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A note regarding the planned new JR Kumamoto Station: JR and the city government released plans for a 12-floor building with a single basement floor (which would make 13, I guess). The facility is slated to be occupied by retailers, a hotel, a wedding venue, and a movie theater. Exterior facade is planned to mimic the austere sense of the castle, though part will be glass-clad with a third-floor entrance to the railway set with trees and spaces to take in the views of the city and space for performances and other activities. Expansion will be aided by moving the existing railroad car service facility underground.
The area is hamstrung by the hills behind it and, according to my wife (who somehow seems to know this!), has a dark history of prostitution. Still, it's nice that some people in the planning department have been busy, and perhaps new buildings will bring a new atmosphere. A schematic is available at the link. - William
熊本駅ビルと駅前広場の概要発表　にぎわい、防災拠点に - 熊本日日新聞
熊本駅ビル（写真中央）の外観イメージ図。駅ビル奥は計画している高層マンション（ＪＲ九州提供）　ＪＲ九州と熊本市は８日、２０２１年春の開業を目指す同市西区春日の熊本駅ビルと白川口（東口）駅前広場の開発概要を発表した。駅ビル入り口上部に大屋根を...

Following up on William's post from the 4th of November about Kumamoto Castle repairs, I wanted to share some info about another extremely important regional site damaged in the earthquake - Aso Shrine. Aso Shrine is one of the oldest remaining Shinto shrines in the entire country, and as such many of its structures suffered heavy damage in the quake. The romon (the big tower gate that you pass through to access the main areas of the shrine) completely collapsed.
The website for Aso Shrine provides a lot of information in English, and also provides a monthly progress report to explain what's been going on with repair efforts (though as far as I can tell the progress reports are only available in Japanese). The reports give a small amount of information about the repair efforts undertaken in the given month and also include pictures, so I think they're worth looking at even if you don't read Japanese.
While it's natural that repair efforts would proceed slowly, it makes me happy that so many people are working so hard to help protect and repair such a beautiful and important site.
-Grace
The Aso Shrine Restoration Project

Cats. Their murderous intent is clear to dog-lovers ー yet how long must we continue under the guise of feline innocence? (Note: I may not be entirely unbiased on this matter.) Here, a cat in Mifune has left clues to their nefarious ways. / sarcasm. Best wishes to Matsumoto-san for a speedy recovery. - William
Stray cat a suspect in 'attempted murder'
A Japanese police probe into what looked like the attempted murder of an elderly bedridden woman has reportedly led to an unlikely suspect: a stray cat. Mayuko Matsumoto's daughter found her bleeding profusely from about 20 cuts to her face on Nov 6 at her home in a mountainous region…

Results on Kumamoto tourism are in, clarifying that earthquakes are not a big draw. The blue bar indicates day-trippers and the brown over-nighters (left axis, unit 10,000) while the polygonal graph shows the number of foreign visitors (right axis, unit 10,000). In total, the number of visitors fell to a level not seen since 1997 (the year my daughter was born - and she's in college now!), with the Aso region seeing a 37% drop.
Of interest but not reported in the article is the "Kumamon effect." Our cuddly character was unveiled in 2010. This may have contributed to the steep increase in foreign visitors from 2011. So 2016 was not a good year for Kumamoto tourism, but considering the increased transportation links (air, sea), 2017 should see a return to the Kumamon curve. - William
熊本県内の16年観光客、1100万人減　地震影響、阿蘇37％減 - 熊本日日新聞
　熊本県内の２０１６年観光客総数は４８５４万４８３８人で、約６千万人だった前年から１１００万人超の大幅減となったことが１０日、県がまとめた観光統計で分かった。日帰り客の落ち込みが大きく、熊本地震による観光施設の被害やイベント中止などが影響し...

A long time ago (936, to be precise), there was a war between the nascent Japanese state and pirates that stretched along the Seto Inland Sea through pretty much all land points adjoining, from Kyoto to Fukuoka.The nascent Japanese state won this war (called the Fujiwara no Sumitomo no Ran 藤原純友の乱 ーGoogle it; kinda interesting as the location of the seat of government - Fukuoka? Kyoto? - was still unsettled) and then set about building a bunch of shrines to glorify their victory.
This war's glorification is the origin of Kumamoto's main shrine, Fujiskai Hachuman Gu (藤崎八旛宮).Kagoshima's Shimizu clan were of course vital to the victory, and the clan used an emblem "Fujisaki" ("wisteria point") to indicate a horse's whip which from which buds, branches and leaves grew (or it might refer to a place - sources differ, but this explanation is cooler). There are several such shrines throughout Japan, and they tend to deify militaristic gods that oversaw the unification of Japan.
The current location of the shrine dates only from 1877, when its previous iteration behind what is now the baseball stadium was obliterated during the Seinan War. So now you know more about Fujisaki Hachiman Gu than your average Kumamotoite. Our friend Frank Lamosa has provided us with this lovely photo of the shrine. - William

The Minamata Disease Exhibition will be held from Nov. 16 to Dec. 10.
-- Kirk
Minamata exhibition to be held in Kumamoto
An exhibition on the 60-year history of Minamata disease will open Nov. 16 in the city of Kumamoto

Kumamon in Hong Kong. -- Kirk
Anthropomorphised bear Kumamon introduces 12 days of buffets at The Mira Hotel. Obviously.
The adorable black bear whose rosy cheeks have had Japan swooning is set to introduce a series of buffet evenings at the luxury hotel’s Yamm restaurant in

One day, Katsuyuki Kitagawa, head of Aso Farm Land, was inspired by his work in the Japanese sweets industry to design a house in the shape of a "manju," that dome-shaped confectionery filled with red bean paste. Probably a good idea he wasn't daydreaming about taiyaki (たい焼き), that fish-shaped confectionery filled with red bean paste. - William
Japan's quirky, quake-resistant dome houses prove a big draw
Nestled near a volcano in southern Japan, 450 quake-resistant dome houses put up by a health resort and decorated with flowers and dinosaurs are drawing visitors from across Asia. A dozen polystyrene foam pieces, each so light that two adults can pick it up, are glued together to make the…

Long ago, the oosumo Kumamoto basho was held at the prefectural gymnasium, which was cool for me as I'd often return after the matches to "hang" (this being a regional event, the sumotori can relax and tend to depart to more salubrious, uh ... pubs ... quickly after the final bout) and once found Takanohana's cast-off yukata in a hallway corner (we apparently have the same arm length, while I lack the girth).
This year's event will be held at the far-more-inconvenient Aquadome on December 9. Tickets top out at 17,800 yen for a ringside seat ("Oh, but they're sold out!" you can truthfully tell your date) to 5,000 yen for the nosebleeder seats. Doors open at 8:00 while makuuchi and all of the good stuff starts at 13:30, continuing until 15:00.
Pro advice: Find "the" entrance and play paparrazi (bring a pen and a few "shikishi" autograph boards - and ask which pub they're headed to!) so as to have more fun for free. ー William
https://kumamotobasho.jp/

Please support the 2017 熊本クリスマス トイ ドライブ・KUMAMOTO Christmas TOY DRIVE - This is their 31st year bringing toy-joy to kids (0~18 years old) who spend Christmas at institutions and baby homes in Kumamoto 🎁✨🎄 **Monetary donations are most useful, though brand new gifts/toys are accepted. Bank/PO transfer info below. There are many ways to help... See below💡 Manpower and (social) media shares are also much appreciated - December 17th is the day assigned for sorting all the gifts so many things need to happen before then to get everything ready** Contact Yasuyo Koga at [email protected] ぜひシェアしてください 🙏 熊本クリスマス トイ ドライブ - Ruth

I enjoyed reading this account of a visit to Kumamoto.
-- Kirk
From shrine to shore: A trip to southern Japan
It’s doubtful that I would have traveled to Japan just to be a tourist. It’s too far outside of my comfort zone. And the older I get, the less I

This article is primarily about New Zealand's All Blacks but Kumamoto comes up in the article because Kumamoto will be one of the venues of the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
-- Kirk
All Blacks to start World Cup against Boks
The All Blacks' 2019 Rugby World Cup campaign hits a critical juncture just two days into the tournament. The matches and venues for the tournament...

A wonderful Facebook page called "Yokai Attack!" exists for those interested in the former (and that's the 伸ばした'd yō - ようー - for those trying this at home). An article posted there today regarding youkai https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2015/11/japan-yokai-monsters-halloween/413557/ led me to wonder whether there are Kumamoto-specific types - and, thanks to the magic of Wikipedia (Japanese only), we now know that there are! Check here ... or under your bed. - William https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:%E7%86%8A%E6%9C%AC%E7%9C%8C%E3%81%AE%E5%A6%96%E6%80%AA
The World's Leading Country for Monsters
A Halloween reminder: No one does the supernatural quite like Japan.

The launching of the "Kawasemi Yamasemi" luxury sightseeing train got a lot of press earlier this year and two mentions on this page:
https://www.facebook.com/Kumamotoi/posts/1351394281600667
https://www.facebook.com/Kumamotoi/posts/1363058077100954
An accident has occurred but fortunately there were no serious injuries.
The train was touted as having the potential to contribute to the rebuilding of Kumamoto. I hope this relatively minor accident has not affected its potential to do so.
-- Kirk
Train hits truck stuck on railway crossing in Kumamoto Pref., 11 passengers injured - The Mainichi
KUMAMOTO -- A sightseeing train hit a flatbed truck stuck on a railway crossing in Kumamoto Prefecture on Nov. 3, injuring 11 train passengers, Kyushu Railway Co. (JR Kyushu) said.

Mika Stoltzman is a musician who hails from Amakusa and occasionally returns to Kumamoto to perform. You can stream or download the audio of this performance on New York City public radio.
More about Mika Stoltzman:
- She was born in Hokkaido but grew up in Amakusa.
- She graduated from Kumamoto Music Junior College, the predecessor of the Heisei Collge of Music: http://www.heisei-music.ac.jp. She must be their most famous graduate.
- She has a Facebook page which, among other things, features a picture of her with jazz legends Chick Corea and Steve Gadd, who have both been supporters and collaborators: https://www.facebook.com/mikarimba/photos/a.520141474722369.1073741827.172692229467297/1441394429263731/?type=3&theater
-- Here's the address of a YouTube video that is an example of both her roots in Amakusa (an image toward the beginning of the video) and her musical collaborations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXNNhJF_I_w
-- Kirk
http://www.wnyc.org/story/musicians-mika-and-richard-stoltzman/
Musicians Mika And Richard Stoltzman Perform Live!
Musicians Mika and Richard Stoltzman join us to discuss their work and perform two pieces live from their new album “Duo Cantando.”

Yushima (湯島), a 6.5KM-circumference island midway between Amakusa (Oyano) and Shimabara also known as "Discussion Island" (だんごうじま、「談合島」) as leaders of the Shimabara Rebellion often met there to strategize, is home to about 300 people (the vast majority over 70) and some 200 cats. Hence its nickname: Cat Island. The island is famous for octopi, which are really just cats with eight legs. A small ferry to Yushima departs from Oyano five times daily, Y600 O/W. (link: http://www.city.kamiamakusa.kumamoto.jp/q/aview/406/1585.html ). If visiting, bring kitty snacks to avoid catastrophe.
Kumanichi in its print version is publishing a series of Yushima cat-a-day photos taken over the course of a year in order to publicize "the drama of the cats' lives and the warmth of the local people" and help feed your feline fix. The newspaper has also set up an Instagram page for those who can't abide the purrrgatory of waiting for each issue - link below.
Remember, you can make a cat float - you just need two scoops of ice cream, root beer, and a cat. - William
https://www.instagram.com/kumanichi_nekoshima/

Castle restoration updates: No, what's going on atop the main keep is neither snow nor some kind of festival. It is a couple of really big tarps to keep the rain off while they remove 7,200 tiles that cover the roof; their replacement is slated (ha ha! - get it?) to begin in December. A video of the tarps' installation is at the link. Also, support structures for the dismantling of Idamaru turret are now in place for its dismantling, also expected to begin in December. - William
熊本城大天守に“白かぶと”　復旧工事、瓦ぶきへ準備 - 熊本日日新聞
熊本城の大天守に設置される白いテント形のシート＝２日午後１時５０分ごろ、熊本市中央区（池田祐介）　熊本市は２日、熊本地震で被災した熊本城の復旧工事を報道陣に公開した。２０１９年の復旧を目指す天守閣では、大天守の最上階（６階）に、テント形の白...

"Back in December 2015, Hong Kong Airlines launched the first direct air link between Hong Kong and the city of Kumamoto, on the Japanese island of Kyushu. An earth­quake closed the city’s airport four months later, and Hong Kong Airlines suspended the twice-weekly service.
This month HK Express will resume the connection, with twice-weekly flights operating every Thursday and Sunday from November 16."
-- Kirk
HK Express to restart direct flights from Hong Kong to Kumamoto
Also in travel news: Rosewood Phuket to open this month and Charlotte Travel’s two-night package deal to Cebu

I found this article about moving production of the Honda Super Cub back to Kumamoto to be very interesting. There's been a trend in Japan, as in other developed countries, to move production abroad, where labor costs are lower. This move in the opposite direction is good news for Kumamoto.
If you're interested in this topic you may also want to take a look at the following article:
"How the Super Cub shaped Honda's identity"
https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Companies/How-the-Super-Cub-shaped-Honda-s-identity
The bike has sold 100 million, making it more popular than any other single model of car or automobile.
-- Kirk
https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Companies/Honda-repatriating-popular-motorbike-production-from-China?page=1
Honda repatriating popular motorbike production from China- Nikkei Asian Review
TOKYO -- Honda Motor is set to shift production of its mainstay Super Cub motorcycle back to Japan from China after five years, as the cost advantage

I took a little trip to Kurokawa Onsen today and was very glad I went. The colors are brightening up and I found a nice bath that only costs 100 yen! It's called Anayu Communal Bath (穴湯共同浴場):
http://www.food-travel.jp/kumamoto/anayu.html
When we were there, it was empty so I could take a picture of the inside. It's a kon'yoku (men and women together) facility, but privacy is not insured (while you're bathing, others may open the door to have a look). I didn't have time to bathe there but a friend told me that he had it all to himself and enjoyed it.
-- Kirk