Time Out
On 3 December, the trees lining the main street in front of Iwaki Station lit up in pink as though they were covered in blooming cherry blossoms for the 5th Iwaki Cherry Blossom Illumination Festival. The festival attracted a large number of people, with the event also featuring a number of live performances including taiko drum performances. Food stalls helped create an atmosphere of springtime cherry blossom viewing, despite being the middle of winter.
When it came to the final countdown, large crowds gathered near the pedestrian deck before everyone began counting down the final seconds until the entire street was transformed in a beautiful cherry blossom illumination.
The illumination festival originally began as a symbol of revitalisation and to help lift the spirits of the people of Iwaki and the towns and villages of Futaba District after the Great East Japan Earthquake. This is the 5th time the festival has been held, and with this year marking 5 years after the disaster it had an even more significant meaning.
The main street in front of Iwaki Station will remain illuminated until 9 January, so don’t miss out.
Inside this issue…
Time Out is produced by the Tourism Exchange Divison
Iwaki City Hall 21 Aza Umemoto, Taira, Iwaki City
Fukushima Prefecture 970-8686 Tel: 0246-22-1279 Fax: 0246-22-7581
Email: [email protected] [email protected]
The Tourism Exchange Division and the IIA are open to the public. Please feel free to drop by, call, or
e-mail us anytime. Website: http://www.iia-fukushima.or.jp; http://www.city.iwaki.lg.jp/www/index.html
いわき市役所 観光交流課
〒970-8686 福島県いわき市平字梅本21 電話: 0246-22-1279 FAX: 0246-22-7581 E-mail: [email protected]
観光交流課及び公益財団法人いわき市国際交流協会は皆
さ 歓迎します お気軽にお立ち寄り下さい お電話
Festivals & Events 2
Information Board 3
Hospital Information 4, 5 January Events Calendar 6
Festivals & Events
2
Festivals & Events
Your guide to what’s happening around Iwaki City and beyond this month
3rd December-9th January: Iwaki Cherry Blossom Illumination Festival @ main street in front of Iwaki Station. From 5-11pm. The trees lining the street of Taira’s city centre will be lit up and appear like cherry blossoms are flowering on them throughout December and early January. A piece of artwork will also be put on display outside the 2F entrance of Latov. This is the 5th Illumination Festival and marks 5 years since the Great East Japan Earthquake as a symbol of revitalisation. For inquiries, please contact Junior Chamber International Iwaki: TEL 0246-24-0780.
10th January: Konpira-sama Festival @ in and around Kotohira Shrine, Yumoto. This festival is held shortly after every New Year on the 10th of January where up to several hundred thousand people come and pray for a happy and trouble-free year. An incredible 400 stalls will line the street from Yumoto Station all the way to the shrine. For inquiries, please contact the Kotohira Shrine: TEL 0246-43-1001. Website: http://kotohira-iwaki.jp/.
12th January: Okunitama Shrine Festival @ Okunitama Shrine, Taira. This festival is dedicated to Daikoku-sama, the main god of Okunitama Shrine. On the day of the festival, prayers for prosperous businesses as well as household peace and prosperity will be made. The Yamato dance and Chigo dance, both designated as Intangible Folk Culture Assets in Iwaki City, will also be performed. For inquiries, please contact Okunitama Shrine: TEL 0246-34-0092.
Website: http://ookunitama.jp/.
14th-15th January: Night on the Galactic Railroad ITP Iwaki Theatre Project @ Iwaki Pit by Team Smile. Performance from 6:30pm on the 14th and from 1:30pm on the 15th (venue opens 30 mins prior to performance). The classical fairy tale by Kenji Miyazawa has been made into a choir performance. Ticket prices are ¥1000 for general admission and ¥500 for high school students and younger (tickets bought on the day are ¥1500 and ¥800 respectively). For tickets and inquiries, please contact Iwaki Pit: TEL 0246-38-3826 (closed Mondays).
15th January: Onahama District Long-distance Relay Race Tournament @ Izumi Community Centre and various places around Onahama and Izumi. From 9am. Applications are unfortunately closed but you are welcome to cheer on the runners in this annual relay which helps promote fitness and sports participation. For more information and inquiries, please contact the Onahama Community Centre: TEL 0246-54-1890.
*The above event information may be subject to cancellations or changes. Before attending any events please confirm with the event sponsors in advance.
Aloha to everyone in 2017! I hope everyone had a good time over the New Year’s break. Did everyone get spoiled with presents from friends and family this Christmas?
Well it must have felt like Christmas came early for many commuters in Iwaki and the rest of the Hamadori region of Fukushima when the Soma-Hamayoshida
section of the JR Joban Line reopened on 10 December. Until then, there were no services between these stations for five years and nine months due to the previous rail line being severely damaged from the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011. Commuters had to take a replacement bus service if they wanted to travel between those areas.
I was fortunate to be one of the passengers on the new line on the first day of reopening. I departed from Iwaki and decided to try and go all the way to Sendai. However all of the train services along the way were crowded with passengers, with taxi services required for the excess number of people trying to use the replacement bus service that still operates from Tatsuta to Odaka/Haranomachi. It was great to see so many people enthusiastic about the new rail services and I was quite impressed with the modern design of the renovated rail line and stations.
Iwaki commuters will have to wait a little longer until the remaining section of the Joban Line is reopened. But I like many others in the city are looking forward to one day being able to once again hop on a train and travel all the way to Sendai.
-Ben 弁
The information board is a bulletin board limited to IIA members. You can post anything as long as it is not associated with any profit organisation, religion or political-based. (does not apply to businesses with IIA membership) Please send us your posts by the 20th of each
month. We look forward to hearing from you.
Aikido is not a martial art designed for the sake of hurting your opponent. Rather, it aims to improve mental stability, support health, improve fitness and harmonise the soul; which is why it is also referred to as “moving Zen”.
These classes are for those who would like to try Aikido for the first time. Feel free to take this opportunity to experience some Japanese culture.
Class times and locations: 3rd February (Fri) 7:00pm-8:00pm 4th February (Sat) 11:00am-12:00pm 5th February (Sun) 1:30pm-2:30pm
Kusano Community Centre (28 Mukaihara, Izumizaki, Taira)
Nanbu Arena, (The South Forest Sports Park, 102-58 Hosoya Nishiki). Aikido Touko Juku (18 Ota, Honya, Izumi)
Please select a day that is convenient for you and apply (the capacity for each class is 15 people) . Please wear clothing that’s comfortable for exercise. Please contact directly for more details.
Inquiries: Azuma Oshiyama TEL: 0246-58-8300 FAX: 0246-26-3238 Email: [email protected]
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The following is a guide to hospitals open on Sundays and public holidays in Iwaki City during January and early February
January Guide
Sunday 1 January
Onahama Area Kashima Hospital 9-5 58-8010
Nakoso Area Kushida Hospital 9-5 63-3202
Nakoso Area Clinic Tabata 9-5 63-1476
Joban Area Tokiwakai Joban Hospital 9-5 43-4175
Monday 2 January
Onahama Area Ishii Noshinkei Geka Ganka Hospital (neurosurgery and opthalmology) 9-5 58-3121
Nakoso Area Kojima Jiai Hospital 9-5 63-5141
Nakoso Area Ohara Kodomo Clinic (paediatrics) 9-5 63-0001 Joban Area Watanabe Sanka Fujinka (obstetrics and gynaecology) 9-5 42-4567 Tuesday 3 January
Onahama Area Onahama Seikyo Hospital 9-5 53-4374
Nakoso Area Nakoso Hospital 9-5 65-7755
Nakoso Area Iwabuchi Clinic 9-5 63-1501
Joban Area Joban Jin Hinyoki Clinic (nephrology & urology) 9-5 43-1200 Sunday 8 January
Taira Area Takahashi Clinic 9-5 46-1231
Onahama Area Kazawa Naika Ichoka Iin (internal and gastroenterology) 9-5 54-6200
Nakoso Area Kureha General Hospital 9-5 63-2181
Joban Area Iwaki Yumoto Hospital 9-5 42-3188
Taira Area Yamagiwa Kodomo Clinic (paediatrics) 9-12 28-8686 Monday 9 January
Uchigo Area Suda Iin 8:30-12 27-6060
Taira Area Aratame Hospital 10-4 28-1222
Onahama Area Nakayama Iin 9-5 55-8141
Tono Area Komatsu Iin 9-5 89-2041
Joban Area Haruyama Iin 9-5 44-4011
Sunday 15 January
Taira Area Shirai Geka Ichoka Iin (surgery & gastroenterology) 8:30-12 25-3788
Taira Area Yamaguchi Iin 9-5 24-1811
Onahama Area Clinic Abe 9-5 85-5801
Nakoso Area Kushida Hospital 9-5 63-3202
Joban Area Kamome Clinic 9-5 28-1010
Joban Area Muramatsu Shonika (paediatrics) 9-12 72-0707 Sunday 22 January
Taira Area Takahashi Clinic 9-5 46-1231
Onahama Area Nakamura Hospital 9-5 53-3141
Nakoso Area Kojima Jiai Hospital 9-5 63-5141
Joban Area Hakozaki Iin 9-5 42-3131
Onahama Area Kodomo Clinic Suzuki (paediatrics) 9-12 56-6336 Sunday 29 January
Taira Area Endo Clinic 9-5 35-3533
Onahama Area Nao Heart Clinic 9-5 54-1262
Nakoso Area Nakoso Hospital 9-5 65-7755
Joban Area Oriuchi Iin 9-5 44-1133
Taira Area Fukuda Shonika Iin (paediatrics) 9-12 22-4272
Emergency Dental Care
All emergency dental care will be provided at the General Health and Welfare Centre (Sogo Hoken Fukushi Senta) in Uchigo. This centre is open on Sundays and all national holidays from 9am to 12pm and 1pm to 4pm. The reception closes at 3:30pm. For more information please contact the centre on 27-8620.
*The centre will also be open on 3 Jan with the same hours as above
After Hours and Holiday Emergency Treatment Centre (Located in Iwaki Kyoritsu Hospital)
If you need to see a doctor urgently in the evening or on a weekend or public holiday, the After Hours and Holiday Emergency Treatment Centre is open at the following times:
Weekdays: 8pm - 12am.
Saturdays: 8pm - 7am (next day). Sundays: 1pm - 12am.
Public Holidays: 9am - 12am TEL: 27-1208
*New Year’s Day: 12am-7am; 9am - 12am
2-3 Jan: 9am - 12am
Please make sure whenever
possible to bring a
Japanese-speaker with you when visiting the hospital in Iwaki.
Emergency Contact Numbers
Police: 110
Fire & Ambulance: 119
Children Emergency, First-Aid Telephone
Consultations
The Fukushima Prefecture Children Emergency, First-Aid Telephone Consultation Centre (Fukushima- ken Kodomo Kyukyu Denwa Sodan) is a free telephone service that provides professional advice when your child has become sick during the night. This telephone service is available in Japanese only.
TEL: 024-521-3790 or
#8000
February Guide
Sunday 5 February
Taira Area Shimada Ganka Iin 9-1 22-1677
Taira Area Yamaguchi Iin 9-5 24-1811
Onahama Area Ochiai Naika Shokakika (internal & gastroenterology) 9-5 73-1171
Nakoso Area Kureha General Hospital 9-5 63-2181
Joban Area Tokiwakai Joban Hospital 9-5 43-4175
Uchigo Area Aihara Shonika Iin (paediatrics) 9-12 26-5551 Saturday 11 February
Uchigo Area Suda Iin 8:30-12 27-6060
Onahama Area Iwaki Central Clinic 9-5 53-3511
Nakoso Area Midorikawa Naika Clinic (internal) 9-5 68-6415 Joban Area Iwaki Kusakidai General Clinic 9-5 28-1145 Sunday 12 February
Uchigo Area Suda Iin 8:30-12 27-6060
Taira Area Shirai Geka Ichoka Iin (surgery & gastroenterology) 8:30-12 25-3788
Onahama Area Kashima Hospital 9-5 58-8010
Nakoso Area Kushida Hospital 9-5 63-3202
Joban Area Iwaki Yumoto Hospital 9-5 42-3188
Nakoso Area Ohara Kodomo Clinic (paediatrics) 9-12 63-0001
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1 New Year’s Day 2 New Year’s Day Holiday
3 4 5
6 7
8
Coming of Age Ceremonies held in
Iwaki
9
Coming of Age Day
10
Primary and JHS Opening Ceremonies
11
Free Legal Consultations (City Hall)
12
Yu no Hanakai
13 14
Iwaki Sunshine-ology
Lecture 6 (Latov 6F)
15 16 17 18
Free Legal Consultations (City Hall)
19
Yu no Hanakai
20 21
22 23 24 25
Très bien Free Legal Consultations (City Hall)
26
Yu no Hanakai
27 28
Iwaki Sunshine-ology
Lecture 7 (Latov 6F)
29 30 31 Feb 1 Feb 2 Feb 3 Feb 4
IIA Custom-made Plans
Très bien – Inquiries to Yamazaki-san 090-1934-0506
Yu no Hanakai – Inquiries to Ohba-san 0246-42-2135
Nihongo no Kai – Inquiries to Suzuki-san 0246-62-3218
Lac lảm Thai - Inquiries to Nakano-san 090-2881-4433
Please confirm the event date with the relevant representative if you’re participating for the first time
The following facilities are closed from 29 December to 3 January:
City Offices and IIA; Alios; Iwaki City Libraries (Iwaki City Library only closed on New Year’s Day) Iwaki City Cultural Centre and Lifelong Learning Plaza and most other public facilties. Please inquire with other facilities to confirm which days are closed
Applications to soumu@iwaki- kankou.or.jp
Counselling Service for Foreigners
Yorisoi Hotline (Helpline for Foreigners): Consultation service available in Japanese, English, Korean, Tagalog, Chinese, Spanish, Portuguese and Thai. Available languages vary depending on time. Are you having a problem with your visa, nationality, family, work, everyday living, discrimination, domestic violence, confinement or human trafficking? Please call us about any problem you may have. Your privacy will be protected.
Free. TEL: 0120-279-226. Mon-Fri, 10am-10pm. TELL Lifeline: TELL is a professional non-profit organisation that provides counselling to English-speaking foreigners all over Japan. The lifeline is staffed by highly trained volunteer phone counsellors and provides free, non-judgemental and confidential phone counselling and information 365 days a year from 9am - 11pm. TEL: 03-5774-0992. For more information, check out their website at http://www.telljp.com or e-mail them at [email protected].
Safety and Consultation Centre for Women (Police Box in front of Iwaki Station): For consultations related to women's safety. Free. Can only speak Japanese. 10am-6pm daily.
TEL: 0246-25-9344.
Legal Consultations:
Iwaki City Hall provides free general legal consultations. Scheduled days are as listed on the calendar; however these are subject to change. Please contact City Hall (Hometown Revitalisation Division TEL 0246-22-7438) and confirm the date, time and place. Reservations are required for consultations.
