URL copied and pasted by Kirk (It's hard work but someone's gotta do it. ;) )
2024-04-19 09:13 JST 2024 URL copied and pasted by Kirk (It's hard work but someone's gotta do it. ;) ) The Heart of Aso, Restored: Inside the Rebuilding of Aso ShrineAfter its collapse in the Kumamoto earthquake, Aso Shrine’s famous Romon gate has been returned to its former glory. https://www.tokyoweekender.com/japan-life/inside-the-rebuild … ↗ View original post on Facebook For a link to the original post on Facebook, open this page on a computer. Reactions: 18 · Comments: 0 · Shares: 1 ← 2024-04-18 09:24 JST 2024-04-19 10:00 JST → Around this time … 2024-04-21 17:02 JSTKirk here. A while ago I posted about the opening of the new Kumamoto Children's Book Forest (children's library; こども本の森 熊本) and asked if anyone had been inside to check out the collection of books in English. Although I got quite a few comments, no one reported on what they actually observed inside in that regard (see the url at the end of this post). Part of the problem may have been that it's not at all easy to gain admission. It's a very popular place and so, to prevent little kids from being trampled by a stampede of curious adults, they require that you have a reservation and limit the number of reservations they will take for any single period.There's a link to the reservation interface from the main website:https://kodomohonnomori.kumamoto.jp/The main website has a convenient Google translate button that lets you translate the site into English and other languages but, unfortunately, Google translate and the reservation system haven't learned to play nicely together (in other words, you can't make a reservation via the Google translation). So, you need to deal with the Japanese interface which is here:https://reserva.be/kodomohonnomoriIf you give it a try, you'll find that most days in the near future are full. At this writing, all weekend spots are taken for a parent and child (two people); only Wednesdays and Thursdays have openings. So, if you want to take a child (or some children) to the library, you'll need to plan in advance.In regard to English books, I was told when I visited the library (but wasn't allowed into the Children's Book Forest because I didn't have a reservation), that they are mixed in with Japanese books.By the way, if you haven't seen it already, I highly recommend that you look at the Kuma Visit bilingual post about the library:https://www.facebook.com/kumavisit/posts/pfbid02JSX5JX55y2GQuXpXAfdQxnjABg2LWMW2xgYcjEYfDanngwayPv4NPvjB1dxo3ZT9lhttps://www.facebook.com/Kumamotoi/posts/pfbid0s4FtH7rEnAQDc8UCsFGjcfhyfVkima3gPzuBPMnSruyAwKXvhYPV8usjHqpQzwMulこども本の森 熊本 2024-04-20 17:11 JSTAccording to the article, the luminescence is caused by the presence of a large number of noctiluca, a plankton that glows when stimulated. The article says that the video was recorded on April 16 in Amakusa. A map in the video that's embedded in the article shows the exact location:https://www.ntv.co.jp/englishnews/articles/2021z0f0qg7be5yx5adz.html 2024-04-20 15:03 JSTIronically, this old guy seemed to imagine that he was teaching some elementary school girls good manners by punching one of them in the face. -- Kirk75-yr-old man accused of punching young girl after argument over park trash in Japan - The Mainichi 2024-04-19 21:10 JSTKirk here with a job notice from Greg Howes at Freedom English School--- start quote ---Freedom English School is looking for a native-level kids' English teacher to teach part-time at our new Musashigaoka branch, opening in mid-May.The hours are Friday 4pm to 7pm, and Saturday 10:30am to 2pm. Experience is preferred but not absolutely essential. Applicants should love interacting with young children, and be willing to bring lots of energy into the classroom. The pay is 2,500 yen for each 40 minute lesson.Please contact Greg Howes at Freedom English School on 096-322-7100 or [email protected].--- end quote ---The photo is one I stole from the school's website: https://www.freedomenglishschool.com/I hope that's OK -- I usually like to have something visual to give folks an immediate sense of the topic. 2024-04-19 10:00 JSTJoe Tomei with Funky Friday Finds. Just down the road from where we were last week, Tatomiya sandwich cafe is Kohaku ramen, alternatively Shoyusobakohaku.https://maps.app.goo.gl/Z5ogTDvAumK2HcFq5Their insta page is herehttps://www.instagram.com/shoyusobakohaku/?utm_medium=copy_linkand it is lunchtime only (11:30-14-30) with Wednesdays and the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays. 2024-04-19 09:13 JSTURL copied and pasted by Kirk (It's hard work but someone's …The Heart of Aso, Restored: Inside the Rebuilding of Aso Shrine (this post) 2024-04-18 09:24 JSTAs one might expect, the arrival of TSMC is making life difficult for farmers in the area. -- KirkKumamoto farmers hurt by loss of land amid TSMC project | The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis 2024-04-17 23:37 JSTThere was an earthquake after 11 PM. The shaking in Kumamoto City was relatively mild but my phone went nuts (wake up and run for cover!!). Shikoku had more intense shaking. -- Kirk 2024-04-17 18:02 JSTKirk here. I got this is my feed today:https://thesmartlocal.com/read/farmstays-japan/#4_Nakamura_Ranch_KumamotoSince it mentions the Nakamura Ranch, I went to the source (for anyone who might be interested).https://en.stayjapan.com/area/kumamoto/aso/pr/1231Reservations for Nakamura Ranch - Ranching lifestyle experience（Aso Kumamoto)｜STAY JAPAN 2024-04-17 10:19 JSTKirk here with some notes on pdf publications in various languages that provide information for residents. The languages are やさしい日本語 (Easy Japanese), Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese), 中文（簡体字） (Simplified Chinese), 中文（繁体字） (Traditional Chinese), Tagalog, bahasa Indonesia (Indonesian), नेपाली (Nepali), English, 한국어 (Korean), မြန်မာ (Burmese), ខ្មែរ (Khmer). They are available at the following URL:http://www.kuma-koku.jp/support-center/page338.html?type=topI recommend that you download both the Easy Japanese version and the version in your target language (English or whatever). That way, you'll be able to find the key Japanese words you will need to get Japanese people to understand what you're talking about.A simple example is the "Maternal and Child Health Handbook" mentioned on page 16 of the English. It's possible that a Japanese person at the Shiyakusho (city hall) will understand if you tell them that you want a "Maternal and Child Health Handbook" but you are much more likely to be understood if you can say "boshi techo." And, I think it's extremely unlikely that someone who has read the Tagalog version will be understood if they tell the person at the counter that they came to get their "Talaan ng Pangkalusugan ng Ina at Anak." So, on a positive note, I think it's great that you can use these translations in tandem with the simple Japanese. Negatively, however, I'm mystified by the lack of any Japanese terminology in the foreign language versions. A little parenthetical inclusion of key terms such as "boshi techo" would greatly enhance the usefulness of such translations, especially in languages other than English. Though it is true that foreign language translations are very useful to people from other countries, particularly people who do not understand Japanese well, I'm amazed at the extent to which it is assumed that foreigners ONLY need foreign language translations. It's as though there's an assumption that foreigners only need to be able to read and understand documents and that they have no need to talk about the information they gleaned from them with actual Japanese people! As the documents are currently being provided, someone who doesn't understand Japanese well enough to locate the corresponding section in the Easy Japanese version or to read the hiragana will have considerable difficulty actually getting a copy of their "Talaan ng Pangkalusugan ng Ina at Anak." 2024-04-16 18:09 JSTHere's an article on the machiya (traditional wooden townhouses) of Uki City. Kyoto is famous for such buildings but you can see them right here in Kumamoto. -- Kirk https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/15230058Here's a Wikipedia article on the buildings:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Machiya‘Machiya’ still surviving 8 years after Kumamoto twin earthquakes | The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis
