HINA DOLL'S FESTIVAL

In session - March 3 (Sun) March 3 (Sun)-April 3 (Wed) March 9 (Sat),10(Sun) Hina doll display at Semba - Doll festival - Tour of Hina decoration in Sakai Nanamachi Jinaimachi Hina Tour Hina doll decorations dating from the Taisho to early An early spring event, bringing spring to Jinaimachi, Showa era which have been kept in old established where beautiful hina dolls decorate approximately 100 families with deep ties with Semba are on display to the sites in town. public in registered tangible cultural properties (structures) in the north Semba area! （PLACE） Jinaimachi and its outskirts *Only external viewing is allowed for some areas, and （SCHEDULE） 10:00-16:00 (No cancellation in rain) some areas may be closed to the public depending on the （PRICE） Hina doll viewing is free of charge. day. There are also free and charged events. （ENQUIRIES） Jinaimachi Shiki Monogatari Executive （PLACE） Several sites in north Semba Committee 0721-24-5500 （SCHEDULE） Festivals times may vary depending on the program. （PRICE） Admission free * Fee is charged in some programs. "Tour of Hina decoration in Sakai Nanamachi" started in （ENQUIRIES） Semba EXPO Executive Committee 2012. Hina decorations can be found at shops near "Takasu Jinja Shrine" and "Ayanocho" stops on the Hankai 06-6681-6170 Tramway (some shops may be temporarily closed). More exhibits have been added this year for a livelier tour.

（Place）Around Sakuranocho, Sakai-ku, Sakai （Price） Admission free *Admission required for the family house and Seigakuin in Sakai city,200yen and 100yen,respectively. *Junior high school students or younger/seniors (65 years old or older/people with Disability: Admission free *100 yen (comes with a postcard) as Facility Maintenance Support fee is required for Sakai Firearms Museum. （Enquiries） “Tour of Hina decoration in Sakai Nanamachi” Executive Committee 072-229-3253

CHERRY BLOSSOM

Late March - Early April Mid March - Late April Late March - Mid April Park Daisen Park Castle Park The park's roughly 300 cherry blossom trees welcome The season when the castle tower can be seen at its visitors in full bloom. The view of the blossoms from our splendid best. The contrast given by the cherry blossoms Red Falcon roller coaster is nothing short of amazing! and the castle tower has a classical Japanese feel to it.

*The schedule may be advanced or postponed due to the *The schedule may be advanced or postponed due to the state of the flowers. state of the flowers.

（PLACE） Hirakata Park （PLACE） Osaka Castle Park （PRICE） 1,400 yen / 2 years old - elementary school （PRICE） Admission free (except some facilities) age and under 800 yen （ENQUIRIES） Osaka Castle Park Center 06-6755-4146

Why not enjoy approx. 1000 cherry blossoms in the park surrounded by the greenery and history among the (ancient tombs)!

*The schedule may be advanced or postponed due to the state of the flowers.

（PLACE） Daisen Park （PRICE） Admission free （ENQUIRIES） Daisen Park Office 072-241-0291

SUMO WRESTLING

March 3 (Sun) Umekita Sumo Tournament March 10 (Sun) - 24 (Sun) March Grand Sumo Tournament Visitors can get up close and personal to An exciting sign that spring is here! Witness witness intense sumo bouts. This is the intense bouts between sumo wrestlers and perfect chance to experience sumo, come to understand the traditional beauty 's national sport! of Japan's national sport. Everyone deserves to experience sumo once! （PLACE） 1F Knowledge Plaza, （PLACE） Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium Grand Front Osaka North Building （PRICE） Same day tickets: （SCHEDULE） 14:00 - 16:00 *Times may Unreserved seating 2,100 yen / Children vary depending on Programs. (ages 4-15) 200 yen *Cash only （PRICE） Free for spectators *Some events may require an admission fee （ENQUIRIES） Grand Front Osaka 06-6372-6300

Events may be canceled or postponed due to weather or other reasons without notice. TRADITIONAL EVENTS

March 25 (Mon) March 18 (Mon) - 24 (Sun) March 17 (Sun) Natanegoku Festival (spring ritual in Kawachi) Higan-e (Buddhist equinoctial service) in the spring Kinen Festival Special festival where Natanegoku is given away. Also called "Toshigoi Festival", this is one of the most important festivals. （PLACE） Domyoji Temmangu Shrine （PRICE） Admission free （PLACE） Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine （ENQUIRIES） Domyoji Temmangu Shrine （SCHEDULE） 10:00- 072-953-2525 （PRICE） Admission free （ENQUIRIES） Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine 06-6672-0753

The jissokan ritual is held on the vernal equinox day when the length of night and day becomes the same.

（PLACE） Shitennoji Temple （PRICE） Admission free （ENQUIRIES） Shitennoji Temple 06-6771-0066

FEATURED EVENT

March 24 (Sun) March 21 (Thu) - May 28 (Tue) March 16 (Sat) ,17 (Sun) The 15th Shijonawate Nanko Matsuri Festival Special Exhibition Children and Toys Exhibition The 3rd Zakkamura Witness the stunning sight of roughly 200 children decked The Garden of Floral Culture will be filled with a selection out in authentic warrior garb marching to the temple. of beautiful, handmade accessories and zakka, miscellaneous everyday goods. （PLACE） Shijonawate Shrine Don't miss out on two fun days of food and zakka! （SCHEDULE） 11:00 - 14:00 *Event booths 12:00 - 14:00 （PLACE） Osaka Garden of Floral Culture (Fululu Garden) （SCHEDULE） 9:30 - 16:30 *Horseback riding 12:30 - 15:00 （PRICE） Free for spectators （PRICE） 540 yen / High school students 220 yen *Horseback riding: Free Food and drink as well as （ENQUIRIES） Osaka Garden of Floral Culture experience booths require a fee. 0721-63-8739 （ENQUIRIES） Shijonawate City Hall 072-877-2121(Extension 543)

Observe changes in children and society at large through a collection of toys from the (1603 - 1868) all the way through to post-war Japan.

（PLACE） National Museum of Ethnology （SCHEDULE） 10:00 - 17:00 (last admission 16:30) Closed: Wednesdays *Open May 1 (Wed/holiday) （PRICE） 420 yen / university and high school students 250 yen *Visitors may also view exhibits in the main building. *Some exhibits may change while the event is in session. （ENQUIRIES） National Museum of Ethnology 06-6876-2151

March 8 (Fri) - 17 (Sun) Early March - Early June March 7 (Thu) - 10 (Sun) Osaka Asian Film Festival Nanrakuen Amanatsu Mandarin Picking Gyoza Market "From Osaka, to all of Japan and Asia!" is the theme The popular Gyoza Fest is coming to Kansai for the first behind this diverse project. This is your chance to discover time. Gyoza from a selection of famous restaurants will be films from all over Asia. for sale in the Kintetsu Abeno Harukas Main Store.

（PLACE） ABC Hall : March 13 (Wed) - 17 (Sun) （PLACE） Abeno Harukas Kintetsu Main Store Wing Cine Libre Umeda : March 8 (Fri) - 17 (Sun) Building 9F Hankyu Umeda Hall : March 8 (Fri) （SCHEDULE） 10:00 - 20:00 *10 (Sun) 10:00 - 17:00 （PRICE） Advance tickets: 1,300 yen / Same day （PRICE） Admission Free tickets: 1,500 yen (same day tickets are 500 yen for *Food and drink charges not included. anyone under 22 years old) （ENQUIRIES） Abeno Harukas Kintetsu Main Store 06-6624-1111

From March until the beginning of June, amanatsu mandarin picking includes all-you-can-eat mandarin oranges! There's no time limit on this outdoor all-you-can- eat session. Savor one juicy delight at a time!

（PLACE） Nanrakuen Orchard （PRICE） Adults: 600 yen / Children: 500 yen / Infants: 400 yen （ENQUIRIES） Tourist Farm Nanrakuen 072-298-5037

Events may be canceled or postponed due to weather or other reasons without notice.