The Hiraoka Hachimangu Shrine in Kyoto allows its 44 colorful drawings of flowers on the ceiling of the building to be viewed by the public twice a year. This year, the spring exhibition will run until May 18. Admission is ¥800.
The shrine, which is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., can be accessed by taking a JR bus bound for Togano-o from Kyoto Station and alighting at Hiraoka Hachiman.
For more details, visit kanko.city.kyoto.lg.jp/eventdetail.php?event_tab=event&eventid=2346&year=2014&month=4&day=25 (in Japanese), or call 075-871-2084.
Suita to host international exchange event
An international exchange event will take place from May 10 to 11 in Suita, Osaka Prefecture.
Suita International Plaza 2014, which runs from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., will feature sales of fair trade products, opportunities to try on ethnic costumes, visit Mongolian yurts and learn aspects of various cultures. Admission is free.
The venue is the May Theater near Suita Station on the Hankyu Senri Line. More details are available at suita-sifa.org/blog/news/19thplaza/ (in Japanese) or call 06-6835-1192.
Sun Sun Club invites foreign kids to activities
Foreign children and their parents are invited to join the activities at the Sun Sun Club between 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. on May 7 and 21 in Minoh, Osaka Prefecture.
Participants can chat with volunteers and learn Japanese both days. They will also learn plays for children by using hands and reading children's books on May 7, and make origami and do exercises on May 21. Participation is free.
The Minoh Association for Global Awareness can be reached by taking Hankyu Bus Nos. 30, 51, 55, 56, 58, 59, 66, and 79 from Kitasenri Station on the Hankyu Senri Line and getting off at Onohara.
To learn more about the sessions, check mafga.or.jp/en/sun-sun-club-for-foreign-parents-kids-open/ (in English) or call 072-727-6912.
Guided historical walks to show off Nagoya
Volunteers at the Nagoya International Center will offer guided historical walks through Nagoya on May 18 so foreign visitors can enjoy aspects of the city's history.
The walk will begin at Takaoka Station on the Sakuradori subway line at 9 a.m., visit Catholic Chikaramachi Church, Sasuke Toyoda's residence and other historical spots, and finish at the Nagoya City Archives at 12:30 p.m. Translation will be available in Chinese, English, Portuguese and Spanish.
The participation fee is ¥420. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 052-581-0100 or by sending an email to [email protected].
Further information is available at www.nic-nagoya.or.jp/en/e/archives/12499 (in English).
Shirotori Garden hosting Golden Week events
Shirotori Garden in Nagoya will hold various events during the Golden Week holidays from May 3 to 6.
Visitors can enjoy Chinese and Japanese tea ceremony performances on May 3, 5 and 6, try on traditional armor on May 5, listen to taiko drummers on May 3, 5 and 6, and buy locally grown vegetables and other food items on every day of the festival. In addition to the admission fee of ¥300 for senior high school students and older, some of the activities require a charge.
The garden, open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., is a 10-minute walk from Jingu Nishi Station on the Meijo subway line.
To find out more about the events, check www.shirotori-garden.jp/calendar/may/satsuki/index.html (in Japanese) or call 052-681-8928.