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Home , Hankai Line, Izumigaoka Station, Nakamozu Station, Osaka, Sakai, Sakai City Museum

EST. 1994 ISSUE 163

April/May 2021 Edition

Contents Legend: ity Life is a free English newsletter published every even month by the ☆ events New Facilities 2 C International Division at the City Government to provide infor- mation to the residents of Sakai City. It is available at libraries, ward offic- ◆ exhibitions Events 3-4 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 City Notices 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 Reference 6 following email address: [email protected]  help lines

Brand New in Sakai City!

Mozu Mounded Tombs Visitor Center Address: 2-160 Mozusekiuncho, Sakai-ku Nearest Station: 5 minute walk from Mozu Station (JR ) Time: 9:00~18:00 Admission fee: Free Closed: New Year holiday period

Nestled conveniently near the Worship Place of Nintoku-tenno-ryo , the building of the former Iroha café has been remodeled to be the Mozu Mounded Tombs Visitor Center. This facility will serve as a place to provide information to visitors who are new to kofun and their place in the history of ancient . The grand opening was on 13 March and I had the opportunity to visit beforehand to write this article. Although the final installations weren’t finished yet, the interior was stylish and spacious. I was informed that the panels will be in Japanese and English, with Korean and Chinese available via QR code, so hopefully many of the people visiting will be able to learn about our World Heritage Site kofun group. I am also looking forward to making a personal trip to see what they’re about. There are some seats available indoors and outdoors, making the facility a good place to take a rest at during an outing as well. The attraction that blew me away was the theatre show. The show uses projection mapping on a curved screen to bring the viewer into the stunning scenery of Sakai. It starts with some beautifully clear aerial shots of different-shaped kofun, surrounded by the hustle and bustle of urban life. It then uses dynamic animation to guide you through a timeline of how Sakai’s industries and famous sites came to be. Combined with powerful accompanying music, it is a great way to immerse yourself in a quick 10 minute overview of Sakai and its charms.

Sakai City Museum Re-open The renewal construction has been completed and the museum had their reopen on the same day as the Mozu Mounded Tombs Visitor Center! New features include reproductions of the stone chamber and stone coffin discovered in Nintoku-tenno-ryo Kofun, one of the largest reproductions of horse-shaped haniwa (clay figures) and a kids corner dedicated to explaining our World Heritage Site and history in an easy-to-understand manner. Address: 2-cho, Mozusekiun-cho, Sakai-ku Time: 9:30~17:15 (last entrance 16:30) Closed: Monday (open if public holiday) Admission: Adult 200 yen, university & senior high school 100 yen, junior high & primary school 50 yen

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April/May 2021 New Facilities

Ohama Arena & Ohama Budokan

The old Ohama Gymnasium has been rebuilt to become a new martial arts cen- ter! Using the Old Sakai Lighthouse located nearby as a motif, the arena aims to revitalize and “light up” Ohama Park. It boasts an arena which can hold up to 3000 people and a new budokan hall dedicated to martial arts, such as judo and kendo. So we can expect some high level matches to take place here! Of course, there are still regular gymnasium facilities available for personal use, starting from 500 yen per visit for adults. Address: 4cho & 5cho, Ohamakitamachi, Sakai-ku (inside Ohama Park) Nearest Station: 10 minute walk from (Nankai Line) Hours: 9:00~21:00 Closed: First Monday every month, New Year break, safety inspection days (irregular)

Giorno (ジョルノ) Grand Opening - 3 April

The new building adjacent the Sakai City Hall brings new stores and restaurants to the Sakaihigashi area and a new access route. A pedestrian overpass was opened earlier in March and conveniently connects Sakaihigashi Station straight to the city hall, cutting out the need to cross at the busy intersection. The top floors will be private apartments however some city facilities will be moving in, such as the Sakai Passport Center (open in May), Sakaikko Hiroba and a new Library Service Counter.

New walkway from Sakaihigashi Station View of Giorno from Sakaihigashi Station

☺ Sakaikko Hiroba (Sakai City Childcare Support Plaza) - Library Service Counter - Open 2 April Open 1 April Pick up your reserved books here and return items in the post This is a facility where children and guardians can gather, relax, slot located on the west side of the second floor. There are no mingle and learn. Consultations and information on child raising materials available to read but you can also make reservations are also available. In the play area, there is play equipment for items to pick up. indoors for children and adults to play together and be active. Access: 2F Giorno Events and seminars can also be held here. Other features Hours: 8:00~21:00 include a nursing room and changing room for babies, and Closed: 1st & 3rd a picture book room for reading. Thursday every Access: 3F Giorno month, New Year Hours: 10:00~17:00 holiday period, Closed: New Year holiday period and days facility inspection when Giorno closed days Target age: 0~12 years old *children and guardians cannot enter alone *every child must register in order to use the facility. Forms available at the reception Cost: Free Illustrations credit to freepik.com

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April/May 2021 Events

☆Harvest Hill: (TEL) 072-296-9911 (URL) http://farm.or.jp Wild Bird Watching Look for birds using binoculars. Time: 10:00~17:00 (last entrance 16:00) Date: Sunday 4 April Entry Fee: Adult 1000 yen Time: 10:20~12:00 Child (4 years old to elementary school) 600 yen Cost: Free Access: 20 minutes by Nankai bus (Habesutono-oka Bus Stop) Capacity: 20 people. Reservations needed. from on the Semboku Rapid Line. Strawberry & Red Bean Pancake Class Harvest Hill 21st Anniversary – Free entry on 14 April! Date: Weekends & public holidays in April Limited original goods handed out to the first visitors! Time: 13:45 Cost: 1600 yen Tulips Duration: 70 minutes 60,000 tulips in five colours! Peak Capacity: 36 people viewing is mid April. Place: Mura Area Flower Field Strawberry Ice Cream Class *may change depending on Date: Weekdays in April/May weather conditions. Check their Time: 14:15 website for more. Cost: 900 yen Duration: 40 minutes Free Sheepdog Show Capacity: 36 people A demonstration where a trainer com- mands a sheepdog to herd sheep with a Strawberry Melon Bread Class whistle. Date: Weekdays in May at 11:00 Date: Weekends between 10~25 April Weekends & public holidays in May at 15:30 Time: 13:30 Cost: 900 yen Place: Sheep house Duration: 60 minutes *there may be entry restrictions Capacity: 36 people

☆Cherry Blossom Viewing Spots ☆Rose de Mai ☆Sophia Sakai (TEL) 072-270-8110

- Daisen Park: Mozu Station (JR Date: 9~23 May Access: 1426 Fukaishimizu-cho, Naka-ku Hanwa Line) or Sakaishi-hakubutsukan Time: Sunset till 21:00 (till 19:00 if Located 12 minutes walk from Fukai Sta- -mae bus stop or Daisenkoen-nishi bus rainy) tion (Semboku Rapid Line) stop (Nankai Bus). The central pond is Place: Hamadera Park Rose Garden Closed on: Mondays (however open if a surrounded by about 400 cherry blos- (near the central entrance) public holiday) som trees. Nearest Station: Hamadera Koen - Nishihara Park: Togamikita Sta- Station (Nankai Line) or Hamadera Eki- Planetarium Show: “Earth Symphony” tion (Semboku Rapid Line). Consisting mae Station () Date: Weekends & public holidays until mostly of the popular variety Somei- Cost: Free 23 May yoshino, there are over 1600 cherry Closed: Monday (except for public holi- days), April 20 & 21, May 11 blossom trees planted here. ©KAGAYA Studio - Ohama Park: Sakai Station Time: 18:00~18:45 (Nankai Line). A park famous for cher- Cost: Adult 510 yen, ry blossoms from historical days. Child (4 years to junior - Ohasu Park: Izumigaoka Station high school) 250 yen (Semboku Rapid Line). A park which Come experience the takes its name from the Ohasu Pond beautiful phenomena which takes up a third of the total area caused by the Earth’s of the park. You can enjoy the reflec- atmosphere such as auroras, meteor showers, lightning & snow tion of the fully bloomed cherry blos- ☆Daisen Park Japanese Garden in a 360 degree dome theatre. soms in the water. Peonies - Shirasagi Park: Shirasagi Station Star Gazing (Nankai ). A park with Enjoy viewing potted peonies in and roughly 10,000 Japanese irises consist- Date: April 3, 9, 17, 23 and around the resting house. There are May 1, 7, 15, 21, 29 ing of 150 species. However it is also about 500 peony plants decorating the famous for its cherry blossoms. Time: 19:30~21:00 garden in a gorgeous color, indicating Place: 6F Astronomical Observatory - Kamotani Park: Komyoike Station the arrival of spring. (Semboku Rapid Line). There are spec- Why not come see the starry spring sky Date: Mid to late April through largest telescope in Prefec- tacular cherry blossoms planted along Time: 9:00~17:00 the river. ture! A free event, just come straight to the Closed: Monday (open if public holi- venue. No reservations needed. day) *may be cancelled due to Address: 17 Daisen- weather. Decision naka-machi, Sakai-ku made at 17:00, please Cost: Adult 200 yen, check the website for more primary & junior high details school students 100 *primary school children yen. Free for pre- and younger must be ac- schoolers and Sakai companied with an adult residents aged 65+

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Events April/May 2021

☆◆Children’s Day (5 May) Decora- ☆Olympic Torch Relay tions at Townhouse History Museums Date: Tuesday 13 April Seigakuin and the Residence Time: From 7:55 will display armors that have been Place: Starting at Daisen Park handed down for generations. The Yamagu- and finishing at the Sakai Plaza chi Residence will also be decorated by a big of Rikyu and Akiko carp streamer that is hand-painted by a craft Delayed 1 year due to COVID- master designated by , and 19, the torch relay for the hold a carp streamer workshop on Saturday 2020 Olympics will take place 1 May at 10:30 and 13:00. Reservations in Sakai City on 13 April. Sakai open from 10:00am Friday 2 April (6 people will be the starting city on that in one session, 1000 yen + admission). First day so there will be a departure come first serve basis, please call or fax the ceremony. Yamaguchi Residence. Traffic restrictions and delays TEL&FAX: 072-224-1155 in delivery, buses and the may occur Date: 28 April to 31 May around this event. Closed: Every Tuesday *open on 4 May closed on 6 May ☆◆Mihara History Museum Pottery Experience Time: 10:00~17:00 (last entrance 16:30) Make a cylindrical haniwa pen holder. Cost: 100 yen (Seigakuin) 200 yen Address: 281 Kuroyama, Mihara-ku The final piece will then be fired and (Yamaguchi Residence) 250 yen for both ready in a month. *free for junior high school and younger, Nearest Station: Daiho Bus Stop (Kintetsu-Nankai Bus) or Kurohimeyama Date: 2 May Sakai residents 65 years of age and older, Time: 10:00~12:00 and those with disabilities -kofun Bus Stop (Nankai Bus) & 13:30~15:30 Access: Opening hours: 9:00~17:15 Cost: 1000 yen ・Seigakuin: 5 minutes walk from Takasu Closed: Monday (unless a public holi- day), the day following a public holiday Things to bring: Jinsha Station (Hankai Line) or Shichido (unless a weekend or public holiday) writing tools, face mask, towel, apron Station (Nankai Line) and New Year holiday period Reservations: Email the participants ・Yamaguchi Residence: 3 minutes walk Cost: Per manent exhibition 200 yen, name, age and contact number to m- from Ayanocho Station (Hankai Line) special exhibition 500 yen [email protected] (first come first No car parking is available so please use Junior high school students and younger, serve basis) public transport. Sakai residents 65 years and older or Museum Concert – “Shomonraifuku those with disabilities can enter for free ~sound of Japanese drum~” Try Ringing a Buddhist Temple Bell A performance by 3 women who are (bonsho) mainly actively in the Kansai area Date: 4 April & 2 May Date: 30 May Time: 10:00~15:00 Time: 13:30 Cost: Free, come straight to the venue Reservations: Email the participants name, age and contact number to m- Ceramic Arts Exhibition [email protected] (first come first An exhibition centering around ceramics serve basis) using kofun as a motif Cost: Free Date: 2~27 May Place: M.C Hall Cost: Free Place: Exhibition gallery

☆Brunei Cuisine Cooking Video ☆Wisteria at Ohama Park ☺ COVID-19 Contact Confirming Application (COCOA) Scan the QR code to get a Ohama Park is a well-known location for recipe and video on how to wisteria (fuji). The park has three wisteria This is a smartphone app supplied by make the traditional Brunei pergolas, including one on the northern side Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor dish Ambuyat. Try making it of the monkey breeding cage, which was and Welfare. Install the app, turn yourself to experience the planted around when Ohama Park opened Bluetooth on, and you'll be notified jiggly texture. 1879. Now they are more than 130 years if you have had close contact (1m old. The roughly 25cm long draping white distance for more than 15 minutes) flowers will bloom in late April. The other with someone infected with COVID- two wisteria pergolas bloom light purple 19 in last 2 weeks. Scan the QR code flowers. below to download it to your Nearest Sta- smartphone. tion: Sakai Station (Nankai Line) Address: 4-3- 50 Ohamakita- machi, Sakai-ku Google Play App Store

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City Notices & Services April/May 2021

※Postponement of Pen- ※National Pension Payments Be- ※School Expense Subsidies sion Payment for Students fore and After Giving Birth Sakai City offers financial Students who earned an income of 1.18 Payment of contributions to the National assistance to families with million yen or less (threshold different Pension before and after giving birth will children in public primary for those with dependents or permanent be exempted upon notification. The ex- and junior high schools who employment) last year are eligible for a emption period will be considered the have difficulty covering postponement of payment of contribu- same as payment. primary school lunch fees, school sup- tions to National Pension. The period plies and other related expenses. Eligible under this system counts towards the Exemption period: families will fall into one of the following normal obligation time but is not reflect- 4 months from the month before the groups based on their total household ed in your pension amount. Furthermore, expected/actual date of birth income from 2020 (please note the if you happen to get a disability due to an (for multiple births, it will be 6 months amount of income may vary depending injury or sickness in this period, you may from 3 months before the on household members’ ages) be eligible for disability pension if you month of expected/actual ・2 person households – 1.84 million meet certain requirements. date of birth) yen or less Eligibility: ・3 person households – 2.38 million To apply, please bring your My Number Primary insured person yen or less card/My Number Notification card with (daiichigo hihokensha) ・4 person households – 2.64 million other personal identification, name seal and student ID to the Health Insurance To apply, please bring in your pension yen or less and Pension Division at your local ward booklet or My Number card/My Number ・5 person households – 3.03 million office. If you are continuing use of this Notification card with other personal yen or less system, please simply return the postcard identification and mother-child health The application process must be complet- when sent to you. book with which the expected/actual date of birth can be confirmed to the ed between 15 to 30 April (excluding Health Insurance and Pension Division weekends and public holidays). Apply ※Special Holiday Counter at your local ward office from 6 months either at the school your child is enrolled before the expected date of birth. at or bring your name seal and documen- tation for your bank account to your local Every ward office will have special holi- ward office’s application area. Applica- day counters on 3 and 4 April from ※Tax Notice tions can still be made after this period 9:00~12:00 to accommodate for the in- until the end of February next year, how- flux of people changing residences at this May will be the appointed time for pay- ever in that instance, subsidies will be time of year. calculated from month you apply. ment for the light vehicle tax and also Civic Affairs Division: the start of the first appointed time for Please note that the school expense Procedures for changing residence, name the fixed property and city planning subsidy does not roll over automatical- seal registration, issuance of copies of taxes. The deadline is Monday 31 May. ly and must be reapplied for each year. residence certificate etc., receiving My Please pay at the nearest banking facili- Number Card etc. ty, post office, convenience store, or by More detailed information will be deliv- Health Insurance & Pension Division: internet or mobile banking. Please make ered through schools at the start of April Qualification/disqualification for Nation- sure to pay before the deadline. and will be available in English, Chinese, al Health Insurance, qualification/ Korean, Spanish, Portuguese, Vietnamese disqualification for Medical Expense For those that use the automatic transfer, and Tagalog upon request. Subsidies for childcare etc. payment will automatically be deducted Child-raising Support Division: on Monday 31 May so please check that Application for Child Allowance you have sufficient funds. ※Spring Traffic Safety Campaign 6~15 April ☺Hospital Hours between 29 April & 2-5 May (Golden Week) Let’s remember to obey traffic lights and other traffic rules for safe driving. When Semboku Emergency Medical Center 9:30~11:30, 12:45~16:30, 17:30~20:30 riding bicycles, stick to the general rule Closed 30 April of riding on the left side of the 17:30~20:30 (1 May) road and put pedestrians first. Let’s prevent accidents by be- Sakai Dental Health Center 9:30~11:30, 12:45~16:30 ing considerate and courteous Closed 30 April to others. 17:30~20:30 (1 May)  Ministry of Health, Labour & Sakai Children’s Emergency Medical 9:30~11:30, 12:45~16:30, 17:30~4:30 of Welfare COVID-19 Call Center Center next morning 20:30~4:30 of next morning (30 April) TEL: 0120-565653 (free dial) 17:30~4:30 of next morning (1 May) Available all year round Languages: English, Chinese, Korean, Osaka Central Emergency Medical Clinic 10:00~21:30 Portuguese, Spanish (9:00~21:00) (eyes, ears, nose and throat care) 22:00~24:30 (30 April) Thai (9:00~18:00) 15:00~21:30 (1 May) Vietnamese (10:00~19:00)

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For Your Reference

 English Facebook Page  Sakai International Plaza TEL 072-228-7499 FAX 072-340-1091 The Sakai International Plaza’s Face- Email: [email protected] book page is a great source for the new- Closed 29 April & 2~5 May est information on what’s happening in ublished by the Inter- Sakai. Things like emergencies, disas- P national Division, Sa- Address: 1-4-24 Nakakawara- ter warnings, upcoming events written kai City Government. machi, Sakai-ku 〒590-0077. Lo- in English are regularly posted. Please 3-1 Minamikawara-machi, cated 300m from Sakaihigashi Station like our page by scanning the QR code! Sakai-ku, Sakai, Osaka 〒 (Nankai Koya Line) 590-0078

Opening Hours: Sunday to Friday  Emergency Numbers (TEL) 072-222-7343 9:00~17:30 (closed on public holidays and 110: accident or require police (FAX) 072-228-7900 New Year’s break 29 December to 3 Janu- 119: fire or medical emergency ary) (available in English, Chinese, This issue was compiled Korean, Spanish, and Portuguese) by Ellen Xiong, Coordina- General Consultations for Foreign Residents - Ambulances are free to use however, tor for International Rela- Please drop by in person or call during these they are only for emergencies, not for tions. Published on the hours if you have any queries regarding daily minor illnesses or injuries. first working day of every life. - When you call 119, the operator can set up a three second month. way call with an interpreter. It can take up to 10 Japanese/English Mon to Fri 10:00~12:00 seconds to connect, during which the caller should Pick up your next copy 13:00~16:00 wait on the line. from the International Di- vision (6F Sakai City Hall) Portuguese Mon 13:00~16:00 ○♣ Smoking and Littering Ban or from: Fri 9:00~12:00 In Sakai City, there is a ban on smoking and littering  Ward Offices stretching from around Sakai Higashi station, the Spanish Mon & Fri 13:00~16:00  Libraries City Hall and Oshoji road to Sakai station  Korean Tues 9:00~12:00 (East to West). There is a 1000 yen penal- ty fee if caught.  Public health centres Chinese Wed 13:00~16:00 The areas of western Sakaihigashi station,  Public gyms Fri 9:00~12:00 , Mikunigaoka station,  Cultural halls JR Sakaishi station and the shopping in front  Or read it online! *Languages other than Japanese/English of it have been marked as priority areas for improve- will be conducted through a 3-way call ment. We appreciate your cooperation. Foreigners living in Sakai are eligible for free deliv- The Sakai International Plaza provides sup- ○♣ Parking Ban-Zones for Bicycles ery. Please email us with with daily life enquiries in 11 languages & Mini Bikes your name and address to: through the use of translation devices and Each railway station in Sakai city (except [email protected] interpreting services. Residents can come by for the Hankai Line) is designated as a between 10:00~12:00 and 13:00~16:00 on parking ban zone. Bicycles and mini Readers can also sign up Monday to Friday for advice. Languages bikes left in the zone will be removed. In addition, we for an email notification as include English, Chinese, Korean, Vietnam- will collect the removal & storage fee for the return each new City Life is pub- ese, Nepali, Indonesian, Taga- of a removed bike or mini bike. Please use the park- lished. Use the QR Code ing lot to park a bicycle or mini-bike. log, Thai, Portuguese and Span- or the link on the City Life ish. homepage to go to the reg- istration website. The reg- ○♣ Storing Water in Case of Disaster Free Confidential Consultation It’s important to store drinkable water for at least 7 istration process is all in 14 April & 19 May, 14:00~17:00 days in case of a disaster. One person drinks about 3 Japanese but there is an liters of water for one day. It is necessary to save English guide on the page. Consultations on naturalizations and immi- water in case of a large earthquake that could result grations with an administrative procedure in water pipes being damaged, causing filthy or sew- specialists are available for discussing the age water not being properly disposed. status of or changes to applications. Three If this happens, it is recommended that slots available (Reservations required). you refrain from using the water from Those that require an interpreter must apply the pipes. By doing this, you can re- at least 10 days before the date of the consul- duce the sewage up to about 70%. tation. ○♣ Waterworks & Sewage Bureau Reminder

Volunteer Interpreter Service Please contact the center when you need to Those who need interpretation can apply for start or stop your water supply. Also, please a volunteer interpreter at the Sakai Interna- make sure to pay your water bill on time. If not, the water supply may stop. tional Plaza. Please make sure to apply 10 days in advance using the form Waterworks & Sewage Bureau Customer Center available for download from (TEL: navi-dial) 0570-02-1132 the QR code. Please hand it in (TEL) 072-251-1132 (Japanese only) via post, fax or email. Weekdays: 8:45~19:00 Weekends & public holidays: 9:00~17:00

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