◆◆ “Kansai, the Essence of Japan” Vol.12 (April 26, 2010 ) ◆◆
This newsletter is sent by Organization of Kansai Unity to introduce various must-see tourist attractions of the Kansai region in Japan, such as local history, culture, the natural environment and the latest news on shopping and entertainment.
Contents: ◆ Experience various traditional cultural arts in digest forms
◆ Summer trips to Wakayama (enjoying nature) and Osaka (summer festivals)
◆ Recommended accommodation
◆ Discount domestic airline tickets for foreign travelers
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◆ Latest event information: Experience various traditional Japanese entertainments in digest forms
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For visitors who are wishing to experience traditional Japanese performing arts but might not have enough time because there are many other sightseeing spots they plan to visit,
we recommend the following events and locations.
◇ Traditional Entertainment Night (in Osaka)
In this event, you can casually enjoy performances of excerpts from various traditional Japanese performing arts such as Noh, Kyogen and Japanese dance (Nihon Buyo).
The Backstage Tour, given by Noh players, is also a popular part of this event.
http://kamigata-night.com/eng/index.html
http://www.noh-theater.com/english/eng_regular.html
◇ Gion Corner (in Kyoto)
Here, you can experience the essences of seven types of traditional Japanese cultural arts in a single venue.
The performances include Kyoto style dance (Kyomai) performed by beautiful doll-like maiko ; tea ceremony, a symbol of the wabi-sabi concept; and Gagaku, the essence of traditional Japanese music.
http://kyoto-gion-corner.info/gion_corner/top/index.html
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◆ Special feature 1：Wakayama Prefecture
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The season of refreshment has come.
Here are some recommended outdoor recreations that allow you to fully enjoy nature in Wakayama from spring through summer.
◇ River rafting (May to September)
In Japan, rafting of timber from the mountains has a long history.
Today, however, due to development of land transportation, timber rafting can no longer be seen in Japan.
The Kitayama village in Wakayama is the only place in Japan where tourists can experience river rafting aboard a traditional Japanese log raft.
Savor the grandness of nature on a rapid stream, splashed by refreshing water.
http://www.wakayama-kanko.or.jp/world/english/pleasure/experience.html （No.9 Water Rafting）
◇ Whale watching (late April to late September)
In the beautiful seas of Kushimoto and Nachi-Katsuura, where the rich Kuroshio Current from the Pacific Ocean approaches closest to the coast of Japan, you can encounter whales just one hour away from shore.
You might even encounter a pod of 20-meter-long sperm whales.
http://www.wakayama-kanko.or.jp/world/english/pleasure/experience.html （No.5 Whale Watching）
◇ Marine sports (can be enjoyed year round, but the high season is summer)
In Wakayama, you can enjoy a wide variety of sports to savor the beautiful sea, including snorkeling, sea kayaking and diving.
From beginners to serious enthusiasts, there is something for everyone.
http://www.tb-kumano.jp/en/what-to-do/kayak.html
http://www.wakayama-kanko.or.jp/world/english/pleasure/experience.html
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◆ Special feature 2：Osaka Prefecture
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As summer comes closer and closer, the city of Osaka becomes even more vibrant.
Here is an introduction to Osaka’s three major summer festivals.
These festivals will bring liveliness and exhilaration to the city of Osaka.
◇ Aizen Festival (June 30 [Wed] to July 2 [Fri])
Held at and around Shomanin Temple, this summer festival is dedicated to a deity called Aizen-Myo-o, who is associated with charm, popularity and marriage.
Since the festival is held around the time when people start to wear yukata (summer cotton kimono), the festival is also known as “Yukata Festival”.
Carrying “Aizen Girls” dressed in yukata, decorated palanquins called Hoe-Kago will be paraded through the venue.
http://www.osakacityguide.com/events-and-happenings/aizen-festival.html
◇ Tenjin Festival (July 24 [Sat] and 25 [Sun])
Held at and around the Osaka Tenmangu Shrine, this festival is also regarded as one of Japan’s three major festivals.
In the ritual of Funatogyo, you can enjoy the marvelous view of as many as 100 boats moving up and down the Okawa River at night.The river surface will be illuminated with numerous lanterns on the boats.
It is also exciting to see thousands of fireworks illuminating the night sky.
People in Osaka strongly feel the arrival of summer when this festival opens. Around the time of this festival, many people in Osaka enjoy dishes featuring hamo (daggertooth pike conger), which is said to help ward off fatigue from summer heat.
http://www.osaka-info.jp/tenjin_matsuri/main_en.html
◇ Sumiyoshi Festival (July 30 [Fri] to August 1 [Sun])
Sumiyoshi Festival is held at and around the Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine, which enshrines deities of purification.
The climax of this festival is a ritual called “Nagoshi no Harae (summer purification)”, which will be held on July 31.
On this day, the Chinowa Kuguri ritual will also be held, in which people walk through a chinowa (a large ring made of reeds) three times to pray for good health and longevity.
Clad in Muromachi Period costumes, women called nagoshime and children called chigo will perform the ritual. The general public can also participate in Chinowa Kuguri.
During the festival, at the 1st main shrine of Sumiyoshi-Taisha, two styles of dancing called Kumano-mai and Sumiyoshi-odori will be performed.
http://www.osaka-info.jp/en/search/detail/event_35.html
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◆ Recommended accommodation： Onsen From Around the World “SPAWORLD’” (Hotel)
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You can enjoy a relaxing time in the middle of downtown Osaka.
At Spa World, you can bask in 16 kinds of hot spring baths from 11 countries around the world.
Staying guests can use not only the hot spring baths, but also a giant swimming pool, sports gym and saunas, for free.
http://www.spaworld.co.jp/english/hotel.html
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◆ Useful Information： Easy-to-book discount domestic airline tickets for foreign travelers
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Air travel is the most efficient way to travel across Japan.
The following discounted domestic airline tickets are available exclusively to foreign travelers in Japan.
http://www.jal.co.jp/yokosojapan/
http://www.ana.co.jp/wws/general/e/travelservice/reservations/special/airpass.html
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Issued by: The Organization of Kansai Unity
Address: 11F, Osaka International Convention Center (OICC Grand Cube Osaka) 5-3-51 Nakanoshima, Kita-ku, Osaka
Website: http://www.kansai-japan.net/en/
E-mail: info@kansai-japan.net
(Back numbers) -> http://www.kansai-japan.net/en/mailmag/
◇What is Kansai?
The Kansai region comprises 10 prefectures: Fukui, Mie, Shiga, Kyoto, Osaka, Hyogo, Nara, Wakayama, Tokushima, and Tottori Prefectures.
Befitting one of the best tourist destinations in Japan, Kansai is full of tourist attractions, including five UNESCO World Cultural Heritage sites.
http://www.kansai.gr.jp/place_e/kansai/index.htm
◇What is Kansai Unity?
The Organization of Kansai Unity was established on July 1, 2007, comprising 10 prefectures, four ordinance-designated cities, and 6 economic organizations in the Kansai region.
The purpose of the organization is to help Kansai develop into an attractive and energetic region by taking advantage of the overall strengths of the region.
