February It s still cold, but the trees start to bud in February. Spring is on its way!

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February 2015 1 Welcome to NIC Out & About!

As always, you can download our podcast from the NIC website.

1 February Welcome to NIC Out & About! Learn about events taking place in and close to Nagoya this month. As always, you can download our podcast from the NIC website. It s still cold, but the trees start to bud in February. Spring is on its way! Contents 1. Traditional Events Event Hina Matsuri Exhibitions Music Flowers Living Information Pattern by Timothy Takemoto 1

1. Traditional Events Setsubun Beans and Ehomaki for Setsubun Setsubun is a lunar New Year s Eve event marking the end of winter and the beginning of spring, and is celebrated on

The phrase Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi! ( Get out, ogre! Come in, happiness! ) is shouted when throwing the beans.

All events are on February 3 (Tue) Bean Scattering Iwazu Tenjin Shrine Iwazu-cho, Okazaki-shi, When 11AM-5PM Directions Get off at JR Okazaki Station or Meitetsu Higashi-Okazaki

2 1. Traditional Events Setsubun Beans and Ehomaki for Setsubun Setsubun is a lunar New Year s Eve event marking the end of winter and the beginning of spring, and is celebrated on February 3. It is celebrated in Japan by throwing beans to chase away evil oni, or ogres. Once the oni are driven away, happiness is free to make its way into homes. The phrase Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi! ( Get out, ogre! Come in, happiness! ) is shouted when throwing the beans. In Nagoya, you can see ceremonies like this at various shrines and temples. All events are on February 3 (Tue) Bean Scattering Iwazu Tenjin Shrine Iwazu-cho, Okazaki-shi, When 11AM-5PM Directions Get off at JR Okazaki Station or Meitetsu Higashi-Okazaki Station, transfer to a bus to Iwazu Tenjin-guchi bus stop and walk 8 minutes. Info Inuyama Naritasan Inuyama-shi When 9AM-4PM (also on February 2 (Mon)) Directions Take the Meitetsu Inuyama Line to Inuyama-Yuen Station and walk 10 minutes. Info Osu Kannon Naka-ku, Nagoya When 10AM-5PM Directions Take Tsurumai Subway Line to Osu Kannon Station Info

3 Kasadera Kannon Minami-ku, Nagoya When 9AM-5PM Directions Take the Meitetsu Main Line to Motokasadera Station and walk 3 minutes or take the JR Tokaido Line to Kasadera Station and walk 2 minutes. Info Ryusenji Temple Moriyama-ku, Nagoya When 9AM-6PM Directions Take the Guideway bus from Ozone Station on the JR, Meitetsu, Meijo Subway Lines to Ryusenji-guchi bus stop and walk 3 minutes, or take the city bus bound for Moriyama from Meitetsu Obata Station to Obata-ryokuchi and walk 7 minutes Info Arako Kannon Nakagawa-ku, Nagoya When 10AM-5PM (Intermission 12PM-1PM) Directions Take Higashiyama Subway Line to Takabata Station and walk 10 minutes or Aonami Line to Arako Station and walk 10 minutes. Info Memorial Service for Needles This is a traditional event to appreciate needles used last year and to hope to improve needlework. Participants visit a shrine to thank the needles by sticking them into something soft such as tofu or konnyaku. Most participants are students of dressmaking schools and professional dressmakers. There is also a custom of not using needles on that day. When February 8 (Sun) 11AM-1PM Where Wakamiya Hachimangu Shrine (Naka-ku, Nagoya) Directions Take the Meijo Subway Line to Yaba-cho Station and walk 3 minutes Info Kacchindama Festival This event is held every year, in the hopes of having easy delivery in childbirth. According to the legend, a lady gave a newborn baby its first bath in purified water from the spring near Rokusho Shrine on February 26. There are many stalls along the approach to the shrine; the most popular one sells Kacchindama (a candy about 10 centimeter in diameter with various colors and patterns). It is said that the shape of the candies represents an umbilical cord. When February 26 (Thu) 9AM-5:30PM Where Rokusho Shrine (Higashi-ku, Nagoya) Directions Take the Meijo Subway Line to Ozone Station and walk for 10 minutes or get off at City bus Kodeki-cho Bus Stop and walk 5 minutes Info 3

4 Konomiya Hadaka Matsuri (Naked Man Festival) The annual Hadaka Matsuri, or Naked Man Festival, will be held at Konomiya Shrine in Inazawa City. This festival has been held since 767 to bring good luck and rid the town of evil. One man is chosen as the Naked Man (shin otoko) and he spends the whole day naked with thousands of men dressed in only loin cloths and sandals. The men enthusiastically scuffle with each other trying to touch the Naked Man to get rid of the evil. It s a traditional event that draws thousands of people. When March 3 (Tue) 3PM Where Konomiya Shrine (or Owari Okuni Tama Jinja) (Konomiya, Inazawa-shi, Aichiken) Directions Take the Meitetsu Main Line to Konomiya Station and walk three minutes from the north exit, or take the JR Line to Inazawa Station and walk 15 minutes. Info 2. Events Snow Festival in Morikoro Park Morikoro Park is bringing 2,500 tons of natural snow to hold an exciting snow festival. There is an open snow space with snow where you can bring toys to play in the snow, a food and drink area and a sleigh area. The sleigh area costs 600yen for 20 minutes. This includes sleigh rental fee (You cannot bring your own sleigh). Little children should slide with a guardian (A fee is required for both child and guardian). Gloves are required. Snow boots and snow wear are recommended. When Through February 22 (Sun) 10AM-4PM It will be held weekends and holidays during the festival. (11 times) Where Morikoro Park (Nagakute-shi, Aichi-ken) Directions From Fujigaoka Station on Higashiyama Subway Line, transfer to the Linimo Line and get off at Ai Chikyu haku kinen koen Station Price Info Free (except for the sleigh area) (Morikoro Park Office) 4

5 Children s Story Book Time at Minato Library Zofia-san from the International Student Center will read children s books, The Adventure of Raindrop and Snow in Polish and English. The Japanese version will also be available for children who haven t learned foreign languages. We can also try greeting in Polish! No reservation is necessary. When February 14 (Sat) 10:30-11:30AM Where Directions Nagoya City Minato Library; 2F Conference Room (Minato-ku, Nagoya) Take the Meiko Subway Line to Minato-kuyakusho Station, the library is next to Exit 1. Or take the city bus to Minato-kuyakusho or Minato yubinkyoku bus stop and walk 4 minutes Parking fee is 300yen (under 30 minutes is free) Cost Free Info (Nagoya City Minato Library ) Clown! Clown! Clown! 2015 All of the members of Clown Family Pleasure B! come together once a year for this festive performance. 30 unique characteristic clowns will put on various performances such as dance, juggling, pantomime and circus performance to show us the power of laughter! When February 13 (Fri) 7PM (1st floor seats only) February 14 (Sat) & 15 (Sun) 11AM & 3PM Where Nagoya City Youth Cultural Center Artopia Hall (Naka-ku, Nagoya) Directions Take the Higashiyama and Meijo Subway Line to Sakae Station and walk 7 minutes south Price 1st floor reserved seats: 2800 for both adults and children 3 years old and over 2nd floor non-reserved seats: 2300 for adults and 1800 for children 3 years old and over Advanced tickets are 2500, 2000 and 1500 respectively. Info Masterpiece Movie Series The Bunka Shogekijo are showing classic movies for one coin (500 yen). Kita Bunka Shogekijo The upcoming movie is Dustin Hoffman and Meryl Streep s Kramer vs. Kramer (1979). When February 18 (Wed) 10PM & 2PM Where Kita Bunka Shogekijo (Kita-ku, Nagoya) Directions Take the Meijo Subway Line to Kurokawa Station, Exit 4 and walk 12 minutes north Price 500. All seats are reserved. Tickets are available at the Bunka Shogekijo of each ward. Info (Kita Bunka Shogekijo) The next movie will be An Officer and a Gentleman on March 11 (Wed). 5

6 Minami Bunka Shogekijo The movie is Stagecoach starring John Wayne and directed by John Ford. When February 17 (Tue) 1:30PM Where Minami Bunka Shogekijo (Minami-ku, Nagoya) Directions Take the Meijo Subway Line to Horita Station, Exit 3 and change to Kikan Bus No.1 to the Chikama-dori 2-chome bus stop Price 500. All seats are non-reserved. Tickets are available at the Bunka Shogekijo of each ward. There will be no same day tickets if advanced tickets are sold out. Info (Minami Bunka Shogekijo) The next movie will be Pépé le Moko shown on April 21 (Tue). 3. Hina Matsuri Hina Matsuri, or the Dolls Festival, is a festival that is celebrated on March 3. It s an event to pray for the growth and happiness of young girls. Each year, beautiful dolls are displayed in homes with young girls. Hina Matsuri at the Tokugawa Art Museum Many priceless dolls and toys used by princesses from the Edo period ( ) will be on display at the Tokugawa Art Museum. When February 7 (Sat) through April 5 (Sun) 10AM 5PM. The museum is closed on Mondays. Where Tokugawa Art Museum (Higashi-ku, Nagoya) Directions Take the city bus (Kikan Bus), get off at Tokugawaen-Shindeki and walk 3 minutes Tickets 1200 for adults, 700 for university and high school students, and 500 for junior high school and elementary school students. Admission is free to elementary, junior high school, and high school students on Saturdays. 6

7 Hina Dolls of Chuma Asuke About 130 private houses and shops in the Chuma area of Asuke will display various kinds of Hina dolls, totaling about 6,000 dolls in all. Asuke is a city near Korankei, which is also famous for its beautiful fall leaves. When February 7 (Sat) through March 8 (Sun) 9AM 4PM Where Community centers and houses in Chuma (Asuke-cho, Toyota-shi, Aichi-ken) Directions By bus: Take the Meitetsu bus to Korankei, a 70-minute trip from Meitetsu Higashi Okazaki Station By car: Drive on the Sanage Green Road to the Chikaraishi IC and head east on Route 153 for about 10km. Hina Doll Tour in Seto Seto City has been a center of pottery and porcelain manufacturing in Japan for the past 1,300 years. Shops will display pottery, ceramics, and glass hina dolls for Hina Matsuri. In a complex facility in the city center, Setogura, a hinamid, a pyramid consisting of about 650 hina dolls is on display. Antique hina dolls of the Edo Era ( ) will also be displayed. When Through March 8 (Sun) 9AM 9:30PM Where SETOGURA and surrounding areas (Seto-shi, Aichi-ken) Directions Take the Meitetsu Seto Line from Sakae Station to Owari Seto Station and walk 5 minutes. Info Exhibitions Nitten Nitten is held every year and is the biggest arts exhibition in the country. Over 600 works from the fields of Japanese Art, Western Art, Sculpting, Crafting and Calligraphy will be on display. The exhibition not only features works from famous artists, but also features the works of talented new artists as well. When Through February 15 (Sun), from 10AM to 6PM (8PM on Fridays). The exhibition is closed on Mondays. Where Aichi Prefectural Museum of Art, Aichi Arts Center 8F (Higashi-ku, Nagoya) Directions Price Take the Higashiyama or Meijo Subway Line to Sakae and walk 3 minutes 1000 for adults, 700 for high school and university students, 400 for junior high and elementary school students The Menard Art Museum -Sound from the Color World The Menard Art Museum opened its doors in 1987 and has continued to add to its collection for its visitors to enjoy. This exhibit features 80 selected pieces representative of paintings which show sound from color world. Sound and art have been deeply connected since old times. There have been not only many depictions of people playing instruments and singing but works conveying the sound of our everyday lives, happiness and nature. This impressive collection is a great way to start off When Through March 1 (Sun) 10AM-5PM Closed on Mondays びじゅつかん Where Menard Art Museum メナード美術館 (Komaki-shi, Aichi-ken) Directions Take the Meijo Subway Line to Heian-dori Station, and change to the Kamiiida Subway Line/Meitetsu Komaki Line to Komaki Station and walk 15 minutes. 7

8 Cost 900 for adults, 600 for university and high school students, 300 junior high school and elementary school students Info Aichi Arts Center Royal Academy of Arts, London This exhibit will feature pieces by artists representing British art from the 18 th and 19 th centuries. Beginning with the Academy s first president, Reynolds and the equally popular Gainsborough, the exhibit will also include the two masters of British landscape painting, Turner and Constable, Milly and Waterhouse from the early Victorian period, and Sargent who was greatly influenced by Japonism. This is a rare opportunity to see the collection of the Royal Academy at an unprecedented scale. When February 3 (Tue) April 5 (Sun) 10AM-6PM (8PM on Fridays) Closed on Mondays. Where Aichi Prefectural Museum of Art, Aichi Arts Center 10F (Higashi-ku, Nagoya) Directions Take the Higashiyama or Meijo Subway Line to Sakae Station and walk 3 Price minutes for adults, 1000 for high school and university students, free for junior high school students and under Advance tickets are 1100 and 800 respectively Info Music Famous Works Series by MeiPhil The Nutcracker For this famous works series, the Nagoya Philharmonic Orchestra will perform with local music students. Program: P. Tchaikovsky s The Nutcracker, Op.71 (Complete) and Slavonic March, Op.31. (with the Nagoya Children s Choir) Conductor: Martyn Brabbins. When Where February 5 (Thu) 6:45PM Nippon Tokushu Togyo Shimin Kaikan (NTK Hall, Forest Hall) (Naka-ku, Nagoya) Directions A minute walk from the north exit of Kanayama Station on the JR, Meitetsu and Meijo Subway Line. Price Seat prices range from 2100 to 5100 Info

Toyota City Concert Hall Series The Nagoya Philharmonic Orchestra will hold a concert featuring the resonance of the pipe organ. The concert will be conducted by Masahiko Enkoji.

9 Toyota City Concert Hall Series The Nagoya Philharmonic Orchestra will hold a concert featuring the resonance of the pipe organ. The concert will be conducted by Masahiko Enkoji. The program includes Saint- Saens s Symphony No.3 in C minor, Organ Symphony, organ by Megumi Tokuoka; Ibert s Flute Concerto, flute by Ayako Takagi; Faure s Pelleas et Melissande Suite. When February 14 (Sat), 4PM Where Directions Price Info Toyota City Concert Hall (Toyota-shi, Aichi-ken) Take the Tsurumai Subway Line (Meitetsu Toyota Line) or the Meitetsu Mikawa Line to Toyotashi Station and walk 3 minutes, or take Aichikanjo Line to Shin-Toyota Station and walk 5 minutes 1F seat: 5100, 2F seat: 3100, Y seat: 1000 (Same-day tickets for people under 24) (Mei-Phil) The Nagoya Philharmonic Orchestra FIRST The theme of this season s Nagoya Philharmonic Orchestra s subscription series is First. This performance focuses on music expressing The First of Russia. The program is M.Massorgsky St. John s Night on Bold Mountain ; D. Shostakovich Piano Concerto No.1 in C minor, Op.35 ; V. Kalinnikov Symphony No.1 in G minor. Conductor: Andris Poga; Piano: Yekwon Sunwoo; Principal Trumpet: Kei Inoue. When February 20 (Fri) 6:45PM and February 21 (Sat) 4:00PM Where Aichi Prefectural Art Theater, Concert Hall (Higashi-ku, Nagoya) Directions Take the Meijo or Higashiyama Subway Line to Sakae Station. Price S seats 6200; A seats 5100; B seats 4100; C seats 3100 Y seats 1000 (24 years old and younger, same-day tickets) Info 9

6. Flowers Winter Illumination at Hisaya-Oodori Garden Flarie The Orchid House has re-opened as the Hisaya-Oodori Garden Flarie, with 5 outdoor gardens, the indoor crystal garden, an Italian

When 9AM-5:30PM (Winter Illuminations are from 5-10PM through March 15 (Sun), Restaurants in the park are open until10:30pm) Where Hisaya-Oodori Garden (Naka-ku, Nagoya) Directions Take the Meijo

10 6. Flowers Winter Illumination at Hisaya-Oodori Garden Flarie The Orchid House has re-opened as the Hisaya-Oodori Garden Flarie, with 5 outdoor gardens, the indoor crystal garden, an Italian restaurant, and a café. Christmas roses are at full bloom this time of the year and the winter illumination of the garden, buildings and pond decorated by 150,000 lights is fabulous! When 9AM-5:30PM (Winter Illuminations are from 5-10PM through March 15 (Sun), Restaurants in the park are open until10:30pm) Where Hisaya-Oodori Garden (Naka-ku, Nagoya) Directions Take the Meijo Subway Line to Yaba-cho Station and walk 3 minutes Price Free Info Plum Festival (Ume Matsuri) Plum blossoms are the first flowers to bloom early in spring, after the cold winter. Various kinds of plum trees can be enjoyed from late February to early March. A number of locations in and around Nagoya will hold events and festivals. Nagoya City Nogyo ( Agriculture ) Center (700 plum trees of 12 different kinds of weeping plum blossoms) Weeping plum blossoms are beautiful with their hanging branches. Why not take a walk around the garden and see and smell the fragrant plum blossoms? Children can enjoy playing with livestock raised at the center. Don t miss the fresh milk and homemade ice cream! When February 25 (Wed) through March 22 (Sun) 9AM-4:30PM Dates may change depending on when the flowers are in bloom Where Nagoya City Nogyo Center (Tempaku-ku, Nagoya) Directions Take the Tsurumai Subway Line to Hirabari Station and walk 20 minutes, or take the city bus to Araike and walk for 7 minutes (During the festival, parking will cost 500 yen and is expected to fill quickly) Price Free Info

Souri Pond (4,600 plum trees of 25 different kinds) Souri Pond is a man-made pond 13 times larger than the Nagoya Dome. You can take a walk around it while enjoying plum trees in full bloom.

When February 14 (Sat) through March 15 (Sun) 9AM-5PM Where Souri Pond (Chita-shi, Aichi-ken) Directions By bus: Take the Meitetsu Tokoname Line to Asakura Station, get on the Chita Bus bound for

jp/~umehouse/event27-2/event27-2.html Bairin Park (1,300 plum trees of 50 different kinds) There will be stage shows, a sketching competition and more during the festival.

11 Souri Pond (4,600 plum trees of 25 different kinds) Souri Pond is a man-made pond 13 times larger than the Nagoya Dome. You can take a walk around it while enjoying plum trees in full bloom. There will also be various events on Saturdays & Sundays during the festival and the Play Park will be open from 10AM-4PM. When February 14 (Sat) through March 15 (Sun) 9AM-5PM Where Souri Pond (Chita-shi, Aichi-ken) Directions By bus: Take the Meitetsu Tokoname Line to Asakura Station, get on the Chita Bus bound for Souri to Ume-no-Yakata-guchi, and walk five minutes. By car: Take the Chita Peninsula Road to Agui IC and drive 15 minutes west. Info (Ume no Yakata) Bairin Park (1,300 plum trees of 50 different kinds) There will be stage shows, a sketching competition and more during the festival. In the park, there is a playground for children to play on and a steam locomotive on display. When March 14 (Sat) and 15 (Sun) Where Bairin Park (Bairin-minami-machi, Gifu-shi, Gifu-ken) Directions Take the Meitetsu to Shin-Gifu Station and get on the bus at No. 6 bus stop, or take the JR to Gifu Station and get on the bus at No. 13 or 14 bus stop to Bairinkoen-mae for 10 minutes, and then walk 3 minutes. Info 7. Living Information National Foundation Day (National Holiday) Wednesday, February 11 is National Foundation Day. According to the old history books, it is the anniversary of the first emperor s enthronement. Spring-Hay Fever Spring is on its way, but along with the delights of the warmer weather, come seasonal allergies or kafunsho, caused by the increase of cedar and cypress pollen in the air. There are a few things you can do to lessen the effects of pollen. Wear masks and glasses to keep pollen out of your nose and eyes, gargle when you can, wash your hands, and consider using a nasal washing device and/or medication. Don t leave windows open, clean your room regularly, and vacuum your futon after bringing it in from outside. If your allergies become serious, you may want to see a doctor. The Nagoya International Center (NIC) has a list of English speaking doctors available. Thank you and have a great month! As always, you can download our podcast from the NIC website and ask more information by telephone: NIC is closed on Mondays and February 8 (Sunday) due to building maintenance. 11

February It s still cold, but the trees start to bud in February. Spring is on its way!!

February It s still cold, but the trees start to bud in February. Spring is on its way!! February 2014 1 Welcome to NIC Out & About! Learn about events taking place in and close to Nagoya this month. As always, you can download our podcast from the NIC website. It s still cold, but the trees