Festival information Inquiries : Festival Executive committee office TSUKUBA CITY HALL 1.)Ichinoya Yasaka Shrine Gion Festival (garlic festival) (Tsukuba City Hall, Tourism Division, TEL:0298361111 International Relations & Culture People, who lived in for a long time have probably Tsukuba performance stage participants: On the 30 th of August Division heard about the “Gion festival.” The most famous one is the Gakuensen (Between Higashi Ōdōri and Nishi City Hall– Sakura Branch Office held at the Yasaka Shrine in Kyoto, but from July to August, Ōdōri) will be turned into a pedestrian paradise and dancing per 1979 Konda, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 3050018 this festival is held all over Japan. Shrines throughout Japan formances will be held on the street. The organizers are in search TEL: 0298361111 (ext. 5412). Email: [email protected] that were dedicated to god Gion started to hold this summer of participants for these performances. JULY 2009 th festival just like the one in Kyoto. It is said that the holding How to apply: Apply via phone by the 24 of July (Fri). 5.) Mito Kōmon festival's fireworks display (Ibaraki Prefec Inquiries:Tsukuba Festival Executive committee office (Tsukuba 2009 fireworks display information of this festival would prevent oncoming pestilence. In July, ture, Mitoshi) the Gion Festival is held at many of Tsukuba's shrines, but City Hall, Tourism Division, TEL:0298361111 1.) Sumidagawa fireworks display (Tōkyo, TaitōkuSumidaku) The fireworks display will be one of the parts of the Mito Kō the one held at the Ichinoya Yasaka Shrine is well known as As the most famous fireworks display in Tōkyo, each year it Japanese courses for beginners mon festival, which will be held from the 7 th to the 9 th of Au the garlic festival. On the day of the festival, garlic, who is receives lots of visitors. The meeting place is the riverside of The Tsukuba Cultural Foundation will start a course in beginner's gust. 4,000 fireworks will be shot off in the vicinity of Lake said to be effective in protection from pestilence, is distrib Sumidagawa. Around 21,500 fireworks will color the night level Japanese for people living and/or working in Tsukuba and Senba. During the festival, events like a float parade, carrying uted at the shrine. Shrine's worshipers then hang the garlic sky. their families, who wish to improve their daily conversation skills th of the portable shrine, Mito Kōmon parade, a carnival etc. will on their front door and pray for the safety of their family and Date and time: 25 of July (Sat), 19:00~20:30, *The event will in Japanese. Both complete beginners and persons with little ex be postponed to the next day in case of rain or stormy weather. also be held. good health. Moreover, on that day there are many street th perience in learning Japanese can apply. Furthermore, people Place : Sumidagawa riverside (5~15 minute walk from Asakusa Date and time : 7 of August, 19:30~21:00, *Will be postponed stalls on the premises of the shrine. th looking for a job are especially welcomed to participate. Station or Kuramae station of the Toei Chikatetsu Asakusa to the 14 in case of rain and stormy weather. A legend says that during the Edo period famine occurrence Course contents the feudal lord, that ruled this region, saved many of his peo Line) Place: Lake Senba (JR 's north exit, board the bus 1.)Nihongo 1 Level: complete beginners Place 1: Sakurabashi downstream~Kototoibashi upstream. at bus terminal 6 heading to Senba and get off at Senba Lake) ple by using the effect of the Ichinoya Yasaka Shrine garlic. Textbook: “Nihongo 45 jikan” 2: Komagatabashi downstream~Umayabashi upstream Inquiries: Mito Tourism Association, TEL: 0292240441, Because since old times the Ichinoya Yasaka Shrine has 2.)Nihongo 2 Level: persons, who have studied Japanese for been seen as an authoritative shrine among the Yasaka Inquiries : Sumidagawa fireworks display executive committee, URL : http://www.mitokoumon.com/maturi/koumon/ 50 or more hours, are able to introduce themselves, and can read TEL: 0356081111, shrines of , other shrines hold the festival koumon.html hiragana and katakana Web page: http://sumidagawa-hanabi.com/ 6.) Toride Tonegawa fireworks display (Ibaraki Prefecture, only after the one at Ichinoya finished. th Textbook:“Nihongo 45 jikan” Torideshi) Schedule :28 of July (Tue), *The festival itself will be held Persons eligible to apply : People living and/or working in Tsu 2.) Ōarai Seaside fireworks display (Ibaraki prefecture, Higashi Ibarakigun, Ōarai machi) The event will be held along river Tone, and many visitors are from the morning, but it is common for the portable shrine to kuba and their family, who wish to improve their Japanese speak be carried in the evening. Ōarai seaside fireworks display brings out the real feeling of expected to come. 8,000 fireworks will be shot off. ing ability. This course is particularly recommended to people summer. Around 3,000 fireworks will color the night sky. Date and time: 8th of August, 19:00~20:30, * Will be post Place: Ichinoya Yasaka Shrine (Tsukuba, Tamatori 2617) who are in search of work. th Date and Time:25 of July (Sat), 19:30~21:00, *The event will poned to the 9 th or the 10 th in case of rain or strong wind. Inquiries: TEL : 0298641132; URL : http://yasaka.or.jp/ Time and date : 10:00~12:00 every Wednesday and Friday from be postponed to the following day in case of rain or stormy Place : Toride Ryokuchi Undō Park (5 minutes walking from 2.)Tsuchiura Kirara Festival 15 th of July to 25 th of September This festival is held every year on the first Saturday and weather. the east exit of the JR ) The schedule may be changed. For detailed information, Place :Ōarai sun beach ( Higashi Ibarakigun, Ōarai machi, Sunday in August, and it unites the Star Festival with download the schedule from the homepage. Inquiries : Toride City Tourism Association (within Toride City prayers for aquatic safety. The main street in front of west Ōnukichō), * 7km from Higashi Mito Dōro, MitoŌarai IC via Hall), TEL: 0297740217 Place : Tsukuba Science Information Center, Azuma 1101 (The National Highway 51 entrance of turns into a pedestrian para same place where the old Ibaraki Prefecture Information Center Information hotline on the event day 0180993873 dise. On the first day there is a parade (13:00~17:00) and the st th th Inquiries: Ōarai machi office, Tourism Division 7.) Inashiki summer festival (Ibaraki Prefecture, Inashikishi) was.) *On August 21 , 28 , and September 4 the lessons will be TEL : 0292675111 Star Festival dance (17:00~21:00). On the second day, floats held at Tsukuba Capio, Takezono 1101. Stage events, presentation of provincial art and sales of special Ōarai Tourism Association, will be paraded on the main street area bustling with visi Student quota : 10 people per class regional products will be held at this festival. The firework TEL: 0292660788 tors. Lesson costs : ¥6,000 (new students), ¥5,000 (continuing stu display, which is said to be the largest one in Ibaraki prefec st nd Date and time : 1 and 2 of August, 13:00~21:00 dents) ture, will be the highlight of the festival with over 12,000 fire Inquires :Tsuchiura Kirara Festival Executive Committee *Please pay the lesson costs when you apply, but be aware that no 3.) fireworks display (, works. nd (Tsuchiura City Tourism Association) TEL: 0298242810 reimbursement is possible. Moreover, the textbook is paid Matsudoshi) Date and time: 22 of August, 19:00~21:00, *Will be post 3.)Looking for participants for the Tsukuba Festival 2009 separately during the first lesson. This fireworks display is bustling every year with numerous poned to the following day in case of rain and stormy weather. Tsukuba Festival, the largest annual event will be held on How to apply : Fill in the application form and take it directly to visitors who gather alongside Edogawa. 8,000 fireworks will Place: Edosaki Sōgō Undō Park (45 minutes by bus from JR th th the 29 and the 30 of August. This year as well its organiz the Tsukuba Cultural Foundation. You can get the form at the be shot off close to the spectator seat, so the visitors can enjoy Tsuchiura, get off at the last station called Edosaki, from there ers are looking for enthusiastic participants. the magnificent spectacle right in front of their eyes. 15 minutes by foot) foundation's office or download it from their homepage. st Nebuta parade's haneto : Nebuta is a special float, originat Inquiries : Tsukuba Cultural Foundation, 3050032, Tsukuba, Date and time :1 of August (Sat), 19:15~20:20, *Will be post Inquiries : Inashiki City Tourism Association (within Inashiki th ing from Aomori Prefecture. In a parade of nebutas , dancers Takezono 1101 (inside the Tsukuba International Association); poned to 8 of August in case of rain or stormy weather. City Hall), TEL: 0298922000 called hanetos dance around the float. Anybody can partici TEL : 0298697675; FAX : 0298519797; Place :Edogawa riverside, 15 minutes from the west exit of the 8.) Jōsō Kinugawa fireworks display (Ibaraki prefecture, Jōsō pate in the parade as a haneto. Persons that wish to partici E-mail : [email protected] URL: JR , right in front of the Matsudo municipal shi) th pate can apply via fax or email by 25 of August. (Follow http://www.tsukubacity.or.jp/info/modules/tinyd3/index.php?id=2 library. Beginning with the creative fireworks competition, `Fireworks up information will be mailed to the applicants later on.) Inquiries : Matsudo fireworks display executive committee, Art Contest`, there are many other programs worth seeing such Inquiries : Nebuta Office, TEL :09088914578 (ask for Mr. Lets have fun chatting in English! TEL: 0473667327 as the `Fireworks Museum` and `Collection of the Latest Gokita); FAX :0298566880; 1. City Chat Café : Regardless of age or nationality, you are most 4) Koga fireworks display (Ibaraki prefecture, Kogashi) works of National Fireworks Professionals` , as well as E-mail : [email protected] ; welcome to join us to chat in English while having a cup of cof 15,000 multicolored fireworks will be shot off. Largesized `Fireworks Illusion` , which is a fireworks show set to music. URL :http://www.tsukubanebuta.com fee at Lala Garden from 14:0016:00, on 29 Aug, 6 Sep and 27 fireworks called sanshakudama that are rarely seen in the Date and time : 29 th of August, 19:00~20:20, *Will be post Sep. For inquiry: [email protected] Kantō region will also be shot off. poned to the 30 th of August or 5 th of September in case of rain nebuta st People willing to pull the bampaku float: Among URL: http://www.sakura.cc.tsukuba.ac.jp/~icafe/ Date and time : 1 of August (Sat), 19:10~20:40, *Will be or stormy weather. floats and portable shrines, 1985 EXPO commemorative 2. Chattering In English : Free to join, no reservations needed, for postponed to the next day in case Place: Hashimoto Undō Park (15 minutes walking from the floats will also appear in the festival. Organizers are looking people around Tsukuba who like to chat in English. Held every of rain or stormy weather. Mitsukaidō station on the Kantō railway) for elementary school children willing to parade the float. Saturday from 14:00~16:00 at Azuma Community Hall (Tsukuba Place :Koga Golf Links (alongside Watarasegawa), 15 minutes Inquiries: Jōsō Kinugawa fireworks display executive com Center Building 4/F, Azuma 1101) (On the day of the festival the children need to be accompa walking distance from Koga station on the JR Mito line mittee, TEL: 0297222121 nied by a guardian or a parent.) For inquiries email : [email protected] (Ooba san)/ Inquiries: Koga City Hall, Tourism Division, st Jōsō City Hall, Tourism Division, TEL: 0297232111 How to apply: Apply via telephone by 31 of July (Fri). [email protected] (Naitou san) TEL : 0280923111 Local Research Institutes Open to Public for Summer Holidays Swimming pool information 2009 Vaccinations for Infants Library: Tsukuba Public Library. There are a great number of research institutions in the city of 1.)Hanabatake neighborhood park swimming pool The vaccination centers established in Tsukuba offers two ways of TEL: (856) 4311. Open : Tue thru Fri: 9:3019:00, Sa/Su/PH Tsukuba, and many of them have prepared observation areas or Outdoor 25 meterlong pool with a separate pool for infants. It is getting a vaccination. One can make an appointment and get an 9:3017:00 tours in order to increase the public awareness of science and not possible to bring in swim rings and toys etc. If infants are “individual vaccination” or can go on the appropriate day to the cen Other than Tsukuba Public Library, there the library rooms at technology. During summer holidays, from July 18 th (Sat) to going to use the pool they need to be accompanied by an adult. ter and get a group vaccination which is free of charge for certain age Yatabe Community hall, Tsukuba Community hall, Onogawa August 31 st (Mon), 38 institutes will be open for viewing, Working period: 1 st of July to 31 st of August groups. Community Hall and Kukizaki Community hall.(Tue Fri: mainly for children. Also, there will be several events at research Holidays: No holidays. However, the pool will be closed in case Polio Vaccination 10am 6pm) facilities which differ from their usual exhibitions which are of bad weather and low water temperature. Qualifying age : from 3 months ~ 90 months. Library closed on: July: 20,21, 27. introduced below. Hours or Operation: Tickets are available for each of the follow Reception hours: 13:00 ～14:20 August: 3,10,17,24,31 1.Tsukuba Expo Center Tsukuba City Azuma 29 ing time slots. In order to use the facilities past one time slot and *Children between the age of 1 and 2, who haven't been vaccinated, When borrowing from the library… TEL 0298581100) into the next, an additional ticket is required. need to get vaccination for measles and rubella as a priority. When borrowing books and other materials from the city li st Until August 31 (Monday), a special exhibit about bugs and 1. 9:30 ～ 11:30 2. 13:00 ～ 15:00 3. 15:30 ～17:30 July : Sakura Health Center: July 17. braries you will need a “Member’s Card”. If you are a resident technology is on display where surprising technologies in Fee: High school students and older: ¥210, Junior high school August : No group vaccinations available in August. in Tsukuba, you can simply apply at the central library or spired by the unique design and abilities of insects are intro students and younger: ¥100 (*Fee is the same for all time slots) community center libraries after having presented some docu duced. A special event centered on the observing of a cicada Location: Tsukubashi, Hanabatake 3115 “Tsukuba Rinrin Road” Photo Contest ment that states your address. Even if you don’t live in Tsu from its cocoon is also planned. Contact : Hanabatake neighborhood park management office, The Tsukuba Rinrin road is a 40.1km cycling road connecting Tsu kuba, but work or study here, you can apply for a card, but you st Date: `Mushi Teku Ten` is until August 31 (Monday), exclud TEL:0298642221 kuba and Tsuchiura City. This route presents the beautiful scenery of will also need to present a work or student ID. ing July 21 (Tuesday). 9:50~17:00 2.) Ninomiya Park swimming pool Mount Tsukuba and a peaceful country view. The photo contest fo Story telling: The library organizes story telling meetings in Entrance Fee: Adults (over 18) ¥300 、children ¥150 Outdoor 25 meterlong pool with a separate pool for infants. It is cuses on collecting pictures of the Rinrin road, people using the Rin the “Story Room” at the back of the Children’s Corner. Stories 2.JAXA Tsukuba Space Center （Tsukuba City, Sengen21 not possible to bring in swim rings and toys etc. If infants are rin road, places around the Rinrin road, etc. are told by volunteer story tellers. 1／TEL 0298682023 ） going to use the pool they need to be accompanied by an adult. Period: July 21~September 30 July 18, ,August 1, 8, 15, 29: 3.00 – 3.30pm st st The Tsukuba Space Center is the only place in Japan with a real Working period: 1 of July to 31 of August Categories : 1: Children (Grade 4 Elem. School~ Grade 3 Junior High July 25,August 22 : 3.00 – 3.30pm; 3.30 – 4.00pm HⅡ rocket on display. In addition, rocket engines used in fuel Holidays: No holidays. However, the pool will be closed in case School) 2: General Medical Checkup for Babies tests, test satellites and a full sized replica of the Japanese ex of bad weather or low water temperature. Intended for : Residents and workers or students living in Ibararaki Irrespective of residential area babies can receive the check periment wing of the International Space Station are all on dis Hours of Operation : Tickets are available for each of the follow Prefecture ups at the Sakura Health Center or Yatabe Health Center. A play. Entrance is free of charge. ing time slots. In order to use the facilities past one time slot and Size : Children: Cabinet Prints (2L prints) notification will be sent to you in the month prior to when the date ：Every Day10:00~17:00(Reception is until16:00) into the next, an additional ticket is required. General: 254x305mm (10x12 inches) checkup is supposed to be administered. For more informa No. per applicant : max 5 per person (*Unpublished only) tion, please inquire at either of the health centers or the City 3. National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and 1. 9:30 ～ 11:30 2. 13:00 ～ 15:00 3. 15:30 ～17:30 Application method : Attach the the photos to the designated form and Hall, Health Promotion Division. Technology (AIST) （Tsukuba City Umezono111／TEL 029 Fee : High school students and older: ¥210, Junior high school post it to the postal address below. The application form is distributed Sakura Health Center: 0298573931. Yatabe Health Center: 8626214 ）／Entrance is free students and younger: ¥100 (*Fee is the same for all time slots) Location : Tsukubashi, Ninomiya 115 at all Community Halls and can also be downloaded from the home 0298381100 Date and time ：July 25th （Saturday ）9:30~16:30 Contact :Ninomiya park management office, TEL:0298514439 page. Checkup at 1year and 6 months ・ （ ： ・ Contents Special Lecture lecturer Mathematician Jin 3.)Dōhō Park swimming pool Contact: Ibaraki Prefecture Planning Department, Regional Planning July : babies born in December 2007: Sakura Health Center: Akiyama) ・Robot Demonstration ・Science experiment show 50 meterlong, indoor warm water pool with 9 lanes. It is obliga Division, Promotion of Tsukuba Rinrin Road Office July 22 ・Tour ・ChildParent craft corner etc tory to wear a swimming cap. Elementary school children and 〒3108555 Mitoshi Kasaharacho 9786, Tel: 0293012735 August : babies born in January 2008 4．．．National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES) children younger than that need to be accompanied by an adult. URL: http:// www.pref.ibaraki.jp/bukyoku/kikaku/chikei/rinrinhp/ Sakura Health Center: August 4,26. Yatabe Health Cen （Tsukuba City Onogawa 162 ／TEL 0298502453 ） Children under the age of 4 cannot use the pool. tukubarinrinroadfhotocontestindex.htm ter: Aug 5 * Application forms can also be downloaded from the Tsuchiura Civil Check up at 3years of age Time and date ：July 25 th 9:30~16:00 Working period: throughout the year st Engineering Office website July : babies born in June 2006: Yatabe Health Center: July 15 Take a ride on a craneequipped working vehicle and view the Holidays: the 1 Wednesday of every month (sometimes there are extra holidays) Hours of operation ： April to November: URL:http://www.pref.ibaraki.jp/bukyoku/doboku/01class/ August : babies born in July 2006 ground below and buildings through a thermocamera from 15m Sakura Health Center: August 8,25. Yatabe Health Cen 9:00 ～21:00; December to March: 10:00 ～17:00 class23/5roadmap.html above ground, observe creatures living in the soil, experience ter: Aug 19 making a cloud out of PET bottles and many other activities and Fee: under 2 hours: adults: ¥350; junior high school/ high school Beware of Fraudsters Pretending to be City Hall Employees! lectures are going to be held. Admission is free. students: ¥200, elementary school students and younger: ¥140 Recently, it has been reported that fraudsters pretending to be City Clinics open on Holidays 5.National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Location : Tsukubashi, Ninomiya 220 Hall Employees, demand for personal information from the public. July 19 Yokota Iin, Yatabe 2980, Tel: 8360025 Prevention (NIED) Tsukuba City, Tennoudai 31／TEL 029 Contact: Dōhō Park management office, TEL: 0298521432 Remember that no City Hall employee would require anybody to Kimura Clinic, Tsukuriya 1125, Tel 8691211 ） ： st th 4.) Hotel Lakeside Tsukuba reveal any personal information to them over the phone, so refrain July 20 Watanabe Iin, Onozaki 476, Tel: 8510550 8637792 Time and Date July 31 , (Friday), August 14 , th 21 st and 28 th Open: ①10:30~11:30 ②14:00~15:00 Leisure pool with a largescale water slide. Working period : 18 from sharing personal information with a stranger by the phone. Tsukuba Byoin, Sasagi 1761, Tel: 8550777 of July to the 31 st of August (planned). Holidays: No holidays. Dr. Avalanche Rangers very popular `Summer Natural Disaster Leaking of personal information may lead to fraudsters stealing July 26 Miyamoto Naika Clinic, Karima 14, However, the pool will be closed in case Science Experiment Classroom` will be held during the above of bad weather or money from you by demanding remittance, etc. Tel: 8556565 low water temperature. Hours ： 9:00 ～17:00 (reception un Oda Naika Clinic, Oda 2951, Tel: 8672471 times. The strangely looking Dr. Avalanche, with his blonde wig Apply for Fixed Allowance As Soon As Possible! and colored glasses, is actually a researcher at NIED. He holds til 16:00). Fee : High school students and older: ¥900; elementary Aug 2 Sunshine Clinic, Yatabe 610714, Tel: 8393333 and junior high school students: ¥500, children 3 years and older: If you have not applied for the Fixed Allowance yet and qualify for it, Sakayori Iin, Kunimatsu 8552, Tel: 8660106 fun and easy to understand demonstrations about natural disas it is advised that you apply for it as soon as you can. In case you did ters across the country for children and adults alike. Parents and ¥300. Location: Tsukubashi, Shimoiwasaki 7081 Aug 9 Nanairo Ladies Clinic, Nishi Ōnuma 6376, Contact : Hotel Lakeside Tsukuba, TEL: 0298765050 not receive the application form between the end of March and the Tel: 8607716 children can enjoy educational activities like an avalanche ex beginning of April, contact the City Hall. To receive the Fixed Al periment or an explanation of the liquidation of the ground Hayashi Iin, Hōjō 192, Tel: 8670114 ●Science Tour Bus convenient for visiting research Institutes lowance you need to fill in the Application Form and submit it with caused by earthquakes. Free admission. Aug 16 Tsukuba Tsuji Clinic, Iias Tsukuba, The `Science Tour Bus` visits all the institutes that offer exhibits the required documents before the deadline. The deadline is the 24th 6.The Tsukuba Agricultural Research Hall （Tsukuba City Tel: 8687170 or tours year round. Usually only operating on weekends and of September. The condition for qualifying for the Fixed Allowance Tsukuba Chuo Byoin, Hōjō 5118, Kannondai 311／TEL 0298388980 ） holidays, this bus will operate every day except Mondays during is that you were registered as a resident or as a foreign resident (with th Tel: 8671211 Time and date ：July 25 （Saturday ）9:00~16:00/Free Admis summer vacation. You can use the day pass with unlimited rides a valid visa) at the City Hall on the 1st of February 2009 . For more Aug 23 Tsukuba Gakuen Byoin, Kamiyokoba 25731, sion 。Main events: ・Fruit and vegetable researchers answer (adults ¥500 , Elem. School children ¥250 ). A south course information contact the City Hall Fixed Allowance Office (1st floor Tel: 8361355 questions about summer holiday research projects ・`Udon` (Minami Mawari) and north course (Kita Mawari) exist, both Yatabe Branch Office) Tel: 0298369811 Hirose Iin, Hōjō 85, Tel: 8670127 making experience, tied into research at the facility ・Experience originate at the Tsukuba Station bus terminal, stop number 7. * Be careful of fraudulent calls regarding Fixed Allowance, if there is Aug 30 Kusunose Iin, Oguki 5091, Tel: 8762711 a suspicious call do not discuss any personal information and contact life in the olden days (with threshing etc) ・Crawfish catching TEL 0298636868 (URL) http://www.istep.org/tour/ Hirose Clinic, Kunimatsu 561, Tel: 8660129 * Free Bus from Tsukuba to AIST~NIES on July 25 the City Hall.