pm • ¥3,800/¥4,300 • TEL: 06-6341-3525

Dec 29 Japanese visual-kei rock band

Zazen Boys

Magokoro Brothers

Royz

Club Quattro, Osaka • Indie • 6pm • ¥3,500 • TEL: 06-6535-5569

Philadelphia soul group formed in 1968

Japanese indie band formed by ex-Number Girl guitarist Shutoku Mukai

Dec 29

Ruido, Osaka • Rock • 7:30pm • ¥4,000/¥4,500 • TEL: 06-6252-8301

THE ALFEE Dec 29

The Sugarhill Gang Dec 31 American hip hop group from New Jersey Billboard Live OSAKA, Osaka • Hip hop • 7:30pm/10:30pm • ¥9,000/¥10,000 • TEL: 06-6342-7722

Popular Japanese rock pop trio

Taku Taku, Kyoto • Pop rock • 6pm • ¥5,500/¥6,000 • TEL: 075-351-1321

Kansai Scene Magazine / ISSUE #211 DECEMBER 2017 / kansaiscene.com

Events  Live Music DEC

DEC

21 22 >

DEC

23 © Rob Shanahan

Homecomings

Steve Lukather

Last year, Kyoto band Homecomings released the CD SYMPHONY. The indie-rock four-piece takes influence from U.S. indie rock – Pavement, Yo La Tengo, Elliot Smith – and the sound of the UK scene in the 80s. They are also heavily influenced by American film and literature saying, Possibly the word admiration is closer to how we feel, rather than to say influenced by. We continue to take musical inspiration from literature that we read in Japan, including Stuart Dybek s two works The Coast of Chicago and I Sailed With Magellan, and Adrian Tomine. This year, the band started a music and film event at a local cinema in Kyoto called New Neighbors. About the event, they said, Friends and fans from our hometown have always warmly supported us, but after starting this event, we feel ever more connected to the place itself – the feeling that it s really our home town has become stronger.

Best known for his work as guitarist with the hugely successful U.S. band Toto, Steve Lukather comes to Japan promoting two releases for 2018. Firstly, Lukather s memoir The Gospel According to Luke, described as an extraordinary tale… from the time he was just 19 and working with Boz Scaggs to his pivotal decision to join Toto. Secondly, is the release of a new Toto compilation album 40 Trips Around The Sun (including three previously unreleased tracks) to celebrate 40 years since the debut Toto album. As well as Toto and his solo work, Steve Lukather has collaborated with Ringo Starr, Paul Rodgers, Michael Jackson, Lionel Richie, and Eddie Van Halen to name just a few. In an interview earlier this year, Lukather talked about playing live saying, The greatest feeling in the world is performing and connecting with the audiences. It s an out-of-body experience to let loose and just play.

Japanese indie-pop quartet from Kyoto • Club Quattro, Osaka • Indie • 6pm • ¥3,500 • TEL: 06-6311-8111

US rock guitarist solo and with the band Toto • Billboard Live OSAKA, Osaka • Rock • 6:30pm/9:30pm • ¥11,500/¥12,500 • TEL: 06-6342-7722

Kansai Scene Magazine / ISSUE #211 DECEMBER 2017 / kansaiscene.com

Live Music FEST VAINQUEUR Dec 31 Japanese visual-kei rock band Muse, Osaka • Rock • 6:30pm/11pm • ¥4,200 • TEL: 06-6245-5389

American guitarist David Tyrone Walker Billboard Live OSAKA, Osaka • Soul-fusion • 4:30pm/7:30pm • ¥9,800/¥10,800 • TEL: 06-6342-7722

THUNDER

KinKi Kids

Jan 10

Dec 31

British heavy rock band

Japanese pop vocal duo

Club Quattro, Osaka • Rock • 7pm • ¥8,000/¥15,000 • TEL: 0570-200-888

Kyocera Dome, Osaka • Pop • 10pm • ¥9,500 • TEL: 0180-993-700

Alley Cats LV

flumpool

Jan 10

Dec 31

Rock band featuring ex-Faster Pussycat guitarist Brent Muscat

Four-piece Japanese pop-rock band Osaka Jo Hall, Osaka • Rock pop • 10pm • ¥6,500 • TEL: 0570-200-888

Kansai Rock Summit 2018 Jan 5 Event featuring Revine, Archemi, DIEAL, Rides in Revellion & others Janus, Osaka • Rock • 3:30pm • ¥3,500/¥4,000 • TEL: 06-6886-1390

Rihwa Jan 7 Japanese singer-songwriter Umeda Trad, Osaka • Pop • 5pm • ¥4,200 • TEL: 06-6344-3326

Chicken George, Kobe • Rock • 7:30pm • ¥5,000/¥5,500 • TEL: 0570-200-888

SLEEP Jan 11 US doom metal power trio Umeda Trad, Osaka • Metal • 7pm • ¥8,500 • TEL: 06-6535-5569

Premiata Forneria Marconi Jan 11 Italian progressive rock band since 1970 Billboard Live OSAKA, Osaka • Prog Rock • 6:30pm/9:30pm • ¥8,500/¥9,500 • TEL: 06-6342-7722

Mando Diao

KAN

Jan 12

Jan 7

Swedish alternative-rock band

Japanese singer-songwriter and keyboardist Kan Kimura Zepp, Osaka • Pop rock • 6pm • ¥7,200 • TEL: 06-6882-1224

Orange Range Jan 7 Japanese hip-hop rock band Orix Theater, Osaka • Hip-Hop Rock • 5:30pm • ¥5,800 • TEL: 0570-200-888

Club Quattro, Osaka • Rock • 7:30pm • ¥6,800 • TEL: 06-6311-8111

a flood of circle Jan 12 Japanese experimental-rock trio Taku Taku, Kyoto • Experimental • 6:30pm • ¥3,500 • TEL: 075-351-1321

Foster the People

David T. Walker

Jan 12

Jan 8

US indie-pop trio

Events  Live Music Mando Diao Mando Diao is an indie-rock ﬁve-piece band from Sweden. Making their ﬁrst public performance in 1999 in Borlange, Sweden, a local writer described them as, the best unsigned band I have ever seen. Three years later, they d signed to a major JAN label and released their debut album, the 2002 release Bring ‘Em In. Being likened in their early days to The Kinks and The Small Faces, the band put out their eighth studio album this year, Good Times, which is more of an electronic indie-pop sound and has been described as upbeat and pop sounding. It is said to be an album that is a good introduction to Mando Diao as well as being for the fans who ve backed them all along.

Swedish indie-pop-rock band • Club Quattro, Osaka • Indie-pop-rock • 7:30pm • ¥6,800 • TEL: 06-6311-8111

Namba Hatch, Osaka • Indie pop • 7pm • ¥8,000/¥8,500 • TEL: 06-6535-5569

Woodstock Café, Ashiya • Group Sounds • Free Admission (¥2,000 for 2 drinks + snack) • TEL: 079-734-1044

ARASHI Jan 12–14

Jazz & Blues

Popular Japanese-pop vocal group

Lorna Cifra

Kyocera Dome, Osaka • Pop • 6pm Jan 12 & 13 / 4pm Jan 14 • ¥9,000 • TEL: 0180-993-707

Dec 8

Dreams Come True Jan 13 & 14 Japanese pop vocal/guitar duo Osaka Jo Hall, Osaka • Pop • 5pm • ¥7,916/¥8,996 • TEL: 06-6341-3525

The Muggles Every Fri & Sat Mellow ballads, classic rock, and rock n roll from Osaka-based jamming band

American jazz vocalist Comodo, Osaka • Jazz • 8pm • ¥3,000 • TEL: 06-6258-8088

Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra

Yasushi Nakamura Trio

Yoon Fasong

Dec 13

Dec 25

Double bassist Nakamura with Lawrence Fields and Clarence Penn

Xmas Special vocals & Trumpet

Mister Kelly’s, Osaka • Jazz • 7:30pm • ¥5,800/¥6,300 • TEL: 06-6342-5821

Comodo, Osaka • Jazz • 8pm • ¥3,500 • TEL: 06-6258-8088

Rico Yuzen

Yutaka Shiina Quartet

Dec 28

Dec 14

New York-based Japanese jazz vocalist

Pianist Shiina with saxophonist Pierrick Pédron

Rugtime, Osaka • Jazz • 7:30pm/9:15pm • ¥2,500 • TEL: 06-6214-5306

Mister Kelly’s, Osaka • Jazz • 7pm/9pm • ¥4,000/¥6,000 • TEL: 06-6342-5821

Dec 11 & 12 Japanese ska and jazz band formed 1988 Namba Hatch, Osaka • Ska and Jazz • 7pm • ¥5,500/¥6,000 • TEL: 0570200-888

Who’s playing? Check Kansaifinder.com for the latest live music listings...

Kansai Scene Magazine / ISSUE #211 DECEMBER 2017 / kansaiscene.com

Events  Club World Kyoto

DEC

World, the biggest club in Kyoto, is turning up the heat this winter with an invitation to the worldclass EDM duo from Holland, Yellow Claw. Jim Aasgier and Nizzle formed Yellow Claw in 2010. Their sound mixes genres and they ve collaborated with a variety of prominent artists such as Diplo, Flux Pavilion, and Skrillex. The singles Shotgun feat. Rochelle (2013) and Till It Hurts feat. Ayden (2014) were huge hits in the Netherlands, and their debut album Blood for Mercy ranked #1 on the U.S. Billboard Dance Charts in 2015. They ve played a stack of big festivals, including Tomorrowland, Ultra Music Festival, and Coachella Festival. They ll be playing in Tokyo and Kyoto only for this tour so get out to Kyoto and enjoy this special night!

World × Club AgeHa 15th Years of “The Best Tour Extra in Kyoto” ft.Yellow Claw (EDM/Trap) • DJ: Yellow Claw, Taku-hero, kento + more • OPEN: 10pm • ADMISSION: ¥5,000 (ADV: ¥4,000) • WHERE: Kyoto • TEL: 075-213-4119 • world-kyoto.com

December 1 (Fri)

2 (Sat)

Circus

Alzar

Circus loves Drum n Bass Matrix&Futurebound (Drum n Bass)

Nao Nomura pres. Alzar Saturdays (Techno/Electronic)

• DJS: Matrix & Futurebound + more • OPEN: 11pm • ADMISSION: ¥3,100/1D (ADV: ¥2,600/1D) • WHERE: Shinsaibashi • TEL: 06-6241-3822 • circus-osaka.com

Metro Do it Jazz! x Ge-Ology – Ge-Ology Japan Tour in Kyoto – (Jazz/ Crossover/House) • ACTS: Ge-Ology, Masaki Tamura, Yukari Bb, Sota, Torei + more • OPEN: 10pm • ADMISSION: ¥3,000/1D (Mail RESERVATION: ¥2,500/1D) • WHERE: Kyoto • TEL: 075-752-2787 • metro.ne.jp

Triangle Sushi x Mixjam presents. Shift K3Y (UK Garage/2Step/Bass) • DJS: Shift K3y, Jaxx Da Fishworks, Numb’n’dub, Savage States, Kenzoom, 81Blend + more • OPEN: 10pm • ADMISSION: ¥3,200/1D (ADV: ¥2,700/1D) • WHERE: Shinsaibashi • TEL: 06-62122264 • triangleosaka.com

• DJS: Tomoyuki Tanaka, Osakaman, Yuumi, Nao Nomura • OPEN: 11pm • ADMISSION: ¥2,500/1D (Entry before MIDNIGHT: ¥1,500) • WHERE: Shinsaibashi • TEL: 090-6960-8527 • alzar.jp

Circus Circus presents Mr.Ties (Techno) • DJS: Mr. Ties + more • OPEN: 11pm • ADMISSION: ¥3,100/1D (ADV: ¥2,600/1D) • WHERE: Shinsaibashi • TEL: 06-62413822 • circus-osaka.com

Jaai Ne:magari (Goa Trance) • DJS: Kondo, Zou, Mat + more • OPEN: 11pm • ADMISSION: ¥ 2,000/1D • WHERE: Shinsaibashi • TEL: 080-3037-3214 • iflyer.tv/ja/Bar-JAAI

• DJS: Madison Mars, Beatman, Be4r, Gari, Goshima, Mia, Rikito, Rumetal, Yona + more • OPEN: 10pm • ADMISSION: ¥3,000/1D (ADV: ¥2,500/1D) • WHERE: Shinsaibashi • TEL: 06-6214-1223 • club-joule.com

Troop Cafe Bush feat.DJ Masda (Techno/ Minimal) • DJS: Masda, Soichi, Ebo • OPEN: 11pm • ADMISSION: ¥2,500/1D (Mail RESERVATION: ¥2,000/1D, Under 23YRS: ¥1,500/1D) • WHERE: Kobe • TEL: 078321-3130 • troopcafe.jp

Metro Echo Kyoto -Shrine. jp x Daniel Miller (House) • DJS: Daniel Miller, Acryl, Hideo Nakasako, Hiramatsu Toshiyuki, Kafuka, Ken’ichi Itoi + more • OPEN: 6pm–11pm • ADMISSION: ¥4,800/1D(ADV: ¥4,300/1D) • WHERE: Kyoto • TEL: 075-752-2787 • metro.ne.jp

Joule Madison Mars (EDM/Future house)

Kansai Scene Magazine / ISSUE #211 DECEMBER 2017 / kansaiscene.com

4 (Mon) Noon + Cafe Giganoise 4 (Noise/Alternative) • ATCS: Haino Keiji, Dravideo, Galsid, ka4u, Rhy-s + more • OPEN: 5:30pm– 11:30pm • ADMISSION: ¥3,500/1D (ADV: ¥2,500/1D) • WHERE: Umeda • TEL: 06-6373-4919 • noon-cafe.com

8 (Fri) Alzar Mixmag Japan Launch Party x Zenith World Tour feat. Sam Paganini (Techno) • DJS: Sam Paganini, Ishijima, Senda, Izumi Kimura + more • OPEN: 11pm • ADMISSION: ¥3,000 (ADV: ¥2,000/1D, Entry before MIDNIGHT: ¥1,500) • WHERE: Shinsaibashi • TEL: 090-69608527 • alzar.jp

Joule Himlen feat. Prock & Fitch (Tech House/Techno) • DJS: Prok & Fitch, Mika Kitten, Nao Okada, Koichi Sato, Dmitri + more • OPEN: 10pm • ADMISSION: Gentlemen

Events  Club ¥3,500/1D; Ladies ¥3,000/1D • WHERE: Shinsaibashi • TEL: 06-6214-1223 • club-joule.com

Sun Hall Ring -Boshke Beats Japan Tour in Osaka- (Trance) • LIVE: The Delta • DJS: Alex Tolstey, Tez, Saki + more • OPEN: 10pm • ADMISSION: ¥4,000/1D • WHERE: Shinsaibashi • TEL: 06-6213-7077 • sunhall.jp

World Kyoto World Peace Love #1 ft. Mike Williams (EDM) • DJ: Mike Williams, Tjo, Chiba-Chups + more • OPEN: 10pm • ADMISSION: Gentlemen ¥3,500/1D; Ladies ¥3,000/1D (ADV: ¥3,000/1D) • WHERE: Kyoto • TEL: 075-213-4119 • world-kyoto. com

9 (Sat) Circus Factory #13 feat.Luca Lozano (Techno/Acid House) • DJS: Luca Lozano, Akira Eng, Makoto Murakami, Takataka + more • OPEN: 11pm • ADMISSION: ¥2,600/1D (ADV: ¥2,100/1D) • WHERE: Shinsaibashi • TEL: 06-6241-3822 • circus-osaka.com

Exodus Onosim 2nd Anniversary Party -Circle of Life-(Trance/ Psychedelic) • LIVE: Spectra Sonics • DJS: Hanabi, Hiroto, Show-Hey, Kurobee & Goro, Sai, Lazzzy, Shiva + more • OPEN: 10pm • ADMISSION: ¥3,500 • WHERE: Shinsaibashi • TEL: 06-6532-9385 • exodus728.com

Xex West The Birth of Club Xex (House/ R&B/Hip Hop) • ACTS: N’Dea Davenport, Osaka Shinichi, Shuya Okino, Kawasaki, Okino Yoshihiro, Midori Aoyama, Hasebe, Masterkey + more • OPEN: 7pm-11pm • ADMISSION: Gentlemen ¥6,000/2D; Ladies ¥5,000/2D (ADV: Gentlemen ¥5,000/2D; LADIES: ¥4,000/2D) • WHERE: Umeda • TEL: 06-4795-0065 • iflyer.tv/ja/venue/9311

¥1,600/1D • WHERE: Shinsaibashi • TEL: 06-6241-3822 • circus-osaka.com

14 (Thu)

Circus Wednesday Circus (Techno/Juke) • LIVE: Kafuka • DJS: Fulltono, Aspara, Metome • OPEN: 8pm-1am • ADMISSION:

Sweetz + more • OPEN: 10pm • ADMISSION: Gentlemen ¥3,600/1D; Ladies ¥3,100/1D • WHERE: Shinsaibashi • TEL: 06-6241-3822 • circus-osaka.com

23 (Sat/Holiday)

Metro

Absinthe Wormwood

Deep Underground (Deep Tech/ Tech House)

Special X mas Live Party (Latin/ Salsa/Reggaeton)

• LIVE: Bodil • DJS: Ryoma Sasaki, Ouch S, Koichi, Wataru Horiuchi + more • OPEN: 9pm–3am • ADMISSION: ¥1,500/1D • WHERE: Kyoto • TEL: 075752-2787 • metro.ne.jp

• ACTS: Julian, Milton Osaka, Hitomi, Bebe + more • OPEN: 7pm–11:30pm • ADMISSION: ¥6,000/Buffet + 2D (ADV: ¥5,000/Buffet + 2D) • WHERE: Shinsaibashi • TEL: 06-6534-6635 • cafeabsinthe.jp

Jaai

16 (Sat)

Sai No Daikansha Psy Party!! Vol.2 (Psychedelic Trance)

Alzar Full Color (Psychedelic Trance) • LIVE: Brave, Gu • DJS: Show-Hey, Hiroto, Fly + more • OPEN: 11pm • ADMISSION: ¥2,500/1D (W/F: ¥2,000/1D) • WHERE: Shinsaibashi • TEL: 090-6960-8527 • alzar.jp

• DJS: Mixtribe Akizou, Mat, Shiva, Jun + more • OPEN: 10pm • ADMISSION: ¥2,000/1D • WHERE: Shinsaibashi • TEL: 080-3037-3214 • iflyer.tv/ja/Bar-JAAI

Joule Groove Attack in Osaka (Psychedelic Trance)

Circus Good Night Birds feat. Jonny Dub (Bass) • DJS: Jonny Dub, Rasty, Mightwhales + more • OPEN: 11pm • ADMISSION: ¥2,100/1D • WHERE: Shinsaibashi • TEL: 06-6241-3822 • circus-osaka.com

Triangle Trippin Factory – Welcome to the Jungle Tour – (Jungle/ Drum n Bass)

• LIVE: Bliss, Cylon • DJS: Kazya, Piero, H4lk, Moxon, Shuki San, Minoru, O-Man + more • OPEN: 10pm • ADMISSION: ¥4,000/1D • WHERE: Shinsaibashi • TEL: 06-6214-1223 • club-joule.com

24 (Sun) Adam Lounge Lucas & Steve Japan Tour 2017 (EDM/Future House) • DJS: Lucas & Steve, Yuichi, Niko, Wtp, Mia + more • OPEN: 3pm–9am • ADMISSION: ¥4,200/1D, (ADV: ¥3,500/1D) • WHERE: Shinsaibashi • TEL: 0120-170-317 • adam-lounge.com

Stomp

Namba Hatch

Effective96 presents Zed Bias in Japan (Bass/Breaks/Dubstep)

A Hundred Birds Orchestra Dance Music meets Orchestral Unit on Christmas 2017 (Orchestra/House)

• DJS: Zed Bias, Ishio Dai + more • OPEN: 6pm–11:30pm • ADMISSION: ¥3,500/1D • WHERE: Shinsaibashi • TEL: 06-62450889 • club-stomp.com

22 (Fri)

28 (Thu) Alzar Liquid Drop Groove Night in Osaka -James Monro Japan Tour (Techno/Psychedelic Trance/Goa Trance) • DJS: James Monro, Yuta, Zen, Aluca + more • OPEN: 10pm • ADMISSION: ¥4,000 (ADV: ¥3,000/1D) • WHERE: Shinsaibashi • TEL: 090-6960-8527 • alzar.jp

29 (Fri) Lab.Tribe Fantastic Planet vol.10 (SM Show/Open Format) • PERFORMERS: King, Shiina, Chocolate de chocolate, Haruna, Lakusumi • DJS: Makoto, Erolin, Pxexn, Sayla + more • OPEN: 9pm • ADMISSION: ¥4,000/1D (ADV: ¥3,500/1D) • WHERE: Kyoto • TEL: 075-254-1228 • labtribe.net

Troop Cafe Phc feat. Wata Igarashi (Techno)

• ACTS: Ed Solo, Horn, Numb’n’dub, Shaka-itchi, Nari, Naga, Memento, Yanmah + more • OPEN: 9pm • ADMISSION: ¥3,500/1D (ADV: ¥3,000/1D) • WHERE: Shinsaibashi • TEL: 06-62122264 • triangleosaka.com

• LIVE: A Hundred Birds Orchestra feat. Ten, Sugami, Stella, Sweep & MC Gebo + more • OPEN: 8pm • ADMISSION: ¥4,500/1D • WHERE: Namba • TEL: 064397-0572 • namba-hatch.com

• DJS: Wata Igarashi, Halptribe + more • OPEN: 11pm • ADMISSION: ¥2,500/1D (Mail RESERVATION: ¥2,000/1D; Under 23YRS: ¥1,500/1D) • WHERE: Kobe • TEL: 078-321-3130 • troopcafe.jp

30 (Sat) Troop Cafe Count Down Eve feat. Fumiya Tanaka (House/Techno) • DJS: Fumiya Tanaka + more • OPEN: 11pm • ADMISSION: ¥3,000/1D (Mail RESERVATION: ¥2,000/1D; Under 23YRS: ¥1,500/1D) • WHERE: Kobe • TEL: 078-321-3130 • troopcafe.jp

31 (Sun) Namura Zosen Atochi

Hokage

13 (Wed)

WHERE: Shinsaibashi • TEL: 06-62112855 • musicbarhokage.net

Hokage presents Naniwa Ambient (Ambient/Noise/ Industrial) • ACTS: Okahashi Nobuhiro, Solmania Slur, Ishigami Kazuya × Miyamoto Takashi, Zange • OPEN: 7pm–11pm • ADMISSION: ¥2,500 (ADV: ¥2,000) •

27 (Wed) Circus Go Hard presents 2017 Year End Gathering (Hardstyle/Hard Dance/UK Hardcore)

Circus presents New Year s Eve (Techno) • DJS: Peter Van Hoesen, Soichi Terada + more • OPEN: 9pm–5am • ADMISSION: ¥4,600/1D (ADV: ¥4,100/1D) • WHERE: Kitakagaya • TEL: 06-4702-7085 • namura.cc

• ACTS: Cally, M.Minami, Merupo, Tommy, Motoshi, Dor4chan, Nippy,

Kansai Scene Magazine / ISSUE #211 DECEMBER 2017 / kansaiscene.com

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

Toho Cinemas Umeda Now showing: Jigsaw, It, Thor: Ragnarok, The Circle, Blade Runner 2049, Get Out, Barry Seal, Atomic Blonde, War for the Planet of the Apes, Hidden Figures, An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power, Logan Lucky, Justice League, Gifted • From Dec 8: Murder on the Orient Express • From Dec 15: Star Wars: The Last Jedi, The Zookeeper's Wife • From Dec 22: Kung Fu Yoga, Flatliners Tel: 06-6316-1312 • tohotheater.jp • Discounts: Weds (women); 1st & 14th of the month – ¥1,100; every day after 8pm – ¥1,300

Umeda Burg7 Now showing: Thor: Ragnarok, Colossal, Blade Runner 2049, Barry Seal, Logan Lucky, Justice League • From Dec 2: Moomins and the Winter Wonderland • From Dec 8: Murder on the Orient Express • From Dec 15: Star Wars: The Last Jedi • From Dec 29: All Eyez on Me Tel: 06-4795-7602 • burg7.com • Discounts: Weds (women); 1st of the month – ¥1,100; every day after 8pm – ¥1,300

Cine Libre Umeda Now showing: Their Finest, Good Time, Polina danser sa vie (FRA), La vita possibile (ITA), Kedi, Liberami (ITA) • From Dec 2: Poesía Sin Fin (FRA), Interlude in Prague • From Dec 9: Neruda (SPA), La Bare • From Dec 23: The Midwife • From Dec 30: Une Vie (FRA) Tel: 06-6440-5930 • ttcg.jp/cinelibre_ umeda • Discounts: Weds (women, men); 1st and 15th of the month – ¥1,000

Theatre Umeda Now showing: Frantz (FRA), The Distinguished Citizen (SPA), Django (FRA) • From Dec 1: Lumière! • From Dec 16: Brain on Fire • From Dec 23: Beethoven Par Béjart • From Dec 30: Félicité Tel: 06-6359-1080 • ttcg.jp/theatre_ umeda • Discounts: Weds (women, men); 1st of the month – ¥1,000

Osaka Station City Cinema Now showing: Logan Lucky, Justice League, Rodin, Thor: Ragnarok, Nocturnal Animals, Blade Runner 2049, Barry Seal, Miss Sloane, Loving Vincent, It, Central Intelligence • From Dec 1: How to Talk to Girls at Parties • From Dec 8: Murder on the Orient Express, Denial • From Dec 15: Star Wars: The Last Jedi Tel: 06-6346-3215 • osakastationcitycinema.com • Discounts: Weds (women); 1st of the month – ¥1,100; every day after 8pm – ¥1,300

Toho Cinemas Namba Now showing: Jigsaw, It, Thor: Ragnarok, The Circle, Blade Runner 2049, Get Out, Barry Seal, Atomic Blonde, War for the Planet of the Apes, Logan Lucky, Justice League, Gifted • From Dec 8: Murder on the Orient Express, Denial • From Dec 15: Star Wars: The Last Jedi, The Zookeeper's Wife • From Dec 22: Kung Fu Yoga, Flatliners Tel: 06-6633-1040 • tohotheater.jp • Weds (women); 1st & 14th of the month – ¥1,100, every day after 8pm – ¥1,300

Namba Parks Cinema Now showing: Justice League, Logan Lucky, Rodin, The Circle, It, Thor: Ragnarok, Blade Runner 2049, Kubo and the Two Strings • From Dec 1: How to Talk to Girls at Parties • From Dec 2: Moomins and the Winter Wonderland, Interlude in Prague • From Dec 8: Murder on the Orient Express, Denial • From Dec 15: Star Wars: The Last Jedi • From Dec 22: Kung Fu Yoga • From Dec 29: All Eyez on Me Tel: 06-6643-3215 • parkscinema.com • Discounts: Weds (women); 1st of the month – ¥1,100; every day after 8pm – ¥1,300

Cinem@rt Now showing: Good Time, Nocturnal Animals, Hidden Figures, Drôles d'oiseaux (FRA), Nevesta (RUS), Incarnate • From Dec 16: Army of One Tel: 06-6282-0815 • cinemart.co.jp/ theater/shinsaibashi • Discounts: Mon

Murder on the Orient Express. From Dec 8.

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

Kyoto Movix Kyoto Now showing: Rodin, The Circle, Thor: Ragnarok, It, Blade Runner 2049, Barry Seal, Atomic Blonde, War for the Planet of the Apes, Logan Lucky, Justice League • From Dec 1: How to Talk to Girls at Parties • From Dec 8: Murder on the Orient Express • From Dec 15: Star Wars: The Last Jedi • From Dec 22: Kung Fu Yoga • From Dec 23: Manolo: The Boy Who Made Shoes for Lizards Tel: 075-254-3215 • smt-cinema.com • Discounts: Weds (women); 1st and 20th of the month – ¥1,100; every day after 8pm – ¥1,300

Kyoto Cinema Now showing: Nocturnal Animals, Inside Llewyn Davis, La vita possibile (ITA), 20th Century Women, A Quiet Passion • From Dec 1: Lumière! • From Dec 2: On the Milky Road, Mr. Gaga • From Dec 9: Interlude in Prague, Hermitage Revealed • From Dec 16: Sara Baras. Todas las voces (SPA) • From Dec 23: L'Opera (FRA), Gleason, Vergiss mein nicht (GER) • From Dec 30: Kedi, Paris Can Wait, Quatsch und die Nasenbärbande (GER) Tel: 075-353-4723 • kyotocinema.jp • Discounts: Weds (women & men); 1st of the month – ¥1,100

Kansai Scene Magazine / ISSUE #211 DECEMBER 2017 / kansaiscene.com

Toho Cinemas Nijo Now showing: Jigsaw, It, Thor: Ragnarok, The Circle, Blade Runner 2049, Get Out, Barry Seal, Miss Sloane, War for the Planet of the Apes, An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power, Logan Lucky, Justice League, Gifted • From Dec 8: Murder on the Orient Express, Denial • From Dec 15: Star Wars: The Last Jedi, The Zookeeper's Wife • From Dec 22: Kung Fu Yoga, Flatliners Tel: 075-813-2410 • tohotheater.jp • Discounts: Weds (women); 1st & 14th of the month – ¥1,100; every day after 8pm – ¥1,300

Hyogo OS Cinema Mint Kobe Now showing: The Circle, Jigsaw, Thor: Ragnarok, Blade Runner 2049, Barry Seal, Logan Lucky, Justice League, Gifted • From Dec 8: Murder on the Orient Express • From Dec 9: Lumière! • From Dec 15: Star Wars: The Last Jedi • From Dec 22: Kung Fu Yoga Tel: 078-291-5330 • jollios.net • Discounts: Tues (women); 1st and 16th of the month – ¥1,100; every day after 8pm – ¥1,300

Kobe Kokusai Shochiku Now showing: Rodin, Get Out • From Dec 1: How to Talk to Girls at Parties • From Dec 9: Central Intelligence • From Dec 23: Manolo: The Boy Who Made Shoes for Lizards • From Dec 29: All Eyez on Me

Osaka

Classifieds & Jobs CLASSIFIEDS Apartments For Rent

INTERNATIONAL SHAREHOUSE IN KOBE. Traditional Japanese market street next to the apartment and our fully equipped kitchen make a perfect combination for those who experience real local life. Your room is private so you can relax in your room or chill with other friendly Japanese / international share-mates in the living room. Price: 60000 • Pickup location: Kobe • Website: https://www.

japanroomﬁnder.com/en/ property/2262/headquarters-kobe/ • Contact: kakisawa@gmail.com

1K WITH LOFT IN OSAKA CITY. Safe & Clean Riverside Residence. Furnished Studio Apartment in Osaka city. Riverside residence. Only 7min to Osaka Umeda area by JR or Hanshin line. Also a word ofﬁce, library, supermarket are within 5min on foot. 3rd ﬂoor. Corner room. No key money, No commission.No cleaning charge. One month refundable deposit is required. Price: 59,000yen • Pickup location: Osaka city, Nishiyodogawa ward, Mitejima • Website: http://passage-apartment. com/ • Contact: kr_toa@po.twin. ne.jp

Community Clubs and Groups FREE ABACUS CLASS FOR FOREIGNERS FREE ABACUS CLASS FOR FOREIGNERS. OFFERED BY O.C.C.I. and Osaka Abacus Assoc. to promote int l goodwill. Individualized lessons taught in Japanese or English. Saturdays 10-12 am. Course material provided for free. Near SakaisujiHommachi and Kitahama. Call: Moritomo Ken 06-6572-6877. Website: https://sites.google.com/ site/osakasoroban/abacus-classes • Contact: mail@osaka-abacus.com

JOBS Teaching CES CORPORATE CLASSES. Parttime. CES is seeking experienced Instructors/Interpreters/ Translators (All Languages) for corporate classes all over the Kansai area. Immediate openings. All materials and support

provided. 3,500-4,000 yen per hour. Travel Expenses Covered. Please contact - mark@cesjapan. co.jp with C/V and Availability. Contact: mark@cesjapan.co.jp

IT / Media KANSAI SCENE LISTINGS RESEARCHER/WRITER. KS is looking for bilingual En/Jp writers to research, compile and edit listings and pick-ups for our popular monthly Kansai Finder section. Research is mostly from Japanese sources, but writing required in English. This is a work-from-home, freelance position and suitable for someone with fastidious attention to detail. Approx. 10 hour/month commitment, depending on number of listings or sections undertaken. Please send us your CV and examples of writing to editor@kansaiscene.com.

Kansai Scene Magazine / ISSUE #211 DECEMBER 2017 / kansaiscene.com

Looking for something? Find places to dine, things to do, and browse job and classified listings in the Kansai area

KansaiFinder.com

Events

Jobs

Discover art exhibitions, live music gigs, flea markets, festivals, club DJ events and everything in between. Holding an event? List it today for free.

Search job listings for the Kansai area. Have a position to fill? Post a job ad and start recruiting.

Classifieds

Places

Need to sell some stuff, looking for love or band members? Post a classified ad and spread the word.

Find the best places in town. Business owner? Post your own business/service to the Kansai Finder places directory today. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s free.

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Getting Around

MAPS & INFORMATION / INTRODUCTION

The Kansai area covers the prefectures of Osaka, Kyoto, Hyogo, Wakayama, Nara, Mie, and Shiga. There is so much to explore, so you ll need to prioritize your time wisely. Its main travel hubs are Osaka, Kyoto, and Kobe, all of which are well connected by high-speed rail networks, including the shinkansen (bullet train). On regular trains, you can travel between Osaka and Kyoto in about 45 mins, and between Kobe and Osaka in about 30 mins. If you are here on holiday, pick up a convenient travel pass, such as the Kansai Thu Pass (surutto.com) or Kansai One Pass (kansaionepass.com), to avoid having to negotiate the ticket machines. Use a website such as HyperDia (hyperdia.com) to check train times and platforms from your smartphone.

Get Kansai Scene Kansai Scene is available from the following major outlets in the Kansai region:

OSAKA Hotels and Guesthouses

Hyogo

Kyoto

Osaka

Shiga

Hyatt Regency, Nikko Hotel, St. Regis, Swissôtel Nankai Osaka, Ritz Carlton, Hilton Osaka, Fraser Residence Nankai Osaka, InterContinental Hotel Osaka Tourist Information Centers

Nara

Mie

Wakayama

Osaka Visitors Information Center (JR Osaka), Hankyu Tourist Center Umeda, Osaka Visitors Information Center (JR Namba), Kansai Tourist Information Center (KIX), Kansai Tourist Information Center (Shinsaibashi), Nankai Information Center (Namba) Shops

Trains and Subways

Airport Transfers

There is an excellent rail network connecting all corners of Kansai. As well as JR (Japan Rail), there are numerous private railway companies servicing the area, including Keihan (Osaka/Kyoto), Hankyu (Osaka/Kyoto), Nankai (Osaka, Wakayama, Koya), Hanshin (Osaka/Kobe), and Kintetsu (Osaka/Nara/Mie/Nagoya). Each line operates several types of train. For the fastest trains, look for the Limited Express service trains. Be aware that Local trains stop at every station on the line, so only take them if no other type of train stops at your station. Subways operate in Osaka, Kobe, and Kyoto and are an extremely efficient way to get around the cities.

To/from downtown Osaka, the most convenient option is the Nankai Rapi:t Express service (KIX <> Namba 42mins) or a Limousine Bus. To/from Kyoto, take the JR Airport Express HARUKA service (75 mins).

» Tip: Pick up a Railway Network

map from a major station or Tourist Information Center.

Buses For out-of-the-way locations, or in certain cities such as Kyoto, you may need to take a bus. A travel pass usually includes travel on municipal bus services.

Taxis Fares start from ¥500. The drivers wearing white gloves and official hats tend to be the most courteous, but don t expect English to be widely understood. Have your destination name and address on hand in Japanese.

Kinokuniya Bookstore Umeda, Kinokuniya Honmachi, Tower Records Umeda, Junkudo Namba, Hard Rock Cafe

KYOTO

ATMs and Credit Cards If you re using Visa, you will be able to withdraw cash at most bank or convenience-store ATMs. If you re using Mastercard, your best bet for withdrawing money is at 7-Eleven ATMs. Most other ATMs in Kansai do not accept Mastercard. It is not common to make in-store payments using credit or visa-debit cards in Japan, even for expensive purchases. Many shops and restaurants do not oﬀer this service, so be sure to carry plenty of cash with you.

Wi-Fi Getting connected in Kansai can be tricky. Renting a smartphone or SIM card at the airport is the safest option, to connect to the internet over a 3G or 4G network. In Osaka, you can access the Osaka Free Wi-Fi service at train and subway stations, stores and facilities throughout the prefecture.

Accidents and Emergencies » Ambulance/Fire service: Tel: 119 » Police: Tel: 110

Hotels and Guesthouses

Royal Hotel, Royal Park Hotel The Kyoto, Kyoto Nikko Hotel Tourist Information Centers

Kyoto Tourist Information Center, Kansai Tourist Information Center Kyoto, Kyoto International Community House Shops

Junkudo Kyoto, Maruzen & Junkudo Kyoto Main Store, GEAR

KOBE Hotels and Guesthouses

Kobe Bay Sheraton, Kobe Portopia Hotel Tourist Information Centers

Kobe International Community Center, Hyogo International Plaza Shops

Junkudo Nishinomiya, Junkudo Sannomiya, Kinokuniya Kobe

Kansai Scene Magazine / ISSUE #211 DECEMBER 2017 / kansaiscene.com

Osaka North (Kita) MAPS & INFORMATION ho

-c D C Maruzen & ki Junkudo za a Osaka Loop Line Post Office InterContinental ak Club N Osaka Club Noon Hub Azul Hotel Cine Libre Noon+Cafe ri Kitano New Hankyu Hankyu do Umeda Sky Umeda Hosp. aOsaka Hotel Umeda Sta. Grand Front Building m ji o Kinokuniya Osaka / German k a 1 1 iy Knowledge Consulate H&M OWL Osaka M Westin 35F Capital Yodobashi Hankyu Ogimachi Hotel Tourist Toho umeda Camera Park Center Annex TRAD Hotel Osaka Shangrila Hep 5 Kinki Umekita YWCA Hep Navio Plaza Hankyu ade Craft Beer idori Arc Osaka Station Grand Bldg Toho Cinemas Higash Base Umeda Hankyu City Cinema Lucua Hankyu Dept. JR Osaka Sonezaki Lucua 1100 Daimaru Police H.Q. Osaka Club Umeda a. t S Quattro Visitors’ Station City da e Information Hotel Um Hanshin Granvia shin Center Dept. n Hilton Ha Junkudo 2 2 Umeda 6F Plaza West Hotel Burg7 Hilton The Blarney Kansai Always Drop Inn Hotel Stone Dai-4 Herbis Osaka Maru Tower Bldg. 1F Hearton Ent Bldg. Records Hotel 3/4F TGI Fridays Hotel Nishiumeda Osaka Dental Clinic Dai-3 3RD WORD Beer Monterey Dai-2 Bldg. Dai-1 Creamy Osaka Herbis Bldg. Bldg. 2F Osaka Exeo Ritz Kita Shinchi 33F Tanimachi Lin Carlton .2 e o Captain 1F N ute Kangaroo o 5F R . a t Mister Shinmei aS Kelly’s im Law Office sh 7F Hotel ku Outback Fu Daiwa Hanshin US Steakhouse 3 3 Dojima Avanza e Homes Consulate in L B1F e ain Sta. Group Lin M i a a Hotel Elsereine im shin Toz ACCJ JR Han ukush Osaka Ana Crowne Kansai F Plaza ta. S Hanshin Expresswa Dojima ima y (Loop Rou te) ush Hotel NTT Fuk Data Nakanosh Dojima River ima Dori Oebashi Forum i sh Bank of a b e Library b ABC Hall City Hall Festival Museum of Watana Japan a Line er Hall Oriental Ceramics anoshim Riv Osaka City han-Nak ei a K N ani jim Public Hall wa Do Tosabori River bas hi Mitsui Garden Hotel 4 4 Mitsui APA Hotel Sumitomo National Bank Museum of Art Rihga Science Nakanoshima Museum Inn Beer Belly

Theater Umeda

da Ume

Shin Midosuji

Higa

Nishi Umeda

eda

m shi U

Mid

Fukushima

ji Lin

osu

Kita Shinchi

Nishi Tenma

hi Line

Yotsubas

Dojima

Grand Cube Osaka

Nii Fine Arts

YMCA

Edobori Craft Beer Base Garden

Daiichi Group Kitamido APA Sōai Hotel High School Honmachi

Hanshin Expressway B

Elmers Green Cafe 5

il Bar Central Banco

Utsubo Park

Honmachi Dori

Daiwa Roynet Hotel Kitahama

OSTEC Exibition Hall

Utsubo Tennis Center

Watanabe Fineart Gallery

Starbucks

Chuo Odori C Honmachi

Kansai Scene Magazine / ISSUE #211 DECEMBER 2017 / kansaiscene.com

St. Regis Hotel Osaka

Hooters Osaka

Hard Rock Cafe Osaka 0 Chuo Line

Sakaisuji Line

Naniwasuji

suj ike ida

TAKAMURA Wine & Coffee Roasters

Midosuji

a Tos

ri Do

Yotsubashisuji

Sumitomo Hosp.

Honmachi

Kitahama

Rihga Royal Hotel

Kitahama

Higobash

n ka a N

Yodoyabashi

h os

Starbucks 6

N 200m

D Sakaisujihommachi

Osaka South (Minami)

Shinmachi Kita Park

Shinmachi Life

Mizuho Bank Nagahori dori

Nishiohashi

7-ELEVEN

Hotel Via Inn

bi-grace nail Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau

MinamiHorie

Naniw

a-suji

Triangle

Tezukayama Gallery 2F Westwood Bakers Orange Stree t (shopping street)

The Suite

Apple Store

Joule

Ghost Ultralounge

Moonshine Moon Tower

Music Bar S.O.R.a

Cross Hotel

Slices

APA Hotel

Dotonbori Hotel

Namba Hatch

Balabushka 4F Mustang

Kansai Tourist Information Center

Don Quijote

Comfort Minami Hotel The Blarney Police Stone Station Suomachi-dori B1 (Europe street) JANUS Bar Jaai

Higashi- soma Shinsaibashi Vanity

Soemon-Cho

Burlesque B1

Pure Osaka

Kokopelli

a. a St

amb JR N AEON MaxValu

Motomachi

Dotonbori

Namba

Absinthe Solaar 8F

Toho Cinemas Namba annex

Toho Cinemas Namba

Takashimaya Dept. Store

Maruzen

Fraser Residence

MUJI/LOFT Tower Records

Swissôtel Nankai Osaka Nankai Namba Station

Misono Building

Namba Plaza Hotel

K2 record

NAMBA PARKS CINEMA

Naniwa Sports Center

Otaroad

Pub Bar 30 2F

Jack & Queen Naniwa Ward Office

Kuromon 5 Market

Sofmap

Animate Nihonbashi Shop

Toys”R”Us

Jazz Bar B-Roxy

NipponBashi

Namba PARKS

Naniwa Post Office

Singh’s Kitchen

APA Hotel

McDonalds

Namba -naka

Nipponbashi sta.

Namba Oriental Hotel

Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium

Naniwa Park

Namba Washington Hotel

Hozenji Temple Osaka Floral Inn

BIC Camera

Visitors Information Center

Hotel Ichiei

ibis Styles Kaneyoshi Ryokan Osaka

Don Quijote

Sennichimae line

Little Long Beach

Inari

Fujiya Hotel

Zerro

Namba Sta.

Casa Lapichu

Cinquecento

Kinryu Ramen Osaka Shochikuza

Junkudo

Namba

Nam

OCAT

Ark Hotel

3F GS Travel

Mexico ALZAR Rooftop Bar OO

Hotel Monterey Grasmere Osaka

Nagahoribashi

Murphy’s

Namba Hips Tominaga Hospital

Yamaya

Shinsaibashi

FootRock &BEERS

2F Daimaru Dept. South

Sun Hall

Coolabah L&L

River

Cinem @rt

Triangle Park

Ohno Memorial Hospital

Dotonbori

The Silver Ball Planet

Big Step

5F Boy

Daimaru Dept.

Vano

Circus

Horie Park

OPA

Shinsaibashi-suji (shopping arcade)

Granknot Coffee

Banco

Cafe Absinthe

Nest Hotel

GAP

Uniqlo

Daimaru Dept. North

Nikko Hotel

Via Inn

EXODUS

Craft Burger

TABIJI Kitchen

Critters Burger

Midosuji line

Covent Garden

Saboten

Tokyu Hands

Hearton Hotel

Nagahori Tsurumi-Ryokuchi line

Ali’s Kitchen El Pancho 8F

Yotsubashi

Bistro New Orleans

Minami-semba

Arthur Murray

Shinsaibashi

Sauce Boss

Louis Vuitton

Toyoko Inn

KitaHorie

D & Dept.

MoeJoe

Big Beans Supermarket

Kansai Scene Mojoprint Office

Namba Shrine

Hearton Hotel

Yotsubashi line

Daiwa Roynet Hotel

Shinsaibashi-suji (shopping arcade)

Sakaisuji line

MAPS & INFORMATION

Yamada Denki LABI1 Namba

100m D

Kansai Scene Magazine / ISSUE #211 DECEMBER 2017 / kansaiscene.com

Osaka Tennoji Area MAPS & INFORMATION

e Osak

a Lo op L in

Tanimachi Line

Abeno Q’s Mall

i Tram Hanka

Lin

Kansai Kyoiku University

Hoop

Abeno

way

Abeno Harukas

ROCKTOWN 4F

Han

Language School

CocoMomo&Co.

Tenn oji Sta.

Tenshiba Kans ai M ain L suji ine Line

Mido

Osaka Municipal University Hospital

Imaike

Line

ji L

odan i

ress R ou

n-ma

Te r

Nank

miya

tsue

i Main Nanka S

in Exp

-Ima

Dobu

u ais

Shitennoji

Osaka Municipal Museum of Fine Art

Tennoji Zoo

e ashi Lin Yotsub

Tsutenkaku

Shitennoji Honbo

Tennoji Sta.

Shin

Sta.

a i Sh in-Im amiy a

Shin Sekai

D Tennoji Ward Office

Hansh

Imamiya Ebisu Shrine

Ebisucho

Mom

Nipponbashi

Zepp Namba

te 1

re g

a.D

400m

Osaka Castle Area Osaka Tenmangu

hi Line

o Koen

Osaka Castle

Osaka Castle Park

Osaka Museum of History

Hanshin Expressway Higashi Osaka

Route

Morinomiya Q’s Mall BASE

Kansai Scene Magazine / ISSUE #211 DECEMBER 2017 / kansaiscene.com

Morinomiya

Subway Chuo Line

2 Subway Im azato Line

Tanimachi 4-chome

Osaka-j

Hanshin Expressway

Sakaisuji Honmachi

Hotel New Otani

ine

Subway Tanim ac

Kitahama

Tamatsukuri

Subway Sakaisuji Line

bas

Lin

Osaka-jo Hall

Osaka Prefectural Government Office

Kyobashi

iha

a nM

Tenmabashi

Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Tenma

Kyo

D i sh

Osaka Loop Line

Tozai Line

N 0

400m D

Kobe

MAPS & INFORMATION A

Kitano Museum

Kobe YWCA

Kitanoseiryu Shrine

Hotel Piena Kobe

Shiei Yamate subway line

zaka Fudo

Kitano-cho aka terz Hun

Migration Museum ri -do oto am m Ya

Kitanosaka Hosp.

The Rock et tre 2F rl S a Pe Kobe Sansei Hosp. Womens Kobe Junior Grocers St. Michael’s Kobe College 2 International Mosque School n Sun City e ns Hobgoblin 7F Junkudo ka Ikuta Police 7F ate m Station OS Cinemas Midnight Ya Kobe Mint Kobe Ikuta jinja 5F Halal Food Hotel Tower a Mickey’s y Oriental Iznt i Records Tokyu Inn Club om 4F Dental n n 5F a Sa Tokyu Clinic Hotel miy Hotel nno Tor Road Monterey Hands Sa 4F SOGO Dept. Varit 5F Kinokuniya Ali’s Kobe Kokusai Troopcafe Kitchen Kaikan Marui 3F 3 1F HSBC e 2 San Plaza ut do Ro Kobe Kokusai Center u s Center Plaza East et Shochiku Isogami ut Plaza t. ok Park iya ae s West os m m k o i n oke n e a Junkudo Sannomiya b S nad Ko Cine Phoenix Ha Palmore KRAC e lin Hosp. Kowka n Guild hi 4F s n 2F Aoyama Kobe Ikuta Ha ta. Junior High hi Minato hi s c Kobe City c u a School Bank ory ae Hall Kobe tom i ky m ch Mo yu aru a Plaza K R im J tom Cine Libre Kobe Da Hotel Mo Kobe Doll 7F Museum Kobe Legal Mitsui 4 Partners Daimaru Sumitomo Dept. Bank Higashiyuenchi Park

Tor

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San

Soraku Park

Kobe Elementary School

iya

Shinko High School

Sa nn om iya

Kita

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1F Bistrot Cafe De Paris

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Hyogo-ken Prefectural Hall

r ro

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Flo

Hanakuma Park

Nankin-machi Raja Indian Restaurant

way

Municipal Museum

n li aiga

Kobe Luminarie

an ak u

Sub

Kiyo-machi

KIITO

Cafe Fish!

Shinko-Cho

Hotel Okura Kobe Hotel La Suite Kobe Harborland

Kobe Maritime Museum Jumbo Ferry Terminal

Meriken park 6

Arthur Murray CULMENI Kobe 3F Harborland umie umie MOSAIC OS Cinema Harborland A

N Kobe Cruise Luminous Kobe 2

Kobe Meriken Park Oriental B

0 C

200m D

Kansai Scene Magazine / ISSUE #211 DECEMBER 2017 / kansaiscene.com

Kyoto MAPS & INFORMATION A

Club Metro

Kiya Cho

Mori Yu Gallery Kyoto

LAB.TRIBE

Nijo-dori

Irish Pub Gnome Kyoto City Hall

H&M

Hankyu Line

Marui

Gion s hijo

World Kawaramachi

Hanamikoji-dori

Yamatoji-dori

ori awa-d Shirakkawa river Shira JAM Hostel Kyoto Gion

OPA

Junkudo

Fuji Daimaru

Sanjo

Maruzen

Gypsy

Tatsumi Bridge

Gion

4 Genkoin

Gion Kaikan Kyoto Museum of Contemporary Art

The Gael Irish Pub Shijo-dori

Ryoshoin

Kacho-michi

Yasaka Jinja

Maruyama Park

Apa Hotel

Minami-za Theatre

Takashimaya

Higashiyama

Wakamatsu-dori

Butterfly Kitsune Kyoto Kyoto Bal

Hana hotel

Sanjokeihan

Sanjo

Sanjo-dori

Kawaramachi-dori

Kawara Machi

HUB

Keihan Line

Hotel Vista Premio Kyoto

Pig & Whistle

Pontocho

Movix Kyoto Mina

Teramachi Shotengai Shinkyogoku Shotengai

Oike-dori

Kiyamachi-dori

Gokomachi-dori

Fuyacho-dori

National Museum of Modern Art

Kyoto Royal Hotel & Spa

Tourist Information Center

Jomo Gas

Okazaki Park

Library

Miyako Messe

Hotel Okura DUBLIN

Honno-ji

Gear

ROHM Theatre Kyoto

Gastro Pub Tadgâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

Tozai Subway Line Kyotoshiyakusho-mae

Kyoto Municipal Museum of Art Annex

Higashi Oji - dori

Aeon Shopping Mall

The Ritz Carlton

Heian Shrine

oga wa

Teramachi Area

Riv er

Kaosan Kyoto

Guest House Rakuza

Kam

Kyoto Municipal Museum of School History

Kyoto bAKpAK Gion hostel

Kenninji

Ebisu Shrine

Nawa Clinic

Kodai-ji

KamibentenCho

The world's smallest Ukiyoe museum

N Ninenzaka

Higashiyama Ward Office

Kansai Scene Magazine / ISSUE #211 DECEMBER 2017 / kansaiscene.com

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Readers’ Choice

AWARDS

2017 It’s time to vote for your favorite things to do, places to eat, and spaces to play in our annual Readers’ Choice Awards! Stage 1

Stage 2

 Nominate (Oct 1–Nov 15)

 Vote (Nov 16–Dec 15)

Nominate your favorite things to do, places to eat, and spaces at the website URL below. You can complete the form just once and nominate just one place per category.*

The top 3–5 nominations from each category will be available as choices in the voting stage. Even if you didn’t nominate anywhere, you can still vote for your favorite places. You can complete the form just once and vote for just one place per category.*

*Please note that you will need to be logged in or create an account (email and username) if you do not already have one. Voting will be open from Nov 16 (6pm) – Dec 15 (midnight) and the winners announced in the January issue of Kansai Scene. Winning places will be awarded a KS Readers’ Choice Awards sticker and bragging rights for a year.

 Vote now! kansaiscene.com/ReadersAwards