The Matsumura Laboratory, School of Economics, Osaka University has held Ebisu Otoko @ Handai Slope in the winter of each of the past 11 years as a collaboration event with the Ishibashi Shopping Arcade. This event has enjoyed a good reputation; however, participants run up the Handai Slope in the cold winter morning, so the range of the participants was limited.
This year we have planned a nagashi-somen (flowing noodles) event on the Handai Slope so that a wide range of people can participate. In this event, people from the community and OU students will be able to socialize with each other in a casual environment. Taking advantage of the School of Foreign Studies at Osaka University, we can provide international students with a good chance to get to know Japanese culture, too. We hope that this event will become a good opportunity for students and community to interact with each other.

Purposes
1. As an event for connecting the shopping arcade with Osaka University, make this event an opportunity for deepening the relationship between the shopping arcade, OU students, and people in the surrounding communities
2. Encourage OU students and people in surrounding communities to use the Ishibashi Shopping Arcade and increase their attachment to the community
3. Introduce Japanese culture to international students at Osaka University
4. Make use of their Ebisu Otoko @ Handai Slope experience from the winter
5. Make Handai Slope a landmark of Osaka University
6. Break the existing image of serious and boring OU students and develop their initiative in student life
7. Maintain the bamboo grove in Machikaneyama

Event overview
Handai Slope, a path from Hankyu Ishibashi Station through the Ishibashi Shopping Arcade to the campus, has discouraged commuters to climb, especially in summer. Willing or not, commuters are forced to become familiar with Handai Slope. This summer, we will set a bamboo flume for people to eat nagashi-somen (flowing noodles). Participants will also take part in the preparation for this event: cutting bamboo at Machikaneyama, making a long flume for flowing noodles, and setting it on the slope.

Program

Date: Saturday, July 15, 2017 - 09:00 ~ 18:00

• 09:00 ~ 16:00 -- Cut bamboo and set up a bamboo flume
• 16:00 ~ 18:00 -- Enjoy eating nagashi-somen
• Participants can participate in both or just one of these events. The event will be postponed to July 16 if it rains. In the case of light rain, participants will be informed of a go/no-go  decision by 8:00 a.m. on the day of the event. (If it is also raining on July 16, the even will be cancelled.)

Venue: The part of Handai Slope starting from the intersection of R176 and R171 and leading to the rear gate of Osaka University's Toyonaka campus -- from in front of the Manpukuji Temple to the Machikaneyama garden
The length of the somen flume will be determined by the number of participants. Persons wanting to attend are requested to register in advance.
Organized by: Matsumura Laboratory, School of Economics, Osaka University
In cooperation with: Ishibashi Shopping Arcade, Osaka University Kaitokudo for the 21st Century
Venue capacity: 100