Kumamoto International Archive

Archive of the Kumamoto International Facebook group, 2011–present.

Kirk here with some architectural news.
Kumamoto Exhibition Explores Shoei Yoh’s Pioneering Timber Structures and Computational Design
Visit the Contemporary Art Museum of Kumamoto for an exhibition honoring Shoei Yoh's innovative work in architecture and design through March 9.

Kirk here with Claude's translation of an article about an event at Kumamoto Castle. I don't have a firm opinion about such events at the castle but it seems rather problematic to have three religious facilities (Kato Shrine, Inari Shrine, Kumamoto Daijingu) on the grounds and, at the same time, say that all activities held there must be completely secular. Of course, specifics about how the even is conducted, etc. may be relevant.
I'll put URLs to the article and YouTube video in a comment.
----- start translation ----
Religious Events at Kumamoto Castle — Yes or No? Council Debates Multicultural Coexistence
In an era that calls for the realization of multicultural coexistence, the use of Kumamoto Castle became a topic of debate in the Kumamoto City Council.
The issue was sparked by a religious event held by Muslims at Ninomaru Plaza last June.
When questioned about the operational guidelines for large-scale group use of parks within the city, Mayor Onishi responded: "Parks with historical and cultural value that symbolize Kumamoto City, such as Kumamoto Castle, require different considerations from ordinary parks. Regarding large-scale group use of urban parks, we will carefully examine the appropriate criteria for decision-making and proper operational procedures, taking into account the impact on surrounding users, the extent to which the space is occupied, and the characteristics of each park."
The religious event held last June was the Islamic festival of Eid al-Adha ("Festival of Sacrifice"), held against the backdrop of a growing number of technical intern trainees arriving from Indonesia, and drew approximately 700 participants.
The city of Kumamoto authorized the event under the Urban Parks Ordinance, on the grounds that it did not constitute an event open to an unspecified general public.
The ordinance contains no provision prohibiting religious activities.
As the number of foreign residents moving to Kumamoto Prefecture continues to grow, the question of how to handle group use of public facilities has become a point of debate. The city notes that there are 1,100 parks within its boundaries, each requiring consideration appropriate to its historical value, and has stated that regarding religious activities, it wishes to "proceed cautiously while monitoring how other cities are handling the matter."

Kirk here. A fan of Japanese dramas I know has stopped watching NHK's "Bakebake" (the drama about Hearn and his wife) since the story moved to Kumamoto. Her complaints were primarily about the meaningless, dramatically inane series of Kumamoto tropes and stereotypes. I wondered if this was a criticism shared by many viewers and apparently it is. I am presenting an image from one article and the translation of the Japanese text from another article in this post. I'll provide the URLs in a comment.
--- Claude translation ---
"The Screen Is Hell" — NHK Morning Drama Bakebake's Kumamoto Arc Sees Ratings Slump… What Is the "Biggest Cause" of the Decline?
Weekly Josei Prime / March 4, 2026, 7:00 AM
NHK morning drama Bakebake heroine Takaishi Akari
"It's like watching a comedy troupe with no star power"
"Ever since they moved to Kumamoto, the screen has been hell"
Such voices are leaking out on social media about the NHK serial drama Bakebake. Now that the story is approaching its final stretch, ratings are apparently in decline.
What Is Causing Bakebake's Ratings Drop?
"The weekly average ratings fell to 14.2% in the first week of February, and the show has been stuck in a low-altitude flight ever since. The previous series, Anpan, actually gained viewers in its second half and maintained ratings above 16% from week 20 onward — so the contrast is stark." (TV magazine writer)
Since the real-life models for the drama, Koizumi Yakumo and his wife Setsu, had their child in Kumamoto, the story should be approaching its climax — and yet. Drama writer Tsuda Haruko says:
"After the move to the Kumamoto arc, there's been a string of 'do we really need this?' episodes — like the drawn-out detective-game storyline over a missing grill net involving the new maid Kuma (Natsume Tsumuha), and the deadbeat father Shinnosuke (Okabe Takashi) stealing money from Heaven (Tommy Bastow)."
Not only is the story failing to move forward, but the biggest reason viewers have been tuning out is:
"'Nishikori withdrawal.' Nishikori, played by Yoshizawa Ryo, always had Heaven's back no matter what, and functioned more as the 'heroine' than the actual protagonist Toki (Takaishi Akari). Visually too, there were legendary scenes — like a full 20-second close-up of Yoshizawa's profile — that were genuinely compelling to watch.
Such a magnetic character has now exited the show, so you'd think they would introduce an equally compelling new figure for the Kumamoto arc. Instead, all we get are a pushy maid and a gloomy cast of supporting players." (Tsuda, same throughout)
She continues:
"All we ever see is Toki and the Matsuno family sponging off Heaven, with no sense of gratitude — they just come across as shameless. They're supposed to be a samurai household, yet the only one with any sense of honor or duty is Lady Tae (Kitagawa Keiko). It's like watching a parasite family.
The Matsue arc had so many vivid characters — Toki's best friend Sawa (Maru-i Wan), the courtesan Nami (Sato Honami) and others. By comparison the Kumamoto arc just feels thin. It's fine to cast less well-known actors, but then at least make them likable characters — otherwise it's unfair to Natsume-san, who plays Okuma."
In episode 104 (aired February 26), the curse drama surrounding Ise (Imou Yu) finally unfolded, and Yakumo's supernatural literary work The Doll's Grave made its long-awaited appearance — but:
"Toki's 'A curse? How fun!' reaction felt like it went too far as a joke. They may have wanted to show her warmth in taking Ise's curse upon herself, but many viewers probably found it unpleasant to see her gleefully exclaim 'Being cursed gives me a thrill!'
We want to watch the story of Yakumo and Setsu as a couple, yet all we're shown, week after week, is the Matsuno family's slapstick chaos. If the show can't even treat the ghost story works with respect, how on earth will they handle something like Hoichi the Earless?"
Four weeks left. How will this show yet 'transform'?
--- end of translation ---
Note about translation from Claude: The closing line plays on the drama's title — bakebake means "to transform/morph" — asking whether the show can still pull off a meaningful change in its final stretch.

Kirk here with news about plans for a Blue Impulse airshow on April 11. Should be impressive. I remember the last one, which was visible from where I live in Obiyama (not too far from central Kumamoto City). I assume this one will also be visible from most points near the heart of Kumamoto City and perhaps from much farther away as well.
---- translation by Claude ----
[Breaking News] Blue Impulse to Fly at Kumamoto Earthquake Recovery 10th Anniversary Event — 2026 Fiscal Year Schedule Announced
The Ministry of Defense has announced that the Japan Air Self-Defense Force's aerobatic team "Blue Impulse" will perform a demonstration flight at a recovery event marking 10 years since the Kumamoto earthquake, to be held on the 11th of next month.
Along with this, the flight schedule for fiscal year 2026 has also been announced. Planned appearances include a flight at the air show at Matsushima Base in Miyagi Prefecture — Blue Impulse's home base — on October 4th, as well as flights at events such as the Tokyo Marathon next March and the 2027 International Horticultural Exposition.
The Blue Impulse flight schedule is as follows:
◆ Saturday, April 11 — Kumamoto Earthquake 10th Anniversary Recovery Event
(remainder of schedule abbreviated)
【速報】ブルーインパルス熊本地震復興10年イベントでフライトへ　2026年度スケジュールを発表 | TBS CROSS DIG with Bloomberg
防衛省は航空自衛隊のアクロバットチーム「ブルーインパルス」が、来月11日に行われる熊本地震から10年の復興イベントで展示飛行を披露すると発表しました。あわせて2026年度の飛行スケジュールも発表され、10月4…

Kirk here with some cherry blossom news.
New type of cherry tree found in Kumamoto Castle in southwestern Japan | NHK WORLD-JAPAN News
Kumamoto City in southwestern Japan says a new type of cherry tree has been found in the grounds of Kumamoto Castle.

Kirk here with something for One Piece fans.
More Than Just a Card Set: Eiichiro Oda’s Heartfelt Tribute to His Hometown After 10 Years | SNKRDUNK Magazine
A Hero’s Homecoming: Eiichiro Oda and the 10-Year Journey to Rebuild Kumamoto In the world of One Piece, Monkey D. Luffy is known for saving kingdoms. But in the real world, his creator, Eiichiro Oda, has been doing the exact same for his own hometown. Following the devastating earthquake that str...

This film just opened in Kumamoto and I went to see it last night. It's playing at most cinemas and is in Japanese and English. Although mainly set in Tokyo, some scenes were filmed close to home! It's beautifully acted and well worth watching. (Fiona)
RENTAL FAMILY | Official Trailer | Searchlight Pictures
Discover the joy of unexpected connections. RENTAL FAMILY, starring Academy Award® winner Brendan Fraser. Premiering at @TIFF 2025, only in theaters November...

Kirk here with a YouTube video about a new Taiwanese restaurant in Kumamoto City.
The name is 街角饅頭店吉祥天 (Kisshoten) and it's located in Oe at the following address (pop it into Google maps to get the exact location):
熊本県熊本市中央区大江4丁目18-18
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nuE-EZwMKU
Here's a Japanese-language blog introducing it:
https://somekenblog.net/gourmet/kissyouten/
Kumamoto Sees Growing Taiwanese Community Thanks to TSMC Fab｜TaiwanPlus News
The city of Kumamoto in southern Japan is seeing a boom in Taiwan-related businesses following the set up there of TSMC's chip fab.📹 Reporter(s): Kris Ma/Sa...

Kirk here. Today this detailed article about the online sweets shop "Kiyomasa Store" ("Kiyomasa" as in KATO Kiyomasa, the guy who built the castle) was in my feed about "Kumamoto":
Discover Kumamoto Through Sweets: Order Local Souvenirs Online from Kiyomasa Store
Authentic Kumamoto sweets and gifts delivered across Japan for foreign residents and souvenir lovers.
https://www.prlog.org/13129711-discover-kumamoto-through-sweets-order-local-souvenirs-online-from-kiyomasa-store.html
It's a press release, written by the company as an advertisement. It includes this:
--- start quote ---
For foreigners living in Japan, finding meaningful and unique gifts can sometimes be difficult. Kiyomasa Store provides a convenient way to order regional souvenirs that are perfect for personal enjoyment, gifts for friends, or special occasions. Whether you want to send a Japanese-style sweet to someone abroad, prepare a thoughtful omiyage for colleagues, or simply explore local flavors from home, the store offers reliable nationwide delivery within Japan.
--- end quote ---
And concludes with an invitation to explore the website:
--- start quote ---
Explore the collection and discover your favorite Kumamoto sweets at:
https://kiyomasastore.com/
--- end quote ---
Thing is, the website is only in Japanese. Puzzling.

💚 Come on out to the 20th Kumamoto City St. Patrick's Day Parade on Saturday 7th March!! ☘️ Gather at 2pm at Sun Road ShinShiGai downtown and set off at 2:30pm! It's a very short parade, although there is an after-party at Josaien! Check the link and posters for more info - Ruth
https://parade.kumamoto-ireland.org/2026/spdp2026.pdf

Kirk here. Feeling underpaid in Kumamoto? Well, if we compare ourselves to Lafcadio Hearn, I think we all are. Read this AI generated summary (Claude, my favorite) of a PRESIDENT online article to see just how much better Hearn was paid. ;)
---- start AI-generated summary ---
Key Takeaways: Lafcadio Hearn (Koizumi Yakumo) and His Time in Kumamoto
WHY HE WENT TO KUMAMOTO
Hearn moved from Matsue to Kumamoto in November 1891 primarily for a salary of 200 yen/month at the Fifth Higher Middle School — double what he earned in Matsue. In today's terms, this equates to roughly 96 million yen per year (about $619,000 USD). He also struggled with the cold in Matsue, having spent years in the tropics beforehand.
HIS FEELINGS ABOUT KUMAMOTO
From the start, Hearn disliked the city. He found it less charming and more expensive than Matsue, describing it in letters as "an uninteresting place" and "cold as hell." His family felt like "fish out of water."
WHY HE LEFT AFTER ONLY THREE YEARS
Despite teaching there until 1894, several factors drove him away: worsening conflicts with colleagues, disputes with publishers, and a general inability to warm to the place. He moved to Kobe, accepting a position at the Kobe Chronicle newspaper at half his Kumamoto salary — a significant pay cut — which shows how strongly he wanted out.
HIS FINANCIAL SITUATION
Hearn was doing quite well financially. His Kumamoto salary was roughly equivalent to 96 million yen per year (about $619,000 USD) in today's terms. He had accumulated savings of about 160 million yen (roughly $1,032,000 USD), and his royalty income for one year reached around 52 million yen (approximately $335,000 USD).
WHAT CAME NEXT
His first major book on Japan, Glimpses of Unfamiliar Japan, was published in 1894 to great acclaim in America. This success, combined with an offer from Tokyo Imperial University at a monthly salary equivalent to about 16 million yen (roughly $103,000 USD per month) — four times his Kobe salary — eventually brought him to Tokyo, where he taught English literature and continued writing prolifically.
The article paints Hearn as someone who thrived creatively but struggled persistently with interpersonal relationships and institutional friction — Kumamoto being a prime example of that pattern.
Note: Contemporary yen equivalents are from the original Japanese article, which uses a conversion of 1 historical yen = 40,000 modern yen. USD figures are based on an exchange rate of approximately 155 yen per dollar (February 25, 2026).
---- end AI-generated summary ---

Kirk again. I just posted about how RKK and other local media don't seem to be inclined to tell people about local demonstrations against missiles in Kengun. For reasons that are not hard to understand, the PRC is keen to do so. I'm not a fan of Chinese propaganda but, just the same, it's interesting to me that one can learn things from foreign news reports that the local media (at least RKK in this case) doesn't cover.
Over 1,000 Japanese protest govt's plan to deploy long-range missiles in Kumamoto
More than 1,000 Japanese people gathered on Monday in front of the Ground Self-Defense Force's Camp Kengun base in Kumamoto Prefecture, protesting the government's plan to deploy long-range missiles at the facility.

Kirk here with a share from Mieko Ueno, our local (my neighborhood) member of the city council. Here's an AI translation of the Japanese text:
--- start quote ---
Stop Long-Range Missile Deployment at Kengun Self-Defense Force Base! Ring of Peace
On February 23rd, an action called "Stop Long-Range Missile Deployment! Ring of Peace" took place, forming a human chain around the Kengun Self-Defense Force base in Kumamoto City to demand the withdrawal of plans to deploy long-range missiles there.
A "Ring of Peace" made up of 1,200 people.
We don't need missiles at the Kengun SDF base!
We don't need ammunition depots either!
What we want to pass on to our children is "peace."
--- end quote ---
I am not sure yet, but my impression at this point is that this hasn't been reported on TV. I just checked RKK's online archive and nothing. Plenty of "soft" topics but nothing about this. :(
https://www.facebook.com/mieko.ueno.37/posts/pfbid02jPw3GuYgqsYr66anmdFhdEJtqr8QSFv2CMkLq8z39ae3ExbCuq4RN74rWrYunE8Vl

Kirk here. Yesterday the weather was nice so my wife and dog and I went for a little walk in the Ezuko area. I forgot the name of this kind of sakura but every year it blooms quite early in the season. Spring is on its way!

Kirk here with a local issue that is part of a global phenomenon: bees are in trouble. Here's a summary from Claude (my favorite AI service) that I think helps put the issue in Kumamoto in perspective:
----- start of text from Claude -----
This article fits into a genuinely concerning global story that has been building for about two decades. Let me put the pieces together for you.
The US "Colony Collapse Disorder" backstory
Starting around 2006, American beekeepers began reporting massive, mysterious losses where worker bees simply vanished from hives. It was alarming enough to get a name — Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) — and serious scientific attention. The "mystery" framing held for a while, but the scientific consensus gradually converged on a combination of causes rather than a single smoking gun: neonicotinoid pesticides (which impair bees' navigation and immune systems), the Varroa mite (a parasitic mite that weakens bees and spreads viruses), habitat loss and monoculture farming reducing floral diversity, and pathogens. The pesticide piece became especially politically charged, leading the EU to ban several neonicotinoids in 2018. US losses have continued at roughly 30-40% of managed colonies per year
even after the initial panic subsided.
What the Kumamoto article adds to the picture
The Japanese situation reflects the same multi-factor stress pattern, but with heat emerging more prominently as a driver — which makes sense given Japan's increasingly brutal summers. Kumamoto is in southwestern Japan, which has seen some of its hottest summers on record in recent years. Heat stresses bees directly (disrupting colony thermoregulation and brood development) and also alters the timing and availability of flowering plants that bees depend on. The Varroa mite appears here too, just as in the US and Europe.
The fact that Kumamoto ranks second in Japan for honey production and is still allocating $3.27 million in emergency response money signals how serious the agricultural downstream effects are — bees there pollinate tomatoes, watermelons, and strawberries, which are major commercial crops.
The global pattern
Bee population stress is now documented across North America, Europe, East Asia, and parts of South America. The stressors vary somewhat by region — pesticide exposure is more central in the US and Europe debates, heat and abnormal weather are increasingly prominent in Japan and other parts of Asia — but researchers generally describe a "perfect storm" dynamic where bees weakened by one factor become much more vulnerable to others. A colony that can handle Varroa mites under normal conditions may collapse when also dealing with heat stress or a bad forage season.
The agricultural stakes are high globally because roughly a third of the food humans eat depends on insect pollination, with honeybees doing the largest share of that work among managed pollinators. The Kumamoto article's mention of exploring "alternative insects" for pollination is a sign that some planners are beginning to think about contingency strategies — other bee species, or even other insects — rather than assuming honeybee populations will recover.
The headline cause may differ depending on where you're reading the news, but the underlying story is the same: managed honeybee populations are under sustained, multi-front pressure worldwide, and the agricultural systems that depend on them are starting to feel it in practical, budgetary terms.
----- end of text from Claude -----
Japan's Kumamoto Pref. boosts honeybee loss measures with $3.27 million budget - The Mainichi
KUMAMOTO -- The Kumamoto Prefectural Government is boosting its honeybee shortage response with an about 502-million-yen (roughly $3.27 million) budge

Kirk here for anyone who might be interested in vintage 'gacha'.
Kumamoto Station debuts limited edition 'gacha' capsule machine - The Mainichi
KUMAMOTO -- A limited-edition capsule toy machine called the

Atsuko here.
Sharing a beautiful winter sunset viewpoint in Kumamoto.(⁎ᴗ͈ˬᴗ͈⁎)
https://www.facebook.com/share/1BdKXru4Pm/?mibextid=wwXIfr
ーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーー
21 February 2026
Day two of spectacular views.
By evening, approximately 350 visitors had gathered, quietly captivated by the breathtaking sight of the setting sun merging with the sandy tidal flats.
We are grateful to have shared this moment with everyone who came!
Tomorrow the weather will take a turn for the worse, but the day after tomorrow promises clear skies all day long!
We look forward to meeting you all at the Okoshiki Coast Viewing Point.
ーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーー
Okoshiki Kaigan place
https://www.facebook.com/share/1CixwD9tuj/?mibextid=wwXIfr
The season of spectacular views has arrived!
【Guide Map to Okoshiki Coast Viewpoint】
※The name "Okoshiki Coast Mudflat Scenic Area" has been changed to "Okoshiki Coast Viewpoint" from May 2025.
Ground Course: https://youtu.be/mF_VZwRFGNM
Viewable on YouTube via the link.
For the return journey, follow the directions via the QR code on the observation point's information board POP.
【Okoshiki Coast Tide Table - February 2026】
This month's spectacular viewing days are four days from 20th to 23rd February.
Additionally, from 4th to 7th February and on 19th February (five days in total), whilst not quite reaching spectacular viewing day levels, you can witness the collaboration between the sandy tidal flats stretching into the distance and the setting sun.
We look forward to welcoming you at the Okoshiki Coast Observation Deck.
Yellow and orange on the tide chart indicate low tide coinciding with sunset.
Yellow (Spectacular View Days)・・・View the vast tidal flats and sunset.
Orange・・・・・・View the expansive tidal flats and sunset.
Blue .................. Offers views of the vast tidal flats, though not coinciding with sunset.
Additionally, the car park being constructed above the Okoshi Coast Observation Point is nearing completion. Work on the existing car park is scheduled to commence in early January.
Please also note that the road from the Toguchi side is closed to traffic on weekdays due to widening works.
Details regarding the construction works will be posted once information is received from the relevant department at the City Office.
※ The Okoshi Coast tide table has used values from "Tide MieYell" since 2015. Please note that low tide times and tide levels may differ slightly depending on the tide table used.

Kirk here. Now, at least the families can get some closure and mourn.
3 Bodies Found on Volcano's Crater 4 Weeks After Sightseeing Helicopter Crashed at Tourist Attraction
Three bodies were found on Thursday, Feb. 19, after a helicopter crashed on a crater of Japan’s Mount Aso volcano, almost a month ago on Tuesday, Jan. 20

Joe Tomei here with an exchange event at my school, Kumamoto Gakuen on 3 March. It's an exchange event where my colleague, Dr. David Iwashita, will first give a presentation to be followed by short talks by students who are returning to Kumamoto and some opportunities to discuss
March 2 (Monday) 13:00-14:30
Shin 1 gokan, Kumamoto Gakuen University
If interested, please contact [email protected]. Hope to see you there!

Kirk here with an article comparing Kurokawa's hot springs with Yufuin and Beppu. Of course, they all derive their heat from Mt. Aso.
The Ultimate Kyushu Onsen Guide: Kurokawa vs. Yufuin vs. Beppu
Kyushu’s Best Onsen Escapes: How to Reach Kurokawa, Yufuin & Beppu from Tokyo