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As the title indicates, this article describes several shops and places to visit in Kumamoto. Personally, I found the description of And Coffee Roasters, which is said to have "hip, English-speaking baristas," intriguing.
-- Kirk
Kumamoto, Japan, City Guide: Where to Eat, Shop, and Stay
With a thriving natural wine scene and restaurants remixing western and Japanese traditions, the city of Kumamoto should be your next destination in Japan.

Filming of the NHK the taiga drama (that serial from 8:00 - 8:15 each morning that everyone watches before dashing off to work) "Great Runner - Tokyo Olympic Tale," 「いだてん～東京オリムピック噺」, which depicts the life of Kumamoto native Kanakuri Shiso (1891-1983), the first Japanese Olympic participant, began in April at the abandoned Jyoshima Elementary School in Ashikita, chosen as it resembles that of Kanakuri's school in long-ago school in Tamana.
I've written about Kanakuri before and will do so again but thought I would draw attention to the Japanese title, particularly the phrase rendered in hiragana 「いだてん」. I'd first thought it was a Higo dialect idiom, but a bit of research provided a more interesting story. Weblio renders it both in hiragana and kanji (韋駄天) as a "great runner" - 「韋駄天走りに走る」could be translated a "run like the wind."
Apparently, 韋駄天 is the Hindu god of war with many names but known mostly as Skanda in Sanskrit - somewhat akin to the Greek god Hermes/Roman, Mercury. We'll be back later with more info, but jot this one down so that you can amaze your friends. - William
「金栗大河」県内撮影スタート　四三役の勘九郎さんら熱演 - 熊本日日新聞
「いだてん～東京オリムピック噺～」のロケに臨む中村勘九郎さん（左から３人目）＝７日、芦北町（池田祐介）　日本人で初めて五輪に出場した熊本出身のマラソン選手、金栗四三（１８９１～１９８３年）を描く来年の...

"Oda, who is from the city of Kumamoto, has launched a reconstruction project with the cooperation of local governments hit by the April 2016 earthquake, and other organizations, according to the prefectural government."
Copied and pasted by Kirk
Kumamoto Pref. honors ‘One Piece’ artist
KUMAMOTO — The Kumamoto prefectural government announced Wednesday it will bestow a prefectural honor on manga artist Eiichiro Oda, 43, praising the feat of his famous “One Piece” series selling more than 430 million copies across the world, as well as his support of reconstruction work after ...

This is a picture of snow-covered sakura blossoms -- a rare combination -- that was taken in the Aso area today. NHK reported the snow in the Aso area on its nationally broadcast evening news program today. You can see another video news segment (the one from which I took the image of the snow on the sakura blossoms) here:
http://www.news24.jp/articles/2018/04/07/07389925.html
The current temperature in Kumamoto City is 7 degrees celsius (45 F). I've had to look for sweaters and other warm clothing just to keep from shivering as I work at my computer!
Thankfully, warmer weather is predicted for tomorrow.
-- Kirk

Sakura Machi is the area between the bus terminal (交通センター) and Shinshigai. Along with the area near the train station, major redevelopment is underway. A recent photo displays the main building slated to open next year. The abundance of greenery spread over its terraced 15 stories looks very attractive. - William http://shutten-watch.com/kyushu/

Joe Tomei with another Funky Places Friday and an agepan edition. I've been told that this has been featured on several TV programs, but I only discovered after visiting last Friday's Funky place. Despite the great risk to my own person (because I was so full I thought I was going to explode) I did try an agepan. (The things I do for y'all)
In a real Airstream trailer, the shop has been there for 10 years. Agepan is like homemade doughnuts, 5 flavors, including garlic, kibisato and kinako.
The FPF map is here
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1qUH94Bac7Hr939b7_8gtvebaJZffGRsX&usp=sharing

7200 tiles have been placed on the roof of the castle keep (tenshukaku) and the temporary cover has been removed. Another step in the restoration of the castle is complete.
By the way, this has been in the Japanese media for a few days now but I haven't been able to find an article about it in English.
-- Kirk
熊本城　２年ぶり…瓦まとう“大天守”の姿｜日テレNEWS24
地震で大きな被害を受けた熊本城の復旧工事が進められる中、３日、天守閣にある仮設の屋根が取り外された。

Sorry for the last-minute notice but tonight is the last night this year to see Nabegataki lit up. Even if you can't go tonight, though, it's a great place to visit in the daytime throughout the warm summer months and into the fall.
For more information in English, see
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g1121535-d1960940-Reviews-Nabegataki_Falls-Oguni_machi_Aso_gun_Kumamoto_Prefecture_Kyushu_Okinawa.html
By the way, Olivia posted about Tsuetate, which is also in the Oguni area:
https://www.facebook.com/Kumamotoi/photos/a.607228756017227.1073741827.123734781033296/1849943821745708/?type=3&theater
The two places are close enough to each other to see both on a daytrip to Oguni.
-- Kirk
http://www.news24.jp/articles/2018/04/01/07389394.html
幻想的…鍋ヶ滝でライトアップ始まる　熊本｜日テレNEWS24
熊本県小国町の鍋ヶ滝で先月３１日から滝のライトアップが始まり、多くの観光客でにぎわった。

Joe Tomei here. A colleague of mine here at KGU, Prof. Akira Sakai, is working with a local group that is tackling the problem of wild boars (inonoshishi in Japanese). With no larger predators to cull them and the number of Japanese hunters on the decline, wild boar are multiplying and destroying crops. Being smart as all get out, they like mikan, but also dig up imo, enjoy watermelons and almost any food people like. The group is trying to raise awareness and share knowledge about hunting and capturing boar and they are also working with local restaurants to supply boar meat. I'm attaching pics of the group's flyer. I've met several members of the group and I know that there are people on Kumamoto-i with sufficient Japanese skills to participate if this interests you.

A note from the Kumamoto International Confectionery Desk. One test discerning a 肥後っ子 (ひごっこ、Kumamotoite) from a person simply passing through is awareness of ikinaridango (いきなり団子). The uninitiated may confuse it with the Hakata (Fukuoka)-based daifuku due to their similar appearances. Do not fall for this. Locals may cut you some slack but will no doubt guffaw at your ignorance the moment your back is turned. This is because, though the outer layer is the same, made of either steamed flour or, more traditionally, mochi (a sticky form of pounded rice), the filling of the clearly deficient daifuku contains only red bean paste (あずき、小豆) - while the ikinaridango wraps the azuki with sweet potato (サツマイモ). Therein lies the magic, and never let anyone tell you otherwise. As a rare confectionery, it continues to be made traditionally in small shops, each with its own spin on what exactly いきなり団子 should be. (Disclaimer: My son loved the ikinaridango sold by the old woman who used to run the gift shop next to Ninomaru Park. We'd buy him one on our mid-way break from our 10K run. Sadly, she took her recipe with her to her grave.) The etymology apparently refers to a combination of a sudden appearance (ikinari) of a guest with the ease (ikinari) of creating the snack. Take note: Keeping plenty of steamed mochi, azuki, and satsumaimo on hand apparently was a thing.
Anyway, the conglomerate which produces KitKat has begun selling a product described as "いきなり団子味" - that is, "Taste of ikinaridango," which to discerning diners is akin to when you see "crab" on a menu spelled with a "k": "krab." The good news is that 10 yen from the sale of each 11-piece pack goes towards Kumamoto reconstruction. The better news is that, now that you know what いきなり団子 is, you can more directly support Kumamoto residents - and establish yourself as a connoisseur of local delicacies - by visiting local shops to buy the real thing. And don't shy away from heated comparisons with other いきなり団子 purveyors: that's half of the fun. - William
New KitKat raises funds for earthquake-damaged Kumamoto region
In 2016, Kumamoto, on Japan’s southern island of Kyushu, was devastated by a series of earthquakes which were so severe they damaged parts of the region’s historic 400-year-old castle. With a large number of local residents displaced and living in temporary housing after the disaster, Nestlé Ja...

If you have the chance to go to Oguni, Aso,
Tsuetate Onsen's flying carps are beautiful. And they are there until beginning of May.
http://tsuetate-onsen.com
-Olivia-

Kumamoto International regulars Julie and Charles Waterman were interviewed on Asahi TV's "Q-Sama":
http://www.tv-asahi.co.jp/pr/contents/20180402_00513.html
By the way, the man pictured in the upper right of the screen is Ishihara Yoshizumi (石原良純), son of the infamous xenophobe Ishihara Shintaro. Let's see, I know Julie and Charles, who were watched by Ishihara Yoshizumi, who was fathered by Ishihara Shintaro. Oh my god! I'm connected to Ishihara Shintaro!!
-- Kirk

This post isn't Kumamoto specific. It relates to the topic of "English in Japan."
Sitting at the dinner table this evening I noticed that we had a can of Campbell's Cream Mushroom, which made me do a double take because I grew up eating Campbell's "Cream of Mushroom" soup. I think that the folks at Campbell's took out the "of" to make the name shorter and easier to market in Japan. Of course, as English, "Cream Mushroom" sounds pretty odd, at least to me. The interesting thing to me is that Japanese consumers with an interest in learning authentic English would probably never guess that a foreign company like Campbell's would turn their product name into 和製英語 (wasei eigo; Japanglish). I think this is an example how the abundance of English in Japan can sow more confusion about what constitutes proper English than understanding of the language.
-- KIrk

According to the Kumanichi Newspaper, the Kumamoto C̶i̶t̶y̶ * Prefectural Assembly voted unanimously in a special session Saturday to secede from Japan in favor of establishing a unique relationship with the State of California, occupying a position between county and the State governments.
Former Kumamoto Governor (now Special Representative of the Prefecture of Kumamoto, California) Kabashima said, "We believe formalizing our relationship will be highly symbiotic. For example, Kumamoto can offer to the Sacramento Delta hinohikari rice, while the mainland (as California proper is now referred to) can aid in upgrading our computer systems from Windows XP." California Governor Brown also praised the development, inviting Linda Ronstadt into the press conference for an acapella version of the Beach Boy's "Little Honda" ("First gear, it's all right, second gear, I'll lean ..., uh, left"), likely in reference to the Ozu Honda scooter factory.
As recognition of Kumamoto's special status within the Republic of California, a new prefectural flag incorporating designs from both entities was unveiled. Look for it to be displayed in both Sacramento and from Kumamoto Prefectural Hall from April first. - William
*Note: This article has been corrected to amend a translation error.

Yesterday I posted about the Sakura festival that is in progress today (Sunday, April 1) in Kengun:
https://www.facebook.com/Kumamotoi/posts/1844339778972779
I ran through the area on my jog today and it was hopping!! Lot's of people were there. I didn't bring my camera but I found this Twitter post of the scene.
-- Kirk
優駿 on Twitter
“熊本市東区健軍・自衛隊通り 桜マルシェ開催中🌸歩行者天国”

Last year, I posted this "April Fools" fake news item about Trump buying Kumamoto castle, renaming it "Trump Castle" and renovating it as a casino. I tried to come up with another bit of fake news that readers might enjoy this year but, alas, fake news can be hard. One attempt I made was a piece (fake news, mind you) about Kumamoto's City Council forcing Yuka Ogata's son to participate in a "crying sumo" event as punishment for braking the rules against non-members being in the chambers. I meant to satirize what I really believe to have been an overreaction by those in charge. At first I thought it was good but a trusted adviser convinced me that there was a risk of harming Ms. Ogata's cause and being misunderstood. After thinking about it for a while I had to agree because over the years I found that humor can be good when people can laugh together but that its important to avoid situations where one ethnic group appears to be ridiculing another.
So, no clever "April Fools" piece this year -- just a repeat of last year's gag. I hope you all enjoy the nice April weather. :)
-- Kirk

A sakura festival will be held tomorrow in on Jieitaidori (the street in front of the Self-Defense Forces base) in Kengun, Kumamoto City. If you're not familiar with the location, this map should help:
https://goo.gl/maps/hVrdrA9fFnr
From 11 AM to 5 PM all traffic will be closed off, making the sakura-lined street a "pedestrian paradise" (hokosha tengoku). As you can see in the picture, there will be lots of street venders selling various snacks and treats. A pamphlet about the event also indicates that there will be some live performances ("mini live"). The cherry blossoms are past their peak but the good weather predicted for tomorrow should make the festival a great way to savor the last of this year's beautiful blossoms.
-- Kirk
http://www.city.kumamoto.jp/higashi/hpkiji/pub/detail.aspx?c_id=5&id=18754
第44回　健軍自衛隊通り桜まつりが開催されます！！

Kumamoto now has an English-language website with information about gourmet restaurants -- but they need to learn to spell "gourmet." ;) In Japanese it's "gurume" and that seems to have influenced the spelling here.
-- Kirk
KUMAMOTO GURMET GUIDE

This plan sounds quite similar to the 20 year plan we've heard about before but I guess it's official now.
-- Kirk
Kumamoto Castle restoration plan decided- News - NHK WORLD - English
Kumamoto Prefecture and the central government have officially decided on a 20-year plan to restore an iconic castle in southwestern Japan. It was severely damaged by a series of strong earthquakes in 2016.

We are blessed with beautiful bright and sunny weather during Cherry Blossoms season this year.
I went to Ozu on Wednesday this week and this was how the Sakura tunnel looked like.
Some trees in my neighbourhood have shown some green leaves now. So if you have chance visiting any Cherry blossoms parks this weekend, you might still be able to enjoy the beauty a bit more before the whole trees turn green.
-Olivia-