People who attend the tea ceremony Saturday and Sunday at Saidaiji Temple in Nara can drink green tea from a huge bowl 30 cm in diameter. The event will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The participation fee of ¥3,000 covers both the tea ceremony and entry into the main sanctuary.

The temple is right next to Yamato Saidaiji Station on the Kintetsu Kashihara, Kyoto, and Nara lines.

For further information, check narashikanko.or.jp/en/event/index.html (in English) or call 0742-45-4700.

Kyoto to welcome newly arrived foreigners

The Kyoto City International Foundation will hold a seminar and party for newly arrived foreign residents on April 20.

The seminar, which will be conducted in Chinese, English and Japanese from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., will offer information about the Internet, mobile phones, part-time jobs, visas and other issues. The party will follow from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Participation is free, but reservations are necessary and can be made through www.kcif.or.jp/HP/jigyo/student/jp/kangeikai/kangeikai.html (in English).

The venue is Kyoto International Community House, known as "kokoka," near Keage Station on the Tozai subway line.

The contact number is 075-752-3511.

Kyoto temple to hold blossom-viewing parade

The cherry blossom viewing parade will take place at Daigoji Temple in Kyoto on Sunday to commemorate a similar event hosted by warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi in 1598.

The temple is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and admission is ¥600 for adults and ¥300 for high school and junior high students.

The temple is a 10-minute walk from Daigo Station on the Tozai subway line.

For details, check www.daigoji.or.jp/events/events_detail2_e.html (in English) or call 075-571-0002.

Suzuka holding international exchange festival

The Suzuka International Friendship Association in Suzuka, Mie Prefecture, will hold an international exchange festival from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Apr. 20. Admission is free.

Visitors can enjoy music and dance from Brazil, China, Peru, the Philippines, and Spain, and buy food and crafts.

The venue is Suzuka Hunter Shopping Center and the nearby park, both about a five-minute walk from Hiratacho Station on the Kintetsu Hiratacho line.

For more details, visit www.nic-nagoya.or.jp/japanese/nicnews/archives/19107 (in Japanese) or call 059-383-0724.

Foreigners invited to Nagoya exchange party

The International Cross Culture Promotion Center in Nagoya will hold an international exchange party from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on April 20.

Participants can enjoy games, calligraphy and origami. Participation is ¥1,000 for foreigners and ¥2,000 for Japanese. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 080-1559-9744 or by sending an email to [email protected].

The venue is Nagoya International Center, a seven-minute walk from Nagoya Station.

Further information is available at www.kokusai1.org/event/?p=631 (in Japanese).