Many temples and shrines in Kyoto and Nara will hold a “setsubun” ceremony this Monday 3 to celebrate the last day of winter in the traditional lunar calendar.

Scattering beans to drive out devils and attract good fortune is one of the main activities of the day.

Information is available at kanko.city.kyoto.lg.jp/eventlist.php?event_tab=all&year=2014&month=2 for Kyoto and narashikanko.or.jp/index.php for Nara (in Japanese).

Osaka’s Tempozan seeks street performers

Tempozan Harbor Village in Osaka is seeking street performers who want to compete between noon and 5 p.m. on March 9. Visitors to the area that day can watch the performances.

People who wish to perform are required to register by mailing by Feb. 15 a resume and a DVD showing them perform from within the past year. Participation is free. The venue is a five-minute walk from Osakako Station on the Chuo subway line.

More details are available at www.kaiyukan.com/topics/2014/01/topic_000961.html (in Japanese) or by calling 06-6576-5501.

Lecture on Burkino Faso in Wakayama slated

Wakayama International Exchange Center will host an event titled “International Cafe” from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Feb. 16.

A Japanese lecturer who worked as a member of the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers in Burkina Faso will talk about the country and hold a workshop on African dance. Participation is free and reservations are not necessary.

The center is 12 minutes on foot from Miyamae Station on the JR Kinokuni Line. For details, check www.wak-kokusai.jp/upload/entries/93/international_cafe_original.pdf (in English) or call 073-435-5240.

Panel on multicultural coexistence in Japan

Nagoya International Center will host a seminar Sunday to seek measures for multicultural coexistence in Japanese society.

A keynote speech by an academic and a panel discussion by foreign residents will take place during the event from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Interpreters in Chinese, English, Portuguese and Spanish will be provided.

Participation is ¥500. Reservations are required and can be made by sending an email to seminar-vol@nic-nagoya.or.jp or calling 052-581-5689.

The center is a seven-minute walk from Nagoya Station. To find out more about the event, check www.nic-nagoya.or.jp/en/e/archives/8098 (in English).

Nagoya seminar for foreign children, parents

Foreign children and their parents around Nagoya can attend a seminar and an individual counseling session on issues related to education for free from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Feb. 8.

Translations in Chinese, English, Portuguese and Spanish will be provided. Reservations are required and can be made by sending an email to info@nic-nagoya.or.jp or calling 052-581-0100. The venue is Nagoya International Center.

More details can be found at www.nic-nagoya.or.jp/en/e/archives/8086(in English).