It is a tradition for many Japanese families, especially those raising sons, to fly large carp streamers in front of their houses to celebrate the annual Children's Day festival on May 5. Visitors to Osaka can enjoy 60 of them flying between a pair of skyscrapers from April 25 until May 11.

Various charity events will also take place between noon and 5 p.m. on May 3, 4 and 5. Admission is free.

The venue is Umeda Sky Bldg., which is about a 10-minute walk from either Osaka and Umeda stations.

For further information, check www.skybldg.co.jp/event/ (in Japanese) or call 06-6440-3901.

Minoh center to host volunteerism seminars

The Minoh Multicultural Center in Minoh, Osaka Prefecture, will host multicultural volunteer seminars this Saturday and again on April 26.

Saturday's session, to be held from 1:30 to 4:45 p.m., will include a workshop on volunteer activities. The one on April 26, to be held from 1:30 to 4 p.m., will feature a speech on children and Osaka, as well as a debate by foreign residents on aspects of their lives in Japan. The fee for the two seminars is ¥500. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 072-727-6912 or sending an email to [email protected].

The center can be reached by taking Hankyu buses 30, 51, 55, 56, 58, 59, 66, and 79 from Kitasenri Station on the Hankyu Senri Line and getting off at Onohara. For more details, see mafga.or.jp/news20140319/ (in Japanese).

Coast the canal near Kyoto's Nanzenji Temple

Visitors to an area near Nanzenji Temple in Kyoto can enjoy a 25-minute boat ride on a canal until May 6.

Boats leave every 15 minutes between 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. The fare is ¥1,000 for high school students and above, ¥500 for junior high and elementary school students, and ¥300 for 3-year-olds and older.

The ride will start at Nanzenji dock, a seven-minute walk from Keage Station on the Tozai subway line.

For more details about the ride, go to kyoto-tabi.or.jp/jikkokufune.html (in Japanese) or call 075-321-7696.

Port Messe Nagoya to host huge flea market

Mammoth Flea Market Z will kick off in Nagoya on April 26 and 27 with over 3,500 booths open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Stage performances will also be held. Admission is ¥1,200 for adults, and free for high school students and younger.

The venue is Port Messe Nagoya, a five-minute walk from Kinjo Futo Station on the Aonami line.

For more details, visit www.tv-aichi.co.jp/manmos/index.html (in Japanese) or call 052-243-8600.

Peony flowers on display at Nagoya garden

Tokugawaen Garden in Nagoya will hold a peony festival between Saturday and May 6 where 1,000 blooming plants comprising 55 different varieties will be on display.

Concerts will take place on Saturday and Sunday, and again on April 29 and May 5, and a tea scheduled is planned for Saturday. Other events are also planned. The price for admission is ¥300 for high school students and older.

The garden is about a 10-minute walk from Ozone Station on the JR Chuo Honsen line. Further information can be obtained at www.tokugawaen.city.nagoya.jp/01_event/index.html (in Japanese) or by calling 052-935-8988.