Here's an extended article on the international marketing of Kumamon. -- Kirk
2019-07-16 09:29 JST 2019 Here's an extended article on the international marketing of Kumamon. -- Kirk Kumamon, Japan’s billion-dollar bear, ventures abroadWatch out Mickey Mouse, Kumamoto's popular mascot is going global https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Business-trends/Kumamon-Jap … ↗ View original post on Facebook For a link to the original post on Facebook, open this page on a computer. Reactions: 55 · Comments: 5 · Shares: 5 ← 2019-07-15 21:16 JST 2019-07-17 22:54 JST → Around this time … 2019-07-22 15:27 JSTDespite the myriad of policy challenges Japan faces, from abolishing the pacifist constitutional Clause 9 to reforming the pension system to a consumption tax increase, participation in yesterday's election was at an historic low. I guess it's the "shikata gá naí" mindset. - William熊本県内投票率過去最低４７・２３％ ｜ 熊本日日新聞 2019-07-21 17:29 JSTThe three lion cubs born at Kumamoto Zoo have been named: the male, Reo, after the new reign era, Reiwa; one lioness, Koko, after their birth date (May nineth - it makes more sense in Japanese); and the other lioness Sanniichi, a play on her father's name, Sanii, and that she was the third cub born. Investigations are ongoing into transferring the siblings to a facility in Oita, but no decisision will be made until they are weaned in about a month. - William.レオ、ココ、サニーよろしくね 赤ちゃんライオンの名前決まる ｜ 熊本日日新聞 2019-07-21 11:48 JSTFiona here, with the final week's timeslots at Escape from Britz. INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF SPIES will be closing on July 29th, with no further games planned. Thanks to everyone who has supported the escape room so far, and if you were interested but never got a team together, this is your final call!Here's the schedule for the last few days of play:Sunday (today): anytime! I can even give you a lift to avoid the rain!☔🚕Monday (tomorrow): I work in Amakusa all day but after a cuppa I should be ready to go after 7pm.🏖🌴☕Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday: after 8pm if you're really desperate and this is the only time you've got. I'll be tired and cranky.😴Friday: I've got the morning off! Come over! Anytime before 4pm or after 7 (I'll be clearing up Monopoly from the last Friday kids class).🎲Saturday: Anytime until the Spy Night party starts at 8...and don't think you can suddenly unbusy yourself to turn up for that if you never found time to do the escape room 😁🕵😎Sunday: Anytime, but not too early after the martinis from the night before!🍸🍸🍸Monday: No classes today! If you want the honour of being the last team ever to play at Escape from Britz, this is your chance for glory! And if you can get a 100% score in under 57 minutes you will genuinely be victorious.🏆🏁🏅 2019-07-18 19:24 JSTHere's a little item from my personal Facebook page."We have an imaginary pond in our garden. The rocks have been placed so as to make the ground they surround look like a pond if you let your imagine run freely -- or if you've been drinking too much. Well, today, I think our pond must have gotten some help from the blue fairy that turned Pinocchio into a real boy. 'Look everyone. I'm a real pond!'" 2019-07-17 22:54 JSTHere's one for One Piece and/or Pokemon fans:https://www.cbr.com/one-piece-pokemon-go-kumamoto-revitalization-project-collaboration/-- KirkOne Piece Joins Pokemon GO in Kumamoto Revitalization Project Collaboration 2019-07-16 09:29 JSTHere's an extended article on the international marketing of …Kumamon, Japan’s billion-dollar bear, ventures abroad (this post) 2019-07-15 21:16 JSTNow in custody:"While serving as the private secretary to House of Representatives member Takeshi Noda in 2015, Fujiki was accused of using kakuseizai, or stimulant drugs. He was later handed an 18-month prison term, suspended for three years."-- KirkEx-Diet member's secretary apprehended after 5 days on run | TokyoReporter 2019-07-15 09:07 JSTHi fellow Kumamoto-ites,Firework season is upon us, and sometimes it can be hard finding out where and when firework shows are. To make things a bit easier, here is a map with all(?) of Kumamoto's firework shows, ranging from big to small, for 2019 season. The firework shows are listed in chronological order in the legend. Clicking on an event will bring up the name of the event (in Japanese) and a website with info (in Japanese). You can also click on the pins in the map if you are searching by region. A lot of the events come at the tail end of festivals, so it might be worth showing up a couple hours early for some festival festivities. Last, please be aware that sometimes event dates change. Happy firework viewing!p.s. This is Chris Ott writing here. I've been lucky enough to have been in Kumamoto for a not a short time, and have picked up some nuggets of knowledge during my time here. Throughout the year I'll be posting season specific ideas and info that can hopefully help make your time in Kumamoto and Kyushu a bit more enjoyable.Kumamoto Festivals: 2019, summer - Google My Maps 2019-07-14 12:13 JSTThanks to all 20 players who have supported my pop-up escape room project so far. INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF SPIES will be closing at the end of July, and no further escape rooms are planned in Kumamoto at this stage. If you want to play the game before it closes, or have any questions, you can visit and send a message via Escape from Britz. It costs 1000 yen to play (500 yen for kids/students) and is for teams of 2-6 players. It's family-friendly, and you don't need any experience with escape rooms. You should have at least one English speaker on your team. The escape room is located close to Kencho - just search for Escape from Britz on Google maps!Fiona 2019-07-13 22:14 JSTAs William indicated, Kumamoto City and other parts of the prefecture experienced some extremely intense rain this afternoon. Click on this link in order to see a report in Japanese:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5x-5kWlEic0-- Kirk 2019-07-13 15:28 JSTA short note from the Kumamoto International Meteorology Desk (we have many umbrellas, most of which we "borrowed"): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0i7JU9SijE-- WilliamThe Rain Rain Rain (came Down Down Down) English
