Sunday, April 6, 2008

Japanese courses offered in Osaka

Osaka International House is seeking participants for its Japanese classes to be held every week from May through July.

The Tanoshii Nihongo class, oriented toward beginners, will focus on everyday Japanese conversation. Participants will be divided into four levels; Levels 1 and 4 will meet every Wednesday starting May 14; and Level 2s and 3 every Tuesday starting May 13. The hours are 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Each level has 12 sessions in total and 10 participants will be accepted.

The fee is ¥5,000, which includes a textbook.

Those wishing to attend must take an interview of about 10 minutes per person from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. April 22 or 23 at Osaka International House. An advance reservation is required by phone. The interview will be in Japanese only. The interviews will be conducted in order of the applicants' arrival that day. An access map can be found at www.ih-osaka-or.jp/i.house/english/

For reservations and more information, contact the organizer at (06) 6773-8989.

Canadians in Kansai holding spring picnic

The Kansai Canadian Association (KCA) is inviting Canadians, their friends, and those interested in anything related to Canada to join its annual spring picnic in Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto, on April 13.

The picnic will be at Kyoto Gosho (Kyoto Imperial Palace), which will be open to the public from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday to April 13. Those wishing to join are urged to bring food or beverages to share with others. Cooking is not allowed at the site.

Participation is free for KCA members and ¥500 for nonmembers. Participants will meet KCA staff members, who will have Canadian flags, at 11:30 a.m. on Imadegawa Dori on the northwest side of the venue. No advance application is required. The picnic will be canceled in case of heavy rain.

For more information and an access map, visit the organizer's Web site at www.kansaicanada.com/ or send an e-mail to events@kansaicanada.com

Guided English tour to procession at Josho-ji

A volunteer English-speaking tour guide is planning a guided tour to observe a gorgeous procession at Josho-ji Temple in Kita Ward, Kyoto, on April 20.

The procession honors Tayu Yoshino (1606-1643), one of the highest-ranked lady entertainers during the Edo Period (1603-1867), and is held annually on the third Sunday of April.

The fees to make the trip are ¥1,000 for transportation, ¥1,000 for lunch and ¥1,000 as a gratuity for the guide.

Participants will meet guide Paul Satoh at 9:30 a.m. in front of the Kyoto City Tourist Information Office on the second floor of JR Kyoto Station.

An advance application is required via fax. The tour is reserved for non-Japanese only. For applications and more information, fax Satoh at (072) 831-2797.

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