[ NIC EVENTS INFORMATION ]
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Midori Multicultural Event
Organized by the Nagoya International Center and the Midori Tabunka Kyosei Boranetto. Admission is of course free! Interpreters will be on hand to help
- When: Sunday, March 10 (13:00-16:00)
- Where: Midori Ward Office 緑区役所; a 15 minute walk from Meitetsu Sakyōyama Station 左京山.
- Photo-story short film exhibition about the Battle of Okehazama presented by foreign and Japanese families living in Midori Ward.
- MICA free health consultation booth
- NIC education counseling booth
- Learn about disaster and crime prevention
- Try on national costumes, taste confectionary and play children’s games from around the World
- Enjoy an Andean panpipe performance and Philippine bamboo dancing
- Take the “Easy Japanese Words” quiz.
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Global Citizen’s Program 2013 – Instructors Wanted!
Want to help us to create a globally aware Nagoya? As part of its Classroom for Global Citizen’s program, the NIC is looking for foreign instructors to visit schools and local organizations and introduce their home countries.
- We are looking for people:
- who are able to communicate in Japanese
- who are able to introduce their home country
- who are available on weekdays during the day time
- who are available for interview (by appointment), and training on Saturday, April 20 (10:00 – 12:00).
- Compensation: 6000 to 8000 Yen per assignment depending on the destination (income tax and commuting costs are included)
- How to Apply: Application forms can be requested by e-mail (koryu@nic-nagoya.or.jp),fax (052-581-5629), or can be downloaded in a PDF format. The application deadline is Friday, April 12 (17:00).
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Hatcho Miso Factory Tour
High in protein and rich in vitamins and minerals, miso is a traditional Japanese paste-like seasoning used widely in both traditional and modern cooking.
Maruya Hatcho Miso is the oldest existing Hatcho miso maker 八丁味噌 in Japan and has been operating continuously since 1337. Hatcho miso draws its name from its proximity to Okazaki Castle -“Hatcho” refers to the fact that the miso factory was 8 blocks from the castle (“ha” meaning 8, and “cho” meaning one city block). Hatcho miso is a variety of red miso made from soy, renowned for its dense, rich flavour and relatively low salt content compared with some varieties of rice-based miso.
Maruya Hatcho Miso offers free tours of their small factory where you can observe and learn how miso is traditionally made. Visitors will also have the chance to sample some of the miso and buy some in the factory shop to take home.
- Admission: Free
- Open:9:00 to 16:30; closed at New Year
- The guided tour is offered in Japanese (but basic English is OK) and takes approximately 30 minutes. There is also an English guide book.
- Reservations are required only for groups (one day before the tour)
- Reservation number: Tel. 0564-22-0222 (Japanese only) Fax. 0564-23-0172 (English OK)
- Access: A 1 minute walk from Meitetsu Okazaki-koen-mae Station岡崎公園前or Aichi Kanjo Railway Nakaokazaki Station中岡崎駅. A limited number of free parking spaces are also available.
- Address: Okan-dori 52, Haccho, Okazaki City 岡崎市八帖往環通52
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Hot Springs in and Around Nagoya
Winter is a good time to warm up and relax in some of Japan’s famous onsen hot springs, but you don’t have to trek off to a remote mountain village to visit one; you may be surprised to know that there are numerous hot springs (both natural and man-made) in and around the Nagoya area!
The modern onsen is not just taking a bath in a pool of natural spring water, most onsen 温泉also have hot stone spas known as ganban-yoku 岩盤浴and rooms where you can lie down and nap, drink a cold beer or tea, or even sit in a massage chair; don’t forget to take advantage of the facilities between and after baths. On top of this many modern city onsen also have hair salons, massage rooms, saunas, restaurants, and more. Below we’ve highlighted a selection of four onsens in the Nagoya area that are easily accessible by public transport.
★Korona-no-yu: 天然温泉コロナの湯 (Nakagawa Ward)
- Address: Tomida-cho Ematsu 3-110, Nakagawa Ku, Nagoya 名古屋市中川区江松3-110
- Tel: 052-303-9711
- Admission: Adults 550 Yen (650 Yen), ages 3 to elementary school 250 Yen (300 Yen), under 3s not allowed.
- ( ) weekend & holidays. Rental bath & face towel 250 Yen.
- Open: Mondays – Thursdays 10:00 – 25:00. Fridays & before a holiday 10:00 – 26:00. Saturdays 08:00 – 26:00. Sundays & holidays 08:00 – 25:00. Closed 4 days a year for maintenance.
- Access: From Takabata Subway Station take the Takabata #14,#15, or #17 buses to Mikazukibashi 三日月橋. Takes 15 minutes. Free parking available.
★Nagakute Onsen 長久手温泉ござらっせ (Nagakute City)
- Address: Maegumashimoda 170, Nagakute City 長久手市前熊下田170
- Tel: 0561-64-3511
- Admission: Adults 700 Yen, children (aged 3 – 12) 400 Yen. Rental bath & face towel 210 Yen.
- Open: 09:00 – 23:00. Last entry 22:00.
- Closed: 1st Monday of the month (following day if this is a holday)
- Access: A 20 minute walk north from the Linimo line’s Koen Nishi Station 公園西.
- There is also a free shuttle bus from Fujigaoka Subway Station. Departs at half past the hour between 08:30 & 21:30. Departs from in front of the book shop (a few shops down from Baskin Robbins 31). Free parking available.
★Kita-no-yu: Shonai Onsen 喜多の湯:庄内温泉 (Kita Ward)
- Address: Nishiajima 1-132-1, Kita Ku, Nagoya 名古屋市北区西味鋺1-132-1
- Tel: 052-902-2651
- Admission: Adults 550 Yen (weekend & holidays 650 Yen), elementary school children 300 Yen, pre-schoolers 100 Yen, under 4s – free.
- Open: Weekdays 10:00 – 25:00, last entry 24:00. Weekends & holidays 09:00 – 26:00, last entry 25:00. Closed 1 or 2 days a year for maintenance.
- Access: A 5 minute walk from Shinkawa-Nakabashi (新川中橋) City Bus stop. Take the 幹栄1 bus from bus stop #4 at Oasis 21 in Sakae. Free parking available.
★Tenpunoyu 天風の湯「太平温泉」 (Nakagawa Ward)
- Address: Hiratocho 2-1-10, Nakagawa Ku, Nagoya 名古屋市中川区平戸町2-1-10
- Tel: 052-355-4126
- Admission:Adults 650 Yen (700 Yen), elementary school children 300 Yen (350 Yen), pre-schoolers 100 Yen, under 3s – free. Rental bath & face towel 200 Yen.
- ( ) indicates weekend & holidays
- Open: weekday 10:00 – 25:00, weekends & holidays 09:00 – 25:00. Last entry 24:00
- Closed: 2nd Tuesday of the month (following day if this is a holiday)
- Access: A 6 minute walk south from Minami-Arako Station or a 7 minute walk north from Nakajima Station – both on the Aonami Line. Free parking available.
★Onsen Etiquette
If you don’t mind the idea of communal bathing, onsens can be a very relaxing and enjoyable experience, but there are a few rules of etiquette that should be observed, to ensure that you don’t disturb other visitors.
- Before entering the changing rooms, take off your shoes and leave them outside. Then take your clothes off in the changing room and put them in the basket or locker provided.
- Leave your bath towel outside with your clothes – don’t be shy – nobody cares about how you look. Fortunately, it is acceptable to take a small towel/flannel into the bathing room with you; you can usually buy and/or rent towels from the onsen reception.
- Always be sure to wash and rinse yourself before you get into the bath. To do this, sit down on one of the low stools provided and wash with your flannel and a plastic washbowl. Don’t stand up while you are washing, as you are likely to splash other people. When you have finished, rinse the bowl and stool, return the bowl to its original place and lean the stool against the wall to dry.
- Please remember that it is rude to get into the bath with soap on your body or without washing at all, as this will make the bath water dirty and unpleasant for other people. At many places (including all the places listed above) soap, shampoos, and other toiletries are included in the entry fee.
- It is also unacceptable to take your soap and towel into the bath and wash while you are bathing.
- Many onsen ban bathers with tattoos. The rule is often enforced strictly against all, including foreigners, women, and even when tattoos are small and innocent.
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Okashi no Shiro (Sweet Castle)
Located just north of Nagoya, the Okashi no Shiro お菓子の城 is a hands-on confectionary museumset in an eye-catching 19th century all-white neo-baroque-style building. If you’re looking for an ideal personalised gift to give to a loved one for a birthday, Valentines Day, or White Day – or just have a sweet tooth – then the Okashi no-Shiro offers several workshops where you can make your own personalised confectionary.
- Admission: Adults 1200 Yen (1800 Yen), children ages 3 through JHS 900 Yen (1500 Yen), free for children under 3.
- ( ) admission & workshop combo ticket “taiken-setto”
- Opening Hours: weekdays 09:30 – 17:00 (18:00). Last admission 16:00 (17:00), reception for cookie & biscuit making closes 15:30 (16:00). Closed on Wednesdays & Thursdays – except on national holidays and during school holidays
★Access
- By car: A 4km drive north on Route 41 from the Komaki Interchange on the Higashi Meihan Expressway.
- Address: Shinkawa 1-11, Inuyama City, Aichi. Tel: 0568-67-8181
- By Train: A 20 minute (1.6km) walk west from Meitetsu Gakuden Station 楽田. If coming from the Nagoya area, you can transfer to the Meitetsu Komaki Line at Heian-dori Subway Station (Meijo Line).
- Please note that the facilities are not equipped with slopes and elevators and are therefore not suitable for wheelchair and pushchair access.
★Attractions
Sweet Village スイートビレッジ An exhibition of around 200 European castles, world landmarks, Aichi landmarks, and famous buildings from fairy tales – all made from sugar are on display.
Sweets Buffet キューピットのお花畑（スイーツバイキング） All-you-can-eat puddings, desserts, sweets, and ice cream! A drinks bar is also included. Enjoy making parfait and crepes. There is no time limit, but an extra 800 Yen admission is required; children under 3 eat for free.
Cinderella Restaurant (Lunch Buffet) シンデレラレストラン（ランチバイキング） Eat more than 20 kinds of western-style foods including roast beef, hand-made pizza, pasta, gratin, and soups. Dessert and drinks are also available. There is no time limit and you can eat as much as you want. Extra admission for is required: adults 1500 Yen, elementary school students 1200 Yen, pre-schoolers 900 Yen, free for children under 3. Open only on weekends & holidays.
Donuts Deco ドーナツデコ Only available on weekends & holidays. Donut art! Create and decorate your own set of unique donuts for yourself or take home as a gift. 800 Yen participation fee for a set of 6 donuts. No reservations required. Takes approximately 30 minutes.
Cookie Party クッキーパーティ（クッキーづくり体験） Make and bake your own unique cookies. Follow the easy step by step instructions and add a topping of your choice. Suitable for all ages and abilities. Eat your freshly-baked cookies with a free drink of your choice or take them home for later. 800 Yen participation fee. No reservations required.
Biscuit Art ビスケットアート（ビスケットづくり体験） Be an artist – your biscuit is your canvas! Make and bake your own biscuits, then decorate them using an icing sugar pen (6 colours are available). Draw pictures, words, or write a message to a loved one. 800 Yen participation fee. No reservations required.
Bread-Making Class わくわくパン教室 Learn how to make your own bread. You can also choose to bake melon-flavored breads or animal-shaped breads. 1100 Yen participation fee. No reservations required. Only available on Sundays & holidays.
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The 2013 International Speech Contest in Japanese
Put your Japanese language skills to the test and enter the International Education Center’s ‘International Speech Contest in Japanese’!
With the exception of previous competition winners, the contest is open to anyone who will be aged 15 or older on the day of the contest and whose native language is not Japanese. Speeches can be based on any non-commercial, non-religious topic, and can last for a maximum of 6 minutes. Submissions will be judged on subject choice, evidence & arguments, organization, language, and presentation.
Based upon initial applications, 12 contestants will be selected from the entries to compete and present their speeches in person in Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture on Saturday, June 8.
The application deadline is Tuesday, April 16.Application forms and further details (both in English & Japanese), as well as speeches from last year’s contest are available from the contest website at www.iec-nichibei.or.jp.
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Maruyama Okyo Exhibition
円山応挙展－江戸時代絵画 真の実力者－
Active in the late 18th century Kyoto, Maruyama Ōkyo (1733 – 1795) is widely known as the father of the Maruyama School characterized by its naturalistic style. He studied artworks from Chinese, Japanese and Western sources and developed his own style of Western naturalism mixed with Eastern design. Painting on walls, sliding door, ceilings, and folding screens, he took advantage their three dimensional qualities to produce trick-art-like designs. This exhibition views Ōkyo from various angles and features a total of around 90 works.
- Snow Covered Pine (1781-89), Maruyama Okyo. Courtesy of the Mitsui Memorial Museum
- When: Friday, March 1 – Sunday, April 14
- Where: Aichi Prefectural Museum of Art 愛知県美術館, Aichi Arts Center 10F.
- Access: A 3 minute walk from Sakae Subway Station; Aichi Arts Center is connected to Oasis 21 at the basement level.
- Admission: 1300 Yen, students 1000 Yen, free for JHS students and under. The admission fee also includes entry to the museum’s permanent collection.
- Open: 10:00 – 18:00 (until 20:00 on Fridays); closed on Mondays. Photo: Snow Covered Pine (1781-89), Maruyama Ōkyo. Courtesy of the Mitsui Memorial Museum
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Moricoro Park Street Entertainer’s Festival
The event includes numerous street entertainer performances, a charity auction, a juggling corner, and a flea market. Over the same weekend the park will be hosting the Moricoro Park Spring Festival (第6回モリコロパーク春まつり) featuring Nordic walking, a trampoline area, stage events, and craft & cooking workshops. Admission to both events is free, but some admission to some activities requires a small fee.
- When: Saturday, March 23 & Sunday, March 24 (10:00 – 16:30)
- Where: Lawn area, Global Center, and other areas in Moricoro Park 愛・地球博記念公園（モリコロパーク）
- Access: From Fujigaoka Station, take the Linimo to Ai-chikyuhaku Kinen Koen (Expo Memorial Park) Station 愛・地球博記念公園.Extensivecar-parking is available, but may be congested; parking costs 500 Yen for regular vehicles.
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St. Patricks’s Day Parade
セントパトリックスデイ・パレード名古屋
Be sure to wear something green, and come along and join in the fun. With live Irish music, singers and dancers, bagpipes – St. Patrick’s Day comes to Nagoya!
- When: Saturday, March 16 (from 12:00)
- Where: Around Osu Arcade 大須商店街 – Osu Kannon Subway Station, exit 2
- 12:00 – Opening Ceremony (Maneki Neko Hiroba) with live Irish music and dance
- 14:00 – St. Patrick’s Day Parade (Around Osu Arcade)
- 15:30 – St Patrick’s Day kids games and activities in Shirakawa Koen
- 17:00 onwards – Official after parade party in Shooters Bar and Grill with live music
- Volunteers needed – please contact info@stpatricksnagoya.com
- Further information: www.stpatricksnagoya.com
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TOYOTA 75
特別企画展: トヨタ自動車創立75周年
Starting from 1937 when the Toyota Motor Corporation was established, this exhibition looks back at the transformation of motorization and the Japanese automotive industry over the past 75 years. The exhibition consists of about 50 cars and about 50 scale models – showcasing the development of Japanese automobiles and some of the innovative ideas in manufacturing technology. The “systematic diagrams of vehicles” of about 700 Toyota models are also on public display for the first time.
- Toyota 2000GT – Gnsin via Wikipedia Commons
- When: Until Sunday, April 14 (09:30 – 17:00); closed Mondays.
- Where: Toyota Automobile Museum トヨタ博物館, Nagakute City
- Access: A 5 minute walk from Geidai-dori Station芸大通 on the Linimo Line.
- Admission: Adults 1000 Yen, over 65s 500 Yen, JH & HS students 600 Yen, elementary students 400 Yen. Free admission for elementary school students between Saturday, March 16 and Sunday, April 7.
The museum also has over 120 historic cars from around the World on permanent display. Tour the museum at your own pace using a multi-lingual touch-screen audio guide; costs 200 Yen (only 100 Yen until April 14), available in Japanese, English, Chinese, and Korean. All exhibits have explanations in Japanese, English, Chinese, and Korean. Information pamphlets are also available in 16 languages.
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Nizou Yamamoto Anime Exhibition
An exhibition of art director Nizou Yamamoto‘s work on animation, movies, and television, specifically highlighting Grave of the Fireflies, Princess Mononoke, The Girl Who Leapt Though Time, and Future Boy Conan. About 160 works will be on display, including image boards sketches and background pictures of the animations used in production.
- Laputa: Castle in the Sky 1986 ©Nibariki Co.,Ltd ©Nizou Yamamoto
- When: Until Sunday, March 10 (09:00 – 17:00)
- Open on Fridays until 8:00PM
- Closed Tuesdays and Feb. 13th (Wednesday).
- Where: Ogaki-city, Sui Topia Center Art Gallery (Ogaki, Gifu-Pref.）
- Directions: Take JR line to Ogaki station. Walk 15min. Take the Yoro Line to Muro Station. Walk 5min.
- Price: 600 Yen for adults, free for students under high school
- Info: http://www.og-bunka.or.jp/
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Surviving Hay Fever Hell
Can you help me?
Q: Have any advice for a first time hay fever sufferer? Nice sunny day outside? Got red eyes? A congested nose? Maybe a sore throat? Welcome to hay fever hell!
★What is hay fever? Hay fever known colloquially as “kafunsho” (花粉症) is the allergic reaction to air-borne pollen causing seasonal allergic rhinitis and seasonal allergic conjunctivitis. There are many types of pollen that cause allergic reactions; in North America ragweed pollen is the main culprit, in the UK and Australia grass pollen reek havoc in early summer. In Japan there are over 40 sources of allergic pollen alone. The sugi tree (杉), which is closely associated with the sake industry, and the hinoki tree (檜), traditionally used in the construction of shrines and temples, produce the pollen that is the main source of woe for Japan’s hay fever sufferers.
Even if you have not had any previous hay fever symptoms in your home country, the sugi and hinoki are unique to Japan and first-time visitors to Japan will not have had any previous exposure to them. It usually takes a few months exposure to the pollen in order to become sensitized, so for infants and foreign residents witnessing their first pollen season, it is common for no symptoms to occur. From the second pollen season onwards, symptoms – often severe, may occur; around 1 in 6 Japanese suffer annually from hay fever.
★When is pollen season? In the Tokai area, the sugi pollens are prevalent in the atmosphere between mid-February and late April, the hinoki pollens from early April to mid-May. The amount of pollen released into the atmosphere varies daily. Days with clear skies, days with warm temperatures, days with variable wind direction, and dry days following rainy days are ideal conditions for a high pollen count.
★What are the symptoms of hay fever? How do I say them in Japanese? The ears, nose, and throat are the most commonly affected areas. The Japanese for each symptom is written in the ( ).
Common nasal symptoms ￭ Sneezing （kushami ga deru） ￭ Runny nose (hanamizu ga deru) ￭ Itchy nose (hana ga kayui) ￭ Blocked or congested nose (hana ga tsumaru)
Common eye symptoms ￭ Red eyes (me ga juketsu suru) ￭ Watery eyes (namidame) ￭ Itchy eyes（me ga kayui）
Other possible symptoms ￭ Dry throat / itchy throat (nodo ga kawaku / nodo ga kayui) ￭ Itchy ears (mimi ga kayui) ￭ Headache (zutsu ga suru) ￭ Disturbed sleep (suimin-shogai) ￭ Inability to concentrate (shu-chu-ryoku ga nakunaru)
The start of the hay fever season coincides with the “cold season” and initially cold symptoms and hay fever symptoms can be confused. Hay fever symptoms vary daily depending on where you are and the local weather conditions, whereas cold symptoms tend to come with a fever and / or a cough.
★How do I know I have hay fever? In order to diagnose hay fever, you need to have symptoms during pollen season. To confirm diagnosis, Ear Nose Throat (ENT) clinics can perform a skin test or a nasal provocation test.
★What precautions can I take against hay fever? If you are allergic to pollen, you can lessen your exposure to it by taking some simple precautions in your daily routine during the pollen season.
1. Don’t wait for sneezing to begin. Start building up your immunity by taking medication 2 weeks before the pollen hits (before end of February). 2. Wear a mask when you are outside. 3. Don’t leave exterior windows and doors open for prolonged periods. 4. After coming inside, brush down or change exterior clothing. 5. After coming home for the day, shower and change before moving around the rest of your home. 6. Don’t dry laundry or futons outside. 7. Use nasal spray several times a day.
★Is there any over-the-counter medication available? Over-the-counter medication can ease symptoms. Nasal sprays, medicated eye drops, as well as surgical face masks are readily available from convenience stores, supermarkets, and drug stores. Nasal sprays, known as tenbi-yaku(点鼻薬), are marketed each year by several pharmaceutical companies and are usually sold in 10cm-high cartons at most drugs stores. Such sprays are usually recommended to be used upto 4 times a day and are not usually recommended for use by children under 7 years of age. Use medications like these only as directed as they can have the reverse effect if overused.
★What if I decide to tough it out? Untreated allergies can lead to complications; allergies are the number one risk factor for developing asthma, a much more serious respiratory condition. Other complications include sinus and ear infections resulting from chronic congestion. While all of these conditions are treatable, it is best to avoid them altogether by recognizing and treating hay fever early.
★Useful Vocabulary and Phrases • Appointment (yoyaku) 予約 • Prescription (shohosen) 処方箋
• Hay Fever (kafunsho) 花粉症 • Allergy (arerugi) アレルギー
• ENT clinic (jibi-in-koka) 耳鼻咽喉科 • Nasal Spray (tenbi-yaku) 点鼻薬 • I would like to make an appointment. = Yoyaku wo onegai shimasu
★What type of medication can a doctor prescribe? Ears Nose Throat (ENT) clinics or jibi-inkoka耳鼻咽喉科 can prescribe tablet medication for those hay fever sufferers with severe or moderate symptoms. Additionally, they can prescribe small dosage medication for younger sufferers which is not available over-the-counter. Ideally, in order to prevent severe symptoms, medication should be used about 2 weeks before the day of pollen release. For this purpose, annual pollen forecasts and pollen count information is useful.
★Where should I go if I have severe symptoms? Most major city hospitals have an otolaryngology (jibi-inkoka) department – that’s the Ear Nose Throat (ENT) department to you and me. A full list of other English-speaking allergy and ENT clinics in Nagoya are available at the Nagoya International Center Information Counter (052-581-0100). Please note that even though these doctors can understand English (to a certain level), the receptionist will most likely be not be able to.
For clinics outside of Nagoya, the Aichi Medical Information System can provide hay fever sufferers with ENT clinic information, such as openings times, contact information, and location maps. This service is available in 6 languages. An on-line database can be accessed at www.qq.pref.aichi.jp .
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As for the events, please be aware that all aforementioned event times, locations, and prices are subject to change without notice.
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(NIC Events Information)
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Henri Daros Blog 