December 1st Announcements

Announcements from the Akashi Planetarium

The planetarium’s opening hours and status from January 1st to January 3rd will be as follows:

•Hours:  The planetarium will be open from 11:00 am until 3:00 pm.  Please be sure to enter by 2:30 pm.

•Cost:  Entry costs 500 yen for adults.  For children of high school age or younger, admission is free.  The parking lot will not be available to use.

The Akashi Planetarium will also be selling astronaut food and special “lucky bags.”

(A “lucky bag” is a special New Year’s tradition where stores will sell bags full of various goods.  Each bag costs the same, but the contents are different, so you might get lucky and get a great bargain!  However, the contents of each bag are a mystery, so it’s all up to how lucky you are!)

The planetarium will have a special “New Year’s Planetarium” show.

The show will be held 3 times each day.  To prevent confusion and crowding, the planetarium will be giving out numbered tickets to people (you will be able to enter the show when the number on your ticket comes up).

The show times are as follows:

○1  From 11:30 am    ○2  From 12:50 pm   ○3  From 2:10 pm

The length of the show will be about 40 minutes.  Show number ○2 will have content aimed especially at children.

The Akashi Planetarium will be closed on the following days, so please be aware:

•The planetarium will be closed from December 27th to December 31st.

•The planetarium will be closed on January 4th.

•From January 5th, the planetarium will have normal opening hours.

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

There Will be a “Mexican Cooking Class” for Families

Children of elementary school age or older can join their parents and enjoy a “Mexican Cooking Class.”  Mexican people living in Akashi will teach you some delicious Mexican recipes!

Date and Time:  December 27th, from 10:00 am until 1:00 pm

Place:  With Akashi (ASPIA Akashi, North Building, 8th Floor)

Cost:  1,000 yen per person (The cost is the same for adults and children)

This cooking class was organized by Manmaru Akashi.  If you want to join the event, please contact “Multicultural Center Manmaru Akashi” by e-mail or telephone.  8 groups will be able to join, and it will be decided in the order of who applies first.

Our phone number is 078-915-8747.  Our e-mail is info@manmaru-akashi.com 

Have Your Child Received Their Measles and Rubella Vaccinations Yet?

Measles and rubella are very contagious diseases.  In some cases, they can cause very serious symptoms.

To make sure you kids don’t get the diseases, or spread them to friends and family, please be sure to get them vaccinated.  You should have received a ticket or sticker that will allow them to get the vaccination.  However, if the expiration date on the ticket (or sticker) has passed, then it will cost money for them to be vaccinated.  It will cost from about 10,000 to 20,000 yen, so please be careful.

Who is eligible for the vaccinations:

•1st Period:  Children who are from 12 months old to 24 months old.

•2nd Period:  Children who were born from April 2nd, 2017 to April 1st, 2018.

The tickets (or stickers) are valid until March 31st, 2024.

If you have any questions about this article, please contact the Children’s Health Division.  Their phone number is 078-918-5656.  Their fax number is 078-918-6384.

Be Careful About Traffic Accidents

Every year, there are many traffic accidents in December.  People have a lot of things to do, so there are more cars on the road.  On top of that, it gets darker earlier in the evening which makes accidents more likely.

If you’re driving a car, please take precautions and be a safe driver.  Keep track of time and try not to be in such a rush that you drive too quickly or recklessly.  Of course, if you are driving be absolutely certain not to drink any alcohol.

As for people walking around at night, be sure to wear something reflective so that you will be more visible to cars.

If you have any questions about this article, please contact the Traffic Safety Division.  Their phone number is 078-918-5036.  Their fax number is 078-918-5110.

The Process for Reserving a Coronavirus Vaccination Will Be Changing

Starting in January of 2024, the process for making a reservation for a Coronavirus vaccine will change.  Also, please remember that the Coronavirus vaccinations will only be free until March 31st, 2024.

•Reservations for people 12 years old and older

(1) If you are getting the vaccine in December of 2023:

○1  Call the clinic or hospital and make a reservation,

 ○2  Call the phone number 0120-227-710 to make a reservation, or

○3 make a reservation on the Coronavirus vaccination reservation website.

(2)  If you are getting the vaccine in January, February, or March of 2024:

Please call the clinic or hospital and make a reservation.

•Reservations for infants and children from 6 months old to 11 years old:

Whether you are making the reservation in December of 2023 or January/February/March of 2024, the process is the same:  Please call the clinic or hospital to make a reservation.

*The hospitals that will do vaccinations in January/February/March of 2024 have not been decided yet.  The times when you can call and make a reservation have not been decided either.  Once they have been decided, the Akashi City homepage will have a notification.

*If you are 12 years old or older and have not received your 1st or 2nd vaccination, then you can receive them on the following days:

•1st:  Tuesday, December 19th, 2023, at 3:00 pm.

•2nd:  Tuesday, January 9th, 2024, at 3:00 pm.

•The vaccinations will be given at the Akashi City Hospital.

•The phone number to make a reservation is 0120-712-160.  They are available to call every day from 9:00 am until 5:00 pm.

The following are Coronavirus-related phone numbers:

• To make a reservation to receive a vaccination, please call 0120-227-710.
• To consult with someone about the Coronavirus vaccination, please call 0120-712-160.
• These phone lines are open each day from 9:00 am until 5:00 pm.
• If you’re unable to talk over the phone, then their fax number is 0120-655-695.