Foreign residents are invited to attend a free counseling session with licensed administrative scriveners about their residence status from 1 to 4 p.m. on March 17 in Nishinomiya, Hyogo Prefecture.

Translation services in both Chinese and English will be provided. Those who need translation in other languages are required to make reservations by Wednesday 13 by calling (0798) 32-8680.

The venue is Nishinomiya City International Association, near JR Nishinomiya Station.

For more information, go to www.nishi.or.jp/homepage/nia/whats_new/soudan_e.html (in English) or call the number above.

Nara's Todaiji Temple to hold fiery Shuni-e rite

The Shuni-e rite will continue in Nigatsudo Hall at Todaiji Temple in Nara until March 14.

Visitors can watch monks running along the hallway with torches and waving them over the balcony.

The torch-carrying ceremony will take place from 7 p.m. for 20 minutes on Monday and Wednesday, from 7:30 p.m. for 45 minutes on Tuesday and from 6:30 p.m. for five minutes on Thursday.

Admission to the hall is free. However, several halls at the temple charge a fee for entry.

The temple is about a 20-minute walk from Kintetsu Nara Station. For more information, go to www.todaiji.or.jp/index/hoyo/syunie-open.html (in Japanese) or call (0742) 22-5511.

Free a cappella concerts offered in Osaka

Three a cappella groups will perform a series of free concerts on Saturday in Abeno Hoop in Osaka. The Xavyells, Be in Voices and Permanent Fish will sing twice between 1 and 4:40 p.m.

The venue is close to Osaka Abenobashi Station on the Kintetsu line, JR Tennoji Station, Tennoji Station on the Midosuji and Tanimachi subway lines, and Tennojiekimae Station on the Hankai Line.

For more information, go to www.abeno-tennoji.jp/event/archives/2013/02/event-237.html (in Japanese) or call (080) 1525-4587.

Blossoms and concerts at Nagoya garden

Visitors to Tokugawaen garden in Nagoya can view plum, peach and cherry blossoms and listen to various concerts until April 7.

A soprano will perform along with the piano from 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Thursday, a brass band from a local junior high school will play from 3:40 p.m. on March 17, and there will be an erhu (two-stringed Chinese instrument) concert from 2:30 p.m. on April 7.

Admission is ¥300 for adults, college and high school students except on March 17. The garden is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., but it is closed Mondays.

It is a 10-minute walk from Ozone Station on the JR Chuo Line. For more information, go to www.tokugawaen.city.nagoya.jp/01_event/index.html (in Japanese) or call (052) 935-8988.

Java culture, tourism at Toyohashi venue

A lecturer from Java will talk about Indonesia's culture, life and tourism attractions on March 23 in Toyohashi, Aichi Prefecture.

Participants can also taste Javanese food and experience a mock Indonesian wedding during the session, which begins at 1 and ends at 3 p.m. Participation is free.

Reservations must be made by calling (0532) 55-3671 or sending an email at [email protected]. The first 30 people to register will be accepted.

It takes a few minutes to walk from Toyohashi Station to Toyohashi International Association. For more information, check www.toyohashi-tia.or.jp/pdf-chirashi/H24-saloon-java.pdf (in Japanese) or call the telephone number above.