Kyoto Prefecture Monthly News 4/8/2021 @No. 231 Published by Kyoto Prefectural Government. (http://www.pref.kyoto.jp) Contents * Japan's most luxurious commuting route * Preventing the spread of COVID-19 * Japanese business language training for international students * Life consultation for international residents * Screening gJapanese masterpiece moviesh (with English subtitles) for international students --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Japanfs most luxurious commuting route In the morning, awakened by the sun shining through the window, I head to work, finish duties for the day, and head back home. In my day-to-day life, today is another today where Ifm heading to work. A feeling of excited anticipation, heading to work is a joy to me. The same goes for the exhausted feeling in the evening after a long working day. Whenever I walk through the streets of Kyoto City, Ifm filled with an abundance of joy. Something that makes me feel this way are the mountains that surround the city, keeping watch over the citizens of Kyoto every day. There is a certain road that intersects Kyoto City, and itfs located in a basin surrounded by Higashiyama, Nishiyama, and Kitayama, at a right angle called "Goban-no-me", which is unique to Kyoto. I find it strange that the expressions of the mountains look different each day, and how they can change depending on the way you walk, or your mood at the time. "Which street should I walk down today ..." With that kind of question in my mind, I head off to work. However, during this time of year the one thing you should be particularly aware of is the possibility of heat stroke. Owing to being surrounded by these majestic mountains, Kyoto experiences many hot and humid days throughout the summer. Thatfs right, this is the particularly phenomenon Kyoto is known for due to its position at the bottom of a basin. So, make sure you stay hydrated whilst you admire the mountain scenery! Also, there are the five famous ceremonial mountain fires that are lit in the summer in order to guide the spirits of the ancestors to the underworld, an event thatfs looked forward to every year by Kyotofs citizens! The origins of these flames, known as gOkuribih in Japanese, (which is translated as gceremonial bonfireh but literally means gguiding flamesh) are unknown, but they have been carried out since the early Edo period. It seems the bonfires will be more muted this year owing to the ongoing state of affairs, but next year is sure to be a triumphant return, and I canft wait to walk down the streets of Kyoto and view those fires. Gazing at the mountains, which way should I walk home today? ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Preventing the spread of COVID-19 In Kyoto Prefecture, the latest information on the prevention of the spread of COVID-19 infections in Kyoto Prefecture is translated into multiple languages and posted on the Prefecturefs website. Please make use of this resource. Click one of the following to visit the homepage (Kyoto Prefecture) English: http://www.pref.kyoto.jp/kokusai/coronavirus_update.html Chinese: http://www.pref.kyoto.jp/kokusai/coronavirus_cn.htm l Vietnamese: http://www.pref.kyoto.jp/kokusai/coronavirus_vi.html Simple Japanese: http://www.pref.kyoto.jp//kokusai/yasashiinihongo.html ------------------------------------------------------------------- Japanese business language training for international students Kyoto Prefecture is carrying out gJapanese business language training for international studentsh who are currently studying at a University in the Prefecture, and hope to find employment in Kyoto. This training will be carried out online, and will help you improveme your Japanese language abilities in business situations. We are eagerly looking for international students to take part! (Please see the URL below for further details, such as the date and time) Participants: 50 people (first-come-first-served basis) Fee: Free Target audience: International students enrolled in universities, junior colleges, etc. in Kyoto Prefecture who are aiming to find employment in Japan Those who have Japanese ability of about N2 level or above Application period: From July 30th, 2021 (Friday) to August 13th, 2021 (Friday) 17:00 Click here to visit the website (Kyoto Prefecture homepage) The webpage is only available in Japanese. http://www.pref.kyoto.jp/kokusai/news/documents/ryuugakusei-nihonngo-bosyuu1.html --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Life consultation for international residents International residents living in Kyoto can receive consultations in their own language regarding procedures at the city hall, and any other issues they might be facing in their day to day lives. In Kyoto Prefecture, counselors travel to Yawata City and Kyotanabe City to set up a consultation desk. Itfs free to be utilized by anyone, including international residents and citizens of the prefecture who have relations to international residents, so please take advantage of it! (Please see the URL below for details such as dates and times) Fee: Free Click here to visit the website (Kyoto Prefecture homepage) http://www.pref.kyoto.jp/kokusai/news/21soudan.html ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Screening gJapanese masterpiece moviesh (with English subtitles) for international students The Kyoto Institute of Library and Archives will co-sponsor the Kyoto Branch of the International Foundation to hold a screening of Japanese masterpiece movies featuring English subtitles that will help to introduce Japanese culture. This time, the masterpiece director Yasujiro Ozufs, "Autumn of the Kobayakawa Family" will be screened to commemorate the 60th anniversary of its release. Therefs no cost to take part, so if youfre a fan of movies then please feel free to join us! 1 @Date and time Free of charge, starting at 14:00 on September 15th, 2021 (Wednesday) (Opens at 13:00) 2 @Venue Kyoto Prefectural Kyoto Institute, Library and Archives Large Hall (1-29 Shimogamo Hangicho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-0823) 3 How to apply (There is an advance application system, working on a first-come-first-served basis) Application period: August 2nd (Monday) to August 31st (Tuesday) * Telephone reception hours: Weekdays 9:00 to 17:00 Application destination: Prefectural General Information and Consultation Center Phone: 075-411-5000 Phone reservations can be made in both Japanese and English. E Applications accepted by phone during the application period (up to 2 people can be booked in per application) E The names and phone numbers of all applicants are required. Remarks To prevent COVID-19 infections from occurring, the capacity will be limited to below half the total number of available seats. We are taking infection prevention measures such as requesting the wearing of a mask, temperature measurements, and ventilation of the venue. Click here for the leaflet (Kyoto Institute, Library and Archives) y915z{ffwƂ̏Hxpꎚt@@@@@@@@@ Japanese Film Screening with English Subtitles: gThe End of SummerhbCxgbskRɈʒu 鑍wK{݁AswEʊ (rekisaikan.jp) -------------------------------------------------- Those who have signed up to receive Kyoto Hot Information E-zine and would like to cancel their subscription, please send an e-mail to kokusai@pref.kyoto.lg.jp If you have any comments or suggestions, please e-mail the Kyoto Prefecture International Affairs Division at kokusai@pref.kyoto.lg.jp . We look forward to hearing from you! -------------------------------------------------- This email bulletin is published by International Affairs Division in the Kyoto Prefectural Government. (http://www.pref.kyoto.jp)