Visitors to Kyoto can attend the unique comb festival in Yasui Konpiragu Shrine on Monday.

The festival, which is held to express gratitude to used combs and ornate hairpins, will kick off with a ritual at 1 p.m., followed by a procession of people in historical costumes from 2 p.m.

To access the shrine, take city bus 206 from Kyoto Station and get off at Higashiyama Yasui.

Additional details about the event can be found at www.yasui-konpiragu.or.jp/en/event/ (in English) or by making a call to 075-561-5127.

Poetry society to hold reading event in Kyoto

The Japan International Poetry Society will host a poetry reading session on Sept. 28 in Kyoto, in conjunction with the worldwide "100,000 Poets for Change" events.

Admission is free and no reservations are required. Both English and Japanese will be used during the event, which runs between 1 and 5 p.m.

The venue is Heartpia Kyoto, which is close to Marutamachi Station on the Karasuma subway line.

To receive more information, access www.100tpcmedia.org/100TPC2012/2013/06/kyoto-japan-2013/ (in English) or send an email to [email protected].

Osaka orchestra's rehearsal open to public

Osaka Symphony Orchestra will open one of its concert rehearsals to the public from 2:45 to 5 p.m. on Sept. 26 in Habikino, Osaka Prefecture.

The orchestra will perform Bruckner's 8th Symphony, followed by a talk by Hiroshi Kodama, the conductor. Admission is free. Numbered tickets are being distributed at the venue, LIC Habikino, which is a 10-minute walk from Furuichi Station on the Kintetsu Minami Osaka line.

For more details, visit www.sym.jp/news/130926_rihakoukai179.html (in Japanese). The contact number is 072-950-5500.

Recycling workshop to be held in Nagakute

Tokai Eco Festa in the city of Nagakute, Aichi Prefecture, on Saturday and Sunday will offer an opportunity to learn how to best re-use and recycle old items and clothes.

Visitors will be able to browse at about 130 handicraft and art booths, handmade activity workshops, stage performances and about 30 food stalls that make use of local products.

Admission to the event is free.

The recycling festival will be held at Moricoro Park, close to Ai Chikyuhaku Kinen Koen Station on the Linimo line.

More details can be found at tokaiecofesta.web.co.jp/index.html (in Japanese).

Sample local fare at Nagoya food festival

Foodies interested in Nagoya's cuisine can try foods served by the more than 270 restaurants belonging to Nagoyameshi (Nagoya food) Expo 2013, a campaign aimed at raising awareness of the region's specialties, from Sept. 27 to Nov. 11.

A pair of coupons that can be used at any participating restaurant throughout the city during the expo period are being sold for ¥1,200, while a sheet of five coupons will cost ¥2,900.

Voting for the "best new Nagoya food" competition will take place on the Internet during the campaign period.

For further details, check 758meshi-expo.com (in Japanese) or phone 052-202-1677.