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(Fiona) Looking for something a little offbeat and off the beaten path this Golden Week? This event comes highly recommended by a student of mine who said it's well worth the long drive to a remote village in Amakusa that is filled with scarecrows every spring.
Michi-no-Eki Miyajidake Kakashi no Sato was once an elementary school that closed down due to the shrinking population. Locals have turned the premises into a roadside station selling produce, and replaced the humans with hundreds of scarecrows, some of which are scarily lifelike. Tourists are challenged to search for the 'Wanted' scarecrows with prizes on offer.
Here's the website (in Japanese) with more details. There may be heavy traffic jams during Golden Week so allow for around three hours or more if driving there from Kumamoto city!
https://kakashinosato.jp/

Liz here. Information about the services for Allan to be held in Scotland on the second. I am still at a loss for words , but am sure Ayako and Hannah know how much Allan touched our lives, and how much he will be missed.

Join a workshop in Kumamoto to learn programming while using English.
Learn programming while using English, with on-site support in Kumamoto City (Ueki), while connecting online with children from around the world.
Teachers are engineers from Google.
Act Local, Think Global.( ᐛ )وAtsuko
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[5/11 Onsite event in Kumamoto, Noto, and Kobe!] Call for participants for the 4th session of "Learn Computer Science in English" Season 7 "Tree Algorithm"
https://kidscodeclub.jp/csinenglish_on-site_20250511
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CPsrLdC1J/
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BouxDazVb/

Kirk here. In a comment to Joe's post informing us of Allan Sutherland's passing, I wrote that "Allan was a man of many talents: music, photography, cooking . . . a very erudite person." Here's a comment from Allan that gives you a sense of that erudition. Like Eugene Smith he was extremely knowledgable about jazz and photography, and a very sensitive person.
https://www.facebook.com/Kumamotoi/posts/pfbid0RtKmLgidPXxN2kEqzZGqP2iA1zbicpKcFReDXCNnwiSWWhuL2rb8iusHzm6qcBHEl

Joe Tomei with the sad news that Allan Sutherland has passed away. Allan was part of the Kumamoto-i community early on, when it was a Yahoo group email list and he and his wife were key supporters of the the foreign teachers at Kumamoto Prefectural University. I'm sure that Kirk may have some things to say, but a memory that stands out for me was that Allan often organized informal home jazz concerts for jazz musicians visiting Fukuoka, and I went to a few of these. He's survived by his wife Ayako Chinen Sutherland and daughter Hannah.

KOINOBORI, Carp streamer season is here again.@ TSUETATE Onsen.Atsuko(^ _ ^)/~~
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The Carp Streamer Festival in Oguni Town, TSUETATE Onsen, a spring tradition in Kumamoto, is now under way!
The sight of over 3,000 carp streamers soaring through the sky is a sight to behold.

This is an announcement of a tourist guide training course organised by the NPO Discovery Kumamoto! ーAtsuko( ᐛ )و
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Tourist guide training course organised by the NPO Discovery Kumamoto!
Date: 24 May 2025 (Sat)
Place: Multipurpose Room, 2nd floor of Josaien Tourist Information Centre, Kumamoto Castle
Registration: 9am-
Part 1: 9:30-10:45
‘Transition of Kumamoto Castle - from Medieval Kumamoto Castle to Modern Kumamoto Castle’
Lecturer: Mr. Katsuji Aoki (Japanese)
Capacity: 60 (for those interested in becoming Kumamoto tourist guides)
Fee: Members free Non-members 500 yen
Part 2: 10:05 5-12:30
Kumamoto Castle English guided tour by members of Discovery Kumamoto
Capacity 20 people (those interested in guiding in English and those with no guiding experience are given priority)
Fee 500 yen (separate entrance fee required)
Application method: application deadline Saturday 17 May
Please apply via messenger on FB, stating the following
Name, address, contact details (phone number, email address)
Experience as a guide or not
Participation or not in the first part, participation or not in the second part
Membership
NPO Discovery Kumamoto is looking for new members (English and Chinese guides). Would you like to join us and show the attractions of Kumamoto to guests from home and abroad?"

Sean here – Discover zazen (meditation)
Open to all –
When: April 25th
Time: 20:00 ~ 21:00
Place: “Unusual”
〒862-0959 Kumamoto, Chuo Ward, Hakuzan, 2 Chome−13−9 富士ビル 1F
In this Zen meditation session, a priest (roshi or sensei) will guide participants in Japanese, but no language proficiency is needed—mindfulness is a universal language, and the essence of the practice transcends words. You’ll receive simple instructions on posture, whether seated on a cushion (zafu) in seiza, half-lotus (hankafuza), or full lotus (kekkafuza), or comfortably on a chair—with the reminder that there is no right or wrong way, only what feels natural to you. The session is entirely non-religious and open to all, with no expectations or beliefs required.
We’ll sit in zazen (meditation) for 30 minutes, focusing on the breath (susokukan), shikantaza ("just sitting"), or simply observing the mind—whatever resonates with you. Afterward, there will be time to share experiences (optional) in a relaxed, judgment-free space. The session operates on a voluntary donation basis (dana or fuse), honoring the Zen tradition of generosity.
Come as you are, and let mindfulness be your guide. 🌿

Well, Ozu made the Japan Today over a case of a government employee who forcibly kissed a woman.
To newbies here: I learned long ago never to touch woman except, perhaps, for a brief handshake. Hugs are a big no-no. Keep your hands to yourself at all times. - William
Ozu town gov’t employee arrested for forcibly kissing woman
A 58-year-old employee of Ozu, Kumamoto Prefecture, has been arrested on suspicion of indecent assault after he forcibly kissed a female acquaintance in her 50s. The incident occurred at around 4 p.m. on February 15 at the woman’s home, NTV reported. Police said Masami Endo, who is the town mayor....

For Kumamoto Castle and Sakura fans.
2025, spring. Atsuko( ᐛ )و

日本語の説明を最後に書きます。
Can you believe it? I've been deported!! My crime: Participating in some political ("anti-Japanese"?) demonstrations, one related to a labor dispute at the Prefectural University of Kumamoto way back in 1999 and the other a demonstration in support of the Palestinians in Gaza last year.
Well, in case you haven't noticed, it's April 1st and this is my "April Fools" post for this year. I'm pretty sure I won't be deported (or lose my job) for participating in a couple of demonstrations but news from my own country, the U.S., has made me consider that possibility. Deporting people for participating in peaceful demonstrations SHOULD be a joke, not real news.
これはエープリルフールのギャグで、私は実際に強制送還されていません。大学もまだクビになっていないはずです。でも、母国のアメリカではイスラエルのガザに対する軍事行動に抗議するデモに参加しただけで、強制送還されようとしている人がいます。平和的な意見表明をしただけで強制送還されるということは実際の出来事ではなく、冗談であってほしいという思いで、今年のエープリルフールのテーマにしました。お騒がせいたしました。

Cassie here
If you want to enjoy a drive enjoying cherry blossoms Mikan Yama on the way to Kinpo San is amazing. There is even a spot on the opposite side of the road you can pull over to take pictures. Every time I have driven it the past two days other cars are also pulled over to take pictures.

It may not be unusual for people who lived or worked near Kumamoto Castle, but I spent every day of the past year in the immediate vicinity of Kumamoto Castle. And that year went without a hitch.
I was born and raised in Kumamoto Prefecture but wasn't that much of a fan of Kumamoto Castle. Unless I got guests from abroad, I didn't climb Kumamoto Castle either. However, after spending a year with Kumamoto Castle, I became a big fan of its beauty.
Collaboration with cherry blossoms and ginkgo trees is nice, but I recommend the collaboration of the blue summer sky, iridocumulus clouds and Kumamoto Castle the most. The co-starring of Dondoya and fireworks is super special.
I'll share with you the many, many faces of Kumamoto Castle.
Kumamoto Castle Banzai🙌! Atsuko\( ˆoˆ )/

International Party with drinks and food at La Luz, near Sakuramachi, happening next Saturday, 29th March 🍻🇦🇷🍖🇲🇽 Choice of either a 6pm or 7pm start! Contact the Argentinian owner, and local Tango instructor, Hernan, to book your spot! 🎵🍷🎶
Posted by Ruth

Joe Tomei here, and in this edition of (the highly irregular) Funky Friday Finds, we salute Amu Amu, a Napolitan pizza place. It's below Ezuko, just off the bypass, and is a 20 minute walk from the Kuwamizu densha stop Just go down and take the first big left after Batten no Yu, one of those super sento places and go about 50 meters. Its on the left with the orange canopy. The picture of the banner is facing in the other direction.
I'm not an instagram person, but my wife flagged it there (https://www.instagram.com/pizzeria_aumaum/). It's the kind of place that you go to a second time so you can order what your partner had the first. (which for me, was the Diabolo, pictured along with the Cabrese).
If you need an excuse, you can have dinner there (last order is 21:30) and then stop for a soak at Batten no Yu. The place has 4 parking spaces, but you could probably get away with parking there and walking to the restaurant.

Kirk again. My post about the earthquake came after a long hiatus. I'm afraid my posting will be pretty sporadic in the future too. One reason is that I'm quite busy with another community-building project that is unrelated to Kumamoto (I hope to post about that later this year). The other issue is that the slow decline of Facebook has made posting to it rather ungratifying. Young people are leaving and even old folks like me are getting fed up.
https://theconversation.com/canadians-are-using-facebook-less-as-a-source-of-news-234890

Kirk here with some information about the earthquake warning that woke me up this morning at about 5 AM. I got this huge warning but couldn't feel anything. I ignored it and went back to sleep, assuming it was some kind of false alarm. Well, for my neck of the woods (central Kumamoto City) it was a false alarm but folks to our southwest may have felt significant shaking.
I looked at news reports but couldn't find anything about significant damage -- just confirmation that there was an earthquake but that a tsunami was not forecast.
If I were sleeping near the ocean or at the bottom of a steep incline or something I might have appreciated the warning, even if I didn't happen to need it in this case. However, as I am not usually in places where I'm particularly vulnerable and the loss of sleep, etc. strikes me as a more significant issue I turned off the notifications.
https://www.jma.go.jp/bosai/map.html#9/31.817/132.623/&elem=int&contents=earthquake_map

What I liked about this news was that the graduating ninth graders are in their teens to seventies, including two foreigners.
When I was a junior high school student 35 years ago, I had four foreign-rooted classmates in a rural junior high school in northern Kumamoto Prefecture. They were two to five years older than me, but we learned together, played together, and I learned their language,加油, 再見. My world expanded. Learning is a right. The night junior high school is a wonderful place to learn.( •̀ω•́ )و✧Atsuko
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On the evening of the 6th, the first graduation ceremony was held at the first "night junior high school" in Kumamoto Prefecture, where people who were not able to receive a full compulsory education can study, and 12 students of various ages received their diplomas.
"Night junior high schools" are public night classes where people who were not able to receive a full compulsory education can study for various reasons, such as war, not attending school, and foreign nationality.
On the 6th, the first graduation ceremony was held at Yuai Junior High School, the first night junior high school in the prefecture, which opened in Kumamoto City's Chuo Ward
in April last year.
The 12 students who attended the ceremony ranged in age from their teens to their 70s, including two foreign nationals. After all the students' names were read out, each student went up to the stage and received their diploma.

Michaela here. If anyone is in the Ōe area tomorrow please grab a coffee from Junction Coffee. They are hosting a pop-up for a well known coffee roaster and shop based in Sydney Australia, Artificer. They have just started a venture in Japan so are sharing their wares.
In my opinion they serve the best flat white around so if you’re an Aussie craving one, or anyone who likes a good coffee please go along! Details below.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/pMGbbKKj6vumS1hc7?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy
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📢 Pop-up Event @ Junction Coffee ☕️
📅 日時：3月8日 (土) 12:00〜
📍 会場：Junction Coffee Roaster 大江店
Artificer Japan、待望の第一回ポップアップを開催！
熊本で焙煎されたシーズナルブレンドに加え、シドニーで焙煎された2種類のシングルオリジンをご提供。さらに、コーヒー豆の販売も行います。数量限定なので、お早めにお越しください！
また、Artificer Coffeeのグッズも特別販売予定。こちらも数に限りがあるので、お見逃しなく！
さらに！
当日は毎月恒例の
✨ 月1イベント「出張スコーン & 黒豆豆乳」
🥣 お馴染みのグラノーラ販売会
も同時開催！
美味しいコーヒーと特別なフードとともに、皆さまのお越しをお待ちしております。
📢 Pop-up Event @ Junction Coffee ☕️
📅 Date: Saturday, March 8th, from 12:00 PM
📍 Venue: Junction Coffee Roaster Oe
Artificer Japan is excited to host its very first pop-up event!
We will be serving a seasonal blend roasted in Kumamoto alongside two single-origin coffees roasted in Sydney. Those beans will also be available for purchase—quantities are limited, so be sure to come early!
Additionally, Artificer Coffee merchandise will be available in limited quantities. Don’t miss out!
And that’s not all!
On the same day, we will also have our monthly special event:
✨ Pop-up Scones & Black Soy Milk
🥣 Our signature granola sale
JUNCTION Coffee Roaster （Cafe & Roaster） · Kumamoto, Kumamoto
Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

Get your green garments out, as it's that time of year again!!! ☘️🎶 St. Patrick's Day parade in Kumamoto this Saturday, 8th March... Gathering at 2pm, at Sunroad Shinshigai・サンロード新市街, by Karashimacho tram stop, and going down Shimotori... Take care as we do not start, nor go into, Kamitori at all!! 🎻🎵🌍 After-party at Celts Pub from 4-6pm for 4000 yen 🍻 See the poster for details!!
今年もこの季節がやってきました!!! ☘️ 3月8日(土)、熊本でセント・パトリックス・デーのパレードが行われます。午後2時、サンロード新市街集合。上通からスタートするわけでもなく、上通に入るわけでもないのでご注意を! 🚨 午後4時から6時まで、CELTSパブで4000円で二次会 🍻 詳しくはポスターを見てね!!
Posted by a 'Local Leprechaun' 😉
Ruth ☘️