Sunday, May 22, 2005

Study-abroad info fair to be held in Kobe:
The Japan Student Services Organization is hosting a fair June 4 in Kobe to provide information for Japanese wishing to study abroad.

The session will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Hyogo Kokusai Koryu Kaikan's multipurpose hall in Chuo Ward. On hand will be representatives from the governments of a variety of countries, including the United States, Canada, Britain, Australia, New Zealand, France, Indonesia and Taiwan.

General and specific information about studying abroad will be provided through a seminar and individual consultations with representatives from each country, along with printed material and videos. Participants will be able to talk to Japanese people who have studied abroad themselves.

Admission is free. Reservations are not required.

The venue is a three-minute walk from Iwaya Station on the Hanshin Line or a five-minute walk from Nada Station on the JR Line.

For more information, call the organizer at (078) 242-1742, e-mail kaigai@jasso.go.jp or visit www.jasso.go.jp/stud-a/info-fair.html

Ikebana demonstration, luncheon set for Kyoto:
The Kyoto chapter of Ikebana International is hosting a luncheon meeting featuring a flower arrangement demonstration at noon June 21 at Brighton Hotel in Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto.

Ikebana artist Masamichi Taninaka will arrange flowers of the season.

The meeting costs 6,000 yen for members and 7,000 yen for nonmembers, including the luncheon. Non-Japanese students can attend the ikebana demonstration at no charge.

Reservations must be made by June 10.

For reservations and more information, call the organizer at (075) 231-4735.

Big firefly festival next month in Shiga:
A firefly festival will be held June 4 to June 12 in the Nagaoka district in Maibara, Shiga Prefecture.

The festival features the gentle lights emitted by the nocturnal luminous insects. The Amano River, which flows through the area, is known as one of the clearest streams in Shiga and as a host to Genji-botaru, one of the largest and most luminous kinds of fireflies inhabiting Japan. In that area, the insects are protected as a Special Natural Monument of Japan. Around this time of the year, multitudes of these "hotaru" flies are expected to come out to light up early summer nights.

During the festival, a line of "andon" traditional lamps will be placed on the ground to lead visitors to one of the viewing sites on the riverside, which is a 10-minute walk from Omi Nagaoka Station on the JR Line.

In addition, various displays and events related to fireflies will be held at Lucci Plaza, also in the district.

For more information, call the festival's executive committee at (0749) 58-2227.

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