The Otani Memorial Art Museum in the city of Nishinomiya, Hyogo Prefecture, will hold a small hand drum concert Jan. 14 from 2 p.m., while works by various Japanese-style painters are on display through Feb. 17.

Those wishing to attend the concert are required to make reservations by calling (0798) 33-0164. Children below elementary school age are not permitted.

Admission to the museum costs ¥300 for adults, ¥200 for university and high school students, and ¥100 for junior high and elementary school students. There is no extra charge for the concert.

The museum is a six-minute walk from Koroen Station on the Hanshin Line. For more information, go to otanimuseum.jp/home/event/concert.html (in Japanese).

Bonsai trees to be exhibited in Kyoto

Various bonsai trees will be displayed in Kyoto from Thursday through Jan. 6.

The event opens at 9:30 a.m. and runs until 4:30 p.m. On the final day, it will close at 3 p.m. Admission is ¥800 for adults and free for those aged 18 and below. There will also be lectures on bonsai, some of which require an extra charge, along with other free lessons.

The venue, Kyotoshi Kangyokan Miyako Messe, is an eight-minute walk from Higashiyama Station on the Tozai subway line. For further details, visit shohin-bonsai.or.jp/test/event12_01 (in Japanese) or phone (0587) 36-3178.

Osaka museum holding snake-themed event

The National Museum of Ethnology, Osaka in the city of Suita will hold an exhibition on snakes through Jan. 29 to celebrate the year of the snake, under the Chinese zodiac.

Visitors to the exhibition on Jan. 14 can join a workshop in which they will make traditional Japanese "karuta" playing cards on a snake theme in sketches or collages. The workshop has two sessions, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 2 to 4 p.m.

Those who wish to join are required to send an email to [email protected]. Admission to the exhibition and the workshop is free, but there is a fee to visit other areas of the museum.

The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is closed Wednesdays. It is a 15-minute walk from Koen Higashiguchi Station on the Osaka Monorail line.

For further information, please go to www.minpaku.ac.jp/museum/event/workshop/ws_20130114 (in Japanese) or dial (06) 6876-2151.

Volunteers to read books in English, Chinese

Non-Japanese volunteers will read picture books in Chinese and English for children on Jan. 13 and 27 in Nagoya.

The first session will be held from 10:30 to 11:00 a.m. in English, while the Jan. 27 event will be in Chinese and English from 2 to 2:30 p.m. Participation is free and no reservations are required.

The venue, Nagoya International Center, is a seven-minute walk from Nagoya Station. For more details, check out www.nic-nagoya.or.jp/en/e/archives/1187 (in English) or phone (052) 581-0100.

Atsumi Peninsula rape blossom festival nears

A rape blossom festival will take place in various sites on the Atsumi Peninsula of Aichi Prefecture from Jan. 12 to March 31.

In addition to the flowers, visitors can enjoy various events, including concerts, dance performances, food and a photo contest. The blossoms will be illuminated in the evening during this period.

The main venue can be accessed by taking a Toyotetsu bus from Mikawa Tahara Station on the Toyotestsu Atsumi Line and getting off at Irago Misaki. For more info, please go to www.taharakankou.gr.jp/nanohana/ (in Japanese) or call (0531) 23-3516.