Kansai Scene #153 February 2013

I’m free. Go on, pick me up.

無料 issue 153 February 2013

www.kansaiscene.com

Let’s get loving Sexy food: Homemade pancakes & Decadent chocolates Romantic escapes: Heart of Verona Kansai’s date spots

Plus How to bag a J-guy Love hotel low-down

+ Where To Go And What To Do —

Kansai Scene is proudly published and printed by Mojoprint

Local listings, news, maps and classifieds

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Contents Features J-guys: a field guide

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Love hotel field trip

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© Mio Matsumoto / DMOARTS.COM

Features

Travel

Verona, Italy

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Romantic date spots

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COVER ARTIST: Mio Matsumoto See more of Mio’s work at her solo exhibition at DMO Arts in Isetan Umeda this month: Aphrodite ~spring mischief~ (Feb 6–26).

Food and Drink

Pancake Day

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Ek Chuah chocolate cafe

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DIY chocolates

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Made in Kansai

Ezaki Glico

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Listings

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Events & Festivals

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Art

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Club

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Classical Music

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Live Music

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Business Finder

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Classifieds p49 Maps p52

kansaiscene

@kansaiscene

Kansai Scene is published monthly by Mojoprint

Enquiries

Publisher/Creative Director............Daniel Lee Editor............................................. Carla Avolio Sub-editor...............................Donna Sheffield Sales Manager............. Nicholas Despopoulos Production Manager.................. Rie Okamoto Graphic Designer..................Naomi Mochizuki Accounts Manager....................... Michiko Lee

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

Art................................................. Tomoko Ishii Event & Festival.......................... Yuki Uchibori Film..........................................Donna Sheffield Classical..................................Michael Vezutto Live............................................ Phillip Jackson Club.................................................Terumi Tsuji

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. Now in its 12th year, the magazine provides articles, information and listings for the Kansai area.

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Got some news?

Kansai Scene magazine February 2013 kansaiscene.com

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News & Openings

Short film festival returns

Calling all powder party people

Kyoto — Future Shorts, the global short film festival, returns to Kansai this month and March, at a new venue in Kobe. Hosted by international volunteer group We Are One Japan, the evening will feature around eight short films from filmmakers around the world. English and Japanese subtitles are available, and the audience will vote on their favourite short. This month’s Future Shorts Winter is on Saturday 23 February at the Art Complex in Kyoto. Tickets cost ¥2,000 or ¥1,500 for students, which includes one drink. Places must be reserved due to limited seating. Look out for more info on the Kobe event in the next issue of KS.

Hakuba, Nagano — Chase away the winter blues and embrace the chill at this annual snow party on March 9 and 10. Organised by the Kansai Snow Club,

www.weareonejapan.com

Sumo comes to town Osaka — Kansai is about to pound to a sumo beat again. Around 700 of Japan’s biggest gladiators will be descending on Osaka for the annual Osaka Sumo Tournament between March 10–24, triggering explosions of colliding flesh that will reverberate around the entire Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium in Namba. Those loath to trust their kanji skills should obtain tickets directly from the venue, with sales commencing on Sunday February 3. Meanwhile, kanji readers can purchase tickets from machines at Sunkus, Seven-Eleven and Pia stores, or the Pia website: http://t2.pia.jp/feature/sports/sumo/sumo.html.

The action runs from 8:30am–6pm on days one to thirteen (starting later on the final weekend), with top-division matches beginning around 4:15pm. Weekdays are much less crowded than weekends.

Official sumo ticket information: www.sumo.or.jp/eng/ticket

Powder Love

features live acts and dance performances, a DJ club floor, an outside bar and performance area. Expect fire shows, an ice bar and creative videos against the cool mountain landscape. A mix of foreign and Japanese party-goers are expected.

Cheap weekend tours are available on a party bus from Osaka. www.kansaisnowclub.com Tel: 090-3706-1091

Exchange some International fun Nishinomiya — Sample some world foods and entertainment on February 17 at the annual International Exchange Day in Nishinomiya. The event is held from 10am to 4pm in Frente Nishinomiya, a shopping centre about two minutes from JR Nishinomiya. A Japanese speech contest, international cafe, karuta card game and folk music performances can all be enjoyed for free. Food and drink, and some handmade crafts are also on sale. www.nishi.or.jp/homepage/nia

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French Connections The latest news for francophiles in Kansai,

by Stephan Ducoup

Desert from the Ramada Osaka Hotel’s spring lunch set

Put a spring in your lunch Umeda — Five swanky hotels in Umeda have teamed up to offer a special lunch set for just ¥2,000 (plus ¥500 if you want dessert). The theme is ‘Cherry blossom, green tea and the colours of spring’ and it’s running until 15 April. Head to the Ramada, New Hankyu, Granvia, Hankyu International or Hanshin hotels for 11:30am–2:30pm. Just make sure you get a reservation on weekends and holidays.

February is already here, which of course brings Valentine’s Day and the love angels! My chérie amour...

If you’re a new gentleman in Japan, you might be surprised to see your female colleague or student offering you chocolate on February 14. Don’t worry, it’s just for Valentine’s day baby! Yes gentleman, it’s your lucky day unless you don’t like chocolate. Remember you can return the favour on March 14, White Day. Meanwhile if you want to experience l’amour French style, here are some nice events for February: • KOBE: Valentine french party @ Spark Cafe Sannomiya.

Friday 8 Feb from 7:30pm.

• OSAKA: Monthly France Kansai meeting at Umeda Cafe Barbara. Check the facebook (link below) for exact date.

• KYOTO: Don’t miss the monthly French Afternoon Tea Dance at Institut Francais on Sunday 17 Feb from 1pm, and the French Meeting on Friday 22 Feb at Kawa Cafe from 7:30pm.

• Gourmet and chocolate lovers, the yearly French chocolate fair originally started in Paris is now coming to Kansai: learn more about the Kansai edition of Salon Du Chocolat on page 35.

• If you prefer to stay at home, don’t forget to check the newest episode of the French/Japanese web drama Paris Aleas on www.clubantoinette.com

À bientôt mes amis!

Stephan For more on all french events in Kansai, and for up-to-date

Luxury lovin’ for less Osaka — Killer views and comfy bed? Tick. Romantic dinner plus chocolates? Tick. When it comes to the makings of a memorable evening, the Hyatt Regency Osaka has it down to a fine art. And this Valentine’s Day, they’re pulling out all the stops to bring KS readers an unforgettable stay and dine experience from Feb 11–14. The package includes: welcome chocolate; a Valentine’s dinner in your choice of their restaurants including a glass of sparkling wine; a room with high altitude views (above 16th floor); and breakfast at ‘The Cafe’. And the sweetest part? Rates start from only ¥21,000 per couple.

For further information and reservations tel: 06 6614 7821 http://osaka.regency.hyatt.com

information on venues and dates, check www.facebook. com/francekansai

Shutter chance Love taking pics of your Japan life? They might just win you a prize from the Japan Tourism Agency this month. The Share your WOW! Japan Photo contest deadline is coming up on February 15, so you’d better submit your pics quickly. Unique individual category prizes include a ninja experience and introduction to kabuki. The overall best photo winner can dress up as a samurai lord at Tsuruga-jo in Wakamatsu for the day. Get snapping. http://japanphotocontest.jp/eng

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Business matters

Making love and money With today’s busy schedule, it’s no wonder that speed dating has become a popular event, and very lucrative business, in Japan.

Konkatsu, literally “marriage hunting”, is a booming trend in Japan. Inevitably, many businesses are cashing in on this huge demand for quick and easy matchmaking. To find out more, KS made a date with Simon Chapman, Executive Manager of Japan’s most successful speed-dating company, Exeo Japan. Founded in 1996, Exeo run 20,000 speed-dating events in 87 cities annually, which brought in over over 2 billion yen in revenue last year. Right now, one in three people attending a konkatsu party are doing it through Exeo.

KS: Is speed dating a popular business activity in Japan?

Absolutely, simply because there is so much demand. In Japan, there has been the konkatsu boom going on for the past 10 or 15 years. This is because marriage is viewed as something of a necessity (especially by women seeking financial stability in this economic climate), and because people work so hard that they have little time to meet people of the opposite sex. As a result, there are many businesses aiming to satisfy the demand for males and females to meet with a view to dating/ marriage.

KS: Can you describe the speed-dating business landscape in Japan?

There is a lot of competition and a lot of people trying to get a piece of the pie. There are all kinds of different businesses, from individual matchmakers and ‘konkatsu bar’ owners to busi-

nesses such as Exeo. There are certainly more medium and small businesses than I care to count. In terms of large nationwide businesses such as Exeo, there are only a few, with Exeo being the biggest.

KS: How is speed-dating profitable?

It’s exceptionally profitable. For example, take an event with 40 men and 40 women. If the men pay ¥6,000 and the women ¥2,000, that’s ¥320,000 sales for a one and a half hour event. There’s not a great deal of cost either, besides the venue fee. That’s why it’s such an attractive business to enter. The difficult part is getting those people to come (with the right male to female ratio), and providing a good enough event that will make them want to come back.

KS: Can an individual or venue owner set up speed-dating events with no prior experience?

Yes, but it’s by no means easy to succeed. It’s similar in some ways to wanting to set up an English school. While there’s a huge demand, there are also a hell of a lot of established schools who you’ll be competing with. So you have to do something to set your business apart from the rest. That said, anyone who has a good business mind and a good understanding of the Japanese psyche, especially regarding marriage, could have the capacity to succeed. As with all businesses, you need a sharp mind, a lot of drive, and a healthy dose of good fortune.

KS: What would you say to an individual or venue owner wanting to run speed-dating events?

If the individual knows a lot of people who may be interested, they can give it a go and see if it takes off from there. To be honest though, to anyone who’s wanting to start up their own business, I’d recommend something else, simply because this market is already so saturated.

Fancy trying it out? Exeo Japan runs events specifically for foreigners too.

Check out www.exeo-international.com

Simon’s tips on how to pick up a partner speedily • Be yourself. Tell the truth, and don’t try to make yourself out to be someone you’re not.

• Be confident but not cocky. Be friendly and cheery. Dress stylishly but simply. Don’t swagger about trying to play everything cool, as it really doesn’t work.

• Give the other person time to talk.

You only have a couple of minutes with each person, so it’s pretty bad if you spend the whole time talking about yourself.

• Be realistic. If you’re a balding middle aged man, don’t go for the 25-year-old stunner, especially if there’s younger and better looking guys around you.

• Overall just relax and try to have a good time. Don’t take the event or yourself too seriously.

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Feature

J-guys: a field guide We’re all used to seeing the foreign guy and Japanese girl arm in arm – but the Japanese guy and foreign girl still remains a rare species, right? Wrong. And you can be that girl. Here’s how, and what to expect.

Text: Helen Marvell Illustration: KS

To be honest, I didn’t come to Japan looking for a boyfriend. When I arrived here a year and a half ago I actually had a boyfriend back home in London. When I realised the relationship wasn’t going to work, we broke up and I ventured into the Japanese

dating scene, just looking for some fun. I met my fair share of Japanese guys, but one average night out last year I met a not-so-average Japanese guy, and it’s now coming up to our first year anniversary!

Let me tell you this: Japanese guys are awesome, and every foreign woman should have one. For some reason, Japanese guys seem to have a bad reputation all over the world, but from my experience of dating they really aren’t that bad! They’re just a little different

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from guys in your home country, having grown up in a very different society and culture. There are also rumours that Japanese guys aren’t gentlemanly.

Well, that’s not just in Japan. I reckon gentlemen across the world are few and far between! These days only Colin Firth can officially be classed as a gentleman. So don’t get hung up on looking for Mr Perfect in Japan.

Around 70% of Japanese men have admitted to being ‘Herbivore Men’; which means they’re men that aren’t proactive in looking for a partner. But don’t let those odds dishearten you!

See it as a challenge. Here’s my advice on how to find the Japanese guy of your dreams.

Japanese people are generally quiet and avoid confrontation, so it’s no surprise Japanese guys seem shyer than the average foreigner. If you’re speaking to a Japanese guy in your foreign tongue it can also be intimidating for them. You’ll definitely have to make the first move when it comes to flirting and dating!

A big part of dating is physical attraction. While most Japanese women are immaculately dressed and made up, I’m guilty of making trips to 7-Eleven in my pyjamas. But on the dating scene, we all need to put some effort into our appearance. I’m not saying gel nails and eyelash extensions (although I admit to dabbling), but making yourself look your best makes those men pay more attention. Saying that though, the most important thing of all is to be confident in your own skin.

Japan is still a male-dominated society, and some of these guys have been spoiled by Japanese women whose second nature is to look after their men. I recently had a ‘disagreement’ with my boyfriend over the way I cook rice (I like to think it’s not me being lacklustre, but the Japanese way of being obsessive compulsive). But, after much thought and sizing up the competition, I’ve decided I need to up the ante when it comes to what one might consider old-fashioned housewife skills.

Foreign women might be afraid they’re too opinionated and loud for a Japanese guy, but many guys do love a woman they can have a debate with.

Living in Japanese society is likely to tone you down to some extent anyway, but you should never plan to change yourself deliberately for anyone.

Finally, prepare for dates unlike those you’ve had before. Brave the sober daytime karaoke date and show you’re a real trooper that can adapt to any situation!

In every relationship, communication and trust go hand in hand. Japanese people are known for communicating by politely speaking around the point, and using body language.

It’s taken them years of practice and experience to perfect this, so be patient as you learn how to communicate with each other, especially with the added language barrier. It’s also important to respect each other’s cultures, and not to be too harsh on each other if someone makes a cultural faux pas.

Laugh about it and it will make your relationship stronger.

I’m a bit of a worrier and being in a relationship with a Japanese guy can definitely be a challenge. I worry about meeting his friends and family because my Japanese is poor. I worry that one day we’ll move to England and he‘ll miss his dehydrated fish snacks. I worry about our children being bullied in school. I even worry that one day we will be called on by his family to run their temple and I’ll have to learn to play the koto. But I think there are more positives than negatives. Positives I don’t think I would find in a relationship with a British man.

My Japanese guy has a cultural and spiritual outlook on the world that doesn’t revolve around beer, boobs and football. He’s kind, smart, funny and modest, unlike many of his foreign counterparts I’ve met in Japan. He’s the type of guy you could take home to your mother, and who wouldn’t be rude to a waitress at a restaurant. Our relationship’s never boring, and we get to celebrate double the holidays! Did I mention he also has the softest skin?

My final piece of advice is if at first you don’t succeed in your quest to find the perfect J-guy, don’t be disheartened. Pick yourself up, dust yourself off and try again!

J-guys: hunting grounds • CLUBS AND BARS: I met my boyfriend at a bar and it could happen to you!

• FRIENDS: why not ask your friends if they know any cute, single guys?

• EVENTS: facebook events, international group events, etc.

Events bring people with common interests together so why not check out a local event?

• EVERYDAY SOCIAL SITUATIONS: the supermarket, the train station, Starbucks – there are potential dates everywhere!

• BLENDR: a free iPhone app you can use to chat to people in your area.

J-guys: dos and don’ts • DO make an effort with your appearance and be confident • DO make the first move • DO be patient when it comes to communication • DO enjoy it • DON’T be worried if he doesn’t express affection in public - modesty and blending are part of Japanese society • DON’T change yourself for anyone • DON’T dwell on past bad experiences • DON’T have expectations based on what you’ve seen or heard. Every relationship is different.

• DON’T rely fully on him to enhance your Japan experience. Keep your independence and remind yourself often why you came to Japan. people with common interests together so why not check out a local event?

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Feature

One night in heaven One night, one couple and an investigation into the truth behind Japan’s most peculiar of institutions.

Text: Sam Evans Images: KS

The prominence of love hotels in the Japanese cityscape is an aspect that seems a tad bizarre to us westerners, who are more used to sex being swept under the rug (at least, those of us not from Amsterdam). So this led me to ask the question: what are these places all about? I thought I’d better find out first hand, so I enlisted the help of my Japanese girlfriend and all of her infinite, zen-like love hotel wisdom.

After buying a cheap bottle of wine and wandering the streets for a while, we arrived at Hotel Puppy, a quaint establishment a block back from Namba’s main drag and a worthy winner for investigative journalism in my eyes, if it was willing to mix sex and dogs. “Oh dear, what am I getting myself into?”

I thought, almost as amused as I was unsettled by the array of alarmingly lifelike canine statues that stared at me accusingly as we climbed the steps and entered the foyer. The place was empty, not a human being in sight, and it was made all the more eerie by the music... yep, you guessed it: ‘Who Let The Dogs Out?’ by The Baha Men. Believe me, I was asking the same question.

The first thing to do in any love hotel is to select a room, and in this case it had been made so overwhelmingly simple that I suspect one of the pot puppies could have managed it. On the wall hung a touchscreen computer with a list of the available rooms and their price for a 90-minute “rest” as well as for a full night’s stay.

Within two touches we had selected room 203, taken the receipt and were off up the neon staircase towards our single-serving love nest, myself giggling like a mischievous schoolboy and listening out for the muffled sounds of squeaking mattresses as my girlfriend hissed and dealt me stern elbows to the ribcage.

Now for the moment of truth. I held my breath as we pushed the door open and after becoming accustomed to the faint stench of stale cigarette smoke I can honestly say I was pleasantly surprised. The first thing that hit me, aside from the distinct lack of dog, was the bed. It was huge, fresh and when put through my stringent bounce test proved completely squeakless. I rubbed

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A Selection Of Kansai’s More Out-there Love Hotels Hotel Atlantis Ikutama 9-6, Tennoji-Ku, Osaka. Tel: 06-4305-2266 Url: www.hotel-atlantis.jp Seven floors, six world regions and space!

Hotel Chapel Christmas Mizuho-Cho 2891-221, Moriyama-Shi, Shiga. Tel: 07-7585-1131 The season of giving continues all year round here for those who like to knock boots, or err...stockings. This chain can be found throughout Kansai; however, this is the only branch where you can charge your iPhone 5 as well as your libido.

Hotel Pamplona Dotonbori 2-4-11, Chuo-Ku, Osaka. Tel: 06-6212-4615 Url: http://pamp-net.com The jewel in the corona is the S&M dungeon with that infamous circular cage bed for the Kinki-est of couples.

Ola Ola Hotel Narazaka 2793-1, Nara. Tel: 07-4225-2711 Url: www.olaola.jp A love hotel with a traditional Japanese garden you say?

Hotel Loire Miyakenaka 7-9-13, Matsubara-Shi, Osaka. Tel: 07-2336-5001 Url: www.big-group-kj.net/loire/ South Osaka’s dirty little secret is actually quite well-known for its weird and wonderfullythemed bowers of bliss. Jungles? Spaceships? Look no further.

my hands contently as I perched on its corner, perusing the rest of the room and admiring the well-maintained, alla-mode décor that was only tarnished by a food menu taped to the wall offering everything from ice cream to udon for relatively reasonable prices.

We didn’t bother with the food, opting stingily to bring in combini-bought chicken and onigiri as well as our liquor; which is fine in love hotels as it would be in any other accommodation. However, should one want to order food, the process is simple and discreet: order using the room’s phone, ensure the room door is unlocked but then close the second door that leads to your main room. The catering staff will alert you with a gentle knock when your food is waiting in your hall behind the front door.

Food aside, this place was spotless and fully equipped for passion. In addition to a gigantic, wall-mounted plasma screen that was hooked up to a Playstation 2 and offered a selection

of porn to suit every palette, the room housed a jacuzzi bath with space for two and two vending machines: one for drinks and the other showcasing toys such as vibrating massagers for those hard to reach places, handcuffs and a delightfully thematic doggy collar to name but a few. Completing the room were two condoms lovingly placed above the bed next to the tissues and a water dispenser in case one wanted to wet one’s...er...whistle.

A far cry from the sleazy roach hole I considered a possibility, the love hotel offers a comfortable solution for couples seeking privacy in a country where it is all too often a rare commodity.

What’s more, they’re a great place for us foreigners to visit when we fancy sexy time in more lavish surroundings than on our tatami mats at home where our neighbours can hear every giggle and groan. For the ¥9,240 that we paid into the machine in the room as we left the following morning, I’ll be coming here again.

Love Hotel Or Business Hotel... Which Is Right For You? Similarly priced and similarly convenient, this can be a tough decision; however, it really all depends on what you want out of your stay.

As far as amenities and service go, the love hotel wins hands down. In fact, apart from rare instances where they charge by the person and not by the room (in which case the lone traveller can get a great deal), there really are no superficial advantages to the business hotel and its provision of basic, no-frills accommodation.

What it comes down to are these two simple questions: is the purpose of your stay predominantly sexual? Are you willing and able to sleep in a bed that you know to have been the stage for a litany of unspeakably-sordid sexual acts? If you answered “yes” to both then the love hotel is right for you, otherwise go business.

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Food and drink

Forget Valentine’s Day. Pancake Day is batter!

February 12 will be a sweet day in other parts of the world. Maybe it’s time to bring pancake day to Japan too.

Eat out

Text: Helen Marvell images: KS

My favourite February tradition doesn’t involve roses, heart-shaped chocolate and declarations of love. It involves a heart-warming stack of pancakes!

Shrove Tuesday, also affectionately known as Pancake Day, is a Christian holiday celebrated in English-speaking countries across the world. The word ‘shrove’ originates from the word ‘shrive’ which means to ‘obtain absolution for one’s sins’.

Shrove Tuesday was a day that people were encouraged to use up all of the sugar, fat, flour and eggs in their cupboards and have one last feast in preparation for the 40 days of fasting for Lent that began the next day. Nowadays for many, Shrove Tuesday is just a great excuse to eat pancakes!

Recently, brunch cafés have popped up all over Kansai and are becoming increasingly popular among young couples on dates and ladies-who-lunch.

Pancake Day is the perfect reason to try out one of these places. But if you prefer to roll out of bed to a stack of steaming goodies, you could try this quick, cheap and easy recipe at home. Pancakes make a great breakfast or dessert and can be topped with almost anything that takes your fancy, savoury or sweet.

Pancake Labo This cool retro café serves a tasty array of sweet and savoury pancakes, costing around ¥1,000, including a drink. It’s often very busy at the weekends so be sure to reserve a table.

Tel: 073-426-0222 • 151F Honcho Vel Domir, Motoderamachi-kitanocho, Wakayama • Open: 10am-6pm, closed on Sundays • http://pancakelabo.web.fc2.com

Hokuhoku If you like a cocktail with your pancake then this is the restaurant for you! It’s also a great place to take a break from the bustling streets of Shinsaibashi.

Tel: 050-5841-5527 • 1F YA Building, 1-10-33 Kitasumi, Nishi-Shinsaibashi,

Eat in To make 4 pancakes (a perfect treat for two) you’ll need: • • • • •

1 cup all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon sugar 1 cup whole milk 2 teaspoons baking powder Butter for frying

1. Sieve and mix together the flour, sugar and baking powder 2. Slowly add the milk, but be careful not to over mix – it should be slightly lumpy with bubbles

3. Melt butter in a frying pan on a high heat 4. Before pouring the mixture into the frying pan, turn the heat down a little and use a damp tea towel to wipe the bottom of the frying pan 5. Pour a fourth of the mixture into the frying pan and cook for around 2 minutes on each side, until golden brown 6. Serve on a plate with your topping of choice. My favourites are chopped bananas and maple syrup, and cream cheese with blueberry sauce

Osaka • Open Hours: 10am–8:30pm, closed on Sundays • www.hotpepper.jp/strJ000989755

Pancake Café Mog This cute café has a big selection of pancakes, but the most interesting are their savoury style ones, such as Fondue Cheese or Mexican Hot Chili. Pancakes and a drink will set you back around ¥1,500. They also do an adorable set for kids.

Tel: 06-6352-3877 • 5-1 1-chome, Miyakojima-ku, Osaka-shi • Open Hours: 11am–10pm • www.cafe-mog.com

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Made in Kansai

Stick it to ‘em Osaka is home to one of Japan’s biggest confectionery companies, Ezaki Glico - you know, the people behind Pocky.

KS gets the story of their sweetest success.

Text: Justine Lane Photos: Courtesy Ezaki Glico

Next to anime, Japan’s most popular export might just be Pocky. Coveted

by Japanophiles the world over, the stick-like snacks are as much a part of Japanese culture as AKB48 or the Hello Kitty. Every year, some 300 million boxes of Pocky are sold overseas, with another 200 million sold in Japan. But where did the product come from? And what’s so special about it?

Mad about Pocky Pocky started out savoury, evolving from the much-eaten Pretz (“Purittsu” in Japanese). Ezaki Glico basically took their best-selling, pretzel-esque product, coated it with chocolate, and put it on the market as “Chocotek”. This cool, but not-so-catchy name was soon

dropped in favour of “Pocky”, based on the “pokkin” sound (Japanese pronunciation) that it makes when snapped.

The actual English pronunciation, which is like “rocky” with a p, doesn’t quite reflect this – but as long as you don’t say “Pokey”, it’s ok.

Pocky was officially registered in 1966, with the first box retailing for ¥60. The chocolate sticks were a big hit, and Ezaki Glico reportedly raked in around ¥30 billion in sales in the first two years following the product launch.

A world of flavour Plain chocolate Pocky continues to be the most popular flavour worldwide, though more than 100 other options have been introduced over the years.

Some of the more interesting ones include: Custard Pudding Pocky, Mousse Pocky, Rainbow Pocky and even Salty Pocky. Some flavours are found in certain regions only, for example Grape Pocky (Nagano) and Yubari Melon Pocky (Hokkaido). Hardcore fans have been known to travel great distances to get their hands on uncommon varieties.

Around six to eight new flavours are released every year – in fact, two new ones are coming to Kansai next month.

Pocky Midi (the short, chubby version of Pocky) will be out in chocolate and strawberry flavours on March 19.

Hardcore fans might like to know that these two flavours are already on sale in Tokyo and Hokkaido.

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Fun Pocky Facts • Pocky is currently sold in 30 countries.

• The first foreign country in which Pocky was sold was Hong Kong, in the late 1960s.

• Pocky is sold as “Mikado” in Europe, taking the name of the popular game where you pick up sticks.

• November 11 is known as Pocky and Pretz Day. • In South Korea, it is known as Pepero Day – for Lotte’s similar product.

• On Pocky and Pretz Day last year, a new Guinness World Record was set for “The Brand Name Most Tweeted in 24 Hours”. Pocky beat

Pocky’s forerunner, Pretz, comes in heaps of unusual flavours itself, notably: Salad Pretz, Asparagus Pretz, Kona Coffee Pretz, Mozzarella-meets-Wine Pretz, Hairy Crab Pretz (Shanghai only) and the dubious-sounding Shark’s Fin Pretz (limited to Hong Kong).

Before there was Pocky Pocky and Pretz might be two of the company’s biggest brands, but Glico’s flagship product, and the Glico name itself, is a whole other interesting tale.

In 1911, founder Riichi Ezaki realised the power of a natural substance called glycogen after nursing his own son back to health with it. Oysters are rich in glycogen, and Ezaki realised that after boiling oysters, the water left behind was also rich in this good stuff.

Instead of chucking out this water, he dreamed up many food ideas using it.

The company’s first product, a fortified caramel candy boxed up with a toy, was born. As was the company name, short for glycogen - ‘Glico’. These sweets were officially launched at Mitsukoshi Department store in Osaka on February 11, 1922.

for a person 165 cm tall to run 300 metres. That big neon sign of “the running man” (which is in fact correctly called “The Glico Runner”) in Dotonbori should make sense now – it’s the same idea. The 33 metre Glico billboard has been there since 1935, and has become one of Osaka’s most iconic landmarks.

Get hands on with Glico If you can’t get enough of Glico’s confectionery, why not get the full body experience at one of their two interactive centres? For serious older fans there’s the Ezaki Memorial Museum while kids (and their parents) will love Glicopia Kobe. www.glico.co.jp

the iPhone 5’s previous record, getting 1,843,733 tweets.

• An app called Furu Furu Pocky, used when someone needs to be selected from a group, is available on the iTunes store. Put in the number of people, shake your device, then “pull a Pocky”. The person who gets the sole Strawberry Pocky is selected.

• A fancy, high-class Pocky-like product (by Glico) called “Baton D’or” can be acquired at selected Osaka Hankyu and Takashimaya department stores.

• A bitter, dark chocolate version of Pocky, “Pocky Men’s”, was targeted at, well, men, for several years. This has subsequently been replaced with a milder “Pocky Choco Bran” – also aimed at men.

Osaka’s main man The Glico packaging has always featured a chap running 300 metres – bit of an arbitrary distance, you might say, but, according to the company, one caramel provides just enough energy

Pocky is sold as Mikado in Europe

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Food and drink

Dine with the gods A chocoholic’s dream date come true, Ek Chuah is a café and shop dedicated simply to chocolate pleasure. About time.

Text: Donna Sheffield

“Wow. Are you sure you can finish that?” asks my Japanese friend when the server arrives with my order. We’re at a chocolate café, and after agonising over the menu, I’ve finally decided on the Assorted Dessert Selection (¥1,785); three mini slabs of chocolate cake, a pile of cubed chocolate (one of which is delightfully Yamazaki whiskey flavoured) and a dollop of fresh cream.

I assure my friend I can finish the whole thing. In fact, I skipped dinner for it. Because while I can deal with so-so entrées and disappointing mains, there is one course I just can’t live without: dessert. I’m deadly serious when it comes to chocolate, and luckily, so is the president of Ek Chuah.

Osaka-born Yoshio Uematsu set up his first chocolate café in 1986, and today runs Ek Chuah in a 200-year old storehouse that’s one of the few buildings to have survived WWII. The building’s white clay walls, exposed beams and creaky floorboards add an atmosphere of history that permeates throughout the café. Antique posters for chocolate, metal moulds and china cups dot the place, and the history of

chocolate is celebrated through touches like the drinking chocolate cups. Created exclusively for the shop, they feature Ek Chuah himself, the Mayan god of the cocoa planters. Heavenly indeed.

“The very first chocolate consumed was a drink for the Incas,” Uematsu says.

“I wanted Japanese people to understand the history of chocolate, and how it can be enjoyed in different forms.”

A particularly enjoyable offering takes the form of cake, seven different slabs of which can be bought with a drink for ¥1,050. If you can’t cope with cake because you ate a big dinner (fool!), the Chocolat Chaud is a tasty chaser that’s sublime on a chilly winter evening.

Even those with the smallest appetites would find it difficult to resist the Ek Chuah shop, which has a mouth-watering display of take-home gifts. The shop will be doing a roaring trade come February, when the business makes 50% of its yearly profits.

Here I pose Uematsu an important question: if I want to win the heart of a Japanese man this Valentine’s Day, what chocolate should I buy him? He

recommends the Anshio chocolate set, ¥1,050 for three gold-dusted squares layered with sweet bean paste and salt chocolate ganache.

After perusing Ek Chuah’s wonderful array of chocolate products, it occurs to me that Uematsu has realised something very important. The way to a man’s heart may be through his stomach; but chocolate crafted with care, delightful textures and mouth-melting tastiness definitely paves the way to a woman’s heart. Yes, I’ve fallen in love with this place, but I’m not exclusive.

If you’re a chocoholic too, I’m willing to share.

Ek Chuah • Address: 542-0012, Osaka Tanimachi Chuo-ku 6-17-43 練−LEN • Tel: 06-4304-8077 • Open: Weekdays 11am–10pm, Weekends 11am–9pm, closed Weds • Access: Osaka subway Nagahori Tsurumi-ryokuchi line, Matsuyamachi stn exit 3.

• Url: www.ek-chuah.co.jp

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Kansai Seen Life through the lens of Kansai based photographers

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Osaka Castle Plum Orchard Still looking for a date spot?

Try taking a stroll though the Plum Orchard in Osaka Castle Park this month. Throughout February and March the orchard comes alive with hues of pink, red and white as the some 100 varieties of plum trees blossom. Note that as it’s free, it can get very crowded on weekends.

Photographs by Daniel Lee

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Language

海外生活日記

Handy pocket pick-up lines

What is it like living in…

Inspired by this month’s theme of love? Get out there and get a date with the Japanese girl (or guy) of your dreams with some of these classy pickup lines.

Ayana Kobayashi moved to Finland, where she has been

Have I seen you before? 前に会った事ある？

Mae-ni atta-koto aru?

You’re really pretty.

You come here often, don’t you?

ここによく来るでしょう？

Koko-ni yoku kurudesho?

君って本当にキレイだね。

Kimi-tte honto-ni kirei-dane.

I like your hairstyle.

あなたのヘアスタイル好き。

Anata-no hea sutairu suki.

Will you be my Japanese teacher?

僕の日本語の先生になってくれる？

Boku-no nihongo no sensei ni nattekureru?

You have beautiful skin.

キレイな肌だね。

Kirei-na hada-dane.

You have good taste in clothes.

服の好みがいいね。

Fuku-no konomi-ga ii-ne.

Do you believe in destiny? 運命って信じる？

Unmei-tte shinjiru?

You must have a boyfriend (?). 彼氏いるんだろう （？）

Kareshi irun-daro (?).

You must be popular with the girls…

あなたはモテるでしょう？

Anata wa moteru desho?

Finland? fascinated by its beautiful nature and wonderful people. She tells KS all about it. フィンランドで何をされていますか。 ユヴァスキュラ大学大学院に通う傍ら、ライターや現地ガイド業に 携わっています。フィンランドとの出会いは、高校時代、所属して いたオーケストラでシベリウスの音楽に取り組んだことです。シベ リウスについて調べるうちに、写真集などでフィンランドの美しい 森の景色などを見て興味を持ちました。学生時代の旅行や留学を 経て、フィンランド在住です。これからは、現地の最新の情報を主 に文字を通じて発信したいと思います。他にも雑誌に北欧の音楽 についての執筆や、 ２月からは生活総合情報サイトAll About公式 ガイドとしてフィンランドについて書くことになりました。 普段何語を話していますか？どんな学習方法で？ フィンランド語を話します。初めてフィンランドへ留学したの は、2006年。渡航の半年前には、西宮市にある教会のフィンランド 語会話クラスに通いました。大学院のカリキュラムは、英語で受講 が可能だったため、日常生活でフィンランド語を身に付けていきま した。日本に戻っている間も、フィンランド語で本を読んだり、映画 を見たり、フィンランドの友達と連絡をとりあったりしていました。 フィンランドに行って想定外に良かったことは？ フィンランド人気質が自分に合うと気づいたことです。友達同士は もちろん、街で見かけた他人に親切にするなど、彼らはプライベー トでの人間関係をとても大切にします。また、先入観を持たずに、 その人の個性や人間性を見ようとする姿勢に感心しました。 フィンランドでは、周りを気にすることなく、自分らしく 生きられる気がします。 フィンランドのお気に入りの場所は？ 公衆サウナです。現在は各家庭や共 同住宅にも設置されているほど生活 に密着したサウナ。日本の銭湯のよう に、昔は労働者の多い都市でよく見か けた公衆サウナも、ヘルシンキで３つほ どになってしまいました。利用者は年配 の方が多いのですが、レトロ好きな若者 もいます。常連さんから初めての方まで みんなサウナの中では裸の付き合いで、 おしゃべりに花を咲かせます。温まった後 はタオルを巻き、敷地内の庭や玄関口で 水やビールを飲んでクールダウンします。 街でトラムに乗っていると時々車窓から、 タオルを巻いた集団をみかけます。 （笑）公 衆サウナは、”古き良き” フィンランドを 伝える場所だと思います。 Follow Ayana’s blog: http://suomi-nookan.seesaa.net Interview by Sophie Umeda

Love art?

Kansai Scene is currently seeking a new listings writer for our art and exhibition pages.

Research and liason with galleries required so advanced Japanese skills a must. Freelance position.

Send samples of your writing to:

editor@kansaiscene.com

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Food and drink

The taste of your heart Chocolates are the signature gift for Valentine’s Day and White Day, and making them yourself speaks volumes to your (potential) sweetheart in Japan. Here’s all you need to know.

Text and images: Alan Wiren

If you have never tried making chocolates, take heart! Chocolate is a forgiving medium. Once you have the essential equipment – a candy thermometer, a bowl, a pan and some heat – there is really only one trick you need to know, called tempering. If not handled correctly, chocolate is greasy and crumbly. To make sweets with a dry, glossy surface, smooth texture, and a clean “snap,” follow these five easy steps: 1. Break the chocolate into squares of about 1cm. Heat a pan of water until it is barely simmering. Put a clean, dry, glass or metal bowl above (not touching) the water, with the chocolate and a candy thermometer in it.

Note that if even a small amount of water gets into the chocolate at this stage it will solidify.

2. Heat the chocolate to 50°C. Let dark chocolate cool to 32°C, milk chocolate to 31°C. 3. Pour out a small portion onto a smooth, nonporous surface and fold it onto itself with a flat scraper until it thickens. Return the thickened chocolate to the bowl and stir it in.

Test a small portion by letting it cool. If it is not right, reheat to 50°C and try again.

4. Once the chocolate is tempered, you have many options. You can simply pour it into molds, add a delicious center filling, or add nuts or dried fruit before molding. For large centers, maintain the temperature, and use a dipping tool to transfer the centers in and out of the molten chocolate.

5. Lay the finished candies out on a cool, dry surface.

Truffles are a classic treat and even simpler to make. Boil 1/4 cup of cream, and pour it over 100 grams of broken chocolate. Wait for one minute then stir until the chocolate melts. You can flavor the mixture with a tablespoon or two of liquor or champagne. Cool the mixture until it can be scooped into balls, then roll them in sugar or cocoa powder.

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Also playing

© 2013 Twentieth Century Fox.

Feb 14

© 2012 MOONRISE LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Moonrise Kingdom

Film previews

A Good Day to Die Hard

KS

Pick

Dec 14 • Action, Crime, Thriller • Director: John Moore • Starring: Bruce Willis, Jai Courtney, Mary Elizabeth Winstead

Ah, Valentine’s day, it’s a good day to tell your sweetheart how much you care for him with hand-made chocolates. Or, perhaps it’s a good day for guns! Explosions! Witty one-liners and macho smirks! Yes, Die Hard 5 is here at last, released on Valentine’s Day the world over and despite rumours of a 24 crossover, there’s no Jack Bauer to be seen. This is all about Bruce – and Bruce’s son. Let’s rewind to 1988, first, when Bruce donned the white vest to take out a dozen terrorists on Christmas Eve. The first Die Hard movie was based on a novel, Nothing Lasts Forever by Roderick Thorp. The story goes that John McClane, a New York cop, gets caught up in some terrorist troubles while heading to L.A. to see his wife Holly and their two kids. Of course he kicks the bad guys’ asses, and memorably chucks Alan Rickman off a tower. Die Hard was a genre-defining action movie, so much so that we often say “It’s Die Hard on a ––––” when we describe other action flicks.

So, the inevitable sequel was ‘Die Hard on a plane’: some mercenar-

ies start meddling with air traffic while McClane waits for his wife at the airport. The third in the series was ‘Die Hard on a breakup’, where wife Holly has quite reasonably had enough of the constant threats to her life. A heartbroken McClane has to get it together to deal with a devilish city bomber in a game of Simon Says.

The last installment was ‘Die Hard on Independence Day’, for what better day could terrorists pick to seize cyber control of America while it parties hard for liberty? This one featured McClane’s daughter Lucy, so it makes sense that Die Hard ‘the next’ re-introduces his son John Jr (or Jack, as he’s also called).

Jack’s working with the CIA, but winds up in a Russian jail, so dad has to come and help save the day. The last time we saw Jack he was sitting on a kitchen floor playing with toys, so there’s a lot of plot to catch up as he and the old man shoot, run, jump and crash through windows together. This latest installment is ‘Die Hard on a family reunion’.

Don’t forget you can find a list of local cinemas online at www.kansaiscene.com/cinemas/

Feb 8 If you’ve seen any of Wes Anderson’s previous releases like The Royal Tenenbaums or The Life Aquatic, you have an expectation his films will be two things: a bit quirky, and involve Bill Murray. This one happily fits the bill, as Murray’s young daughter Suzy falls in love with a local lad and runs away from home to be with him. But there’s no GPS phone tracking, as the year is 1965, so the local community just has to get on its feet and shake its collective sleepy head to search for the underage lovebirds.

94 mins Comedy/Drama/Romance Director: Wes Anderson Stars: Jared Gilman, Kara Hayward, Bruce Willis

© 2012 SLPTWC Films, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Silver Linings Playbook Feb 22 Pat Solitano was a reasonable man, until he found his wife in the shower with another guy. After beating the guy up, he got diagnosed with bipolar disorder and was institutionalised – but now he’s free, if you discount having to live at his parents’ house, the therapy sessions and the medicine he doesn’t like to take. His ex-wife is no longer interested, and his parents aren’t sure how to relate to him any more, but Pat decides to focus on the silver linings in life. And that’s when he meets Tiffany, a complex woman with her own demons to deal with. A Golden Globe winner and Oscar nominee, this movie would make the perfect Valentine date if it was only released a week earlier.

122 mins Drama, Romance Director: David O Russell Starring: Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, Robert De Niro

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Kansai Scene magazine february 2013 kansaiscene.com

Books

Eat up some history

Free Stuff!

Five years in the making, a Kyoto resident’s book looks at affordable eats in a machiya setting.

na reader can wi One lucky KS iya Guide. ch Ma oto Ky copy of name w email your To enter the dra ansaiscene.com @k to: giveaways rk the subject

by Feb 17. Ma ’.

‘Kyoto Machiya

Text: Sally McLaren

Machiya, the historic wooden town houses of Kyoto, are a distinctive feature of the ancient capital. They were built for merchants and artisans with a shop space at the front and a living area at the rear. The architectural style and concept of the machiya is centuries old, but most of Kyoto’s remaining machiya were built in late 19th and early 20th century. However, modern development has seriously threatened this cultural heritage. While the number of machiya continues to decrease, many have been renovated not only as homes but also as cafes, bars, restaurants, boutiques and even hair salons.

Writer Judith Clancy has lived in Kyoto since 1970 and introduced many international visitors to the city’s cultural traditions. Noticing the lack of information available in English about the exciting new food culture developing in renovated machiya, Clancy spent five years researching machiya restaurants.

The resulting book, which includes a detailed history of machiya with photographs, recommends more than 140 restaurants in different areas of Kyoto serving a variety of cuisines.

The emphasis is on lunch at reasonable prices. “Who needs another Michelin guide?” says Clancy. “My book addresses a need for people who are a little adventurous and want to sample what a particular restaurant has to offer.”

Clancy also explains that most tourists who come to Kyoto rarely have a chance to see inside a traditional home, and so she has aimed her book

at lovers of townhouse architecture and food enthusiasts.

Dining in machiya is a special experience, Clancy says, pointing out the intimacy of the structure, the textural feel of the interior with its earthen walls and exposed wooden beams, and the internal garden. Clancy says she was also encouraged by the increasing number of young chefs setting up in renovated machiya and experimenting with Japanese and international cuisine. “There’s a playfulness factor along with the risk,” she says. Consequently, almost half the restaurants listed in the guide serve non-Japanese cuisine, such as Thai, Spanish, American and Israeli food, along with the ubiquitous local favourites of French and Italian cuisine. Clancy’s justification is that “…since local cooks must use the same markets, almost all dishes, regardless of their national origins, have distinct Japanese ingredients.”

Also included in the guide are a lot of historic stone buildings now housing restaurants, such as banks and public offices, which are not strictly machiya.

Clancy says this is because she felt they are of great historic value and also deserved attention.

“These buildings are now between 100 and 120 years old, and the handblown leaded glass, hand-set tile floors and high ceilings are still attractive,” she says. While realising that lack of money and motivation is the “chief culprit” in the decline of machiya, Clancy hopes that her book will contribute to greater appreciation and conservation of the historic wooden townhouses.

Kyoto Machiya Restaurant Guide: Affordable Dining in Traditional Townhouse Spaces • Author: Judith Clancy • Stone Bridge Press, 2012 • ISBN: 9781611725490

Judith’s Top 3 Most Romantic Machiya Restaurants Gogyo (五行) Tel. 075-254-5567 • www. ramendining-gogyo.com/shop_kyoto “A ramen restaurant set in the beautiful old house once owned by Morgan Oyuki, the young geiko who married J.P. Morgan after he offered her a million dollars to do so.”

Café Chocolat (カフェショコラ) Tel. 075-211-2357 • www.cafechocolat.cc “Soft pastel, Chagall-like paintings hang on the walls and of course, there are several rich chocolate desserts to drool over after the meal.”

Robinson (ロビンソン) Tel. 075-353-9707 • www.dreamwks. com/karasuma.html “An old umbrella factory with a lovely seating area near the garden. The French/Italian cuisine is good and the frequent servings of freshly baked bread will not leave much room for dessert.”

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Feature

Romance in Kansai Got a date, but nowhere to go? KS offers help for the lovelost with five romantic places to take your Kansai valentine.

Text: Aaron Krall Illustration: KS

So you’re an expat living in the Kansai area and you’ve finally met that special someone. They’re smart, funny, intelligent, and attractive. They know all about your terrible foot secret and they’re totally cool with it. Obviously, you want to – nay, need to – give them an unforgettable Valentine’s Day, but you’re clueless as to where one goes for romance around here. Don’t panic! KS is here to help.

Amanohashidate Spa (Kyoto) After a five-minute walk north from Amanohashidate Station on the Kita Kinki Tango Railway you’ll find the

Amanohashidate Miyazu Royal Hotel. Your date may balk at the sug-

gestion of spending your Valentine’s Day date at a hotel, but you can allay their fears by pointing out that it’s not really the hotel so much as the Hot Springs Spa within. Spend the day in the park enjoying the sweeping white sand beach topped with pine trees, the evening in the open air baths, and the night in one of Miyazu Royal Hotel’s luxurious rooms. www.daiwaresort.jp/miyazu/

Italian Quatro (Kyoto) Kyoto Station has a number of options

when it comes to restaurants with an atmosphere well-suited for a date. But you can’t take your special someone to a restaurant in a train station on Valentine’s Day, no matter how nice the station or the restaurant. Luckily, just north of the station, between a Lawson’s and the Hotel New Hankyu Kyoto, is Italian Quatro, a hip yet homey Italian restaurant with a moderately priced menu and great wine selection. Unlike many Italian restaurants in

Japan, this one really knows its Italian reds and the food is amazing. www.bal-flower.co.jp

Fushimi Inari Taisha (Kyoto) This shrine is open 24 hours and the taxi ride is under ¥1,500 from Italian Quatro. It’s true that the splendor of the shrine and its bazillion torii gates are most visible by daylight, but if you’re looking for romance, a moonlit stroll through the eerie yet beautiful shrine is hard to beat. The view of Kyoto lit by a million lights, seen only from the mountain upon which the shrine is located, is breathtaking. So is the climb to reach it, although in a rather more literal sense. Smokers and those wearing fancy but uncomfortable shoes should stick to the lower levels, which provide several dimly lit pathways under the gaze of a hundred fox statues.

Access: Fushim-Inari Sta. Keihan Line

La Baie (Osaka) The only type of cuisine more romantic than Italian is, naturally, French cuisine. Especially if that French cuisine is consumed in a fine dining atmosphere with select wines chosen specifically for you by a true Sommelier. Make no mistake, there are few places more suited for romance than La Baie at the Ritz Carlton. Naturally, you’ll spend an arm and a leg for that experience – a standard dinner course will run you over ¥15,000 – but if your special someone is truly that special, you’ll bite the bullet. The Ritz can be found just south west of Osaka station. Be sure to wear a nice jacket. www.ritzcarlton.com

Mount Rokko (Kobe) All aboard the nostalgic open-air cable car to Mount Rokko! This sweet – and steep – ten-minute journey is just the beginning of this area’s romantic charms. Catch a bus to Rokko Garden Terrace to see one of Japan’s three best night views – the pretty twinkling lights of Kobe and Osaka. Then treat your sweetheart to a meal at one of three different restaurants with a scenic view. Rokko View Place has a relaxed casual feel, Granite Café features seasonal treats, and Genghis Khan Palace offers mutton barbecue straight from the nearby Rokko pastures. www.rokkosan.com/en

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Travel

Amore Mio Italiano Who doesn’t know the bitter-sweet tale of star-crossed lovers Romeo and Juliet, set in medieval Verona? But happily, romance is alive and well in this picturesque city in Italy, making it your perfect Valentine’s ticket.

Verona

Italy

Text & images: Alena Eckelmann

Whether you’ve got a new Romeo in your life or still looking for your Juliet, Verona can’t fail to make you swoon. Its narrow cobblestone streets, which connect several squares lined with impressive villas and majestic palazzi, are ideal for walking arm in arm, sharing amorous glances and whispering sweet nothings. All streets lead to the ancient Roman amphitheatre, the Arena, located in Piazza Bra in the middle of Verona’s old quarter. Gladiators would have fought for their lives here during Roman times.

In the late afternoon, you can join other couples on a leisurely stroll around the plaza, or steal a kiss sitting on the steps of the adjunct Palazzo Della Gran Guardia, the Gran Guardia Palace. Get some cheese, bread, ham, olives and a bottle of red wine at a nearby traditional grocery store, and you are well-prepared for a picnic into the Italian night.

If it is too early during the day for a tête-à-tête after sundown, then treat your darling to a scoop or two of the world’s best ice cream from the traditional Gelateria Savoia (www. gelateriasavoia.it) in Via Roma 1 just off Piazza Bra. Alternatively, go for an Italian meal - pizza, spaghetti, gnocchi, panini, salad, you name it - you can eat it at one of the trattorie, restaurants and cafes which line one side of the square. Sitting on the parasol-covered patio makes also for an excellent vantage point for seeing and being seen, in case you still venture around solo.

If you come to Verona in summer (mid June to mid September) for a belated Valentine’s celebration, and you bring cash to impress, you might want to invite your princess or prince to an opera night out at the Arena (www.arena.it).

Built around 30 AD, this is the third-largest amphitheatre in

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Italy and the perfect décor for staging masterpieces of love and hate and all other emotions in-between. Don Giovani, Aida, Carmen, Tosca, and of course Romeo & Juliet – the world’s most famous opera productions are on stage here for the cultured couples among you.

You can buy a glass of Champagne, or even a whole bottle, inside the Arena but it comes at a hefty price. Just do like the locals and discretely smuggle in your own bottle of juice or water and then catch up on wine or other intoxicating beverages after the end of the show. Performances start late in the evening and they last well into the night, which gives a perfect chance to snuggle up for warmth.

You can easily spend a whole day around Piazza Bra alone, and this would be a day well spent. If you have more time at hand though, then venture along Via Mazzini, Verona’s main shopping street for window-shopping of Italian fashion and accessories.

At the end of Via Mazzini you reach a T-junction where a right-turn will take you to Casa Di Giulietta, Juliet’s House, and a left-turn will bring you to Casa di Romeo, Romeo’s House.

These are said to be the houses where the two tragic lovers used to live. The balcony of Juliet’s House is the place

where young Romeo sneaked in to overhear Juliet vowing her love for him. He answered her longing, and they agree to get secretly married the next day.

You can re-enact the famous ‘balcony scene’ for a small fee to get access to the house, but don’t expect to be alone with your lover. This place is swarming with eager fans who elbow their way to the Juliet statue in the courtyard for a snapshot with the sweet maiden.

Just around the corner are Piazza Erbe and Piazza dei Signori. The former is a busy square with a market selling fruits, vegetables and all sorts of souvenirs. The main attraction here though is the frescos decorating the houses around this square. The latter is a peaceful square, ideal for escaping the crowds and some quiet intimacy.

No journey to Verona would be complete without visiting at least one of Verona’s brilliant churches, which house impressive collections of fine pieces of art by Italian’s Old Masters (www.chieseverona.it). Here, you will find some moments of quiet to contemplate your love or to consider options for the most solemn venue for your big day should you decide to finally tie the knot. Hopefully your parents will be more approving than those given life from Shakespeare’s quill.

Stay Verona offers a great selection of places to stay. Browse a database of 2 to 5 star hotels and book online at www.veronabooking.com. If you’re on a low budget, then try Villa Francescatti, Verona’s scenic youth hostel at Via Salita Fontana del Ferro 13/15. A dorm bed costs 18 Euros (approx ¥2000) per person. www. ostelloverona.it/english

Eat Piazza Bra is lined with numerous cafés and restaurants but prices here might be a little higher. If you feel adventurous, then explore the quiet backstreets and step into one of Verona’s osteria where they serve regional cuisine at reasonable prices.

For example, Enocibus at Vicolo Pomodoro 3. www.enocibus.com

Getting there A number of European airlines that serve Japanese airports also connect to Verona. They include: Airfrance, Alitalia, Austrian, Lufthansa and British Airways. Verona Airport is also serviced

by Europe’s low-cost-carriers, including Airberlin and Easyjet. www.veronaairport.it

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Kansai Scene magazine February 2013 kansaiscene.com

This month in Kansai

1

2

3

ART

EVENT

FESTIVAL

Details p.38

Details p.34

Details p.36

8

9

10

11

CLUB

EVENT

CLUB

EVENT

02 Francois K. Japan Tour 2013 @ Circus

Transnational Art 2013

Osaka Automesse 2013, Osaka

Ujicha Tea Festa, Kyoto

Shinichi Osawa DJ Set @ Joule

Setsubun Sai Festival, Hyogo

Salon Du Chocolat Details p.35

Details p.34

Details p.40

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17

18

19

CLASSICAL

LIVE MUSIC

EVENT

LIVE MUSIC

Details p.35

Details p.44

Details p.40

Makoto Ozone (piano) Kyoto Symphony Orchestra, Adrian Leaper (conductor)

Dead Can Dance Details p.44

Hino Hina Matsuri Kiko, Shiga

Blues the Butcher @ Taku Taku, Kyoto

Details p.42

24

25

26

27

EVENT

FESTIVAL

ART

ART

Details p.35

Details p.36

Gochiso-Ten, Kyoto

Hiwatari Shinji

What We See Details p.39

Mayu Sanagi: Fictitious Gallery Morning Details p.38

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Kansai Scene magazine february 2013 kansaiscene.com

4

5

6

7

EVENT

EVENT

FESTIVAL

CLASSICAL

Shikayose - Herding Deer by Blowing a Horn Details p.34

Sakana Datte Propose ‘Aqua Life Ai no Katachi wa Samazama’

Oto Festival, Wakayama Details p.36

Details p.35

Leif Segerstam conducts the Osaka Philharmonic Orchestra Details p.42

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13

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15

EVENT

EVENT

CLUB

LIVE MUSIC

Details p.41

Details p.44

Aqua Life: Love and courtship fish style Details p.35

Chinese New Year Celebration, Hyogo Details p.35

Seven (House / Techno) @ Onzieme

Dreams Come True @ Osaka Jo Hall

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LIVE MUSIC

ART

LIVE MUSIC

ART

Funky Monkey Babys @ Osaka Jo Hall Details p.44

Staring Upon Oneself Artists and Self-Portraits

Ben Folds Five

Project ‘Mirrors’

Details p.44

Details p.39

Details p.39

28

1

2

3

CLASSICAL

ART

EVENT

CLASSICAL

Kayoi Tokkuri (Sake Bottles) of Tamba

Tsugaru-Jamisen Shibata San-Kyodai, Osaka

Maria João Pires (piano), London Symphony Orchestra, Bernard Haitink (conductor)

The Hagen Quartet plays Beethoven Details p.42

Details p.39

Details p.35

Details p.42

Kansai Scene magazine February 2013 kansaiscene.com

Feb 1–Mar 17

Events

Shikayose – Herding Deer by Blowing a Horn 鹿寄せ Feb 1–Mar 17

FREE

Tobihino in Nara Park, Nara

For some wild entertainment, you can’t beat the highly popular Shikayose – an event where hundreds of wild deer rush out to be fed with acorns. On a crisp, cold morning in beautiful Nara Park, a French hornist will play a verse of the Beethoven’s Pastoral Symphony to call the town’s population of deer. See how tame and gentle these animals are as they form a line to march to the horn player. This is such an enjoyable attraction that a member of the Japanese royal family, Prince Hisahito, visited it in 2012. Make sure you don’t miss out on seeing it for yourself.

Closed: Feb 4,12,18,25, Mar 4 and 11 www.naradeer.com/events

Event Listings Ume Matsuri, Wakayama 南部梅林 梅祭り Minabe Bairin Plum Field • Until Mar 3 • ¥250

Minabe is extremely scenic with fields of plum blossoms stretching as far as the eye can see. A variety of interesting attractions will be held on weekends. www.aikis.or.jp/~minabe/event/ kanbai/pdf/minabe2013.pdf

exhibition is an extravaganza for your senses. Enjoy over 90 magnificent pots of plum trees set in a traditional Japanese house. www.nagahamashi.org/bonbai/

Ujicha Tea Festa, Kyoto わくわく ！ ドキドキ！春の宇治茶 フェスタ Cha Kyodokumiai Chagyo Centre Ujicha-kaikan • Feb 2 FREE

Provided by Biwako Visitors Bureau

This is a golden opportunity to sample, learn and enjoy real Japanese tea. Join the workshop to learn how to make a perfect cup of tea and Japanese desserts, or attend the seminar for the low-down on Japanese tea.

www.interpeople.or.jp

Naniwa Calligraphy Exhibition, Osaka 第78回 浪速書道展

ワンワールド・フェスティバル

長浜盆梅展

Osaka International House Foundation • Feb 2&3 FREE

Keiun-kan, Nagahama • Until Mar 10 • ¥500

Come and join this international cooperation festival that aims to bring the world closer. Meet local NGOs and Government institutions

There’s no finer time to visit Nara Park than when it’s decorated with romantic illuminations. Stroll to Todaiji and Kofukuji temples and Kasuga-taisha shrine along a path shining with ultramarine blue, the colour loved by ancient Nara people. www.rurie.jp

Osaka City Museum of Fine Art • Feb 6–11 FREE

Appreciate the Japanese art of shodo calligraphy. This event will feature a variety of exhibitors ranging from kindergarten children to skilled calligraphers. Try brush writing yourself at the workshop on the 11th.

One World Festival, Osaka

Nagahama Bonbai Exhibition, Shiga

With vivid colour and exotic perfume, this plum bonsai tree

working for international assistance.

Enjoy ethnic music, games, food and more!

Osaka Automesse 2013, Osaka 大阪オートメッセ2013 Intex Osaka • Feb 9–11 • ¥2,500

Nara Rurie, Nara しあわせ回廊「なら瑠璃絵」 Nara Park, • Feb 8–14 FREE

Car lovers, get yourself down to Intex Osaka! Find everything you need to modify and customise your cherished car at this motor show.

There will even be an amusement zone for children. www.automesse.jp

Photo provided by Tourism Section Nara Municipal Office

34

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Kansai Scene magazine february 2013 kansaiscene.com

Until Mar 12

Until Feb 14

Aqua Life: Love and courtship fish style 魚だってプロポーズ「アクアライフ 愛のかたちはさまざま」 Until Mar 12 •

FREE

(¥2,000 Aquarium entrance fee)

Salon Du Chocolat

～パリ発、チョコレートの祭典～サロン・デュ・ショコラ Until Feb 14

FREE

Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, Osaka

JR Kyoto Isetan, Kyoto

Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan presents a special exhibition, “A Proposal of Marriage in a Fish Tank” to tie up with Valentine’s Day. Watch films with scenes of a seahorse giving birth and a courtship dance display by crabs. See a couple of prawn “lovebirds” – they remain faithful to their partners during the breeding season. Learn about fish that change their sex during their lifetime. Come to appreciate the natural world and gain a deeper understanding of sea life.

Kyoto Isetan is proud to host the world’s largest chocolate trade show, Salon Du Chocolat. This sweet fantasy event promises to be even bigger and better this year with innovative sweet products and specifically designed confectioneries for Kyoto Isetan. Indulge yourself in a vast array of artisan quality chocolate from around the world. Join demonstrations and seminars by top chefs. Enjoy browsing and purchasing wonderful products, and of course, sample bewitching desserts at the tasting corner.

www.kaiyukan.com www.wjr-isetan.co.jp

World Hobby Fair ’13 Winter, Osaka

Chinese New Year Celebration, Hyogo

次世代ワールドホビーフェア ’ 13

春節祭

Winter Kyocera Dome Osaka • Feb 10 FREE

Kobe Nankin-Machi • Feb 10–17

Spend the day enjoying trendy games, toys and arcade machines at this game and hobby exhibition.

Try these newest games and machines. Enjoy the toys with the latest technologies.

The year of the snake is welcomed with a glittering array of festivities.

See the dragon dance, kung fu demonstrations and fireworks.

Enjoy buying and browsing, and sample some mouth-watering food.

FREE

www.whobby.com/info/osaka.html

www.nankinmachi.or.jp

万博公園雪まつり Expo’70 Commemorative Park • Feb 10–11 FREE

Take the family to frolic in the snow, which will be blanketing a large patch in Omatsuri-hiroba Square.

There will be a TV character show and a market during the event. http://park.expo70.or.jp

Provided by Biwako Visitors Bureau

Yuki Matsuri, Osaka

Enjoy strolling among traditional Japanese houses on the street between Ookubo and Murai areas.

Appreciate hina dolls (a set of dolls for the Girls’ Day) displayed for pedestrians.

Be seduced by a stunning display of Kyoto cuisine. These traditional dishes are as pleasing to the eye as to the palate. After you’ve seen everything on offer, try some dishes at the tasting corner.

Kyoto Station Staircase Sprint, Kyoto 第16回JR

Tsugaru-Jamisen Shibata San-Kyodai, Osaka 東北魂！津軽三味線柴

www.biwa.ne.jp/~hino-to/hino-hina. html

京都駅ビル「大階段駆け上がり 大会」

Hino-machi Town • Feb 10–Mar 10 FREE

田三兄妹

JR Kyoto Stn • Feb 16 FREE

Ibaragishi Shimin Sogo Centre • Mar 2 • ¥2,500

Cheer for the sprinters running up all 171 stairs of JR’s Kyoto station building. If spectating isn’t enough, why not enter this fiercely competitive, but amazingly trendy, sport next year?

Interested in shamisen guitar music? This recital by the skilled performers of Shibata Brother and Sisters from Miyagi Prefecture will fill the room with the sounds of powerful Tsugaru-jamisen music.

www.kbs-kyoto.co.jp/contents/ information/2012/info_025012.htm

Hino Hina Matsuri Kiko, Shiga 日野ひなまつり紀行

www.takashimaya.co.jp/kyoto/

www.ibabun.jp/eventLeaf. php?eid=00026

Gochiso-Ten, Kyoto 第５７京のご馳走展 Kyoto Takashimaya • Feb 20–26 FREE

For full event details see: www.kansaiscene.com/listings

Kansai Scene magazine February 2013 kansaiscene.com

Festivals Feb 11

Feb 25

Provided by Biwako Visitors Bureau

36

Minato Festival 大島水門祭

Hiwatari Shinji 火渡り神事

Minato Shrine, Wakayama

Sugahara Shrine, Shiga

FREE

Witness a variety of ceremonial events at this centuriesold religious festival. It celebrates the ancient legend that the islanders gave protection to the emperor Ojin fleeing from his pursuers. See a solemn ritual of matoi Japanese archery.

Enjoy the shishimai lion dance particular to Oshima Island and the fiercely competitive kaidenma boat races. Witness the parade of colourfully dressed people and many other interesting ceremonies held throughout the day.

FREE

Looking for an extreme experience in Japan? How about a religious ritual where people walk over white-hot ashes. It is believed that evil spirits are burnt out and good fortune is brought in while you walk on the bed of embers. Here’s a tip for first-timers: brace yourself for some hot feet, then walk on your heels to the other edge of the three meter-burning patch. To participate in the fire walking, get to the reception when it opens at 9am. Only the first 130 people will be accepted. It’s ¥1,500 to take part, but free to observe.

www.mikumano.net/meguri/minatoma www.biwako-visitors.jp/search/event_13500.html

Festival Listings Hyogo

Kyoto Setsubun Sai Festival 節分祭

Feb 2 & 3 FREE

Setsubun Sai Festival 節分祭

Feb 3 FREE

Celebrate setsubun, which is New Year’s Eve in the lunar calendar. Join the bean-throwing ceremony held to scare away evil ogres and bring good fortune for the year to come.

Ikuta Shrine • www.ikutajinja.or.jp

Enjoy the bean throwing ceremony performed by beautifully dressed geisha and maiko – apprentice geisha.

Yasaka Shrine • http://web.kyotoinet.or.jp/org/yasaka

Hiina Festival – Girls’ Day ひいな祭り Mar 3

Join this elegant festival where games from the samurai period and demonstrations with ceremonial kimono are held. Ichihimejinja holds this ancient festival to drive out evil spirits from young daughters.

Ichihime Shrine • http://ichihime.net/

Nara Onda Festival おんだ祭り Feb 3 FREE

This humorous play is a must-see for fans of interesting festivals. It’s held to wish for being blessed with children. If you meet one of the actors after the play and get your bottom hit with his bamboo stick, you’re sure to have a happy year.

Asukaniimasu Shrine • www2.ocn.ne.jp/~jinja

Sunakake Festival 砂かけ祭

fight, the more blessed rain falls.

Wear goggles for protection and put cameras into plastic bags!

Hirose Shrine • www.pref.nara.jp/ dd_aspx_menuid-17615.htm

Wakayama Oto Festival Feb 6 FREE

You can’t fail to be impressed with this astonishing scene – thousands of men dashing down steep stairs holding flaming torches. This is a vigorous purification ritual with a history going back some 1,400 years.

Kamikura Shrine

Feb 11 FREE

Join this unique religious ceremony featuring several fierce sand fights.

It is believed the harder people

For full festival details see: www.kansaiscene.com/listings

AUSTRALIAN FILM TELEVISION AND RADIO SCHOOL

STUDY ONLINE IN 2013 With Asia Pacific’s leading screen arts and broadcast school!

Alice Tynan’s Film Club

Join award winning film critic Alice Tynan for a weekly dose of film studies. In “First Timers” you’ll study the debut movies of leading directors including Wes Anderson’s Bottle Rocket, Baz Luhrmann’s Strictly Ballroom and many more!

Starts March 21 (8 weeks)

Writing for TV

Learn the fundamentals of creating TV drama and comedy.

Starts February 15 (10 weeks)

Screenwriting for Film

This course gives you a ‘toolbox’ for creating a feature film script.

Starts February 27 (10 weeks)

BOOK NOW! WWW.OPEN.AFTRS.EDU.AU

Mayu Sanagi Hotel

38

Kansai Scene magazine February 2013 kansaiscene.com

KS

Feb 26–Mar 3

Pick

Art

Mayu Sanagi: Fictitious Gallery Morning FREE

Mayu_Sanagi_Acceleration

KYOTO, Hosomi Museum

Computer games from a couple of decades ago depicted a virtual reality with an unrealistic sense of depth. Yet, with the development of technology, depicting a threedimensional world in two-dimensional space has become relatively easy. As part of the new face exhibition program, the artist introduces a series of paintings that deal with the human perception of depth.

Paintings • Open: 12–7pm (until 5pm on Sun); closed every Mon • Admission: Free • Access: Subway Tozai Higashiyama stn • www.gallerymorningkyoto.com

Art Listings Kyoto

and high school students (admission included for the National Treasure Twelve Devas exhibition) • Access: Keihan Shichijo Stn or bus from JR Kyoto Stn • www.kyohaku.go.jp

Ihei Kimura: Memory of Showa Period Kahitsukan Kyoto Museum of Contemporary Art • Until Feb 17 • Photography

Open: 10am–6pm; closed every Mon (except Feb 11) • Admission: ¥1,000, ¥800 students • Access: Keihan Gion Shijo stn • www.kahitsukan. or.jp

Osaka Yoshimasa Sakurazawa: Roots Gallery PARC Kyoto university of Art and Design • Feb 5–10 • Ceramics FREE

Open: 11am–7pm (until 6pm on Feb 10); closed on: Mon • Admission: Free • Access: Keihan Sanjo Stn • www.galleryparc.com

Statements Exhibition

Commemorating 800 Years of Hojoki (An Account of My Hut)

3F project room • Feb 7–19 • Various Media FREE

Kyoto National Museum • Until Feb 11 • Various Media

Open: 1pm–7:30pm; closed on Wed • Admission: Free • Access: Subway Shiyakushomae stn, Subway Karasuma Oike stn • www.3-gai.com

Open: 9:30am–6pm (until 8pm on Fri); closed Feb 12 and every Mon (except Jan 14 and Feb 11) • Admission: ¥1,000, ¥700 university

Portfolio Exhibition vol.8 Bloom Gallery • Feb 14–24 • Photography FREE

Open: 1–7pm; closed every Mon, Tue and Wed • Admission: Free • Access: Hankyu Juso stn • www.bloomgallery103.com

Transnational Art 2013 Enokojima Art, Culture and Creative Center • Until Feb 3 • Various Media FREE

Open: 11am–7pm (until 3pm on Sun); closed on Mon • Admission: Free • Access: Subway Awaza stn • http://transart2013.blogspot.jp

Luigi Clavareau: BLINDFOLDS Points of Silence SoHo Art Gallery • Feb 5–10 • Photography FREE

Open: 12–7pm (until 5pm on Sun); closed on Mon • Admission: Free • Access: Subway Tanimachi 9-chome stn • http://soho-art-gallery.com

Re: Focus Tezukayama Gallery • Until Feb 22 • Various Media

Open: 11am–7pm; closed every Sat, Sun, Hol • Admission: Free

39 Feb 5–26

Until Mar 24

Project 'Mirrors' KYOTO, Kyoto Art Center

FREE

Project 'Mirrors' is an exhibition that was selected through an open call for proposals. While the exhibition is a "solo exhibition" by artist Tomoko Inagaki, Inagaki brings art critic Megumi Takashima and editor Tomomi Tada into the exhibition. The result of this collaboration is that two exhibition rooms are used: one dedicated to a curated exhibition by the artist, and the other containing a work by Inagaki that has been created through the influence of the art critic. The editor combines the two exhibitions as a dialogue between the artist and critic and produces a catalogue.

Open: 10am–8pm • Admission: Free • Access: Hankyu Karasuma

What We See OSAKA, The National Museum of Art

stn • www.kac.or.jp

The exhibition features predominantly moving image works by contemporary artists, dealing with the theme of fiction and reality. Throughout the exhibition, the concept of reality is questioned and contextualized through the history of photography and film. Exhibiting artists include EijaLiisa Ahtila, Cyprien Gaillard, Johan Grimonprez, Chia-En Jao, Sojung Jun, Steve McQueen, Hiraki Sawa, Pei-Shih Tu, Clemens von Wedemeyer and Shino Yanai.

Greenhouse, installation, 2001

Image: Eija-Liisa Ahtila «MARIAN ILMESTYS - THE ANNUNCIATION) 2010, © Crystal Eye Ltd, Helsinki Courtesy of Marian Goodman Gallery, New York and Paris, Photo © Antti Ruusuvuori

Kansai Scene magazine february 2013 kansaiscene.com

Various Media • Open: 10am–5pm (until 7pm on Fri); closed on Mon. Open on Feb 11, closed on Feb 12 • Admission: ¥850, ¥450 university students • Access: Keihan Watanabebashi stn • www.nmao.go.jp

• Access: Subway Yotsubashi stn • www.tezukayama-g.com

10am–5pm (until 6pm on Friday); closed on Feb 12 and every Mon (except Feb 11) • Admission: ¥200, ¥150 university and high school students, ¥100 junior high and elementary school students • Access: Rokko Liner Island Kitaguchi Stn • www.city.kobe.lg.jp/koisomuseum

Miki Sato: STRUCTURE/ COSMOS Yoshimi Arts • Until Feb 17 • Paintings FREE

Open: 11am–7pm • Admission: Free • Access: Subway Higobashi Stn • www.yoshimiarts.com

Hyogo Ryohei Koiso: Oil Paintings and Rough Sketches Kobe City Koiso Memorial Museum of Art • Until Mar 24 • Paintings FREE

Staring Upon Oneself Artists and Self-Portraits Kobe City Koiso Memorial Museum of Art • Until Mar 24 • Paintings Open: 10am–5pm (until 6pm on Friday); closed on Feb 12 and every Mon (except Feb 11) • Admission: ¥1,000, ¥750 university and high school students, ¥500 junior high and elementary school students

• Access: Rokko Liner Island Kitaguchi stn • www.city.kobe.lg.jp/koisomuseum

Kayoi Tokkuri (Sake Bottles) of Tamba The Museum of Ceramic Art, Hyogo • Until Mar 17 • Ceramics

Open: 10am–6pm; closed on Feb 12, and every Mon (except Feb 11) • Admission: ¥200, ¥150 university students, ¥100 high school students (Admission included in Modern Ceramic Masters exhibition, admission fee applies after Feb 26) • Access: Hyogo Togei Bijutsu Kan bus stop from JR Fukuchiyama Line Aino stn • www.mcart.jp

Wakayama

• Admission: ¥340, ¥230 university students (Admission included for Tatehata Taimu Exhibition) • Access: JR/Nankai Wakayama stn stn • www.momaw.jp

Taimu Tatehata: In commemoration of 70 years from his death The Museum of Modern Art, Wakayama • Until Feb 24 • Sculpture

Open: Open: 9:30am–5pm; closed on Feb 12 and every Mon (except Feb 11) • Admission: ¥340, ¥230 university students (Admission included for Collections Exhibition¥100 junior high and elementary school students • Access: JR/Nankai Wakayama stn • www.momaw.jp

Collections: Winter 2012/2013 The Museum of Modern Art, Wakayama • Until Feb 24 • Various Media Open: 9:30am–5pm; closed on Feb 12 and every Mon (except Feb 11)

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

40

Kansai Scene magazine February 2013 kansaiscene.com

Club

FEB 8 @ Circus

DJ Francois K New York-based French producer/DJ Francois K, aka Francois Kevorkian, started his music career in 1976 while playing the drums in a club with Walter Gibbons, the man often credited with being the main inspiration to Larry Levan and Frankie Knuckles. Soon Kevorkian became a regular guest at Paradise Garage, Studio 54 and the Loft. In 1996, Danny Krivit, Joaquin “Joe” Claussell and Kevorkian started the legendary house trio Body&Soul. The group’s Sunday parties at Club Vinyl are still remembered as a thing of beauty.

Alongside the house legend, Circus also welcomes Berlinbased Japanese female DJ, Hito, for the first time. NYC deep house meets Berlin sound? It’s going to be another fun night out.

Francois K. Japan Tour 2013 (House) • DJs: Francois K, Hito • Open: 8pm • Admission: ¥3,000/1D • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6241-3822 • circus-osaka.com

Club Listings 1 (Fri) Azure Heartbeat (Hip hop) • DJs: Lead, B-Ball + more • Admission: Men: ¥2,500/1D, Women: ¥Free • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6212-0226 • www.club-azure.net

Union Nu Deep (House) • DJs: Masahiko Uchikawa, K-Katsu • Open: 9pm • Admission: ¥2,000/1D • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6251-2242 • www.club-union.jp

2 (Sat) Circus Outdraw (Techno/House) • DJs: Satoshi Otsuki, Masanori Mikami & Synya, Fumi • Open: 9pm • Admission: ¥2,500/1D (ADV: ¥2,000/1D) • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6241-3822 • circus-osaka.com

Onzieme Blue Windy Night feat. Hyper Society x Block.Party (House) • DJs: Tomoyuki Tanaka, Taku Takahashi, Taku-Hero, DJ 66 + more • Open: 7pm–1am • Admission: ¥3,000/1D (ADV: ¥1,500/1D) • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6243-0089 • www.onzi-eme.com

Troopcafe Diatonik (House) • DJs: Ogawa, tatsuo.y, 2Nyan + more • Open: 11pm • Admission: ¥2,500/1D (WF: ¥2,000/1D) • Where: Sannomiya • Tel: 078-321-3130 • troopcafe.tumblr.com

3 (Sun) Circus Newtone Records & Circus Presents Eddie C (Techno/House) • Live: Alt.P • DJs: Eddie C, Yuji Futami, Newtone Crew • Open: 9pm • Admission: ¥2,500/1D (ADV: ¥2,000/1D) • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-62413822 • circus-osaka.com

Union Mode (House) • DJs: U-Ichirow • Open: 3pm–10pm • Admission: ¥2,000/1D • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6251-2242 • www.club-union.jp

8 (Fri) Azure Osaka Safari (Hip hop) • DJs: George, Shimotaku, Malu, B-Ball, Bullset, Macko • Admission: Men: ¥2,500/1D, Women: ¥Free • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6212-0226 • www.club-azure.net

Union 4Rapture (House) • DJs: Masaaki, Kunio Yasumatsu, Nagisa, Naoki •

Open: 9pm • Admission: ¥1,500/1D • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 066251-2242 • www.club-union.jp

9 (Sat) Circus Tightrope Dancing (House) • DJs: Ageishi, Tetsuo, Yama • Open: 8pm • Admission: ¥2,500/1D (ADV: ¥2,000/1D) • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6241-3822 • http://circusosaka.com

Grand Cafe Blue Windy Night x Daishi Dance presents Midnight! (House) • DJ: Daishi Dance• Open: 8pm–1am • Admission: ¥3,000/1D (Before 9pm: ¥1,500/1D) • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6213-0031 • www. grandcafeosaka.com

Onzieme Midnight Request (Electro) • DJs: Dexpistols, Juse, Idiot Deux, Eyez, Noise Open: 9pm–1am • Admission: ¥3,000/1D • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6243-0089 • www.onzi-eme.com

Union Elements (House/Techno) • DJs: Yashima, Kazuyuki Ohta, Junichi Kuwata, Shirakawa, Airi • Open: 9pm • Admission: ¥2,000/1D • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-62512242 • www.club-union.jp

10 (Sun) Joule Shinichi Osawa DJ Set (Electro/ House) • DJs: Shiichi Osawa, Masatoshi Uemura + more • Open: 8pm • Admission: ¥3,000/1D (Before 9:30pm: ¥1,500/1D, ADV: ¥2,500/1D) • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6214-1223 • http://clubjoule.jp

Grand Cafe LiveRally Tribute to Shiro Amamiya (House) • Live: Ecstasy Boys, A Hundred Birds • DJ: Yoku & AHB Trio, Toshi, Tetsu Shiraishi, Y.Matsuoka • Open: 6pm–1am • Admission: ¥2,500/1D • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6213-0031 • www.grandcafeosaka.com

Soul Blood Quod Erat Demonstrandum (Techno) • DJs: Takaaki Itoh, Monashee, Mayo, Yuto, Kohsuke, Jokei Tomohiro, Sullivan • Open: TBA • Admission: ¥3,000/1D (ADV: ¥2,500/1D) • Where: Sannomiya • Tel: 078-393-0763 • www.soulblood.com

Union Treasure Ship (House) • DJs: Ageishi, Tsubasa • Open: 9pm • Admission: ¥1,500/1D • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6251-2242 • www.club-union.jp

Kansai Scene magazine february 2013 kansaiscene.com

11 (Mon) Circus TetraLogisticS Anniversary 20!

(Techno/House) • DJs: Kunimitsu, Yasuhisa, Nobu, Ageishi, Kihira Naoki, Tomoki Tamura, Yashima, Baiyon, YodaHaruka, Doiike, Masataka + more • Open: 5am–1am • Admission: ¥3,000/1D (ADV: ¥2,500/1D) • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6241-3822 • http://circusosaka.com

14 (Thu) Onzieme Seven (House/Techno) • Live: Tomomi Ukumori • DJs: Nao Nomura, Osakaman, Senda, saura, Kojiman, Bancho • Open: 7pm–1am • Admission: ¥2,500/1D • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-62430089 • www.onzi-eme.com

15 (FRI) Azure Heartbeat (Hip hop) • DJs: Lead, B-Ball + more • Admission: Men: ¥2,500/1D, Women: ¥Free • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6212-0226 • www.club-azure.net

Circus J:Kenzo Japan Tour (Dubstep) • DJs: Dubtro, Tuttle, Fulltono, Light-one aka dimness, Z.Z.Z., Rilla • Open: 8pm • Admission: ¥3,000/1D (ADV: ¥2,500/1D) • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6241-3822 • http://circusosaka.com

Union For Relax (House) • DJs: Mottsu, Futta-Man, Yusuke Sadaoka • Open: 9pm • Admission: ¥1,500/1D • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 066251-2242 • www.club-union.jp

16 (Sat) Circus 1+1 (Techno) • DJs: Wada, Kihira Naoki • Open: 8pm • Admission: ¥2,500/1D (Before 9pm: ¥1,500/1D, ADV: ¥2,000/1D) • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6241-3822 • http://circus-osaka.com

Onzieme Elektrojunkie (Electro/Techno) • DJs: Ko-Matsushima, Taku-Hero, YPY, Shinji, Flash, SilverFox • Open: 9pm–1am • Admission: ¥2,500/1D (WF: ¥1,500/1D) • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-62430089 • www.onzi-eme.com

Union Fierce! (House) • DJs: Suguru Sakai, Naoki Takami, Yuzo, Nao Ikeda aka Chunli • Open: 9pm • Admission:

¥2,000/1D • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6251-2242 • www.clubunion.jp

17 (Sun) Bambi Frank Muller aka Beroshima Japan Tour (Techno) • DJs: Frank Muller, Monashee + more • Open: TBA • Admission: ¥TBA • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-4708-7009 • http://club-bambi.com

Circus Sound of Berghain (Techno) • DJs: Norman Nodge • Open: 9pm • Admission: ¥2,500/1D • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6241-3822 • http://circus-osaka.com

22 (Fri) Azure Osaka Safari (Hip hop) • DJs: George, Shimotaku, Malu, B-Ball, Bullset, Macko • Admission: Men: ¥2,500/1D, Women: ¥Free • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6212-0226 • www.club-azure.net

Circus Agile (Techno) • DJs: Monashee + more • Open: 8pm • Admission: ¥2,500/1D • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6241-3822 • http://circusosaka.com

Union Just Ego (House) • DJs: Senda + more • Open: 9pm • Admission: ¥2,000/1D • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6251-2242 • www.clubunion.jp

23 (Sat) Onzieme Hush! 2nd Anniversary Special (House/Techno) • DJs: Ralph Lawson, Yashima, Nao Nomura + more • Open: 8pm–1am • Admission: ¥3,000/1D • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6243-0089 • www.onzi-eme.com

Union Fuckage (House) • DJs: Tan Ikeda aka P.M.D.M.F!, Kenji Shimazaki • Open: 9pm • Admission: ¥1,500/1D • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 066251-2242 • www.club-union.jp

24 (SUN) Joule Torque 005 with Gary Beck (Techno) • DJs: Gary Beck, Detroit Grand Pubahs, Raiz, Shine, Emijah, Mitsuyas + more • Open: 6pm • Admission: ¥3,000/1D (WF:

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Kansai Scene magazine February 2013 kansaiscene.com

Classical

Classical Musings Text: Michael Vezzuto

Feb 28

February is packed with noteworthy concerts, the best ones occurring too early in the month to highlight here. So, it’s with a heavy heart that I bypass solo concerts by the fabulous French contralto Nathalie Stutzmann (at Phoenix Hall on February 1) and 2005 Chopin Piano Competition winner Rafał Blechacz (at The Symphony Hall on February 3) in order to start at February 7 and 8, when Leif Segerstam conducts the Osaka Philharmonic Orchestra in a program including Grieg’s Evergreen Piano Concerto (Michie Koyama is the soloist), Sibelius’s life-affirming Fifth Symphony, and Segerstam’s own Errorings of Mirrorings composed last year and also known as his Symphony No. 248 (That’s no typo!

He’s written 258 symphonies as of August 2012! I guess it’s too cold to go outside in Finland…). This is a program of highly appealing works and, given Segerstam’s long experience with them, this should be a pair of evenings to remember long afterwards.

Kyoto Concert Hall provides a breath of fresh air on February 16, when British conductor Adrian Leaper leads the Kyoto Symphony Orchestra in a program of 20th century works rarely performed in Kansai. The works in question are Stravinsky’s Symphony of Psalms, Shostakovich’s First Piano Concerto, and British composer William Walton’s First Symphony. Leaper is better known internationally for his recordings on the Naxos label, for which he has made about 100 CDs, than he is as a live performer, so this is a rare chance to catch him live. Better yet, it’s a program of music with a heavy rhythmic profile, made more adventurous still by the fact that the soloist in the Shostakovich is Kobe-born jazz pianist Makoto Ozone. There are jazzy bits for the soloist, and the piano part’s overall humor and wit should suit Ozone well. This is one for the curious.

Fans of chamber music can rejoice on February 28, when the Hagen Quartet perform a concert of string quartets by Beethoven at Izumi Hall. This ensemble, based in Salzburg, Austria (the birthplace of Mozart!) was founded by four siblings, sort of what you would expect from the von Trapp family a few generations on. Lukas, Veronika, and Clemens Hagen continue their respective tenures on first violin, viola, and cello respectively, with Rainer Schmidt currently in the second violin chair, which he has held since 1987. The ensemble studied period performance with Nikolaus Harnoncourt around the time of their inception, and this, along with Harnoncourt’s concept of Klangrede (sounding speech) became the basis of their interpretations. They program a quartet from each of Beethoven’s three creative periods, all in F major: No. 1 op. 18 no. 1, No. 7 (Razumovsky 1) op.

59 no. 1, and No. 16 op. 135. It’s clever programming by an ensemble that can bring unique insight into these works.

Don’t miss it!

There’s a spectacular concert scheduled at The Symphony Hall on March 3, but man, will it cost you. Bernard Haitink, one of the world’s great conductors, leads the London Symphony Orchestra, one of the world’s great orchestras, in a program of Britten’s Four Sea Interludes from Peter Grimes, Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 17 in G major, K. 453, and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7 in A major. The soloist in the Mozart Concerto? Maria João Pires, one the world’s most celebrated and loved pianists, and one who rarely appears in Kansai. Classical music doesn’t get better than this. Wish I could go…

Leif Segerstam

Feb 7 & 8

Feb 16

Feb 28

Mar 3

Leif Segerstam conducts the Osaka Philharmonic Orchestra

Makoto Ozone (piano), Kyoto Symphony Orchestra, Adrian Leaper (conductor)

The Hagen Quartet plays Beethoven

Maria João Pires (piano), London Symphony Orchestra, Bernard Haitink (conductor)

The Symphony Hall, Osaka

Time: 7pm • Admission: S = ¥7,000, A = ¥6,000, B = ¥5,000, C = ¥4,000, D = ¥1,500 • Tel: 06-6656-4890 • Access: JR loop line Fukushima Station or Oyodo-minami-1-chome bus stop http://asahi.co.jp

Kyoto Concert Hall

Time: 2:30pm • Admission: S = ¥4,500, A = ¥4,000, B = ¥3,000, P (behind the stage) = ¥2,000 • Tel: 075-711-3110 • Access: Kitayama subway station (on the Karasuma line), three minute walk from exit 1 www.kyoto-symphony.jp

Izumi Hall

Time: 7pm • Admission: ¥6,000 • Tel: 06-6944-1188 • Access: Keihan Kyobashi Station, JR loop line Osakajo-Koen station, subway Nagahori Tsurumi-ryokichi line Osaka Business Park station exit 1 www.izumihall.co.jp

The Symphony Hall

Time: 2pm • Admission: A = ¥26,000, B = ¥22,000, C = ¥17,000, D = ¥13,000 • Tel: 06-6453-6000 • Access: JR loop line Fukushima Station or Oyodo-minami-1-chome bus stop http://asahi.co.jp

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Kansai Scene magazine February 2013 kansaiscene.com

Feb 17

Feb 19

Feb 22

Dead Can Dance

Motion City Soundtrack

Ben Folds Five

Taking elements of Gaelic Folk, Gregorian chanting, Middle Eastern mantras, African rhythms, pop and rock, it’s certainly not easy to classify Dead Can Dance into one specific musical genre.

The band originally came together just over thirty years ago in Melbourne, Australia as a trio. Then members Lisa Gerrard and Brendan Perry relocated to London, where they quickly signed to 4AD Records releasing their debut album in 1984.

Having disbanded in 1998, the group reunited shortly in 2005 and then again in 2011 releasing the album Anastasis and announcing a world tour. The word Anastasis is Greek for resurrection, which Perry says he thought “was a good title given our reunion.”

With the release of five studio albums and over half a million in sales since forming in 1997 (though their first release wasn’t until 2003) the five-piece pop-rock outfit from Minnesota, US produces a sound somewhere between Green Day and Ben Folds Five. Over the years, musical chairs have been rampant within the band, but present guitarist/vocalist Justin Pierre and fellow guitarist Joshua Cain have both been fixtures since day one.

The band is currently touring and pushing their latest album GO, released last summer. Speaking about some of the tracks Pierre says, “The song ‘Happy Anniversary’ is maybe the darkest song we’ve ever written, ‘The Coma Kid’ is somebody who’s unable to die, and ‘Everyone Will Die’ is a celebration of life, not necessarily a death song.”

It’s been an on-off affair between Ben Folds and Five in recent times. Starting out back in 1993 in North Carolina, the trio enjoyed commercial success before disbanding in 2000. They came together for a ‘one-off ’ reunion concert in 2008, but didn’t work together again until 2011 when they recorded a three-track release. In early 2012 they announced another reunion of a more stable sorts leading to last year’s The Sound of the Life of the Mind.

Amazingly, the band has only released four studio albums and this latest was the first in thirteen years. On the new album, Ben Folds says: “I’d love for people to hear this record clean. If no-one knew who we were and we put this record out, I think that would be terribly interesting.”

Australian World Rhythms-Experimental Duo • Akaso, Osaka • Fusion • 6pm • ¥7,500 • Tel: 06-7897-2450

Laid-Back Trio Reunion • Mielparque Hall, US Pop-Punk Five-Piece • Club Quattro,

Osaka • Singer-songwriter • 7pm • ¥8,500

Osaka • Rock • 7pm • ¥5,800

• Tel: 06-6350-2111

• Tel: 06-6535-5569

Live Music Listings Feb 15

Feb 19-20

Feb 21

Feb 23-24

Dreams Come True

Funky Monkey Babys

David T. Walker

GLAY

Osaka Jo Hall, Osaka

Osaka Jo Hall, Osaka

Billboard Live Osaka, Osaka

Osaka Jo Hall, Osaka

Feb 16

Feb 19

Feb 22

Feb 25-26

Daida Laida

Blues the Butcher

Ben Folds Five

UVERworld

Muse, Osaka

Taku Taku, Kyoto

Mielparque Hall, Osaka

Zepp, Osaka

Feb 17

Motion City Soundtrack

Loudness

Feb 26

Club Quattro, Osaka

Zepp, Osaka

Pop • 6:30pm • ¥6,800/¥7,800 • Tel: 06-6341-3525

Metal • 4:30pm • ¥5,000/¥5,500 • Tel: 06-6245-5389

Dead Can Dance Akaso, Osaka

Fusion • 6pm • ¥7,500 • Tel: 06-7897-2450

Hip-hop pop-rock • 7pm • ¥6,800 • Tel: 06-7732-8888

Blues • 7pm • ¥4,000/¥4,500 • Tel: 075-351-1321

Rock • 7pm • ¥5,800 • Tel: 06-6535-5569

Jazz/Soul Guitar • 6:30pm/8:30pm • ¥6,900/¥8,400 • Tel: 06-6342-7722

• Singer-songwriter • 7pm • ¥8,500 • Tel: 06-6350-2111

80’s Metal • 6:30pm • ¥6,000 • Tel: 06-7732-8888

Rock • 5pm-23rd/4pm-24th • ¥7,350 • Tel: 06-6341-3525

Rock • 6:30pm • ¥6,000 • Tel: 06-7732-8888

Kenichi Asai Taku Taku, Kyoto

Rock • 7pm • ¥4,725/¥5,250 • Tel: 075-351-1321

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Kansai Scene magazine february 2013 kansaiscene.com

Mar 6 © Photo: Christie Goodwin

KS

Pick

Live Music

Grizzly Bear New York four-piece Grizzly Bear had their debut album Horn of Plenty (2004) praised highly by Rolling Stone magazine: “The pure atmospheric power of the songs is more than enough to hypnotize.” Drawing influences from various genres including indie-rock, folk, experimental, art rock and lo-fi, Grizzly Bear started life as a solo project by songwriter Ed Droste. Eventually expanding, 2006 brought the release of Yellow House followed by Veckatimest in 2009

and last September’s Shields. Reaching number seven in the US charts and seventeen in the UK, vocalist/guitarist Daniel Rossen says of the working process on Shields: “The band’s aim was to write and make a product that we all feel a sense of authorship over as a collective.”

Adam Lambert

The Polysics

Mar 6

Mar 12

Namba Hatch, Osaka

Namba Hatch, Osaka

Grizzly Bear

Kurt Rosenwinkel Quartet

Pop • 7pm • ¥7,000 • Tel: 06-63414506

New Wave Rock • 7pm • ¥3,800 • Tel: 06-6357-3666

Feb 28

Mar 2-3

A Flood of Circle

Yoshikuni Dohchin

Neverland, Nara

Zepp, Osaka

Mar 1

Mar 3

Ringo Starr & His All Starr Band

Color Bottle

Rock • 7pm • ¥3,000/¥3,500 • Tel: 06-6357-3666

Zepp, Osaka

Pop-rock • 7pm • ¥10,500/¥15,000 • Tel: 06-7732-8888

Pop vocal • 6pm • ¥6,800 • Tel: 06-7732-8888

Shangri-La, Osaka

Rock • 5pm • ¥3,000/¥3,500 • Tel: 06-7732-8888

• Acclaimed New York Indie Art-Rock Outfit • Akaso, Osaka • Mar 6 • Rock • 7pm • ¥6,000 • Tel: 06-7897-2450

Akaso, Osaka

Rock • 7pm • ¥6,000 • Tel: 06-7897-2450

Mar 8 Jimmy Cliff Billboard Live Osaka, Osaka Reggae • 6:30pm/8:30pm • ¥11,000/¥12,500 • Tel: 06-6342-7722

Mar 11 Santana Osaka Jo Hall, Osaka

Blues Latin Rock • 7pm • ¥11,100/¥12,100 • Tel: 06-6341-4506

Club Quattro, Osaka

Jazz Guitar • 7:30pm • ¥5,000 • Tel: 06-6311-8111

Mar 13 Gilbert O’Sullivan Billboard Live Osaka, Osaka

Singer-songwriter • 6:30pm/8.30pm • Tel: 06-6342-7722

The Crimson ProjeKcts Namba Hatch, Osaka

Prog Rock • 7pm • ¥9,500/¥10,500 • Tel: 06-4397-0572

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Kansai Scene magazine February 2013 kansaiscene.com

Kansai Business Finder Wining & Dining Absinthe Mediterranean Restaurant Cafe/Bar

Nishi-ku, Kita-horie 1-2-27 South Yotsubashi Bldg. 1F Osaka Tel: 06-6534-6635 Url: www.absinthe-jp.com

Asbinthe Solaar Roof Top Restaurant Cafe Bar & Beer Garden

Chuo-ku, Namba 5-1-18 Namba Dining Maison 8F Osaka Tel: 06-6633-1445 Url: www.absinthe-jp.com/absinthesolaar

Himalaya Indian Restaurant

Kita-ku, Umeda 1-2, Osaka Ekimae, Dai-2 Bldg. B1 Osaka Tel: 06-6545-6116 Url: www.meera.jp/en/himalaya

Meera Indian Restaurant

Osaka YWCA

TNT-PC

Chinese Cuisine

Global Network of Women

English PC Support

Chuo-ku, Soemon-cho 7-2 Luz Shinsaibashi 5F Osaka Tel: 06-6125-5338 Url: www.chinesecafe8.com

Kita-ku, Kamiyama-cho 11-12 Osaka Tel: 06-6361-0838 Url: www.osaka.ywca.or.jp

Nishinomiya-shi, Maruhashi-cho 6-8-1F Nishinomiya Tel: 0798-65-7555 Url: www.tnt-pc.com

Dublin Bay

Arthur Murray Dance School

Miyabi Int’l Gyoseishoshi Law Firm

Dance Studio

VISA Lawyers in Osaka

Chuo-ku, Minami-senba 3-5-28 Osaka Tel: 06-6245-1731 Url: www.arthurmurray.co.jp

Kita-ku, Nishitenma 1-8-9 Viequ tower #2406 Osaka Tel: 06-4981-7439

Irish Pub

Chuo-ku, Dotonbori 2-1-5-B1 Osaka Tel: 06-6213-1122 Url: www.irishpub-dublinbay.com

Zerro The Place to be...

Chuo-ku, Shinsaibashi-suji 2-3-2, Queen’s Court Bldg 1F Osaka Tel: 06-6211-0439

The Blarney Stone Shinsaibashi The Irish Pub in the Heart of Osaka

Chuo-ku, Higashi-Shinsaibashi 2-527 Kohda Bldg B1F Osaka Tel: 06-6484-2220 Url: www.the-blarney-stone.com

The Blarney Stone Umeda

Outback Steakhouse

Kita-ku, Sonezaki 2-10-15 Sonezaki Center Bldg. 6F Osaka Tel: 06-6364-2001 Url: www.the-blarney-stone.com

Kita-ku, Umeda 2-1-24 Shinsakurabashi Bldg. 1F Osaka Tel: 06-6457-7121 Url: www.outbacksteakhouse.co.jp

Murphy’s Irish Pub First Irish Pub in Japan

Chuo-ku, Higashi-shinsaibashi 1-631 Lead plaza 6F Osaka Tel: 06-6282-0677 Url: www.murphysosaka.com

Fubar Restaurant and Bar

Chuo-ku, Shinsaibashi-suji 1-5-22F Osaka Tel: 06-6245-3757 Url: www.fubarosaka.com

Captain Kangaroo Food, Sports & Rock ‘n’ Roll

Kita-ku, Sonezaki-shinchi 1-5-20 Okawa Bldg. 1F Osaka Tel: 06-6346-0367 Url: www.roo-bar.jp

Chedi Luang Horie Traditional Thai food

Nishi-ku, Kita-horie 1-7-11 Osaka Tel: 06-6535-1515 Url: www.chedi.jp

> for maps see kansaiscene.com/business-finder

Chinese Cafe Eight

Kita-ku, Umeda 1-3-1, Osaka Ekimae, Dai-1 Bldg. B2 Osaka Tel: 06-6348-0134 Url: www.meera.jp/en/

Australian Themed Steakhouse

To list your business in the Kansai Scene Business Finder contact sales@kansaiscene.com for more details.

The Irish Pub in the Heart of Osaka

Coolabah Sports Cafe

Chuo-ku, Nishi-shinsaibashi 2-1613, Housen Bldg. 1F Osaka Tel: 06-6213-5153 Url: www.coolabah.jp

Ali’s Kitchen Pakistani & Arabic Cuisine

Chuo-ku, Shinsaibashi-suji 1-10-12B1 Osaka Tel: 06-6553-2292 Url: www.aliskitchen.jp

Trois Dix Macrobiotic & slow food restaurant

Nishi-ku, Kitahorie 1-22-4 Osaka Tel: 06-6648-8336 Url: http://locoplace.jp/t000094365/

Marga Language Service Japanese Language School

Chuo-ku, Onoe-dori 5-1-27-8F Kobe Tel: 078-271-6446 Url: www.marga.jp

Doshisha Business School Discover the Doshisha Global MBA

Doshisha University Karasuma-Imadegawa, Kamigyoku Kyoto Tel: 075-251-4600 Url: gmba.doshisha.ac.jp

Futaba Language School Japanese Classes in Shinsaibashi

Chuo-ku, Minamisenba 4-10-201101 Osaka Tel: 06-6244-2528 Url: www.futaba-japanese.com

Osaka Abacus Association Let’s learn Abacus!

Minatoku, Yunagi 2-13-7 Osaka Tel: 06-6572-6877 Url: https://sites.google.com/site/ osakasoroban/

Shops & Services Mojoprint Full Color Printing

Education

Nishi-ku, Shinmachi 3-5-7, Eiko Bldg. 2F Osaka Tel: 06-6539-1717 Url: www.mojoprint.jp

Kobe YWCA

Brastel Remit

Global Network of Women

Send money overseas

Chuo-ku, Ninomiya-cho 1-12-10 Kobe Tel: 078-231-6201 Url: www.kobe.ywca.or.jp

Sumida-ku, Yokoami 2-6-2 Tokyo Tel: 0120-983-891 / 03-6869-4851 Url: www.brastelremit.jp

Yoshimoto Tax Services Tax Services for English speakers

Amagasaki-shi Tsukaguchi-cho 6-8-6-203 Hyogo Tel: 06-6421-3318 Url: http://yoshimotokaikei.tkcnf. com

Yuko Tamaki Accounting Office Accounting & Tax Services

Chuo-ku, Tanimachi 1-7-3-8F, Osaka Tel: 06-6809-1955 Url: www12.plala.or.jp/ytaccounting/ indexeng.html

International Solution Group Investments, Real Estate, Taxes US and Japanese

Chuo-ku, Tanimachi 1-3-17 suite 1001 Osaka Tel: 06-6949-0144 Email: kansai@isgjapan.com

Kyokushin Karate Osakacentral Branch Dojo Karate classes (Mon.20:00-,Thu.20:00-,Sat.19:00-)

Kita-Ku, Tenma 2-2-17 Nakano Bldg. 1F Osaka Tel: 090-4762-0016 Email: http://osakachuo.blogspot.jp

Creamy Kids International Modeling Agency

Kita-ku, Umeda 1-2-2 Osaka Ekimae, Dai-2 Bldg. 2F Osaka Tel: 06-6347-7705 Url: www.pre21.com/creamy

Pakmail Amagasaki We Ship Anything, Anywhere!

Tsugiya 2-2-28 Amagasaki Tel: 06-6492-8950 Url: www.pakmail-ama.com

Pakmail Esaka We Ship Anything, Anywhere!

Suita, Esaka-cho 1-23-17 Osaka Tel: 06-6330-8988 Url: www.pakmail-osaka.com

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Kansai Scene magazine february 2013 kansaiscene.com

Sweatshop Union

Travel

T-Shirt Print Shop

Naniwa-ku, Sakuragawa 4-5-19 Osaka Tel: 06-4394-8850 Url: www.sweatshop.jp/eng

Shinmei Law Office Business Lawyer

Kita-ku, Nishi-tenma 4-11-22, Hanshin-shinmei Bldg. 501 Osaka Tel: 06-6362-8013 Url: www.shinmei-law.com/e

Exeo International International Dating Parties

Kita-ku, Umeda 1-1-3-3F Sky Lounge Mariage Osaka Tel: 050-5810-3977 Url: www.exeo-international.com

ACCJ Kansai American Chamber of Commerce in Japan

Kita-ku, Dojima-hama 1-1-8, Dojima Park Bldg. 5F Osaka Tel: 06-6345-9880 Url: www.accj.or.jp

Mayflower House Guesthouse

World Express Kobe’s Popular Travel Agency

Chuo-ku, Kotonoo-cho 5-3-5, Green Chapeau Bldg. 104 Kobe Tel: 078-222-5050 Url: www.wexp.co.jp

GS Travel Best Fares in Osaka

Chuo-ku, Higashi-Shinsaibashi 1-13-21, Wadayoshi Bldg 302 Osaka Tel: 06-6281-1230 Url: www.gs-travel.com/en

H.I.S. • No.1 Travel We go the extra mile for you

Kita-ku, Umeda 3-4-5, MainichiIntecio 15F Osaka Tel: 06-6133-0273 Url: www.no1.his-west.jp

Real Estate & Accommodation Takani Co. Ltd. Total Solution for House-hunting

Yodogawa-ku, Nishimiyahara 2-335 Osaka Tel: 06-6396-6770

Chuo-ku, Izumi-machi 2-1-15 Osaka Tel: 0120-881-456 Url: www.osaka-mayflowerguesthouse.com/en

Oriental Process Apartments for Rent

Ikuno-ku, Tsuruhashi 1-1-36 Osaka Tel: 080-1422-4679 Url: www.orientalprocess.com

Entrance Japan

Asashi-ku, Shinmori 2-1-26 Osaka Tel: 06-6951-9701 Url: www.ishida-clinic.jp/en

Hair Art & Make up BOY Hair and Make Up

Chuo-ku, Higashi-Shinsaibashi 1-2-23-5F Osaka Tel: 06-6252-7630 Url: www6.ocn.ne.jp/~boy

Oriental Dental Clinic English Speaking Dentist

Kita-ku, Shibata 1-14-8-9F Osaka Tel: 06-6136-3330 Url: www.entrance-japan.com

Chuo-ku, Nakayamate-dori 3-4-7, Oriental Medical Dental Bldg. 4F Osaka Tel: 078-321-2717 Url: www.oriental-shika.com

TOA

K Studio New York

Furnished / Non-Furnished lofts for rent

English Speaking Beauty Salon

Shared houses across Osaka

Nishiyodogawa-ku, Tsukuda 1-1-36 Osaka Tel: 06-6471-8136 Url: http://passage.sunnyday.jp

Health & Beauty Ishida Women’s Clinic Women’s Health Care in Osaka

Kita-ku, Toyosaki 5-2-22-2F Osaka Tel: 06-6371-9033 Url: www.ksny.jp

Interaction Hair Stylish cuts to suit you and your lifestyle

Nishi-ku, Minami-Horie 1-14-12201 Osaka Tel: 06-7501-7313 Url: www.in-hair.jp

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Kansai Scene magazine february 2013 kansaiscene.com

Kansai Scene Classifieds Place your own ad online at kansaiscene.com/classifieds Please note: Kansai Scene is not responsible for the content of communications made through either printed or online classified ads.

Employment > Education English Teachers Needed in Osaka with Immediate Start

English teachers needed at an English conversation school in Osaka with immediate start.

No experience is required but a visa which allows you to work is required. If interested, please send us a short introduction, your resume and available times to the following email address: ma1_11@ hotmail.com

Flat share & Teaching

English (optional part-time job) Rooms: A: 12m2/ ¥60,000 B: 9m2/¥50,000 Place: Kamakura City (app.10 min ride from all stations) Rooms are available from March 15, 2013. Electricity&heating expenses included. No curfew. Outside part-time work allowed. Optional: Part-time English teaching (twice a month;hourly wage: ¥3,000.

Contact: Shuko IMACHI reve@ air.ocn.ne.jp http://www14.ocn. ne.jp/~reve/ Native English teacher speaking Japanese We

are looking for a teacher for conversation lessons twice a month,summer intensive course for children and homepage translation.

3,000JPY~/hour+transportation exp. Kamakura City/10min ride from all stations. Send us resumes with a photo+copy of alien registration card/student card for selection. Shuko IMACHI (Child Support Group "Mama`s Table"): reve@air.ocn.ne.jp http://www14. ocn.ne.jp/~reve/

Native English Teacher Wanted Native English teacher

wanted to teach kids and adults from February on Thursdays, ASAP as a part time job. Near Hankyu Sonoda St. 4-year-degree preferable.

2,700~ + transportation. Please send your resume with the recent picture. active-english@zeus.eonet.ne.jp

Japanese staff, English part time teacher 日本人スタッ

フ、講師募集 We are looking for a

Japanese staff / teacher and English part time teacher for kids and adult in Ibarakishi and Suita. 5 days a week. Please call 072-637-

9899 or send your resume to royalenglish725@gmail.com Royal English School 日本人スタッフ、講 師、週5日で入れる方、募集中 Teachers Wanted School in Ashiya/Okamoto is looking

for FT/PT English and French teachers ASAP. University diploma is preferable. Must be native speaker with valid visa. Payment: 2700-3000yen per hour and transportation. Contact us by email: ashiyaplus@hotmail.co.jp

Part-time English Teacher Work two days a week from

April 2013. Qualification: TESOL etc. Pay 3,000 yen per 45-minute lesson + transportation. Send your resume to: Takimoto(Mr) Kansai International High School, Tennoji, Osaka-city Tel: 06-6621-8108 • Email: T_Takimoto@tg-group. ac.jp • URL: http://www.tg-group. ac.jp/kihs FT English Teaching Position FT&PT English

Teaching Positions available 25 min. south of Kyoto City.

Visa sponsorship available.

Transportation fee provided. Private school with over 200 students from 3 yrs to adults. Looking for fun, motivated native speakers. Please send resume w/photo to english_ oasis@deluxe.ocn.ne.jp

Kindergarten Teacher wanted Senshin Gakuen

status and expiration specifications.

Tel. 0797 77-1115. http://www. chachaenglish.com/

information, please forward resume with availability to mark@cesjapan. co.jp

Maths Tutor Wanted Maths Tutor Wanted for Grade

Seeking Native English Teacher for kids & adults Come

7 student. (Native English speaker, non-smoking female). Saturdays or Sundays (near Nishitanabe Station, Osaka). Please Contact: Rabyc@ who.int with copy to: manonraby@ gmail.com Native English Teacher Wanted Working days/hours

negotiable. Requirements: Native English speaker ONLY. Must have a Bachelor's degree and proper working visa. Previous experience advantageous. Location: near Hankyu Mikage station. Please send resume with photo to kobe@ aie-campus.com tel:078-822-3406 http://www.aie.co.jp

F/T NATIVE ENGLISH TEACHER

¥250,000~ ¥290,000/mth. Teaching children & adults, Mon ~ Fri. School is west from Kobe. Initial contract is 1yr with view to long term employ. REQUIREMENTS: Experienced teacher, hold approp visa, living in Japan at least 2yrs, Japanese conv ability. Email the manager for more details / send CVs. Manager: bluegum-english@ ac.auone-net.jp Teaching/Sales Position Seeking 2-3 new PT teachers

Kindergarten seeks F/T teachers.

Must: -currently reside in Japan (Osaka) -be a native English speaker with a 4 year degree -LOVE kids!

-have a valid working visa. Send cover letter and resume to: FAX: 0736-37-2237 email: international @ senshin.ed.jp (no spaces)

for high energy teaching/sales position for spring campaign. We have a system to maximize your time. Competitive salary. Must possess working visa. Resume to michaelsenglishschool@gmail.com

by Feb 17 midnight. Interviews Feb 21, 22 & 23 in Tennoji. Decisions on Feb 24th.

Part time English teacher

ENGLISH Part Time teacher

in Shiga/Osaka: Looking for Juku English teachers at various locations in Shiga and Osaka. 2 hours in the evening, 1-5 days a week work is available. ¥3,000-¥4,000 /hour.

Transportation up to ¥2,000/day.

E-mail: Akiko Sanada (Ivy Co., Ltd.) at umeda@ivy-ryuugaku.com

in Umeda Seeking PT teacher from February 2013. Available Thu evenings and Sat morning. Must be native speaker, univ. degree and with proper working visa. See our website www.euro-lingual.com and send resume to abc@saboji. com, with photo and visa status and expiration specifications.

Part Time English Teacher

Needed EMERGENCY! We are looking for a part-time English teacher for kids at a school in Aramoto (Higashi-Osaka, on subway Chuo line). It is very relaxed and easy going atmosphere.

The pay is 3,500 yen per hour for group lessons. Hours are Monday, Wednesday, Friday afternoon and evening. Send your resume. Manabu Tamura: tamokun@nifty.com http:// tamokuntamokun.cocolog-nifty. com/blog/2013/01/post-dc11.html ENGLISH Part Time teacher

School in Takarazuka is looking for a part time teacher of English who can teach from 2pm to 6pm on Sundays from February. Send resume to chachaenglish2007@ gmail.com, with photo and visa

P/T English teacher TKC

provides after school care for elementary school kids. We need energetic native English speakers who can give fun English time at Senri-Chuo, Ibaraki-City in Osaka & Nishinomiya-kitaguchi in Hyogo. M-F 2-7pm ¥180,000/mon Japanese skills preferred. Experience with kids & proper working visa required. Misa Kitayama: m-kitayama@serio-corp.com Kansai Corporate Positions CES is seeking

professional, experienced English instructors for p/t and semi-f/t corporate class positions in Kobe, Osaka, Shiga, Kyoto from February/ March 2013. P/t hourly rates 3,5004,500 yen per hour. For further

and teach–you will enjoy your year(s). Located 3min walk from Nakamozu St. on the Midosuji line & the Nankai Kouya, Semboku line.

(20min from Namba) Teaching experience preferred & proper working visa needed. Send CV and a recent photo at teddybear@sakai. zaq.ne.jp 090 2114 5335.Tokis Co., Ltd. http://www.sakai.zaq.ne.jp/ teddy/

> General Panasonic Center Osaka (Opens April 2013) / Hiring Staff

for New Large Showroom Core responsibilities include customer service & acting as bridge between Panasonic and customers as a service professional. Selected candidates will serve as vehicle for communications while presenting actual products/services. Must speak Japanese + (proficiency in at least) 1 foreign language. Contact: Ms. Aoyagi info@emsp.co.jp http:// www.emsp.co.jp/jobs_list/

FLYER STAFF School in Umeda

needs flyer staff. Please send your CV or resume, photo, and times you can work to employment[at] coaching-english.jp. (Please change the [at] to @...)

Seeking friendly staff International bar in

Kitashinchi, Umeda is looking for friendly female staff to work from 8-11 p.m. Work available 1-5 nights per week depending on staff desirability. Contact for interview and more information. Aoto: chosheenmama@yahoo.co.jp Bilingual JP Assistant Established English language

institute seeking high-energy, 21-33yrs, Japanese bilingual secretarial staff for well-paid PT assistant position. Must have sales experience. Send resume to michaelsenglishschool@gmail.com

by Feb 17 midnight. Interviews Feb 21, 22 & 23 in Tennoji. Decision on Feb 24th.

Sales Position Eikaiwa seeking 2 foreign female sales

staff for spring campaign. Must have basic Japanese skills. Russian, French or Spanish a plus. 3 shifts/ week, 3 hours/shift. Avg4000 yen/h.

Resume to michaelsenglishschool@ gmail.com by Feb 17 midnight.

Interviews Feb 21, 22 & 23 in Tennoji. Decisions Feb 24th.

51

Kansai Scene magazine february 2013 kansaiscene.com

For Rent Bentencho/Osakako apartments available Bentencho:1DK for 55000

semi furnish**1DK for 60000 semi furnish**1DK for 65000 fully**2LDK 85000 unfurnish.

OSAKAKO:1R 55000 semi furnish**2DK 70000 semi furnish**2DK 85000 fully furnish.

No key money/No Agency fees/No Guarantors needed. 3month min. stay, 1month refundable deposit.

Alex 09037030314 http://www. abhousingosaka.com

2DK Osakako Fully Furnished 75000yen/month

1min walk to Osakako subway, 35 square meter apartment. 13min trainride to downtown Osaka.

No key money, No guarantors, No agency fees, 3month min. stay required. 2nd floor and 4th floor apart. available. Alex 09037030314. alex@abhousingosaka.com http:// www.abhousingosaka.com KOBE APARTMENTS Semifurnished apartments

available No key money, no agency fee.

Refundable deposit 2 mnths rent KITANO \86,000 37sqm. Newly renovated KASUGANOMICHI. \79,000 43sqm. Convenient MIKAGE \98,000 68sqm. Sunny, views, natural OKAMOTO/ MIKAGE \98,000 63sqm. Views ffeilden@yahoo.co.jp 090-9286-1216

Room/Flat Share Penthouse Apartment in Kobe! 124-square-meter apartment

with gorgeous ocean and city views has room available. Private rooms.

All modern appliances and many extras (surround-sound theater system, 2-person sized bathtub, etc) 45000 yen+ bills. Non-smokers only please. See blog and/or contact Darren. All rooms now fully furnished zoobiechan110@

yahoo.com http://www.kobeliving. blogspot.jp/

session. maruku0224@gmail.com http://mysticism.homepagelife.jp

Courses and Classes

Language Exchange

Yamamoto Miki Handicraft School Make original items

British English language exchange please Im a friendly

-bags, pouches & sewing kits, using ribbons, beads, lace... How about children's start of school kits?

Bring clothes to repair/renovate. ¥2000/2hr class. 10am-9pm M-F, 1-5pm Sat. Pls bk 090-8797-5725 miki-y.tg7@docomo.ne.jp Everyone is welcome!

Events 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 Sakaisuji-Hommachi and Kitahama. Call: Moritomo Ken 066572-6877 https://sites.google.com/ site/osakasoroban/ Gaitomo Osaka International Party is

held at Umeda. Feb 16 (Sat) 7:00pm~10:30pm at Cafenne. Mar 9 (Sat) 7:00pm~10:00pm at ALMA LATINA. Only 1500yen. Free food & Drink Cash bar. Not club music, talking main. Gaitomo is the biggest party in Tokyo. http://gaitomo.com/

Other New-Age Mysticism Seminar New-Age Mysticism

Seminar, once a month in Kyoto.

There is first a talk about new-age spirituality and the coming changes to occur in society from that perspective. To wrap it up, human civilization has been building roots and now is ready for sprouting.

Then there's a meditation/healing

guy hoping to find one serious lady for long term . lets enjoy 2 language worlds on a regular basis helping each other. Thank you uk1seaview@ yahoo.ie English-Japanese in Umeda or Kobe! English teacher is

looking for a Japanese language exchange partner. Lets speak 30 mintues in Japanese and 30 minutes in English at a cafe in Umeda or Kobe. Hope to be good friends as well. exchange-in-umeda@whoever. com English - Japanese Language Exchange Hello! My

name is Carol, I am 18 years old and I live in England. I am looking for an English Japanese language exchange. Visit my profile on Language for Exchange http://www. languageforexchange.com

English-Japanese in Umeda/ Kobe! Friendly English teacher

in late 30s is looking for a Japanese friend for language exchange and friendship. I hope to practice my Japanese and help you with your English. Yoroshiku! feelyou@japan. com

Japanese English language Exchange I am a

JM who is looking for native English speakers who wants to speak Japanese !! I can help you speak Japanese and I can teach you Kansai dialect if you want to learn. please email me . cheers japaneseladdie@ ezweb.ne.jp

Announcements 1/27(SUN) POTLUCK IN JAPANESE If you are studying

Japanese, and need conversation

in Japanese. Enjoy lunch and make a conversation with Japanese people in Japanese. Bring some foods or drinks. Reserve a seat.

Foreign people - ¥0 Contact: cflat. nihongo@gmail.com http://www. freespacecflat.com/ OSAKA YWCA BRIDGES EVENT

Kitchen Street and Kuromon Market Tour Love eating and cooking?

Come to see the center of gourmet city. Sat. Feb. 23 11-13:30 Meet at Osaka Subway Nippombashi Station (K17) at 11. Max. 10 By Feb. 1 http://osaka.ywca.or.jp/english/ Personal Development on the Left Hand Path Currently

beginning a discussion and study group about personal development on the Left Hand Path. Discussions held in both English and Japanese. For more details contact xeperinjapan@gmail.com https:// xeper.org//

Pets Love Animals? Help Them!

Japan Cat Network helps people help pets. Want to help the stray and abandoned cats in your community?

We can show you how! Contact us at info@japancatnet.com

Free Giveaways give you English recipe

books for free. Hello. This title tell you all. Please pay its postage.

For more details, please send me e-mails. Lia: molah72@yahoo.co.jp

Sorry…

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

See kansaiscene.com for more classifieds online!

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