Kumamoto International Archive

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

Here's a video about students in Aso who bred white strawberries.
http://youtu.be/GcOvTfE_e30
白いイチゴに夢を託して～『あその小雪』・高校生たちの挑戦～　Entrusting dreams to White Strawberry
全国有数のイチゴの産地・熊本県。 2012年、阿蘇の高校生たちが、珍しい「白いイチゴ」の品種開発に成功しました。「あその小雪」と名付けられ、地域の特産として大切に育てられているこのイチゴには、次世代の農業を担う高校生たちの夢と希望が詰まっています。 Entrusting dreams to White Stra...

Here's an inquiry I received:
"I will be visiting Kikuchi-gun during the first full week in April and am looking for someone that can translate English. My great-great-great-grandfathe and family lived in a small village there and I am hoping to find some information during my visit, but my Japanese is limited. Do you have any resources or suggestions? I am happy to pay for the service and related expenses."
Any ideas or anyone interested in helping? If you respond here, the person who made the inquiry should be read what you have written and contact you.

Any musicians out there? Here's an inquiry that was posted to the Kumamoto-i e-mail group.
"'Im looking for other musicians to jam with (for fun) in Kumamoto. I play guitar, bass and drums (and attempt to sing)."
http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/kumamoto-i/conversations/messages/12768
Yahoo Groups

This micro-electric car (otherwise known as "glorified golf cart" -- just kidding) was tested in Kumamoto among other places.
http://www.thegreencarwebsite.co.uk/blog/index.php/2014/01/29/honda-test-drives-micro-electric-car/
Honda test drives micro electric car
Electric cars have come a long way from the micro size futuristic vehicles we were accustomed to less than a decade ago: however, Honda has rolled …

If you have a sweet tooth and are traveling between Nagasaki, Fukuoka, and Oita (unfortunately, it won't pass through Kumamoto) this may be the train for you.
The article also mentions Kumamoto's A-Train, with luxury accommodations between Kumamoto and Amakusa. For photos and information in Japanese about that train, see:
http://www.jrkyushu.co.jp/trains/atrain/
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2014/01/28/national/jr-kyushu-looks-to-woo-women-with-sweets-train/#.Uuga93mu7m0
JR Kyushu looks to woo women with Sweets Train
JR Kyushu plans to introduce a Sweets Train service on the Omura Line in Nagasaki Prefecture and Kyudai Main Line connecting Fukuoka and Oita prefectures, targeting mainly female riders with ...

The Aso volcano has been quite active lately. They're not allowing people to get close but the view from Kusasenri is impressive.
http://kumanichi.com/news/local/main/20140127001.xhtml
火山活動は依然活発　阿蘇中岳の周辺規制１カ月　－熊本のニュース│ くまにちコム
熊本日日新聞社が取材した熊本のニュース。新聞紙面に掲載前の記事もお伝えします。

According to an NHK report I saw this morning, Kumamoto Airport is one of the few airports in the country where flights come in and out with the setting sun directly behind them.
http://ja6cpq-tom.cocolog-nifty.com/blog/2011/01/post-6d07.html
熊本空港の夕日と飛行機: ひのくに便り
熊本空港（愛称　阿蘇くまもと空港）の夕日　　Ｊａｎ．２７，２０１１この空港の夕日と飛行機のコラボレーション航空ファンならずともこの魅力に取り憑かれたら最後・・・日参は間違いなしといったところ。いよいよ、今期の撮影シーズンも終わりを告げようとしています。昨年１１月から今年１月までの間の飛行機撮りも一応終焉を迎えることとなりました。この冬の厳しい気象状況の悪さ具合さにはホトホト参りました。さらには、条件も上手く整わず夕日絡みの写真撮影は思うようにはいきませんでした。それでも、一応チャレンジしましたので、整理の意味から映像をＵＰしてみます。まずは、滑走路サイドから（注　フェンス際の...

Rika-chan finds a playmate in cute Kumamoto character Kumamon
If you're a girl who grew up with Japanese relatives, then this Rika-chan doll probably brings back some childhood memories. Created in 1967, her popularity in Japan rivals that of Barbie in the West and her impressive accessories collection contains all sorts of Japanese-related goods including fut...

Free desk available. For more information see

http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/kumamoto-i/conversations/messages/12752

From a friend's Facebook page:
What: Amazing burgers A&W root beer and Dr Pepper!
Where: Chikami, down higashi bypass on the right side, just before you hit Rt 57, next to the Hirayama

Stuff to sell or give away. Kumamoto-i, the pre-Facebook version of this page, is a great place for buy and sell (and giving stuff away for free). Here's are some recent items that have been posted there:

Car for sale:
http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/kumamoto-i/conversations/messages/12762

Free fridge:
http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/kumamoto-i/conversations/messages/12761

Bread maker for sale:
http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/kumamoto-i/conversations/messages/12763

Some of these items may have already be sold or given away. I'll try to do a better job of sharing the information here but, if you are interesting in buying and selling stuff, you might want to sign up for direct access.

What is this? There was an inquiry about this 1936 statue on Kumamoto-i (the mailing list):

http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/kumamoto-i/conversations/messages/12760

この木像について教えてください。1936年に日本で購入されたそうですが、所有している人は調べようとしています。

Kurokawa Onsen is definitely worth visiting!
http://kumanago.jp/en/modelcourses/special03.html
Mellow Kurokawa Onsen Kumamoto Nagomi Tourism Site
Why not take it easy in the breathtaking nature of Kumamoto, the “Land of Fire”? Nagomi Travel Journal, the sightseeing website of Kumamoto Prefecture, features a wealth of information on Kumamoto, including diverse sightseeing areas, delicious local specialty products, traditional handicrafts, even...

Kumamoto is mentioned here in connection with former governor Hosokawa's running for the governorship of Tokyo. The claim is that, since the Kumamoto government has a history of allowing the local sex industry to thrive, Hosokawa is not likely to make an issue of the fuzoku trade in Tokyo.
"Kumamoto City has a soapland industry that is famous nationwide. Its reputation rivals that of Nakasu (in Fukuoka).”
I wonder if Kumamoto does indeed have such a reputation or if this is just anti-Hosokawa propaganda.
http://www.tokyoreporter.com/2014/01/21/tokyo-sex-trade-to-remain-firm-following-election/
Tokyo sex trade to remain firm following election
Tokyo Sports takes a look at what lies ahead for the fuzoku trade after the votes are counted in February

I think it makes sense that this broadcasting test would be conducted in Hitoyoshi because, as I understand it, some of the more remote, mountainous places in that region have ben unable to receive digital TV signals.
"Nippon Hoso Kyokai (NHK) Science & Technology Research Laboratories conducted the test from its bureau in Hitoyoshi, Kumamoto Prefecture, in southern Japan, and managed to send the 8K Ultra High Definition TV signal to a receiving station 27 kilometers away using a single UHF channel."
http://www.pcworld.com/article/2089720/japans-nhk-tests-longdistance-8k-tv-broadcast-signal.html
Japan's NHK tests long-distance 8K TV broadcast signal | PCWorld
Successful 27-kilometer test is aimed at bringing 8K to viewers ahead of the 2020 Olympics.

This is a post about a restaurant near Aso Station, called Kasai. The post is in English, even though, for some reason, you may see Japanese text below. Click on the link to read the article.
http://kumanago.jp/en/blog/2014/01/21/restaurant-kasei.html
Blog Kumamoto Nagomi Tourism Site
「火の国」くまもとの雄大な自然の中でゆったりのんびりくつろぎませんか。くまもとの多彩な観光地、美味しい特産品や伝統ある工芸品、イベント、キャンペーン、グルメなど盛り沢山の情報をご紹介した熊本県観光サイト・なごみ紀行です。

Lecture: "Justice in Islam"
Assalamualaikum Warahmatullahi Wabaraktuhu, We are going to held the lecture with the topic Justice in Islam. This lecture is mainly for Japanese people to know more about Islam and it will ...

". . . the interior ceiling of the CT200h is lined with tatami mat rush from Yatsushiro, Kumamoto Prefecture, a leading producer of mat rush in Japan."
http://ajw.asahi.com/article/economy/AJ201401180030
Toyota to display Kyushu-inspired Lexus at motor show - AJW by The Asahi Shimbun
FUKUOKA--Kyushu’s renowned traditional handicrafts will have a modern high-tech showcase at the 2014 Fukuoka Motor Show later this month.

"Tamana, a town in Kyushu's Kumamoto Prefecture, features the Maeda Residence, which served as a motif for the new Ghibli film The Wind Rises."
http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2014-01-17/new-japanese-guidebook-focuses-on-anime-pilgrimages
New Japanese Guidebook Focuses on Anime Pilgrimages
Plan a Studio Ghibli-themed visit, or tour the anime sites of Shinjuku

Car for sale! Check here:
https://www.facebook.com/Kumamotoi/posts/583476695059100