Nakanoshima matsuri (even on 2014/5/3-5/5)

Unfortunately it is raining in Osaka today but it will be fine this weekend.

Nakanoshima is a very pleasant place to visit in Osaka. Every year, there is a festival during Golden Week.
There will be cafes, a play ground for children, a flea market etc.


http://www.osaka-info.jp/en/events/festivals_events/nakanoshima_festival.html


For other information about Osaka, please check out this link!

http://www.osaka-info.jp/en/

Movie in Japan "Thermae RomaeⅡ" (2014/4/16～ )

This is a very funny movie called "Thermae RomaeⅡ".

The main character Lucius (a Roman architect) accidentally time trips from Ancient Rome to modern-time Japan where he learns about the Japanese public bath system.  He then travels back to his time and creates a nice bathhouse in Rome for the Roman emperor. Lucius calls the Japanese "Hiratai kao zoku (Flat-faced tribe)".


http://thermae-romae.jp/

Aoi Matsuri

Aoi Matsuri is one of big festivals in Kyoto. It starts on May 1st and builds up to the main event of the festival on May 15th.


These are:

2014/5/3 13:00-15:30 Yabusame shinji at Shimogamo shrine
Traditional Japanese archery on a running horse.  The archer shoots at wooden targets.

2014/5/15 10:30 (leaves Kyoto Imperial Palace) - 15:30 (arrives at Kamigamo shrine)
The large parade which is the main attraction of Aoi matsuri. Over 500 people dressed in the aristocratic style of the Heian Preiod (794-1185) walk from the Imperial Palace to Kamigamo Shrine.

http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/location/spot/festival/aoimatsuri.html

Oktober Fest in Japan 2014

The very popular German beer festival starts again!


http://www.okt-fest.jp/

Kobe German Beer Festival
2014/4/25-5/6 Weekday 16:00〜22:00　Sat,Sun, Holiday11:00〜22:00 （L.O.21:30）
http://www.okt-fest.jp/okt-kobe2014-1.html
Osaka Oktober Fest in Tennoji
2014/5/16-6/1 12:00-21:00



http://www.osaka-info.jp/en/events/festivals_events/osaka_oktoberfest_2014.html

Cherry blossom viewing - Hanami

It's cherry blossom season in Japan. Cherry blossoms are very special flowers for Japanese people. In this season, people have a party under cherry blossom trees. 


Recommended places to see cherry blossoms.


Osaka castle light up
http://nishimuramarina.wix.com/illuminageasia

The Mint in Osaka
http://www.mint.go.jp/category/eng

Heian Jingu Shrine's garden "Shin'en" in Kyoto
http://www.heianjingu.or.jp/english/0201.html

Ninna-ji in Kyoto
http://ninnaji.jp/multilingual_info.html
http://ninnaji.jp/cherry_tree.html


Cherry blossom front line 2014
http://sakura.weathermap.jp/