Announcements in the August 1^st Issue

 At Okura Beach, You Can Safely Observe Tiny Ocean Creatures

At Okura Beach’s “Nature Observation Center”, children have a chance to see different ocean creatures.

You can safely catch different creatures on the nearby coastline, such as small fish, shellfish, crabs, and shrimp.  You can also use the books there to research the names of different aquatic creatures.  

The Nature Observation Center has free rentals of the tools you need to catch the creatures, as well as boots or lifejackets to wear so you can be safe while out on the coastline.  There are also people there who will instruct you about how to safely observe the animals.

Days when you can use the Nature Observation Center facilities to observe ocean creatures:

It is open on Saturdays, Sunday, and public holidays from 10:00 am until 4:00 pm.  Please note, however, that you may not be able to use the Observation Center depending on the weather or the condition of the sea.

If you have any questions about this article, please contact the Okura Beach Park Administrative Office.  Their phone number is 078-914-7255.  Their fax number is 078-914-7256.

  You Can See the Fossils of Prehistoric Animals

You can see the fossils of all sorts of ancient animals that were discovered close to Akashi, from elephants to shellfish.

• The exhibit is open until September 2^nd.  It is open every day from 9:00 am until 5:00 pm.  The exhibit is closed on Mondays.
• The exhibit is called the “Uozumi Repository of Cultural Heritage.”  It is located at Uozumi-cho, Nishioka 2119-23.
• The staff at the exhibit can answer any questions you may have.
• It is possible to touch some of the fossils.

If you have any questions, please ask the Sports and Culture Office, Historical Heritage Department.  Their phone number is 078-918-5629.  Their fax number is 078-918-5633.

*This is a photo of Stegodon akashiensis, also called the “Akashi Elephant”.  It was a species of stegodon (a kind of prehistoric elephant) that lived around 2 million years ago in the Akashi area.  It was about 1.5 meters tall, making it a smaller species of elephant.

The Akashi City Library’s Central Building and Western Branch

Library facilities all over Akashi have a wide variety of different books you can borrow.  They have desks and chairs as well, so you can relax and take your time enjoying any book you want to read.

1 The Akashi City Library Central Building has about 460,000 books.

2 The Akashi Library Western Branch has about 130,000 books.

3  The Akashi Mobile Library has about 40,000 books.

There are also people at the libraries who are happy to help you out.

The “Akashi Mobile Library” is a selection of books loaded onto a truck, which drives around to various schools and parks.  It stops at 81 different places in Akashi City.

 Announcing the August and September Events at the Akashi Planetarium

The Akashi Planetarium is usually closed on Mondays, as well as on the 2^nd Tuesday of each month.  But from Tuesday, August 8^th, until Sunday, August 20^th, the planetarium will not be closed on those days.  The opening hours for the planetarium are from 9:30 am until 5:00 pm.  The cost for entry is 700 yen for adults.  However, any children of high school age or younger can enter the planetarium for free.

Now, here are some events in August and September:

1  Stargazing Event

This will be an event in which people can join the planetarium in watching the stars in the sky above.  The event will be held once in August, and twice in September.

For either event, anyone who wants to participate must apply at least two weeks in advance.  Please apply for the event on the Akashi Planetarium’s website.  If too many people apply, the participants will be decided by lottery.

Event Dates:
1^st Stargazing Event: Friday, August 25^th.  The deadline for applications is Friday, August 11^th.

2^nd Stargazing Event: Saturday, September 2^nd.  The deadline for applications is Saturday, August 19^th.

3^rd Stargazing Event:  Saturday, September 16^th.  The deadline for applications is Saturday, September 2^nd.

Event Cost:

It will cost 300 yen per person.  (If you want to use a parking space, that will cost an additional 200 yen.)

2 They will be showing “The Challenging Journey to Mars” at the planetarium.

Besides Earth, there are seven other planets orbiting the sun in our solar system.  Mars, the Red Planet, is one of those planets that is quite close to Earth.

Today, is it still very difficult for humans to go to Mars.  However, that may change someday.  This film will show the many people giving it their all with research and experiments to learn more about Mars.  The film will be shown on Thursday, August 31^st. 

If you have any questions about this article, please contact the Akashi City Planetarium.  Their phone number is 078-919-5000.  Their fax number is 078-919-6000.

 Notifications about the Coronavirus Vaccine

The Coronavirus vaccine is now available.

The following phone numbers are for Coronavirus information in Akashi:

• If you want to make a reservation to be vaccinated, please call 0120-227-710.
• If you want to consult about Coronavirus-related issues, please call 0120-712-160.
• Either of these are available to call from 9:00 am until 5:00 pm.
• If you’re unable to talk over the telephone, please send a fax to 0120-655-695.