Three Japanese films with English subtitles featuring homegrown culture will be shown Nov. 29 and 30 in Kyoto.

The Japan Foundation Kyoto Office will present "Zeami and the Noh Theater" and "The Noh Mask" Nov. 29 and "The Makioka Sisters" Nov. 30. The event begins at 2 p.m. each day, and admission is free.

The venue, Kyoto International Community House (Kokoka), is a six-minute walk from Keage Station on the Tozai subway line.

For more information, visit www.jpf.go.jp/e/about/new/1209/09-02.html (in English) or call (075) 762-1136.

English-language storytelling session in Kyoto

"Flame," a storytelling event, will take place Sunday in Kyoto.

This English-only event, which starts at 7 p.m., will have Chris Wort reading his story titled "Lost in Translation," Tom Brown reading "Backgammon" and Tim Medlock reading a story to be determined later.

Admission is free, and food and drinks will be available.

The venue, Papa Jon's Eatery, is a one-minute walk from Karasuma Oike Station on the Tozai and Karasuma subway lines.

Further information can be found at www.facebook.com/events/445477332183146/ (in English).

Foreigners invited to 'oshogatsu' cooking class

Non-Japanese are invited to join a cooking class Dec. 9 in Nishinomiya, Hyogo Prefecture, to learn how to cook traditional Japanese "oshogatsu" (New Year's) celebration dishes.

Participants will learn how to make grilled salmon with "yuzu" (citron) paste, roasted minced chicken with special sauce, chrysanthemum flower-shaped turnips, herring roe with wasabi and mayonnaise sauce, consomme soup with rice cake, and plum liquor jelly.

The event will run from 10:15 a.m. to 2 p.m. Participants need to bring an apron, two towels and a bandana to cover their hair.

Reservations must be made by Dec. 5 as the number of participants is limited to 20.

Participation is ¥1,000.

The venue, Nishinomiya Chuo Kominkan, is a five-minute walk from Nishinomiya Kitaguchi Station on the Hankyu Kobe and Imazu lines.

For more information, visit www.nishi.or.jp/homepage/nia/pdf/food_e.pdf (in English) or call (0798) 32-8680.

Nagoya garden to stay open later for fall colors

Visitors to Tokugawaen, an Edo Period-style garden in Nagoya, can enjoy fall colors longer this year as the garden will stay open through Dec. 2.

It will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., and special events will be taking place, such as a flower arrangement exhibition on Dec. 1 and a koto concert on Dec. 2. The garden will be closed Monday.

Admission is ¥300.

Tokugawaen is a 10-minute walk from Ozone Station on the JR Chuo Line.

For more information, check www.tokugawaen.city.nagoya.jp/01_event/index.html (in Japanese) or call (052) 935-8988.

'Creators Market' to hold display, sell works

More than 3,000 professional and amateur artists will display and sell their handmade accessories, craft work, household goods, illustrations and photographs on Dec. 1 and 2 in Nagoya.

The "Creators' Market" event runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is ¥800.

The venue, Port Messe Nagoya at Nagoya International Exhibition Hall, is a five-minute walk from Kinjo Futo Station on the Aonami subway line.

For more information, visit www.nic-nagoya.or.jp/out_and_about/out_and_about_en.pdf (in English) or call (052) 398-1834 during the event and (052) 221-0036 until Nov. 30.