For Shinto worshippers who visit Atago Shrine in Kyoto from the night of July 31 to the morning of Aug. 1, that one visit is said to be equivalent to 1,000.

The first special ritual of the night will start at 9 p.m., followed by one at 2 a.m.

To get there, board a Kyoto Bus from Arashiyama Station on the Keifuku Arashiyama Line, get off at Kiyotaki and make the 4-km walk to the shrine.

For more information, see kyoto-atago.jp/images/sentimairi4.htm (in Japanese) or phone 075-861-0658.

Kobe museum plans fashion workshops

The Kobe Fashion Museum in Hyogo Prefecture plans to hold various hands-on workshops in August and September.

The sessions will focus on making brooches with sweets on Aug. 10, creating tapestries mainly through seashells on Aug. 17, dyeing stoles with indigo on Sept. 8 and 9, and how to wear Indian saris, on Sept. 14.

Reservations must be made sending email to [email protected].

The details are available at fashionmuseum-blog.com/%e5%a4%8f%e3%81%ae%e3%83%af%e3%83%bc%e3%82%af%e3%82%b7%e3%83%a7%e3%83%83%e3%83%97 (in Japanese).

For other inquiries, call 078-858-0050.

Creativity festival to launch in Osaka

The Enokojima Art, Culture and Creative Center in Osaka plans to hold Be Creative Festival 2013 from Aug. 1 to 11.

The festival will include a flea market and a symposium on Aug. 3 on how art has been related to communities, a tour of the neighborhood on Aug. 4, and kazoo-making session on Aug. 10.

There will also be an exhibition of works by 100 artists of various genres who are based in Osaka. Most of the events are free of charge.

The center is a few minutes on foot from Awaza Station on the Sennichimae and Chuo subway lines. For more information, see www.enokojima-art.jp/bcf2013/index.html (in Japanese) or call 06-6441-8050.

'Cosplay' summit kicks off Saturday

The World "Cosplay" Summit will take place in three cities in Aichi Prefecture from Saturday to Aug. 4, drawing costume fans from 20 countries.

A stage performance featuring the "costume play" participants and a parade will be held in Ichinomiya on Saturday, followed by a stage performance and photo session in Chubu Centrair International Airport on Sunday, and the cosplay championship, parades and other stage performances in Nagoya on Aug. 3 and 4.

For more information see www.tv-aichi.co.jp/wcs/2013/summary/ (in Japanese) or email [email protected].

Nagoya party chance for cultural interaction

The International Cross Culture Promotion Center will hold an international exchange party in Nagoya on Aug. 10 for Japanese and foreign residents.

The party, which runs from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., offers opportunities to talk, play games, win prizes and experience Japanese culture.

The participation fee is ¥1,000 for foreigners and ¥2,000 for Japanese. Reservations can be made by calling 080-1559-9744 or sending email to [email protected].

The venue is Nagoya International Center and is a seven-minute walk from Nagoya Station. For more information, visit www.nic-nagoya.or.jp/en/e/archives/9717 (in English).