British Council offers info on studying in U.K.: The British Council Osaka is hosting an education fair for people who wish to study in Britain between 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Oct. 13 at Grand Cube Osaka (Osaka Kokusai Kaigijo) in the city's Kita Ward.

As part of the Education U.K. fair, participants will be able to discuss study plans with representatives of about 60 institutions, including universities, vocational schools and language schools. Interpretations into Japanese will be available.

The fair will also offer a wide array of information to those who are simply interested in Britain or to people who have already chosen their study destination. It will include a series of seminars introducing British culture, the benefits of studying in the U.K., enrollment procedures and other topics.

Participation is free and there is no need to make a reservation. Further details can be found at the fair's Web site: www.educationuk.jp

For more information, call the British Council Osaka at (06) 6342-5301, fax (06) 6342-5311, or e-mail: [email protected]

Guide to take foreigners to ceremony in Kyoto: The Guide Interpreter Volunteer Club is organizing a day trip to a Kyoto temple to see a Buddhist ceremony on Oct. 19.

Participants will visit Sokujo-in, a subtemple of Sennyuji Temple in Higashiyama Ward, to observe a procession of about 200 people across a bridge that links the temple's main building and the Jizo-do hall. The procession will be led by an elderly man and 24 children, all wearing golden masks and costumes. The walk across the 50-meter bridge represents the scene in which "Bosatsu," or Bodhisattva Buddhas, come to this world to save people and lead them to Buddhist paradise.

After the ceremony, participants will go to Tofukuji and Sanjusangen-do temples.

Participants will meet guide Paul Satoh at 9:30 a.m. in front of the Kyoto City Tourist Information Office, located on the second floor of the JR Kyoto building.

The cost will be around 2,200 yen for bus fare, lunch and the admission to Sanjusangen-do. Another 1,000 yen is requested to support the club's activities.

The excursion is reserved for non-Japanese only.

For reservations, fax Satoh at (072) 831-2797.

Baseball players to get Major League opportunity: Baseball players in Kansai are being offered a chance to play Major League Baseball or in other professional leagues in the United States. A tryout will take place on Nov. 9 at Yahoo! BB Stadium in Kobe's Suma Ward.

Scouts from the U.S. attending the tryout will represent the Seattle Mariners, as well as all the teams from the Northern League and the Northeast League.

Participation is free. Those who wish to participate must submit an application by Nov. 5. If they belong to a corporate or school team, they must hand in their resignation to the team by the day of the tryout.

For an application form and more information, call the organizer, Solid Promotion Ltd., at (03) 5979-3377, fax (03) 5979-3366, or e-mail: [email protected]

'Joruri' troupe set to perform famous pieces: Osaka Sister City Network, a semigovernmental body of the Osaka City Office, will host a performance of "joruri" traditional puppet theater for non-Japanese residents at 2 p.m. on Nov. 16 at the International House, Osaka, in the city's Tennoji Ward.

Kichionkai, an all-women joruri troupe, will perform two short, well-known pieces.

Participation costs 500 yen. There are places for 40 people and the deadline for reservations is Nov. 11.

For reservations and more information, call the organizer at (06) 6772-9670, fax (06) 6772-9790, or e-mail: [email protected]