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1. At the end of 1998 there was much anxiety on the ski slopes about when the winter snow would appear. Fears were allayed in the evening of January 7, when a cold air mass appeared over the Chugoku region. Temperatures dropped and snow began to fall. The following day a large amount of snow fell on the Chugoku region and the ski season began in earnest. Generally, the first snow of the winter falls around December 21. The last time the snow came in January was in 1975, when it appeared on January 10.
2. The Euro, the new currency used many of the members of the European Union (EU), came on sale from January 1. Banks, travel agents and hotels financial began preparations to offer the new currency in addition to the dollar. The Japan Travel Bureau (JTB) was offering traveller's cheques in denominations of 50 and 100 euros.
A new railway has started operation in Hiroshima Prefecture. The Ibara Railway is the third sector operation, funded partly by commercial interests and partly by local governments. The railway connects Kannabe-cho, on the JR Fukuen line, with Soja, on the JR Hakubi Line, in Okayama Prefecture.
The first trains left Ibara Station at eleven minutes past eleven in the morning on January 11, 1999, or, if the time and date are written in the Japanese way, at 11.11, 11. 1. 11.
1. The Aster Plaza opened on January 13 in a considerably expanded form. The Aster Plaza, which first opened in 1991, is equipped with a variety of facilities, including for example a Noh stage, and is the main civic arts centre in Hiroshima. These facilities have been expanded with the addition of a new extension built on to the eastern side of the existing building. The additions comprise a 3700 sq.m. civic gallery, which can be used very flexibly, a multi-purpose studio, and a practice hall for orchestras. Various commemorative events are planned to mark the opening of the extension and the general public will be able to use the new facilities from February 17. The number to use for telephone applications is (082)244-8000.
2. Kirin Beer will open a restaurant in the Kirin Beer Park Hiroshima, a new leisure complex which is being constructed on part of the old brewery in Fuchu-cho. The Kirin Beearize (German for beer's written history) will open on April 24. In addition to the restaurant, an outdoor beer pub will be open in the summer months. A small brewery will produce limited quantities of local brews such as Hiroshima Jaken for consumption in the Park.
Psy U Chic What: A spectacular visual performance based on the traditions arts of story-telling. The title is an adaptation of Sai-yu-ki (which means: Story of a Trip to the West). The story is by K. Nakashima, Directed by H. Inoue. When: 19.00, 24 February (Wed). Where: Hiroshima Yubin Chokin Hall (in Hakushima). Admission: S Seats: \8,500, A Seats: \7,000. (Tickets from Deodeo, Sogo, Yamaha, Hiroshima Stn., Al-Park Tenmaya, Lawson Playguides.) Information: Tel. (082) 253-1010.
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到来
１．スキー場にいつになったら冬が訪れるのか、昨年末まで気をもんでいた。１月７日、中国地方に寒気団が到来し、心配はなくなった。気温は下がり、雪が降り始めたのだ。翌日は大雪に覆われ、スキーシーズンがやってきた。例年なら初雪は１２月２１日前後。初雪が１月に観測されたのは１９７５年以来で、その年は１月１０日だった。
２．ヨーロッパ連合（ＥＵ）の多くの国で使われる新しい通貨、ユーロが１月１日から導入された。銀行、旅行会社、ホテルの会計はドルとともに、新しい通貨も扱える準備を始めた。日本旅行会社（ＪＴＢ）では、額面５０、１００ユーロの旅行者用小切手を取り扱いをしている。
出発
新しい鉄道の操業が広島県内で始まった。井原鉄道は、民間と地方自治体の出資による第３セクターで運営、設立された。ＪＲ福塩線の神辺駅から、岡山県内を走る伯備線の総社駅を結ぶ。
始発列車は、井原駅を１９９９年１月１１日午前１１時１１分、日本式でいえば「平成１１年１月１１日１１時１１分」に出発した。
革新
１．１月１３日、増築されたアステールプラザがオープンした。１９９１年に開館したアステールプラザは、広島の芸術センターとして、能舞台をはじめさまざまな設備を持つ。増築部分は現在の建物東側に位置し、延べ床面積３７００平方メートル。多目的スタジオやオーケストラ練習ホール、市民ギャラリーがある。さまざまなイベントが開館を記念して開かれる予定で、一般使用は２月１７日から。問い合わせは電話（０８２）２４４−８０００。
２．キリンビールが、安芸郡府中町の醸造所後に建てる複合レジャー施設、「キリンビールパーク広島」に新しいレストランをオープンする。キリンビアライゼ（ドイツ語でビールの歴史との意）の開館は４月２４日。夏期には屋外パブも開かれる。「広島じゃけん」のような地ビールも限定製造される。
