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According to Tropicalstormrisk.com, we are almost certain to experience tropical storm winds in the next 24 hours. Category 1 winds will significantly less likely for us but may hit the Kagoshima area.
-- Kirk
http://tropicalstormrisk.com

More items being given away on the Kumamoto-i mailing list . . .
https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/kumamoto-i/conversations/messages/13440
-- Kirk

According to Tropicalstormrisk.com, we are quite likely to experience tropical storm winds on Tuesday, 48 hours from now. My guess would be that the main danger to people in Kumamoto will be the possibility of landslides and flooding due to sudden, intense rain. However, the winds may cause issues as well. Fortunately, however, the wind speeds should be significantly lower when the storm arrives than they are at the moment. At any rate, please be aware of any risks you may face in your particular area and take steps as needed to insure your safety. I'll post more about this as the storm gets closer.
-- KIrk
P.S. The probability of tropical storm winds is so high that it's hard to see the outline of Kyushu on the map. The border between the purple and red part of the predictive image is about where Kumamoto is.
http://www.tropicalstormrisk.com

If you need any of these items, you can't beat the price -- free!
-- Kirk
https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/kumamoto-i/conversations/messages/13438

明日の例大祭は「雨天決行」でしょうか？ご存知の方がいらっしゃれば、教えてください。
I've been trying to get confirmation about tomorrow's festival (Fujisakigu no Reitaisai). The forecast for tomorrow is rain. This may be an indirect result of the approaching typhoon, but the typhoon itself will still be far away during the festival. The Japanese page below is about three years old but it says "rain or shine, the event will proceed as scheduled" (雨天決行; uten kekko). I'm quite sure that this applies to tomorrow's event as well but I'd appreciate confirmation in a comment if you happen to know for sure.
-- Kirk
http://www.manyou-kumamoto.jp/event/manyou.cfm?id=327
イベントカレンダー - 【満遊!くまもと】
一千年以上の歴史をもつ藤崎宮の例大祭は、昔より肥後国第一の大祭と称せられ親しまれています。鎧をつけた随兵５０人、陣笠に槍を持った長柄５０人が続き、その後に「馬追い」の勢子約2万人が続く一大豪華絵巻が展開。日　時　平成２５年９月１６日（月）※当日は公共交通機関をご利用ください。※雨天決行お問合せ　藤崎八旛宮　ＴＥＬ０９６―３４３－１５４３

Update on typhoon 16: USNO had charted its course as far south as the tip of Kagoshima but now is tracking it hitting northern Kagoshima; the northward trend, if it continues, will bring it to us. It has also slowed considerably. Currently, it is expected to make landfall during the early hours of Tuesday, 9/20. - William

One of many sad results of the earthquakes we experienced was the damage to and closing of Kikuchi Gorge (Keikoku). Here's part of a KAB TV program showing the current state of the gorge. Thankfully, KAB has placed the program on YouTube so you can watch it at your leisure -- until they take it down.
-- Kirk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fjMQy_AIbsc
まちの5じまん［菊池市］（2016年9月14日 O.A.）
つながる情報テレビ くまパワ『まちの5じまん』 番組ページ：http://www.kab.co.jp/kumapawa/ 制作：KAB熊本朝日放送

I just posted some information about tomorrow's Fujisakigu Festival:
https://www.facebook.com/Kumamotoi/photos/a.129499733790134.25925.123734781033296/1136421089764655/
Here's a video to give those of you who are new to the area an idea of what you can expect to see. This video doesn't show the parade of people in traditional military (as in samurai / musha) dress. That part of the parade comes first so you'll miss it if you are late.
-- Kirk
Japanese Festival Kumamoto 【熊本の祭り】藤崎宮秋の例大祭　2009
藤崎宮秋の例大祭　2009　Fall Festival in Kumamoto Japan blog↓ http://goshi504.blogspot.com/ 藤崎宮秋の例大祭を初めてみました。 「ドーカイ、ドーカイ」の掛け声、飾り馬の跳ねる迫力と、老若男女が踊ります 肝心の加藤清正を撮れなかったという失態で...

The Fujisakigu Reitaisai, Kumamoto's biggest festival, reaches its peak tomorrow with the main parade (zuibyo gyoretsu). Here's a link to a pdf that shows the route and also lists the times (though only in Japanese):
http://www.fujisakigu.or.jp/reisai/images/201608281537.pdf
The parade starts at 6 AM, traveling from Fujisakigu Shrine to a point near the Fujisakidai Baseball Stadium. After a rest, the revellers retrace their steps beginning at 2 PM. Though it makes for an early start, most people recommend viewing the morning parade because participants are fresher, more energetic, and less inebriated.
-- KIrk

Some speakers and other items have been put up for sale on the Kumamoto-i mailing list:
https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/kumamoto-i/conversations/messages/13429
-- Kirk

This "Going Home Final Sale" has been announced on the Kumamoto-i mailing list:
https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/kumamoto-i/conversations/messages/13432
-- Kirk

This is one of many very cool swimming holes in Kyushu. For a google map with English-language reviews, pictures and/or videos of spots inside and near Kumamoto, go to
https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?hl=ja&authuser=0&mid=1o-KebOBHntVC_kIfnwFPUeiJWuY
-- Kirk
P.S. I learned about this from a post on the KumAJET Facebook group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/45261511655/permalink/10153998321356656/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umSLPXsH6d0
Saragajo 猿ヶ城
Swinging like a monkey at the Monkeys' Castle!

Here's a bit of information from a colleague of mine about an interesting place to look for bargains. This "recycle" (second-hand) shop specializes in items that were forgotten in train stations but remained unclaimed for a long period of time. I haven't been there but my colleague recommends it highly. If you click on the picture you will be taken to a map showing the location.
-- Kirk
http://goo.gl/s1mxMa
〒860-0812 熊本県熊本市中央区南熊本2丁目7−3 プロミネントハイツ 1F

This item is about our neighbor to the south (Kagoshima). I wonder if the build up of magma mentioned in the article has anything to do with the increased seismic and volcanic activity we've seen in our area in recent years.
-- Kirk
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-37358316
Japan's Sakurajima volcano due for major eruption within 30 years, say scientists - BBC News
Japan's Sakurajima volcano, one of the country's most active, is due for a major eruption within the next 30 years, according to researchers examining new data.

Yesterday (the 14th) marked the passage of 5 months since the earthquakes began. According to this article, it also marked the closure of the last evacuation center in Kumamoto City, though there are still 8 such centers, in which 400 people remain, in other parts of Kumamoto Prefecture.
-- Kirk
http://news.tbs.co.jp/newseye/tbs_newseye2869625.html
　熊本市内の避難所が全て閉鎖です。 　「どうもすみません。お世話になりました」（避難所に最後までいた人） 　熊本地震から５か月、一時は１１万人が避難していた熊本市で仮設住宅などの整備が進んだことから、避難所が閉鎖されました。 　熊本市ではおよそ２万２０００世帯が仮住まいを始めた一方で、熊本県内には依然、８つの市町村に避難所が残り、４００人以上が身を寄せています。（15日11:47）

An addendum to the below post - I found that that wooden base used to hold mochi (or other items offered ritually) is called a 三方 (sanpou - literally, "three sides" as it generally has holes only on three sides). A typical Tsukimi arrangement would look as such. - William

Google reminded me that today is the Mid-Autumn Festival, which, Wikipedia cryptically notes, "is held on the 15th day of the eighth month in the Han calendar—essentially the night of a full moon—which falls near the Autumnal Equinox (on a day between September 8 and October 7 in the Gregorian calendar)." I guess that means the nearest full moon either prior to or following the equinox, which is next week; this year, the festival is much earlier than usual. In Japanese, it can be called 中秋 (Chūshū - Mid-Autumn); however, 月見(Tsukimi - Viewing the Moon) is more common. Another term is 中秋の名月(Chūshū no Meigetsu), which can be translated as "harvest moon."
Also known as the Moon Festival, it is wildly popular in other Northeast Asian countries but only mildly so in Japan. As clearly there are rabbits making mochi on the Moon, that is a common theme; some put out decorations of ススキ(pampas grass) and stacks of mochi. Despite the lack of celebration, this evening should be clear enough to provide some excellent Moon-viewing opportunities. Happy Tsukimi to our readers! - William

An update on Typhoon 18: If it moves as expected, it should cross southern Kyushu Sunday evening. The good thing is that it's moving quite rapidly; the bad thing is that a typhoon has again chosen a weekend. Why can't they visit on weekdays and leave us Sunday for play? -- William

Here's a map showing the school's location in Kumamoto City:
https://goo.gl/maps/N9BY4tD5wMM2
-- Kirk
http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/AJ201609140040.html
30,000 wishes to rebuild battered Kumamoto form origami castle：The Asahi Shimbun
KUMAMOTO--Thirty-thousand white paper cranes form a “floating” sculpture of Kumamoto Castle, a poign

Kirk had recommended the Yanaba in Kosa Machi below, as do I - used to take my kids there when they were tots. If you do venture out there, here are three other nearby attractions that very much deserve a visit. First is the onsen Samata no Yu, which has both inside and outside baths. Be sure to take some time walking the grounds along the river to enjoy the view.
http://samatanoyu-misato.jp/
Second is Futamatabashi, one of a collection of bridges a short walk downstream from the onsen. These bridges, which date respectively from the Edo, Meiji, Taisho, and Showa eras, demonstrate how Japanese engineering has progressed. In particular, the Futamatabashi is famous for the heart-shaped shadow it casts when the sun is in the right position in the morning. http://www.town.kumamoto-misato.lg.jp/q/aview/72/1056.html
Finally, there is the Shakain Misakayū Hodō, better known as 3,333 dan, or 3,333 steps - one of the longest stairways in Japan (or THE longest, if you take them at their word). If you have not climbed this wonder, you should. It starts from a narrow valley and ends at the Shakain Temple at the mountaintop; in fact, there are quite a few more steps than 3,333, but you'll stop counting after a bit. The views are incredible, and autumn is the best season to visit, with changing leaves, persimmon trees, and pleasant temperatures. http://kumanago.jp/event/?mode=detail&id=430000000299
So - do the stairs, take an onsen, have some fish, and head home - a very busy but unforgettable day trip. Please let us know if you have any questions about these locations. - William
石段の郷 佐俣の湯
※ご予約は6ヶ月前の日の10時より、お電話にて受付いたします。 『例』6月3日の予約は、12月3日の10時よりお電話にて受付開始。尚、その日が休館日に当たる場合は、翌日の10時に両日の受付を行います