Ê<TITLE>TOURING (Coltural Insights)</title>
<H1> Cultural Insights</H1>

<H2>Explore Japanese Culture System</H2>
"Explore Japanese Culture System" is a unique way to
experience Japanese society on a more personal and
memorable level.  If you would like to participate hands-on in
fascinating artistic pursuits, sports and games, from the art
of paper-folding (origami) or how to wear a kimono to the
proper way to fabric dyeing, martial arts or traditional musicmaking, 
ask for further details t at JNTO's overseas offices or a TIC. 

<H2>Home Visit System</H2>
Approximately 1,000 families in the cities listed below have
volunteered to welcome visitors to their homes for a couple
of hours, usually after evening mealtime.  Apply at least 24
hours, preferably two days, in advance.

<DL>
<DT>
<b>Tokyo: Tourist Information Center</b>
<DD>
Kotani Buildingldg,, l -6-6 Yurakucho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100
Tel. (03) 3502-1461
<DT>
<b> Narita: Tourist Information Center</b>
<DD>
Passenger Terminal 2, P.O. Box 2204 Narita Airport, Chiba 282 
                                                Tel. (0476) 34-6251
Narita City Tourist Information Office
839 Hanasaki-cho, Narita 286 Tel. (0476) 24-3198
<DT>
<b>Yokohama: Yokohama International Tourist Association</b>
<DD>
Sabo Center Bldg., 2 Yamashita-cho,  Naka-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 
231 Tel. (045) 641  -4759
<DT>
<b>Nagoya: Nagoya International Center</b>
<DD>
Division of Program Development, 3rd Fl.,  Nagoya Kokusai Center Bldg., l -47-1 Nagono, Nakamura-ku,
Nagoya, Aichi 450 Tel. (052) 581 -0100
<DT>
<b>Otsu: Otsu lnt'l Goodwill Association</b>
<DD>
International Affairs Division, Otsu City Office, 3-1 Goryo-cho, Otsu, Shiga 520 Tel. (0775) 21-6657
<DT>
<b>Kyoto: Kyoto City International Foundation</b>
<DD>
Information Service Section, 2-1 Torii-cho, Awataguchi, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606  Tel. (075) 752-3512
<DT>
<b>Osaka: Osaka Tourist Information Office</b>
<DD>
Higashiguchi, JR Osaka Station, 3-1 -l Umeda, Kita-ku, Osaka 530
Tel. (06) 345-2189
<b>Osaka Tourist Information Center</b>
3rd Fl., JR Shin-Osaka Station, 5-16-1 Nishi-Nakajima, Yodogawa-ku, Osaka 532  Tel.(06)305-3311
<DT>
<b>Kobe: Kobe International Tourist Association</b>
<DD>6th Fl., Kobe Kokusai Koryu-Kaikan, 6-9-1 Minatojima-nakamachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 650 Tel. (078) 303-1010
<DT>
<b>Shirahama: Shirahama-cho Town Office, Tourist Dept.</b>
<DD>
1600 Shirahama-cho, Nishimuro, Wakayama 649-22
Tel. (0739) 43-5555
<DT>
<b>Okayama: Okayama International Plaza</b>
<DD>
3-1 -15 Kosei-cho, Okayama 700 Tel. (0862) 22-0457
<DT>
<b>Kurashiki: Kurashiki Association for International Friendship</b>
<DD>
c/o Kurashiki Kokusai Hotel, 1-1 -44 Chuo, Kurashiki,
Okayama 710 Tel. (0864) 22-5141
<DT>
<b>Hiroshima: Hiroshima lnt'l Relations Organization</b>
<DD>
International Exchange Lounge, 1-5 Nakajima-cho, Naka-ku, Hiroshima 730 Tel. (082) 247-9715
<DT>
<b>Mihara: Mihara International Goodwill Association</b>
<DD>
18-16 Shiro-machi, Mihara, Hiroshima 723 Tel. (0848) 63-1000
<DT>
<b>Fukuoka: Fukuoka lnt'l Association (Rainbow Plaza)</b>
<DD>
8th Fl., 1-7-11 Tenjin, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka 810 Tel. (092) 733-2220
<DT>
<b>Nagasaki: Nagasaki International Association</b>
<DD>
5-9 Edo-machi, Nagasaki 850  Tel. (0958) 23-3931
<DT>
<b>Kumamoto: Kumamoto City Office, International Exchange Section</b>
<DD>
1-1 Tetori- Honcho, Kumamoto 860 Tel. (096) 328-2111
<DT>
<b>Miyazaki: Miyazaki Bridge of Fellowship</b>
<DD>
c/o Ms. Tomoko Kaseda, 19 Oaza Funahiki, Kiyotake-cho,  Miyazaki 889-16  Tel. (0985) 85-0549/0237
<DT>
<b>Kagoshima: Kagoshima City Office, Tourist Section</b>
<DD>
11-l Yamashita-cho, Kagoshima 892 Tel. (0992) 24-1111
<DL>
<DT>
<b>City Tourist Information Service Center</b>
<DD>
l Chuo-cho, Kagoshima 890 Tel. (0992) 53-2500
</DL>
</DL>

<H2>Tickets for Theater, Concerts and Other Events</H2>
To book tickets for theaters, concert halls or sports stadiums, 
contact the Piay Guide Honten at 2-6-4 Ginza, Chuo-ku, 
Tokyo (call (03) 3561 -8821) or the Kyukyodo Ticket Service 
at 5-7-4 Ginza (call (03) 3571 -0401) or any other local
ticket agencies in Tokyo.  In Kyoto, a superbly condensed
version of all major Japanese arts - geisha and gagaku
dances, koto music, bunraku puppet show, and flower
arrangement - can be seen at the Gion Corner (call (075)
561-1119; admission 2,500yen).

<H2>Kabuki</H2>
Kabuki performances are regularly scheduled at the Kabukiza 
(call (03) 3541 -3131) and the National Theatre (call (03)
3265-7411) in Tokyo.  Seats in the latter's upper gallery cost
as little as 1,300yen; seats for one-act performances at the
Kabukiza range from 700yen to 1,000yen.

<H2>Sumo</H2>
Heavyweight wrestlers in loincloths collide with awesome
grace and power in fifteen-day tournaments of this traditional 
Japanese sport.  Tickets must be booked as far in
advance as possible due to extremely high demand.  The
cheapest seats are 1,200yen. Tournaments are held six times
a year in Tokyo (Jan., May, Sept.), Osaka (March), Nagoya
(July) and Fukuoka (Nov.).