AROUND JAPAN
CULTURAL ADAPTATION(NEW LOCATION) Cultural Adaptation is now located in the Station Library in Bldg 411. Let us help you transition smoothly into Japanese culture.
GUIDED TOURS
GET OUT AND EXPLORE JAPAN
We offer local cultural tours/events and customs as well as classes ranging from beginning Japanese to local cuisine cooking classes. Pre-registration for Cultural Adaptation classes and tours is required in person at Bldg 411, 3rd floor. Minimum of 5 people required for tours. Call 253-6165 for details.
Below are unguided tours, but stop by Information & Referral and we can give you enough information so you can have your own adventure. Call 253-6161 for details.
CULTURAL TOUR TO WOOD EGG OKONOMIYAKI ‘JAPANESE PANCAKE’ MUSEUM
KINTAI BRIDGE REPLICA MAKING
TENCHO-SAI/ EMPEROR’S BIRTHDAY
DECEMBER 17, 9:30 AM - 3:30 PM, IN HIROSHIMA
THRU DECEMBER 26, KINTAI BRIDGE BUS CENTER
DECEMBER 23, STARTING AT 9 AM
Experience Okonomiyaki ‘Japanese Pancake’! It is a local “soul food” of layered chopped vegetables, egg and your choice of meat, all flattened on the grill. We will visit the Wood Egg, the museum of Okonomiyaki. Experience cooking okonomiyaki yourself! Bring: Apron, Bandana (to cover your hair while cooking), ID and Extra Yen.
Would you like to challenge miniature Kintai Bridge making? Following step by step instructions, you will complete a wooden replica of an arch within 2 to 3 hours. Costs ¥6,000 and reservation is required.
ITSUKUSHIMA SHRINE ON MIYAJIMA ISLAND
MIKAN PICKING
TENJIN MARKET
THRU THE END OF DECEMBER, 9 AM - 3 PM ,
DECEMBER 25, 9 AM - 3 PM AT HOFU
OSHIMA ISLAND
TENMANGU SHRINE IN HOFU CITY
Enjoy juicy plump, all you can eat tangerines! For ¥500 come visit the mikan orchards where you can purchase bags full of mikans. Entry fee applies to all patrons visiting and/or mikan picking.
This is a monthly market held on the 25th of each month. Many food vendors and stalls will line up along the front approach to the shrine. Some deal with antiques. Since this is the year-end market, you will find New Year’s decorations and special foods.
CULTURAL TOUR TO YANAI NISHIGURA:
HIROSHIMA DREAMINATION THROUGH JANUARY 3; 5:30-10:30 PM, HEIWA
CHINKA-SAI
DORI STREET, DOWNTOWN HIROSHIMA
DECEMBER 31, STARTING AT 6 PM, MIYAJIMA
Individual objects along this street in Hiroshima are brightly illuminated.
This is an annual ceremony for preventing fire; people will parade with torches along the island’s coast. Please note the area will be very crowded with worshippers praying and welcoming the New Year. Local trains and ferries will have additional transportation services.
TOKIWA PHANTASIA 2014 THROUGH JANUARY 12, 2015 3:30-9:30 PM (WEEKDAYS & SATURDAYS) 10 AM - 9:30 PM (SUNDAYS & JN HOLIDAYS) TOKIWA PARK IN UBE CITY
Christmas illumination will light up the park. The amusement park area extends its business hours.
FLOWER & LIGHT PAGEANT MAKING GOLDFISH LANTERNS JANUARY 23, 9 AM - 4 PM SIGN-UP AT THE LIBRARY START DECEMBER 23 , LIBRARY FEE: ¥900, PLEASE BRING EXACT CHANGE ON THE DAY OF THE EVENT
Our first stop is at the craft museum called ‘Nishigura’ where you will make a goldfish paper lantern which is a special souvenir from this city. During your free time you can visit some of the museums in the area or go shopping at Mr. Max. Bring: Extra yen to cover your lunch and souvenirs and ID.
The Emperor’s birthday is observed as a national holiday. The Shinto style ceremony is held to celebrate this day. Five pieces of Shinto sacred music is performed.
WEEKENDS THROUGH DECEMBER 23 9 AM - 9 PM, HIROSHIMA BOTANICAL GARDEN
“Flower Light Pageant” is held Saturdays and Sundays. There will be Christmas tree and foliage illumination, candles and a Christmas concert.
WINTER FIREWORKS DISPLAY DECEMBER 13, 4-8 PM KANOKAMI AREA IN SHUNAN CITY
There will be food vendors and stage events near Kano Civic Gymnasium. Fireworks display starts at 7 PM. Parking space is available and a shuttle bus runs from JR Tokuyama Station.
IWAKUNI ROPEWAY NEW YEAR ’S DAY JANUARY 1, STARTING 6:30 AM AT KIKKO PARK
View the first rising sun of the year from the Iwakuni castle on Mt. Shiroyama. The ropeway starts at 6:30 AM. Ropeway costs ¥550 for a round trip and admission to the castle is ¥260.
NEW YEAR’S CONCERT 2015 JANUARY 10, 2-4 PM (DOORS OPEN 1:30 PM) SINFONIA IWAKUNI
The Vienna Volksoper is a major opera house and is coming to Iwakuni. Please fill your heart with enchanting music and dances. Tickets: S = ¥7,500; A = ¥6,000; Student = ¥2,000.
M C C S I WA K U N I . C O M |
DECEMBER 2014
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