The Aoi Festival, one of the three largest in Kyoto, will take place Wednesday.

The highlight, a parade of more than 500 people in elegant costumes from the Heian Period, will leave the Kyoto Imperial Palace at 10:30 a.m., stop at Shimogamo Shrine at 11:40 a.m., leave at 2:20 p.m., and reach the final destination of Kamigamo Shrine at 3:30 p.m.

Admission is free, but there are some reserved seats for ¥2,000 near the palace.

The Kyoto Imperial Palace is a five-minute walk from Imadegawa Station on the Karasuma subway line. To get to Kamigamo Shrine, take city bus 4 bound for Kamigamo Shrine from Kitayama Station on the Karasuma subway line.

For further information, go to www.kyokanko.or.jp/aoi/index.html (in Japanese) or call (075) 752-7070.

Edo Period entertainment on tap in Osaka

A free show featuring various entertainment activities from the Edo Period such as shamisen, folk songs, dance and acrobatics will be held at 2 p.m. May 19 in Osaka.

The venue is Creo Osaka East, a seven-minute walk from Kyobashi Station on the JR lines, the Keihan Line, and the Nagahori Tsurumi Ryokuchi subway line.

For more information, look at www.wakanagi.com/_src/sc1471/leaflet_E.pdf (in English), or call (050) 3735-9390.

Two 'rakugo' performances will be in English

Sayohime will tell her "rakugo" story "Tangerine Hunting" in English on May 12 in Kyoto and May 26 in Osaka.

She will start at 2 p.m. on May 12 in Shijo Kyomachiya, an eight-minute walk from Shijo Station on the Karasuma subway line and Karasuma Station on the Hankyu Kyoto Line. She will start at 5 p.m. on May 26 in Cafe Slow Osaka, a seven-minute walk from Juso Station on the Hankyu Line.

Admission is ¥1,000 for each show.

To find out more, email [email protected] .

Major kite-flying festival set for Tahara, Aichi

A festival featuring kites will take place May 25 and 26 in Tahara, Aichi Prefecture.

Its two main events will be "the first kite flying" on May 25 to celebrate the birth of the first boy in the family, and "kite competition" on May 26 in which kite fliers try to win by cutting their competitors' kite strings.

The venue is a 10-minute walk from Mikawa Tahara Station on the Toyotetsu Line.

For more information, visit www.taharakankou.gr.jp/event/000007.html (in Japanese) or call (0531) 23-3516.

Culture of the Philippines celebrated in Nagoya

The Chubu Philippine Friendship Association will host the 29th International Philippine Festival in Nagoya from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. May 26.

Events include a legal consultation, a mini bazaar, stage performances, a special lecture titled "The Importance of Language: Children Growing up in a Multicultural Society," and a party.

Participation is free, and raffle tickets will be sold for ¥1,000.

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

Further information can be found at www.nic-nagoya.or.jp/en/e/archives/9092 (in English) or call (052) 834-0614.