Echoes through nature: Woodcuts by Katsutoshi Yuasa

Date: 21 January - 19 March 2009, Mon - Fri 9.30am - 5.00pm (Late night openings until 8pm, 5 February & 5 March 2009)
Venue: Daiwa Foundation Japan House,13/14 Cornwall Terrace, London NW1 4QP. Nearest tube: Baker Street
Tel: 020 7486 4348
Email: exhibitions@dajf.org.uk
Web: www.dajf.org.uk
Organiser: The Daiwa Anglo-Japanese Foundation

Private View: 4 February 2009, 6.00pm - 8.00pm (with an introduction by Chris Orr RA from 6.30pm)

Yuasa makes large monochrome woodcuts based on his own photographs. They are not so much observations but rather contemplations of the world around us and invite more questions that they reveal. The exact source of the images feels uncertain, with delicate, semi-abstract images of domestic objects and scenes, cityscapes and flora, at once containing the pin-sharp realism of a photograph, while simultaneously revealing something more fragile - as if part of the image has somehow been stripped away.

A lengthy process is involved in converting a photograph into a woodcut. In order to attain the purity and essence of the image, the photograph is processed in monochrome by computer. This ‘purifying’ process goes even further as the resulting image is carved from a wooden panel with a traditional Japanese knife. The final result is printed by hand on paper. Yuasa’s sharp eye in combination with the use of modern and traditional techniques results in woodcuts in which time has stood still and the beauty and mystery behind the everyday world is laid bare.

In October 2008, Yuasa’s work was selected for ‘10’, as one of the ten successful graduates of the printmaking course from the last decade. This exhibition was held to commemorate the retirement of Professor Chris Orr RA at the Royal College of Art.

'Echoes through Nature: Woodcut by Katsuotoshi Yuasa' is organised by the Daiwa Anglo-Japanese Foundation in association with Mark Jason Gallery and TAG Fine Arts. It is a Japan-UK 150 event.

Katsutoshi Yuasa (b. 1978, Tokyo) completed his MA in Fine Art, Printmaking at the Royal College of Art in 2005. He has had numerous solo and group shows internationally. Recent solo exhibitions include Woodcuts at The Cobra Museum of Modern Art, Amstelveen (2008), The World is overflowing with light at the CIBONE Gallery, Tokyo (2007), and Floating World at the ASPN Galerie, Leipzig (2006). Group exhibitions include 10 at the Royal College of Art (2008), and Originals 05 at the Mall Gallery, London (2005). Yuasa also participated in The Gunma Biennale for young artists at The Museum of Modern Art, Gunma, Japan (2001). He is currently an artist-in-residence at The Cité Internationale des Arts, Paris.

ULKS (The University of London and Oxford University Korea Society)

The University of London and Oxford University Korea Society (ULKS) is the largest Korean student organisation in the United Kingdom, and is made up of the Korea Societies from within the various Universities of London. ULKS was formed over a decade ago, but it has only really become one of the key Societies for the Universities of London and Oxford in recent years: its membership has steadily been expanding, and therefore, its reputation has also become more renowned.

ULKS has a number of aims central to its existence: principally, ULKS creates a backbone of support both for those Korean students who have come to the UK as international students, and for Koreans who have grown up in the UK but wish to keep in touch with their cultural heritage. For many Koreans coming to study in London and Oxford for the first time, being separated from their home culture and language can be a daunting experience. ULKS aims to provide these students with a network whereby they can meet new Korean friends in similar circumstances, and where they can seek advice about life in the UK from other students in the know.

However, ULKS does not just focus on supporting Korean students in London and Oxford. ULKS is also one of the key points of contact between the Korean and Non-Korean communities. ULKS essentially aims to create a public forum where Koreans and Non-Koreans can meet, thus promoting better cultural understanding and exchange. It is important that Korean culture and history is recognised and understood in the UK: often Korean culture can seem overshadowed by the better-known and understood Japanese culture. In the UK, Japanese language and cultural symbols are well-recognised, whilst Korea can seem more obscure for the majority of British people. ULKS is keen to change this: the Korean community in the UK is growing fast, and more and more Korean businesses are becoming established here, while Korean films become increasingly shown on British television. It is important that a good understanding and a good relationship is built between Koreans and Non-Koreans in the UK, so that Korean culture can continue to grow and thrive and Non-Koreans can share in it as well.

Over the past academic year, ULKS has organised a number of events to help promote cultural exchange and support Korean students in London and Oxford, in co-operation with a number of other organisations, including the Korean Embassy in London. One of the most popular events was the Korean cultural show at the Thames Festival in September in London, which was organised by the Korean Cultural Centre in London and staffed by ULKS volunteers. This event was attended by thousands of Londoners, who sampled Korean culture as part of a whole day of celebrations of the various cultures from all around the world represented in London today. At the Korean booth, Londoners could try their hands at playing traditional Korean games, for the first time experiencing a centuries-old tradition from Korea.

“I loved the game called ‘peng-gi’,” said Annabel Tara, aged five from Southwest London, “I had to try to hit the ball with the stick. It was hard, but I had lots of fun…and I won a tiny prize as well!”

The fun continued across the Thames Festival weekend, with Tae Kwon Do demonstrations, and traditional Korean singing, culminating in the grand parade along the Thames to mark the end of the festival. ULKS volunteers dressed in Hanbok, the Korean traditional clothing, marched with the crowd as representatives of the Korean communities in London and across the UK.

Another important ULKS event so far was a conference concerning Korean History at the School of Oriental and African Studies in London on the 3rd of November, and at Oxford University on the 4th, in partnership with Amnesty International. This conference addressed perhaps one of the darkest ages in Korean history: the Japanese occupation and the Korean women forced into sex-slavery during this period. The seminar was attended by various students and academics, both Korean and Non-Korean, and included a spoken testimony by former sex-slave Won Ok Gil. It was a very moving experience for all those involved.

Of course, ULKS is not all about the serious side of life for Koreans in the UK: at the beginning of October, ULKS organised an immensely popular event evening at the prestigious venue Number One Leicester Square, including the world-champions breakdancing/B-boying team T.I.P especially from Korea. This was an opportunity for Korean students to socialise, and to see some of the finest breakdancing performance that the world has to offer. The event was also attended by Non-Korean students from the Universities of London, who wished to see the show as well. “I was so amazed by the breakdancing,” said Ahmjad Ghafoor, photographer for studentbox. “It was really an incredible performance. The ULKS party was so impressive and was quite different from any other student socialising event I’ve attended before, because they organised such a spectacular show as well.”

So what comes for ULKS in the future? Well, currently ULKS is helping to raise funds for a Korean Charity called ‘Community Chest of Korea’, a charity looking to help out the most vulnerable in Korean society today. ULKS has been helping individual Korea Societies in London and Oxford Universities to mastermind their own schemes to effectively raise money for this campaign, as well as organising all-encompassing ULKS fundraisers.

There is no doubt however, that whatever ULKS is doing, it will continue to grow in size and popularity along with the Korean community in the UK, and continue to be an excellent forum for Koreans and Non-Koreans alike to enjoy all that Korean culture, both traditional and modern, has to offer.

For more details, please contact:

ULKS (Universities in London & Oxford University Korea Society )
President Banya Hwang
Korea society, SOAS,Thornhaugh streetRussell sq. London, WC1H 0XG
Mobile : +44(0)78 2807 7858E-mail :207018@soas.ac.uk

Discover Japan #1: Nagano (THE EAST Campaign in Association with Japan National Tourist Organization London Office)

Nagano Prefecture is the treasure house of nature, history and culture. Situated in the center of Japan, it is home to the Northern, Central and Southern Alps, and so is often referred to as the “Roof of Japan.”
Its 13,585 square kilometers play host to four national parks that offer year - round recreational activities, from hiking and camping in spring, summer and autumn, to skiing and skating in winter. The innumerable peaks naturally provide a challenge to mountain climbers of all calibers.
Summer is refreshingly cool, spring and autumn are invigorating, and winter is a snowy wonderland. The many mountains have also ensured a good supply of healthful hot spring spas, patronized by residents and visitors alike. The apples, grapes, pears and peaches cultivated here are renowned throughout Japan, as are the vegetables grown in the highlands. The clear water and clean air have attracted the growing interest of the precision and electronics industries, which have been erecting a number of factories in the area. There are also many cultural attractions in Nagano.


There are local arts and crafts museums, modern art collections carrying both domestic and overseas exhibitions. Music lovers will not be disappointed with the many concerts featuring classical, jazz and rock music. With such a variety of activities to choose from, it is no wonder that this great Prefecture of magnificent, unspoiled nature is popular with visitors throughout all the four seasons.


In 1998, the Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games were held in the various regions of Nagano Prefecture; during this time Nagano was able to impress the people of the world. The eyes of not only Japan but those of the whole world focused on our Prefecture as a winter sports region operating in harmony with nature and modern transportation developments.


HOW TO GET THERE

By Air
Throughout the year, there is a daily roundtrip flight from Osaka, Fukuoka and Sapporo to Matsumoto.

By Rail
To reach Nagano City, take the Shinkansen from Tokyo (1hr. 35min.). From Osaka, take the Shinkansen to Nagoya (1hr.) and transfer to the Chuo Honsen Line limited express (2hr. 50min.). To Matsumoto City and environs, take JR Chuo Honsen Line limited express from Shinjuku Station, Tokyo (2hr. 30min.). From Osaka, take the Shinkansen to Nagoya (1hr.) and transfer the Chuo Honsen Line limited express (2hr.). There is a JR Shinjuku-wide excursion ticket that can be both convenient and economical; contact JR ticket windows at major stations or travel agents.

For more infomation please contact: Nagano Perfecture Tourism Information

Visit Korea #7: Taebaek Snow Festival (THE EAST Campaign in Association with Korea Tourism Organization)

Period: 30.01.2009 ~ 08.02.2009
Address: Gangwon-do Taebaek-si Sodo-dong Mt. Taebaeksan Provincial Park Hwangji Pond or Jangseong area

Telephone: - Korea Travel Phone +82-33-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese) - For more info +82-33-550-2081, 2828 (Korean)

Admission Fees: Children (7~12) : 700 won / Teenagers (13~18) : 1,500 won/ Adults (19~64) : 2,000 won

Home page: festival.taebaek.go (Korean, English)

Introduction
Since it was established in 1995, the Snow Festival in the city of Taebaek, Gangwon-do Province, has been a major winter event. Visitors can enjoy both the beautiful snow-capped landscape of Mt. Taebaeksan and take part in a number of hands-on programs. This year’s event is organized in connection with the local travel industry. Starting on January 26 with a snow street parade, the festival will feature a snow and ice carving exhibition as well as a variety of hands-on programs and performances.

Event Programs: A major attraction is the world of beautiful snow sculptures created by top sculptors around the world as well as from Korea. In addition to this, there are a variety of events including magic shows, music concerts, making a snowman and sledding. Near Jangseong, visitors can enjoy a fabulous hands-on ice fishing experience at the Geumcheon fishing spot and catch a smelt, which lives in clean water only. The special ‘National Naked Marathon’ is also a favorite, in which almost-bare naked contestants run over a plateau 800 meters above sea level.

Major Highlights: The large selection of hands-on programs attracts numerous visitors to the Taebaek Snow Festival. Try Korean folk games in the snow, or savor the traditional winter food favorites. These and other programs are sure to make your winter experience at Mt. Taebaeksan all the more exciting and enjoyable.

People #3: Jang Dong Gun (Article Courtesy of Koreanfilm.org)

Jang Dong Gun (b. March 7, 1972), who has starred in not one but two record-breaking box office hits, first entered the entertainment world in a talent contest in 1992.
He began by acting in TV dramas such as The Last Match, co-starring Shim Eun-ha, and he eventually made his film debut in Repechage (1997) together with Kim Hee-sun. By the late 1990s he had become quite popular in Korea, but he also became one of the very first Korean stars to garner a fan following in other parts of Asia.
Vietnamese audiences in particular fell quickly for Jang after several of his TV dramas were screened there in the late nineties. In 1999, after acting in the critically acclaimed Nowhere to Hide as Park Joong-hoon's younger partner, Jang moved on to star in a feature that was filmed on location in Shanghai. Titled The Anarchists, this tale of five young terrorists from 1930s China helped to elevate his status even further.

Jang's real breakout came in early 2001 in Friend, which smashed the box office record set by Shiri to become the biggest Korean film of all time. After playing the nice guy in almost all his previous roles, this portrayal of a tough-talking gangster from Pusan led him to local stardom.

The following year he also starred in the popular action blockbuster 2009 Lost Memories set in a futuristic Great Japan.
After appearing in the low-budget film The Coast Guard by controversial director Kim Ki-duk, Jang then took the lead role in Kang Je-gyu's Taegukgi, an epic film about two brothers set during the Korean War. Sure enough, this film would beat Friend's record with an astounding 11 million tickets sold. By this time, Jang's name had become known widely throughout Asia.

Jang followed this up with two more high-profile roles. The Promise is a $30 million pan-Asian production by Chinese director Chen Kaige in which Jang plays opposite Hong Kong star Cecilia Cheung. Meanwhile, Typhoon by director Kwak Kyung-taek (Friend) set a new record for the highest production budget in Korean film history at $15 million. Jang stars as a modern-day pirate who has been betrayed by both North and South Korea.

Official Website
http://www.jangdonggun.co.kr/
Official Fanclub
Adonis ….. http://www.worldadonis.com/
A.J…..http://www.jangdonggun.jp/ninsyo.php
A.I (English).....http://en.adonisifc.com/
A.J (Chinese)..... http://cn.adonisifc.com/

Written by Darcy Paquet

LG Held Its First Annual International Cooking Competition

LG Electronics (LG), the world’s leading innovator of home appliances, held a premier culinary competition for home chefs, “The 2008 LG Global Home Chef Award,” at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel in Dubai. This year’s theme, “Eco-Cuisine”, is the perfect recipe for a green, healthy lifestyle: nutritious and delicious foods created using LG’s innovative cooking technology such as faster cooking process and higher energy efficiency. With appearances by world-renowned chefs and culinary institutions, the competition showed how smart, green technology can benefit both the consumer and the environment.

“Eco-Cuisine, the theme of LG’s first annual cooking competition, demonstrates LG’s commitment to healthy, green living that benefits both consumers and the world around them,” said Young Ha Lee, President and CEO of LG Electronics Digital Appliance Company. “This theme is an extension of what LG has been offering to consumers: total lifestyle solutions achieved through the perfect balance of our design and technological excellence.”

“Eco-Cuisine” highlights not only the tasty, healthy meals that can be made with eco-friendly ingredients and appliances, but also how LG appliances benefit the environment, with faster cooking times and lower power consumption.

For the 2008 LG Home Chef Award competition finals, fifteen teams of finalists were selected from regional competitions, which were held between July and November 2008 in Canada, India, Iran, Korea, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, the United Arab Emirates and the United States. Finalists prepared and served recipes that were tasty, healthy, and used organic ingredients and LG kitchen appliances with health-conscious, energy-saving features.

Judging was based on the following criteria: cooking technique and skills, LG light wave ovens SolarCUBE and SolarDOM utilization, health-consciousness of the recipe, safety and sanitation, presentation, taste, and timing. At the awards ceremony, which took place right after the competition, seven home chefs were recognized with honors including the Grand Prize, Emirates Rising Star Prize, WMF Prize, Most Eco-Friendly, Smart Chef Award, Best Presentation and Most Creative.

Ms. Petri Uys from South Africa won the Grand Prize for this year’s competition. She was awarded cooking classes at Le Cordon Bleu Paris, along with round-trip airfare and four days accommodation, a prize valued at 5,000 US dollars.

On December 9 and 10, 2008, before the competition finals, LG presented live cooking shows for contestants and media featuring world class celebrity chef, Ainsley Harriott. A best-selling cookbook author, Mr. Harriott is best-known for his unique flare and flamboyance in the kitchen, as host of popular TV series such as Ready Steady Cook and Can’t Cook Won’t Cook. At this special event, he used fresh, organic ingredients and LG cooking appliances, including the LG SolarCUBE oven. During the competition, Mr. Harriott helped contestants hone their cooking skills and served on the judging panel.

The 2008 LG Global Home Chef Award is endorsed by prestigious international culinary institutions, including the World Association of Chefs’ Societies (WACS) and Le Cordon Bleu, two culinary authorities that help shape the opinions of food around the world.

LG plans to hold the LG Home Chef Award every year with a different theme, proving LG’s commitment to providing better lifestyle solutions for consumers around the world.

Yosemoji & the Shaping of 'Wa’ Essentially Japanese calligraphy

Date: 9 December 2008-30 January 2009 (Closed 25 December 2008 - 4 January 2009)

Venue: Embassy of Japan, 101-104 Piccadilly, London, W1J 7JT

Fee: Free

An exhibition of work by Tachibana Umon, Special Advisor for Cultural Exchange, Japanese Agency for Cultural Affairs.

Edo-moji
Edo-moji (lit. Edo lettering) are a group of related styles of Japanese brush calligraphy developed for advertising amidst the flourishing urban mercantile culture of the Edo period (1600-1868 CE). These forms of sign-writing are characterised by the use of broad, curved and tightly-packed brush strokes. Although these styles are applied to the Chinese characters/writing system used in the Japanese language, Edo-moji originated in Japan and have come to represent, and define, certain ideas of what is considered uniquely ‘Japanese’.
Yose-moji
Yose is a form of Japanese vaudeville theatre whereby a variety of acts will often complement star comic monologue performers. It has its origins in twelfth-century itinerant storytelling and gained considerable popularity from the eighteenth century onwards when makeshift theatre grew up all over the country, Even though now such live variety performances happen in only a few yose theatres around Japan, its influence is far-reaching and it lives on in popular television and radio broadcasts.
Yose-moji (lit. yose lettering) is the style of calligraphy used to promote yose performances, in particular rakugo (comic monologue), and has been an integral part of this world since the Edo period (1600-1868 CE). It has been developed and refined by generations of master calligraphers throughout its history and its bold style is intended to draw attention to rakugo events being employed in the making of signs, posters, flyers, banners, tickets, programmes, books and even CD covers.
Yose can be literally translated as ‘to attract an audience’, and this is reflected in the way the yose-moji style is shaped. The broad brush strokes afford little negative space between the lines within the characters and this is meant to represent the very few, if any, empty seats one would hope for in a full house.

Korean NGO brings hope to Kenyan children via choir project

"Hakuna Matata" ("There are no worries" or "No problem"). This Swahili phrase may ring a bell with you. Walt Disney Animation Studios once used it as the title of a song from the animated feature film "The Lion King."

It is the theme of the Jirani Children's Choir which is currently on a performing tour in Korea. The choir from Kenya starts every performance with a shout "Jambo, Hakuna Matata!" (Hello, there are no worries!).

The Jirani Children's Choir has come all the way from Nairobi, Kenya, where it was founded by a world-renowned Korean NGO, Good Neighbors International, a Christian philanthropic organization that offers assistance to anyone in need, regardless of race, nationality, religion, or ideology. Jirani means "good neighbors" in Swahili.

The Kenyan children's choir consists of over 100 primary and secondary school boys and girls. But only 35 members -- 12 sopranos, 10 mezzo sopranos, and 13 altos -- are currently touring. Their favorites in the repertoire include African and Korean traditional folk songs which they sing in a semi-classic style, or more precisely in an African way.

Their families and neighbors have benefited from an increased sense of self-worth and hope that Jirani brings to these boys and girls. Theirs is a touching story and Jirani members sing songs of hope. Before joining the choir, the children used to live by foraging a garbage dump in the Korogocho-Dandora slum of Nairobi.

Rev. Rim Tae-jong, president of the Jirani Choir, was shocked in January 2005, when he watched the Kenyan children roaming in the garbage

dump in Korogocho slum district. He said, "I felt shocked by the scene and even pressured to decide to do something for them."
In December 2005, Rim started the Jirani Choir project to provide hope and a vision for a better future to children in the Korogocho-Dandora slum. Finally, the Jirani Children's Choir was launched after an inaugural prayer service was held in Nairobi in October 2006.

After its launch, the choir gave a debut performance at the National Theatre in Nairobi in December the same year. About 400 audience, including the Kenyan culture minister, attended its inaugural performance. The children gave a performance at the Dutch Embassy to Kenya on Koningsdag (King's Day) of the Netherlands in April 2007. The choir was invited to the State House in Nairobi to entertain the president of Kenya and his national guests for Independence Day celebrations.

The choir visited Korea for the first time for a performing tour from November 2007 to January 2008, during which the Kenyan children gave 25 concerts in 10 cities, such as Seoul, Incheon, Gwacheon, Daejeon, Iksan, Yeosu, Ulsan, and Busan, for a total of 52 days. At the time, the choir appeared on TV and radio programs over 10 times, and received much publicity from the press. It also visited the United States for a performance tour in June 2008.
The Jirani Children's Choir conducted by Kim Jae-chang, a baritone and an internationally known musician, also sing Korean traditional folk songs, such as "Doraji" (balloonflower) and "Arirang." The choir has been touring around the world under the mottos "Discover Jirani!" and "Recover Hope!" They claim, "The songs we sing are not heard anywhere else in the world."
Currently, the Kenyan children have been on a performing tour throughout Korea since early December this year for their second visit here. They have already performed in Seongnam, Seoul, Daejeon, Bucheon, Ulsan, and Busan, beginning with a concert at Hallelujah Church in Bundang, Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province on Dec. 3.

The following are details on the schedule of concerts the Jirani Children's Choir is giving in Korea in late December and early January before it leaves for Kenya:

☆Dec. 24: 7 p.m. at Dongan Church (Imun 2-dong, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul; telephone - 02-962-0727, http://www.dongan.org/); admission free

☆Dec. 25: 11 a.m. at Songnae Sarangui Church (Songnae-dong, Sosa-gu, Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province; telephones - 032-661-9191 and 032-661-9013/4, http://www.snsarang.org/); admission free

☆Dec. 27: 7 p.m. at Seoul Eunhyeon Church (Bukgajwa-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul; telephone - 02-375-1588); admission free

☆Dec. 28: 7 p.m. at Iksan Singwang Church (Ma-dong, Iksan, Jeollabuk-do (North Jeolla Province); telephone - 063-850-4114); admission free

☆Dec. 30: 7:30 p.m. at the Concert Hall of Seongnam Arts Center (Yatap-dong, Bundang, Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province; telephone - 031-783-8000, http://www.snart.or.kr/); admission fees: VIP seat - 50,000 won, R seat - 30,000 won, S seat - 20,000 won, and A seat - 10,000 won

☆Dec. 31: 7 p.m. at Jeongeup Seonggwang Church (for more information, call the Jeongeup Shinmun daily in Suseong-dong, Jeongeup, Jeollabuk-do at 063-532-7600); admission fee - 10,000 won

☆Jan. 3, 2009: 7 p.m. at Bucheon Citizens Hall; admission fees: R seat - 40,000 won, S seat - 30,000 won, and A seat - 20,000 won (40 percent discount if you buy tickets by Dec. 28) For more information, call 032-220-7052/4.

For more information, contact Good Neighbors International, Mapo PO Box 7, Seoul (zip code: 121-600) or call 02-338-0114, or contact Jirani Cultural Project Foundation (02-3461-7200).

For Jirani Children's Choir websites, click http://www.jirani.net/ (Korean) and http://www.jirani.kr/eng/ (English).

For Good Neighbors International's websites, click http://www.goodneighbors.org/ (Korean) and http://www.gnint.org/ (English), and http://www.goodneighbors.org/jirani/www/main.htm (English for Jirani Children's Choir).

Written by Chung Myung-je (Korea.net / Chief Staff Writer)

Visit Japan #5: Kyoto Winter Special (THE EAST Campaign in Association with Japan National Tourist Organization London Office)

Following its great success in 2008, "Kyoto Winter Special" is coming back this winter, with more special deals and events for you to enjoy. From 1st December 2008 until 31st March 2009 you’ll be able to experience traditional culture hands-on, and savour exceptional Kyoto cuisine. In addition, special admission will be granted to normally restricted heritage sites, and there will be unique winter events and chances to receive special offers from world-famous hotels. With Kyoto Winter Special, the breathtaking beauty of winter in Kyoto awaits you!

Special Events
Kyoto’s cherry blossoms and fall leaves are a sight to see, but Kyoto’s magical winter is something special. There will be various events showcasing winter. Information on events from December to March are listed by month on the Kyoto Winter Special website. The main event during the Kyoto Winter Special is called “Hanatoro”. This event beautifies Kyoto’s nights, with elegant lanterns lighting up Kyoto’s famous spots. Adding a winter event into a visit to Kyoto is a great way to make your trip that extra bit memorable.

Special Openings
Only during Kyoto Winter Special 2009 - Hidden cultural heritage sites, normally not open to the public, will be open for viewing. Twelve spots will open their cultural heritages to the public for 9 weeks, from 10th January until 18th March 2009. All viewings are for culturally valuable items. This is a wonderful opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of Kyoto's culture.

Special Experiences
During Kyoto Winter Special 2009, not only can visitors experience various aspects of Japanese culture, they can also enjoy meeting Japanese people. These include actual experiences of Japanese cooking, calligraphy, Zen meditation, and more. Some of the activities will take place in private homes in Kyoto City, which will give visitors an intimate experience of Japanese culture.

For more information please visit http://www.kyotowinterspecial.com/