Enjoy winter in Kiryu - visit the Kiryu Skate Center!

updated February 4, 2010

Kiryu Skate Center
The Kiryu Skate Center located in Higashi will remain open through March 31. See here for details about the center.

Kiryu City Waste Collection Calendars 2009-2010
Waste collection calendars in English, Chinese and Spanish are available at the Kiryu International Exchange Association counter and at kominkans. If you did not receive one in the mail, please get one from one of the above locations or look for it online here. This year Kiryu will recycle the plastic caps from PET bottles. Please collect them separately, put them in a transparent plastic bag and dispose of them on the same days that PET bottles are collected. We appreciate your cooperation in recycling to reduce waste!

Orihime Bus Routes & Timetables
The Kiryu Public Bus system, known as the Orihime Bus, has changed its routes, fares and 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!

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 new 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 Saturday of each month the Kiryu Public Wholesale Facility opens its doors to the public. In February, it will be open on Saturday the 13th from 9 am 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.

Kimono Rental
Here's something of interest for the foreign women of Kiryu! Have you always wanted to wear a kimono, but couldn't afford one? Now you can! The Kiryu Sanchi no Mise located in Honcho 6 chome has a huge selection of kimonos for rental on Saturday and Sunday of each week for the very minimal fee of 2,000 yen. This fee includes not only the kimono, obi and all the various undergarments and zori, but also having a kimono expert help you put it on correctly. To rent a kimono, go to the store at around 9 am, choose the kimono and obi, get dressed and you're all set for the day! You must return the kimono by 3 pm of that same day. For further information, contact Mr. Kobayashi (in Japanese, please) at the store at 43-3150 or at his residence (weekdays) at 54-5300. Reservations are not required. You must provide your own tabi (Japanese socks) but there are some at the store available for sale at 1,000 yen a pair. Large size tabi are up to about size 24 shoe. For larger sizes, purchase knit tabi at the 100 yen shop or bring your own socks. Zori and tabi are not required... you can wear your own shoes and socks.

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!

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 Wednesday from 11 am to 3 pm. No appointment is necessary. Walk-ins are welcomed!

Automobile Drivers

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.