Jidai Matsuri Festival in Kyoto (event on Oct 22, 2013)

The Jidai Matsuri is one of 3 big festivals in Kyoto. About 2000 participants dressed in the historically traditional costumes from every period of Japanese history will parade from the Imperial Palace to Heian Shrine. It takes about 2 hours to watch the entire event.


2013/10/22 (Tue) Starting from the Imperial Palace at 12:00 and finishing at Heian Shrine at 14:30.


http://www.kyoto-magonote.jp/en/topics/koyomi/koyomi201310.html
http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/location/spot/festival/jidai.html

Shika no Tsunokiri – deer antler cutting ceremony in Nara (event on from Oct 12th to 14th, 2013)

Each year since 1971, to prevent injuries to both people and other deer, Shika no Tsunokiri (deer antler cutting ceremony) is held at the deer park at Kasuga Taisha (Kasuga Grand Shrine) in Nara. You can't see any other event like this in any other place in Japan.



Access:
From JR or Kintetsu Nara Station - 15 min. on foot.

2013/10/12 (Sat) to 14th (Mon/Holiday) for 3 days
from 12:00 - 15:00
Admission fee: 1000 yen (adult), 500 yen (child)






http://www.tubbygaijin.com/japan/shika-no-tsunokiri-deer-antler-cutting-ceremony-in-nara/


Nara information:
http://www.pref.nara.jp/dd.aspx?itemid=79931#itemid79931

Kobe Jazz street festival (event on Oct 12th & 13th, 2013)

There is a Jazz festival coming soon in Kobe. Purchase an addmission tag for 1 or 2 days and visit live houses and churches to enjoy jazz music around Sanomiya, the Kitano area and Tor Road.

1-day tag - 4500 yen (4000 yen if bought in advance)
2-day tag - 8500 yen (7500 yen if bought in advance)


2013/10/12 (Sat) - 13th (Sun) 12：00-17：00

*There will be an opening parade from Sanomiya to Kitanocho along Tor Road, starting at 11:00 am for around 40 minutes.


http://www.kobejazzstreet.gr.jp/spirit/english.html


http://www.city.kobe.lg.jp/information/press/2013/07/img/201307300103.pdf

Festival in Sakai - Sakai matsuri (event on Oct 19th & 20th, 2013)

Sakai Matsuri has been held annually since 1974 and it will be on Oct 19th and 20th in 2013.

<Schedule>
Big parade along the Oshoji Symbol Road 

2013/10/20(Sun) 11:00～15:30

Market at Xavier Park
2013/10/19(Sat) 10:00～20:00
2013/10/20（Sun） 10:00～18:00

Tea ceremony 2013/10/19(Sat)･20(Sun)　
at Nanshu-ji temple 9:00～15:30
at Daisen Park 10:00～15:30


http://www.sakai-tcb.or.jp/s-matsuri/
http://www.sakai-tcb.or.jp/s-matsuri/gaiyo.php
http://www.osaka-info.jp/jp/search/detail/event_5116.html

Access:
Nakai rail way at Sakaihigashi station, JR Hanwa line Mozu station,


FYI
Sakai Matsuri in 2012
http://www.sakai-tcb.or.jp/sakaimatsuri2012/gaiyo.html


A Pre-Parade opening event is held on the Saturday before the parade in the Sakai Civic Hall. The Pre-parade Party features local performers, entertainers and manzai comedians, as well as a Futon-daiko performance outside.


About Sakai
http://www.sakai-tcb.or.jp/english/

Market in Osaka - Kuromon ichiba

Osaka used to be called "The kitchen of nation" (Tenka-no-daidokoro) and Kuromon ichiba is one representative of that. There are about 180 shops; mainly fish stores. They sell luxury food so the prices may be a little expensive but the quality is high. The Osaka Municipal Wholesale Market is closed on Wednesdays so many stores in Kuromon ichiba are also closed.

Access:
http://www.kuromon.com/access.php
Exit 10 at Nipponnbashi station, Sennichimae or Sakaisuji line, Osaka subway.

http://www.kuromon.com/

Weather News - Typhoon as of 2013/9/13

According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, Typhoon No.18 is approaching to Japan and there are concerns about strong wind and heavy rain around Sep 15th and 16th in Kinki, Kanto & Tokai area.

Weather warnings/Advisories
http://www.jma.go.jp/en/warn/index.html

For more information please check the following site.
http://www.jma.go.jp/en/typh/


For information about weather in Osaka
http://www.jma.go.jp/en/week/331.html

Tips for a Japanese office

You may find it difficult to communicate with your Japanese colleagues. Most cases it is a just misunderstanding based on the different social cultures or customs. People usually take actions based on their social expectations.

People understand the contents of conversations from the point of view of their home countries' customs or general rules, and are subconsciously affected by their social norms.


<In the office>

When you enter the office you need to say "Ohayo gozaimasu" (Good morning) and when you leave office "Osakini shitsureishimasu" (I'm leaving before you).  If you are staying at the office and a colleague is going home you say "Otsukaresamadeshita" (Thank you for your hard work) otherwise people feel you are being rude.

You should also use a persons family name plus "san" which means something like Mr or Ms. For example, Mr Tanaka is "Tanaka-san" and Ms Suzuki is "Suzuki-san". "San" is gender free.


<In the meeting>

Many foreigner often say that Japanese are pessimistic. When you bring up a new idea, Japanese colleagues may research risks and disadvantages first, not the benefits. They try to understand what could happen in the worst scenario and plan around those dangers to prevent failure.

Making plans tends to be very important for Japanese. Japanese business culture does not take the "proceed and fix things as you go along" approach. But once they set the plan in motion things move forward smoothly.


During the meeting, you may feel that your Japanese colleagues are very quiet as if they don't have any opinions of their own. They tend to wait for the speaker to finish talking and then move on to next person. Some people are shy or not confident their ideas so they may wait until their turns. It is consider polite to wait to end of someone's speach and not interrupt with questions or comments.

<At the restaurant>

To me it appears that Japanese people are not strong for alcohol but they (especially men) like going out to drink after work and getting drunk on a weekly basis.  If you are with a group of Japanese colleagues at a restaurant, don't pour your own drink, allow someone else to do it for you and return the favour if you see someone else's glass is empty.

When you use chopstick well, Japanese people will appear amazed and say you are good at it every time you eat Japanese food with them but don't be angry or upset.  People just want to talk to you and are looking for some easier topics to start a conversation with you.


<In public space>
It is well known that Japanese people fall asleep on the train. I personally think that Japanese are not good at getting up in early morning (I'm definitely not good at getting up early!). Some women are putting full makeup on the train or in the toilet an the office in the morning. Japanese girls tend to feel embarrassed to meet people they know without makeup. You may feel it is strange but please don't stare at them.

Japanese people rarely entertain guests in their homes.  If you are invited to the home of your Japanese colleague or boss, consider it a great honour.  When you visit, you should take a small gift, such a cake or wine.

<Consider unlucky in Japan>

Don't write someone's name in red ink.  When I was a child, I was told that red ink is used to write the name of the deceased so it is considered bad luck in Japan.

Also the numbers "4" and "9" are considered unlucky in Japan.  The number four is "shi" in Japanese, which can also mean "death", and nine is "ku" which can also mean hardship.

Wearing shoes indoors is also consider unlucky in Japan because it used to be that only the deceased were allowed to wear shoes inside the house.

I hope these tips will help you work in a Japanese office.

Market in Osaka - Kizu ichiba

The Tsukiji fish market in Tokyo is very famous and though it may not be as big as Tsukiji, there is a big wholesale market which tourist can visit in Osaka too. Kizu ichiba not only has fish but also vegetables, fruits and so on.

It is usually for wholesellers but on the second and last Saturdays of the month, the market is opened to the general public and also holds some special events.

September schedule is as follows:
2013/9/14 (Sat) from 9am to 12am
2013/9/28 (Sat) from 9am to 12am


Access:
http://kizu-ichiba.com/access.html

Osaka subway, Yotsubshi line, about 150m from Daikokucho station
Osaka subway, Sakaisuji line, about 500m from Ebisucho station

Nankai rail way, about 700m from Namba station (approx. 15 minutes walk)
Nankai rail way, about 250m from Imamiyaebisu station

Tempozan World Performance Festival in Osaka (event on from Sep 14th to 16th , 2013)

The Tempozan World Performance Festival will be held in the Tempozan Harbor Village over 3 days in the middle of this month. There will be 50 performers in 36 group and is free to watch.

Tempozan Harbor Village is a 5-minute walk from Osakako station, on the Osaka subway Chuo-line, or just a few minutes walk from Kaiyukan West Pier, by the Captain Line, approx 10 minutes from Universal City Port.

Date: 2013/9/14 (Sat) - 9/16 (Mon, holiday)
Time: 11am - 6pm

Location: Tempozan Harbor Village
http://www.kaiyukan.com/language/eng/location/index.htm

Event info:
http://www.kaiyukan.com/thv/marketplace/event/2013/08/-2013.html


Captain Line:
http://www.mmjp.or.jp/Capt-Line/english/eindexnew.html
http://www.mmjp.or.jp/Capt-Line/english/etimetable/etimetable1309-10.html


<There are other facilities you can enjoy!>
About the Osaka Bay area:
http://www.osaka-info.jp/en/area/bayarea.html


Osaka Aquarium "Kaiyukan"
http://www.kaiyukan.com/language/eng/index.htm

Tempozan Marketplace
http://www.osaka-info.jp/en/search/detail/sightseeing_514.html


Tempozan Ferris Wheel
http://www.kaiyukan.com/thv/ferriswheel/


The Santa Maria:  Day and night cruise
http://suijo-bus.jp/language/english/santmaria.aspx

Autumn flower viewing - Cosmos

Around late September to mid October, colorful cosmos (daisy) flowers will bloom in many places.

Hoki-ji temple in Ikaruga, Nara (Get on a bus from JR  Horyu-ji station and get off at Hoki-ji mae)
http://www.kasugano.com/kankou/autumn/houkiji.html
http://www.horyuji.or.jp/hokiji_e.htm


Hannya-ji temple in Nara (from JR Nara station, walk or bus)
http://www.hannyaji.com/annai.html



Banpaku koen (expo park) in Osaka (Bampaku Kinen-koen Staion of the Osaka Monorail)
http://www.osaka-info.jp/jp/search/detail/event_9120.html
http://www.osaka-info.jp/en/search/detail/sightseeing_1357.html

  
Agricultural Park "Blumen Hugel Farm (Blume no oka)"  （50 minutes by bus from JR Omihachiman station)
http://www.blumenooka.jp/blume/access.html
http://en.biwako-visitors.jp/attractions/index.php?act=dtl&id=51

Kobe Sports Park (Kobe subway Sogo-undokoen station) 

http://www.kobe-park.or.jp/sougou/access/
http://www.city.kobe.lg.jp/information/press/2013/08/20130813300201-01.html

(Bus from Hankyu Mukonoso station, Get off at Nishikonyo or 30 minutes walk from Hankyu Mondoyakujin station)
http://web.pref.hyogo.lg.jp/hs04/hs04_2_000000009.html

 

Octoberfest 2013 in Kobe- German Beer festival (event on from Sep 14th to 23rd, 2013)

This is a very popular event. You can enjoy German beer and food. The German songs will be sung on the stage. (18:00 & 20:00)  It is an outside event by the shore so there will be a pleasant breeze.

Official HP:
http://oktfest.jp.net/kobe/index.html
http://oktfest.jp.net/


You need to pay a 1000 yen deposit for your first order of beer,  but when you don't want to drink anymore you take your glass to the counter and they will return the deposit.


Kobe Harborland (from JR, Kobe station or Kobe subway Harborland station)
9/14 (Sat) - 9/23 (Mon)
Weekdays 16:00-22:00 (L.O. 21:30)
Sat&Sun&Holiday 11:00-22:00 (L.O. 21:30)

Access:
http://oktfest.jp.net/kobe/access.html

Osaka Half Marathon (entry starts 10 am Sep 21st, 2013)

The number of marathon runners is increasing in Japan. You'll see many people running in the city especially around Osaka castle. For more than 30 years, the Osaka International Women's Marathon has been held in January and the next will be on Jan 16 (Sun) 2014.

On the same day, a half marathon will be held along side the International Women's Marathon. Both women and man can participate in the half marathon.

Official HP:
http://half.osaka-marathon.jp/

Konkatsu（婚活）－marriage actibity (marriage/partner hunting)

Konakatu (marriage hunting) has become a big trend among Japanese singles and it is a growing business in Japan. People in their late 20s to early 40s are try to find a marriage partner. These days elderly people are living alone and there have been reports of bodies being found long after their death at the home, so young people are starting to be concerned about being alone in their future.

What are kontatsu activities like?

Coupling parties - both women and men who are singles sit facing each other in two concentric circles.  They introduce themselves to each other for about 5 minutes then change partners and start over.

Cooking events - small group of women and men join a cooking event and talk while cooking food together.

Registered matchmaking companies - There are many companies offering match making services. After people register their personal information and their preferred partner, the system finds a suitable match from their members and sets up a meeting. The members fees are quite high.

Go to a "Singles bar" -  Usually you show your ID or business card to enter and have a chat with other members while drinking.

Shared experience events - Such as agriculture, trips etc

Attend the seminar - At these meetings people learn about how to succeed at Kontatsu.


In the past, it used to elderly people, relatives or neighbors, who set up meetings (Omiai) if people were not married in a certain age, but this kind of tradition is disappearing and man and women are busy working so young people don't have much chance to meet other singles outside of work.

Comb Festival (Kushi matsuri) in Kyoto (event on Sep 23rd, 2013)

A unique festival, called "Comb Festival (Kushi matsuri)", is held at Yasui Konpira Gu (shrine) in Kyoto. This festival is to give thanks to combs and hair ornaments which women are using every day. Women with beautifully done hair in historical costumes walk through the streets in the surrounding area.



Date: Sep 23, 2013 (Monday)
Ceremony starts: 13:00
Parade starts: 14:00

Yasui Konpira Gu (shrine) is also famous for breaking off bad relationships and initiating good ones.

1. Pray at Honden.
2. Ｗrite your wish on a Katashiro (paper doll).
3. Walk through the power stone's hole. From front to back to breakup the bad relationships, then back to front to initiate good relationships.
4. Stack your paper doll on the stone.


http://www.yasui-konpiragu.or.jp/en/keidai/
http://www.machiya-ryokan.com/en/travel/konpira.html


Access:
Take the Kyoto city bus #206 and get off at Higashiyama Yasui or walk 10 minutes from Gion-Shijo station on the Keihan line.

Route map:
http://www.kankou.kotomeguri.com/kyoto_access/access/map_yashrine_yasui.html

Map:
http://kyoto-sampo.jp/kanko/yasuikonpiragu.html


You Tube (taken in 2012)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfF0RaSyezQ

Emergency Drill 2013/9/5 11 a.m.

There will be an emergency drill in Osaka prefecture. At 11 am, mobile phones in Osaka will receive an alarm and an email to raise awareness of disaster prevention. It is assumed about 3.5 million mobile phones will go off at once even though there are on silent mode.

Kiyomizu dera (temple) in Kyoto (event on Sep 14th & 15th, Sep)

There will be a Blue dragon dance festival "Seiryu-e" at Kiyomizu temple.

With the Triton's trumpet sound, about 40 people will walk around the Kiyomizu temple with a Blue dragon to pray for people's happiness. The blue dragon dance will be held near the steps.


This is Seiryu-e, the blue dragon dance held near the steps:
http://www.kyoto.travel/2009/11/kiyomizu-dera-seiryu-e-2.html


About a 25-minute walk from Kiyomizu gojyo station on the Keihan railway .



9/14-15　14：00-15：30

Addmition fee is required.
400 yen / Adult
200 yen /Children


http://www.kiyomizudera.or.jp/lang/01.html

Weather News - Typhoon as of 2013/9/4

According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, Typhoon No.17 is approaching to Japan and there are concerns about landslides and floods.

Weather warnings/Advisories
http://www.jma.go.jp/en/warn/index.html

For more information please check the following site.
http://www.jma.go.jp/en/typh/


For information about weather in Osaka
http://www.jma.go.jp/en/week/331.html

Kyoto International Manga Anime Fair 2013 (event on Sep 7th & 8th, 2013)

If you like Japanese manga or animation, you must go to Kyoto. There is a Manga & Anime exhibition which is biggest in Western Japan.

9/7(Sat)  9:00 - 17:00 (final admission time: 16:30)
9/8(Sun)  9:00 - 16:00 (final admission time: 15:30)

￥1,000 (for an adult)

Miyako Messe (Kyoto-shi Kangyo-kan) near Heian Jingu, Kyoto International Manga Museum and some other places


Details are on the following site:
http://www.kyomaf.jp/en/index.html

Sumiyoshitaisha (Shrine) in Osaka (event on Sep 19th, 2013)

Sumiyoshitaisha is a very old Shrine in Osaka. It is very crowded on New Year's day with people praying for good luck for the coming year. Also there are many traditional festivals held through year to pray for good harvests, etc.

On Sept 19th, there is a festival called "Kangetsusai", or moon viewing festival, to enjoy the Autumn full moon. Viewing the full moon in this particular season is called Tukimi and this tradition started in the Heian period. There will be a traditional dance and music will be played on the red arch bridge.

http://www.osaka-info.jp/jp/search/detail/event_48.html

Date:
9/19 (Thu) from 18:00 - until approx 20:30

Assess:
Nankai rail way Sumiyoshitaisha or Sumiyoshihigashi

You Tube:
http://www.youtube.com/embed/585a3tWXS-k

About Sumiyoshitaisha:
http://www.osaka-info.jp/en/search/detail/sightseeing_1158.html

Festival in Osaka - Kishiwada Danjiri Festival (event on Sep 14th & 15th, 2013)

The Kishiwada Danjiri Matsuri (Float Festival) is one of the best in Japan. The whole community takes part in the festival and teams are made up of people from the same Cho (neighbourhood).  There aren't many festivals this big or well organised in Japan these days.
The floats are made of zelkova wood and are more than 4 tonnes. They are typically almost 4 metres high, around 4 metres long and about 2.5 metres wide.  Their draw-rope is between 100 and 200 metres long and are pulled by as many as 500 to 1000 people.

http://www.osaka-info.jp/en/search/detail/event_5334.html

http://www.city.kishiwada.osaka.jp/site/danjiri/english.html


Map:
Around Kishiwada station and Hruki station of Nankai Line 
http://www.city.kishiwada.osaka.jp/uploaded/attachment/16025.pdf

1^st day (9/14 Sat)

06:00– 7:30  Hiki-dashi (Opening pull)

09:30–11:30  Parade

13:00–17:00  Parade

19:00–22:00 Parade of lantern-lit danjiris

2^nd day (9/15 Sun)

09:00-12:30 Miya-iri (Shrine entering)

13:00-17:00 Parade

19:00-22:00 Parade of lantern-lit danjiris