Todaiji Temple in Nara Prefecture will hold its annual Omizutori festival from March 1 to 15.

Torch-carrying, among the most well-known rituals during the festival, also referred to as the Shunie, will take place in Nigatsudo hall from 7 p.m. from March 1 to 11 and on March 13, from 7:30 p.m. on March 12, and from 6:30 p.m. on March 14.

The temple can be accessed by taking the city loop bus from JR and Kintetsu Nara stations and getting off at Daibutsuden Kasugataisha Mae.

For more details, go to www.todaiji.or.jp/contents/function/02-03syunie1.html (in Japanese) or call 0742-22-5511.

Jonangu Shrine shows plum, camellia blossoms

Jonangu Shrine's weeping plum blossoms and camellia flowers will be on display until March 21 in Kyoto.

Admission is ¥600 for adults and ¥400 for children, including junior high and elementary school students.

The shrine is 15 minutes on foot from Takeda Station on the Kintetsu Kyoto Line and Karasuma subway line.

Information is available at www.jonangu.com/index.htm (in Japanese) or by calling 075-623-0846.

'Haiga' haiku and painting event set for Kyoto

The exhibition of "haiga," a combination of haiku in English and paintings, will be held in Kyoto from Feb. 25 to March 2 by members of the Hailstone Haiku Circle.

Admission is free. The event runs from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. but starts at noon on the first day and closes at 6 p.m. on the last day.

The venue is Kyoto International Community House (kokoka), a six-minute walk from Keage Station on the Tozai subway line.

For more information, check www.kcif.or.jp/HP/event/top/en/img/EventCalendar201402.pdf (in English) or call 075-752-1187.

Nagoya shrine fete dedicated to safe maternity

The annual Kacchindama Matsuri festival for a safe maternity will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Feb. 26 in Rokusho Jinja Shrine in Nagoya.

Visitors can buy 10-cm-diameter "kacchindama" candies that are believed to help bring safe deliveries for expecting mothers.

The shrine is 10 minutes on foot from Ozone Station on the Meijo subway line.

To find out more about the festival, go to www.nic-nagoya.or.jp/out_and_about/OA-EN-201402.pdf (in English) or call 052-711-3609.

Center to teach disaster preparation, meals

Nagoya International Center will hold a free session to learn how to cook emergency meals and improvise necessities during disasters from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on March 2.

Reservations are required and can be made through www.nic-nagoya.or.jp/en/e/archives/11944 (in English) or by calling 052-581-0100.

The center is a seven-minute walk from Nagoya Station.