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Train Deals

If you’re hoping to catch the last of the autumn leaves, scheduling an evening to see Christmas illuminations, or planning some weekend trips, there are two train passes offering discounts for a limited time. From Himeji to Lake Biwa, make the most of this opportunity to see another corner of Kansai with the Kansai Thru Pass – a special two or three-day ticket, good for any two or three days from now until April. ¥5,200 3/D (¥1,750 per day); ¥4,000 2/D; concessions for kids • surutto.com/ tickets/kansai_thru_english.html JR also has a special Seishun-18 pass which allows unlimited rides on local and rapid JR trains (excluding reserved seats) throughout Japan for five days from Dec 10 to Jan 10. The five days of travel can be shared by two or more people.

¥11,850 • jreast.co.jp/e/pass/seishun18.html

KS Christmas Party

We’re throwing a massive, jolly, fun and prize-filled Christmas party this month and you’re invited to come and celebrate! Be among the first 50 guests in the door to get a special Christmas present from us. The grand prize from the draw is a 1-night stay for two people at the Swissôtel Nankai Osaka where guests will stay in the brand-new luxury 68m2 Japanese-style suite Waraku, and enjoy a next-day breakfast in the Executive Lounge. Other prizes include free private Japanese lessons, free yoga lessons, and much, much more! Come and wish us a Merry Christmas and be in the running for some extra-special gifts!

Fri Dec 19 • Time: 7:30–10:30pm • Where: Nambar 10 Sports & Beers, Swissôtel Nankai Osaka (10F) • Admission: ¥3,000 (2 drinks+snacks+lucky draw ticket) • Access: Nankai Line or Subway, Namba Stn • facebook.com/kansaiscene

T-shirt Competition

There’s still time to enter our 2014 T-shirt competition before entry closes on Dec 7th. Get your creative juices flowing and send us your best designs for a Kansai-themed tee. Head over to kansaiscene.com/tshirt-competition to check out the entries from last time and download the template. One lucky winner receives 10 printed T-shirts of their design, an iTunes gift card, and will have their work featured in Kansai Scene – the magazine and online. Not to mention the glory of seeing your Tshirts being worn around town!