News & Current Events

Get your Valentine's Day gifts in Kiryu!

updated
February 2, 2012

KIRYU CITY HALL 1ST FLOOR COUNTER SERVICES ON SUNDAY
9 am to 4 pm

Month	Sunday	Main Branch	Niisato Branch	Kurohone Branch
Feb	5	open	open	open
Feb	19	open	closed	closed
Mar	4	closed	closed	closed
Mar	18	open	closed	closed

For a daily schedule of events, see here!

Korean Cooking Class
The Kiryu International Exchange Association is sponsoring a Korean cooking class on Monday, Feb. 27 from 7 to 9 pm at Kita Kominkan. The class will be taught by Yun Son Fan, a student at Gunma University. Participation in the class is 1,200 yen for adults 16 years of age and older (1,000 yen for KIEA members). Registration is limited to 20 on a first come, first serve basis. Reservations will be accepted starting Tuesday, Feb. 7 (Feb. 6 for KIEA members). Please call the KIEA office for reservations or further information at 46-1111, ext. 537.

Japanese Language Adventure Courses
A new session began on Jan. 14. The classes are now done in salon style with plenty of speaking opportunities for students in small groups. Each session runs for 10 weeks and all classes are free of charge. Classes are held on Saturday mornings from 10:30 am to noon. For more information, see here. This is a great opportunity to improve your knowledge of Japanese and to meet other foreign residents. Don't pass up this chance!

New Waste Disposal Instructions
As of April 1, we moved into a new fiscal year and there are new waste collection calendars and instructions available for foreign residents. To get your copy, see instructions below. Please note, however, that there are new instructions for separating paper. In addition to the old categories of newspapers, magazines, cardboard boxes and drink cartons, you can now separate out various kinds of paper waste (called "kami kuzu") - like toilet paper tubes and old envelopes, etc. These can also be bundled up and disposed of on paper collection days. Be sure to read the instructions carefully - and try to gather together paper waste for recycling rather than throwing it in with combustible waste. Every little bit helps!

New City-designated Waste Disposal Bags
Kiryu residents are required to use city-designated waste disposal bags as of October 1, 2011. The bags, flat style or with handles, are available at local supermarkets, or wherever waste disposal bags are sold. There is a line on the bag where the disposer can write his/her name. This is only mandatory in Kurohone and Niisato. The aim is to help further reduce the amount of waste by eliminating the illegal disposal of waste from outside the city at local waste stations, and to help further promote awareness regarding the proper separation of recyclables and disposal of waste.

Kiryu City Waste Collection Calendars 2012-2013
New waste collection calendars in English, Chinese and Spanish will be available at the Kiryu International Exchange Association counter and at kominkans around the end of March. Please get one from one of these locations or look for it online here. (At present the 2011 calendars are online. New calendars will be uploaded as soon as they are available.) We appreciate your cooperation in recycling to reduce waste!

English Audio Files for Touring Local Facilities
The Kiryu International Exchange Association office is currently working on developing MP3 files, PDF texts and guidemaps to help English speaking visitors to Kiryu tour local facilities with audio guidance. See here for these files. Currently, Hosenji Temple, Kiryu Meijikan, the Textile Museum Yukari, Tenmangu Shrine and Hikobe Manor are available for downloading. Tour Kiryu! The city is replete with local history, culture and traditions - and it is a great way to discover the REAL Japan!

Orihime Bus Routes & Timetables
The Kiryu International Exchange Association office has a new bus timetable & route pamphlet available or you can see it here online. Ride the bus!

Kimono Rental
Have you always wanted to wear a kimono, but couldn't afford one? Now you can! Oburoshiki in Honcho 2 chome is also offering kimono rental on the first Saturday of every month. The rental fee is 1,500 yen per kimono and the fee to be dressed by a professional is 1,500 yen. Oburoshiki has everything you will need for wearing a kimono... Rental and dressing time is from 9 am to noon. Kimonos should be returned between 3 pm and 4 pm on the same day. Appointments are required - call 43-2244.

Caribbean Beach
The Caribbean Beach is open. With the exception of the summer months from May through September, the facility is closed on Thursdays. This year, swimming classes are being offered as well. Children under the age of 3 or those still in diapers are not admitted to the facility. For further information, please call the Caribbean Beach at 70-2121.

Kiryu Kanko Sangyo Kan (Tourism & Industry) Office
The city of Kiryu opened a tourism and industry office at the JR Kiryu Station called "Watarase". Tourist pamphlets are available there and local products are on sale. Be sure and stop by - it is a good chance to buy gifts to take home! For further information, please contact the Kiryu Kanko Sangyo Kan at 40-1888.

Kirikko Wholesale Market
On the second and fourth Saturday of each month the Kiryu Public Wholesale Facility opens its doors to the public. In February, it will be open on Saturday the 11th & 25th from 9 to 11 am. The wholesale market is located on Route 50 in Kasakakecho, Midori City. For further information, please call the facility at 76-4181.

Welcome to Kiryu Information Kits
Are you a new foreign resident? Planning to stay in Japan for more than a year? If so, you should get the "Welcome to Kiryu - Be a Good Citizen" packet. This kit includes a wealth of information about Kiryu , and about government services like the National Health Insurance system and various forms of taxation. Don't be mis-informed or ill-informed. Know your rights and duties as a resident. If you did not receive this important packet when you registered as a foreign resident, please come to the Kiryu International Exchange Association counter on the second floor of Kiryu City Hall to get one. It's free! Available in English, Chinese, Spanish and Japanese.

Emergency Disaster Volunteers - We Need You!
The Kiryu International Exchange Asso. is recruiting foreign resident volunteers who can speak Japanese and foreign languages to serve as interpreters and/or translators in the event of a natural disaster or emergency. These volunteers will be of great importance in helping the foreign residents of Kiryu to act appropriately when a disaster or an emergency strikes the city by providing interpretation and translation services where needed. In particular, they will serve at refuge centers and help disseminate critical information to those who cannot speak or read Japanese. Anyone who can speak Japanese and one or more foreign languages, and is willing to serve as an interpreter/translator, is urged to pick up a colunteer application at the KIEA office, at your local kominkan or at the Kiryu City Hall branch offices in Kurohone and Niisato. For further information, contact the Kiryu International Exchange Association Office at 46-1111 ext. 537. Your help is urgently needed and deeply appreciated!

Public Tea Ceremony
Interested in the ancient tea ceremony tradition of Japan? The Kiryu Tea Ceremony Teachers Association conducts tea ceremonies on the third Sunday of every month in the "Yuryoku-An" tea house in Azuma Park from 10 am to 3 pm. The next public ceremony is on Sunday, Feb. 19. Everyone is welcome to participate.

Spanish Consultation Services
The Kiryu International Exchange Association Office on the 2nd floor of Kiryu City Hall offers Spanish language interpreting and consultation services for local foreign residents. Hours are every FRIDAY from 11 am to 3 pm. No appointment is necessary. Walk-ins are welcomed!

English Language Pamphlet Kiosks
KIEA has placed a pamphlet stand at the entrance of the Kiryu City Library, at "YUI", the tourist information office located inside JR Kiryu Station and in the Niisato and Kurohone Branch Offices of Kiryu City Hall. Many English language pamphlets and maps are available there. Please stop by from time to time.

Are You a Foodie?
We have uploaded our "Savor the Flavors of Kiryu" pamphlet about Kiryu specialties and the cuisine of Japan in pdf format. The file is a hefty 12mb in size, but includes a wealth of pictures and information. Check it out!

Wallet-size Guide to Important Information for Foreign Residents
The Kiryu International Exchange Association has produced wallet-size guides to Kiryu City services and emergency information for foreign residents in English, Chinese, Portuguese and Spanish. These guides are free of charge and can be of great use in times of natural disasters or with regard to access to Kiryu City services. Come by the KIEA office to get your own copy. The information is available online in English, Chinese, Portuguese and Spanish.

Interested in Public Housing?
Look here for application forms and information regarding public housing in Kiryu. The application forms are in PDF format. Call the KIEA office for inquiries regarding public housing. For Chinese, see here. For Spanish, see here.

Kiryu Public Library
The Kiryu Public Library has a collection of foreign titles in various languages available to the public. There is also a large collection of children's books in foreign languages. For more information about the library see here for English, Chinese and Spanish.

Discover Kiryu Maps
The Kiryu International Exchange Association Office has new city maps available in English for foreign residents. If you are interested in receiving a map, please come by the office for a free copy. For a complete listing of printed materials available at the KIEA office, see here.
Kiryu City Hall Main Branch Floor Map (See here.)
Hiking Maps and Nature Guide
Kiryu is a terrific place for hiking. There are many, many kilometers of hiking trails all around the city. From beginner to advanced level trekking - there's something for everyone! Many of the trails lead past historic spots. Be sure to check out the new nature guide and trail maps for more information. It's all free and most trails can be reached by bus. Read all about the plants and animals in the area and then check out the maps to see where you would like to explore. It's a great way to get to know this beautiful city.
Medical Facilities in the Kiryu Area
The Kiryu International Exchange Association has prepared a list of medical facilities in the Kiryu area, sorted by fields of specialization. The list is here.
Sports Facilities Guide & Map
Interested in sports??? See the Kiryu Area Public Sports Facilities Guide and Map for information about what you can do in Kiryu and where you can do it. The guide includes martial arts as well as other sports.
Charter Bus Service to Nagoya, Kanazawa, Kyoto and Osaka or to Sendai; Express Buses to Haneda and Narita
Trying to decide what to do during your summer vacation? Did you know that there are charter buses departing from Kiryu station every week for Osaka and Kyoto? The round trip fare for the buses is cheaper than the train, making this a very economical option. If you would like more information, go here.
Interested in Kiryu History & Culture?
Did you know that Kiryu has a 1300 year tradition in textile production? The city is loaded with historical sites and has lots of events to enjoy. For more information about Kiryu's past, see here . The KIEA Office also has a brochure entitled, "A Guide to Kiryu's Cultural and Historical Institutions." Please stop by for a free copy.
Introducing Kiryu Pamphlet
The KIEA office has prepared a general information pamphlet regarding Kiryu history, culture and climate. It is available in English, Chinese, Portuguese and Italian with a Japanese translation. If you would like to receive a copy of this pamphlet, please call our office or download it in English (pdf file) from this site.