Gangara Fire Festival

Gangara Fire Festival is the Ikeda city's most traditional annual event, to wish for safety in the house and fire prevention.　Every year on August 24th, the 4-meter-long and 100-kilogram of torches are carried by young men. The torchlight procession marches around the city and goes up to Atago Shrine (on the Mt. Satsuki).

On the same night, the Daimonji and the Dai-ichimonji Fires are to be lit on the slopes of Mt. Satsuki. This fires are the simbols of the prayer for the inner satisfaction and the world peace.

Date : August 24th 19:00 - 22:00
Place : Walk north from Hankyu Ikeda station.

Osaka Castle Takigi Noh(Performance by firelight)

From tomorrow, the 21st, some attractive night events will be held in Osaka castle, and I'll pick up one of them today, "Osaka Castle Takigi Noh　大阪城薪能" on the 25th.

Osaka Castle Takigi Noh attracts more than 3,000 visitors every year. “Takigi Noh” is a type of noh performed outdoors with light supplied by bonfires. It is performed at night, usually in summer, at a noh theater or on an outdoor temporary stage. For Osaka Castle Takigi Noh, a temporary stage will be installed in front of Osaka Castle.

Enjoy a summer night of traditional Japanese performing art, the world of Yugen, with the illuminated Osaka Castle in the background.

Date: the 25th (Wed.)
18:00 -
*In case of rain, postponed to the follwing 26th.
Place: Nishinomaru Garden of Osaka Castle
Fee: Adult 4500 yen (advance ticket 3600 yen)

Art performance by Tabaimo

Tabaimo is the nickname of a prominent young japanese artist from Hyogo prefecture. Her works are based on video and drawings, and will be in exhibition at the National Museum of Art in Osaka until the 12th of September.

Entrance fee : 420 yen
from 10am-5pm
Access to the Osaka National Art Museum.

Upgraded the backyard

Midsummer greeting!


We introduced the backyard of J-Hopppers the other day, and we're telling more because it's been upgraded with beautiful lanterns!!



They ere collaboration work between sort of a construction coordinator of J-Hoppers Osaka,Mr.Yano and talented Japanese painting artist, Sawako !!


Mr.Yano suggested this idea and made flames, and Sawako draw amazing pictures..　
She draw different paintings on each side, and showing four seasons. Yes, it means that we can enjoy them all year long, not only summer.
her sense of painting is always beyond our imaginings!!


"Is there any place to drink beer ?"

Yes, now we have.. it's too hot to be on the rooftop in daytime, and we can open the backyard from 7:30 am to the midnight until the end of August, as the elementary school is closed for summer holiday.

USJ Summer Twilight Pass

As the rainy season ended, why don't you go to Universal Studios Japan?

Universal Studios Japan is now offering a special ticket called "Summer Twilight Pass". This ticket is for anyone entering the park after 15:00 and valid until the closing time.

The price is 4,500 yen for adults (compared to 6,100 yen for an ordinary Studio Pass), and 3,300 yen for children (compared to 4,100 yen for an ordinary Studio Pass).

This ticket is now on sale at Universal Studios Japan Ticket Booths, Official website at www.usj.co.jp, Lawson convenience stores, and JR Reservation Ticket Offices (Midori-no madoguchi). You can purchase it at JR Fukushima station, which is the nearest station from J-Hoppers Osaka Central as well. There are both advance sale and on-the-day sale.

Summer Twilight Pass will be available for a limited time until September 6th, 2010. Enjoy the Magical Starlight Parade and the limited edition Summer goods and food!

Events in Osaka in mid July

If you haven't planned something for your week end of 17-18th of July, come to Osaka for an unforgettable two days !

* "Great Japan Beer Festival 2010 in Osaka" held in Kyosera Dome Sky Hall, Osaka
4,500 beer lovers was attended last year.
advance ticket 4,100 Yen & at door 4,500 Yen
Door open & close:
17th Jul 14:00-18:00
18th Jul. 13:00-17:00
19th Jul. 11:30-15:30

* The "Suma Beach Party 2010" held on the Suma Beach west of Kobe.
4,000 music lovers are expected.
On 17th and 18th Jul. from 15:00 to late.
You can also participate thanks to the open mic.

Tanabata Party

Have you heard about "Tanabata 七夕"?
Tanabata is Japanese star festival,derived from Chinese one.

There is the legend of Orihime(Vega) and Hikoboshi(Altair).
They are separated by the Milky way, a river made from stars that crosses the sky, and they are allowed to meet only once a year on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month of the lunisolar calendar, the 7th of July.

When you walk around in this season, you would see decorated bamboo trees often, because people write their wishes on strips of colorful paper and then hang them on bamboo branches to celebrate the festival.

Well, let's get to the point. We're going to have the first summer party on the 6th of July, though not on the 7th.. we hope you can enjoy summer evening in upgraded our backyard with our nice guests and new staffs.


Date: 6th of July (Tuesday)
Start about 19:00-19:30
Place: J-Hoppers Osaka Backyard and Kitchen