Osaka Tenmangu Shrine
大阪天満宮

Needle Festival
February 8
An event to thank for a Needle.
It stings a needle and the thorn which became old broken in big konnyaku

大阪天満宮　お針まつり
2月8日
神事は10:00～10:30頃、催し物は10:30～12:00頃
境内の吉備社で神事が行われた後、大阪和服裁縫協同組合の主催で、はりにかんしゃし労をねぎらう行事が行われます。参拝客は、大きなこんにゃくに折れた針や古くなった針を刺します（参加無料）。物品の販売やぜんざいなどの振る舞い（なくなり次第終了・志納金要）もあります。

神事/10:00～10:30頃、催し物/10:30～12:00頃

Although Tenjin shrines are all over the country, Osaka Temmangu is one of the most famous, along with Kitano Temmangu Shrine in Kyoto and Dazaifu Temmangu Shrine in Fukuoka. It is dedicated principally to Sugawara-no Michizane, but Saruta-no Hiko-no-mikoto and others are honored. Daishogun-sha, an affiliated shrine inside the shrine compound, was believed to be the first shrine to be established for the protection of Nagaratoyosakinomiya Palace. In 949, a shrine hall was constructed on Emperor Murakami's command to comfort the troubled spirits of Michizane. It was destroyed by fire several times, and the current main hall and the entrance gate were built in 1845. It has been fondly called Tenjin-san in Temma. Tenjin Matsuri is one of the three great festivals of Japan. This is an excellent boating event, featuring beautiful dolls believed to be created in around 1690. A total of 14 dolls are preserved as ethnological materials of Osaka Prefecture.

Ohatsu Tenjin Shrine

Date: February 3rd

Built more than 1100 years ago, the shrine has been appreciated by many locals. The original name of the shrine, Tsuyu-tenjinsha is said to be derived from a word, "tsuyu" (dew) used to describe tears in the poem written by Sugawarano Michizane. In 1703, young lovers who were not destined to be together took their own lives in the shrine's forest. The tragedy inspired Chikamatsu Monzaemon to dramatize the incident and to write the famous love story, "Sonezaki Shinju." The pureness of love moved audiences to tears and the play became a sensation. The main character, Ohatsu especially left a vivid impression to many, and the shrine began to be commonly called "Ohatsu-Tenjinsha" eventually. Ever since then, the shrine has been known as the god of love and brought many praying for a good match.

2/3 16:00～19:00
鬼が近隣を巡り境内に帰る｢豆まき行事｣が行われる。その後は山伏による護摩木の｢お火焚き｣神事など、節分祭の諸行事も開催。16:30～は｢うどん｣｢ぜんざい｣｢お神酒｣のふるまいを18:00頃まで行う予定。

KOBE Nagata Shrine
According to Nihon Shoki, Nagata Shrine was founded by the Empress Jingū at the beginning of the 3rd century CE along with Hirota Shrine, dedicated to Amaterasu, Sumiyoshi Taisha and Ikuta Shrine, dedicated to the kami Wakahirume.

室町期より執行されている追儺式神事は、神の使いを務める七匹の鬼役が、前日より井戸水を何回もかぶり練習を重ね厳重な精進潔斎し、当日早朝には須磨の海岸で身を清めた上奉仕される。
神の名代としての鬼は、松明（麦藁で作ったたいまつ）の炎で種々の災を焼き尽くし、太刀で寄り来る不吉を切り捨て、天地を祓い国土を清め、一年の無病息災を願い、再び巡り来る一陽来復の立春を喜び祝う。最後の見せ場の餅割行事が圧巻。
　 尚、ミニサイズのたいまつと餅花を災難よけに授かる習わしがある。
Feb 3 1:00Pm ～ 2月3日　午後１時　節分祭

Feb 3 2:00Pm ～ 6:00Pm
午後２時～６時ごろ　越しきついな式神事（検視定住用無形民俗文化財）
Tsuina Ceremony
Tsuina Ceremony at Nagata Shrine February 3, 2:00Pm to 6:30 Pm special stage.

Tsuina, also known as Oniyarai or Onioi, is an annual event that began during the reign of Emperor Monmu (A.D 697-708) and was celebrated at the Imperial Court, shrines, temples, and in homes on the last day of the year, It somewhat resembles the bean-scattering ceremony celebrated nowadays by families. Tsuina is now held on Setsubun (the last day of winter by the old calendar) to celebrate the start of spring on the following day. On the day of the ceremony, seven ogres named lchiban Taro Ogre, Red Ogre, Hag Ogre, Ho-osuke Ogre, Blue Ogre, Mochi Ogre, and Shirikujiri Ogre, five boys (aged 10 or so) as sword-bearers, and about a dozen stage managers take part in this traditional divine ceremony.

中山寺　星祭節分会

Feb 3 13:00～、　15:00～

Nakayama-dera (中山寺 Nakayama-dera) is a Buddhist temple, in Takarazuka, Hyōgo, Japan.
The ‘engi’, or the official history of the temple, recorded that the temple was founded by Prince Shotoku, in the 6th century. It is one of the most popular temples in the region. Today’s buildings of this temple were mainnly built by Toyotomi Hideyori in the 17th century. Hideyori is a son of Toyotomi Hideyoshi who unified Japan in the 16th century.
古くから伝わる追儺式を宝塚歌劇団が現代風にアレンジ。緑・赤・黄の邪鬼が観音様に諭され、福・禄・寿の善神に変身するまでを描いた音楽ショーが披露されます。招福豆まき式は午後2回開催。年の変わり目の節目に、その年の当たり星をまつって、悪い年は悪事災難を免れるように、良い年は一層善くなるように祈祷する「節分開運星祭（星祭特別祈祷）」が行われ、申込者には御札が授けられます。

Osaka International Women’s Marathon
(42.195km)

Nagai Stadium
Jan 29 (Sun) 12:10 start

The Osaka International Women’s Marathon starting from Nagai Athletic Field is a hot contest with approx. 500 participants.

Top runners from Japan and abroad race in the streets of Osaka. Starting at Nagai Stadium, passing through the Osaka Castle Park, past the Osaka Municipal Hall, down Midosuji Street, and back through the park to finish at the stadium.

From 12:10pm. Free admission. Nearest stn: Nagai
Access:
A: Accessible from Nagai Station on the Midosuji Subway Line
B: Accessible from Tsurugaoka Station or Nagai Station on the JR Hanwa Line

大阪天満宮

Osaka Temmangu Shrine
（ 大阪天満宮 ）
Hatsu Tenjin Baika festival
初天神梅花祭
From 24 to 25 on January
1月24日～25日


Usokae (Bullfinch Exchange)

This is an event held at the shrine dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane (845-903) who is familiarly called Tenjin-sama.
People receive wooden dolls carved in the shape of uso (bullfinch), known as a lucky bird, and pray for good fortune.
The bullfinch is believed to be Tenjin-sama's messenger.
Sugawara no Michizane was a scholar, poet and politician of the Heian Period, and is worshipped as a god of learning in Japan. He was an honest man, never telling lies and some say that the origin of usokae comes from the Japanese word uso meaning "lies," which also corresponds with the name of this bird. Everyone tells lies, whether they intend to or not, and in order to exchange "lies" told in the previous year for "truths," people bring their old wooden uso dolls to be exchanged for new ones.


初天神梅花祭
2012年1月24日～25日
毎月２５日は菅原道真公の御縁日である。
１月２５日は菅公左遷の命の下った日であり、この日を追憶し菅公の御霊を慰めるために、愛でられた梅の小枝を神饌に添えてお供えすることから「梅花祭」という名称が起こった。また、年の始めの御縁日であることから、この祭を「初天神」と称している。因みに１２月２５日を終（しまい）天神と称する。

午前９時半　　　初天神梅花祭

午後１時　　　　うそ替え神事

午後２時～３時　通り抜け参拝

午後４時　　　　福玉まき


うそ替神事　13:00～、福玉まき　16:00～
「うそ替神事」は、前年中のうそを菅公の愛鳥「うそ鳥」に託して、まことにかえ、罪を祓い福を招く神事。参拝者は、太鼓の合図にあわせて御守を交換。太鼓が鳴り止んだ時、御守に入っていた印によって「うそ守り」が授与され、その人は1年が幸運であるとされます

Kobe Nankinmachi Shunsetsusai
( Chinese New Year Festival )
Jan 23–29 2012

Though the Western calendar is used as the standard for public administration in China, the lunar calendar, which has been traditionally used in agriculture, sets Shunsetsu (this year as Jan 23) as New Year's Day, which is when the holiday is celebrated. The lion dance is performed about the town with "Long long" (the male dragon) and "Mei long" (the female dragon) wildly dancing. Visitors can enjoy authentic Chinese food at the many stalls and stands and maybe even try a rare taste not usually encountered in one's day-to-day life. Attracting many visitors with a variety of events and Chinese food, this is one of the more famous festivals of wintertime.

旧暦で節句を祝う中国では旧暦のお正月を「春節」として盛大に祝います。この時期の中国は爆竹が鳴り響き、祝い事には欠かせない龍や獅子が舞い踊り、大いに賑わいます。

南京町でも旧暦の正月に合わせ、1987年（昭和62年）から「春節」をアレンジし「春節祭」として開催が始まりました。その後、昭和天皇崩御の年と阪神淡路大震災の年の２回は中止となりましたが、今年は23日（月）が旧暦元日にあたる【春節】です!! 1997年（平成９年）には、神戸市の地域無形民俗文化財に指定されました。

【1月22日（日）】
タイムスケジュール
〈南龍游行...龍と獅子のパレード〉
12：00～13：00　―南京町～三宮センター街
〈大丸北側道路演技〉
14：10～14：50　獅子舞・龍舞
〈南龍游行...龍と獅子のパレード〉
15：15～16：15　―元町商店街～南京町
※時間・ル―トは予告なく変更される場合があります。
※途中休憩あり

【1月23日（月）】
タイムスケジュール
〈中国史人游行...一般公募の方と共に、三国時代などの中国の歴史上の人々に仮装するパレード〉
12：00～12：30　人物紹介（ステージにて）
12：30～13：15　―元町商店街
15：00～15：20　―三宮センター街
16：00～16：30　―南京町
※時間・ルートは予告なく変更される場合があります。

Toka Ebisu (10th day of Ebisu) Festival
十日 えびす

January 9 through 11

Held on January 9 through 11 at the Imamiya Ebisu Shrine, the lively Toka Ebisu Festival draws throngs of people who come to pray for prosperity in their business and buy new "fukusasa" sacred bamboo branches decorated with lucky items in hopes of the success of their endeavor. The deity of commerce at Ebisu shrines is affectionately called Ebessan and is professed to be good luck by those engaged in commerce and business. Everyone in the merchant city of Osaka knows and loves the Toka Ebisu Festival. The shrine itself is visited nnually by a million people who come to pray for commercial prosperity.

2012年1月9日～11日
Hoekago Parade
at the Toka Ebisu Festival at Imamiya Ebisu Shrine
January 10

Toka Ebisu is a traditional event that originated with geisha in Nanchi district who prayed to the Ebisu god known as Ebessan for business success on behalf of their patrons in Semba district. Currently, people doing business in Minami district, famous entertainers, fuku-musume (lucky maidens) and geisha in colorful palanquins parade through the streets to Imamiya Ebisu Shrine.

[Parade Route]
Departure Ceremony (around 09:40 at Tombori River Walk) — Former Nanchi Yamatoya — WINS Dotombori — Former Kadoza — Nakaza Cui-daoré Bldg. — Ebisubashi Hashizume — Former Sennichimae Kokusai Gekijo — Yoshimoto Kaikan — Former Japan Tobacco Inc. — DIVE Bldg. — Hirota Shrine — Imamiya Ebisu Shrine (arrive around 12:10)

Transportation
Subway Midosuji Line to Namba Sta.
Area between Ebisubashi and Tazaemon

SAKA Hikari-Renaissance 2011

2011 from December 14 (Wed), 2011 to December 25 (Sun).

Osaka Hikari-Renaissance Executive Committee (consists of Osaka city and representatives from the private sector) is planning OSAKA Hikari-Renaissance 2011 from December 14 (Wed), 2011 to December 25 (Sun). Building a town of lights, the 9th OSAKA Hikari-Renaissance is the symbol of Aqua Metropolis Osaka, beaming out the energy of Osaka in“light” from Nakanoshima, Osaka.
This year, numerous plans have been prepared for the “Central Venue” around Osaka City Central Public Hall and the “East Venue” in Nakanoshima Park (Rose Garden, etc.), and are waiting for you to come and see them.

Venue : In front of Osaka City Hall, around Miotsukushi Promenade, from Osaka City Central Public Hall to Nakanoshima Park.

Kyoto Arashiyama Hanatoro 嵐山Hanatoro
December 9 to 18, 2011.

Hanatoro (花灯路, Hanatōro), which means "flower and light road", is a set of illumination events that take place in the Higashiyama District of Kyoto in March and the Arashiyama district of Kyoto in December. During Hanatoro the streets are illuminated by thousands of lanterns set throughout popular areas combined with flower and light displays.

Many temples and shrines are illuminated and have special extended viewing hours. In addition, live and street performances are held at stages around the area. The pleasant and unique atmosphere of Hanatoro attracts many visitors who can stroll the streets and see a different side of Kyoto.

Kasuga Taisha Shrine
（ 春日大社 ）
Kasuga Wakamiya Onmatsuri
December 15 to 18

가스가와카미야온마쓰리
12월15일∼18일

春日若宮禦祭
12月15日-18日

春日若宮おん祭
（かすがわかみやおんまつり）

Kasuga Wakamiya Onmatsuri is a festival held in Nara at the end of the year. Beautifully dressed people walk about in costumes of the 9th to 19th century. Some of them ride horses. During the festival days, Kagura and Maigaku (traditional Japanese dances and performance of ancient Japanese musical instruments) are dedicated to the shrine.

Take bus No.70,88,97,98 or 133 and get off at Kasuga Taisha Honden.

야마토지 길에서 벌어지는 연중 행사의 피날레가 되는 호화로운 축제. 홍백의 깃발을 앞세우고 헤이안(平安) 시대(9세기)부터 에도(江戶) 시대(19세기)까지의 복장을 갖춰 입은 사람들이 말을 타고 줄지어 행진합니다. 또한, 가구라(神樂)음악과 무악(舞樂) 등 신사 행사와 관련된 예능을 신에게 봉납합니다.

JR 긴테쓰나라역에서70, 88, 97, 98, 133번 버스로 [가스가다이샤혼덴]하차, 바로 근처

作为在大和路举行的年内活动落幕的豪华祭礼。头阵打着红白旗，穿着从平安时代（9c）到江户时代（19c）的服装的人们骑着马整队游行而来。同时，也在神前献纳神乐、舞乐等技艺的祭神仪式。

从JR-近铁奈良车站乘70、88、97、98、133路公共汽车，到Kasuga Taisya Honden下车后即到

作為在大和路舉行的年內活動落幕的豪華祭禮。頭陣打著紅白旗，穿著從平安時代（9c）到江戶時代（19c）的服裝的人們騎著馬整隊遊行而來。同時，也在神前獻納神樂、舞樂等技藝的祭神儀式。

從JR-近鐵奈良車站乘70、88、97、98、133路公共汽車，到Kasuga Taisya Honden下車後即到

渡り式（おわたりしき）

午後12時50分頃より南大門交名の儀(なんだいもんきょうみょうのぎ)

午後1時頃より松の下式(まつのしたしき)

午後2時頃より競馬 （Horse racing）

午後2時半お旅所祭
午後2時半頃より稚児流鏑馬(ちごやぶさめ)

午後3時半より10時半頃まで神楽（かぐら）東遊（あずま遊び）田楽（でんがく）細男(せいのお) 猿楽(さるがく) 舞楽（ぶがく）和舞(やまとまい)

春日若宮おん祭の起源は、1136年当時、全国的な洪水飢饉のために万民が苦しんでいるのを憂えた時の関白藤原忠通公が若宮神を春日野の仮御殿にお遷し申し上げて数々の芸能を奉納し、丁重にお祭りしたところ、雨は止み、作物豊穣となり、天下が無事に治まったので、以来毎年行うことになったと伝えられています。
神秘的な神事が厳格に守られ、芸能においては、日本古来の神楽などをはじめ、大陸から伝来した舞楽や、中世民間におこった田楽・猿楽等の珍しい芸能も正しい形で継承されており、生きた古典芸能博物館といわれています。
15日に大宿所（おおしゅくしょ）でお祭りが行われ、16日に若宮神社で宵宮のお祭りが行われますが、何と言っても17日が一番盛り上がり、午前0時から始まる遷幸（せんこう）の儀から午前11時の還幸（かんこう）の儀まで24時間中お祭りが続きます。
一般的に、正午から始まるお渡り式が有名ですが、午後2時30分から行われるお旅所祭は、おん祭の本番ともいうべき中心行事です。仮御殿へお遷りになられた若宮様の御前、芝居の語源といわれる芝舞台の上で、厳粛な祭典が斎行され、神楽をはじめとする珠玉の古典芸能が午後10時30分頃まで、絶え間なく奉納されます。18日にはお祭りに関わった人々へのねぎらいの行事といわれる後宴として、奉納相撲と後宴能が行われます。

2011 Kobe Luminarie

In [KOBE]
December 1~ December 12
From Monday to Thursday about 18:00 - 21:00

Friday about 18:00 - 22:00

Saturday about 17:00 - 22:00

Sunday about 17:00 - 21:30

The Kobe Luminarie began as a requiem and prayer for recovery and hope after the Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake that occurred in 1995.
This years Kobe Luminarie is scheduled to be held for 12 days between Thursday, December 1 and Monday, December 12.
Each day the illumination will begin from the following times.

神戸ルミナリエ』は、阪神・淡路大震災犠牲者の鎮魂の意を込めるとともに、都市の復興・再生への夢と希望を託し、大震災の起こった1995年の12月に初めて開催しました。
以来、神戸ルミナリエは震災の記憶を語り継ぎ、都市と市民の「希望」を象徴する行事として、毎年開催しています。
今年、2011年で17回目を迎える『神戸ルミナリエ』。

Shin-no Festival

November 22、23

It is performed every year on .23 day on November 22

Held on November 22 and 23 at Sukunahikona Jinja Shrine, this is a festival dedicated to the guardian god of Doshomachi, Osaka's medicine district, and to Shinno, the divine founder of medicine from China. During the festival, the shrine is crowded with people holding bamboo branches with a "paper tiger" attached believed to ward off evil, and who pray for protection against illness and other misfortune. People in the drug and pharmaceuticals business also come here for assistance from this god.

日本の薬祖神である少彦名命とともに、中国で医薬の神様、神農氏をお祀りしている
ところから「神農さん（しんのうさん）」で親しまれています。
神農祭の両日は、道修町通り（御堂筋と堺筋に挟まれた区域）に、くす玉飾りや献灯提灯が建ち、たくさんの露天がびっしりと軒を並べ、神虎（張子の虎）を求める参拝者で、終日にぎわっています。時代とともに参拝者は増加し、今では“町の祭り”から“大阪の年中行事”へと発展し、「少彦名神社　薬祖講行事」として、大阪市無形文化財（民俗・平成１９年）に指定されました。

ISHIYAMADERA TEMPLE, SHIGA

Kyogen Juhachi-Ban
Nov 19–27

Time: 5:30pm–8:30pm

Admission: ¥500 (to enter the temple)

A fantastic style of theatre called kyogen, which is a form of Japanese classical performing arts, will be put on the stage at this Buddhist temple in late autumn. Kyogen — it means literally mad words is a traditional farce play and teaches Buddhist beliefs by telling hilarious stories. In this event, 18 selected plays will be performed two different programmes per evening over 9 days. Although performers are students and working people from the kyogen circle, their skilful acting has won them great recognition. Ishiyamadera temple is one of the best places to enjoy autumn leaves and its trees will be illuminated during the event. Enjoy this gem of Japanese traditional theatre, presented among breathtakingly beautiful autumn leaves.

Set on the side of a mountain overlooking Lake Biwa, Ishiyama-dera temple was a popular pilgrimage in Murasaki's day. It was founded in 749 and is headquarters of one of the Shingon Buddhist sects.
And the temple is mentioned in the Ukifune chapter of The Tale of Genji and is the 13th temple of the Saigoku Kannon pilgrimage.

狂言
室町時代から600年以上受け継がれてきた伝統芸能。と言っても、登場人物は私たちと同じ庶民たち。彼らの日常生活をコミカルに切り取り、見ている中に自然と笑みがこぼれるような、面白可笑しいお芝居です。
初めての方にも、きっと楽しんで頂けます。

狂言十八番　奉納番組


狂言　「蝸牛」「花争」


狂言　「酢薑」「左近三郎」


狂言　「栗焼」「膏薬煉」


狂言　「土筆」「盆山」


狂言　「舎弟」「以呂波」


狂言　「濯ぎ川」「寝音曲」


狂言　「水掛聟」「文荷」


狂言　「居杭」「棒縛」


狂言　「舟船」「蟹山伏」

Tanzan-Jinja Shrine（談山神社）

Reitaisai
例大祭（れいたいさい）

Nov 17 Time: 10:30am～
11月17日 午前10時30分

This historic shrine, which reflects the belief of syncretization of Shinto with Buddhism, houses the deity of Kamatari Fujiwara. In the early history of Japan, Kamatari Fujiwara was a great politician and played a very important role in the Taika Reforms, a set of doctrines established by Emperor Kotoku in the year 646, uniting Japan. This annual festival is a memorial service for the great politician and therefore very important in the ritual calendar of Tanzan-jinja. On this day, Japanese classical performing arts called bugakuwill be on show. The performers are the famous bugaku team, Nantogakuso, whose skills have won great recognition. In addition to the perfor-mance, the autumn maple leaves around the venue will be creating their own spectacle.

Admission: ¥500 adults, concessions

舞楽 例大祭の行われる１１月１７日は御祭神・藤原鎌足公の命日にあたり、談山神社にとって最も意義深い祭です。
当日は南都楽所（なんとがくそ）によって、本殿石の間で舞楽が奉納されます。