This exhibition will continue until March 18. -- Kirk
2018-01-14 22:19 JST 2018 This exhibition will continue until March 18. -- Kirk ‘Shin Godzilla’ artist recreates quake-hit castle in Kumamoto：The Asahi ShimbunKUMAMOTO--Miniature models featuring special effects techniques used in Godzilla movies have recreat https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/AJ201712310007.html?utm_i … ↗ View original post on Facebook For a link to the original post on Facebook, open this page on a computer. Reactions: 28 · Comments: 3 · Shares: 2 ← 2018-01-13 13:07 JST 2018-01-15 02:32 JST → Around this time … 2018-01-16 16:00 JSTMy Friend sent me this picture. Most Dondoya events have finished last weekend.I missed joining Dondoya this year.Some people put sweet potatoes at the inner part of the fire, and everyone will enjoy the roasted potatoes together. People can put their New Year decorations surrounding it to be burned together. Every community has their Dondoya event, and Misato machi had quite a large one. Missed that event too.It is a good event to meet people in your Neighbourhood. Some skipped the opportunity though. Hope I can join one next year. Olivia 2018-01-16 10:47 JSTJackie posted about saving money on mobile phone bills with Sakura Mobile and Asahi-net:https://www.facebook.com/Kumamotoi/posts/1735055426567882Thanks Jackie! I strongly agree with her that it's a good idea to avoid the big three providers (Docomo, AU, SoftBank) if you want to get a good deal on your mobile phone service. Personally, I use Rakuten Mobile which is even cheaper than Sakura Mobile but doesn't provide service in English as far as I can see. I'm not sure which kakuyasu (inexpensive Mobile Virtual Network Operator) provider is best but I definitely recommend avoiding or severing ties with the big three. It amazes me that despite paying through the nose for service most of my students use one of the major providers. I found a Japanese article from about a month ago that indicates that nationally about 90% of Japan's users are getting service through one of the major providers:http://www.data-max.co.jp/300105_ks01/In my opinion, they are paying a lot of money for their ignorance or their preference the service they get when they sign up. (By the way, speaking of service, the service I got from AU was good until I signed on the dotted line but, after that, I was frequently frustrated by the poor service I got -- a factor that led to my departure.)Also, Rakuten is planning to start their own network:https://asia.nikkei.com/magazine/20171221/Business/Rakuten-wants-to-create-Japan-s-fourth-mobile-networkThis will make them the fourth company in Japan (after the big three) with their own network. -- Kirkhttp://jpninfo.com/52923Tired of Expensive Monthly Mobile Bills in Japan? Check Out this Cheap and Cheerful Option! – Japan Info 2018-01-15 16:45 JSTAttention for Bird Lovers (and others who are wondering why there are many ducks around Ezuko these few days)I had the chance joining Bird viewing yesterday at Ezuko (that's what my Friend said to me)Some ducks are migrating to Ezuko from Siberia this winter. My Friend said that this season is a good season for Bird viewing. We managed to seeアオサギ (Grey Heron)キセキレイ(Grey Wagtail)コガモ (Eurasian Teal)シジュウカラ (Japanese tit)セグロセキレイ (Japanese wagtail)タシギ (Common snipe)ハクセキレイ (Blackback wagtail)ヒクイナ (Ruddy breasted crake)ヒドリガモ (Eurasian wigeon)ムクドリ(White cheeked Starling)メジロ (Japanese white eye bird)There were too many to see. But it was great experience because I never put any attention on birds before.Bringing Binoculars is recommended for those who wish to see the birds in details.We missed seeing the Kingfisher yesterday. I share similar news at my own Facebook page, Kumamoto and Beyond.https://m.facebook.com/Kumamoto-and-Beyond-699941546778813/昨日えずこに行って来ました。今のところ鳥いっぱい来てるので、鳥見に行きました。友達が鳥のこと詳しいので、探しながら説明してくれました。これぐらいの種類見れました。アオサギ (Grey Heron)キセキレイ(Grey Wagtail)コガモ (Eurasian Teal)シジュウカラ (Japanese tit)セグロセキレイ (Japanese wagtail)タシギ (Common snipe)ハクセキレイ (Blackback wagtail)ヒクイナ (Ruddy breasted crake)ヒドリガモ (Eurasian wigeon)ムクドリ(White cheeked Starling)メジロ (Japanese white eye bird)カワセミもいると言われましたが今回見れなかったけど、次の機会に是非見に行きたいと思います。Olivia 2018-01-15 17:38 JSTThis is old news but, since I seem to have missed it at the time and most of the articles are still relevant, I'd like to share this link to the Fall 2017 YOKA magazine:http://kumamotojet.com/documents/YOKAs/2017AutumnYOKA.pdf----- Start quote from e-mail announcement I received -----The 2017 Autumn YOKA is here! This YOKA features the following...With Friends, in High Places: Climbing Mt. Fuji by Olivia PooleMinamata and Bamboo by Greg CorbettSuccess Amidst Misfortune: A Reflection on My Hospitalization in Japan by Erika BarengUntitled haiku by Alexandra ButlerA for Annyeong, B for Busan by Joyce TanOnsen Ideas for Winter by Chris OttInvitation to the Kumamoto International Friendship Festival by the Kumamoto Prefecture International Affairs DivisionPhotos by Greg Corbett, Luna Howell, Justin Lau, Laura McGhee, Olivia Poole, and Joyce Tan---- End quote-- Kirk 2018-01-15 02:32 JSTGreetings Sharing with you such a rare snow treat up there at 3334 steps at Nihon Ichi no Ishidan at Misato Machi. I went up there 2 days ago. Address is here: Sakamoto, Misato, Shimomashiki District, Kumamoto Prefecture 861-4415Going down is more difficult because some of the stairs are slippery. Do go early because once it gets dark I can't imagine how to go down safely. We started climbing at 12pm and reached the top at 2pm. Wear gloves and hat because it is cold there.Beware of the icy steps.This can be alternative of seeing snow spots other than Aso when snow comes to Kumamoto. I shared more pictures at Facebook Page "Kumamoto and Beyond"https://m.facebook.com/Kumamoto-and-Beyond-699941546778813/Note: These pictures were taken on Saturday 13 January 2018. I don't know how much snow left now when you reach there. But at least it is a good climbing exercise. This was my 2nd climb. I stopped at 650 steps at my first climb.Olivia 2018-01-14 22:19 JSTThis exhibition will continue until March 18. -- Kirk‘Shin Godzilla’ artist recreates quake-hit castle in Kumamoto：The Asahi Shimbun (this post) 2018-01-13 13:07 JSTJapanese has a plethora of profanity, though unlike English, few are taboo. Accurate translation of American presidential utterances is important, so how to render "shithole" presented a problem. One couldn't simply use a direct translation as it wouldn't convey the sentiment. The consensus seems to have settled on 便所のように汚い国 (countries that are dirty like toilets). - William 2018-01-13 12:53 JSTYou might see blossoming now yellow flowers that resemble a plum. Your faithful correspondent looked into it and found it's called the "roubai" (蝋梅 - literally, "wax plum" due to its waxy petals), and is in fact not a plum variety. It was domesticated in China as an ornamental plant during the Sung Dynasty and spread as far west as Iran and also to Japan. Wikipedia has the details at the link. - WilliamChimonanthus - Wikipedia 2018-01-13 11:52 JSTThe Kumamon juggernaut continues . . .https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2018/01/ee364180f018-kumamon-bike-sharing-in-china-to-promote-japans-kumamoto-pref.html-- KirkKumamon bike sharing in China to promote Japan's Kumamoto Pref. 2018-01-12 13:44 JSTThis is the last weekend to see the "Karada no Fushigi (Wonders of the Human Body) IN KUMAMOTO" exhibit. From what I've seen on TV it's very interactive (including slides, etc) and allows kids to learn about "gross" bodily functions in a fun way.My impression is that Japanese culture is a bit more open to direct, comical portrayals of "gross" bodily functions that is the U.S., with its puritanical roots. (Note the "grossology" on the web page I'm sharing.) So, seeing the exhibit might be an interesting cultural experience for adults as well.-- Kirkからだのふしぎ大冒険 IN KUMAMOTO 2018-01-11 21:35 JSTExperienced as we are with disaster here in Kumamoto, we send out our heartfelt sympathy to the victims of the floods in southern California's Montecito and surrounding areas. - William
