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There's this thing called 蛇苺 (hebiichigo - literally, "snake strawberries") that you'll find growing here and there. You can make them into quite a delicious jam, whose recipe you can google. A friend of mine just brought over a bushel of 蛇苺. I'm not sure whether my wife is happy about this or not. - William

Anett here.
The non-profit organization WYS is looking for host families for high school students arriving in Japan this autumn. Far too few students ever have the chance to get to know beautiful Kumamoto with its breathtaking landscapes and interesting history. And hosting a young person in one's home enriches not only one's own life but gives Kumamoto children the chance to experience a small part of the international world on a very personal level.
Anywhere, from the city centre to the countryside, from houses to apartment flats, anywhere is possible as long as the student can commute to a high school every day. Also, any family constellation (also young families without or very young children, single parents with children, older couples without children at home etc.) is very much welcome. The student also doesn't need a room for themselves, sharing one with a same-sex family member is also totally possible.
Host families also don't have to be fluent in English as the students come here to study Japanese. (A few of our students became really good at Kumamoto dialect.) Far more important is warmly welcoming the student as a family member and treating them like one would treat their own children. That also includes responsibilities like helping with the daily chores.
If you decide to take in a student, WYS will take care of the negotiations with high schools in your area. They will also take care of possible quarantine arrangements before the student comes to Kumamoto. They also follow-up and consult in the case of problems. For details see their homepage.
https://www.wys.gr.jp/
We have been taking in WYS students over the last 9 years. So if you have questions or worries the above homepage doesn't answer, please be so free to ask me.

Opium poppies are pretty tough plants. They can grow from any little crack and are very fecund. Kumanichi reports that sightings of opium poppies growing along roadsides has recently jumped. Whether someone is planting them or they're spreading naturally is unclear. If you spot one, call the police (or not - reporting these things can involve you in a lot more trouble than you'd wish). - William
違法ケシ、除去してもまた自生　熊本市で目撃相次ぐ　 ｜ 熊本日日新聞
ケシの花が見頃だ。かれんであでやかな姿をしているが、アヘンの原料となる品種を栽培したら違法となる。県...

Our friend Charles Waterman has the following inquiry. I might expand it to ask for experiences from anyone from any age group who has received a corona vaccination. - William
Inquiring minds want to know: Are there any 65+ year old international residents on this list who HAVE already gotten a voucher/ticket for a vaccination?

Kirk here with some thoughts about language tools. I was just looking at the COVID-19 links that Joe pinned to the top of this Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/Kumamotoi/posts/5128905377182853
One of the links takes you to a page where you can find a vaccination venue. Fortunately, more places have come on line recently for those of you who have already gotten vouchers. Unfortunately, however, the interface is only in Japanese. On my computer, I tried using the Google translate plugin in the Chrome browser. That works pretty well but it's not something you can take advantage of on a smartphone. I was pleased to notice, however, that Google translate now provides romanization of Japanese text in addition to the translation (see image). I'm not sure when this started but I think it enhances the value of the service. If, like me, you were not aware of this aspect of Google translate, please check it out.
By the way, the other day I posted about another language tool, Jisho.org:
https://www.facebook.com/Kumamotoi/posts/5124564124283645
It's a bit more oriented toward language learning than Google translate, but can be quite useful nonetheless.

Kumamoto Castle is quite larger than most people who limit their visits to the donjon and Ninomaru think. One of my favorite places to visit is the west side, the area known as Sannomaru - nobody goes there, so it's quiet and absolutely gorgeous and very historical (take the stairs behind the museum towards the baseball stadium). In addition to Sannomaru, there is an area set aside for trees as a bird sanctuary, all within the ancient walls, which you can inspect if your knees allow. If you really want to be a Higokko, learn this area. - William
熊本城二の丸・三の丸地区 (熊本市) - 旅行のクチコミサイト フォートラベル
熊本市でのドクターキムルさんの旅行記です。

Here's an interesting job opportunity for manga fans / manga creators in the Kumamoto area. Please share with those who might be interested but are not subscribed to this page. -- Kirk
https://www.facebook.com/Kumamotoi/posts/5227993570607366

Here's something I saw on TV about the phenomenon of "postseismic deformation" (余効変動). The first picture shows how a straight line that was painted on a repaved road after the quake has been twisted by postseismic deformation in the last few years. I took it from a video that can be seen on the following page:
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20210416/k10012977501000.html?utm_int=news-new_contents_latest_with-image
The second image is basically the same as an image I saw on an RKK TV special. It shows how parts of a wall that were connected immediate after the quake have gradually moved apart. I got the image from the following page:
https://ameblo.jp/aabe/entry-12265641502.html
-- Kirk

I don't know if this is funny or tragic - it's kind of hard to discern these things anymore. But there was a corona virus outbreak at a seminar held for food safety. It seems like one way or another, something is going to get you. - William
健康セミナーでクラスター、参加者１０人感染　熊本市 ｜ 熊本日日新聞
熊本市は１６日、健康食品などを扱う業者が市内で開いた健康セミナーで、新型コロナウイルスのクラスター（...

A Kumamoto treasure is Jeff Cairns. Really - they should give awards for these type of non-Japanese who contribute so greatly to Kumamoto culture. (Actually, I think they do, and he deserves one.) He is a shakuhachi virtuoso residing in a shack (:)) at the foot of Mt. Kimpo, the heart of Kumamoto. Please listen to his work here. - William
Jeff Cairns
Listen to Jeff Cairns | SoundCloud is an audio platform that lets you listen to what you love and share the sounds you create.

Here's some useful information from Calton McCycle, via Kirk:
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/how-to-coronavirus-vaccinations-japan/?fbclid=IwAR2r-8EiZ-PDXCK1RxXbp3v0G1Cteb9lBuAIEFr5P1V2qgf1ProYfxMtYAc
What to know about getting vaccinated for coronavirus in Japan
With COVID-19 vaccinations for front-line essential workers already underway, Japan gradually expanded inoculations to the elderly population on April 12.

I went to Yatsushiro yesterday by train; usually I drive so am restricted to the road on which I'm concentrating, but the train passes behind people's backyards and I had the luxury of observing, and I have to say that I was so shocked by how poor the area is. The people are wonderful, so very welcoming, but their life is hardscrabble. Bipuresu, the square at Torichosuji, hosts a periodic Yatsushiro produce sale. I now feel so much more strongly about supporting these wonderful farmers. Their event schedule is at the link. - William
https://bipuresu.jp/event/detail/000103.php

Hi, Joe Tomei here with another Funky Friday place post. Today, I'd like to introduce your burger and craft beer heaven on the banks of the Shirakawa. Voyager was started by Jason Morgan, who came to Kumamoto as a JET and he's been working to funkify the Kuhonji area (my take)
Voyager is in the basement of the Sky Terrace Ten9 building and offers burgers, craft beer and some other libations. They also have a craft beer club, where you have a monthly quota of beer (1.5, 3 or 6 liters) that you can bring your own container in and take home. Joining the club, you can get a free bottle for your amber goodness or you can purchase a 500 ml growler (@ 2,500 yen for the one in the picture or get your own, a container with an airtight seal works fine) from the bar. You have to join the club from the webpage
https://voyager-beer.com/
and you'll be mailed a card that you can take in and get whatever they have on tap. If you join, tell Jason that Funky Friday sent you!
The previous Funky Friday locations are here
https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1qUH94Bac7Hr939b7_8gtvebaJZffGRsX&usp=sharing
I'm still in the process of checking the map to see what places are still open. If you have any corrections to the map or want to become a Funky Friday argonaut, drop me a message!
#kumaifunkyfridayplace

This is what the double punch of two shindo 7 earthquakes did to Miyazono in Mashiki-machi, Kumamoto Prefecture in 2016. I took the picture on the left with a little iPhone after the first quake. The TV reporter is standing next to a sign that says "Miyazono Community Center" (宮園公民館). I went back to the same place after the second quake, which occurred during the early hours of April 16th, to take the second photo. You can see the same sign but the devastation is so great that otherwise it's hard to recognize this as the same place. I was able to stand on the pavement when I took the first photo but I had to climb on top of debris that had spilled into the road to take the second photo. -- Kirk

Another deer has been caught wandering around Yasuyo Machi, just adjacent Shimotori. It's the third deer to have wandered downtown this week. Let's hope it's not some type of omen. - William

The Kumamoto quakes (note the plural) got a writeup on Japan Today. Please, for you who did not experience them, listen to those who did and take necessary precautions for WHEN (not IF) another quake occurs. - William
https://japantoday.com/category/national/kumamoto-commemorates-5th-anniv.-of-deadly-quakes

Joe Tomei here. William already posted a short note about the 5th anniversary of the Kumamoto Earthquakes, but I'd like to pass this from Lily McDermott & Chase Sutherland, JET program Prefectural Advisors, that has an interesting Kumamoto-i connection. Sara Kubota, the ALT mentioned below and appearing in the video, had iirc just joined us on Kumamoto-i a month or two before the earthquake, and when it hit, she posted a steady stream of messages and announcements. Her work was recognized by the Embassy and she met the US ambassador at the time, Caroline Kennedy.
It may also be a good time to invite people to become editors here. If you are interested, please send me a DM.
====
Today marks 5 years since the first of two powerful earthquakes struck Kumamoto Prefecture, causing loss of life and incredible damage across the prefecture.
In the confusion that immediately followed the earthquake, the Kumamoto JET community pulled together and supported each other. In addition, one year later, a fundraising drive called "JETs Rally for Kumamoto!" saw both current and former JETs raising funds for the recovery effort.
Although there are still 400 people living in temporary housing, almost 99% of residents who lost their homes have found new housing, and several important milestones have been achieved. The main keep of Kumamoto Castle has been completely reconstructed, and vital infrastructure such as the Aso Ohashi bridge has been rebuilt and re-opened, re-connecting Kumamoto to Minamiaso. According to a survey conducted by Kumanichi Newspaper, 81% of residents feel a sense in their daily lives that Kumamoto has recovered from the earthquakes.
To mark this important milestone, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has created a video to share about Kumamoto's recovery to the world, and we have been asked to share that video with everyone. A former Kumamoto JET, Sara Kubota, makes a feature appearance. Sara provided critical information to the foreign community over social media in the aftermath of the earthquake.
You can check out the video here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qn2zLjh04E

Please feel free to share the video with your family and friends. Wherever you are in the world, we hope that you are safe and healthy. When you are able to come back and visit Japan (we hope before long), your second home, Kumamoto will be waiting for you!
Local to global: Kumamoto will keep moving forward.
This short video shines a light on how Kumamoto has rebounded from two devastating earthquakes in 2016. Join us on a journey to discover the best of what Kum...

Hello Friends.
Yes, today is the 5th memorial day of Kumamoto earthquake. We learned lots things from its evacuation life.
I'd like to post and share these ''yubisashi sheets'' again, here.
https://www.yubisashi.com/volunteer/
In case any emergency, you can find and use them easily by searching
#emergency in Kumamoto international post.
Please remember this post to help yourself and your family.ーAtsuko.╰(*´︶`*)╯

Kirk here. Today I got an e-mail from Lily McDermott & Chase Sutherland, who have been doing yeoman's work in summarizing important COVID-19 information for us. Their e-mail starts with a summary of how this is the 5th anniversary of the quakes and continues as follows:
"To mark this important milestone, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has created a video to share about Kumamoto's recovery to the world, and we have been asked to share that video with everyone. A former Kumamoto JET, Sara Kubota, makes a feature appearance. Sara provided critical information to the foreign community over social media in the aftermath of the earthquake.
You can check out the video here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qn2zLjh04E "
The primary "social media" referred to is this page. Sara got an award for her work from U.S. Ambassador Caroline Kennedy, in part because she did good work and in part because she had registered in advance as a "warden" (someone who helps the consulate get the word out to expats in the area, not a jailer ;) ) for the U.S. consulate in Fukuoka.
The video is beautifully done, and, of course, Sara's comments are spot on. If you have a computer, please watch it full screen.
Local to global: Kumamoto will keep moving forward.
This short video shines a light on how Kumamoto has rebounded from two devastating earthquakes in 2016. Join us on a journey to discover the best of what Kum...

Today marks five years since the quakes. I spent the night in a tent at Kaishin High School with my wife and dog. If you were here then, please let us know what you did - it might be useful for future reference. - William