The Kumamoto Water Bureau announced it expects water supply to all areas of the city restored sometime during today, Monday. Ours in Oe was restored last night; nice to be able to flush the toilet, but the pressure remains too low to trigger our water heater. Low pressure in addition to individual infrastructure problems, particularly for high-rise buildings, may continue. http://kumanichi.com/news/local/main/20160417031.xhtml

2016-04-18 09:39 JST
302

Useful information about various emergency services available to people in Kumamoto:
http://matome.naver.jp/odai/2146092614752858601
2016 熊本地震 / KUMAMOTO EARTHQUAKE EVACUEES SERVICE - NAVER まとめ
2016 熊本地震 / KUMAMOTO EARTHQUAKE EVACUEES SERVICEのまとめ

2016-04-18 09:18 JST
1708

Kirk here. Everyone in Kumamoto knows that we have been having lots of aftershocks. This graph helps put that experience in perspective. It shows we have now had 165 quakes of over magnitude 3.5, more than the other earthquake disasters shown on the graph. They are as follows:
2004, Niigata
2008, Iwate and Miyagi
1995, Hanshin (Hyogo Prefecture)
2005, Offshore Fukuoka
I don't see anything about the 2011 disaster that caused the nuclear meltdowns, so assume that there were more quakes in that case.
This graph is taken from an article in the Asahi Shimbun:
http://www.asahi.com/articles/ASJ4K6QB7J4KUTIL01M.html

2016-04-18 08:57 JST
10

From Sayuri Goto
Hospital (Obstetrics and Gynecology) info (from TV 17.04. 2016)
Hospital (Obstetrics and Gynecology) info@ Kumamoto (by TV 18.04. 2016)
1. Kumamoto daigaku fuzoku Byoin Kumamoto Prefecture, Kumamoto, Chuo Ward, Ho...

2016-04-18 08:40 JST

Post

2016-04-18 08:39 JST
1848

Hopeful news!
Kumamoto City is trying to have water restored to the whole city by tomorrow afternoon.
Same rules apply: If it's not clear, don't drink it. Try running it for a minute or so and see if it clears up. Compare the color of the water with any bottled water you may have on hand.

2016-04-18 01:03 JST
1605

From Sayuri Goto
If you are looking for a place to stay (shot or long period), you could check this page.
I will update this page as soon as I find other information.
Places to live (for shot and long period)
1. You can find places to stay on free in this page.https://www.airbnb.jp/dis...

2016-04-18 00:39 JST
20

From Sayuri Goto
Bath info@ Kashima (in aeon mall Kumamoto)
They just started providing their service on the 17th. Was free today but we will update tomorrow as to whether or not that has changed.
https://www.facebook.com/suisyun.kashima/
イオンモール熊本にある天然温泉スーパー銭湯の嘉島湯元水春です。天然?

2016-04-18 00:37 JST
1104

From Sayuri Goto
Road map (by Toyota)
I put explanation in English here.
Road Map (by Toyota)
It shows the situation of roads:The colors explain that the road could pass t...

2016-04-17 23:43 JST

Here's an article with photos from NPR:
http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/04/16/474488487/photos-rescuers-search-for-survivors-after-powerful-quakes-hit-southern-japan
PHOTOS: Rescuers Search For Survivors After Powerful Quakes Hit Southern Japan
Two major quakes hit southern Japan barely a day apart, killing at least 41 people and flattening at least 90 homes. Now, rescue crews are searching for survivors and assessing the damage.

2016-04-17 23:33 JST

From Tomoko Davies Tanaka
Information on how to donate for Kumamoto from overseas.
CLICK HERE to support 2016 Kumamoto Earthquake Relief Fund
Support '2016 Kumamoto Earthquake Relief Fund' by donating or sharing today!

2016-04-17 22:59 JST

The renewal of the museum gives us a good excuse to visit Minamata and check it out. Personally, I'll be taking a group of students in May.
-- Kirk
http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/AJ201604010045.html
Redesigned museum retells tragic mercury poisoning story:The Asahi Shimbun
MINAMATA, Kumamoto Prefecture--Understanding Minamata disease is made easy for children at the redes

2016-04-17 21:34 JST
100

Post

2016-04-17 21:00 JST
903

[The supermarkets/ convenient stores in operation]
-super markets-
Ion Kumamoto chu-oh (Kumamoto city chi-oh ku)
Ion Uki (Uki city)
Ion yatushiro(Yatsushiro city)
Ion Amakusa (Amakusa city)
Ion Kumamoto (Kashima town)
Ion Kikuyo (Kikuyo town)
Ion Nishiki (Nishiki town)
Home wide Mifune (Mifune town)
Max Value Tasaki(Kumamoto city Nishi ku)
The big express Shindo Kawara
The big express Kawashiri(Minami ku)
Max value Nishikumamoto
Max value Miyukifueda
Max value Nagamine (Higashi ku)
Max value Nagaedanchi (Koshi city)
Max value Yamaga (Yamaga city)
Max value Arao(Arao city)
Max value Sakurayama
Max value Yatsushiro(Yatsushiro city)
Max value Hikari no mori(Kikuyo town)
Red cabbage(Kumamoto city chi-oh ku)
Daiki(Chu-oh ku)
Rocky (these branch stores written below until 6pm)
Suizenji (Chu-oh ku)
Motoyama
Kawashiri (Minami ku)
Tamana (Tamana city)
Kamoto (Yamaga city)
Nagasu(Nagasu town)
Hondo(Amakusa city)
Ushibuka
Saizu
Ashikita (Ashikita town)
Minamata koga(Minamata city)
Minamata Minami fukudera
Hitoyoshi(Hitoyoshi city)
Yume mart (these branch stores written below are open until sold-out)
Obiyama(Chu-oh ku)
Kuhonji
Nagamine(Higashi ku)
Tasaki (Nishi ku)
Yamaga (Yamaga city)
Higashi Yamaga
Ushibuka(Amakusa city)
Kagami(Yatsushiro city)
Hitoyoshi(Hitoyoshi city)
Taragi(Taragi town)
Yume town (these branch stores written below are open until sold-out)
Ooe(Chu-oh ku)
Arao (Arao city)
Tamana (Tamana city)
Yatsushiro (Yatsushiro city)
Sun live Maryahoku (these branch stores written below are open until sold-out)
Hondo
Yatsushiro
Hinagu
Hitoyoshi
Ashikita
Mifune
and other 11 stores out of 20 branches
Iwasaki Ace (these branch stores written below are open until sold-out)
Kotohira( Kumamoto city)
Hanazono(Nishi ku)
Shimasaki(Chu-oh ku)
Namikizaka
Shinnabe(Higashi ku)
Kamikumamoto(Nishi ku)
Tamukae(Minami ku)
Kawashiri
Cosmos (these branch stores written below are open until sold-out)
Matsue
Mugishima
Takada
Hondo kita
and other 32 stores out of 82 branches
-convenient stores-
Seven and eleven (286 stores out of 289 branches until sold-out)
Family mart (79stores out of 163 branches until sold-out)
Lawson (58 stores out of 141 branches until sold-out)
Notes:
Most of the stores are under the shortage of supply (especially the water and food) and you may need to stand in a line to enter there.

2016-04-17 19:27 JST
321

I just got off the phone after talking with Anastasia Becchio, a journalist at Radio France International in Paris. If you are a French speaker (from any country) and would be willing to do an interview with her, you can either
* send her and e-mail at [email protected]
* search for "Anastasia Becchio" on Facebook, or
* write a note below indicating your willingness to be interviewed.
Feel free to respond in French.
-- Kirk

2016-04-17 18:15 JST
402

About trash disposal in Kikuyo.
Thanks to JET Roland Carlos
The info is in Japanese here: http://www.town.kikuyo.lg.jp/soshiki/8/h28-saigaigomi.html.
The basic details is that you can bring any garbage there made as a result of the earthquake (such as damaged plates, roof tiles, metal, etc.). They are asking you to sort the trash as best as you can before bringing it in.
The seven types are:
- items like wooden shelves or boxes
- broken plates, pottery, glasses
- tiles, bricks, blocks
- threaded items
- Takiron, which is a type of plastic you can usually find on floors (here's a picture - http://www.touei-ind.co.jp/materials/img/img10.jpg)
- metals
- other trash
Here's a pin for the location: https://goo.gl/maps/6Aoi8GqYUBz
The space will be open from 9-5 until Wednesday. You will need your driver's license to prove you live in Kikuyo. No bag is necessary but they will not take regular burnable/plastic trash.
平成28年熊本地震被害による一般家庭から出るごみの受け入れについて - 菊陽町公式ホームページ
 熊本地震被害による瓦、ガレキ類などのごみについて、下記のとおり受け入れを行います。

2016-04-17 16:46 JST
612

The U.S Consulate has called asking about American citizens and expressed concern because of how many calls they've been getting from family back in the states.
NO MATTER WHAT COUNTRY YOU ARE FROM,
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE contact your family and tell them you're ok!
If you or other are hurt or otherwise in need of help from your government, please contact your embassy.
Message us here at Kumamoto International if you need help finding the appropriate information.

2016-04-17 16:09 JST
1404

Update on electricity!!
NHK reports that Kyuden is working as hard as they can and hopes to have electricity restored by this evening.
As for gas, Seibu gas is trying their hardest to get gas back to people as soon as possible

2016-04-17 15:28 JST
35418

All public baths In Kumamoto are open for free to evacuees and others effected by the earthquake.
They will ask for your name and address to insure against people who haven't suffered damage or water outages from taking advantage of this information.
Note that parts of their facilities may be damaged but there is no worry about collapse and all baths can be used normally and without worry.
They will still be closed for their normal off days.

【UPDATE】
Please call before going to make sure they are open. There has been reports that some are actually not open today. If you dont speak Japanese and need help, please ask!

Information will be presented in the following order:
Name of bath (idk the readings of some places but will immediately look them up after posting this and update as soon as I know. Addresses can be punched into google maps though)
Address
Phone number
Business hours
Day closed
IN CHUO KU
Kiku no yu    
熊本市中央区新町4-7-46   096-354-5976  
3pm to 9pm 
Saturday
Yoyasu yu     
熊本市中央区世安町448   096-325-8348  
3pm to 9pm  
Tuesdays and Fridays
Daifuku yu     
熊本市中央区坪井2-5-28   096-343-7868  
1pm to 11pm  
Tuesday
IN HIGASHI KU
Taka no yu   
熊本市東区栄町1-46     096-369-9512  
2pm to 11pm  
Monday
IN MINAMI KU
Tomi no yu     
熊本市南区川尻4丁目10−20  096-357-9221  
4pm to 6pm 
Monday
IN KITA KU (more information on kita ku available in am earlier post)
Ashihara no yu  
熊本市北区植木町田底2031-1 096-274-7212  
9am to 10pm  
3rd Tuesday of the month
Matsu no yu    
熊本市北区植木町田底311   096-274-6115  
8am to 9:30pm 
No days off

IN UTO
Senbou yu    
宇土市赤瀬町777-6      0964-27-1880  
10am to 9pm
No days off
IN KIKUCHI
Shironoi onsen  
菊池市隈府1375       0968-25-1188   
6am to 11pm  
No days off
IN YAMAGA
Sanparasu Matsuzaka  
山鹿市山鹿1104      0968-43-3083  
11am to 10:30pm 
2nd and 4th tuesday
IN TAMANA
Tamana Family Onsen  
玉名市立願寺428   
0968-74-3888   
4pm to 9pm 
Random days off. Please call to check before going
Shioyu Center Ebiya
玉名郡長洲町長洲3308 0968-78-0666  
9am to 8pm  
2nd and 4th Tuesday
Tag: Gettinghelp

2016-04-17 14:51 JST
001

In information available in several languages for tourists and other foreigners
Tourist Information Center (TIC)
JNTO TIC (Tourist Information Center), operated by Japan National Tourism Organization, offers detailed and comprehensive information for all of Japan.

2016-04-17 14:21 JST