Hirayama Motoko, “Life Casting”
NOV 14
Hyogo Performing Arts Centre
 Innovative dancer Motoko Hirayama will present a performance alongside popular young dancers. A contemporary choreographer, dancer and professor at Tsukuba University, she is renowned for her sophistication, but has never stopped carving out her place in dance. Hirayama also designed the movements for the Japanese synchronised swimming team at the Olympic games in Beijing. With “Life Casting”, she will sensually perform alongside a sculpture that is an image of herself, investigating her existence.
Time: 2pm (doors open 1:30pm).
Getting there: Hankyu Railway Kobe line, Nishinomiya-kitaguchi stn
Admission: ¥5,000/¥4,000.
Tel: 0798-68-0255.
www.gcenter-hyogo.jp/
Kyoto University Noh and Kyogen
NOV 16
Kongo Nohgakudo, Kyoto
Kyoto University will be giving audiences the opportunity to enjoy a gem of classic Japanese performing arts. The play, titled “The Diver”, will be performed by students from Kyoto University Noh Circle, who take their lessons from professional noh performers. Not only will they perform noh, but also a kyogen (farce play), with dances performed by leading actors. This is a golden opportunity, especially since entry is free! English translations provided.
Time: 1pm-6pm.
Getting there: Subway Karasuma line, Imadegawa stn.
Admission: free.
Tel: 070-5509-5729
World CM Festival 2009 Osaka
NOV 20
Koseinenkin Kaikan Wel City, Osaka
 A unique film festival held through the night as a showcase for commercial messages collected from all round the world. 500 of the latest commercials ranging from foreign works you rarely watch to more well known ads will be screened. It is not only about watching lots of fascinating ads, though, because there are free drinks, live music, and performances on stage, amongst many other attractions.
Time: 10:30pm-5:30am.
Getting there: Subway Yotsubashi line, Yotsubashi stn/Nagahori Tsurumiryokuchi line, Nishiohashi stn.
Admission: ¥5,300/¥4,500/¥4,300/¥3,500.
Email: bouvier@cmfestival.com
Tel: 092-843-7370.
Takatori Castle Festival
NOV 23
Jokamachi-suji, Takatori-cho, Nara
Every year, the peaceful town of Takatori comes alive with the sounds and smells of celebration. The castle was elected one of the great castles in Japan, and at the festivities, colourful samurai will parade through Jokamachi-suji dori. Taiko drummers, cheerful street performances, vigorous matchlock guns and Japanese sword teams, as well as a bustling antique market and flea market and festival revellers top things off. The Takatori Castle Festival is one of most exiting events in Nara.
Time: 10am-4pm (cancelled in case of rain).
Getting there: Kintetsu Railway Yoshino line, Tsubosaka stn, 15min walk.
Admission: free. (Festival maps will be provided at the station).
Tel: 0744-52-1150.
Kansai Event Listings
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Yugen no Tsudoi
Hasedera Temple, Nara
Nov 1 and 22
Hasadera Buddhist temple is well known for its scarlet Japanese maple leaves. The breathtaking sight will amuse you for hours! Japanese classical performing arts can be watched in the temple hall.
Time: 1pm.
Getting there: Kintetsu Railway Osaka line, Hasedera stn, 15min walk.
Admission: adults ¥500, primary school students ¥250.
Tel: 0744-47-7001.
Kyoto Imperial Palace Opening to the Public
Imperial Palace, Kyoto
Nov 1-10
The palace will be open for ten days, with varieties of interior decorations, valuable pictures and paintings, and areas usually closed open to the public.
Time: 9am-4:30pm (last admission 3:30pm).
Getting there: Subway Karasuma line, Imadesawa stn.
Admission: free.
Tel: 075-211-1211.
Machamachi Salon
Yamamoto Nogakudo, Osaka
Nov 2
Hands-on style of learning noh Learn noh dance and chant on stage in traditional costume and mask. Convenient explanations provided in English… just don’t forget to bring your camera!
Time: daytime 2pm (door open 1:30pm), evening 7:30pm (door open 7pm).
Getting there: Subway Tanimachi /Chuo line, Tanimachi-4chome stn.
Admission: ¥1,000.
Please call 06-6943-9454 for tickets.
Tanada Yume Akari
Chihaya Akasakamura Omori, Osaka
Nov 7
The rice terraces have been kept since the 14th century in this village, and on this day they will be illuminated with 2,000 candles. Fee rice balls, zenzai (sweet dessert) and pork soup offered to the first 300 people accepted!
Time: 5pm-8pm (postponed until Nov 8 incase of rain).
Getting there: Kintetsu Railway Osaka line, Tondabayashi stn, bus to Chihaya-akasaka Chugakuko-mae.
Admission: free
Tel: 0721-72-1447.
Kishu Shikki Matsuri
Kuroe Kawabata-dori Street in Kainan City, Wakayama
Nov 7-8
Japanese lacquerware fair featuring exhibitors from Wakayama, set in Edo Period ambiance. The works will be sold at bargain prices.
Time: 10am-4pm.
Getting there: JR Kinokuni line, Kuroe stn, 20min walk.
Admission: free.
Tel: 073-482-0322.
Kansai Cultural Day
Museums in Hyogo, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, Shiga and Wakayama
Nov 14-15
Over 380 art museums, botanical gardens and many other kinds of museums in Kansai will be free of charge for their permanent exhibitions. It is essential to enquire about the dates and exhibitions before you visit.
http://kansaibunka.com/index.php?Mode=List_Museum
Tel: 06-4803-5577.
Autumn Romantic Jazz Live
Kobe Shushin-kan Brewery, Hyogo
Nov 22
Come and enjoy high quality jazz music at the brewery hall, with lots of atmosphere and a drop of sake. Top-class Japanese musicians will present romantic and thrilling jazz numbers.
Time: 4pm (door open 3:30pm).
Getting there: Hanshin Railway Ishiyagawa stn, 8min walk.
Admission: ¥3,500.
Email: info@shushinkan.co.jp
Tel: 078-841-1121.
Ryu’s Beat Live
Hidakagawa Koryu Centre, Wakayama
Nov 28
Japanese taiko drummer Ryutaro Kaneko and Japanese fue flute player Motofumi Yamaguchi will perform together at this hot-spring town deep in the mountains. There is no bus after the concert, so staying overnight at the hot-spring resort would be ideal!
Time: 6:30pm (doors open 6pm)
Getting there: JR Kinokuni line, Gobo stn, bus to Tkatsuo
Admission: adults ¥3,000 (¥3,500 at door), children ¥2,000 (¥2,500 at door).
Email: kb-dondoko@navy.plala.or.jp
Tel: 0728-23-5115.
Gakusei Kokusai Short Movie Festival
Aeroplaza, Kansai International Airport, Osaka
Nov 28
This event showcases short films made by students from both home and abroad. Live jazz and other joyful performances will take place.
Time: 10am-5:30pm.
Getting there: JR Kansaikuko line/Nankai Railway Kuko line, Kansaikuko stn.
Admission: free.
Ikebana International Kobe Chapter November Monthly Meeting
Kobe Club, Chuo-Ku, Kobe
Nov 13
Live demonstration with Mr. Masaru Akai of Hanabito, Kasoukai. Boutique Shopping is available before and after the monthly meeting, and yoga lessons will be available. A raffle will be held at the end of the meeting.
Time: 10:00am-2:00pm.
Admission: ¥2,000.
Tel: 078-241-2588.
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