Chiba Nanohana News (April 2024)

Index

I. News II. Festivals and Events

I. News

1) Chiba Consultation Service for Foreign Residents

The Chiba International Center runs a Consultation Service for Foreign Residents so that all foreign residents can live a comfortable life at ease in Chiba Prefecture.

An advisor will be available to respond to your questions. If the advisor is unable to answer your questions, they will consult with a specialist or refer you to a specialist hotline or organization that can help.

Are you facing problems in any of the following areas?

• Daily Life
  Hospital, school, apartment, birth, drivers license, work, etc.
• Japanese Customs and Culture
  Relationship with your neighbors, workplace rules, traditional customs, food, etc.
• Tourism and Events
  Transportation, parks, museums, art galleries, places of leisure, festivals, sports events, etc.
• International Exchange and Seminars
  Japanese lessons, international exchange events, etc.
• Legal or Social Problems
  Residency status (visa), international marriage, naturalization, divorce mediation, processes at municipal halls, etc.
  *The Chiba International Center also provides free legal consultations for foreign residents by lawyers or immigration specialists. (By appointment only.) The annual schedule for legal consultations through to March 2025 is available on the Chiba International Center website.外部サイトへのリンク

• Consultation hours: Monday - Friday (excluding holidays) 9:00-12:00, 13:00-16:00
• Languages: Japanese, English, Chinese, Spanish, Tagalog, Vietnamese, Korean, Nepalese, Thai, Portuguese, Indonesian, Russian, Hindi
• Methods of consultation: telephone or face-to-face at the Chiba International Center
  Tel: 043-297-2966 (consultation hotline) Fax: 043-297-2753
  E-mail: ied@ccb.or.jp
• Location: Chiba International Center, Makuhari Techno Garden Building D, 14th Floor,
  1-3 Nakase, Mihama-ku, Chiba City
• Access: walk 5 minutes from Kaihin-Makuhari Station (JR Keiyo Line)

II. Festivals and Events

1) Narita Drum Festival @ Naritasan Omotesando Street & in Naritasan Shinshoji Temple (Narita City)

With Naritasan Shinshoji Temple and Naritasan Omotesando Street as the stage, the Narita Drum Festival will be held over 2 days. Skillful taiko (Japanese drum) performers from all over Japan will gather here to outperform each other. The showstopping "Sengan Hana-daiko" signals the commencement of the festival and is not to be missed. The sight of the performers gathered before the Daihondo Hall in Shinshoji Temple and pounding of their synchronized strokes is sure to excite the crowd!

The "Naritasan Sennenya" performance begins as the day turns to night, amidst torch fires lighting up the stage, creating a mystical atmosphere and is well-worth a watch. Finally, marking end of the festival is the taiko parade which not only features taikos, but also traditional instruments from all over the world. The dancers and other performers moving with elegance in rhythm with the taikos are a sight to behold. The strength of the drums’ timbre and the exuberant joy of the performances will be unforgettable.

• When: 20 April (Saturday) and 21 April (Sunday)
• Where: Naritasan Omotesando Street & in Naritasan Shinshoji Temple, 1 Narita, Narita City
• Cost: Free
• Access: (by train) walk from Narita Station (JR or Keisei) for 1 minute to Naritasan Omotesando Street or 10 minutes to Naritasan Shinshoji Temple
  The roads are expected to be congested on these days and there will be traffic regulations. You are encouraged to use public transport.
• Enquiries: Narita Drum Festival Organizing Committee
• TEL: 0476-24-3232
• Event website外部サイトへのリンク

2) 18^th Iidaka Danrin Shinryoku Festival @ Hanko-ji Temple (Sosa City)

Hanko-ji Temple (also known as the Iidaka Danrin ruins) was the oldest, largest, and top institute of learning for the Nichiren Sect. Several of the buildings are preserved as they were, and the lecture hall and grand entrance are nationally designated important cultural properties.

"Shinryoku" describes the fresh greenery emerging at the beginning of spring and at the annual Shinryoku Festival in late April, a concert is held at the solemn lecture hall. The local string orchestra as well as internationally and domestically active musicians will perform, surrounded by the fresh greens of spring.

During this period, over 500 peony trees behind the lecture hall will be in bloom, showing off their delicate pinks and reds.

How about relaxing amongst the fresh greens and soaking in the music?

• When: 28 April (Sunday), 11:00-14:30
  This event will be cancelled in the case of adverse weather.
• Where: Hanko-ji Temple (Iidaka Danrin ruins), 1789 Iidaka, Sosa City
• Cost: Free
• Access
  By car: 20 minutes from Yokoshibahikari IC (Choshi Renraku Road) or 30 minutes from Narita IC (Higashi Kanto Expressway)
  By train: 20 minute taxi ride from Yokaichiba Station (JR Sobu Main Line)
  Other: free sightseeing bus from Meguri-no-Sato, Sosa Tourist Product Center
• Enquiries: Lifelong Learning Section, Lifelong Learning Division, Board of Education, Sosa City
• TEL:0479-67-1266
• Sosa City website外部サイトへのリンク

I. News II. Festivals and Events