Sakai Illumination 2020

EST. 1994 ISSUE 161

December 2020/January 2021 Edition

Contents Legend: ity Life is a free English newsletter published every even month by the ☆ events New Year Notices 2 C International Division at the Sakai City Government to provide information to the residents of Sakai City. It is available at libraries, ward offic- ◆ exhibitions Notices 3 es and other city facilities, or you can view it online at the Sakai City Gov- ※ important notices ernment English website. Don’t forget to also sign up for emails to know △ campaigns Events 4-5 when each new edition is published! There is more information on the back ☺ child & healthcare page. If you have any questions or feedback, please contact Ellen at the ○♣ environment Important Info 6 following email address: [email protected]  help lines

Sakai Illumination 2020

Date: Until 15 January, 17:00~23:30 The annual illumination will go forward and light up this winter. The original 1.6km stretch of Oshoji Road from Sakai Station to Sakaihigashi Station will be joined by an extra 700m display along Daidosuji (from Hanadaguchi Station to Shukuin Station on the Hankai Tramway). This year, the city will be decorated with champagne gold LED lights. Neighboring stores will be offering special menus or services in collaboration with the illumination, and there will also be special events held.

★Other Light Displays★ ・Sakai Plaza of Rikyu and Akiko Light-up ・AEON Mall Teppocho Christmas Illumination (until 25 December) ・Hotel Agora Regency Sakai Portas Square Christmas Tree (until 25 December)

★Sakai Moat Night Festa★ Date: 19 & 20 December (17:00~21:00) Place: Uchikawa riverside (near Xavier Park) Come enjoy hot wine and toasty Sakai treats or a night cruise! 1000 yen a ride, max 15 people per round. First come first serve basis.

★Photo Contest★ Submission period: 1 December to 15 January Eligibility: Anyone living in Japan How to apply: Send photos of Sakai Illumination 2020 with your name, photo title, photo comment, photo location and address to send the prize to, to [email protected]. Make sure to tag #堺イルミ2020 if posting on Instagram. Photos are just a reference. For more, see the official Sakai Illumination 2020 website

1 Dec 2020 Jan 2021 New Year Notices

There will be no collection of garbage between 1 to 3 January. For areas that would have had their garbage collected, no alternative day will be arranged. Garbage Type Area/Notes Collection Ends Collection Resumes Household Garbage, Can/ All areas within Sakai Collection as normal until 31 December. Glass Bottles, Plastic Con- *please only recycle plastic contain- Please be aware that the time of collec- tainers and Packaging*, PET ers and packaging that have the tion around the break may vary slightly. Bottles, Small Metal Goods special plastic mark. Paper Mihara Ward Only Large Garbage Reception Center (TEL 0120-00- Phone lines are open until 25 December. (arrangement only) 8400 or 06-6485-5048 from a cell- For collection before the new year, phone; 9:00~17:00, weekdays only) please apply by 17:00 on 18 December. To arrange pickup online: Homepage: https:// Online is open through New Year holi- www.eg-resource2.jp/ day break. sakai/

Irregular Garbage Garbage from moving houses etc. Collection as normal until 28 December. Collection as normal (Fees apply) For collection before the new year, from 4 January. please apply by 21 December. Please be aware that the time of collection Business Garbage Daily collection Collection as normal until 31 December. (Fees apply) around the break may vary slightly. Dirty mud/ sludge All areas Collection as normal until 28 Decem- ber. For special collection before until 28 December, please make a request by 18 December. Sewage All areas Collection as normal until 29 December. For special collection before until 28 December, please make a request by 24 December. Pet Remains Bring remains to the Sakai City Phone line for collection will close from Hall Main Building (Honkan) Main 15:30 on 31 December. Entrance and ask the security guard in the parking lot.

Inquires: Public Sanitation Division (TEL) 072-228-7429 (For sewage: 072-228-7428) Regarding large garbage call the Public Sanitation Office (TEL) 072-273-2672

Waste Disposal Rubbish Resumption ※New Year Break Government Services Plant Drop-Off Times Open Accepted (fees apply) of Service Until From 29 December to 3 January, most of the services in Clean Center 11:30~16:30 the Sakai City Hall will be closed for the New Years Higashi Open from 8:30 during holiday break. Sakai International Plaza will also be 29-31 December closed (check back page for dates). Emergency 31 December 4 January inquiries should be directed to 072-233-2800. Clean Center 8:30~16:30 Rinkai Family register-related services and issuance for burial/cremation permits for the deceased fetuses Waste drop-off centers can become congested at the end of the year services will be continuing during this time. so please come early These services will be handled at the after-hours reception at the east entrance to the City Hall main building Inquiries: Clean Center Administrative Division (TEL: 072-252- (honkan). At ward offices, these services will be handled 0815) through the security office.

☺ Emergency Medical Care TEL & Field 30 Dec to 4 Jan 072-272-0909 Pediatric Care 9:30~11:00, 12:45~16:30, Sakai Children’s Emergency Medical Center *junior high & under 17:30~4:30 (of next day) Semboku Emergency Medical Center 072-292-0099 Internal Medicine 9:30~11:00, 12:45~16:30 Sakai Dental Health Center 072-243-0099 Dentistry 9:30~11:00, 12:45~16:30 Osaka Central Emergency Medical Clinic 06-6534-0321 Eyes, ears, nose & throat care 10:00~21:30 *from 29 Dec to 5 Jan Please make sure to bring official certificates, such as health insurance card, child and elderly medical cost support certificates.

2 City Notices Dec 2020 Jan 2021

※City and Prefectural Tax Notice ☺1 December: World AIDS Day  Minami Public Health Cen- ter & Naka Public Health Cen- January marks the fourth appointed time for World AIDS Day is an opportunity for payment of city and prefectural tax. The dead- ter people worldwide to raise awareness of Dates: 10 Dec line is Monday 1 February. To pay, please go the disease and fight against discrimi- to the nearest banking facility, post office, Time: 18:00~20:00 nation towards those that are affected *Syphilis and chlamydia test also avail- convenience store, Tax Payment Division by it. It is celebrated on the 1 December (City Hall Mikunigaoka Branch) or by internet able for free if taken at the same time. and was first established in 1988. The or mobile banking. Please make sure red ribbon is a symbol of support to pay before the deadline. 3. HIV Screening Test (standard ex- against prejudice and discrimination amination): For those that use the automatic towards those living with AIDs. Sakai transfer, payment will automatically Results ready in a week at the same time City is offering the following HIV tests. and place of the test. Complete anonym- be deducted on Monday 1 February so please check that you have sufficient funds. ity. No fee or reservation needed. Tests [A request to those coming for tests] for syphilis and chlamydia in the same - Please refrain from coming if you have appointment will also be free. a fever, cough etc. You will be turned ☺ Influenza Vaccinations for the El- away if you show such symptoms. derly Place Examination Time - Please wear a mask Day

Contracted medical institutions in Sakai will 1. Same Day Results (Weekday): be administering subsidized influenza vaccina- Sakai Public 2nd Thursday Complete anonymity. No fee or reser- Health Center tions for 1500 yen until 31 January 2021. vation needed. Limited to 20 people. - Sakai City Public Health & Medical Naka Public 3rd Monday Eligibility: Those registered as Center 1st Floor Health Center Sakai residents on the day of the (3-2-6 Kanino-cho Higashi, Sakai-ku) vaccination who are 65 years or Dates: 24 Dec & 25 Feb Higashi Public 4th Tuesday Health Center 9:30 older, or are between 60~64 and Time: 10:00~11:00 ~ *results will be released from 13:15 have heart, kidney, lung or im- Nishi Public 1st Tuesday 11:00 mune system impairments that meet physical at the same place of the test Health Center disability certificate level 1 criteria. 2. Night Testing: Minami Public 3rd Wednesday Please bring the appropriate documents with Results available in a week at the same Health Center you, such as your Health Insurance card, proof time and place of the test. Complete Kita Public 2nd Tuesday of disability documents and anonymity. No fee or reservation need- Health Center proof of age, etc. ed. No limit of people. *This subsidy is only available  Sun Square Sakai Bldg. B Basement Chinugaoka 1st Wednesday 1F 5th Meeting Room (2-1 Tadei-cho, for ONE vaccination Public Health 13:30 Sakai-ku) Center Dates: 20 Jan & 17 Mar ~ Please scan the QR code to find out which 15:30 medical institutions are participating (Japanese Time: 18:30~20:00 Mihara Public 3rd Thursday only). *Syphilis test also available for free if Health Center taken at the same time.

※COVID-19 related tools ※December is Traffic Accident Pre- ※Take Caution With Heat- vention Month ing Equipment Osaka COVID-19 Tracing System This is Osaka Prefecture's system to send an Traffic accidents around sunset and at night ● Do not hang laundry or any- alert email to those registered in case they had increase towards the end of the year. Wear thing that can catch fire over close-contact with someone at the same event light colored clothes or use reflective goods heating equipment; it becomes or facility who later tested positive for COVID to avoid such accidents. lighter when dry and can fall -19. Please follow traffic rules and ride your off. bicycle responsibly and safely. ● Don’t place your heating equip- COVID-19 Contact Confirming Application - Bicycles should generally be ridden on the ment near your bed when sleep- (COCOA) left-hand side ing; it may come into contact as This is a smartphone app supplied by Japanese - Pedestrians have priority on the sidewalk, you move in your sleep and is Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare. Install and bicycles should ride extremely dangerous. Turn it the app, turn Bluetooth on, and you'll be noti- slowly on the roadside edge off before sleeping or keep it fied if you have had close contact (1m dis- - It is not allowed to drink away from easily burnable tance for more than 15 minutes) with someone and ride, carry another items. infected with COVID-19 in last 2 weeks. Scan person or riding in line with ● Turn off the oil stove complete- the QR code below to download it to your another bicycles ly before refueling and make smartphone. - Avoid looking at your sure to put in appropriate fuel. phone or steering with one hand - Turn on your light early in the evening - Observe traffic lights at intersections and make sure to stop and check - Wear a helmet Google Play App Store - Never abandon your bicycle

3 Dec 2020 Jan 2021 Events

☆Harvest Hill: (TEL) 072-296-9911 (URL) http://farm.or.jp Smoked Chicken Burger Class Make a large burger using homemade smoked chicken! Date: Weekends in December Time: 10:00~17:00 *subject to change Time: 11:00 Entry Fee: Adult 1000 yen, student (junior high and over) & Cost: 1300 yen senior (65yrs+) 700 yen, 4yrs & over 600 yen Duration: 80 minutes Access: 20 minutes by Nankai bus (Habesutono-oka Bus Stop) Capacity: 12 groups of 2 (one from Izumigaoka Station on the Semboku Rapid Line. accompanying person allowed Closed: Wednesday (except 30 December & 6 January) and 1 per group) January Christmas Brownie Class Strawberry Picking Date: Every day in December Date: Thursday and weekends in Time: 13:00 January to May Cost: 1200 yen Reservations can be made online or Duration: 70 minutes (including 20 by phone from 10:00 on 9 December. minutes baking time) Capacity: Weekdays: 12 groups of 4 (two Daikon Radish Harvesting accompanying person allowed per group) Date: From mid-December Weekends/public holidays: 12 groups of 2 Time: At any time (one accompanying person allowed per Cost: 100 yen per daikon group) Place: Mura Area Stained Cookie Class Christmas Tree Decorating A treat with candy that looks like stained glass! Make 4 to take Date: Sunday 6 December home. Time: 10:00 Date: Weekends & public Cost: Free holidays in December Place: Near the entrance gate Time: 15:00 Cost: 1200 yen New Year Card Picture with a Cow Duration: 80 minutes Date: 5, 6, 12, 13 December Capacity: 6 groups of 4 Time: 12:00 & 14:00 (20 minutes each) (two accompanying person Cost: Free allowed per group) Place: Animal open space

◆☆Sakai City Museum (TEL) 072-245-6201 ☆Sophia Sakai (TEL) 072-270-8110

“Fuji no Hoshigoyomi” Access: 2-cho, Mozusekiun-cho, Sakai-ku Access: 1426 Fukaishimizu-cho, See the sky of all four seasons and 7 min walk from Mozu Station (JR Hanwa Line) Naka-ku figure of UNESCO World Heritage Time: 9:30~17:15 (last entrance 16:30) Located a 12 minutes walk from Site Mt. Fuji fill the dome. Closed: Monday (however open if a public holiday) Fukai Station (Semboku Rapid Date: 26 & 27 December, 5 Janu- Admission: Adult 200 yen, university & senior high Line) ary and weekends & public holi- school 100 yen, junior high & elementary school 50 Closed on: Mondays (however days between 9~30 January yen open if a public holiday) Time: 18:00~18:45 Closure of museum due to renewal (1 February to Flea Market 12 March) Star Gazing From 1 December to 31 January, the museum will only Date: Sunday 6 December Time: 11:00~15:00 Date: December 5, 11, run the events below, the Mozu-Furuichi Kofun Group Place: Gallery 19, 25 and January 8, 16, 22, 30 theatre and museum goods corner before Cost: Free entry Time: 19:00~20:30 being closed for renewal. Place: 6F Astronomical Observa- Planetarium Shows: tory Exhibition: History of Household Goods Closed: 8 & 9 Dec, 29 Dec~4 Jan Why not come see the starry winter Date: 5-31 January Cost: Adult 510 yen, Child (4 sky through largest telescope in An exhibition of tools, pictures and photos that show years to junior high school) 250 yen Osaka Prefecture! A free event, just the difference of life and tools between then and now. come straight to the venue. No res- “Journey of the Stars – World ervations needed. Interactive Learning: “Let’s Try Old Tools & Edition” *may be cancelled due to bad Games” The Southern Cross, Milky Way weather. Decision made at 17:00, Date: Sunday 24 January and starry sky reflected in the water please check the website for more Time: 13:00~14:00, 14:00~15:00 and 15:00~16:00 mirror of Salar de Uyuni. This is a details Place: Learning Room, Basement Hall show filled with footage of starry *primary school children and Capacity: 15 groups per session (elementary school skies that took years to produce. younger and over) *one guardian can enter the room to accom- Date: Weekends until 20 Decem- must be pany ber, and 25 December accom- Cost: Free Time: 18:00~18:45 panied Reservations necessary. First come first serve by phone. with an Reservations open at 10:00 on Wednesday 9 December. adult

4 Events Dec 2020 Jan 2021

☆Ebisu Festival ☆Otondo ☆28th KIX Senshu International Marathon Online Charity Run 2021 Date: 9~11 January Date: 31 January (last Sunday of Place: Sugawara Shrine (2-1-38 Ebis- January every year) Marathon Period: 8 February, 0:00 to 21 uno-cho Higashi, Sakai-ku) *may be cancelled due to COVID-19 February, 23:59 Nearest stations: 10 minutes from Time: 10:00~16:00 Free, no time limit! Anyone can participate, Sakai station (Nankai Line) or Sa- Place: Ebaraji Temple (1-8-20 Ebaraji simply finish the marathon within the time kaihigashi station (Nankai Koya Line). -cho, Nishi-ku) period. There are prizes for participating and Also 3 minutes from Oshoji station Nearest Stations: Tsukuno Station for finishing your course! Those who finish (Hankai Line). (JR Hanwa Line) or Monjumae bus stop their course will also go in the raffle for (Nankai Bus) popular goods and special Senshu local This is a festival to celebrate “Ebe- products. The ranking will not be published ssan” (Ebisu), the Japanese god of Otondo is a fire festival where a huge and there will not be an award ceremony. fishermen and business prosperity. bonfire is lit and its flames reaching as People visit to buy a lucky bamboo high as 5m. Shimekazari (New Year’s Application Period: 8 January, 10:00 to branch and decorate it with lucky decorations), old good luck charms and 29 January, 23:59 charms for prosperity and talismans and other items on which How to Apply: Enter via the wellbeing, or a bamboo New Year’s wishes and resolutions RUNNET GPS tracking app rake decorated with aus- were made are burned in prayer for Courses: Full marathon (3000 picious motifs to “rake good health for the New Year. Ebaraji yen, 18 and over) in” the good luck and Temple is well known for being built on Half marathon (1500 yen, senior fortune for the next year. the birthplace of the great priest Gyoki. high school and over) System administration fee 220 yen *part of the entry fee will be donat- ☆Coming of Age Ceremony - 11 January, 2021 ed to medical practitioners Maximum 3000 entries! Eligibility: Sakai residents born between 2 April 2000 and 1 April 2001 (a letter will be sent to those eligible) Inquiries: KIX Senshu It is required that participants attend the ceremony allocated Tourism Bureau (TEL) 072- according to their junior high school or a school district matching 436-3440 their current address. Ward Venue Junior high schools for Junior high schools for 1st ceremony (10:00~) 2nd ceremony (13:00~) ☆ASEAN Culture Seminar – Lotus Leaf Painting Sakai Ward Fenice Sacay Tonobaba, Mikunigaoka, Tsukisu, Asakayama, Asahi Ohama, Ryosai Try making an original work from lotus leaf, Naka Ward Sophia Sakai Higashimozu, Fukai, Izumigaoka-higashi, a popular motif of South East Asian coun- Fukaichuo Hattasho, Hirai tries. Paint a canvas Higashi Hatsushiba Minamiyashimo, with lotus leaf Ward Gymnasium Hikisho, Tomioka, Noda, glued to it and Nakamozu (extra), - create a piece Higashimozu (extra) that expresses yourself. Nishi Ward Ebaraoike Hamaderaminami, Hamadera, Otori, Gymnasium Uenoshiba, Fukuizumi Tsukuno Date: 26 & 29 January, 2021 Time: 12:30~15:30 Minami Big I Miyayamadai, Fukuizumi-minami, Place: Sakayeah! 1F of AB Hotel (near Ward Wakamatsudai, Harumidai, Sakaihigashi Station on the Miharadai, Harayamadai, Akasakadai, Mikita Nankai Koya Line) Niwashirodai Capacity: 10 people each session (by raffle) Kita Ward Sakai City Gokasho, Oizumi, Nagao, Nakamozu, Cost: 3000 yen Industrial Kanaokakita, Yashimo, Ryonan How to apply: Via the Sakai City Online Promotion Center Kanaokaminami Application System or ofuku postcard (must arrive by 13 January) with your name, phone Mihara ARTEBELL Miharanishi, Satsukino Mihara number and seminar name to: Ward Sakai ASEAN Week Executive Committee, Sakai City Hall Requests when attending: 3-1 Minamikawaramachi, Sakai-ku, Sakai- - Please download the COVID-19 Contract Tracing app COCOA beforehand. shi - Wear a mask. Inquiries: (TEL) 072-222-7343 - Check your temperature on the day of attendance before departing. If you have a (Email): [email protected] fever of 37.5ºC and over or other symptoms, or are found to have a fever at the temperature check at the venue, you will not be allowed to enter. Works will also be on display from 12:00 on - Only participants are allowed inside the venue (family are not permitted inside). 26 Jan to 16:00 on 29 Jan (free entry, open However, participants using wheelchairs may have an accompanying person if until 22:00). needed.

5 For Your Reference

 Sakai International Plaza ○♣ Smoking and Littering Ban

TEL 072-228-7499 FAX 072-340-1091 In Sakai City, there is a ban on smoking and Email: [email protected] littering stretching from around Sakai Hi- Address: 1-4-24 Nakakawara- gashi station, the City Hall and Oshoji road ublished by the Inter- machi, Sakai-ku 〒590-0077. to Sakai station (East to West). There is a P national Division, Sa- Located 300m from Sakaihigashi 1000 yen penalty fee if caught. kai City Government. Station (Nankai Koya Line) The areas of western Sakaihigashi station, Nakamozu 3-1 Minamikawara-machi, Opening Hours: Sunday to Friday 9:00~17:30 station, Mikunigaoka station, JR Sakaishi station and Sakai-ku, Sakai, Osaka 〒 (closed on public holidays and New Year’s the shopping arcade in front of it have been marked as 590-0078 break 29 December to 3 January) priority areas for improvement. We appreciate your cooperation. (TEL) 072-222-7343 General Consultations for Foreign Residents (FAX) 072-228-7900

Please drop by in person or call during these  Emergency Numbers hours if you have any queries regarding daily life. This issue was compiled Japanese/English Mon to Fri 10:00~12:00 110: accident or require police by Ellen Xiong, Coordina- 119: fire or medical emergency tor for International Rela- 13:00~16:00 (available in English, Chinese, Kore- tions. Published on the Portuguese Mon 13:00~16:00 an, Spanish, and Portuguese) first working day of every ・Ambulances are free to use however, they are Fri 9:00~12:00 second month. only for emergencies, not for minor illnesses or injuries. Spanish Mon & Fri 13:00~16:00 ・When you call 119, the operator can set Pick up your next copy Korean Tues 9:00~12:00 up a three way call with an interpreter. It can from the International Di- take up to 10 seconds to connect, during vision (6F Sakai City Hall) Chinese Wed 13:00~16:00 which the caller should wait on the line. or from: Fri 9:00~12:00  Ward Offices *Languages other than Japanese/English will ○♣ Parking Ban-Zones for Bicycles & Mini  Libraries be conducted through a 3-way call Bikes  Sakai City Museum The Sakai International Plaza provides support Each railway station in Sakai city  Public health centres with daily life enquiries in 11 languages through (except for the Hankai Line) is desig-  Public gyms nated as a parking ban zone. Bicycles the use of translation devices and interpreting  Cultural halls services. Residents can come by between and mini bikes left in the zone will be 10:00~12:00 and 13:00~16:00 on Monday to removed. In addition, we will collect  Or read it online! Friday for advice. Languages include English, the removal & storage fee for the return Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Nepali, Indone- of a removed bike or mini bike. Please Foreigners living in Sakai sian, Tagalog, Thai, Portuguese and Spanish. use the parking lot to park a bicycle or mini-bike. are eligible for free deliv- ery. Please email us with Free Confidential Consultation  English Facebook Page your name and address to: [email protected] 16 December & 20 January, 14:00~17:00 The Sakai International Plaza’s Face-

Consultations on naturalizations and immigrations book page is a great source for the new- with an administrative procedure specialists are est information on what’s happening in Readers can also sign up available for discussing the status of or changes to Sakai. Things like emergencies, disaster for an email notification as applications. Three slots available (Reservations warnings, upcoming events written in each new City Life is pub- required). Those that require an interpreter must English are regularly posted. Please like lished. Use the QR Code apply at least 10 days before the date of the con- our page by scanning the QR code! or the link on the City Life sultation. homepage to go to the reg- istration website. The reg- Volunteer Interpreter Service ○♣ Storing Water in Case of Disaster istration process is all in Those who need interpretation can It’s important to store drinkable water for at least 7 days Japanese but there is an apply for a volunteer interpreter at in case of a disaster. One person drinks about 3 liters of English guide on the page. the Sakai International Plaza. water for one day. It is necessary to save water in case Please make sure to apply 10 days of a large earthquake that could result in water pipes in advance using the form available being damaged, causing filthy or sewage water not be- for download from the QR code. ing properly disposed. If this happens, it Please hand it in via post, fax or email. is recommended that you refrain from using the water from the pipes. By doing this, you can reduce the sewage up to  FM COCOLO about 70%.

This FM radio station (76.5MHz) provides living information in Sakai City and information in the ○♣ Waterworks & Sewage Bureau Reminder case of disaster. It is on air on the weekdays of the 2nd and 4th Please contact the center when you need to start or stop week of the month at the following times: your water supply. Also, please make sure to pay your Monday 19:15– Japanese water bill on time. If not, the water supply may stop.

Monday 20:40– Korean Waterworks & Sewage Bureau Customer Tuesday 20:40– Chinese Center Wednesday 20:40– English (TEL: navi-dial) 0570-02-1132 Thursday 20:40– Spanish (TEL) 072-251-1132 (Japanese only) Friday 05:28– Vietnamese Weekdays: 8:45~19:00 Friday 20:40– Portuguese Weekends & public holidays: 9:00~17:00