Kansai News » Kansai Entertainment

Ringing in the New Year Watching TV

Kyle Yates — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 00:35:25 +0000

How will you spend New Year’s Eve? People around the world
spend the special evening celebrating the old year and the new year
about to start in different ways. Some go to parties. Some will
visit shrines or temples or even churches. However, as for
Japanese, a vast majority will sit in front of their brand spanking
new HD TVs this New Year’s Eve. Why? Japan is going completely
digital in 2011. In November last month, a huge number of nihonjin
(Japanese) bought HD TVs so they would qualify to receive Eco
Points, a system created to stimulate sales and give people more
spending power under the guise of being Green. Those who just
bought a much wider screen TV will want to experience the new high
definition shows already available and get their money’s worth from
the new entertainment device. Some, like myself, will maybe have a
party where friends can also join in on the experience. Happy New
Year hi-def style!

Osaka Hikari Renaissance 2010

Kyle Yates — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 11:07:31 +0000

Enjoy another year of illumination in Osaka thanks to the efforts of Osaka Hikari-Renaissance Executive Committee. This year’s show should be another beautiful display of lights for holiday goers to enjoy.

Locations - Nakanoshima, Kita-ku, Osaka

In front of Osaka City Hall, Miotsukushi Promenade road and surrounding area, Osaka Central Public Hall to Nakanoshima Park(Rose garden, Kensaki Park) and the north public square of Osaka Science Museum.

Osaka Hikari Renaissance

Dates – Saturday December 11 to Christmas Day, Saturday December 25, 2010

Hours – 17:00 – 22:00

Seeking Musicians

Kyle Yates — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 22:59:10 +0000

The Phoenix Hall in the Kita Ward of Osaka is offering the hall to talented musicians free of charge on select dates in 2011 as a part of arts and cultural activities sponsored by Nissay Dowa General Insurance Company, which operates the venue.

The hall will be available February 2, March 2, July 6 and August 3.

Anyone wishing to use the hall can obtain an application form from the website Phoenix Hall. Thr deadline to apply is January 29.

For more information call (06) 6363-0211.

Pirates of the Dotombori Back Again

Kyle Yates — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 23:01:55 +0000

The improv comedy group known as the Pirates of the Dotombori will perform at Balanushka in the Chou Ward of Osaka on April 26 from 7:30pm.

The improv group performs short sketches in English and Japanese.

There is a one-drink minimum requirement for those who attend the comedy.

Call (06)6536-5369 for more information.

How to become a Kyoto Cinema Member

Kyle Yates — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 03:38:55 +0000

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 card and a membership card, a monthly newspaper explaining the movies along with information. However, this newspaper is in Japanese only.

From the point you become a Kyoto Cinema Member, you only have to pay 1000 yen to get into movies instead of the 1800 yen per adult ticket. This price is good any day of the week, something usually only women and children experience; women on Wednesdays and students anytime until they graduate university.

Each time you go to a movie, the cashier will stamp your point card. Each time the card is stamped 10 times, you receive a free ticket. NOTE: You must get the card stamped 10 times within your one-year membership.

The cinema has three theaters. One is larger than the other two. But all of the theaters are relatively smaller than other cinemas like Movix, Kyoto. However, the cinema shows very good quality Japanese movies and foreign films in their native languages with Japanese subtitles.

For more information about Kyoto Cinema visit their website.

Alpha Station FM-Kyoto 89.4 Playing Better Music

Kyle Yates — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 02:39:12 +0000

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 times at the radio station, staff have had to make adjustments and figure out a better way to keep the hurting radio station alive and playing. The schedule of the music has changed and even more importantly, the music.

Listen to more English music than all the others, and not just the most popular stuff, which at times can be a turn-off. Listen to music from around the world from artists who actually know how to sing and play.

Visit their website and tune into the station today!

89.4 FM-Kyoto

Listen Live Online!

Gospel Christmas at Tenpozan Market Place

Kyle Yates — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 10:16:39 +0000

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 Place in the Minato Ward of Osaka.

Call (06) 6576-5501 for more information on the event.

Tempozan Market Place

International Comedy Improv

Kyle Yates — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 02:51:55 +0000

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 is one of the oldest popular pool and darts bars in Osaka. They offer 2 pool tables and 4 hard dart boards for free. Enjoy live sports games on a 180 inch screen and 4 other TVs. Happy hour is everyday from 6-9pm Monday thru Thursday, and 6-8pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

For more information see the website or call (06) 6211-5369.

Address: Mittera Kaikan 4F 5-9-2 Nishishinsaibashi, Chuo-ku, Osaka
大阪市中央区西心斎橋2-9-5 日宝三ツ寺会館4F

Balabushka Pool and Darts Bar

Alicia Saldenha at Rug Time in Osaka

Kyle Yates — Fri, 02 May 2008 01:29:34 +0000

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. Her blog is can be accessed Here for more information about her and her band, Larry Ransome (drums), Akio Ino (guitar), and Koji Nankaku (bass).

Admission is 2500 yen. For more information on Rug Time, Osaka, call (06) 6214-5306.

Japanese Films

Kyle Yates — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 14:59:17 +0000

The anime film “Phoenix 2772 – Space Firebird”, based on Osamu Tezuka’s “The Phoenix”, with English subtitles, will show on Saturday, January 12th from 4pm at Osaka International House.

On the following Saturdays at 4pm there will be other films being shown.

January 19th – “Sasameyuki” – Based on the novel by Junichiro Tanizaki shown with English subtitles.

January 26th – “Narayama-bushi-ko” – Shown with Korean subtitles.

Seating is limited to 180 people per show.

Tickets are sold at the information center of Osaka International House for 500 yen.

Reservations can be made by postcard, fax or by email.

Call (06) 6773-8182 for more information.