February 2001

The weather is very cold, but according to the solar calendar, February 4 is the first day of spring. February 3 is "Setsubun" or bean throwing ceremony, when we throw parched beans so that the Devil may go out and Fortune come in.

Opening of strawberry-picking in Kishigawa-cho
Feb. 1 (Thu.) ～May 31 (Thu.)
In the warm greenhouse, you can eat as many strawberries as you like. Reservations are necessary before the middle of April. The place is 15 minutes' walk from Kishi Sta. on the Nankai Line at JR Wakayama Sta.
For further info: 0736-64-8787

Setsubun Festival at Kimiidera Temple
Feb. 3 (Sat.)
The temple will invite many celebrities, who play a role as throwers of beans, and the festival is very crowded and alive with lots of people. The temple is 5 minutes' walk from Kimiidera Sta. on the JR Kinokuni-Sen.
For further info: 073-444-1002

Kumano Marathon Meets in Tanabe City
Feb. 4 (Sun.)
About 3000 runners from all parts of the country will participate in the race. The starting place is 15 minutes' bus ride from Asso Sta. on the JR Kinokuni-Sen.
For further info: 0739-47-0550

Fire Festival at Kamikura Shrine in Shingu City
Feb. 6 (Tue)
This is a traditional and very brave Shinto ritual. About 2000 young people in white clothes with winding straw ropes round their waists run down the steep steps with torches in their hands. The shrine is 5 minutes' walk from Shingu Sta. on the JR Kinokuni-Sen.
For further info: 0735-22-5231

Needle Festival at Awashima Shrine
Feb. 8 (Thu.)
The god they enshrine is believed to be the God of Sewing. Students of dressmaking schools and Japanese dressmaking schools visit the shrine with their used needles to hold a memorial service for them. The shrine is 15 minutes' walk from Kada Sta. on the Nankai Kada-Sen.
For further info: 073-459-0043

The 19th Kendo (Japanese martial arts) Contest in Kainan City
Feb. 11 (Sun.)
Participants will compete to win the Kasuga Shrine Cup. You can get to the hall by 10 minutes' walk after taking the Orange Bus from Kainan Sta. on the JR Kinokuni-Sen.
For further info: 073-495-3350

The 7th Tuna Festival in Nachikatsuura-Cho
Feb. 24 (Sat.)
Katsuura Port produces the largest catch of tuna in Japan every year. They are planning to have a demonstration of cooking a whole tuna, a tasting of it and on-the-spot sale. The port is 5 minutes' walk from Kiikatsuura Sta.
For further info: 0735-52-5311

Minabe Plum Orchard in Minabe-Cho
February is the best time for you to visit and enjoy the plum-blossom viewing in the orchard. The orchard is 10 minutes' bus ride from Minabe Sta. on the JR Kinokuni-Sen.
For further info: 0739-74-3464

The opening of plum orchard in Tanabe City
Feb. 7 (Wed.) ～　Mar. 4 (Sun.)
For further info: 0739-37-0690

Sweet for the Sweet
February 14 is Valentine's Day. Around forty years ago, a Japanese confectionery company came up with a new campaign for women to send chocolate to men as a symbol of affection. The idea caught on, and to this day there are lucky men who receive many chocolates from several women, and some who receive none. There is even a light-hearted custom for women to give "girl-choco" (literally meaning "obligatory chocolate") to male colleagues and bosses at the office. Men return the gift of candy on March 14, or "White Day", which is another day for chocolate and candy companies to celebrate.

Minoru Hara

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