If you, like me, like to travel by bullet train, you should check this out. -- Kirk
2024-05-29 16:35 JST 2024 If you, like me, like to travel by bullet train, you should check this out. -- Kirk Kyushu bullet trains become first in Japan to adopt dynamic pricingSome Kyushu Shinkansen line services in southwestern Japan will adopt dynamic pricing for advance tickets after a recent trial eased congestion, the operator says, becoming the first bullet trains in the country to use the system. https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2024/05/5eb2ff6dd685-kyus … ↗ View original post on Facebook For a link to the original post on Facebook, open this page on a computer. Reactions: 10 · Comments: 0 · Shares: 1 ← 2024-05-26 18:04 JST 2024-05-29 21:15 JST → Around this time … 2024-05-31 16:13 JSTWilliam Sawako died (if you need advice on Japanese funerals, contact me), and I broke me knee, so I don't get out much. But my two kids are headed home, one from Tokyo and one from Baltimore, at the same time! Sawako and I used to run around the castle each Sunday. The walkway they have installed as reconstruction continues looks amazing, and I greatly look forward to visiting it. Please plan a visit while it is up! 2024-05-30 19:41 JSTThis article from Kumanichi (paywalled) says that from the middle of next year they are planning to stop payments on Kumamoto buses and trams using national transport IC cards such as Suica. The reason is due to the cost of updating the payment machines. Options such as tapping/touching with debit or credit cards will still be possible. I’m wondering if you will still be able to use the Kumamon IC card?? If anyone has access to the full article ask they can share more details that would be great! Michaela 2024-05-30 18:58 JSTWilliam A reminder to all US citizens to register to vote. https://www.facebook.com/CenterForUSVotersAbroadCenter for US Voters Abroad Turnout Project 2024-05-30 00:34 JSTBeautiful bright blue sky and the beautiful fresh green of Kumamoto Castle.Since April this year, I have been at Joto Elementary School very close to Kumamoto Castle. This is an elementary school that values the Kumamoto spirit of Lord Kiyomasa and aims to excel in both the academic and athletic fields. You can see Kumamoto Castle from all the classrooms. I can even see the figures of the castle tower.I shared this photo because I like to see Kumamoto Castle in early summer surrounded by fresh greenery, although it is nice to see Kumamoto Castle during the cherry blossom season. If you climb the keep this week, you'll see me dancing on the playground. ٩(•ᴗ• ٩)Atsuko 2024-05-29 21:15 JSTKirk here. I saw something on RKK today about "COST MANIA," a shop that specializes in selling (reselling) COSTCO items. Just opened in Arao, fairly far north for many of us but, if you're in that part of the prefecture or passing through, it may be worth taking a look. Unlike COSTCO, you don't need to be a member and they take things that COSTCO only sells in large quantities and sells them in smaller sizes / quantities. https://www.instagram.com/p/C5xdrCGyWB7/To find the location, pop the following address in Google maps:〒864-0001 熊本県荒尾市原万田７００−１It's behind the Yellow Hat (automotive shop) in the Anytime Fitness in the Ariake Plaza.各専門の業者さん・スタッフの協力おかげで 着々とお店が出来上がってきています 商品の仕入れも少しずつスタートです！ 📍熊本県荒尾市原万田700-1 有明プラザ内 (旧:博多一番どり跡) #コスマニア #COSTMANIA #コストコ再販店 #コストコ #コストコおすすめ #コストコ購入品 #コストコ新商品 #コストコ久山 #コストコ熊本御船 #コストコ熊本 #荒尾 #荒尾グルメ #熊本 #熊本グルメ #熊本newオープン #newオープン 2024-05-29 16:35 JSTIf you, like me, like to travel by bullet train, you should …Kyushu bullet trains become first in Japan to adopt dynamic pricing (this post) 2024-05-26 18:04 JSTThere seems to have been a glider accident in the Aso area. The young pilot (a university student from Fukuoka) is reported to have been injured but not killed, thank goodness. -- Kirk【速報】グライダーが公園に墜落し1人けが 福岡県の20代大学生か 熊本・産山村 2024-05-25 16:41 JSTFiona here, back from a long Kumamoto-i hiatus to share a recommendation for S'ping, a newly opened book cafe in Kengun. Situated on Densha-dori, it's easy to reach by public transport and is a lovely spot to do some quiet reading or writing. The shelves are lined with books, all in Japanese as far as I could tell, and the menu offers pasta, hot sandwiches, drinks and desserts. I have a feeling this will be a popular place during the rainy season.https://maps.app.goo.gl/2XGyrxFjmAmJVGRk8 2024-05-25 13:15 JSTTamana made the NHK world service so I thought I’d share it with you all. The home of Kumamoto Ramen! Please come and enjoy a bowl while taking in the irises at the festival this weekend!KUMAMOTO - RAMEN JAPAN | NHK WORLD-JAPAN 2024-05-24 10:00 JSTJoe Tomei here, and FFF goes downtown to check out some South Indian food! Because of demographics, when we think of Indian cuisine, we think of Northern India. A lot more wheat so naan bread, and the curries are heavier and creamier and almost all of the Indian restaurants in Kumamoto are based on that style. So I was really happy to find Toddy's, (https://www.instagram.com/toddy_shop_kumamoto/)which does a veg and non-veg thali (set with small bowls of different curries). Toddy's is a bit of a pop-up shop, only open on Saturdays and Sundays for lunch in a 4th floor space that is a bar/snack (aramatsu bar) the rest of the week. Located behind the shiyakusho, the sign has Malayalam script and is only open from 12 to 2. He sometimes takes the day off, so check the instagram. A pick of the store front and last weekend's non-veg thali. Location is on the FFF map, which you can find herehttps://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1qUH94Bac7Hr939b7_8gtvebaJZffGRsX&usp=sharing 2024-05-22 10:44 JSTWilliam Kumamoto deserved a mention in Japan Today as the Japanese city least expensive to bear a child (Tokyo was highest, 605,000 yen and 361,000 yen respectively - so we've basically got two for one here!) https://japantoday.com/category/national/japan-weighs-incentivizing-childbirth-by-fully-covering-expensesI'd like to give a shoutout to Fukuda Byoin https://www.fukuda-hp.or.jp/ , the birthplace of my two children, as a comprehensive and compassionate maternity hospital. (It's also located next to a fascinatingly old section of the castle.) Most doctors there speak English quite well, prenatal care is extensive, and post-natal care is thoughtful, with a congratulatory in-suite dinner. (Also, it's on the tram line.)熊本 産婦人科 福田病院（熊本県熊本市）地域周産期母子医療センター
