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How about trying Mamemaki and making Ehomaki in Kikuchi this weekend for free?
Mamemaki and Ehomaki are Japanese traditions on the day of Setsubun, or the day before the beginning of Spring. Mamemaki is a bean throwing ceremony to welcome good fortune and drive away evil spirits. Ehomaki is a long sushi roll which you eat all in one go on the night of Setsubun, while facing silently toward the year's "lucky" direction with your eyes closed, wishing for perfect health and praying for prosperity of business.
There is a free shuttle service between Kumamoto and Kikuchi. You can get information on the service in the website below.
https://www.pref.kumamoto.jp/common/UploadFileOutput.ashx?c_id=3&id=29466&sub_id=2&flid=215890&fbclid=IwAR1XQRWRYVnS495keaiFGKSa_14hTyRlnbIodQ_TFMTZCfO1VgbaGIPqVUY
If you get interested, please email to [email protected] - Yuichi Yoshida

Hi friends.
In case, if you know someone has doubt to be suffered Wuhan Coronavirus, you should call and ask here.
Just in case.
Hoping all of you are safe, healthy, comfortable, and Happy!ーAtsuko(*Ü*)
健康福祉局　保健衛生部　感染症対策課TEL：096-364-3189 FAX：096-371-5172  [email protected]
Main call center
1　call number　096-372-0705
2 time　　　only weekday,
from 8:30 am to 5:15 pm
When the lines become too busy, you may call this number also.
　熊本市感染症対策課（096-364-3189)
Kumamoto city office announcement
http://www.city.kumamoto.jp/hpkiji/pub/detail.aspx?c_id=5&type=top&id=26721

A narrow road is all that connects Oe-Mach from Densha Dori past Aeon Mall, scissoring two high schools (Keisei and Kyugaku) to get to the other side of town. White stripes indicate a walking area about as broad as one's shoulders, usually crowded with students and elderly on their way to shop, and while it is barely wide enough for two cars to pass safely (regardless of pedestrians), many drive it at an unsafe speed. My wife was walking home from Aeon the other day and was clipped by a passing sedan which propelled her against a nearby wall, thereby leaving her with bruises on both shoulders and a shopping bag of broken eggs.
Her treatment by the Kitakumamoto Keisatsu Police Station has been very disappointing. Their lack of sympathy is remarkable: while they promise to check into it (the road is so dangerous that both high schools have cameras recording drivers installed), all they've done to date is to advise her to take a lesser-traveled road which adds a hundred meters to her trip and has no night lighting.
It's only a matter of time until someone is killed on that road. Kumamoto must pay more attention to these types of priorities. I will keep you up to date with the glacial progress (if any) of the police. - William

Hi friends.
It's not article about Kumamoto but an international issue you might be concerned about.
Johns Hopkins University shares useful map to know about Wuhan Coronavirus, Confirmed Cases by Country/Region.
We should be aware of what happened as our problems.
Please, all of you stay safe, take good care, be healthy, be happy!ーAtsuko(*Ü*)
Original web site page.
https://gisanddata.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/bda7594740fd40299423467b48e9ecf6
Article about Wuhan Coronavirus
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.businessinsider.jp/amp/post-206597
中国の武漢で発生した新型コロナウイルスの拡散により、100人以上の死者と4000人以上の感染者を出している。新型コロナウイルスは人から人へ感染する...

A note from the Kumamoto International International Terrorism Desk (merged with the Too Much Free Time on my Hands Desk for obvious reasons): As the Shirakawa banks were reconstructed, I was darkly amused by signs every few hundred meters announcing 「テロ対策中」- "Anti-terror measures underway" - as if someone would attack a stone wall (the real world is not Monty Python).
But citizens: feel at ease! In the run-up to the Olympics, some 50 people from the Yatsushiro Police and Coast Guard have collaborated to counter a terrorist dressed entirely in black wielding a knife trying to disembark a cruise ship at Yatsushiro Harbor while two of his cohorts who jumped overboard and fled on a motorboat were stopped by warning fire (new kanji for me: 「威嚇射撃」- "ikaku shageki". If they'd used live fire, I suppose the number of participants would have been 48.) From there, it's just a hop, skip, and jump to Tokyo.
Still, it's nice to feel involved in the celebratory atmosphere, even way down here in Kumamoto. (Photo: Typical terrorist.) - William
テロリストの侵入阻止　八代港で合同訓練 ｜ 熊本日日新聞
八代署や八代海上保安署などは２９日、熊本県八代市の八代港でテロリストの上陸を想定した合同訓練をした。...

Hi friends.
It's a video for your guests who visit you, visit Japan😁😂ーAtsuko(*Ü*)
https://www.facebook.com/461895657190529/posts/3269689316411135/

Hi friends.
It was strange and terrible weather today but I noticed small lovely spring💕.
These flowers tell me spring is coming.ーAtsuko(*Ü*)

It is said that gardening is like second marriages: The triumph of hope over experience. Spring in Kumamoto sees two agricultural festivals which offer entertainment eclipsing the fantasy that you'll actually, finally, create a successful garden: food, entertainment, shopping, along with the sacrificial saplings which will succumb to Kumamoto's brutal summers by July.
The first has already begun at the Agricultural Park in Koshi. It is aimed more at ambitious horticulturalists but is a great place for kids: there is a large playground. Be proactive and bring a kite to fly in the wide, grassy expanse (or maybe a badminton set from Daiso) and a tarp to sit on while you sample the local delicacies on offer - make sure the kids know where you're camped, give them a few hundred yen, and set them free. Car access is best, but you can also take the Kumamoto Dentetsu from Fujisaki Hachimangu-mae to it's terminus at Miyoshi and either walk a long way or ride a bike (you can bring bikes on the train). https://www.kumamotodentetsu.co.jp/train/
The second runs from 2/1 along the banks of Shirakawa adjacent to Kumamoto Station. It is much more easily accessible, though quite smaller than the above-mentioned, and is geared more towards the gardener. Rows of greenhouses lined with shops keep you warm, and you can dine on horumon stew while watching the seagulls and ducks on the river. - William

Hi friends, especially English learners!
I recommend this event so much!!
KUMADAI international students hold this event every year. It's so nice event we, local Kumamoto citizen can exchange and interact them and know their country well and closely.
Unfortunately I couldn't join it last year but I have joined it as an audience every year. Their performance showing their culture and traditional is so wonderful!!
It's so pity they haven't had lots local guests. The almost of all participants are not Japanese, not Japanese students and not local citizens but foreigner.
It's good for international students to interact international students each other. But I also hope we, local citizen should try to know about international friends and feel them closely !!!
I hope to see you there!! ーAtsuko(*Ü*)
https://www.facebook.com/1375955829395268/posts/2579260219064817/

The Japanese house bat (for some reason,"oil bat" - アブラコウモリ（油蝙蝠) - is a species of vesper bat, lil' guys that mainly rely on vocally emitted echolocation to gobble up all of the bugs - including mosquitoes - in your neighborhood, and if you don't think they're cute, then you have no soul. They are migratory, following in winter insect populations south to the warmer weather of southern China and Taiwan, then, as as winter thaws, back to the Korean Peninsula and Japan. I always know it's spring when the bats return: they like old buildings with openings to attics or rain gutters under which to roost, both of which my house offers. When I see them return, I know spring has come.
Which is why I was surprised today, only in late January, to see a bat launch itself from under my rain gutter. They usually don't reappear until early March. That they're returning so early means that the insects are doing so as well. Another presage of global warming. They are your friends, so take care of them.
Of course, they often featured in Yokai woodprints. I have no idea why this bat seems to be whipping two animals that have no business flying, but there must be a story behind it somewhere. - William

Hi friends.
Unfortunately, I couldn't catch up beautiful moon but I'll try to enjoy it tomorrow night
(｡•̀ᴗ-)✧
By the way, I just know about 正代 Shoudai is from Uto city in Kumamoto prefecture. Lots of local Uto citizen might cheer and wish his victory this time.
About him, Wikipedia in Japanese
https://ja.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E6%AD%A3%E4%BB%A3%E7%9B%B4%E4%B9%9F
Wikipedia in English
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sh%C5%8Ddai_Naoya
http://www.sumo.or.jp/ResultRikishiData/profile/3521/
This is information about cheering him together with public viewing at Uto cityHall 宇土市民会館 from 4:30pm tomorrow, on 25 January.
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=2762423557183796&id=243425422416968
I'm not a fan of Sumo but I'll also cheer and hope his, Kumamoto Sumo Hero's success✨
I hope you also feel him closely and enjoy his match! Let's cheer him together!!ーAtsuko٩( ᐖ )۶
https://www.facebook.com/438505469570144/posts/2702452046508797/?sfnsn=mo

A note from the Kumamoto International Astronomy Desk (merged with the Astrology Desk due to all our new-ager interns): If you go outside RIGHT NOW (or do so just after dusk during the next few weeks), you'll see in the west an amazingly bright object. That is Venus – the "goddess of love," "Kinsei" 金星（きんせい) in Japanese, and the third-brightest object in the sky after the Sun and the Moon - which doesn't set until about 3 hours after sundown at month's end. On the evening of Jan. 28th, more than one-third up from the west-southwest horizon will be the two brightest objects in our night sky: a lovely crescent Moon and situated well to its right, dazzling Venus. So we'll get this. Enjoy. - William

Hi friends.
It's an announcement about free shuttle bus for north area of Kumamoto prefecture.
English is at the bottom of shared page.
Tamana is famous of RAMAN.
Yamaga has Yachiyoza beautiful old theater.
https://www.yachiyoza.com/schedule.html
Kikuchi has beautiful river and valley.
Nagomi is my Hometown😁
Each cities, and town have good Onsen, hot springs.
The free shuttle buses will work till 2020 February. It's limited test operation.
I hope you enjoy not only Aso and Amakusa but also north area of Kumamoto prefecture👍ーAtsuko(*Ü*)
https://www.facebook.com/285180165163223/posts/1059758114372087/

Our friend Sean Benward along with some very talented Japanese English teachers will be hosting a seminar at the International Center on 2/23 from 1:30 - 3:30 designed to encourage speaking English without worrying about mistakes but rather to learn the enjoyment of communication. The topic this time will be the Tokyo Olympic Games. The seminar is aimed at both adults and primary students. Information is at the link. - William

Kumamoto City Hall was built a mere 39 years ago but, it is claimed, is not sufficiently quake-proof. (In comparison, the city hall of my hometown of Los Angeles, subject to similar quakes, was completed in 1928). Since Kumamoto was designated a full-fledged city in 2012, most administrative functions have been moved to offices located in each ward, yet it retains three functions: the city's main government offices, council chambers, and the Chuo Ward office.
Four plans are on the table:
1. Rebuild at the current site, retaining consolidation of all three functions. Estimated time frame and cost: seven years and 45.6 billion yen, including provision of temporary quarters during construction.
2. Transfer all functions to a new building at the current Shirakawa Park next to the Central Police Station. Estimated time frame and cost: five years and 39 billion yen.
3. Transfer the main government offices and council chambers to Shirakawa Park and the Chuo Ward office to the former site of the Hanabatacho Annex. Estimated time frame and cost: same as 2.
4. Transfer the main government offices and council chambers to the parking garage currently behind the building and the Chuo Ward office to the former site of the Hanabatacho Annex. Estimated time frame and cost: six years and 43.1 billion yen.
Notably, no concern has apparently been paid to retrofitting the existing building.
Our friend Ruth Rowntree-Kai informed us of a meeting to be held downtown on Feb.2nd, from 2pm and would like to invite all interested KI members. Per her words:
"In short, it's organized by a civic group, due to changes the local government are trying to enforce. The government has met some opposition - and, perhaps, rightly so, as they are plans that the local government hope to implement despite being advised otherwise.
My friend is part of the advisory board (at the government's request) and would like to invite as many residents to this hearing as possible. Many longterm, foreign residents living here also contribute actively to society here, and bring a diverse wealth of knowledge with them. Not just by paying taxes and the likes, but also by contributing their ideas and various viewpoints.
My friend believes that inviting any KI readers (Japanese and foreign) who are interested in local politics would be beneficial in raising awareness of what changes may lie ahead for Kumamoto City."
Please leave your thoughts below, and more info at the link. -William
https://www.facebook.com/events/s/%E7%86%8A%E6%9C%AC%E5%B8%82%E5%BD%B9%E6%89%80%E3%81%AE%E5%BA%81%E8%88%8E%E5%BB%BA%E3%81%A6%E6%9B%BF%E3%81%88%E3%82%92%E8%80%83%E3%81%88%E3%82%8B%E3%82%B7%E3%83%B3%E3%83%9B%E3%82%B7%E3%82%A6%E3%83%A0-%E7%AC%AC2%E5%9B%9E/164834934685478/

Hi friends.
Have you been to Kumamoto station?
Have you been to Kumamoto station to eat? to drink??
I have used Kumamoto station many times but just to go through or to pick someone, or see off.
I haven't known Kumamoto station has such many various restaurants all together!!!!
For example,4 famous Raman restaurants are placed together, line same place.
We ate BANIKU, horse meat cooked RAMAN. So delicious😁💕
Of course, Kumamoto station is the main station of Kumamoto prefecture, so each restaurants are very nice!!
The most important is they gather and opened restaurant style(easy to know what they serve, easy to go into. They also display the food and price on the wall with lots pictures )and addition cheap price!!
RAMAN, SUSHI, ODEN, YAKITORI, KUSHIKATSU, TENPURA, PIZZA, GYUDON,PASTA....
It might be so good for especially international guests that the quality and quantity are. I'm also satisfied and want to recommend as a local Kumamoto citizen.
Each restaurants are famous, cheep, look yummy, opened place.
So recommended!!! ーAtsuko(*Ü*)

A charm of Yabe (now Yamato-cho) is its vast network of irrigation built over centuries to deliver water to its terraced paddies. A challenge was Shiraito Plateau, which was cut off from any waterway by deep ravines, so in 1854 Tsujyunkyo (通潤橋) was built both as a bridge and an aqueduct. Water passes from a canal on the north through three channels embedded in the bridge, driven by a slightly higher elevation on the northern inlet compared to the southern outlet. A problem of sediment buildup in the channels inspired a creative solution: drainage holes at the lowest point in the center of the bridge, plugged by wooden stoppers which are occasionally removed to flush the channels.
The bridge suffered damage in the quakes so was closed to remove the upper layer of rock to allow realignment and grouting of the aqueduct stones. Just ready to reopen in 2018, a retaining wall at its southern base collapsed due to a typhoon, so then that had to be rebuilt. Finally, after four years of restoration (and barring another natural disaster), it is set to reopen on April 19th. The sluices will be opened daily from 1:00 for 15 minutes.
While you're there, visit nearby Gorogatki - a fabulous path winds down a sheer cliff to its base; there is also a suspension bridge. The entire area makes a wonderful day trip. Wear shoes suitable for hiking. - William
https://this.kiji.is/591039538127193185?c=92619697908483575

Good morning friends.
中村 圭 (Kei Nakamura) san
おめでとう!💖💖
圭さん出てるんです、「MINAMATA.」
水俣病とその歴史、色んな人にもっと知ってもらえる、考えてもらえるいい機会になれば!
Congrats, Keisan!!
My friend Kei Nakamura joined the movie as an actor.
It might be on the screen in this summer.
Don't miss it.
It's a nice opportunity, many people all over the world will know about Minamata,Minamata disease; a disease caused by mercury poisoning well.ーAtsuko(*Ü*)
ジョニー・デップがユージン・スミスを演じる『MINAMATA』ベルリン国際映画祭にてワールドプレミア！日本人キャストは美波、真田広之、浅野忠信、加瀬亮、國村隼！ - シネフィル - 映
世界的な写真家ユージン・スミスをジョニー・デップが演じ、1950年代の日本の公害病の一つ水俣病を撮り続けた姿を撮った『MINAMATA』が、2020年ベルリン国際映画祭「Berlinale Special」部門でワールドプレミアとして上映される...

Kirk here with some information about an event to be held Thursday night at 6:30 (tomorrow or today, depending on when you see this). The venue is Conference Room 7 on the 10th floor of Parea, which is next to Tsuruya, downtown.
Britt Yamamoto will be speaking in English on the topic of "Youth Leading the Way." The event is sponsored by the Japan Foundation.
It says that they can only take 50 people but there may still be seating available. You can write to [email protected] to see if they have room. Also, the following page has a Japanese form:
https://www.cognitoforms.com/iLEAP1/KumamotoSymposium2020January
For more information about Britt please see the following:
http://ileap.org/who-we-are/staff-board/britt-yamamoto/
Sorry for the last-minute notice. And sorry to have neglected the page for so long. I am alive and well (still) and living in Kumamoto (still).

Hi friends.
It was so cold today.
But, I found 紅梅, Koubai, red Ume, red plam's blossoms seem to start to bloom.
Spring is just around the corner.ーAtsuko(*Ü*)