Gangoji Temple in Nara will hold its annual Jizoe ceremony next Friday and Saturday.

Such ceremonies are held for the repose of ancestors and to pray for global peace, the prosperity of families and good health for their children. During the event from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., candles will be lit on dishes and in lanterns, and a tea ceremony and a concert will also take place.

Admission is free. The temple is a 15-minute walk from Kintetsu Nara Station. For more information, check out www.gangoji.or.jp/tera/jap/gyouji/jizoue/jizoue.htm (in Japanese) or call 0742-23-1377.

Kyoto shrines, temples to host markets

Markets will sell antiques and other items in and around several religious sites in Kyoto at the end of August, including Toji Temple on Wednesday, and Kitano Tenmangu Shrine and Kamigamo Shrine on Aug. 25.

Toji Temple, a 10-minute walk from Kyoto Station, will run the market from 5 a.m. to 4 p.m. — www.kottouichi.jp/touji.htm (in Japanese); dial 075-691-3325 — while Kitano Tenmangu, a five-minute walk from Kitano Hakubaicho Station on the Keifuku Kitano Line, will be open from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. — www.kottouichi.jp/tenjin-ichi.htm (in Japanese); call 075-461-0005.

Kamigamo Shrine's market will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. — kamigamo-tedukuriichi.com/index.php?id=89 (in Japanese); phone 075-864-6513 — and can be accessed by taking a city bus 4 from Kyoto Station.

Hyogo museum putting on series of concerts

Visitors to the Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Art in Kobe can enjoy concerts on Aug. 17, 18, 23 and 31.

The concerts will start at 2 p.m. Most of them are free of charge, but admission to the museum costs ¥250 for adults, ¥200 for university students and ¥120 for high-schoolers.

The museum is an eight-minute walk from Iwaya Station on the Hanshin Line. For more details, visit www.artm.pref.hyogo.jp/news/index.html (in Japanese) or call 078-262-0901.

Exchange event to take place in Nagoya

An international exchange event will take place in Nagoya for Japanese and foreigners on Aug. 31.

In addition to music and dance performances, there will be a flea market as well as stalls selling Brazilian food. The event will run from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Participation is free. The venue is Kyuban Danchi, a 10-minute walk from Tokaidori Station on the Meiko subway line.

Further information is available at www.nic-nagoya.or.jp/en/e/archives/4270 (in English) or by phoning 052-581-5689.

Nagoya to hold free health counseling session

The Nagoya International Center and the Medical Information Center Aichi will co-host a free counseling session in Nagoya on Aug. 25 at which foreigners can ask doctors and dentists about health issues.

The session will run from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. No reservations are required, and interpreters in English and Portuguese will be available.

NIC will host the event and is and seven minutes on foot from Nagoya Station.

For further details, go to www.nic-nagoya.or.jp/en/e/archives/7917 (in English) or call MICA at 052-588-7040.