https://kansainews.com News for the Kansai area of Japan in English! Fri, 20 Mar 2009 23:53:52 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Do you drive a car in Japan or want to but are afraid of the high toll road fees? Well, at least for the next two years, you will be able to drive anywhere outside the Kansai region for a total of 1000 yen. That's right, 1000 yen! Japan has decided ... https://kansainews.com/?p=454 An International Exchange Festidal will be held in Moriguchi, Osaka on March 8, from 11am to 3pm at Canadian Square. There will be stage performances, Salsa and flamenco dancing, a variety of world music, ethnic food and various workshops. For more information call (06) 6998-3310. https://kansainews.com/?p=448 Do you like hot springs? If so, then if you visit Japan, you will feel like you are in Heaven...if you don't mind taking your clothes off and bathing with a bunch of other naked people; usually same-sex, not the opposite. Japan is loaded with hot springs. The country lies along ... https://kansainews.com/?p=446 The famous Romantic Train in Arashiyama begins running its scenic tour along the Hozugawa river on March 1st and will continue running until December 29th. The Torroko trolley travels 7.3 kilometers in distance along the river and through 8 tunnels between Torroko Saga and Kameoka stations. The duration of the trip ... https://kansainews.com/?p=440 Become a Kyoto Cinema Member for only 4000 yen a year! Save 800 yen each time you buy an adult movie ticket! With a membership, you receive 2 free tickets that you can use anytime within the one-year membership period or give them away to someone you like. Members receive a point ... https://kansainews.com/?p=434 National Foundation Day is a national holiday celebrated annually on February 11th in Japan. The day commemorates the founding of the nation and the first emperor, Jimmu, a controversial issue considering Amaterasu, the Meiji Emperor, declared himself the one, true ruler of Japan. However, historians have yet to find evidence of ... https://kansainews.com/?p=423 Kyoka Okumura, SakuraKyoka.com, will show off her paintings and artwork at Café Restaurant Akamama in Arashiyama from March 12th to 17th. Her artwork will be on display from 11am to 6pm, but will only be available until 5pm on the last day of the show. Café Restaurant Akamama is about 300 ... https://kansainews.com/?p=414 Date& Time: Sat., 28th Feb., 2009 1:00-5:30 pm (doors open 12:30) Venue: Performance Space, Dawn Center 1F, Temmabashi, Osaka 3-49, 1-chome Otemae, Chuo-ku, Osaka, 5400008 JAPAN Temmabashi on Osaka subway or Keihan line http://www.dawncenter.or.jp/english/contact.html#how_to_access Admission: FREE! As you know, Welsh people are famously proud of their musical talents. Consequently, the theme of this year’s Welsh Cultural Festival is ... https://kansainews.com/?p=407 Mr Obama is now President of the USA. We applaud him and wish him well during his 4-year term in office. May God bless his presidency! https://kansainews.com/?p=404 On February 7th, 2009 from 1pm to 4:30pm, Kyoto International House will be hosting a housing network event where information on about 1000 rooms are put up for viewing. There will be a small tea corner with the landlords. An English and Chinese interpreter will be provided for the event ... https://kansainews.com/?p=400 Christmas is only two days away! It is celebrated all over the world by Christians and non-Christians alike, especially in Japan where only about 1% of the population are Christian. However, in recent years, Christmas has gained in popularity even among non-Christians as the gift-giving part of the holiday catches ... https://kansainews.com/?p=397 Alpha Station FM-Kyoto has been around for quite some time, but hasn't had as much luck with attracting listeners as other radio stations around the Kansai area. But that has changed, recently, with the playing of more music and less interruptions like many of the other radio stations! Thanks to hard ... https://kansainews.com/?p=394 Do you like Gospel music? What better time to listen to Gospel music than at Christmas time! From December 20th to 21st from 3pm to 5pm, Osaka Soulmatics Mass Choir, OSM Gospel Ensemble and other choirs that won prizes in the Tenpozan Gospel Festival will perform 30-minute sets at Tenpozan Market ... https://kansainews.com/?p=391 Bamboo forest walkways near Nonomiya Shrine and the area around Togetsukyo bridge will be illuminated including various other places around the Arashiyama district of Ukyo Ward in Kyoto. The illumination event will take place until December 21st and is from 5pm until 8:30pm. Daikakuji temple and other areas will be open to ... https://kansainews.com/?p=387 Are you ready for Christmas? Even though the main reason for Christmas is to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, many people, however, cannot deny feeling the need to focus on shopping for presents to give their loved ones, coworkers and friends. There are many other things to do besides shopping ... https://kansainews.com/?p=377 Kobe Luminarie is getting more and more popular every year. Thousands and thousands of people from all over Japan flock to Kobe to walk through the huge light display. For many, it puts them in the Christmas spirit or winter frame of mind. This year's event will be held from December ... https://kansainews.com/?p=370 On December 7th, Kyoto International House in Sakyo Ward, Kyoto will hold a free counseling service on legal matters, visas, social insurance, labor, health and taxes. Interpretation assistance in English, Chinese, Korean, Spanish, Portuguese and Thai will be available. Consultations will be from 1pm to 5pm. To apply for a consultation call ... https://kansainews.com/?p=368 People are gearing up for momiji season this year. It's the HOT topic around Japan! Pamplets designed to inform people on momiji viewing places are being handed at stations, in neighborhoods and just about anywhere people gather. Anyone who wants to see the beautiful red, yellow and orange Japanese maple ... https://kansainews.com/?p=357 Did you know Starbucks gives lessons on how to make coffee and what foods to serve along with the dark brew? Starbucks on Sanjo in Kyoto gave a lesson to mothers with newborn babies. Starbucks staff sectioned off an area in the back of the shop for roughly 2 hours. Mother ... https://kansainews.com/?p=355 The Keihan train company opened up a new train line October 19th leading to Nakanoshima, the south end of the Keihan line branching off from Temmabashi station into another area of Osaka away from Yodoyabashi station. In the process of adding the new train line, train schedules were changed and many ... https://kansainews.com/?p=353 On September 24th, 2008, Taro Aso assumed the office of Japanese Prime Minister after Yasuo Fukuda resigned from his position. Prime Minister Aso has a long history working in government and is closely associated to many political and royal Japanese figures through birth, friendship and other relatives. Many people like Prime Minister ... https://kansainews.com/?p=343 In April, Japanese cherry blossoms bring in spring, while the Japanese momiji, known as the Japanese maple, announces autumn has come. If you are traveling in Japan, make sure you come in autumn at least once in your lifetime to see the Japanese maples in their vibrant yellows, oranges and reds. The ... https://kansainews.com/?p=337 Normally, rainy season is before summer. But with the recent wind currents snaking over the country, Japan has had tons more rain than it got during the official rainy season. While Tokyo has seen torrential rains and flooding, the Kansai region has also had its share of downpours and flooding. Now that ... https://kansainews.com/?p=335 On September 21st, from 7pm to 9pm, the International group, Pirates of Dotombori will perform improvised sketches based on the audience suggestions. The improv will be held at Balabushka Pool & Darts Bar, in the Chuo Ward of Osaka. Balabushka ... https://kansainews.com/?p=333 News reporters and other Japanese officials gathered at Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda's official residence at his request to hear him speak about his resigning as Japanese Prime Minister. The meeting started at a little after 9:30pm. Prime Minister Fukuda is the second Japanese prime minister to resign abruptly. Last year, Prime ... https://kansainews.com/?p=326 Since Costco came into Japan, many stores have popped up offering almost as low prices for items of similar size and quality. Some stores even offer items made in America at low prices, but not many. Although they are not made by the same manufacturers, most items I frequently buy ... https://kansainews.com/?p=320 The economy in Japan has recovered, not fully, but well enough where people are spending money and traveling more freely without worries over whether or not they'll have a job or money enough to provide for the next meal and house over their heads. But for some whether the country ... https://kansainews.com/?p=318 There will be an Indonesian Fair from 10am to 2pm on August 31st, 2008 on the 4th floor of the Kobe Life Entertainment Center in Kobe. The Kobe Indonesian Society will give a class on cooking Indonesian dishes. There will also be a seminar on how to play the Indonesian percussion ... https://kansainews.com/?p=312 Kyoto was once the capital of Japan. Now, it is the capital city of Kyoto Prefecture and one of the three major cities in the Kansai metropolitan area which include Osaka and Kobe cities. Kyoto is a blend of old and new Japan with hints of European and western culture. ... https://kansainews.com/?p=296 Heavy rain and lightning have been hitting Tokyo, Osaka, Kobe and Kyoto areas causing flash flooding, power outages and many other problems lately. Heavy thunderstorms in Tokyo caused flooding in rural Shinjuku and surrounding areas. People were stranded in their cars and some even had to abandon their cars otherwise they ... https://kansainews.com/?p=284 Daimonji Gozan Okuribi (Daimonji Bonfire) is an event held annually on the evening of August 16th. Giant Chinese characters and Japanese motifs are lit on fire on the tops of select mountains around Kyoto City basin. [ad#adsense2] Six fires in the shapes of giant kanji characters and Japanese motifs are lit on ... https://kansainews.com/?p=272 Prime PC shut their website down July 31, 2008. Anyone wishing to purchase a computer or components from Prime PC will only be able to in Japanese. They are no longer providing English support or English computers with English Operating Systems. [ad#adsense2] All future purchases need to be made via http://dospara.co.jp in ... https://kansainews.com/?p=271 While Hiroshima is not in the Kansai area of Japan, it is close. Besides that, it's one of the most important festivals throughout Japan. [ad#adsense2] Hiroshima Atomic Bomb Memorial Day service is held every year on August 6th to commemorate the dropping of the A-bomb on Hiroshima during World War II. It ... https://kansainews.com/?p=269 The Meteorological Agency of Japan has officially declared rainy season over in Western Japan, 7 days earlier than last year and 4 days earlier than the average year. Rainy season is generally not the best time to visit Japan. However, rainy season in Japan does not mean that it rains every ... https://kansainews.com/?p=268 With all the disasters happening around the world, it's nice to know there is a way to get in touch with friends and family in the event a disaster happens in Japan. Many people, if not most, have a cellular phone in Japan. For cellular phones to be out of service ... https://kansainews.com/?p=267 On July 27th from 12pm to 6pm the Kobe Bay Sheraton Hotel & Towers will host a Japanese Sake Festival. The hotel is located in Higashi-Nada, Kobe. There will be over 100 types of Japanese sake for visitors to taste. An entrance fee of 2000 yen can be paid for in advance ... https://kansainews.com/?p=263 The Kobe YMCA is giving free Japanese lessons for beginners. The lessons begin July 4th to August 29th on Mondays and Fridays from 6:30pm to 8:20pm at the YMCA Language Center in the Chuo Ward of Kobe. Anyone interested in joining the free lessons should contact the YMCA in order to ... https://kansainews.com/?p=261 Enjoy exquisite flavors of India at a newly opened restaurant, Indian owned and operated, just a few minutes from Toyonaka Hankyu station in Toyonaka City, Osaka. Suryodaya opened their doors to the public in May this year. They are located 5 to 10 minutes from the station, depending on how fast ... https://kansainews.com/?p=257 The Gion Matsuri Festival is one of the three largest festivals in Japan. It is held for over an entire month. The parade during Gion is the largest event and takes place on July 17th. On that day, 32 huge wooden floats will be paraded through the city streets. [ad#adsense2] A large ... https://kansainews.com/?p=255 From 10am to 5pm from June 27th to 29th, Japanese, Asian and Western art pieces will be on sale at Pulse Plaza in Fushimi, Kyoto. The event is one of the largest of its kind in Japan. About 350 antique dealers will participate in the event and more than 1.5 ... https://kansainews.com/?p=251 Osaka Employment Service Center for Foreigners in Kita, Osaka will hold briefing sessions on June 25th for foreigners wishing to work in Japan. Reservations are necessary. For more information, call (06) 6344-1135. https://kansainews.com/?p=250 From August 8th to 17th, Osakajo Hall at Osaka Castle in Osaka will present a story about seven Disney princesses. Show times will differ daily and tickets are available in advance for 5800 yen and 4200 yen. For more information call (06) 7732-8877. https://kansainews.com/?p=249 The Ramada Osaka will open a beer garden on the hotel's rooftop beginning on June 11th to September 12th for any beer lovers in the Kansai area! Prices in comparison to other beer gardens are substantially lower and children can join in on the occasion, but of course cannot drink any ... https://kansainews.com/?p=248 On June 21st and 22nd at 2pm Geiko and Maiko apprentice geiko from Kyoto's five entertainment districts will perform traditional dances at Kyoto Kaikan Hall in Sakyo Ward, Kyoto. Tickets are 9000 yen and 5000 yen. For more information call (075) 561-3901. https://kansainews.com/?p=247 All-you-can-drink beer will be from May 31st from 2:30pm to 7pm and June 1, from 11am to 4:30pm at Kyocera Dome in Nishi Ward, Osaka. The event will offer 120 different draft beers, including 60 different brands that have won awards at international beer competitions. Tickets are 3600 yen in advance and ... https://kansainews.com/?p=241 Are you a student from China, Taiwan or South Korea studying at a graduate school here in Japan? If so, you may be interested to know the Osaka Convention and Tourism Bureau is seeking interns at the bureau. The internship will be in two terms: August 18th to 29th and January 19th to 30th. Five students will be accepted each ... https://kansainews.com/?p=240 Bicycle thieves are on the loose in Kyoto! 25 bicycles have been stolen around Sanjo area of Kyoto in the past week. The police are out in full standing on street corners stopping people on bicycles riding by. One girl was stopped by a policeman after crossing the Sanjo bridge. The policeman ... https://kansainews.com/?p=237 The Foreign and Justice Ministries of Japan may soon give preferential treatment to foreigners applying for residential and extended visas. The goal of the ministries is to allow more foreign workers into Japan to help stimulate economic and population growth due to a rapidly aging population. The plan aims to ease ... https://kansainews.com/?p=234 Alicia Saldenha a local Soul-Jazz singer-songwriter will be performing at Rug Time, Osaka on May 16th at 7:30pm, 9pm and 10:30pm that night. Rug Time is located in the Across Building in Shinsaibashi suji on the 4th floor. The address is: 2-6-14 Shinsaibashi suji. Alicia has a personal blog at KansaiBlogger.com. ... https://kansainews.com/?p=226 The Yomiuri Shimbun (newspaper) will host a seminar on June 7th on how to use The Daily Yomiuri to improve scores on the TOEIC test. The seminar will be held at The Yomiuri Shimbun, in the Kita Ward of Osaka at 1:30pm. 150 people will be selected by lottery and receive ... https://kansainews.com/?p=222