Visitors to Kimpusenji Temple in Yoshino, Nara Prefecture, will be able to enjoy two ceremonies next Friday: "Renge-e," the offering of lotus flowers to the temple's principal image, and "kaeru tobi" frog-jumping.

Admission is free. The temple is a 15-minute walk from Yoshinoyama Station on the Yoshinoyama Ropeway, whose terminus is near Yoshino Station on the Kintetsu Yoshino Line.

More information is available at www.kinpusen.or.jp/event/event_index.htm (in Japanese) or by calling 0746-32-8371.

Kyoto foundation to provide Japanese course

The Kyoto City International Foundation will hold a summer Japanese-language course from Wednesday to Aug. 13.

The 12 classes will take place July 5, 9, 12, 17, 19, 23, 26 and 30, and Aug. 2, 6, 9 and 13. There are two levels: for beginners, from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., and for those who can read and write hiragana and katakana, from 10:00 a.m. to noon.

Enrolment in the course costs ¥7,000, including a textbook fee. Participants also will be able to choose to attend two of seven cultural lessons, including calligraphy, tea ceremony, "yukata" kimono dressing and abacus.

Applications must be made by visiting Kyoto International Community House, a six-minute walk from Keage Station on the Tozai subway line.

For more details, check out www.kcif.or.jp/HP/jigyo/nihongo/en/yasashii/nihongo.html (in English) or phone 075-752-3511.

Kyoto center organizes three-day workshops

The Kyoto Art Center's Traditional Theater Training project is looking for applicants to attend three-day workshops from July 19 to 21.

The programs include a visit to a noh theater to view a performance, as well as workshops on a small hand drum, shamisen, "rakugo" story telling and Japanese classical dancing.

An interpretation service will be available.

The participation fee for the three days is ¥15,000 for adults and ¥8,000 for students. Applications must be made by July 8 by downloading a form at www.kac.or.jp/events/6099/ (in Japanese).

The center (phone number 075-213-1000) is a five-minute walk from Shijo Station on the Karasuma subway line or Karasuma Station on the Hankyu Kyoto Line.

Nagoya hosting foreigners' counseling session

The Nagoya International Center will host a free counseling session for foreigners by administrative scriveners from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Thursday. The issues to be covered include visa status, naturalization and procedures to set up companies.

Translation will be provided in English, Chinese, Tagalog, Portuguese and Spanish.

Prior reservations are required. The center is a seven-minute walk from Nagoya Station.

To get more details, visit www.nic-nagoya.or.jp/en/e/archives/9379 (in English) or call 052-581-0100.

Nagoya photographers to shoot 'yukata' kids

Professional photographers will take free pictures of the first 100 children to arrive at Nagoya's Tokugawaen traditional Japanese garden wearing "yukata" summer kimono next Friday, the day of the star festival.

The photo session will run from 10:30 a.m. through noon.

Admission to Tokugawaen costs ¥300 for adults, high schoolers and university students. The garden is 10 minutes on foot from Ozone Station on the JR Chuo line.

Further information is available at www.tokugawaen.city.nagoya.jp/01_event/index.html (in Japanese) or by dialing 052-935-8988.