You will receive a free quarterly E-mail Newsletter! Ryokan and Restaurants in Hyogo which are English-friendly. Guided Tours Available by volunteers in Hyogo Translation Service is also available. WInter (from January 2010) / Don't Miss It! (Recommended Events Each Month) 1. Upcoming Events December 1 (Tue),2009 - March 31(Wed) [Kobe] Kobe Romantic Fair The Kobe Romantic Fair is held at Harborland, Kitano-Ijinkangai (Western-style residences) and Kobe Kyu-kyoryuchi (Old Foreign Settlement). In these districts streets and buildings are illuminated. During this time, a lottery campaign is offered. Visitors may apply using a sheet of stamps they’ve collected at various tourist locations throughout Kobe to enter a drawing for a prize. (*) *Winter lights at Kitanozaka Gairoju (trees lining a street) and Ijinkan (Tuesday December 1- Wednesday March 31) 20,000 electric bulbs have been placed around trees lining the streets at Kitanozaka and the Ijinkan (western style houses) are lit up. *The Illuminated Kobe Gaslamp Street (Sunday November 1-Wednesday March 31) Illuminated electric bulbs have been placed around keyaki (zelkova trees) for 350m. *Lights at the Old Foreign Settlement (Tuesday December 15-Wednesday March 31) Western style buildings are lit up. (*) Outline of the Stamp Rally Visitors are asked to apply with a sheet of three stamps they have collected from each area, mountain, town or seaside. Places for stamps. Mountain area: Rokko Garden Terrace, Tenrandai (Rokko Cable), Rokkosan Hotel, Yumesampo Kikuseidai (Maya View Line), Venus Bridge Town area: Crown Plaza Kobe, 24th Floor of Kobe City Hall No. 1 Bldg., Hotel Okura, Kobe Port Tower, Kobe Maritime Museum/Kawasaki World, Kobe Merikenpark Oriental Hotel and Kobe Harborland General Information Seaside area: Kobe Concerto (Ticket Office), Kobe Bay Sheraton and Towers, Kobe Portopia Hotel, Poai Shiosai Koen (in front of Portliner Shimin-byoin-mae Station), Kobe Airport and Seaside Hotel Maiko Villa Kobe TEL: 078-303-1010 URL: http://kobe-yakei.net/ December 12 (Sat),2009 - February 28 (Sun) [Tamba] FROM IZUSHI-Izushi Porcelain: The Limitless World Expands from Pure White To promote porcelain techniques and to nurture porcelain artists, Izushi Porcelain Triennial Exhibition was held in Izushi (now Toyooka) in 1994 to invite entries from the public in a contest. Until 2006 this exhibition was held 5 times over the course of 15 years and was the only exhibit exclusively about porcelain in Japan. 39 previous prize winners are on display. Venue: The Museum of Ceramic Art, Hyogo 4 Kamitachikui, Konda-cho, Sasayama City Hours: 10:00-18:00 (Last entry 17:30) Admission: Adult ¥600 University and Senior High School Student ¥500 Junior High and Elementary School Student ¥300 Access: (bus) 15 minute ride on a Shinki Bus from JR Aino Station on the JR Fukuchiyama Line (car) 15 minutes from Sanda-Nishi IC off Maizuru-Wakasa Expressway 30 minutes from Takino-Yashiro IC off the Chugoku Expressway 15 minutes from Yotsutsuji, Sanda on National Route 176 TEL: 079-597-3961 URL: http://www.mcart.jp/e%20sisetu.htm http://www.mcart.jp/21/exhibition/izushi/izushi.htm December 19 (Sat) - Mid-February [Awaji] Tachikawa Suisenkyo (Narcissus Park) Tachikawa is one of the two narcissus parks on Awaji Island and stretching across a six hectare site and commands a fine view of the Kitan Strait. More than three million white and yellow narcissuses will be in bloom inviting sightseers from all over. Venue: 2877-22, Yura-cho, Sumoto City Hours: 8:00 - 17:00 Admission: Adult ¥500, Child ¥300 Access: December 19, 2009 to mid-February, 2010 Bus and Suisen Taxi Suisen Taxi and Bus Lv Sumoto Bus Terminal Ar Tachikawa Suisenkyo 10:05 10:45 11:00 11:40 12:00 12:40 13:10 13:50 14:00 14:40 Lv. Tachikawa Suisenkyo Ar. Sumoto Bus Center 12:07 12:49 13:17 13:59 14:45 15:27 15:47 16:20 *Ticket is sold at Sumoto Tourist Office in Sumoto Bus Center TEL 0799-22-0742 You may not get a seat if you don’t book in advance. Parking: 100 spaces TEL: 0799-27-2653 URL: http://awajihanahenro.jp/fudasyo.php?eid=00032 December 27 (Sun), 2009 - Mid-February [Awaji] Nada Kuroiwa Narcissus Park More than five million narcissus flowers grow on the steep hills of southern Awaji Island.  In the middle of January beautiful white blossoms cover the hillside, contrasting with the blue of the Seto Inland Sea. Venue: 2 Nada-Kuroiwa, Minami-Awaji City Hours: 9:00 - 17:00 (last entry: 16:30) Admission: Adults 500 yen/ Children 300 yen Access: 40 minutes from Seidan-Mihara I.C. or 50 minutes from Sumoto I.C. on the Honshi Expressway by car. (Shuttle Bus) Leave Fukura/Nanairokanmae 10:10 11:30 12:30 13:30 14:30 Leave Nadakuroiwa Suisenkyo 12:30 13:30 14:30 15:30 16:30 TEL: 0799-56-0721 URL: Nada Kuroiwa Narcissus Park The Top of This Page January 2 (Sat) [Kobe] Arima Hot Springs Irizome Shiki (the first ceremony of the year to celebrate Arima Hot Springs) -A ceremony dating from the Edo period to pray for the success of Arima Hot Springs Venue: The Onsendera Temple – Arima Elementary School Auditorium 15 minutes by car from Nishinomiya Kita I.C. off Chugoku Expressway Hours: 10:00 – 12:00 TEL: 078-904-0708 (Arima Hot Springs Tourism Association) URL: http://www.arima-onsen.com/eng/index.html January 9 (Sat) -11(Mon) [Hanshin] Toka Ebisu (Nishinomiya) This Nishinomiya Shrine is known as the main shrine for Ebisu the God of wealth and commerce and one of the Seven Deities of Good Fortune. Toka Ebisu is held every year for three days (January 9-11) and more than a million people, especially fishermen and self-employed, attend. Festival preparation gets underway when the Omaguro (Giant Tuna) is carried by fifteen young men from the Kobe central wholesale market/east division. The dedication of the huge tuna started in 1970 to wish for a big catch and good business. The tuna that are dedicated to the shrine are usually about 3 meters long and weigh about 300 kilograms. The tuna is too big to be placed in the main shrine, so it will be put in the worshippers’ hall and left there for three days instead. Over the last few years visitors have placed coins on the tuna as an offering. The main day of the festival is January 10 and at six o’clock in the morning, the front gate is opened and a large group of men waiting outside rush toward the main shrine 200 meters away. It is a unique tradition that has been broadcasted on TV in the past. The three fastest men are chosen to be fuku-otoko, the lucky men of the year and are given prizes. Venue: Nishinomiya Shrine, 1-17, Shake-cho, Nishinomiya Access: 5 minute walk from Nishinomiya station on Hanshin Railway TEL: 0798-33-0321 URL: http://www.decca-japan.com/nishinomiya_ebisu/ January 10 (Sun) [Harima] The 36th National Kite Flying Festival The national kite-flying festival began in 1975 when the triangular U.S. Gayla kites became very popular in Japan and traditional kites seemed like they might disappear from the skies. The Japan Toy Museum began this festival to revitalize interest in the beauty and magnificence of Japanese kites. Venue: Himeji Park Horse Racetrack Time: 10:30-15:00 (cancelled in case of rain) Access: 15 minutes from JR/San’yo Himeji Station by Shinki Bus to Keibajo-mae TEL: 079-287-3656 URL: http://www.himeji-kanko.jp/index.php/Events/View/EventsID/98/ January 16 (Sat) - March 29 (Mon) [Kobe] The Sea Gallery: The Exchange and Beauty of Antiquity and the Middle Ages Kobe has been flourished as a port that was connected with East Asia via the Seto Inland Sea and has played an important role through the ages. This exhibition shows the relationship between the sea and the people as well as actual exchange situations that took place on the sea. The exhibit displays this abundant culture in three parts: archaeology, history and art. Venue: Kobe City Museum, 24 Kyo-machi, Chuo-ku, Kobe Hours: 10:00 - 17:00 Last entry: 30 minutes before closing. Holidays: Mondays Admissions: Adult ¥800 Senior High School and University Student ¥550 Junior High School and Elementary Student ¥300 Access: 10 minutes by taxi from JR Shinkansen Shin-Kobe Sta. 10 minute walk from JR/Portliner/Hanshin/Hankyu Sannomiya Station 5 minute walk from Kyu-Kyoryuchi Daimarumae Station TEL: 078-391-0035 URL: http://www.city.kobe.lg.jp/culture/culture/institution/museum/main.html January 23 (Sat)- March 7 (Sun) [Awaji] Awaji Yumebutai Orchid Exhibition 2010 Awaji Yumebutai is home to the largest greenhouse in Japan. From January 23 to February 7, the exhibits will be of the four hundred or so orchids that were shown in the orchid contest sponsored by the Japan Orchid Association. There will be a special exhibit for Mr. Masahiro Saito who won the Japan Grand Prize in 2008 and 2009. More than 100 of his orchids will be on display on the balcony. From February 8 until March 7, the collection of orchids by the champion will be under the theme of “Love for the Original Cattleya.” Venue: Yumebutai, Awaji City Admission: Adult ¥1,200, Senior High School Student ¥700, Junior High School Student ¥600, Elementary School Student ¥300 Access: 20 minutes bus ride from Kosoku Maiko to Awaji Yumebutai TEL: 0799-74-1200 URL: http://www.kisekinohoshi.jp/ The Top of This Page February 3 (Wed) [Harima] A Ceremony for Driving Out Demons (Shosyazan Engyoji Temple) February 3 is Setsubun (the day before the beginning of spring). At the beginning of the year, people gather to drive out demons and to invite peace and safety into their homes for the coming year. During the celebration, many Japanese people follow tradition and scatter parched beans saying “out with the demons and in with fortune!” at their homes. The following events will be held at Engyoji Temple: Time: 13:00-Prayer ceremony for happiness and long life, the realization of one’s dreams and elimination of illness. 14:00-The toshiotoko (a man who was born in a year with the same sign of the Chinese zodiac as the current year) scatters dried beans. Venue: 2968, Shosya, Himeji Hours: 8:30-17:00 Admissions: ¥300 Special fee: ¥1,000 (including entrance fee, admission for Jikido, and round-trip on the microbus.) TEL: 0792-66-3327 URL: http://www.shosha.or.jp February 11 (Thu)- 14 (Sun) [Kobe] The 6th Mt Rokko Ice Festival One of the highlights on the calendar of winter events is the Mt Rokko Ice Festival, where visitors can come and enjoy ice engravings carved from blocks. The All Japan Ice Graving Contest will take place and entries will be put on display. Venue: Special Site at Mt Rokko Garden Terrace Hours: 10:00-21:00 Admission: Adult, Junior High School Students and up ¥500, Under 12 years old Free Parking: car (per day) ¥500, bus: ¥2,500, micro bus ¥1,500 Access: Hanshin Mikage Sta. / JR Rokkomichi Sta / Hankyu Rokko Sta.== Rokko Cable Shita Sta. (15 - 30 minutes by Kobe City Bus Route 16) == Rokko Sanjo Sta. (10 minutes by Cable Car) == Rokko Garden Terrace by Top of Mt. Rokko Belt Line Bus (10 minutes) TEL: 078-894-2071 URL: http://www.rokkosan.com February 11 (Thu) - March 22 (Mon) [Harima] Ayabeyama Plum Grove Park The plum grove sitting on Ayabeyama Hill is 24 hectares in size and has 20,000 ume (plum) trees with a view beyond to the Seto Inland Sea. Ume products such as Umeboshi, jam, juice and other items will be on sale. Venue: 1391-2, Kurosaki, Mitsu-cho, Tatsuno City Hours: 9:00 - 17:00 Admissions: Adults ¥500, Children ¥400 (including a glass of plum juice or amazake) Access: 30 minutes by bus from JR Aboshi Station 15 minutes by bus from Aboshi Station on San’yo Line TEL: 079-322-3551 URL: http://www.ayabeyama.jp/enkaku.htm February 14 (Sun) – 21 (Sun) [Kobe] Kobe Chinatown New Year’s Festival (Shunsetu Sai) This festival is the biggest event in Nankinmachi, Kobe’s Chinatown. “Shunsetsu” is new year’s day on the Chinese calendar. Today the Gregorian calendar is standard in China, but the Chinese calendar is based on farming. Traditionally the Shunsetsu Festival celebrates new year’s day every year and in Nankinmachi there are many events, including Shishi-mai (Lion Dance), Ryu-mai (Dragon Dance), and a parade of people dressed up in beautiful historical costumes. Delicious Chinese food is also available for sampling at the many street stalls. Venue: Nankinmachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe Access: 5 minute walk from JR and Hanshin Motomachi Station TEL: 078-332-2896 (Nankinmachi Shopping Street Cooperative Office) URL: http://www.nankinmachi.or.jp/index.php February 17 (Wed) – 18 (Thu) [Tamba] The Kaibara Grand Festival to Ward-off Evil (Yakuyoke Taisai) The Kaibara Grand Festival to ward off evil takes place every year on February 17 and 18 at the shrine for warding off evil in the precincts of the Hachiman Shrine. Every year, the town is filled with more than 100,000 visitors coming to the shrine which is affectionately referred to as “Yakujin-San.” The Aoyama-Saidan-No-Gi” (the Shinto-style ceremony for the altar) is conducted in accordance with ancient rites at midnight on the eve of the festival. This ceremony is said to be the oldest warding-off evil ceremony in Japan. Every year there is a mysterious and solemn atmosphere hanging in the air. Venue: Kaibara Hachiman Jinja Kaibara, Kaibaramachi, Tamba City Access: 10 minute walk from JR Kaibara Station on the Fukuchiyama Line 10 minute drive from Kasuga IC on the Maizuru Route of the Kinki Expressway TEL: 0795-72-0544 URL: http://www.tambacity-kankou.jp/modules/weblinks/singlelink.php?lid=211 February 18 (Thu)- April 4 (Sun) [Kobe] Yuki Ogura Exhibition This exhibition is held to honor of Mr. Yuki Ogura on the tenth anniversary of his death. Mr. Ogura is a Japanese-style painter who drew vivid human figures and still lives. Eighty pieces of his work are on display. Venue: Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Art 1-1-1 Wakinohama Kaigan-dori, Chuo-ku, Kobe Hours: 10:00-18:00 (last entry 17:30) 10:00-20:00 (Friday and Saturday: last entry 19:30) Holidays: Mondays (When Monday falls on a national holiday, closed Tuesday) Admission: Adults: ¥1,200, University and Senior High School Students: ¥900, Junior High School and Elementary School Students: ¥500 Access: 8 minute walk from Hanshin Iwaya Station 10 minute walk from JR Nada Station’s South Exit 15 minute walk from Hankyu Oji-Koen Station TEL: 078-262-0901 URL: http://www.artm.pref.hyogo.jp/exhibition/t_0906/index.html February 21 (Sun) [Awaji] The 29th National Awajishima Uzushio Marathon Meet Start Time: 9:45 (differ by the events) Venue: (Start and goal) Fukura Elementary School, 1205 Fukura Otsu, Minami Awaji Course: Minami-Awaji Uzushio Line Events: half course: 10 km, 5 km, 2 km Participation Fee: Adults ¥3,000, Senior High School Students and under 2,000 yen, family (2persons) ¥3,000 (an additional ¥1,000 for each extra person) Access: 10 minute walk from Awaji Kotsu Fukura Bus Stop to Fukura Elementary School TEL: 0799-53-1212 URL: The 29th National Awajishima Uzushio Marathon Meet February 28 (Sun) [Tajima] The 19th Toyooka Tuiyama Port Crab Festival) A variety of events will be held at the Crab Festival. 8:30-14:00 Exhibition sale. 8:45 Opening Ceremony, Heike Suigun Taiko (Drum) Performance and free sake served in a crab shell 9:45 Amateur fresh delicacy auction 10:00 Tsuiyama crab lottery 10:30 Rice-cake making (Free distribution to visitors) 11:30-13:00 Porridge from crab, rice and vegetables will be served to the first 800 visitors. 13:00-13:20 Crab game for kids 13:30-14:00 Rice-cake making (Free distribution to visitors) Venue: Kojima Pier, Toyooka Access: Take the Zentan bus for Hiyoriyama from Kinosaki-Onsen Station on the JR San’in Line and get off at Minato-Kanko-Annaishomae or Kojima Parking: Available TEL: 0796-22-8111 (Crab Festival Implementation Committee) URL: http://www15.ocn.ne.jp/~minato-k/winter/kani/index.html The Top of This Page March 1 (Mon) - May 31 (Mon) [Awaji] Swirling Ocean Current Festival (Uzushio Matsuri) One of the world’s natural wonders, the whirlpools of the Naruto Strait are known for their unique shape.  Sightseeing cruises depart during peak viewing times. The Swirling Ocean Current Festival is held from March through May (when the largest whirlpools can be seen) every year and people pray for safe voyage with traditional ceremonies and events, such as the throwing sake barrels into the waters in dedication to the god of the sea. Access: 85 minutes by Awaji Kotsu Highway bus from Sannomiya for Fukura Bus Terminal. Fare: Whirlpool Viewing Boat Kanrin Maru Adults ¥2,000, Children ¥1,000 TEL: 0799-37-3012 (Commerce, Industry and Tourism Section, Minami-Awaji City) URL: http://www.uzu-shio.com/ March 7 (Sun) [Tamba] The 30th Sasayama ABC Marathon Meet Every year about 10,000 athletes participated in this Sasayama Marathon Meet. 10:20 Opening Ceremony 10:40 Start (Registered athletes) 10:50 Start (Non-registered athletes) Venue: Sasayama Castle Ruins Sannomaru Hiroba (Start and Goal) Participation Fee: ¥5,000 Application Deadline: January 15, 2010 (registration will close at 10,000 applicants) TEL: 079-552-5960 URL: http://www.city.sasayama.hyogo.jp/abc/ March 13 (Sat)-April 11 (Sun) [Harima] James Ensor Prints Exhibition James Ensor was a Belgian painter who was active at the end of 19th century. His peculiar style of painting went unappreciated in his time but now is seen as a pioneer of surrealism and several other art movements. Venue: Himeji Shiritsu Bijutsukan (Himeji City Museum of Art) 68-25 Honmachi, Himeji Hours: 10:00 – 17:00 Holidays: Mondays (When Monday is a national holiday, the museum will be closed on Tuesday), December 25 – January 5 Addmission: Adult ¥800, University and Senior High School Student ¥500, Junior High and Elementary School Student ¥200 Access: 20 minute walk from JR/San’yo Himeji Station Take a bus from JR/San’yo Himeji Station, get off at Himeyama-Koen-Minami, Iryo Center or Bijutukan-Mae, followed by a short walk. TEL: 079-222-2288 URL: http://www.city.himeji.lg.jp/art/english/index.html http://www.city.himeji.lg.jp/art/english/text/guide.html March 20 (Sat)-May 30 (Sun) [Kobe] Ancient Egypt in Torino This exhibit from the Egyptian Museum’s collection is the first to be introduced in Japan. Approximately 120 items were selected including large-scaled sculptures, mummies, painted wooden sarcophaguses, papyrus documents and stelas (stone tablets). Come and enjoy the 2-meter-high sculptures and figures depicting the lives and prayers of the Egyptian people who tried to overcome death and many other artifacts. Venue: Kobe City Museum, 24 Kyo-machi, Chuo-ku, Kobe Hours: 9:30 - 17:00 9:30 - 19:00 (Fridays, Saturdays) Last entry: 30 minutes before closing. Holidays: Mondaysn Admission: Adult ¥1,500, Senior High School and University Student ¥1,100, Junior High School and Elementary Student ¥600 Access: 10 minute by taxi from JR Shinkansen Shin-Kobe Sta. 10 minute walk from JR/Portliner/Hanshin/Hankyu Sannomiya Station 5 minute walk from Kyu-Kyoryuchi Daimarumae Station TEL: 078-391-0035 URL: http://www.torino-egypt.com/ March 20 (Sat)-May 30 (Sun) [Awaji] Japan Flora 2000: Flower and Greenery Fair 2010 This commemorative event will be held at Awaji Yumebutai, which is full of beautiful flowers and foliage. This event aims to make people think of current environmental issues through beautiful gardens, exhibits, foods and entertainment. Venue: (Main Site) Awaji Yume Butai, National Akashi Kaikyo Koen (Satellite Sites) Awajisima-Koen Highway Oasis, Awaji Hana-Sajiki, Awaji World Park Onokoro and other 9 sites TEL: 0799-24-2001 URL: http://www.awajihanahaku2010.jp/ March 23 (Tue)-April 3 (Sat) [Hanshin] The 82nd National Invitational High School Baseball Tournament 32 senior high school baseball teams throughout Japan will play baseball. Venue: Hanshin Koshien Stadiuim 1-82 Koshien-cho, Nishinomiya Admission: The unreserved special seats behind the backstop: ¥1,600 The infield stands unreserved special seat: Adults ¥1,200, Children ¥600 Alps stands unreserved seat: ¥500 The outfield bleachers: Free Access: 3 minute-walk from Hanshin Koshien Station TEL: 0798-47-1041 URL: http://www.jhbf.or.jp/senbatsu/2010/ The Top of This Page 2. Newly Opened Facilities Tetsujin 28-go (Iron Man Number 28) Monument A replica of Tetsujin Number 28, the most important work by Mitsuteru Yokoyama was constructed and opened to the public in Wakamatsu Park, Nagata-ku, Kobe. Mitsuteru Yokoyama, also known for “Sangokushi”, “Magician Sally” and “A Masked Ninja Sekimen” was born in Kobe. It was funded by local citizens as part of earthquake restoration. The monument is made of steel and is 18m tall and weighs 50 tons. This is a symbol of the restoration from the Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake and very popular in and outside of Kobe. Venue: Wakamatsu Koen, Nagata-ku, Kobe Access: 5 minutes walk from JR Shin-Nagata Station on Kobe Line TEL: 078-621-0678 The Top of This Page Hyogo Tourism Association Hyogo Prefectural Government Bldg. No.1,5-10-1 Shimoyamate-dori, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan Postal Code:650-8567 TEL:078-361-7661 Fax:078-361-7662 e-mail: