Photos taken all over Japan by 57 foreign diplomats will be on display until Jan. 20 in Kobe.

The exhibition, based on this year's theme of "Cool Japan!" is open from 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. It is closed Saturdays, Sundays, national holidays and Dec. 30 to Jan. 3. Admission is free.

The venue is Hyogo International Association Gallery, a 10-minute walk from Iwaya Station on the Hanshin line.

More information is available at www.diplomatseyes.com/13entry.html (in English) or by calling 078-230-3267.

Kyoto temples mix pumpkins with prayers

Services involving pumpkins to pray for good health will take place at two Buddhist temples in Kyoto on Sunday and Monday.

One will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday in Fushigi Fudoin, a 15-minute walk from the Kinkakuji Michi stop on the city bus system, while the other will start at 10 a.m. on Monday in Yata Temple, which is close to Kyoto Shiyakusho-mae Station on the Tozai subway line. Cooked pumpkin will be served during the events.

For more information go to kanko.city.kyoto.lg.jp/eventlist.php?search_type=event (in Japanese). The contact numbers are 075-462-6628 for Fushigi Fudoin and 075-241-3608 for Yata Temple.

Giant rubber duck pays visit to Osaka river

A 9.5-meter-tall yellow rubber duck that has been showing up all over the world, including Australia, Belgium, Brazil, China, France, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand and the U.S., will be in Osaka through Christmas Day.

It can be seen floating on the Dojima River at a point three minutes on foot from Nakanoshima Station on the Keihan Nakanoshima Line.

For more information, go to www.hetgallery.com/rubber-duck-2013news_xmas.html (in Japanese). The contact number is 06-6681-6151.

Jazz and fireworks Christmas Eve in Nagoya

A fireworks display and Christmas jazz concerts will take place on Christmas Eve at the port of Nagoya.

The music will be performed Tuesday from 6 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., and the fireworks show will run 7 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

The venue is near Nagoyako Station on the Meiko subway line.

More details can be found at www.starlight-revue.com/index.html (in Japanese) or by calling 052-654-7894.

Skate in the new year on special plastic rink

A skating rink that uses special plastic materials instead of ice will be open until Feb. 23 in Nagoya.

It is open 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturdays, Sundays and national holidays. The extended hours will also be in force from Tuesday until Jan. 6.

Admission is ¥1,000 for junior high school students and older, and ¥500 for younger children. The venue, Toyota Home Rink in OASIS 21 Ginganohiroba, is near Sakae Station on the Higashiyama and Meijo subway lines.

More details can be found at nagoyatv.com/event/detail.html?key=31c9276f597cf72c5fb554a5ae862766 (in Japanese) or (052) 331-9966.