Shrines in Kyoto will hold the annual Nagoshi no Harae purification ritual on June 30.

People walk through a huge wreath of elephant grass to atone for sins committed in the first half of the year and to pray for good health in the second half.

The ritual will start at 3 p.m. at Jishu and Jonangu shrines, 4 p.m. at Yoshida Shrine, 5 p.m. at Shiramine Shrine and 6 p.m. at Kurumazaki Shrine.

For more information, visit kanko.city.kyoto.lg.jp/eventlist.php?event_tab=tradition&year=2014&month=6 (in Japanese).

Free counseling offered in Osaka to foreigners

Counseling for foreign residents will be offered in Osaka on June 29 for education, employment, human rights, immigration, health insurance, laws, medical care, pension and tax issues.

Translation services will be available in nine languages: Chinese, English, Tagalog, Bahasa Indonesia, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish, Thai and Vietnamese.

The advice session will take place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at International House, Osaka, several minutes on foot from Tanimachi 9-chome Station on the Tanimachi and Sennichimae lines, and Osaka Uehonmachi Station on the Kintetsu Line.

For more info, go to www.ih-osaka.or.jp/english/news/20140520_2973/ (in English) or call 06-6773-8989.

Japan's media bias explored in Kyoto lecture

Japan Times Deputy Editor Eric Johnston will give a speech in English titled "Japan's Media: Right Wing, Left Wing, or Neutral?" on July 3 at Kyoto University.

Admission is free, but reservations are required and can be obtained by sending an email to [email protected].

The venue can be reached by bus from Kyoto Station on City Bus 17 to Hyakumanben or 206 to Kyodai Seimon Mae.

English, French storytelling for kids in Nagoya

Foreign volunteers at the Nagoya International Center will read books for children in their native languages: in English and French on June 22 and in English on July 13.

Participation for the sessions, from 2 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. each day, is free. Reservations are not required.

For more details, look at www.nic-nagoya.or.jp/en/e/archives/10998 (in English) or call 052-581-0100.

Foreigners day at Nagoya's Shirotori Garden

Shirotori Garden in Nagoya will offer a guided tour and a lesson on the tea ceremony on June 21, both in English. Foreign residents will talk about making "yukata," calligraphy, ikebana and Japanese crafts, and will wear their own handmade yukata.

The tours, available at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., will last about 30 minutes. The tea ceremony will cost ¥500 and take place at 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m., and 3:30 p.m. The speech will last about 40 minutes and take place at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Admission to the garden is ¥300 for people of high school age and above.

The garden is a 10-minute walk from Jingunishi Station on the Meijo Line. To learn more, check www.shirotori-garden.jp/calendar/june/ajisai_2014/index.html (in Japanese) or call 052-681-8928.