Kansai Scene #148 September 2012

無料issue 148

September 2012

I’m free. Go on, pIck me up.

+ Where To Go And What To Do — Kansai listings, news, info, maps and classifieds

The cycling issueFeature: Keirin track racing

Style: City bikes Made in Kansai: Nakagawa Cycle Works

Travel: Kyoto with a proTravel: Scottish Island hopping

Food & Drink: Nakanoshimaand a whole lot more…

www.kansaiscene.com

KaNSaI SCeNe magazINe SEPTEMBER 2012 kansaiscene.com 3

DISCLaImeR Opinions expressed herein are not necessarily endorsed by the publisher. We take no responsibility for the quality or content of advertisements. Public and private parties appproached by those claiming to work for or on behalf of Kansai Scene should call this office to confirm the truth of any such claim, especially where money may be involved.

Features

Features

get up to speed with Keirin p10

Fix up, look sharp in the city p41Style

Street cycles p08Travel

Kyoto with a pro p18

Island Hopping in Scotland p22Food and Drink

Nakanoshima p38Made in Kansai

Nakagawa Cycle Works p14

Listings

Art p24

Events p26

Festivals p30

Sports p31

Classical Music p34

Live Music p32

Club p36

Film p42

Business Finder p44

Classifieds p47

Publisher/Creative Director ...........Daniel Leeeditorial ..................................Donna Sheffield ....................................................Nick ColdicottSales manager ............ Nicholas DespopoulosProduction manager.................. Rie Okamotographic Designer .................Naomi Mochizukiaccounts manager ......................Michiko Lee

art ................................................ Tomoko Ishiievent & Festival ......................... Yuki UchiboriFilm .........................................Donna SheffieldClassical .................................Michael VezuttoLive ........................................... Phillip JacksonClub ................................................Terumi Tsuji

COVER ARTIST: Yuji Yamada See more of Yuji’s bicycle racing inspired art at DMO Arts in Isetan this month. More details: www.dmoarts.com

enquiriesgeneral [email protected] [email protected]. 06-6539-1717 Fax. 06-7635-4791address Osaka-shi, Nishi-ku, Shinmachi 3-5-7, Eiko Bldg. 2FWebsite www.kansaiscene.com

a bIT oF HISToRy Kansai Scene was founded by Peter Horvath and Nishikawa Keiko in 2000 and published by Jatin Banker between 2003 – 2011. Now in its 12th year, the magazine provides articles, information and listings for the Kansai area.

Kansai Scene is published monthly by mojoprint

Contents

© Y

uji Y

amad

a 20

12 /

DM

OA

RTS

.CO

M

10

22

08

18

14

38

kansaiscene @kansaiscene

KaNSaI SCeNe magazINe SEPTEMBER 2012 kansaiscene.com4

a wheely good theme this monthOsaka, Shinmachi — Notice a theme to this issue? From the stylish cover to the main features, you’ll see this month has become the cycling issue of Kansai Scene. Whether you love jumping in the saddle every weekend, or spend most days jump-ing out of the way of that crazy guy on the sidewalk, bikes are a fact of life in Kansai. Instead of a simple one-page nod to this, the KS team decided to approach the theme of cycling from as many different angles as possible. That’s why you’ll find pics of people on the streets with their bikes alongside an interview with a local bike craftsman this month. Look out for some more themed issues coming in the future. But if you don’t like bikes, don’t worry – there’s still plenty to read in our regular listings for Festivals, Events, Art, Music and Movies. The KS team has also added a few new sections this time too: check out Sports, Business Matters and Business Finder. Love it? Hate it? Drop the KS team a line any time.

News & Openings

Fix your Reeses’s cravingKansai — American residents no longer need to beg the relatives for a care package of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, as Seiyu GK stores are stock-ing them for a 12-month contract.

The Japanese arm of Wal-Mart Stores Inc, sold the candy for a trial month and was overwhelmed by customer response and sales figures. It outsold Kit Kat Mini, their best selling candy product by 1.7 times. The products aren’t exactly the same as those sold in the US, as one preservative in the original recipe is banned in Japan.

www.seiyu.co.jp

music to Kansai’s earsOsaka — The fourth annual Kansai Music Conference (KMC) will be held from Sep-tember 14 to September 17, welcoming musicians from five continents over four days at over a dozen venues in Osaka. All events will be open to the public.

KMC is the only globally-oriented music conference in Japan. Conference highlights include a popular English rakugo presentation, career-building seminars, workshops for shamisen and gospel singing, and artist interviews. Conference attendance is free of charge.

This year’s performance schedule includes over 60 different artists, spanning all gen-res. Highlights include Katya (Los Angeles-based rocker and blossoming TV celebrity), Hidesetsu Fujimoto (Shamisen master and teacher), osh10 (Australian electronic artist), and Wes Coas (world traveling hip-hop artist).

www.kansaimusicconference.com

InterContinental hotels comes westUmeda, Osaka — A massive 24-hectare hotel is cur-rently under construction in Umeda, and when it opens next year, it will be the first InterContinental Hotel in western Japan. The luxury chain cur-rently has hotels and resorts in Okinawa, Yokohama and Tokyo.

Comprising 17 levels, the InterContinental Osaka will offer 215 guestrooms, 57 serviced residences and four food and beverage outlets. Facilities will include four banquet and meeting rooms, a wedding chapel, a spa, and a fitness centre with an indoor pool. Expect the decor to suggest contemporary luxury, matching modern interior design sensibilities with natural materials hinting at Japanese influ-ences. Works by young stars in the Japanese art scene will also be on display.

“Osaka is developing rapidly—there is now better connectivity between East and West Japan, and with the strengthening of Kansai International Airport as an aviation hub, the InterContinental Osaka will stand out in what is one of InterContinental Hotels Group’s (IHG) most important markets globally,” said Clarence Tan, CEO, IHG ANA Hotels Group Japan.

www.intercontinental.com

Got some news?

KS is always on the lookout for

newsworthy events and new

openings around town.

Email your suggestions to

[email protected]

From left: Katya, Hidesetsu Fujimoto, osh10


Plans afloat to create new public swimming poolDotonbori, Osaka— Fancy a swim in the Dotonbori river? By 2015, you could be doing just that, as plans are underway to create an 800m long, 12-15m wide and 1.1-1.4m deep pool there, called Pool Dotonbori.

The river water-fed pool is planned to open on the 400th anniversary of the Do-tonbori area, and will feature open water swims and public swimming (¥1,000 for the first hour and ¥500 for every subsequent hour). The pool will also be available for events or sponsors for ¥200,000 for two hours.

Governor Ichiro Matsui proposed the plans back in January, and so far they’ve been given the green light.

The former Economic Planning Agency director general Taichi Sakaiya, who is now a special advisor to the all-Osaka authorities, added his weight to the plans, saying that as well as generating revenues for the prefecture Pool Dotonbori could also become a landmark destination for the region.

Time for ThaiOsaka, Yodoyabashi — The third branch of the successful Chedi Luang chain opens in Yodoyabashi this month, with a focus on traditional Thai cuisine from the Esan region. Boasting the largest Thai kitchen of its kind in Kansai, the new resatuarant offers generous seating and seven private rooms. It takes over part of the old Sumitomo bank building. Should be Thai dining in style. www.chedi.jp

meaty pie goodnessOsaka, Horie — For all you meat and pastry lovers, there’s a new pie shop in town. Kiwi’s Pie in Kita-Horie offers handmade Australian/NZ style meat pies. The pies are made in Shiga then baked on the premises. As well as traditional pie flavours, there’s loads of unique yums to choose from, including Thai Chicken Pie, Bacon and Egg Pie and Curry Pie. Prices start at ¥350 for a pie.

www.kiwis-pie.com

and the award for least emotional performance goes to...Osaka University — Actors are a tricky bunch. They make crazy demands, throw tantrums, forget their lines and always want to know what their motivation is. Not so with this Osaka-born star, Geminoid F. Reviewers have described her performance as “a bit mechanical”, but it’s a fair description, as she is the world’s most realistic android.

Geminoid F is one of two actors appearing in Sayonara, a work of “Android-Human Theatre” that explores the slippery boundaries between the two categories. Canadian performer Bryerly Long is the other actress, a dying young woman whose parents enlist a robot as her caretaker. The play began as a 20-minute work in Osaka but has now been expanded, and head-ing abroad to theatres in Melbourne, Australia.

Professor Hiroshi Ishiguro is director of the robotics depart-ment at Osaka University, and the creator of the Geminoid series of robots. He first came to international attention when he

produced an android identical to himself, which he sometimes uses to deliver lectures and workshops on his behalf. This move into theatre is the result of teaming up with another Osaka Uni-versity professor, Oriza Hirata, who was interested in the idea of androids in theatre. What next, android theatre critics?


To Dance or Not to DanceBy Matt Naiman, Local club manager

There’s a new law in town, except it’s an old law, and nothing to celebrate: no dancing after 1am. If you’re a weekend clubber, you may already have had your party stopped abruptly by the law. Nightclubs that used to close at 5am are now closing at 3am or even 1am. Even worse, some nightclubs have shut down completely.

Over the last year and a half, Kansai police have been targeting Osaka and Kyoto nightclubs in draconian raids, and arresting owners and managers under the Fueiho law, the law that governs adult en-tertainment business. The dancing aspect of the Fueiho law has been on the books since the post-war occupation era, when it was enacted to give police a means to combat prostitution in GI-frequented nightclubs. The law states that a nightclub must have a license to permit dancing. However, once the nightclub gets the li-cense, it must close at 1am. This, in effect, means it is illegal to dance in Japan after the hour of 1am!

The law has largely been unenforced for decades. A thriving nightlife culture has grown up in major cities like Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto. Internationally-known DJs have been nurtured in Japan’s cities. Japanese electronics makers like Pioneer, Technics and Roland make the best DJ equipment in the world. But recently in Osaka and Kyoto, for reasons that are not altogether clear, the crackdown has begun. Typically, the police will issue a warning for violation of the dancing law to a bar or nightclub that doesn’t have a fuzoku license. The second time, the po-lice will arrive in full riot gear and arrest the owner and manager. In the case of one club in Umeda, eight staff members were arrested for allowing people to dance. Generally, those arrested are kept in detention for 23 days, fined 500,000 yen each and then released after confess-ing to the crime of making people dance.

Renowned Japanese composer Ryuichi Sakamoto has denounced the recent cli-mate of crackdowns as a threat to artistic culture and self-expression. He has lent his name to an organization, Letsdance.jp, which is trying to get 100,000 signatures for a petition against the police actions. As KS went to print, Letsdance.jp has garnered nearly 31,000 signatures to date.

going it aloneBy Nicholas Despopoulos, Real estate and investments advisor

Getting into business can be tricky. Knowing how and where to get started is not everyday information. If you are starting a small operation, there is an easy and free way to set up a sole proprietorship that will provide for your basic business needs. You only need to go to your local tax office and ask to make a Koujin Gishou. It costs nothing and only takes five minutes to fill out the paperwork. This basic tax identity will allow you to open a Koujin Kouza or business account at your bank, through which you can operate your business. This provides an easy way to track and declare earnings while allowing many more tax deductions. The Koujin Gishou structure is for small businesses and may not be suited for larger operations. It is best to consult with a professional before mak-ing a final determination.

Business mattersWhat issues face business owners in Kansai these days? How easy is it to set up and run a business here? business matters is our new section giving readers a basic insight into the business world. Local business owners and experts will be sharing their thoughts and news. Contact KS for more information on topics covered here or topics you want to know more about.


Style

Street CyclesSome people choose a bike for its functionality, others purely for its street cred. The streets of Kansai are filled with unusual bikes and colorful characters riding them. KS stopped a few of them in Horie and asked about their steeds.Images: KS

•Name: Tonmitsu•occupation: Music event staff•The bike: Present•bought: Second-hand•Favourite ride: Dojima area

•Name: Kira•occupation: Office worker•The bike: ¥20,000•bought: Don Quijote•Favourite ride: Utsubo park

•Name: Shigeru•occupation: High school student•The bike: Present•bought: Online shop•Favourite ride: Yodogawa riverside

•Name: Takuto•occupation: Elementary school student•The bike: Present•bought: Toys R Us•Favourite ride: Utsubo park

•Name: Murata•occupation: Shop staff•The bike: ¥180,000•bought: Ichijyo Bicycles•Favourite ride: Horie park

•Name: Hazuki•occupation: Childcare worker•The bike: ¥36,000•bought: Tokyu Hands•Favourite ride: Namba area


•Name: Rene•occupation: Cycling shop owner•The bike: ¥300,000•bought: Gira Gira Chariya•Favourite ride: Horie Area

•Name: Yukari•occupation: Unemployed•The bike: ¥40,000•bought: Online shop•Favourite ride: Umeda

•Name: Kazuki•occupation: Hair stylist•The bike: Present•bought: Online store•Favourite ride: Utsubo park

•Name: Fuku-chan•occupation: Cycling shop staff•The bike: ¥330,000•bought: Gira Gira Chariya•Favourite ride: Osaka castle, Mukogawa

•Name: Bug•occupation: Cycling shop staff•The bike: ¥90,000•bought: Gira Gira Chariya •Favourite ride: Midosuji

•Name: C.C.•occupation: Restaurant owner•The bike: ¥5,000•bought: Second-hand•Favourite ride: Horie area

•Name: Juan•occupation: Bike manufacturer •The bike: €2390•bought: Dosnoventa, Barcelona•Favourite ride: Everywhere

•Name: Sayaka•occupation: Cycling shop manager•The bike: ¥140,000•bought: Gira Gira Chariya•Favourite ride: Kyoto Kamogawa, Nishijin

•Name: Shogo•occupation: Restaurant owner•The bike: ¥70,000•bought: Asahi cycling store•Favourite ride: Yodogawa riverside


Feature

get up to speed with keirinWith the London Olympics done and gone, keirin – Japanese bike racing – may be just the thing to ease one’s withdrawal from the athletic competition. A day at the races also beats your standard tourist activities in Kansai. Hang out with locals, cheer some cyclists and place your bets on the winning wheels.Text: Jeff Lo Images: Jeff Lo and Keirin

The race ends in a wild flash of spokes, frames and thin rubber tires. A slow-motion replay reveals racers in brightly colored jerseys inching, inching their wheels toward the finish line. A pause. The top three winners are announced, and the air rings with cheers for whom-ever’s just won (non-gamblers, these), and curses at whomever’s just lost (gamblers, these). Welcome to the world of Japanese bike racing, better known as keirin.

Kyushu’s Kokura city government created keirin in 1948 to boost post-war reconstruction. Keirin quickly grew in popularity and transformed from a regional diversion to an Olympic event in a matter of decades. The rules are

simple: nine riders race around a banked, oval track; the fastest three take brag-ging rights, cash and a chance to move up within keirin’s lettered ranks. Of the roughly 3,600 cyclists active in Japan, just nine are in the top-rated SS-class, where a victory can net a cool ¥100 million in prize money. Cyclists are constantly competing to reach SS class.

“Keirin athletes are very, very hard-working. We have some athletes, like Yoshio Ikari from Shiga, who compete well into their 60s,” says Nihon Jitensha Kyogikai (Japan Bike Race Associa-tion) assistant general manager Seika Marunaka. “Just as in the sumo world, however, pride makes people retire after

they go down in rank. Still, many cyclists will continue competing, simply because they love what they do.”

The career of a keirin athlete begins with induction into the official keirin school in Shizuoka, where a hellish train-ing program awaits. The school is open to aspiring cyclists of any age, sex or nation-ality. According to one report, as long as you can race a kilometer in 1:10 and have no yakuza connections in your family, you stand a chance. And then comes the hard part: buying your own bike, handling your own repairs, spending days and nights traveling and competing, rain or shine, in any of Japan’s 44 velodromes, and risking life and limb (speeding 60


km on a bike with no brakes!) for pride and glory.

Only a lucky few will earn the im-mortality achieved by local racers like Kiyofumi Nagai, a champion who became the first Japanese keirin cyclist to win an Olympic medal (in 2008, at the Beijing Games). Despite this, most athletes seem content to travel from place to place, scratching out a living doing fairly dangerous work for the cheers of the local crowd. Prior to a visit to the ready room, where 50-year-old athletes warm up with cyclists half their age, and well-muscled men teeter on single-slat geta sandals (“Helps you balance,” one athlete says),

Marunaka explains that this is actually part of the appeal.

“Keirin is a very emotional sport,” he says. “The racers come from every part of Japan. They depend on no one but themselves, and their abilities. They can win; but even so, no one wins forever. People age, have bad races, drop in rank; regardless, they still do their best. That’s what the people cheer them for.”

For more information about keirin, including how to place bets at a race, visit http://bg.keirin.jp/en/abcs

medal manThough not unheard of, it’s still a shock when the ending of a profes-sional sports race is too close to call – and at the Olympics, no less! Not that 23-year-old cyclist Simon van Velthooven is complaining. His photo finish with Dutch athlete Teun Mulder in the Men’s Keirin event at the London 2012 Olympics netted him a bronze medal, which he dedicated to his home country of New Zealand. Van Velthooven spoke to KS about the race, his future, and a return visit this month to Japan to compete as a guest keirin racer.

kS: What kind of competition are you expecting in Japan this fall? Will this be your first time compet-ing in the country? Simon van Velthooven: I raced in Ja-pan in 2010. I learned a lot, and the racing helped me win the Olympic bronze. This year, I’m much stronger and wiser. I cannot wait to race.

kS: After your olympics win, do you think the other racers will work much harder to beat you? SV: I know as an Olympic medal-ist I’ll be a marked man. But I train hard to race strong and smart.

kS: Japan keirin races aside, what is your next big goal?SV: A World Championship title. Then the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

kS: Your olympic finish was extraordinarily close. Will you and mr. mulder be looking to settle things more decisively the next time you race each other?SV: Teun and I are good friends. We’ve raced together in Japan before and he’s very strong. I do wish to settle things with him at our next UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale) race, though.

Simon van Velthooven on the podium after winning a bronze medal at the London Olympics (far right)


Language

Ride the legal wheelsText: Wes Lang

Have you ever wondered what the cops were saying as you rode by, ever so tipsily, with a random new friend on your back pegs and a look of brave defiance? Probably one of the most com-mon phrases uttered by Osaka’s finest: “Futarinori wa kinshi desu. Orinasai.” (Doubling up is illegal. Get off your bike and walk). Most Japanese couples kindly oblige, walking for a block and a half until out of sight and then continuing the risky, yet immensely popular trend. Doubling up is one of just a small number of violations that both Japanese and foreigners commit regularly. Other commonly overlooked breaches include riding on the sidewalk (Yes, it is illegal in Osaka), riding without your headlight on, and riding an unregistered or stolen bike. If, by chance, you are pulled over for any of the above (or even just for evading a police roadblock), then what can you expect? Here are a few questions that the police may ask you when stopped:

Nihongo wa daijoubu desu ka (Can you speak Japanese?)Anata no jitensha desu ka (Is this your bicycle?)Gaikokujin tourokusho o misete kudasai (Please show me your ID)

Riding a stolen bike is a serious offence, and people have been deported for it. If the cops stop you they will assume that you were the one that stole it. The first thing they’ll do is run the registration number through their database to see who the real owner is. If the bike has been reported as stolen, then expect a long, potentially embarrassing interrogation at your local Box of Justice (the koban). If you’re on your own bike, then there’s no reason to panic, but if your bike has been passed down from flatmate to flatmate, then you could run into problems.

Registering is easy, painless and only takes minutes. Buy a new or used bike from a shop and they’ll do the paperwork for you, but if your friend has given you a bike, then a trip to any bike shop is necessary. Just say: “Jitensha o touroku shitain desu ga” (I’d like to register my bike.) Fill out the appropriate paperwork, slap down ¥500, and it’s a done deal. You will get a pink receipt, which is your proof of ownership, so guard it with your life.

Occasionally bikes have been known to disappear. Before crying ‘thief ’, think about where you parked it. Bikes left near major train stations typically get towed away in the mornings, so your bike may be at the local bike pound. Bikes lifted from your home, however, are more than likely the work of an experienced thief and require an adventurous trip to the aforementioned police box.

Reporting a stolen bike is a painless procedure that the cops are well accustomed to. Tell them: “Jitensha ga nusumaremashi-ta” (my bicycle was stolen.) Give them your pink slip and fill out the tonanhoukoku (stolen bicycle report).

If you don’t have the registration receipt, it’s no problem as long as you have the registration number and bicycle plate num-ber written down. The registration number is the orange colored sticker on your bike, while the plate number is a metal plate on the frame of your bike. Alternatively, you can find the same information on your pink slip, so make a few copies and place them randomly around your domicile.

So there you have it. The ABCs of bike ownership/registration. See you on the sidewalks!


Made in Kansai

The art and craft of bicycle frame buildingShigeru Nakagawa has been hand-building bicycle frames from his small workshop in Neyagawa for 30 years. A master craftsman, his bikes are sought after the world over. KS was lucky enough to be granted an interview.Text & photos: Daniel Lee


I chose to cycle from Osaka to Neyagawa rather than take public transport. I figure I’ll make a better impression if I turn up in my cycling gear and not business attire. Besides, I want to show him my bike and hopefully use it as an ice-breaker.

I’m a little nervous. Will he be offended that I have come alone and not together with a crew of photographers and report-ers? I arrive a little earlier than scheduled. A well-worn handwritten note on the door to his workshop says he is “out to lunch, back soon”. I wipe the sweat from my brow and remove the omiyage I had brought with me from my backpack. Not knowing his likes or dislikes, I took the advice of my wife and got him some Japa-nese sweets. The safe option, she assures me. The carefully wrapped set of daifuku emerges unscathed.

Nakagawa returns from his lunch astride a battered old mountain bike (not a Nakagawa model I note). He wears easy fitting jeans and a navy blue Tour of Japan polo shirt. Not exactly the greasy overalls and welding glasses I had been imagin-ing. He breaks into an easy smile and I am instantly at ease. He unlocks the door and ushers me inside, without so much as a glance at my Italian hand-made Casati bike leaning against the wall.

A comforting workshop smell hits me as I enter. It’s the smell of 30 years of blood, sweat and tears. Nakagawa has

forged, hammered, welded, polished and filed some 5,000 frames in this workshop, all by hand, and give or take a few appren-tices over the years, all by himself.

We sit in a small corner of his work-shop that has been assigned as his office. There is no door, just a table and a jumble of books, paperwork and memorabilia. I offer my gift as humbly as possible and he gleefully accepts, revealing he has a sweet tooth. Relieved, we chat a little about the Olympics and the current strength of British cycling as he prepares coffee for us. The subject turns to frame building and he begins to talk about his craft. He speaks of it much as an artist would, with intense passion and pride. His enthusiasm and confidence just as steadfast today as when he set up Nakagawa Cycle Works back in 1983.

Nakagawa began his love affair with bicycles as a rider for the Zunow racing team, competing on the track, road, or even at cyclocross races. He broke his leg badly in a traffic accident at the age of 20 however, putting an end to his pro racing ambitions. If he couldn’t ride them, he decided, he would build them.

“I knew I wanted to create my own frame brand from the age of 20,” he says. “But it took until the age of 35 before I had acquired the skills and readiness to do so. Just because you like bikes, doesn’t mean you can build one or that the qual-

ity will be any good. To make bikes, you have to study steel and that is exactly what I did.

“I used to ride all the time as a young man, but always the cool, Italian bikes — Colnago, Cinelli, De Rosa, those types of frames. Their quality and style was simply unlike anything being manufactured here in Japan at the time. Their use of color in particular was in stark contrast to the more conservative hues favoured by Japa-nese builders. Each manufacturer having its own brand color. I knew that I wanted a strong visual identity for my own frames too and developed my original Nakagawa pink and green.

“Right from the beginning I wanted to make a brand that could stand the test of time. A timeless design, logo and color scheme that wouldn’t constantly need updating to match every fashion fad.”

He roots around in the shelves and pulls out a vivid pink Nakagawa cycling jersey, banded with green and black. For Nakagawa, the building of a brand is just as important as the quality of the frames themselves. All his frames bear the Naka-gawa mark, a logo that combines the kanji for naka with the letter N.

All Nakagawa frames are custom-made. You have to visit him to get meas-ured up and be quizzed on how you want to ride. He is adamant about that.


“I don’t accept orders over the phone or by fax, unless it’s for an existing customer of course. For new customers, I ask them to come here. I can’t create a bike for you unless I know your riding style or what you want from the bike. How do you want it to feel? Is it for speed, for touring, for cyclo cross, track racing … the job of a frame builder is to forge a rider’s feelings and hopes for his bike into reality.”

A typical frame can take a year to complete. It starts life with imported steel tubing from Europe or, if requested, a hy-brid of both traditional steel and modern carbon fibre. The tubes are cut to size and threaded into original lugs to form the basic shape. There is no blueprint for this critical first stage, only a large, flat-bed that serves as a guideline while he forms the shape. Every stage is completed with hand tools, an unforgiving eye for detail and a craftsman’s sixth sense.

Although Nakagawa builds each and every one of his frames from start to finish, the final spraying and decal appli-cation are outsourced to a local finisher. Not having absolute control over the final painting process is a bitter pill to swallow, but for this one-man-operation it’s the only practical solution.

“To do the paint work too, you need the proper equipment and set-up,” he explains. “Of course I could invest in the gear myself and set-up a spray booth, install the necessary drainage systems etc, but it’s a question of how far you want to go.

“There are sometimes minor imperfec-tions in the paint job or sticker applica-tion that the average person wouldn’t notice or care about. To me they are unac-ceptable, but that’s life I suppose. After 30 years in the business I am still striving for perfection.”

Nakagawa was once the salaried mechanic for the Japanese national road-cycling team, travelling with them all over Asia. His proximity to professional riders lead him to form his own racing team, largely as an act of self-promotion. By sticking pro riders on his bikes he sought to prove their worth as racing machines and a viable alternative to mass-produced frames.

Team Nakagawa enjoyed consider-able success on the domestic circuit, to which a shelf of trophies attests. But he says the competition now is too fierce for part-time riders and so when not building frames, he concentrates instead on the more gentle activities of his cycling club.

“There is no point just building bikes”, he says. “You need to show people where to ride them too.” His cycling club is some 70 members strong and meets frequently for communal rides and occasionally to compete in amateur races, with members coming from far and wide to participate.

“We were competing in a cyclo cross event down in Shingu, Mie,” he says. “There were a bunch of American riders from Santa Cruz. They were taking part in a sister city exchange, and they were gathered around one of my bikes. One rider, Brian, was impressed by the build quality and the fact that a hand-built frame could compete on the racing scene. I wasn’t very impressed by their American hand-built frames to be honest though. I knew mine were better.”

That rider was Brian Vernor, a Califor-nia based filmmaker who came to Japan several years later to film part of a docu-mentary entitled The Cyclo Cross Meeting. The film offers a fascinating peek at the rise of the cyclo cross scene both in the States and Japan and features Nakagawa talking candidly about his craft.

“At first I didn’t remember who he was” he laughs. “He said he’d met me before and wanted to interview me. It wasn’t until he talked about the Shingu ride that it came back to me. The documentary was something to do with Rapha and the cameraman and whole crew were really professional. It’s really artfully shot”.

We go outside and he humours me by casting a discerning eye over my bike. Even though he has a soft spot for Italian frames, the flashy ornate lugs and un-necessary frills of my Casati go against his own frame building ethos and he is unimpressed.

“There is a lot of wastage. A lot of show. The way the dropouts seem to be just tacked on as an afterthought, for example. I strive for simplicity and clean lines in my frames. There is beauty in simplicity. Ultimately, I want to make quintessen-tially Japanese bicycles”.

One wonders what the future holds for the Nakagawa brand. Neither of Naka-gawa’s two daughters show the slightest interest in bicycles, let alone the idea of building frames. One thing’s for sure, though: He’ll continue building bicycles for as long as his hands and mind allow.

Nakagawa Cycle Works

•address: 572-0075 Osaka-fu, Neyagawa-shi, Kuzuhara 2-14-34

•Tel: 072-829-5431•e-mail: [email protected]•open: 10am – 7pm•Closed: Sundays & Holidays•Url: www.nakagawa-cw.co.jp•orders: Contact Rene at Gira Gira

Chariya (Tel: 06-6534-2539)


Travel

Kyoto with a proJapan offers the road cyclist smooth roads, fantastic scenery and a wide variety of terrain for both beginners and experienced riders alike. KS squeezes into its lycra shorts, heads to Kyoto and gets some advice from a seasoned pro.Text and images: Daniel Lee

There are no windows in the lock-up, but through the gloom we can make out at least a dozen bikes. There are more frames suspended from the ceiling, a set of shelves overflowing with spare parts and various tools poking out of boxes. This is not your average bike shed. This is Vincent’s bike shed.

Vincent Flanagan is our guide today. He’s agreed to take KS on a short ride into the hills north of Kyoto. A former pro mountain biker (having been crowned both the Australian and Japan national champion) and long-term Kyoto resident, he knows a thing or two about bikes and where and how to ride them.

We begin our ride on the towpath along the Kamogawa river, heading north from Demachiyanagi station. The path

is narrow and sandy, with little dunes forming at the edges. No problem if you ride dead center, but riding abreast, I am forced to tackle the dunes and the going gets a little hairy as the wheels stick and threaten to topple me at any moment. Vincent notices my discomfort and sug-gests going faster to compensate.

“If you slow down you end up losing control. That’s when you fall off. Go faster through the sand and you’ll be fine”.

I reluctantly take his advice but am glad when we shoot back onto smooth road. We cross the river and head through a maze of back streets to reach the small but perfectly formed Radio bagel shop for breakfast.

There is an unwritten lore amongst cyclists apparently, that a good ride starts

with coffee and ends with coffee. Nursing a hangover and having leaped on a train at 8am without breakfast, I wasn’t going to argue. Radio Bagel produces the most delicious bagels I think I have ever tasted. These freshly baked rings were a world apart from the bland, chewy things mas-querading as bagels I have had before.

Vincent is a regular and introduces us to the cheerful owner. She chats away about her bagel business as she pre-pares our coffee and pulls a fresh batch from the small oven. One fig bagel, one blueberry bagel and one hot cup of coffee later and we are off again but not before Vincent shoves a bagel into a pocket in his cycling jersey. “Perfect cycling food” he says.


We scoot down tiny lanes and side streets before hitting a main thorough-fare. “The thing to remember about finding good cycling roads is that there is usually a quiet road running parallel to a busy road”, says Vincent as, case in point, we dart down a street running parallel to the busy route 367, heading to Ohara. There is very little traffic and it’s easy to talk.

“Rivers too”, he continues. “There is always a quiet route to be found running next to a river”.

My thoughts turn to the enormous Yodogawa in Osaka. Its bike path, while at first glance a welcome oasis from the busy traffic of the city, is made infuriatingly impassable for cyclists due to the frequency of small steel gates. Designed to prevent motorbikes getting through, they succeed only in putting off cyclists altogether.

“I used to try and commute into Osaka along the Yodogawa, but due to those damn things I gave up. But I discovered a way to beat them. I saw some other riders barely slow down and ride right through them. I thought to myself, if they can do it, I can do it! You just have to put your knees together against the crossbar and ride with level pedals right through the gate. You have to be committed though…”

I half-heartedly practice the position but then grimace at the thought of the consequences should I get it even slightly wrong. I vow never to try it.

We soon find ourselves following a river, winding along rural roads and all the while gently climbing. We cycle past throngs of people gathered besides the clear running waters, bathing or picnick-ing in the mid-summer heat.

Suddenly we veer off the smooth road and crunch onto a rocky path heading into woodland. We scramble up over a ridge and find ourselves thrust down a sharp descent that gets steadily more precarious as we go. Vincent assures us this is a shortcut. Our grips stiffen on the handlebars as we struggle to maintain control, dodge the larger rocks and try to stay upright.

“Are you out of your comfort zone?” he asks with a grin. The grim look on our faces tells him the answer. This is not pleasant. We’re worried we are going to puncture.

“The thing to remember about punc-tures”, he begins, “is that we never talk about them!”.

Miraculously none of us do puncture, despite all riding on narrow, not-designed-for-off-road-riding tyres. We emerge onto smooth roads again and pass the entrance of the yase cable car

that offers hikers an easy ride to the top of Mt. Hiei.

“They used to allow bikes on the cable car. It was great. Guys would take their downhill bikes up and then ride back down the mountain and do it all over again. The authorities soon killed it though, by demanding that you had to put any bike into a bike bag, knowing full well that those kind of bikes simply don’t fit in a bag. Fun while it lasted.”

A short stint on the main Route 367 and we arrive in ohara. We take a breather at the Sato-no-eki and refill our bottles with Pocari Sweat from the vending machine.

Ohara is famous for its temples and red shiso. It has both in abundance. The shiso gives umeboshi its distinctive pink color and the temples of Sanzen-in and Jakko-in are a major tourist draw. Tour buses fill the car parks during the autumn, particularly when the maple leaves turn a fiery red, but today, in early-August, everywhere is eerily quiet.

We criss-cross the valley and check out the temples, stopping to engage an inquisitive pickle vendor who thinks Vincent may be my dad.

At 50 years old, he would have had to have reached fatherhood at 13, but we chuckle about it as we leave Ohara.


get started•Local pro bike shops: Not only

can they kit you out with everything you’ll need, but good shops usually organise rides and can get you into amateur cycling races.

•www.strava.com: Their free smartphone app tracks and records info about your ride. It automatically uploads the info to strava.com, enabling you to compare your performance to other riders in your area. Also a great place to find new routes since you can ‘follow’ other riders and access their training ride info. Great for short to medium distance rides, but be warned that the app will drain your battery fast.

•www.kancycling.com: run by Kansai local Don Todt. It’s full of great rides and tips for the aspiring cyclist, with a focus on touring.

•Touring mapple Kansai: A great guidebook to help plan a mini tour. Produced for motorbike tourers, it serves just as well for cyclists, highlighting low-traffic, scenic roads, campsites and youth hostels. Available from good bookstores.

Links•Radio bagels: www.radiobagel.com•Speak easy: www.speakeasy.gr.jp•Rapha Store osaka: www.rapha.

cc/osaka

Vincent is no stranger to leading groups of riders. When he isn’t working at the Rapha Store in Osaka or busting a lung training for the winter cyclo-cross season, he leads small groups from over-seas on cycling holidays. He supplies and maintains all the gear (which explains the overflowing bike shed), plans and leads the routes, books the accommodation and acts as chaperone.

“Currently I work with tour operators from Australia and the UK but I would like to set up tours for the domestic market too. There are so many great rides to show people.”

We are climbing steadily again and our bottles are running dry. Vincent pulls over by the side of the road next to a freshwater spring pouring from a bit of plastic guttering and promptly dunks his head, hat and all into the bucket beneath.

“Best fill up your bottle” he says, “no vending machine for the next 20km.”

We do as we are told and ride on. “Ramps up a little just here” he informs us, “what I call a cheeky climb.”

No more slouching in the saddle. This is a stand-up-on-the-pedals climb. We do our best to keep up with him but Vincent tackles it like a walk in the park, almost dancing on the pedals. The cicadas cheer us on as we push hard to keep the wheels turning, the sweat streaming down our faces. Vincent is waiting just before the crest of the climb with camera in hand and a grin on his face. I put on my best ‘doesn’t hurt’ face as I puff past.

“I use this hill to test any riders I take out” he says. “See if they know how to ride a bike or not”. I’m not sure how we fared. He is barely sweating. His heart rate monitor displays 120 bpm. I don’t have mine on today, but I know from experi-ence that it would be saying something like 180 bpm after a sharp climb like that.

What goes up must come down. We are rewarded with a long, winding descent from the peak of the mochi Koshi pass. Descending a hill at speed is quite a skill and Vincent glides down before us, appar-ently barely touching the brakes. He tells us later he reached 70km/h at one point.

We freewheel back into Kyoto and grab a well earned lunch at the retro American diner Speak easy. Vincent goes for the all-day breakfast and coffee; we polish off some tasty avocado and bacon burgers.

We saunter back to Demachiyanagi station and break down our bikes to stuff them back into their bags, a requirement for taking a bike on any train in Japan, unfortunately. We’ve covered just shy of 60km and it’s taken us some 4 hours.

There are routes to suit every level of rider in Kansai, so if hauling yourself over mountains doesn’t sound too appealing then head to the coasts for some gentler rides, or try a loop of Lake Biwa. Wher-ever you choose to go, simply head out of the city and you’ll soon find yourself enjoying some of the best maintained country roads in the world. Just stick to the paved ones.


Travel

Island Hopping in ScotlandThe story of three men and their bicycles, pedaling through Scotland’s most scenic countryside. No-one ever said it was going to be easy.Text: Stuart Kerr Images: Ross Davidson

It was a hectic end to the week. In place of relaxed, meticulous final checks was a frantic and sweaty dash to the bike shop to rake through old metal jars of com-ponents. I resurrected a few and the bike was operational, if not quite finely tuned.

Packing is always easy for these trips - the panniers only allow a certain amount. Weight, or lack of weight, is the guiding rule. In retrospect I didn’t use my gilet, arm warmers or lock but they aren’t heavy and could have been invaluable - in fact it’s unusual not to need a gilet in Scotland no matter the season.

My travelling companions arrived within minutes of each other. The cof-fee machine was primed and I was all packed. I’d even found a saddle for the bike and remembered water bottles. We rolled through quiet Sunday morning streets, cycle paths and fields to the coast

and arrived 40 minutes before our ferry departure. Our tickets for the ‘Hopscotch’ ferry all the way up the west coast - 4 fer-ries in all - cost £18 (¥2200).

There are many reasons a ferry is the best way to travel, although I’m sure they’re overlooked as a major pollutant. The Arran ferry had quite a few cyclists coming off as well as going on - those having cycled the previous day enjoy-ing the better weather. We sat up in the lounge munching homemade energy bars before docking in brodick to some traditional drizzle.

The cycle up to Sannox is a gentle af-fair that loses traffic the further you travel from Brodick. Birch, pine and fern pro-vide the green on your left and the sea, relatively translucent, a more subdued bluey-green on your right. Soon you climb, though, and the hill having its own

local name does not instill confidence. It’s easier, though, when there’s a shower and a bed at the other end. It’s not such a bad hill but you have to dig deep on a few sections. The downhill - with its curves - was also a lesson in remembering how far to lean with bags of sugar strapped to your back wheel.

Lochranza youth hostel is newly refurbished with a professional kitchen, pleasant bedrooms and welcoming staff (and deer). We ate at a hotel nearby and then sat by the castle watching the waves.

The next ferry left 35 minutes before we expected it to, but we managed to get the gangway lowered and hop aboard. We’d reached a part of the country where decency and courtesy prevail over timetables.

We rolled over the hill to Kennacraig and on to Tarbert - a fine location for


breakfast proper (the porridge with protein powder was more about function than taste). There were some big bumps heading north but by the time we got to ardfern we’d covered good ground and were happy to take an extended lunch at a local hotel.

The best, or worst, climbing - depend-ing on your standpoint - was on the short leg from Ardfern to oban. Thankfully it also came with amazing views. It was the first stretch of road that had the suffix ‘pass’, so we’d been warned, but at the end of the day and with full belly it took quite a bit of stamping on the pedals. After an eternity of climbing we suddenly dropped off the hill and into Oban a full two hours before the ferry was due. We had a couple of lagers and took the 6 o’clock to the Isle of mull.

Craignure awaited and our lodge was ideal. We washed in the bathroom over-looking the harbour and moaned at our legs (or rather, they moaned at us) before heading to the local inn - which was at bursting point - for dinner. We ended the day shattered and agreed to take things easier on the route to Tobermory.

The next day ended up being a bit more epic, if rewarding, than we’d envisioned. After a full Scottish breakfast we made good progress to Salen before climbing to Tobermory. We made time

for a coffee, bought sausages and rolls, foraged a newspaper for kindling and headed west toward Calgary bay. Our day off consisted of 4,000 feet of climb-ing. The sausages and mint tea, as ever in these circumstances, were much tastier than in an urban setting and the tasty homemade energy bars gave slow-release help to our bodies. As did a sachet of essential minerals before dinner.

The next day the sun finally put on a good show. We were up early, caffeinated and clean and suddenly only had ten minutes to catch the ferry. Fortunately, all we had to do was fall out the hostel. There were a number of cyclists, includ-ing a couple from Stirling we had met in Oban two days before, and we all got aboard and hit the top deck to soak up the sun. Jellyfish were the short-range interest while the horizon shimmered in the background, but the porpoises in-between stole the show.

After the bustle of Tobermory we soon found ourselves climbing silently around the extinct volcano on ardnamurchan with only creaking brackets as accom-paniment. By the time we reached the apex there was an incredible view north to the Isles of Rum, Eigg, Muck, Skye and the Arisaig Peninsula. We rounded the top and descended a great road - this time with views to Loch Sunart and

Morvern and beautiful coves close at hand, before stopping for coffee and cake in glenborrodale.

We cycled through an unusually flat plain before a wee climb over to Kinlochmoidart and along the Loch beside awe inspiring Beinns (hills). As we skirted Loch Moidart at sea level the road ramped up in the distance and we heaved our laiden bikes up the climb, looking back on our incredible route. These were the best cycling days of our lives - im-maculate tarmac, little traffic, the sun in the sky, grand views and good company.

Ways & meansgetting there and around•Flights: Fly with a European airline

to London and transfer at Gatwick or Heathrow for flights to Glasgow.

•Ferry tickets: www.calmac.co.uk/tickets/island-hopping

Resources•Visit Scotland:

www.visitscotland.com

TobermoryTobermory

LochgilpheadLochgilphead

TarbertTarbert

BrodickBrodick

LochranzaLochranza

ArdrossanArdrossan

Isle of ArranIsle of Arran

Isle of MullIsle of Mull

GlasgowGlasgow

ObanObanCraignureCraignure

Calgary BayCalgary Bay

MallaigMallaig

GlasgowGlasgow

ScotlandScotland


Kyoto

Kyoto experiment 2012Various Locations • September 22-October 28 • Performances, etc.Please check out the website below for admission, show times and dates, and venues. • http://kyoto-ex.jp

yuichi Takahashi exhibitionThe National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto • September 7-October 21 • PaintingsOpen: 9:30am—5pm, closed on Mon• Admission: ¥1,300, ¥900 University Students, ¥500 High School students • Higashiyama Stn • http://www.momak.go.jp/English

Royal Copenhagen and bing & grondahl exhibitionHosomi Museum • Until September 30 • CeramicsOpen: 10am—6pm, closed on Mon• Admission: ¥1000, ¥800 Students• Higashiyama Stn • http://www.emuseum.or.jp/eng

Shingo Tanaka: Captivated by ephemeraeN arts • September 1-30 • Mixed MediaOpen: 12—6pm, closed Mon-Thu• Admission: Free • Gion Shijo Stn

Chika ohgi exhibitionGallery Gallery • September 8-22Installation by Mixed MediaOpen: 12—7pm, closed on Thu• Admission: Free • Kawaramachi Stn • http://web.kyoto-inet.or.jp/people/kictac/Gallery2/

Kyoto University of art & Design mFa exhibitionARTZONE • September 1-17 • Various MediaOpen: 1—8pm (12:30—8pm on Sat, Sun, and Holidays, —5pm on 9/17)• Admission: Free • Keihan Sanjo Stn • http://artzone.jp

Takashi Iura + Sachiiyo osima: Water’s edgeArt Space Niji • September 4-9 • Media ArtOpen: 11am—7pm (—6pm on 9/9), closed on Mon • Admission: Free • Keage Stn • http://art-space-niji.com

masato Tomobe: back garden of memoriesMerry Go Round Kyoto • Until September 12 • IllustrationOpen: 10am—7pm (—5pm on 9/12), closed on Thu• Admission: Free • Hankyu Kawaramachi Stn • www.merry-go-round.co.jp

osaka

asaru exhibitioniTohen • September 19-30 • IllustrationOpen: 12—7pm (until 6pm on Sep 30th), closed on Mon, Tue • Admission: Free • Nakazakicho Stn• http://www.skky.info/itohen/gallery

2013 Tengensya artist Calendar exhibitionTengensya • September 28-October 10 • Various MediaOpen: 4—8pm (12—6pm on Sat, Sun, Holidays) • Admission: Free • Higobashi Stn • http://tengensya.jp/

yuji yamada: Cycro d’artDMO ARTS • Until September 11 • IllustrationOpen: 10am—8pm • Admission: Free • JR Osaka Stn • http://www.dmoarts.com/english

The osaka best art-our Collection, our SelectionOsaka City Museum of Modern Art, Shinsaibashi Temporary Exhibition Space • September 15-November 25 Various MediaOpen: 11am—7pm, closed on Wed and 10/21 • Admission: ¥500, ¥300 Students • Shinsaibashi Stn

art Listings

DeSIgNeaST 03OSAKA Namura Shipyard Dock/Creative Center Osaka

DESIGNEAST is a large-scale event that creates an opportu-nity for Osaka to showcase its high-quality design work to the international scene. This three-day event has taken place since 2009 and is packed with lectures, hands-on workshops, exhibitions, film screenings and more. Focusing on the theme “dialogue with the situa-tion,” the exhibition features locally renowned designers as well as those from abroad. Anyone interested in the world of Japanese design should not miss this rare opportunity.

September 15—17 • Various Media/Events • Open: 11am—10:30pm •Admission: ¥2,000/day, ¥1,000/day Students, Price-It-Yourself (PIY) upwards of ¥10,000/3 days (3 drinks) • Subway Kitakagaya Stn • http://designeast.jp

Sep 29-oct 27

Art

Hideo Nagai: painkiller...OSAKA Gallery Nomart

Five years have passed since the last solo exhi-bition by Hideo Nagai. Nagai’s works are known for their witty humor, such as creating a five-meter sculpture of a pro wrestler. In this exhibition, the works show a new sense of direction, with less focus on scale, and more focus on dissecting and reassem-bling the image. In addition to the three-dimensional works, sketches and photographs will be displayed for the first time. A live performance featuring the group .es will take place from 5pm on 9/29 (Sat) with a ¥1,000 charge, followed by an open-ing party from 6pm free of charge.

September 29—October 27 • Sculpture • Open: 1—7pm, closed on Sun and Holidays • Admission: Free • Subway Fukaebashi Stn • www.nomart.co.jp

Credit: Reference Image


art ListingsHaruko Sasakawa: case.DYoshimi Arts • September 1-17 • InstallationOpen: 11am—7pm • Admission: Free • Subway Higobashi Stn • http://www.yoshimiarts.com

Natsuki Tanigawa: TethersNii Fine Arts • Until September 16PaintingsOpen: 11am—7pm, closed on Mon• Admission: Free • Kitahama Stn• http://www.niifinearts.com

The Wonderful Life of Wasps and beesOsaka Museum of Natural HistoryUntil October 14 • Various MediaOpen: 9:30am—5pm, closed on Mon• Admission: ¥500, ¥300 Students• Subway Nagai Stn

Keika Ishikawa: VoidBloom Gallery • September 19-October 7 • PhotographyOpen: 12—7pm (—5pm on 10/7), closed on Mon and Tue • Admission: Free • Hankyu Juso Stn • http://www.bloomgallery103.com

Tomoko Sakurai: oUTLaWNote Gallery • Until September 13 • PaintingsOpen: 11am—5pm • Admission: Free • Keihan Hirakata Koen Stn

Contemporary Local artists exhibition: Naoko yoshimoto, Takeshi Kubo, Nobuo asadaHimeji City Museum of ArtSeptember 13-October 21Various MediaOpen: 10am—5pm, 9/17 and 10/8. Closed on Mon, 9/18 and 10/9Admission: ¥700, ¥500 University and High School Students, ¥200 Junior High and Elementary School Students • JR Himeji Stn • http://www.city.himeji.lg.jp/art/

Hyogo

The Link between Words and art: a

Homage to Nakahara yusukeGallery Yamaki Fine Art • Until September 22 • Various MediaOpen: 11am—7pm (closed 1—2pm)• Admission: Free • JR/Hanshin Motomachi Stn • http://www.gyfa.co.jp

edward burne Jones exhibitionSeptember 1-October 14 • Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Art • PaintingsOpen: 10am—6pm (—8pm on Fri and Sat), closed on Mon, open on 9/17 and closed on 9/18 • Admission: ¥1,300, ¥900 University students, ¥650 High School Students • JR Nada Stn • http://www.artm.pref.hyogo.jp/eng

Kodai Nakahara: Drawings 1986-2012 Ko-chan is “go-gi-ga”? Itami City Museum of Art • September 22-November 4Open: 10am—6pm, closed on Mon • Admission: ¥500, ¥250 University Students and High School Students, ¥100 Junior High and Elementary

School Students • Hankyu/JR Itami Stn • http://artmuseum-itami.jp

Kevin Westenberg: Sounds from the back StageTanto Tempo • September 8-October 7 • PhotographyOpen: 12—6pm, closed on Mon, Tue, Holidays • Admission: Free • Minato Motomachi Stn • http://tantotempo.jp

Nara

melting Core exhibition -5 methods about Support-Gallery OUT of PLACESeptember 7-October 7Mixed MediaOpen: 12—7pm, closed on Mon-Wed • Admission: Free • JR/Kintetsu Nara Stn • http://www.outofplace.jp

until Sep 30

The Deconstruction of the “I”: an experiment by Kashihara etsutomuOSAKA The National Museum of Art, Osaka

Kashihara Etsutomu is a Kyoto-based artist who was born in 1941 and studied painting at Tama Art University. His art career flowered in the 1960s and he became part of the anti-matter movement, otherwise known as the Gainen-ha (conceptual art). Despite this categorization, he carefully distanced himself from the criticisms targeted at that niche. His works are represented by What is Mr. X?, “Exhibition”, and My Methods Inspired by Marilyn. The works, known for their complicated structure and gigantic scale, have been tricky for venues to physically accom-modate. With the help of the artist in the installation process here, this exhibition has been made possible.

Until September 30 • Various Media • Open: 10am—5pm (—7pm on Fri) and 9/17, closed on Mon, 9/18 • Admission: ¥420, ¥130 Students • Watanabebashi Stn • www.nmao.go.jp/en

Credit: Kashihara Etsutomu, Koizumi Hiroo and Meada Kinzo, What is Mr. X ? 1968-1969, Chiba City Museum of Art

Until oct 22

evangelion exhibitionHYOGO The Osamu Tezuka Manga Museum

Evangelion began as a TV animation series in October 1995. The story is a rather typical animation script, where a 14-year-old boy goes inside a robot and fights to save the world. However, its treatment of complex issues, cool character designs and visual effects have attracted a broad fanbase in Japan and beyond. Though the initial series has finished, the much anticipated film Evangelion: Q will be released this fall. This exhibition will include life-size models of various figures, and original documents and storyboards, allowing fans to see behind the scenes of this legendary animation series.

Until October 22 • Various Media • Open: 9:30am—5pm, closed on Wed • Admission: ¥700, ¥300 High School and Junior High School Students, ¥100 Elementary School Students • JR/Hankyu Takarazuka Stn • www.city.takarazuka.hyogo.jp/tezuka

© C

olor

Illu

stra

tion:

Yos

hiyu

ki S

adam

oto


yamato Sakurai manyo matsuri, NaraSep 8Yamato Sakurai Manyo Matsuri is a one-day spectacular celebrating the great history of Sakurai city where the first market was held in the 6th century of Japan. Varied live performances, a huge market and romantic toro nagashi – floating paper lanterns – can be enjoyed.Time: 2pm–8:30pm • Admission: free • Where: Kanaya Kasenjiki-Koen Park • Access: JR/Kintetsu Railway Sakurai stn shuttle bus to the venue • Tel: 0744-42-9111

beer Kura-biraki, osakaSep 8Let’s celebrate September with a freshly brewed beer! A traditional brewmaster, Kotobuki Shuzo will open his beer vault. Visitors can enjoy sampling some craft beer and fine food, plus a live music performance.

Time: 10am–3pm • Admission: ¥1,000 • Where: Kotobuki Shuzo • Access: Hankyu Railway Tonda stn, 5min walk • Tel: 072-696-0003

midosuji Talkin’ about, osakaSep 13Network with Japanese and foreign nationals at this cultural salon, Midosuji Talkin’ About. This month’s speaker is Marie-Aurore Stiker-Metral, a French product designer who designs furniture using ideas from traditional Japanese armour making.Time: 7pm–9pm • Admission: free • Where: Osaka Gas Building • Access: Subway Midosuji line Yodoyabashi stn exit 13 • Tel: 06-6205-4545 (English/Japanese) • www.facebook.com/MidosujiTalkinAbout

Live Drawing event, KyotoSep 15

Two Japanese manga artists, Masami Ogiwara and Belne, will display and demonstrate some fantastic artwork. Come and watch the creative process happening live.Time: 1pm Belne, 3pm Masami Ogiwara • Admission: ¥800 (to enter the museum) • Where: The Kyoto International Manga Museum • Access: Subway Karasuma line/Tozai line Karasuma Oike stn exit 2 • Tel: 075-254-7414

Kotorin – Rental bicycle, NaraSep 15–Dec 16Visit Nara’s World Heritage Sights by bike this season. Nara Prefecture will offer a one-way rental bicycle service in its ten regions. Sightseers can pick up and drop off bikes at designated shops during the weekends.Time: 9am–4:30pm • Admission: ¥1,000/¥1,500 • Where: Nara, Ikaruga and 8 other regions. • Tel: 0742-27-8103 • http://nara-cycling.com

Fiesta mexicana 2012, osakaSep 15–17 Meet some new amigos at the Fiesta Mexicana, sure to be full of buoyant atmosphere. Cheerful mariachi and colourful dancers will be on stage. Enjoy browsing stalls selling Mexican goods and food. Time: From noon–9pm (until 8pm on Sep 17th) • Admission: free • Where: Umeda Sky Building, Osaka • Access: Subway Midosuji line/ Hankyu Railway/Hanshin Railway Umeda stn/JR Osaka, 9min walk • Tel: 06-6440-3899

Kobe Steelpan Carnival 2012, HyogoSep 16Join the largest Caribbean music event in western Japan. Steelpan bands and orchestras from all over the country will assemble at Suma beach. Their vibrant rhythms should get some dancing going.

Events

Tajima Ushi matsuri Sep 23Tajima Bokujo-Koen Park, Hyogo

Have you tried Japanese beef yet? The Tajima Ushi Matsuri is a perfect opportunity to savour it. The festival is held annu-ally in Shin Onsen-cho town, one of the traditional hot spring resorts in Japan. Blessed with its fertile soil and rich nature, this region is home to Tajima-ushi cattle. Tajima cattle are the original source for famous brand beef throughout Japan. The festival will have many interesting attractions. Don’t miss the traditional bride parade with a cow cart, or the handiwork-cattle contest. There will also be a local produce market and a variety of live performances. Of course, booths where visitors can taste some mouth-watering Tajima beef will be set up. There are many hot spring resorts to stay at in this district too, making it a perfect getaway.

Time: 10am–4pm • Admission: most events are free • Access: JR Sanin honsen line, Hamasaka stn bus to Yumura Onsen, shuttle bus to the venue • Tel: 0796-92-1131 • Fax 0796-92-2044 • http://sinonsen.core.hi5.jp/matidukuri/geopark/leaflet(English).pdf

Sep 23

event Listings


event Listings

Time: 11am–5pm • Admission: free • Where: The clock tower in Suma Kaihin-koen park • Access: JR Kobe line Sumaurakaihin-koen stn, 5min walk • Tel: 078-631-5055 • Email: [email protected]

Takasegawa River Funa matsuri, KyotoSep 22Here’s a one-off chance to board a historic Takase-bune boat. This Japanese wooden boat is usually closed. A variety of attractions can also be found on land, as you can meet maiko (geisha apprentices) or enjoy a samurai combat stage show.Time: 10:30am–4pm • Admission: free • Where: Takasegawa Ichinofunairi • Access: JR Kyoto stn bus to Kyoto Shiyakusho-mae • Email: [email protected]

yuhi o miru – The Setting Sun – WakayamaSep 22

Legend has it that in Saigasaki, blossoms fall from the evening sun during the March and September equinoxes. The sunlight is said to look like confetti. Whether this special phenomena occurs or not, it will be a great family day out with a magnificent sunset.Time: 2pm–dusk • Admission: free • Where: Saigasaki Todai Lighthouse • Access: JR Wakayama stn/Nankai Railway Wakayamashi stn bus to Saigasaki Yuen, 20min walk • Tel: 073-447-0844

magic Words Creative Writing Workshop, KyotoSep 23SWET Kansai is hosting a workshop lead by Rebecca Otowa. Here’s a chance to put the sparkle back into your writing. A fun, hands-on workshop with lots of different games, exercises and challenges, but no computers or electronic devices.

Time: 1:30pm–4:30pm • Admission: ¥2,000 for JAT/SWET members, ¥2,500 for non-members • Where: Kyoto Otani Hall • Access: Subway Karasuma line Gojo stn, 2min walk • Reservations: [email protected] • http://swet.jp/events/u_events

Nagaokakyo Song Line ’12, KyotoSep 23Join this one-day outdoor music festival showcasing Kansai’s young talented bands. It will be a great family day out with many hands-on activities for all ages. Time: 10am–7pm • Admission: free to enter • Where: Nagaokatenmangu Shrine • Access: Hankyu Railway Nagaokatenjin stn, 10min walk • Tel: 075-957-7201

gokasho machiaruki, ShigaSep 23A celebration is happening in the picturesque traditional streets of

Gokasho. The town will be alive with a procession of people wearing period costumes in the Taisho Era style. Visitors can enjoy tea ceremony, arts and crafts and other great events.Time: 9:30am • Admission: free • Where: Gokasho Kondo-cho Town • Access: JR Biwako line Notogawa stn bus to Plaza Sanpoyoshi • Tel: 0748-24-1234

Chinese mid-autumn Festival, HyogoSep 29 & 30Enjoy a sensory explosion of dragon and lion dances, authentic Chinese food and goods galore at this festival. There will also be martial arts demonstrations, live music and lots of other exciting events on both days.Time: Around noon • Admission: free • Where: Nankin-machi (Chinatown Kobe) • Access: JR/Hanshin Railway Motomachi, 5min walk • Tel: 078-332-2896 • www.nankinmachi.or.jp

Nippon Classic Car Rally in KatsuragiSep 23Yashikiyama-Koen, Nara

Car enthusiasts, get yourself down to Katsuragi city today, one of the most important places in early Japanese history. Nearly 80 classic cars and rare automobiles will be shown at this rally. These vintage cars will start at Yashikiyama park, drive 130km through the historic city and finish at the same park. Don’t miss this chance to get really close to the deluxe cars – they will start driving at 10am and finish around 4pm. Good chances for classic car fans to see these beautiful automobiles are here: Kakinohazushi Yamato Asuka at 10:30am, Lake Forest Resort at 1pm, Takada Police Station at 3pm and JR Yamato Shinjo stn at 3:30pm.

Time: 10am (start) • Admission: free • Access: Kintetsu Railway Shinjo stn, 20min walk • Tel:06-6760-7373 • Email: [email protected]

Swan Lake ballet Sep 22Amashin Archaic Hall, Hyogo

Kansai’s premier ballet company, Sadamatsu Hamada Ballet, are based in Kobe. They will perform the Tchaikovsky classic Swan Lake with extra choreography by Shouichiro Sadamatsu and music by the Otsu Philharmonic Orchestra. Sadamatsu Hamada Ballet company has 25 schools from Himeji to Nara and has been sup-porting and promoting ballet in Kansai for the last 57 years. Visit the website to buy tickets but hurry, since KS readers are being offered a special 10% discount on SS seats (¥7,000) and S seats (¥6,000) on the first 20 seats sold.

Time: 5pm • Admission: ¥7,000, ¥6,000, ¥5,000, ¥4,000 • Access: Hanshin Railway Amagasaki stn, 5min walk • Tel: 078-861-2609 • Email: [email protected] • www.sadamatsu-hamada.com

Sep 22 Sep 23

Free Stuff!

One lucky KS reader can win a

pair of tickets to the performance.

To enter the draw email your name

to: [email protected]

by Sep 17. Mark the subject

‘Swan Lake’.


This month in Kansai

091CLUBgrand Cafe: mask feat. egbert Japan Tour. (Wear a mask for discounted entry.)

Details p.36

2LIVE MUSIC Chicken garlic Steak muse Kyoto Details p.32

3ART yuji yamada Cycro d’art. This month’s cover artist. (Until Sep 11) Details p.24

4ART Shingo Tanaka: Captivated by ephemeraDetails p.24

5LIVE MUSIC oz Noy@ Rag, Kyoto Details p.32

6ARTTakashi Iura + Sachiiyo osima: Water’s edge (Sep 4—9) Details p.24

7LIVE MUSIC mono @ Shangri-laDetails p.33

8EVENT beer Kura-biraki, osakaDetails p.26

9ART evangelion exhibition Details p.25

10LIVE MUSIC Tower of Power @ billboard Live oSaKaDetails p.32

11FILM

marleyDetails p.42

12ART The Deconstruction of the “I”: an experiment by Kashihara etsumotoDetails p.25

13midosuji Talkin’ about Details p.26

14FILM mirror mirrorDetails p.43

15EVENT Live manga Drawing, Kyoto Details p.26

16FESTIVAL Kishiwada Danjiri FestivalDetails p.30

17EVENTFiesta mexicana 2012(Until Sep 15—17) Details p.26

18LIVE MUSIC The Ting Tings@ Namba Hatch, osakaDetails p.33

19LIVE MUSIC ayumi Hamasaki@ osaka Jo HallDetails p.33

20CLUBDanny Howells Circus Details p.36

21FESTIVAL Nishinomiya matsuriDetails p.30

22EVENT

World Craft beer Tasting 22/23@Nakazakicho Hall

23EVENT Nippon Classic Car Rally KatsuragiDetails p.27

24FESTIVAL Kushi matsuri FestivalDetails p.30

25Kotorin Rental bicycle in NaraDetails p.26

26ART Kyoto experimentInternational performing arts festival, until oct 28www.kyoto-ex.jp

27ART The Wonderful Life of Wasps and beesDetails p.25

28FILM The Hunger games Details p.42

29CLASSICAL

andrew von oeyen piano recitalDetails p.34

30FESTIVAL

Uneme matsuri Festival Details p.30


This month in Kansai

091CLUBgrand Cafe: mask feat. egbert Japan Tour. (Wear a mask for discounted entry.)

Details p.36

2LIVE MUSIC Chicken garlic Steak muse Kyoto Details p.32

3ART yuji yamada Cycro d’art. This month’s cover artist. (Until Sep 11) Details p.24

4ART Shingo Tanaka: Captivated by ephemeraDetails p.24

5LIVE MUSIC oz Noy@ Rag, Kyoto Details p.32

6ARTTakashi Iura + Sachiiyo osima: Water’s edge (Sep 4—9) Details p.24

7LIVE MUSIC mono @ Shangri-laDetails p.33

8EVENT beer Kura-biraki, osakaDetails p.26

9ART evangelion exhibition Details p.25

10LIVE MUSIC Tower of Power @ billboard Live oSaKaDetails p.32

11FILM

marleyDetails p.42

12ART The Deconstruction of the “I”: an experiment by Kashihara etsumotoDetails p.25

13midosuji Talkin’ about Details p.26

14FILM mirror mirrorDetails p.43

15EVENT Live manga Drawing, Kyoto Details p.26

16FESTIVAL Kishiwada Danjiri FestivalDetails p.30

17EVENTFiesta mexicana 2012(Until Sep 15—17) Details p.26

18LIVE MUSIC The Ting Tings@ Namba Hatch, osakaDetails p.33

19LIVE MUSIC ayumi Hamasaki@ osaka Jo HallDetails p.33

20CLUBDanny Howells Circus Details p.36

21FESTIVAL Nishinomiya matsuriDetails p.30

22EVENT

World Craft beer Tasting 22/23@Nakazakicho Hall

23EVENT Nippon Classic Car Rally KatsuragiDetails p.27

24FESTIVAL Kushi matsuri FestivalDetails p.30

25Kotorin Rental bicycle in NaraDetails p.26

26ART Kyoto experimentInternational performing arts festival, until oct 28www.kyoto-ex.jp

27ART The Wonderful Life of Wasps and beesDetails p.25

28FILM The Hunger games Details p.42

29CLASSICAL

andrew von oeyen piano recitalDetails p.34

30FESTIVAL

Uneme matsuri Festival Details p.30

KaNSaI SCeNe magazINe SEPTEMBER 2012 kansaiscene.com30P

hoto

: Pro

vid

ed b

y To

uris

m S

ectio

n N

ara

Mun

icip

al O

ffice

i

Kishiwada Danjiri matsuri, osakaSep 15 & 16Richly carved danjiri floats are raced through the town at high speed, like a thrilling motor racing event. At dusk, the danjiri floats will be illuminated with paper lanterns and the atmosphere will changes completely into calm and romantic.Time: 6am–10pm (on the 15th), 9am–10pm (on the 16th) • Admission: free • Where: around Kishiwada stn and Haruki stn • Access: Nankai Railway Kishiwada stn • Tel: 072-436-0914

Nishinomiya matsuri, HyogoSep 21–23Nishinomiya-jinja will hold its most colourful festival, called Nishinomiya Matsuri. Many dazzling ceremonies are carried out. There are a wide variety of live shows on the 21st. A procession of children in celestial costumes will march through the town on 22nd. There will be spectacular parade of boats in the sea on the 23rd.Time: 5pm on the 21st, 10am on the 22nd, 9am on the 23rd • Admission: free • Where: Nishinomiya-jinja shrine • Access: Hanshin Railway Nishinomiya stn, 5min walk/JR Kobe line Sakurashukugawa stn; 8min walk • Tel: 0798- 33-0321

Hagi matsuri, KyotoSep 22 & 23Annually, when the flowers of hagi bush clover are in full

bloom, Hagi Matsuri takes place. Chirping bell crickets are offered to the gods. Classical dances and music will be held. Also kyujutsu, the art of archery will be performed.Time: 10am • Admission: free • Where: Nashinoki-jinja shrine • Access: JR Kyoto stn bus to Furitsu Idaibyoin-mae, 5min walk • Tel 075-211-0885 • Fax 075-257-2624

Seimei Sai, KyotoSep 22Various rituals are carried out to celebrate the deity of this shrine, Abe no Seimei. The parade of 500 people in historical costumes is a must-see.Time: 10am • Admission: free Where: Seimei-jinja shrine • Access: Subway Karasuma line Imadegawa stn, 12min walk/ Keihan Railway Sanjo stn bus to Horikawa Imadegawa • Tel: 075-441-6460

mozu Hachimangu autumn Festival, osakaSep 29 & 30The crowds are always excited to see a futondaiko float moving magnificently. It is so heavy that it needs to be carried slowly by 70 men,. They’ll walk in rhythm to the sound of taiko drums and a choir of children singing. Great for taking photographs.Time: 10am–10pm • Admission: free• Where: Mozu Hachimangu Shrine • Access: JR Hanwa line Mozu stn, 10min walk/Subway Midosuji line Nakamozu stn bus to Mozuhachiman-mae • Tel: 072-252-1089

Festival Listings

Kushi matsuri FestivalSep 24YASUI KONPIRAGU SHRINE, KYOTO

As the Japanese saying goes, ‘Hair is the essence of beauty of women’. An amazing hair show will appear in Gion districts. It is part of a religious ceremony held annually at this shrine – a procession of women wearing their own hair made up in the traditional Japanese styles of bygone days. The styles are very varied, and cover periods from ancient times up to the present day. Surprisingly, nobody wears a wig in the hair show proces-sion! The ceremony, called Kushi Matsuri, is where worn out combs and hairpins are brought and blessed for their hard work. Many women visit to pray for their beauty on this day.

Time: 1pm • Admision: free • Access: Keihan Railway Gion-shijo stn/Hankyu Railway Kawaramachi stn, bus to Higashiyama Yasui • Tel: 075-561-5127

Uneme matsuri Sep 30SARUSAWA-IKE POND, NARA

A rich and colourful water pageant takes place at Sarusawa-ike Pond, representative of scenery of Nara. It is a re-enactment of an elegant boating event held by ancient citizens of Nara to appreciate the moon when it was the fullest and brightest. A solemn religious ceremony is also performed to comfort the spirit of uneme – ladies of imperial court – in this event. Legend has it that an uneme threw herself into this pond in despair after falling out of favour with the emperor. People dressed in 8th century styles will parade through Sanjo-dori street, from JR Nara stn to the pond at around 5 pm on this day.

Time: 5 pm • Admission: free • Access: JR Nara stn, 15min walk/ Kintetsu Railway Nara stn, 5min walk • Tel: 0742-22-3900

Sep 24

Sep 30


Sports

event report: The Tantan Long RideA long ride sounds like hard work in name alone. Richard Mort took part and reports from the road on what to expect from this annual cycling event.Text: Richard Mort

As a cycling Brit, coming from a ‘tall and slim’ country like the UK, the term “coast to coast” can mean as little as 70 miles. I decided to better this with a rough vertical line up the Japanese map some 95 miles from Kobe to Amanohashidate. I planned to cycle, rest a day, and then take part in a 100km long ride around the beautiful tango peninsula.

Steep beginningsI set off around 4:30am to tackle the steepest part, cycling over Rokko from Kitano. On the other side of Kobe is the most dangerous and scary stretch – Arima kaido, or road 428, leading up to Sanda. There’s no lane of any kind for 3-5 km or so, other than a modest space for cars, trucks and yours truly. Thankfully, I made it to the wider section unscathed and from then on, the traffic and national roads became just unpleasant rather than unbearably dangerous. One highlight – perhaps the best thing about this inter-city cycling lark – was cycling past numerous inviting-looking roadside cafes and choosing a great one to stop and recharge in. I got a warm welcome, hot tea, great food and a sympathetic audience for the ride.

Long ride day dawnsAfter a rest day in Amanohashidate, the actual long ride day dawned, literally, with a 6am start. I got to the course line on a mountain bike, albeit carbon and only 8kg, but still a moun-tain bike, inevitably one of around 20 among hundreds of race bike neighbours. Given that fact, plus the exertions mentioned and even, shock horror, no slick tyres, I wasn’t even expect-ing to finish the race, let alone gain any kind of respectable placement. But, as we set off, call it second wind, I attacked the hills, zoomed down the inclines and gave it everything. Helped considerably by the three aid stations, and the best selection of race snacks and drinks I’ve ever seen. A special mention has to go to the shio ame, salt candy, at the last stop, some 20 km from the goal. If you asked me before the race whether they would cut it, I would have laughed. But they really hit the spot. The ride was fantastically organized and although not strictly a race, I finished in five hours, and came around 50th of 700 riders, shocked and delighted! This has given me the spark to continue competing in long rides.

Shiga trail runSep 30, runningA 22km run in Otsu, in Shiga prefecture, south of Lake Biwa. Time: 8amApplication fee: ¥4,000Tel: 075-366-8760www.funrunde.net/kitahira.html Entry deadline: Sep 2

awaji shima long rideOct 14, cyclingCycling at intermediate/advanced level, on a 140 km course around the island.Application fee: ¥9,500www.awajishima-longride.jpEntry deadline: limited to first 2,000 entrants

maizuru Road Race, KyotoOct 7, running 3km/10km road race or 4.3km cross country courseApplication fee: ¥1,500http://www.city.maizuru.kyoto.jp/modules/kyoikup/index.php?content_id=251Entry deadline: Sep 7

yabu City Road RaceOct 8, running Marathon, half-marathon and other shorter distancesApplication fee: ¥3,000Enrty deadline: Sep 14http://www.fureai-net.tv/roadrace/

Sports Festival osakaOct 14, athleticsVarious athletics events. Limited to two events per entry.http://www.osaka-sports.net/furen/ro-dore-su/akirikujyo.htmEntry deadline: Sep 7

aCCJ Kansai Walk-a-ThonOct 20, walking, Kobe, Meriken ParkA 3km charity walkEntry: ¥2,000/¥1,000. Ticket includes: Walk-a-thon, T-shirts, vendor discounts and raffle.http://www.accjwalk.com

Cycle mode InternationalOct 6–8, exhibitionA must-visit for all of the two-wheeled persuasion.http://www.cyclemode.net¥1,000 adv, ¥1,200 yen on the day.

39th osaka Cycling association TournamentOct 20–21, cyclingKishiwada City, details Tel: 0721-54-3213http://www.j-cycling.org/event/list.htmlhttp://www.kcsc.or.jp/oca/

Listings Inspired by the 2012 Olympics to get some more sports in your life? Sign up for some of these upcoming Kansai sporting events…


oz NoyKyoto’s Rag has really pulled off a coup in getting Israeli born jazz-blues-rock guitarist Oz Noy onto their September schedule. The young guitarist quickly out-grew his homeland and in 1996 headed for New York. Stamping out his six string authority in the Big Apple, Noy’s breakthrough 2005 album HA! included an all-star band and a guest spot from Mike Stern.

Guitar Player magazine poll winner in 2007 and 2008, Noy plays Kyoto’s Rag on the 5th and Billboard Live, OSAKA two days later on the 7th.

Rag, Kyoto • Sep 5 / Billboard Live OSAKA, Osaka • Sept 7 • Guitar • 6:30pm /9:30pm • ¥5,000/¥6,500 • Tel: 06-6342-7722

Fear FactoryIs it really 23 years since Fear Factory first came together?! There have been some line-up changes and hiatuses but front-man Burton C. Bell is still at the helm along with guitarist Dino Cazares.

It’s two decades since the band’s debut release Soul of a New Machine and this year saw the release of their eighth studio recording The Industrialist. The new album faired quite well with critics, one stating “The Industrialist is something of a minor triumph”.

US Industrial Metal Stalwarts • Akaso, Osaka • Sept 20 • Metal • 7pm • ¥6,800 • Tel: 06-6535-5569

James IhaJames Yoshinobu Iha, guitarist and co-founder of The Smashing Pumpkins alongside Billy Corgan, has worked over the past five years either solo or on nu-merous guest spots and collaborations.

Iha’s latest album Look to the Sky was released in the spring of this year and featured a staggering 22 other artists as well as Iha.

Iha and Smashing Pumkins fans won’t be disappointed with the new album as tracks including ‘To Who Knows Where’ are very much in the vein of the Pumpkins.

The Smashing Pumpkins co-founder Solo • Club Quattro, Osaka • Sept 24 • Indie • 7pm • ¥6,800 • Tel: 06-6535-5569

Sep 20 Sep 24Sep 7

Sept 1

Crying Nut/The 50 KaitenzTaku Taku, KyotoPunk · 6pm · ¥2,800 · Tel: 075-351-1321

yuya matsushitaClub Quattro, OsakaPop · 6pm · ¥5,000 · Tel: 06-6357-4400

Sept 1–2

SmaPKyocera Dome, OsakaPop · 1st-6pm/2nd-4pm · ¥TBA · Tel: 0180-993-000

Sept 2

Chicken garlic SteakMuse, KyotoAcapella · 5pm · ¥5,000 · Tel: 075-223-0389

Sept 5

oz NoyRag, KyotoBlues Guitar · 6pm · ¥4,400/¥5,500 · Tel: 075-255-7273

Sept 6

motionless in WhiteClub Quattro, OsakaMetalcore · 7pm · ¥5,800 · Tel: 06-6535-5569

Sept 7

monoShangri-La, OsakaRock · 7:30pm · ¥4,500 · Tel: 06-6535-5569

Sept 8

LoudnessClub Quattro, OsakaRock · 6:30pm · ¥6,300 · Tel: 06-7732-8888

Sept 10

Tower of PowerBillboard Live OSAKA, OsakaFunk · 6.30pm/9.30pm · ¥9,800/¥11,300 · Tel:06-6342-7722

Sept 14

art-SchoolTaku Taku, KyotoIndie · 6:30pm · ¥3,500 · Tel: 075-351-1321

Cali gariNamba Hatch, OsakaVisual Kei Rock · 7pm · ¥5,250/¥5,775 · Tel: 06-7732-8888

Siberian NewspaperChicken George, KobeFolk · 7:30pm · ¥3,000/¥3,500 · Tel: 078-332-0146

Sept 15

Kimura mitsuru gst. mushu KamayatsuWynterland, KobeBlues · 6pm · ¥5,000/¥12,000 · Tel:06-6882-1224

Sept 16

H Factor (Terumasa Hiro & DJ Honda)Rag Live Spot, KyotoHip Hop Jazz · 7pm · ¥3,000/¥4,500 · Tel:075-241-0446

Sept 17

Sachi TainakaAkaso, OsakaFemale Vocal · 6pm · ¥4,200 · Tel: 06-7897-2454

Live Music

Live music Listings


Sept 18

The Ting TingsNamba Hatch, OsakaPop-rock · 7pm · ¥6,000 · Tel: 06-7732-8888

Flow/orange Range/ScandalBig Cat, OsakaPop-rock · 6:30pm · ¥4,200 · Tel: 06-6341-3525

evan ChristopherMister Kellys, OsakaNew Orleans Jazz · 7:30pm/9:15pm · ¥4,000/¥4,500 · Tel:06-6342-5821

Sept 19–20

ayumi HamasakiOsaka Jo Hall, OsakaPop · 7pm · ¥8,500 · Tel: 06-7732-8888

Sept 20

Scissor SistersBig Cat, OsakaPop-rock · 7pm · ¥6,500 · Tel: 06-6535-5569

Fear FactoryAkaso, OsakaMetal · 7pm · ¥6,800 · Tel: 06-6535-5569

aLvinoMuse, OsakaVisual Kei Rock · 7pm · ¥4,500/¥5,000 · Tel: 06-6245-5389

Sept 22

PenicillinMuse, KyotoVisual Kei Rock · 6pm · ¥5,500/¥6,000 · Tel: 075-223-0389

Lm.CBig Cat, Osaka

Visual Kei Rock · 4:30pm · ¥4,500/¥5,000 · Tel: 06-7732-8888

SantaraTaku Taku, KyotoPop-rock · 7pm · ¥3,300/¥3,800 · Tel: 075-351-1321

Sept 24

Julee KaranMister Kellys, OsakaJazz · 7:30pm/9:15pm · ¥4,000/¥4,500 · Tel: 06-6342-5821

James IhaClub Quattro, OsakaRock · 7pm · ¥6,800 · Tel: 06-6535-5569

Sept 25

aika yoshiokaClub Quattro, OsakaFemale Vocal · 7pm · ¥4,000/¥4,500 · Tel: 03-5983-0877

Sept 28

RoyzNamba Hatch, OsakaVisual Kei Rock · 6pm · ¥4,200 · Tel: 06-6341-3525

Sept 29

WakabaMuse, OsakaPop · 5pm · ¥4,000/¥4,500 · Tel: 06-6245-5389

Funky monkey babysKyocera Dome, OsakaPop · Time TBA · ¥6,800 · Tel: 06-7732-8888

Sept 29–30

VampsZepp, OsakaRock · 6pm · ¥6,660 · Tel: 06-7732-8888

monoIf you’re going to be an instrumental band then you have to have something a little bit special to really pull it off and not sound like a bunch of self-indulgent musos. Mono do indeed have that special something. Ambient prog, post rock with a hint of shoe-gazing Pink Floyd.

Formed in 1999, the band hit the ground running setting themselves a heavy touring schedule that took them across Asia, Europe and the US. Known for recording their albums in a day, live in the studio, Mono’s debut 2001 Under the Pinal Tree was funded and pushed by American experimental musi-cian John Zorn who certainly saw promise in the band.

Mono’s new double album For My Parents is released this month and of it and its theme the band state: “We hope that this album serves as a gift from child to parent. While every-thing else continues to change this love remains a constant throughout time.”

Sit back, relax and enjoy Mono.

Japanese Instrumental Post Rockers • Shangri-La, OsakaSept 7 • Post Rock • 7:30pm • ¥4,500 • Tel: 06-6535-5569

Sep 7

Live music Listings

KSPick


Classical music

Classical musingsText: Michael Vezzuto

September begins with two loosely themed concerts given by the Kyoto Symphony orchestra at Kyoto Concert Hall. The first, on September 7th, takes Benjamin Britten as its subject. The Passacaglia from the opera Peter Grimes opens the concert and the Sinfonia da Requiem, which has an interesting story behind it, will be the finale. This symphony was originally commis-sioned by the Japanese government in 1940 to mark the 2,600th anniversary of the Japanese empire, but rejected because its references to Christian liturgy were taken as an insult. There is a pre-concert talk in Japanese at 6:40 where the evening’s conduc-tor, Tatsuya Shimono, will undoubtedly talk about all of this.

In between, we have the First Violin Concerto by Dmitri Shos-takovich, the link being that Shostakovich and Britten became great friends in 1960 despite moving in practically opposite mu-sical and political spheres. Vadim gluzman is the violin soloist, and many will attend to hear this talented young USSR-born Israeli violinist play his 1690 Stradivarius. For me, the draw is the inclusion of Estonian composer Arvo Pärt’s Cantus in Memory of Benjamin Britten on the program. An early example of Pärt’s tin-tinnabuli style, the work is only about 5 minutes long but is stun-ning. Pärt is probably the world’s most famous living composer and is writing some of the most beautiful music of our times. His music really should be programmed more often in Kansai.

On September 16th, we get a rather belated Olympic-themed concert. Junichi Hirokami conducts the Kyoto Symphony orchestra in a program that opens with John Williams’ Olympic Fanfare (originally composed for the 1984 Summer Games in Los Angeles), continues with Haydn’s 104th – and last – sym-phony, nicknamed The London, and ends thrillingly with Gustav Holst’s symphonic suite The Planets. Okay, so the London Olym-pics theme is rather belated and stretched, but no opportunity should be missed to hear a live performance Holst’s multi-hued astrological survey of our solar system.

The end of the month is dominated by pianists. Hungarian pianist Dezso Ránki first appears at The Symphony Hall in Osaka with the Japan Century Symphony orchestra con-ducted by marc andreae playing the solo part in Bartók’s lovely Third Piano Concerto, a work the composer wrote for his wife as he was dying. It’s a surprisingly lyrical work, full of intimate, chamber-like moments. The other work on the program is Schu-bert’s “Great” Symphony, listed here as Schubert’s 8th Symphony but originally published as the 7th and familiar to many as the 9th (Sigh. I partially explained this only a few months ago). Anyway, it’s Schubert’s last ever symphony, the one in C major, D. 944, a long dramatic work that makes an interesting coupling with the Bartók.

Ránki appears two days later in a solo concert at Hyogo Performing arts Center which is predictably already sold out (Hyogo Performing Arts Center concerts are always sold out months in advance! How do they do it?). If you were dead set on hearing a piano recital on September 22, there’s no need to fret, because Swedish pianist Peter Jablonski offers an interesting program of mostly short works at The Symphony Hall. Jablon-ski’s program features Beethoven’s Bagatelles and Tempest Sonata, Liszt’s Hungarian Rhapsody No.15 and Ballade No. 2, and jazzy works by Gershwin, Copland, and Rimsky-Korsakov.

If that’s too much of a good thing, you can hear a more traditional concert of Romantic piano music given by American pianist and Juilliard alum andrew von oeyen at The Sym-phony Hall on September 29. The program features Beethoven’s Pathetique and Waldstein sonatas (the Waldstein being the first composition to demand and orchestral range of expression from the piano), several Chopin works, and ends with Ravel’s lovely Pavane pour une infante défunte and a piano reduction of La Valse (undoubtedly intended to mirror the Waldstein). The re-cital starts at 2pm, and best of all, tickets are only ¥3,000. Enjoy!

Sep 7

September 7

britten/Shostakovich/Pärt: Kyoto Symphony orchestra, Vadim gluzman (violin), Tatsuya Shimono (conductor)Kyoto Concert Hall, 7pm (pre-concert talk by the conductor at 6:40)Admission: S=¥4,500, A=¥4,000, B=¥3,500, P=¥2,000 (seats behind the stage) • Tel: 075-711-3231• Kitayama subway station (on the Karasuma line), 3min walk from exit 1www.kyoto-symphony.jp

September 16

Williams/Haydn/Holst – Kyoto Symphony orchestra, Junichi Hirokami (conductor)Kyoto Concert Hall, 2pmAdmission: ¥2,000 (students ¥1,000)• Tel: 075-711-3231• Kitayama subway station (on the Karasuma line), 3min walk from exit 1www.kyoto-symphony.jp

September 20

Dezso Ránki (piano), Japan Century Symphony orchestra,

marc andreae (conductor)The Symphony Hall, Osaka, 7pmAdmission: A=¥6,000, B=¥4,500, C=¥3,000, D=¥1,000• Tel: 06-6868-0591• JR loop line Fukushima Station or Oyodo-minami-1-chome bus stophttp://asahi.co.jp/symphony

September 22

Peter Jablonski piano recital (beethoven, Liszt, gershwin, Copland, Rimsky-Korsakov)The Symphony Hall, Osaka, 3pm

Admission: A=¥4,500, B=¥3,000, C=¥2,000• Tel: 06-6453-6000• JR loop line Fukushima Station or Oyodo-minami-1-chome bus stophttp://asahi.co.jp/symphony

September 29

andrew von oeyen piano recital (beethoven, Chopin, Ravel)The Symphony Hall, Osaka, 2pmAdmission: ¥3,000• Tel: 06-6453-6000• JR loop line Fukushima Station or Oyodo-minami-1-chome bus stophttp://asahi.co.jp/symphony


Sep 1 (Sat)

aCDC gallerySocial Infection feat. Abe Duque (Techno) • Live: Abe Duque • DJs: Kihira Naoki, Ooshima Sigeru, Saki • Open: 11pm • Admission: ¥2,500 • Where: Shinsaibashi • www.acdc-japan.com

grand CafeMask feat. Egbert Japan Tour (Techno) • Live: Egbert, Takehiro Okuyama • DJs: Shine, Kunio Torikai, Milk.Bro, Masanao • Open: 6pm–1am • Admission: ¥3,000/1D (Foreigners: ¥2,000/1D) • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6213-0031 • www.grandcafeosaka.com

TroopcafeI Want You (Electronia/House) • Live: Radiq, Aoki Takamasa • DJ: Kohei, Tomoho • Open: 11pm • Admission: ¥3,000/1D (ADV: ¥2,500/1D) • Where: Sannomiya • Tel: 078-321-3130 • troopcafe.tumblr.com

UnionVino (House/Techno) • DJs: Yabu, Uoshima, Kino., Toshimi • Open: 9pm • Admission: ¥2,000/1D • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6251-2242 • www.club-union.jp

World Peace Love Switch (Hip hop/R&B) • DJs: Sancon, Tora, Hifumi • Open: 8pm–1am • Admission: Men: ¥2,500/1D, Women: ¥1,500/1D • Where: Kyoto • Tel: 075-212-4119 • www.world-kyoto.com

Sep 2 (Sun)

g2DJ Nastia Japan Tour & Ree.K Birthday Premium Party (Techno/Trance) • DJs: Nastia, Ree.K, Fullmoon Mondo, Yasuhiro, Fujioka, Hidetaka + more • Open: 9pm–1am • Admission: ¥3,000/1D • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6244-3177 • g2-osaka.net

grand CafeCamo & Krooked Japan Tour (Drum’nBass) • DJs: Camo & Krooked, Toyo, Kenzi, Masashi • Open: 6pm–1am • Admission: ¥3,000/1D (ADV: ¥2,500/1D) • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6213-0031 • www.grandcafeosaka.com

Sep 7 (Fri)

CircusCircus Friday (Drum’nBass) • DJs: Hiroshi aka FU1 + more • Open: 7pm–1am • Admission: ¥2,000/1D • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6241-3822 • circus-osaka.com

RocketsMonolake Live - The Ghost in Surround Tour 2012 (Techno/Electro) • Live: Monolake Visuals by Tarik Barri • DJs: Inbeder, Kunio Asai • Open: 7pm–11pm • Admission: ¥3,500(ADV: ¥3,000) • Where: Namba • Tel: 06-6649-3919 • www.namba-rockets.com

World Peace Love Rainbow (All mix) • DJs: Kirist, 1-st, Luke, Rokkie, KMX + more • Open: 8pm–1am • Admission: Men: ¥2,500/1D, Women: ¥1,500/1D • Where: Kyoto • Tel: 075-212-4119 • www.world-kyoto.com

Sep 8 (Sat)

CircusCircus Show Case feat. Peter Van Hoesen & Neel (Techno) • DJs: Peter Van Hoesen, Neel, Naoya Sugimoto • Open: 6pm–1am • Admission: ¥3,000/1D (ADV: ¥2,500/1D) • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6241-3822 • circus-osaka.com

JouleQueen 2012 (Electro/Techno/Drum’n’Bass) • DJs: Starcream aka Slipknot, Energy Dai, Toyo, M.Minami, O-man + more • Open: 8pm • Admission: Men: ¥2,000/1D, Women: ¥1,500/1D • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6214-1223 • club-joule.jp

onziemeGan-ban Night Special presents Dexpistols (Electro) • Live: Dexpistols • DJs: Daruma, Maar + more • Open: 7pm–1am • Admission: ¥3,500 (ADV: ¥2,800) • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6243-0089 • www.onzi-eme.com

StorkHouse Beat x United (House) • DJs: Sugiurumn, Atsuo Morita, Soery, Hifumi • Open: 10pm • Admission : ¥3,000/1D(ADV: ¥2,500/1D) • Where: Okamoto • stork-kobe.com

TroopcafeVisitors (Techno/House) • DJ: Eric D + more • Open: 11pm • Admission: ¥2,500/1D (ADV: ¥2,000/1D) • Where: Sannomiya • Tel: 078-321-3130 • troopcafe.tumblr.com

UnionExtended Mix (House) • DJs: peechboy, Daisuke Ito, Yusuke, Mayu • Open: 9pm • Admission: ¥2,500/1D • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6251-2242 • www.club-union.jp

World Peace Love DDD (House) • DJ: Daishi Dance • Open: 8pm–1am • Admission: ¥2,500/1D (ADV: ¥2,000/1D) • Where: Kyoto • Tel: 075-212-4119 • www.world-kyoto.com

Club Listings

Club

Danny HowellsOne of the superstar DJs Danny Howells is FINALLY making

a trip to Osaka! His sound is often described as progressive house but the perfect description would be “deepsexyfuturis-tictechfunkouse” in Danny’s words. In early 90’s, John Digweed heard one of Danny’s mixes and invited him to join the famous Bedrock club nights. Danny spent almost ten years as warm-up DJ for Digweed at Bedrock. He has released several albums from prestigious series such as Global Underground and Renaissance but in 2008 he launched his own record label “Dig Deeper” named after his own party. If you are interested in his recent sound go to www.soundcloud.com/danny-howells and check out his latest mix. It is a real treat for your ears. This is a Thurs-day night party, so be sure to get the Friday morning off!

Circus • Danny Howells Asia Tour 2912 (Techno/House) • DJs: Danny Howells, Yoshiki • Open: 7pm–1am • Admission: ¥3,300 (ADV: ¥2,800) • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6241-3822 • http://circus-osaka.com

Sep 20

KaNSaI SCeNe magazINe SEPTEMBER 2012 kansaiscene.com 37Sep 9 (Sun)

CircusKoze Japan Tour (Techno) • DJs: Koze, Kunimitsu • Open: 6pm–1am • Admission: ¥3,000/1D (ADV: ¥2,500/1D) • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6241-3822 • circus-osaka.com

World Peace Love Switch (Hip hop/R&B) • DJs: Sancon, Tora, Hifumi • Open: 8pm–1am • Admission: Men: ¥2,500/1D, Women: ¥1,500/1D • Where: Kyoto • Tel: 075-212-4119 • www.world-kyoto.com

Sep 14 (Fri)

CircusWorm (Dubstep) • DJs: Goth-Trad, Eraguru, Nice J, Monka, Harutaka, Light-one, Z.Z.Z, mgo, Alice • Open: 6pm–1am • Admission: ¥2,500/1D (ADV: ¥2,000/1D) • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6241-3822 • circus-osaka.com

Union4Rapture (House) • DJs: K-Suke, Masaaki, Kunio Yasumatsu, Nagisa • Open: 9pm • Admission: ¥2,000/1D • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6251-2242 • www.club-union.jp

Sep 15 (Sat)

CircusHolic Osaka (Techno) • DJs: Pezzner, Tomoki Tamura, Kunimitsu, Yasuhisa, Fumi • Open: 6pm–1am • Admission: ¥TBA • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6241-3822 • circus-osaka.com

onziemeMinistry of Sound feat. Mogai (House/Techno) • DJs: Moguai, Jax Da Fishworks, Ko-Matsushima, Koichi Sato, Hirro • Open: 7pm–1am • Admission: ¥3,000/1D (WF: 2,500/1D, Before 9pm: ¥2,000/1D) • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6243-0089 • www.onzi-eme.com

owl osakaRaptus (Trance/House/Techno) • Live: Moonbeam feat. Tomomi Ukumori • DJs: Max Graham, Kitten aka Mikanyan, Takekiyo Ishimoto, Shinji, MSYK & Big baby, 66 & unbalance • Open: 5pm–1am • Admission: ¥TBA • Where: Umeda • Tel: 06-6362-0822 • owl-osaka.net

World Peace Love Fearless (House/Electro) • DJ: Off The Rocker, Yanyan, Shun-Ta + more • Open: 8pm–1am • Admission: ¥3,000/1D (ADV: ¥2,500/1D) • Where: Kyoto • Tel:

075-212-4119 • www.world-kyoto.com

Sep 16 (Sun)

CircusDJ Kyoko x Zombie Nation (Techno) • DJs: Kyoko, Zombie Nation • Open: 6pm–1am • Admission: ¥TBA • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6241-3822 • circus-osaka.com

grand CafeCocoon Heroes Club Edition in Osaka (Techno) • Live: Extrawelt • DJs: SIS, Shine, Mitsuyas, Kohsuke • Open: 6pm–1am • Admission: ¥3,000/1D • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6213-0031 • www.grandcafeosaka.com

owl osakaSunset Party (House/Electro) • DJs: Off The Rocker, Taku-Hero, Marvy, Kiminori + more • Open: 5pm–9pm • Admission: Men: ¥3,000/2D, Women: ¥2,500/2D (Before 6pm: ¥1,000/1D) • Where: Umeda • Tel: 06-6362-0822 • owl-osaka.net

RocketsNext Level feat. Ten & Maako (Techno) • DJs: Ten, Maako, Yacht, K.Sasaki • Open: 11:59pm • Admission: ¥2,5001D (WF: ¥2,000/1D) • Where: Namba • Tel: 06-6649-3919 • www.namba-rockets.com

UniverseSystem 7 x Sugizo Tour 2012 (Trance/Techno) • Live: System 7, Sugizo, Uni • DJs: Kotaro • Open: 5pm–10:30pm • Admission: ¥5,500 (ADV: ¥4,000) • Where: Namba • cavaret-universe.com

Sep 17 (mon)

*National Holiday

CircusModern Cafe (Drum’n’Bass) • DJs: Aki, Toyo • Open: 7pm–1am • Admission: ¥2,000/1D • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6241-3822 • circus-osaka.com

Sep 21 (Fri)

CircusCircus Friday feat.Calm (Techno/House) • DJs: Calm+ more • Open: 7pm–1am • Admission: ¥2,500/1D (ADV:¥2,000/1D) • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6241-3822 • circus-osaka.com

World Peace Love Friday Girly (All Mix) • DJ: Groovy workshop. • Open: 8pm–1am • Admission: Men: ¥2,500/1D,

Women: ¥1,500/1D • Where: Kyoto • Tel: 075-212-4119 • www.world-kyoto.com

Sep 22 (Sat)

grand CafeZettai-Mu(Hiphop/Abstract) • Live: Tha Blue Herb • DJs: 1945 aka Kuranaka + more • Open: 6pm–1am • Admission: ¥TBA • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6213-0031 • www.grandcafeosaka.com

JouleIshino Takkyu (Techno) • DJs: Ishino Takkyu, D41 ex.energydai, DK-Baseline, Takutugu Wada, Monashee + more • Open: 8pm • Admission: ¥2,500 (ADV: ¥2,000, Before 9pm: ¥1,000) • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6214-1223 • club-joule.jp

onziemeHush (House/Techno) • DJs: Yashima, Nao Nomura, Yabu, Masataka, Landscape • Open: 7pm–1am • Admission: ¥3,000/1D (Women before 9pm: ¥2,000/1D) • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6243-0089 • www.onzi-eme.com

owl osakaSunset Party feat. Vortex (House/Electro) • DJs: Tasaka, Shinkawa, Yo-C, M.Minami, Junkyjun • Open: 5pm–9pm • Admission: Men: ¥3,000/2D, Women: ¥2,500/2D • Where: Umeda • Tel: 06-6362-0822 • owl-osaka.net

Chikusa Ski Resort Deepulse 2012 Open Air Party (Techno/House) • DJs: Apollo, Kihira Naoki, Nilei, DNT aka Donuts, Yoshi, Shirakawa, Lobo, Hide + more • Open: 4pm • Admission: ¥4,000 (ADV: ¥3,500) • Where: Hyogo • www.deepulse.com

World Peace Love World Disco (All mix) • DJs: Murakamigo, Rokkie, Hifumi • Open: 8pm–1am • Admission: Men: ¥2,500/1D, Women: ¥1,500/1D • Where: Kyoto • Tel: 075-212-4119 • www.world-kyoto.com

Sep 23 (Sun)

CircusPaul Rich Japan Tour (Techno) • DJs: Paul Rich + more • Open: 7pm–1am • Admission: ¥2,500/1D • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6241-3822 • circus-osaka.com

owl osakaSunset Party (House/Electro) • DJs: Verbal, Cream, Lucas Valentine + more • Open: 3pm-9pm • Admission: Men: ¥3,000/2D,

Women: ¥2,500/2D (Before 4pm: ¥1,000/1D) • Where: Umeda • Tel: 06-6362-0822 • owl-osaka.net

World Peace Love World Stadium (All mix) • DJs: Ban-chan, O-Tan, Peit, Swingo, Shinya • Open: 8pm–1am • Admission: Men: ¥2,500/1D, Women: ¥1,500/1D • Where: Kyoto • Tel: 075-212-4119 • www.world-kyoto.com

Sep 29 (Sat)

CircusAgile feat. A.Mochi (Techno) • Live: A.Mochi • DJs: Monashee, Ryo Yoshida, Yuuna • Open: 7pm–1am • Admission: ¥2,500/1D • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6241-3822 • circus-osaka.com

grand CafeElectro Climax (Trance/Electro/Techno) • Live: Skazi • DJs: Dan Elliot, David Byrne, Dom Pang, Dmitri, Geroppa + more • Open: 8pm–1am • Admission: ¥3,000/1D • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6213-0031 • www.grandcafeosaka.com

onziemeNakata Yasutaka (Electro) • DJs: Nakata Yasutaka + more • Open: 7pm–1am • Admission: ¥3,000/1D (Women before 9pm: ¥2,000/1D) • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6243-0089 • www.onzi-eme.com

World Peace Love Saturday Girly (All Mix) • DJ: Groovy workshop. • Open: 8pm–1am • Admission: Men: ¥2,500/1D, Women: ¥1,500/1D • Where: Kyoto • Tel: 075-212-4119 • www.world-kyoto.com

Sep 30 (Sun)

grand CafeFreedom Time meets Hit The Spot! (Nu Jazz/Crossover) • DJs: Jazzanova, Yoshihiro Okino feat. Live Percussions, Yoshihisa Fujii, Takaharu Furutani, Nao Nomura + more • Open: 8pm–1am • Admission: ¥2,500/1D • Where: Shinsaibashi • Tel: 06-6213-0031 • www.grandcafeosaka.com

List your own club event in the Kansai Scene Club pages. Listings appear both in print and online.Contact [email protected] for more details.


Food and drink

garb WeeksFresh food, riverside terrace, top-end chef and bottom-end prices: Garb Weeks has all the elements of a great summer eateryText and photos: Alan Wiren

At the western end of Nakanoshima Park, where the Naniwabashi crosses the eastern tip of the island, is a place you should know about. If you’re visiting The National Museum of Art, the Science mu-seum, Nakanoshima Rose Garden, Osaka Public Event Hall, or the Museum of Ori-ental Ceramics, elegant refreshment, at prices that won’t spoil your mood, is just a few footsteps away at Garb Weeks. Even if you’re not in tourist mode, the innovative menu and the ambiance of this riverside restaurant make it worth a visit.

The word “weeks” in the restaurant’s name informs the architecture. The name of each day in the Japanese calendar has inspired a feature of the decor. During daylight hours, sunlight floods the open air garden, the river-view terrace, and the roomy interior. At night, a skylight lets moonbeams into the dining room. Those account for Sunday and Monday. The rest are named for the five elements. Fire is in the wood-fueled oven. Water plays in the

silver-petaled fountain in the far corner of the garden. Wood is the olive tree that shades outside diners, and her cousins along the edge of the terrace, shielding it from the morning sun. Golden bird outlines float above the guests who sit inside, with promises of good luck. Earth supports the plants that surround the restaurant and its tone continues on the floorboards of the interior.

Garb Weeks opened in 2010. For the first couple of years, manager Akira Takagami would arrive early and relax on the terrace with a cup of coffee. “It felt so good, that I knew I had to share it,” he says. So he recently began opening for breakfast. Between 7:30 and 11 am you can choose one of several “morning ser-vice” sets - perhaps French toast, egg, acai bowl or a hot dog, with unlimited coffee, herb tea and fruit juices for ¥500-¥650.

Most of Garb Weeks’ ingredients come straight from the farm. Planning the menus, Takagami says, is a team effort. He

works with the service staff and the chef, who spent eight years in a three Michelin starred restaurant in Milan then five years in his own establishment in Osaka.

It is, in essence, an Italian place. There are always intriguing variations on pizza and pasta, and creative sauces and cooking techniques together with an ex-pertly minimalist treatment of vegetables transform fish, roasts, salads and even hamburg steaks into culinary adventures, most of which comfortably hug the ¥1,000 mark.

garb Weeks •Where: 1-1-29 Nakanoshima

Koennai, Nakanoshima, Kita-ku, Osaka

•Tel: 06-6226-0181•Hours: 7:30am – 10:30pm daily•Url: www.garbweeks.com


osaka City Hall

There are two restaurants in Osaka City Hall that, despite being on the second floor of the basement, give you a glimpse of the outside world come rain or shine. Despite its Mediterranean name, L’Osteria offers popular Japanese fare such as ramen, udon, soba, sushi and Japanese curry, served cafeteria style. The dining room has no frills, but what distinguishes it is the wall of floor-to-ceiling windows that look out onto a small, sunken garden.

On the opposite side of the building, Vivacity Cafe is smaller and even simpler, but throughout the afternoon, they sell bento boxes. Take one into the park that runs along the rivers on both sides of the building. These are oases where artists paint and lovers stroll, with the skyscrap-ers far in the background.

B2F Osaka City Hall, 1-3-20 Nakanoshima, Kita-ku, Osaka • Hours: 9am – 4.30pm

Riverside grill and beer garden

On the northern bank of Nakanoshima Park is a restaurant aptly named River-side. It has with a large rose garden on one side and the Dojima river on the other. The dining areas either side of the kitchen are covered, but there are no exterior walls and the seating spills out onto decks that were made for balmy summer nights. Picnic tables are outside with tables for two inside.

The main feature here is Korean-style barbecue, but you can choose lighter fare such as spicy chicken wings or a bucket full of onion rings from the a la carte menu. The barbecue is about ¥4,000 or ¥5,000 per person, depending on whether you choose the ordinary or deluxe course. Nonetheless, it’s a good deal. The portions are generous and it includes all you can drink for two hours from a varied menu of alcoholic and soft drinks. A takeout window faces the rose garden, so you can enjoy drinks and ice cream while touring the park.

Osaka-shi, Kita-ku, Nakanoshima 1 chome, Nakanoshima Koen Baraen naiTel: 06-6202-0112 • Hours: Lunch 11.30am – 2.30pm, Dinner 4pm– 11pm

The Nakanoshima Club

Osaka City Central Public Hall is an edi-fice that has watched over the western end of Nakanoshima Park for decades. Inside and out it preserves architecture and technology from days when quality and permanence were more a part of daily life than now. In the basement, the Naka-noshima Club will take you back nearly 100 years to Japan’s Taisho era. It’s an intimate space where white tablecloths are set with heavy silver, glass, and delicate china, and staff in crisp uniforms invite you to leave contemporary bustle behind.

A Taisho Roman (read “romantic”) course is offered at lunch (¥850) and dinner (¥1,680). For the latter, you’ll get deep fried, breaded shrimp and pork cutlet, and hamburg steak in a red wine reduction. Beef stew is ¥1,500 on the lunch menu and ¥1,980 on the dinner menu. There are other dinner courses that range from ¥3,000 to ¥6,000. If you’re not hungry, you can still drop in for a cup of coffee, tea or something from the bar.

1-1-27 Nakanoshima, Kita-ku, OsakaTel: 06 6233-3580Hours: Lunch 11am-2pm, Cafe 2pm – 5pm, Dinner 5pm –9.30pm

MID

OSUJ

I LIN

E

GARB WEEKS

OSAKACITY HALL

THE MUSEUM OF ORIENTAL CERAMICS, OSAKA

NANIWABASHI STA.

YODO

YABA

SHI S

TA.

KITA

HAM

A ST

A.

KITAHAMA STA.

SAKA

ISUJI

LINE

KEIHAN NAKANOSHIMA LINE

KEIHAN MAIN LINE

NAKANOSHIMA PARK

“R” RIVERSIDE GRILL & BEER GARDEN

BANK OF JAPAN

HANSHIN EXPRESSWAY(LOOP ROUTE)

SUMITOMO SEIMEIYODOYABASHI BLDG.

OSAKA YODOYABASHIPOST OFFICE

THE NAKANOSHIMA CLUB

OEBASHI STA.

NAKANOSHIMALIBRARY

Nakanoshima area map

Spotlight on:

Nakanoshima


Feature

Fix up, look sharp in the cityGetting a bike for the daily commute is easy, but what you’d really prefer is something with a bit more style, and speed. Ever thought about rehoming a fixed gear bike? Text & images: KS

City messengers dart between lanes, leaving cars - and you - in their rear mir-rors. How do they move so quickly? It’s probably not their legs, but the bike that’s doing the hard work, as many of them are riding adapted fixed gear bikes.

Fixed gear bikes are better known as track bicycles, and as that name suggests, they first started out in the velodrome as racing bikes. The two basic features that define a track bicycle are a fixed rear sprocket, which has no ratchet-ing mechanism, and a complete lack of mechanical brakes.

The lack of a ratcheting sprocket means that your legs are always moving. You cannot ‘coast’ on a fixed gear bike. This feeling is said to connect the rider to the bike and the road, in a way that normal bikes cannot. There are also many tricks which are possible to perform only on a bike with a fixed gear, such as riding backwards.

But let’s focus on the brakes. Profes-sional track cyclists, like the Japanese keirin riders, are the main consumers for track bikes as they have no need to ever stop, or slow down during a race. No brakes is great for the track, but way too dangerous for the street,

so when track bikes began to gain popularity back in 2007, brake laws were speedily introduced.

Osaka-based gira gira Chariya started offering this specialist service, and works closely with Kansai-based parts maker, Yoshigai to provide quality parts. The shop has a strong focus on Japanese-made products, including handmade frames from local craftsmen, including the internationally renowned Nagasawa and Nakagawa (see p.14).

Rene Spudvilas from Gira Gira Chariya said: “While most shops have long been turning to Taiwanese and Chinese products, we have tried to keep a ‘select shop’ mentality, and stocked high quality products which we like; products which we believe in. Many of these products are actually from Kansai.”

Converting a track bike into an every-day bike is no simple job. Rene explains: “Track bikes have very aggressive geom-etry, which can be tiresome to ride for the average commuter. The lack of brakes or gears, the low drop handlebar, firm sad-dle, and thin tires makes for a harsh ride.”

Rising mountain bike style handle-bars, thicker touring or road bike tires, softer road bike saddles, and clamp-on

brake sets are all commonly used to make a pure track bike much more us-able. This kind of customization is Gira Gira’s specialty.

“When properly set up, a track bike can be devastatingly quick in the city,” adds Rene. “Shop mechanics can alter the bike according to the customers needs, includ-ing adding extras like a shopping basket.”

Once the bike no longer has a fixed gear it becomes a ‘Single speed’, basically a faster, and more stylish version of a ma-machari bike. This means that while it has the quality, speed and looks similar to a pure track bike, it is very easy to ride, and comfortable to live with for commuting.

So if you want to put more speed and style in your daily commute, maybe you should look to the tracks for inspiration.

gira gira Chariya

•address: 1F-1-20-20 Minami Horie, Nishiku, Osaka, 550-0015.

•Tel: (06) 6534 2539•Website: www.giragirachariya.com•online store:

www.tracksupermarket.com


Sep 28

Himitsu no akko-chan/akko’s Secret

Sep 1A compact mirror enchanted with a magical spirit meddles with 10-year-old Akko-chan’s life – but with comic effect, as it transforms her into a 22-year-old woman. Elementary schooler Akko loves her new life of make-up, money and fashion – and soon charms a cosmetics executive with her playful approach to life. It all starts to get a bit serious now, as he needs Akko’s help in launching a new product line to save his company. A fun and fluffy adaptation of a popular girl’s manga by Fujio Akatsuka.

120 minsComedyStarring: Haruka Ayase, Mika Hijii, Teruyuki KagawaDirector: Yasuhiro Kawamura

The InTouchables

Sep 1After a paragliding accident, an aristocratic Frenchman needs to hire a live-in carer to help him. A young offender rocks up for the job interview, and despite their differences the pair hit unexpectedly it off. This French language movie has proved a hit with audiences, blending energetic comic moments with a moving story about a man coming to terms with his new disabilities. What’s even more moving is that it’s actually based on a true story, the memoirs of Philippe Pozzo Di Borgo, who approved the adapted script during production.

112 minsComedy, DramaStarring: Francois Cluzet, Omar Sy, Anne Le NyDirectors: Olivier Nakache, Eric Toledano

Colombiana

Sep 1Luc Besson is known for his stylish hitman dramas, from 1994’s Leon to the Transporter trilogy. Through his EuropaCorp production company, he’s co-written and produced countless action blockbusters, and introduced Hollywood cameras to the joys of parkour, or free running. Here’s a reworking of a script he first drafted for a Leon sequel, exploring Matilda’s backstory. It’s now a stand-alone drama about a young Colombian woman who becomes an assassin after witnessing her parents’ murder. She’s working as a hitman for her uncle by day, and then taking her work into extra-curricular time to get her revenge.

108 minsAction, Crime, DramaStarring: Zoe Saldana, Michael Vartan, Callum BlueDirector: Olivier Megaton

marley

Sep 1A worldwide reggae music legend, Bob Marley died when he was just 36 years old. We’ll never know what his future could have brought, but he sure had an interesting back story. Many have tried to piece it together before, but this documentary does it with style, warts and all. It features interviews with his family and friends, and lots of previously unreleased stuff. Kevin Macdonald is the guy who directed Touching the Void and The Last King of Scotland, both sensitively-handled, gripping movies. He presents Marley as neither saint nor sinner, but a talented, likeable bloke who also made mistakes, and simply wanted peace in the world.

144 mins Documentary, Biography, Music • Starring: Bob Marley, Ziggy Marley, Jimmy CliffDirector: Kevin Macdonald

Coming soon

© 2

012

LIO

NS

GA

TE F

ILM

S IN

C. A

LL R

IGH

TS R

ES

ER

VE

D.

KSPick


Film previews

The Hunger gamesSep 28

Hurrah! Despite rumours this movie wouldn’t get a Japan release date, here it is, though some months behind American theatres where it drew comparisons to a Japanese flick, Battle Royale.

The basic premise is admittedly close to the classic island-based killathon. In the BR project, a school class was sent to a remote island and students had to kill each other to win their freedom. A sadistic teacher controlled the place and provided the kids with weapons. The island itself had many traps, and stu-dents sometimes teamed up to survive, though of course most of them ended up dead.

In The Hunger Games, the US has been divided into districts based on wealth and skill. The top district features the shiny, wealthy city of Panem, and every year two people from each district must come to Panem and fight to the death in a special game zone.

Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen is from the poorest district, and only feeds her family through illegal hunting, black market trades and basic survival skills. She volunteers to go to the games after her sister’s name is called to take part. Of course, the game arena has many traps and tricks to turn contestants against

each other. Katniss’ cunning, bravery and archery skills might keep her alive for a while in the arena, but there can only be one winner here.

The Hunger Games is just book one of a best-selling trilogy by Suzanne Collins, aimed at young teenagers but enjoyed by many more canny adults. Longtime fans of the book have praised this thrilling adaptation, which delivers the heart of Katniss’ story in style and guts. She’s a believable, gutsy heroine who looks more at home in boots and archery gear than high heels and a fancy dress (though, of course she gets to wear both.) Just one more thing to know about Katniss’ adventure: the men in her life. She has a trusted hunting partner at home called Gale. There’s also a childhood friend in the arena, but can he be trusted in this game of trickery? May the odds be ever in your favour, Katniss.

142 mins • Action, Adventure • Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth • Director: Gary RossShowing at: Toho Cinemas, OS Cinemas.

The Dictator

Sept 7If you’re easily offended, look away now. British comedian Sacha Baron Cohen is known for overloading his movies with every cringeworthy and crude joke possible – his characters are racist, sexist, anti-disability – but usually just to satirise the people who do it for real. If you can ride out the cringes, The Dictator is a comic look at what would happen if a middle eastern despot were to visit America. Cohen’s teamed up with the same director as he did for his other characters Borat and Bruno, but unlike his usual ‘character meets real people’ farces, this one is entirely fictional, and maybe that bit funnier for it.

83 minsComedyStarring: Sacha Baron Cohen, Anna Faris, Ben KingsleyDirector: Larry Charles

Soldiers of Fortune

Coming soonWith solid actors like Christian Slater and the mighty Sean Bean in the running, this looks like a promising action setup, but alas, fails to deliver anything grand. The plot - wealthy thrill-seekers pay to take part in military adventures, but of course things go awry – has potential, but audiences reckon the cardboard villians and poor effects make it more comic than thrilling. If you love some of Arnie’s early stuff, the almost slapstick B-movies, then grab a beer and some buddies and check this out. While it’s definitely got a September release date in Tokyo, Kansai movie fans may have to wait until October.

94 minsAction, AdventureStarring: Christian Slater, Sean Bean, Ving RhamesDirector: Maxim Korostyshevsky

mirror mirror

14 Sep High-ho, high-ho, it’s off with another Snow White adaptation we go. June’s gothic imagining of the classic fairytale is followed by the candyfloss pop version. Julia Roberts is the wicked queen, the fairiest in all the land bar one – her pretty step-daughter Snow White. A charming prince falls for Snow White, and so the queen banishes her love rival to the forest. Can Snow White win the kingdom, and the prince, back? If you like your princesses in big swishy dresses and sparkles, this will be the Snow White movie you and your kids will fall for.

106 minsAdventure, ComedyStarring: Lily Collins, Julia Roberts, Armie HammerDirector: Tarsem Singh

The bourne Legacy

Sep 28Just when you thought it was over with Ultimatum, here comes another Bourne film. Except, there’s no Jason Bourne - an everyman struggling to regain his identity and take down the powers that took it away. Instead we have Aaron Cross, a new guy also caught up in the CIA web. The events here are taking place at the same time as the plot of Ultimatum, as Jason Bourne’s revelations are driving the CIA all kinds of crazy. New man Aaron is in the firing line as the CIA decides to wipe out all the agents involved in its operations. Best left to the Bourne fans, as newcomers to the series won’t be able to catch up with this intricate cross-plot.

135 minsAction, Adventure • Starring: Jeremy Renner, Rachel Weisz, Edward NortonDirector: Tony Gilroy

Coming soon


Kansai business Finder > for maps see kansaiscene.com/business-finder

Wining & Dining

absintheMediterranean Restaurant Cafe/BarNishi-ku, Kita-horie 1-2-27 South Yotsubashi Bldg. 1F OsakaTel: 06-6534-6635 Url: www.absinthe-jp.com

asbinthe SolaarRoof Top Restaurant Cafe Bar & Beer GardenChuo-ku, Namba 5-1-18 Namba Dining Maison 8F OsakaTel: 06-6633-1445 Url: www.absinthe-jp.com/absinthe-solaar

HimalayaIndian RestaurantKita-ku, Umeda 1-2, Osaka Eki-mae, Dai-2 Bldg. B1 OsakaTel: 06-6545-6116 Url: www.meera.jp/en/himalaya

meeraIndian RestaurantKita-ku, Umeda 1-3-1, Osaka Ekimae Dai 1 bldg B2F OsakaTel: 06-6348-0134 Url: www.meera.jp/en/

ali’s KitchenPakistani & Arabic CuisineChuo-ku, Shinsaibashi-suji 1-10-12-B1 OsakaTel: 06-6553-2292 Url: www.aliskitchen.jp

CoolabahSports CafeChuo-ku, Nishi-shinsaibashi 2-16-13, Housen Bldg. 1F Osaka Tel: 06-6213-5153 Url: www.coolabah.jp

outback SteakhouseAustralian Themed SteakhouseKita-ku, Umeda 2-1-24 Shinsakurabashi Bldg. 1F Osaka Tel: 06-6457-7121 Url: www.outbacksteakhouse.co.jp

murphy’s Irish PubFirst Irish Pub in JapanChuo-ku, Higashi-shinsaibashi 1-6-31 Lead plaza 6F Osaka Tel: 06-6282-0677 Url: www.murphysosaka.com

FubarRestaurant and BarChuo-ku, Shinsaibashi-suji 1-5-2-2F Osaka Tel: 06-6245-3757 Url: www.fubarosaka.com

el Pancho ShinsaibashiMexican Restaurant & BarShinsaibashi: Chuo-ku, Shinsaibashi-suji 1-10-1, Shinsaibashi Tower Bldg 8F Tel: 06-6241-0588

el Pancho abenoMexican Restaurant & BarTennoji/Abeno: Abeno-ku, Abeno-suji 1-6-1-1FTel: 06-6556-7027

Shakka barShakka’s International ParadiseChuo-ku, Higashi-shinsaibashi 2-8-5, Nippo New Grand Bldg. 3F OsakaTel: 06-65213-1157

Captain KangarooFood, Sports & Rock ‘n’ RollKita-ku, Sonezaki-shinchi 1-5-20 Okawa Bldg. 1F OsakaTel: 06-6346-0367 Url: www.roo-bar.jp

Chedi Luang HorieTraditional Thai foodNishi-ku, Kita-horie 1-7-11 OsakaTel: 06-6535-1515Url: www.chedi.jp

Chedi Luang UmedaTraditional Thai foodKita-ku, Umeda 2-2-22 Herbis Ent 5FTel: 06-6344-6116 Url: www.chedi.jp

Dublin bayIrish PubChuo-ku, Dotonbori 2-1-5-B1 OsakaTel: 06-6213-1122 Url: www.irishpub-dublinbay.com

Dublin gardenRoof Top Beer GardenChuo-ku, Dotonbori 2-1-5-B1 OsakaTel: 06-6213-1122 Url: www.irishpub-dublinbay.com

gastro garden on the 7th Open-air Bar & KitchenChuo-ku, Dotonbori 2-3-28 OsakaTel: 06-6211-2384 Url: www.newjapan.co.jp/7th

Chinese Cafe eightChinese CuisineChuo-ku, Soemon-cho 7-2 Luz Shinsaibashi 5F OsakaTel: 06-6125-5338 Url: www.chinesecafe8.com

LapichuRooftop Beer GardenChuo-ku, Namba 4-8-3-2F OsakaTel: 06-6631-8890

zerroThe Place to be...Chuo-ku, Shinsaibashi-suji 2-3-2, Queen’s Court Bldg 1F Osaka Tel: 06-6211-0439

The blarney Stone ShinsaibashiThe Irish Pub in the Heart of OsakaChuo-ku, Higashi-Shinsaibashi 2-5-27 Kohda Bldg B1F Osaka Tel: 06-6484-2220 Url: www.the-blarney-stone.com

The blarney Stone UmedaThe Irish Pub in the Heart of OsakaChuo-ku, Higashi-Shinsaibashi 2-5-27 Kohda Bldg B1F Osaka Tel: 06-6484-2220 Url: www.the-blarney-stone.com

owl osakaClubChuo-ku, Kakudacho 5-1 Rakutenchi Bldg B1 Osaka Tel: 06-6362-0822 Url: www.owl-osaka.net

Pure osakaClubChuo-ku, Shinsaibashi-suji 2-3-12, Diamond Bldg. B1F Osaka Tel: 06-6214-6600 Url: www.osaka.clubpure.com

Sam and Dave ShinsaibashiClubChuo-ku, Shinsaibashi-suji 1-3-29, Miya Estate Bldg. 4F Osaka Tel: 06-6243-6848 Url: www.samanddave.jp

Sam and Dave UmedaClubKita-ku, Nishi-Tenma 4-15-19, Umeshin Plaza Building 1F Osaka Tel: 06-6365-1688 Url: www.samanddave.jp

IzNTGood People, Good FunChuo-ku, Shimoyamate-dori 1-1-8, M:2nd Bldg. 4F, Kobe Tel: 078-334-3040 Url: www.iznt.net

midnight expressTurkish and Mediterranean Bar

Chuo-ku, Kitanagasa-dori 1-21-15, New Anchor Bldg. 5F Kobe Tel: 078-391-9553

TrinityBarChuo-ku, Nakayamate-dori 1-2-9, Shinko Bldg. 3F, Kobe Tel: 078-325-0830

HobgoblinBritish PubChuo-ku, Kano-cho 4-3-2, Kondo Bldg. 7F, Kobe Tel: 078-325-0830 Url: www.hobgoblin.jp

bistro Cafe de ParisFrench CuisineChuo-ku, Yamamoto-dori 1-7-21 Kobe Tel: 078-241-9448 Url: www.cafe-de-paris.jp

CalienteFrench Dining - Latin BarChuo-ku, Nakayamate-dori 1-1-9, Goldwoods Sannomiya Bldg 3F, Kobe Tel: 078-392-3888 Url: www.calientekobe.com

education

Kobe yWCaGlobal Network of WomenChuo-ku, Ninomiya-cho 1-12-10 Kobe Tel: 078-231-6201 Url: www.kobe.ywca.or.jp

osaka yWCaGlobal Network of WomenOsaka-ku, Kamiyama-cho 11-12 Osaka Tel: 06-6361-0838 Url: www.osaka.ywca.or.jp

arthur murray Dance SchoolDance StudioChuo-ku, Minami-senba 3-5-28 Osaka Tel: 06-6245-1731 Url: www.arthurmurray.co.jp

marga Language ServiceJapanese Language SchoolChuo-ku, Onoe-dori 5-1-27-8F, Eiko Bldg. 2F, OsakaTel: 078-271-6446 Url: www.marga.jp


online Japanese LessonsStudy Japanese from HomeSuita, Toyotsu 40-6, EBIC Suita 3F Osaka Tel: 06-6484-6021 Url: www.nihongo-lesson.jp

Health & beauty

Ishida Women’s ClinicWomen’s Health Care in OsakaAsashi-ku, Shinmori 2-1-26 Osaka Tel: 06-6951-9701 Url: www.ishida-clinic.jp/en/

Hair art & make up boyHair and Make UpChuo-ku, Higashi-Shinsaibashi 1-2-23, Nishikan Higashi Shinsaibashi Bldg. 5F Osaka Tel: 06-6252-7630 Url: www6.ocn.ne.jp/~boy/i/index.html

oriental Dental ClinicEnglish Speaking Dentist Chuo-ku, Nakayamate-dori 3-4-7, Oriental Medical Dental Bldg. 4F Tel: 078-321-2717 Url: www.oriental-shika.com

K Studio New yorkEnglish Speaking Beauty Salon Kita-ku, Toyosaki 5-2-22-2F OsakaTel: 06-6371-9033 Url: www.ksny.jp

Shops & Services

mojoprintFull Color PrintingNishi-ku, Shinmachi 3-5-7, Eiko Bldg. 2F, Osaka Tel: 06-6539-1717 Url: www.mojoprint.jp

brastel RemitSend money overseas

Sumida-ku, Yokoami 2-6-2 Tokyo Tel: 0120-983-891 / 03-6869-4851 Url: www.brastelremit.jp

TNT-PCEnglish PC SupportNishinomiya-shi, Maruhashi-cho 6-8-1F Nishinomiya Tel: 0798-65-7555 Url: www.tnt-pc.com

Sweatshop UnionT-Shirt Print ShopNaniwa-ku, Sakuragawa 4-5-19 Osaka Tel: 06-4394-8850 Url: www.sweatshop.jp/eng

Creamy KidsInternational Modeling AgencyKita-ku, Umeda 1-2-2-200 Osaka Tel: 06-6347-7705Url: www.pre21.com/creamy

PakmailWe Ship Anything, Anywhere!Tsugiya 2-2-28 Amagasaki Tel: 06-6492-8950 Url: www.pakmail-ama.com

Shinmei Law officeBusiness LawyerKita-ku, Nishi-tenma 4-11-22, Hanshin-shinmei Bldg. 501 Osaka Tel: 06-6362-8013 Url: www.shinmei-law.com/e

meister ediOrthopedic & Custom ShoesNada-ku, Kishichi-dori 5-3-9 Tel: 078-802-8043 Url: www.osmherbst.com

guild ComicsAction Figures & American ComicsChuo-ku, Sannomiya-cho 2-10-7, Grace-kobe Bldg. 2F Kobe Tel: 078-326-7505 Url: www.bekkoame.ne.jp/i/atb/guild

exeo InternationalInternational Dating PartiesKita-ku, Umeda 1-1-3 Sky Lounge Mariage, Osaka Tel: 050-5810-3977 Url: www.exeo-international.com

aCCJ KansaiAmerican Chamber of Commerce in JapanKita-ku, Dojima-hama 1-1-8, Eiko Dojima Park Bldg. 5F, Osaka Tel: 06-6345-9880 Url: www.accj.or.jp

Real estate & accommodation

oriental Process Apartments for RentIkuno-ku, Tsuruhashi 1-1-36, Osaka Tel: 080-1422-4679 Url: www.orientalprocess.com

o2 groupForeigner Focused Real Estate in OsakaTel: 080-6145-8139 Url: www.02group.wordpress.com

Takani Co. Ltd.Total Solution for House-huntingYodogawa-ku, Nishimiyahara 2-3-35, Osaka Tel: 06-6396-6770

mayflower HouseGuesthouseChuo-ku, Izumi-machi 2-1-15 Osaka Tel: 0120-881-456 Url: www.osaka-mayflower-guesthouse.com/en/

Hostel base Point osakaHostelChuo-ku, Sennichimae 2-11-17 Osaka

Tel: 06-6644-1810 Url: www.basepoint-osaka.com

avior manorClean and Spacious Apartments for RentHigashi-Osaka, Morikawachi-nishi 1-11-12 Osaka Tel: 06-6942-5766 Url: www.aviormanor.com

Travel

World expressKobe’s Popular Travel AgencyChuo-ku, Kotono-cho 5-3-5, Green Chapeau Bldg 104 Kobe Tel: 078-222-5050 Url: www.wexp.co.jp

gS TravelBest Fares in OsakaChuo-ku, Higashi-Shinsaibashi 1-13-21, Wadayoshi Bldg 302 Osaka Tel: 06-6281-1230 Url: www.gs-travel.com/en

Across • No.1 TravelWe go the extra mile for youKita-ku, Umeda 3-4-5, Mainichi-Intecio 15F, Osaka Tel: 06-6133-0273 Url: www.no1.his-west.jp

Legend TravelAbsolute lowest rates on tours out of Osaka!Chuo-ku, Minami-honmachi 3-2-11, Nikko Bldg. 5F OsakaTel: 06-6263-8885 Url: www.legendtravel.co.jp

List your business in the Kansai Business Finder, and appear both in print and online. Visit www.kansaiscene.com/business-finder for more details.


Kansai Scene ClassifiedsPlace your own ad online atclassifieds.kansaiscene.com

Please note: Kansai Scene is not responsible for the content of communications made through either printed or online classified ads.

Room/flat shareRoom FoR ReNT IN DAIKOKUCHO Room available in daikokucho area just south of Namba. 30 second walk to Daikokucho station. Shared kitchen and bathrooms. Large TV and washing machine. Rent is 56,000 yen. (6 month contract is available, reduces rent to 52,000 yen)please contact Thomas. Email: [email protected]

LooK 4 a FemaLe ROOM MATE OSAKA JF looks for a female room mate in Kita-tatsumi,Osaka city. Available now-12/25.30K yen deposit(Refund)49K yen/M (elec.,water,gas & internet incl.)6 tatami sized wooden fl. with furniture. 2min. from the subway st. The appartment is new. Non smoker & minimum 3 months stay prefer. Email : [email protected]

RoommaTe WaNTeD NeaR Namba 10mins bike ride to Namba. 6 bed rooms house. From 43000yen/ m.(less than 6month +4000yen) expense 8000yen/m furnished. air-con,internet. A month deposit ID w/photo. URL : http://www.flickr.com/photos/61777941@N Email:[email protected]

FURNITURe PRIVaTe aPaRTmeNT STUDIo private furniture apartment near subway awaza station by walk.supermarket, bank, post office near station. Good location, the rent is jp 55000/m &

deposit, detail please contact:Email : [email protected]

IT TaKeS aboUT 15mIN FROMOSAKA(U Fully Furnished!! Free internet in your own room!! Private room from ¥45,000 + ¥10,000(utilities)/m, Shared room from ¥30,000 + ¥5,000(utilities)/m. We have a movie theater room!No key money, No commission charge, Deposit ¥20,000(Refundable) TEL:06-6430-9935 URL: http://www.jafplaza.com/ Email: [email protected]

SHaRe IN Namba JF looking for a female sharemate, 10mins walk to Namba sta, 5mins walk to Nipponbashi sta, 37,000yen/m, split utlts, no key money, furnished, free internet access, non smoker preferred Email : [email protected]

a Room IN SaKyo-KU, KYOTO A Japanese woman would like to sublet one room in this furnished house. The rent is 50,000 yen for a 10-tatami mat room on the second floor. I’d prefer to share with a professional, for example a researcher, professor or advanced graduate student. Email : [email protected]

1 IN SHaReD aPaRTmeNT ONE MILE to Namba. Shared gym, Jacuzzi, BBQ, sauna, rooftop balcony. Private furnished bedroom, built in closet, cable internet, 2 mins walk to JR and midosuji lines. 55,000yen + utilities Email : [email protected]

oFFICe SPaCe oFFICe SPaCe available in osaka best designers area. kitahorie is next to shinsaibashi. the office is in a reformed building in a designers office.metal table, elect., internet and so on. all there. questions and appointments by mail. Email: [email protected]

PeNTHoUSe IN Kobe Room available in spacious, modern apartment in Kobe, walking distance to major railways. Private furnished rooms, large kitchen and

theater system in living room. 45000 + bills URL: http://www.kobeliving.blogspot.jp Email: [email protected]

ameRICaN CoUPLe SeeKINg SUbLeT American couple seeking Kyoto / Kobe Sublet Responsible, considerate, non-smoking, excellent references. Short / Long term Email : [email protected]

employmentP/T eNgLISH TeaCHeR NeeDeD Looking for a part-time English teacher in Kyoto. 4 days a week (Tu-Fri),17:30-21:30. If you’re interested, please send resume to [email protected] URL: http://eli-international.com

HeLP WaNTeD We aRe looking for a native English teacher who can teach kids in kyoto or shiga.Lesson Locations: different place in kyoto or shiga. Lesson Fee: 2,100yen for one lesson/60minutes + allowance + transportation.Send your application through e-mail with picture, [email protected] URL: http://www.minel.jp/index.html

KyoTo/SHIga SeeKINg PaRT-TIme TeaCHeRS for business evening classes. Experience and qualifications preferred (must be native English speakers with a strong command of English). Please clearly state availability and visa status in the covering letter. Only successful applicants will be contacted. Email: [email protected]

HImeJI TeaCHeRS SeeKINg PaRT-TIme teachers for business evening classes. Experience and qualifications preferred (must be native English speakers with a strong command of English). Please clearly state availability and visa status in the covering letter. Only successful applicants will be contacted. Email: [email protected]

aLT SeTTSU CITy mINeRVa is seeking a JHS ALT in Settsu City for 10 weeks starting September 2012

through November 2012 (10 weeks). Working visa and bachelors degree required. For more info, please email us for an interview. Email: [email protected]

JaPaNeSe LaNgUage CoURSe SeP.19~NoV. 21. 2012(10 lessons)Every Wednesday, 6:30pm~8:00pm 1) Basic 2) Elementary 3)Intermediate Instructors: Japanese Language Instructors Place: NIA conference room Fee: 5,000en(material fees included) URL: http://www.nishi.or.jp/homepage/nia/ Email: [email protected]

eNgLISH CoNVeRSaTIoN CLaSS/Namba HaPPyFLoW is looking for some part-time Native English teachers who are available from Sep. Adult women conversation class: 5pm-10pm/Mon-Sat /2 or 3 hours a day (Max 4 hours)/2 or 3 days a week/ Location: 5mins walk from Namba. Need a proper working visa/ WH visa. Send resume + Photo by email. Emai: [email protected]

aLT IN IzUmISaNo CITy Citystaff is now accepting applicants for public jhs and es ALT in Izumisano from October. We prefer that you are from a country where English is the official language and you can understand basic Japanese. Please apply by email with your resume. Thank you URL: http://www.citystaff.co.jp/alt/ Email: [email protected]

P/T eNgLISH TeaCHeR a small, independent school near Nishinomiya, Osaka, is looking for a native English teacher for kids/adult classes for Thursday afternoons and evenings. Pay 1600 to 2000 yen for a 45 minute lesson; plus transport; plus office duties allowance. URL: http://www.kiteenglish.com Email: [email protected]

PaRT-TIme TeaCHeR FRom SePTembeR Located 3min walk from Nakamozu Station on the Midosuji line.(23min from Namba) Looking for a cheerful teacher to

KaNSaI SCeNe magazINe SEPTEMBER 2012 kansaiscene.com 4949teach kids and adults on Tue. and Thu. afternoons and evenings. Teaching experience and proper work visa needed. Send CV and a recent photo.090-2114-5335 Teddy Bear school URL: http://www.sakai.zaq.ne.jp/teddy/ Email: [email protected]

P/T NaTIVe TeaCHeR FoR UNIV. Part-Time Native Teacher for University classes needed from Oct 1, 2012 to Jan 21, 2013. Mon 9:00-12:10 CELTA or related plus experience Kyoto or Shiga residents preferred Send resume to Ivy International Language Academy E-mail: [email protected] Fax: 075-255-3232 Email: [email protected]

a P/T NaTIVe eNgLISH TEACHER is urgently needed for a summer lesson program in a private language school near JR Rokkomichi, Kobe. Exchange students nearby universities are welcome. Wages are decided subject to your teaching experience. Please e-mail your CV ASAP to [email protected]

PaRT-TIme PRIVaTe TeaCHINg JobS Tired of absurd Japanese school/office policies and dress code? Pick your own lesson fee, schedule and location then students will directly contact you! Also Korean, Chinese, French, Spanish, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Thai, Vietnamese, Indonesian in all Kansai areas URL : http://hello-sensei.com/en/sensei Email: [email protected]

PT KIDS eNgLISH TeaCHeR IN OSAKA Seeking nice teacher for 2 small kids' classes in Osaka. Fridays from 4:00-6:30pm for 5,000 yen. Location: 10-minute walk from Miyakojima Station. First 30 mins is just setting up chairs, etc. No prep needed, as Japanese co-teacher provides all lesson plans/materials. Please email CV. Email : [email protected]

PaRT TIme Kobe eNgLISH TEACHERS Fun working

environment without the factory feeling. Motomachi and Sannomiya classrooms. Evenings Tuesday to Thursday available. Native speakers and visa holders only please. 2000 yen per hour. Email: [email protected]

PT eNgLISH SaTURDay TeaCHeR Abroad International School is looking for a Saturday School teacher. Every Saturday, 10:00-15:00.English Native Speaker is requested. 2,500~/hour.Starting date is negotiable. Please send your CV to [email protected] URL: http://www.ablc.jp Email: [email protected]

PaRT-TIme eNgLISH TeaCHeR TKC provides after school care for elementary school students aged between 7 and 12 . We look for native English speakers who love kids and can give kids fun English experiences at Ibaraki-shi in Osaka. Mon to Fri, 14:00-19:00, 180,000yen/mon. Japanese skills preferred. Email: [email protected]

NaTIVe eNgLISH TeaCHeR WaNTeD Our school is looking for a native English teacher who can work at our Otsu (Shiga) or Shijo (Kyoto) school. Free-talking lesson, very casual style. Starting from once a week for 2hours. 2,000yen-3,000yen/hour + trans. If you're interested, please send your CV with your photo attached. URL : http://www.velco.jp Email: [email protected]

mINeRVa-PT eNgLISH TeaCHeR mINeRVa Kansai is seeking Part Time Eikaiwa teachers at our new classes within the Kansai region. Positions starts Sept 2012. Student visas (w/permission) are welcomed. Wages from 2100 per hour. Training provided Email: [email protected]

moNDay 4:30-8:30 HIRaKaTa, maKINo station. Pay; ¥3,000/hr + trans fee covered up to ¥1,000/d. (4 classes a day) Contact; [email protected] URL : http://www.

impact-flare.com/ Email : [email protected]

NeeD a JaPaNeSe CULTURe TEACHER To attract foreign visitors,experience Japanese Culture teacher offers drills by tutoring,letter. Hotels,Japanese inns,Japanse language schools, travel agents,sharing houses are invited to give a try. Email: [email protected]

PT eNgLISH TeaCHeRS WaNTeD We are looking for NATIVE English speakers who live near Shinsaibashi (Chuo-ku Osaka) to teach part-time at our conversation and grammar classes. No teaching experience needed. Please send us your resume for an interview. URL: http://www.freespacecflat.com/ Email : [email protected]

LooKINg FoR a PT ENG CONV TCHR Osaka Tenmangu / Minami Morimachi - Looking for a responsible, enthusiastic and interesting PT English conversation teacher, esp weekday evenings. Must be native tongue. No teaching experience necessary. If you're interested in, send us your CV with your picture. URL: http://www.hafadai-language.com Email : [email protected]

FaCILITy SeCURITy eSCoRT THe U.S. Consulate General Osaka-Kobe is seeking U.S. Citizens for employment as Facility Security Escort. For more details and application procedures, please see the U.S. Embassy website: http://japan.usembassy.gov/e/info/tinfo-jobs.html

CaRegIVeR Job aVaILabLe NURSINg homes are seeking caregivers in Osaka and Kobe area. Non-experienced person can apply, but you must be able to speak Japanese. Applicants will learn fundamental knowledge of caring elders and will have OJT before start work. More details contact [email protected] URL: http://

www.axcy.jp Email : [email protected]

KITCHeN&HaLL;STaFF ITaLIaN ReSTaURaNT IN Honmachi seeks staff. experience and not experience people are welcome tel.0666621577

oRgaNIC CooK NeeDeD! I need a cook/cleaner for my organic farm in Hyogo. No farm work required! For more details please send your C.V. and availability to [email protected]

FemaLe baRTeNDeR/WaITReSS INTeRNaTIoNaL ReSTaURaNT in Tamatsukuri, Osaka urgently requires part-time female staff to mix drinks and serve food. Some Japanese ability and proper visa required. Please send resume with photo immediately to arrange an interview. Email: [email protected]

babySITTeR WaNTeD SeLF emPLoyeD international couple looking for a baby sitter to work on Fridays from 8:10pm for 90 minutes and on some Wednesdays.Would suit female with experience of looking after a young child. Transport up to 500 yen provided.Hankyu/JR kobe line.Serious inquiries only please

emPLoymeNT my ComPaNy HaS gone out of business and I have almost lost my chance to get a good job again in Osaka. I am 40 yrs old please does anyone know good any chance of getting a good job in Osaka? Let me know if you got any good info on employment. Email: [email protected]

For SaleDUmbbeLL WeIgHT SeT (Kobe) Selling Dumbbell Weight Set for 6000 yen. The total weight of the set is 60 kilos, which is comprised of: 8 x 5 Kilos, 6 x 2.5 Kilos, 2 x 2.5 Kilo bars. I leave the logistics of getting these home to you, as unfortunately, there is no


Sorry…Due to space restrictions we are unable to print all classified ads.See kansaiscene.com for more classifieds online!

case with wheels that comes the set. URL: http://bit.ly/QfOHez Email: [email protected]

PLaySTaTIoN 3 gameS DeaD Rising 2 1200yen, Fight Night Round 4 1200yen, No More Heroes 1200yen, Fallout 3 1200yen, Fallout New Vegas 1200yen, Vanquish 1200yen, Crysis 2 (limited edition) 2000yen. Pickup around Osaka, or can possibly deliver. Also consider trade for other PS3 games. Email : [email protected]

SmaLL CabIN/ CoTTage FoR SALE 1hr from Osaka/Kobe.3 Sml bedrooms in mountains overlooking temple. Older building half log cabin style great for getting out of city, bbqs. Closest(not walkable)Stn: JR ShinSanda/Aino. 3.9 MillionY(No interest Financing possible wth Y500,000 down-payment) Email4pictures/ more info. Email: [email protected]

mUJI maTTReSS beD FoR SALE Semi-double Muji mattress bed with 26 cm legs/washable cover for sale. I have been using it as a box spring since getting it about 1 year ago. Nice and clean and ready to go. Pick-up preferred, but we could work out a delivery option if that works better for you! ¥8,000 or best offer. Email: [email protected]

VehiclesLaNDCRUISeR PRaDo FoR SaLe! 2000 Landcruiser Prado 4WD for sale! Original owner. VERY well maintained. In wonderful condition. MANY factory options. GREAT for outdoor types: skiers, surfers, campers, etc.! Top-end model, 3.4 Liter gasoline engine! For more details, please contact me! Email: [email protected]

HoNDa SUPeR CUb 50CC Good cond, 29000kms, runs well, Y25000, ph08037704108 Email: [email protected]

Language exchangeJaPaNeSe-eNgLISH LaNg. eXCHaNge JF looking for female language exchange partners in south Osaka eg.Sakai, Tennoji, Namba. I'm an international kind of person who wants to improve their English & make new friends. I'd love to hear from you! Email: [email protected]

aUSSIe KIWI eNgLISH I am 40yrs Japanese korean male living in Higashi Osaka. I am very much indeed interested in learning Aussie Strine and Kiwi English through friendship and language. I am also glad to help you learn Japanese or Korean instead. If interested, please send me mail anytime. thanks heaps. Email: [email protected]

LUNgUage eXCHaNge I am JM is looking for language exchange friend. I can teach you Japanese I English. Please let me know, if you want to study Japanese. Takao Email: [email protected]

JaPaNeSe KaNJI DRILLS eXPeRIeNCeD Japanese teacher offer Kanji lessons cafes in Kobe, Umeda. Focusing on Kanji along with Hiragana, Katakana, composition, grammar.Lessons by fax available. Email: [email protected]

eNgLISH I`m JaPaNeSe gUy. I'm into studying English but very beginner! I'm looking for language exchange partner. I live in Hirakata Osaka. Please give me a email. Thank you so much. Email: [email protected]

LaNgUage eXCHaNge SPaNISH-JaPaNeSe LaNgUage exchange in Osaka. Let's enjoy this summer chatting and having fun. Salsa dance or latin music, cool. beginners or advanced. Welcome! EMAIL: [email protected]

SPaNISH-JaPaNeSe I'm 24yRS oLD Japanese from kobe who is seeking a language exchange

partner. Could someone teach me Spanish? In return, i can teach you Japanese. I'm also quite fluent in English. If you are interested in, please feel free to contact me. Email: [email protected]

LeT’S CLeaR THIS HURDLe! Are you thinking of studying Japanese? You are able to improve your speaking, listening, writing and reading. Keep a positive attitude and do not hesitate to start it. Let’s study together in Umeda! Arigatougozaimasu Email: [email protected]

FRee CoUNSeLINg FRee CoNSULTaTIoN of residence status Date: Sep.9.2012 (Sun) 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Place:Nishinomiya International Association Counselors: gyosei-shoshi Language support is available. Your privacy shall be protected. TEL: (0798)32-8680 URL: http://www.nishi.or.jp/homepage/nia Email: [email protected]

PetsaDoRabLe maLTeSe PUPPIeS ReaDy Ongoing support and advice always available. Excellent home wanted for this adorable maltese puppies should contact for more details if interested. Email: [email protected]

FriendshipaNy CooL gUyS IN KYOTO? hello guys! 29yo JP girl looking for a guy to hang out and drink with in Kyoto. MUST live in Kyoto, up to 32yo, fit & healthy, have a confident and love to try new things. You think you fit the bill? flag me down with a pic. NO language exchange, thank you. Email: [email protected]

JUST LooKINg FoR FRIeNDS I just moved to Japan this past April. I just want to make some friends. I want to explore Japan and get to know the culture more. I

like movies, music, drinking, sight seeing, karaoke, and anything. If your interested please contact me and let's get to know each other first Email: [email protected]

HI FRom KyoTo ! A mid aged Japanese working man(170cm, 62kg) here from Kyoto seeking one nice woman whose nationality is not so important to him for friendship and may be more! Email: [email protected]

WHaT aRe yoU DoINg HERE? 24/F from US looking for anyone in Kyoto who wants to hang out. Let's go for hookah or karaoke sometime! Under 30 only, please! 24才アメリカ人(女)が京都市に住んでいる人と遊びたい。水タバコかカラオケ好き？ 30才以下だけでお願いします! Email : [email protected]

VeRy gooD LooKINg aND ATHLETIC European man is looking for slim Japanese woman age 40-42 / 160-165cm. Nondrinker / Non-smoker, for friendship or marriage. Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

LeT'S go To maTSURI! 25yo WF student in Kyoto looking for nice, athletic, non-smoking and open minded male up to 30yo to go to matsuri together in Kyoto or Osaka, eat and chat about movies, comics, manga, anime or games. 日本語もちょっとできます！ Please send info and picture! Email : [email protected]

PaRVaTI VaLLey LoVeR IS there anybody who love parvati valley himachal pradesh india? If so let's meet and talk about parvati valley, kheerganga, malana. Email: [email protected]

KS distribution pointRestaurant/CafeShopGallery/MuseumBar/Club/Live HouseMovie TheatreTempleShrineChurchHotelHospitalPolice StationBankPost Office

SHINMEI LAW OFFICE 5F

KITAHAMAEDOBORI TENMABASHI

NANIWABASHI

NAKANOSHIMA

WATANABEBASHI

OEBASHI

KEIHANHONSENLINE

KEIHAN-

NAKANOSHIMA LINE

MIZUGUCHI

MIZUGUCHIMIZUGUCHI

UMEDA SKYBUILDING

WESTIN HOTEL

CINE LIBREUMEDA 3F

UMEDA GARDENCINEMA 4F

GERMAN CONSULATE 35F

HANSH

IN MAIN

LINE

HERBIS OSAKA

ROUTE NO.2

FUKUSHIMA STA.

JR TOZAI LINE

NTT DATA

NATIONALMUSEUMOF ART

SHIN-FUKUSHIMA STA

DOJIMA RIVER

NTT

RIHGA ROYALHOTEL

YMCA HIGO

BASH

I

HANKYUUMEDASTA.

YODOBASHICAMERA

JR OSAKASTA.

VISITORS’INFOMATIONCENTER

LAGUNAVEIL PREMIER)

MITSUKOSHIISETAN

NORTHGATEBLDG

LUCUA UMEDA HANKYU

DEPT.

HOTELGRANVIA

E-MA

DAIMARUFLOATCOURT

BREEZEBREEZE

HERBIS ENT

HANSHINDEPT.

HANSHIN UMEDA STA.

HILTON HOTELHILTONPLAZAWEST

MARU BLDG.

TOWER RECORDS B1

NISH

I UM

EDA

OUTBACKSTEAKHOUSE

BLDG #1

KITA SHINCHI

CREAMY 2F EXEO 33F

CHEDI LUANG 5FBLDG #2

HIMALAYA B1

CHEDI LUANGYODOYABASHI

TheTagFree Space Studio

BLDG #4

BLDG #3

CAPT.KANGAROO 1F

YOTSUBASHI LINE

DOUJIMA AVANZA

JUNKUDO 4F

TOSABORI RIVER

MITSUI SUMITOMOBANK

BANK OF JAPAN

MIDOSUJI LINE

CITY HALL

LOFTTHEATER UMEDA

MIYAKO

JIMA-

DORI

HOTEL KINKIHEP 5

NAVIO TOHO PLEX

HEP NAVIO

TOHO ANNEX

HANKYU HIGASHIDORI ARCADE

SHIN MIDOSUJISONEZAKI

POLICE H.Q.

NO.1 TRAVEL 3F

UMEDABURG7

UMEDA PICCADILLY

ASAHIYABOOKSTORE

HIGASHI UMEDA

NAKAZAKI-C

HO

BLARNEY STONE 6F

TANIMACHI LINE

CLUB NOON

OWL OSAKA

SAM & DAVE 1F

OSAKA YWCA

OGIMACHI DORI

OGIMACHI PARK

UTUBO PARK

SAKAISUJI LINEOGIM

ACHI

OIKE-DORI

TOZAI SUBWAY LINE

US CONSULATE

ARC6F

RITZ CARLTON

ANA CROWN PLAZA

NEW HANKYU HOTEL

KINOKUNIYA

MARUZEN & JUNKUDO

INGS

HOTEL KANSAI

NANI

WAB

ASHI

/KIT

AHAM

A

HANSHIN EXPRESSWAY(LOOP ROUTE)

HANSHIN EXPRESSWAY (M

ORIGUCHI ROUTE)

OSTEC ExhibitionHall

NAKANOSHIMA DORI

YODO

YABA

SHI

MINAM

IMORIM

ACHI

5

6

Umeda


5

6

Shinsaibashi/Namba

MIZUGUCHI

MIZUGUCHI

MIZUGUCHI

SANNOMIYA

SANNOMIYA

SANNOMIYA

SANNOMIYAJR SANNOMIYA

JR MOTOMACHI STA.

MOTOMACHI

TOR ROAD

PEARL STREET

KOBE GROCERS

MOSUQUE KOBE WOMENSJUNIOR COLLEGE

YAMATE KANSEN

IKUTA POLICE STATION

IKUTA JINJA

TOKYU HANDS

ST. MICHAELS INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL

BISTROT CAFE DE PARIS 1F

CAFE TERRACE DE PARIS 3F

ORIENTAL DENTAL CLINIC 4F

HUNT

ERZA

KA

KITA

NOZA

KA FUDOZAKA

SHIEI

YAM

ATE

SUBW

AY L

INE

SANSEI HOSP.

WORLD EXPRESS 1F

OS CINEMA’SMINT KOBE

HOTEL TOKYU INN

SUN CITY

MARGA 8F

SOGODEPT.KINOKUNIYA 5F

KOBE KOKUSAI KAIKAN

KOBE KOKUSAI SHOCHIKU

SANNOMIYACINE PHOENIX PORT LINER

KOBE KOSOKUTETSUDO

HANSHIN LINEROUTE 2

TOWER RECORDS

DAIMARUDEPT.

MINATO BANKASAHI BANK

CENTERPLAZAWEST

CENTERPLAZAEAST

SUNPLAZA MARUI

FLOWER ROAD

SANNOMIYAHANA DOKEI ST.

SANCHIKA UND.

KIC

JUNKUDO

JUNKUDO 7F

KOBE SAUNA

GUILD 2F

HSBC 1F

HOBGOBLIN 7F

IZNT 4F

HOTEL TOR ROAD

HOTEL MONTEREY

POLICE BOXTRINITY 3F

MIDNIGHT EXPRESS 5F

CALIENTE 3F

HANA

MIK

OJI-D

ORI

SHIYAKUSHOMAE

KAWARAMACHI

SANJO

SANJ

O

HOTEL OKURA

MARUI

KYOTO ROYAL HOTEL

KIRAKU-INN

JUNKUDO 7F


Sannomiya

Kyoto

Date post:	13-Mar-2016
Category:	Documents
Upload:	kansai-scene-magazine
View:	252 times
Download:	12 times

Kansai Scene #148 September 2012

Documents