Posts

Here some good news on the Minamata disease front. Of course, the question "What took them so long?" remains unanswered.
http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/kyodo-news-international/140110/govt-propose-changes-recognizing-minamata-disease-vict
Gov't to propose changes in recognizing Minamata disease victims
The Environment Ministry plans to propose changes to make it possible for people who suffer only from sensation disorders to be recognized as victims of the Minamata mercury-poisoning disease, officials said Friday.

This article is about igusa (いぐさ), the kind of rush used in tatami mats.
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2014/01/09/national/kumamoto-in-rush-to-take-games-to-the-mat
Kumamoto in rush to take games to the mat
Kumamoto Prefecture, the nation's biggest producer of rush but battling through sluggish demand, has gotten some welcome news: A ranking member of the Abe administration has suggested tatami mats may ...

Mr. Hosokawa is a descendent of the Hosokawa's that ruled Kumamoto for most of the Edo Period. He also served as governor of Kumamoto.
http://japandailypress.com/former-pm-morihiro-hosokawa-considering-running-for-tokyo-governor-0942156/
Former PM Morihiro Hosokawa considering running for Tokyo governor - The Japan Daily Press
The list for the possible candidates for the Tokyo gubernatorial race keeps getting longer and more interesting. Reports say former Prime Minister Morihiro

"Mizumasari in Yamato, Kumamoto Prefecture, is joining forces with a small local enterprise on a megasolar power generation project to create a 'village where young people can come home to.'"
http://ajw.asahi.com/article/views/AJ201312310010
POINT OF VIEW/ Genichiro Takahashi: We all 'sin' by not thinking about Japan's bleak future -...
"Nantonaku Kurisutaru" (Somewhat crystal), the first novel by Yasuo Tanaka, created quite a stir because it came with a whopping 442 footnotes. It was published in 1980.

Here's an article from The Nation about basashi and the Seinan war, etc.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/travel/Strange-Southern-comforts-30222837.html
Strange Southern comforts - The Nation
Strange Southern comforts The Nation Raw horse, samurai and a roommate spouting Haiku - four days of heaven on Kyushu

This video is in Japanese, but here's the English explanation that was posted with the video on YouTube:
A Moving Restaurant!? A tourist train "Orange Restaurant Express"
Running between Kumamoto and Kagoshima, a popular tourist train 'Orange Restaurant Express' offers luxurious meals using seasonal ingredients along the line, not to mention picturesque views of the beautiful sea. At some stations along the line, Marchés(markets) are also held by the local people. Please take a look at this attractive train, which offers you 'a somewhat-indulging travel experience'.
http://youtu.be/_C2RtR-c5IE
動くレストラン!? ～観光列車「おれんじ食堂」の魅力～　A Moving Restaurant!?
熊本と鹿児島を結ぶ、人気の観光列車「おれんじ食堂」は、美しい海を眺めながら、沿線の旬の食材を使った豪華な料理が味わえます。途中の駅では地元の皆さんによる「マルシェ（市場）」も開催。今回は"ちょっとぜいたくな旅"が楽しめる、この列車の魅力についてご紹介します。 （＊2013年05月01日にアップロードした映像です）...

The Kumamoto branch of Din Tai Fung (the chain mentioned in the article) can be found in Tsuruya Department Store:
Kumamoto Branch
6-1 Tetori-cho
Kumamoto City 860 8586
(7F Tsuruya Dept. Store)
TEL:81-96-211-0667
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2013/12/31/food/juicy-chinese-dumplings-will-shanghai-your-taste-buds/
Juicy Chinese dumplings will Shanghai your taste buds
People have opinions about xiao long bao. And for good reason: xiao long bao (or XLB, or soup dumplings, or shoronpo as they're called in Japanese) are enchanting: semi-translucent satchels ...

Kumamon's economic impact for the past two years is estimated at over 1 billion U.S. dollars!!
http://news.tbs.co.jp/newseye/tbs_newseye2090370.html
「「くまモン」経済波及効果、２年間で１２４４億円」TBS　News i
　あの人気のゆるキャラが１２００億円以上を稼ぎ出しました。

Did you know that there is a "Book Lovers" group in Kumamoto? Members agree on a book to read (in English) and than get together to enjoy a meal together as they discuss the book.
http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/kumamotobooklovers/conversations/messages
Yahoo Groups

"Kumamoto YMCA is still taking applications for foreign and Japanese teachers of English." For details, click on the link.
http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/kumamoto-i/conversations/messages/12746
Yahoo Groups

This is a bit late but the display will continue until the end of the month. So, if you are planning to be in the area, you might want to stop by.
http://kumanago.jp/en/events/detail/430000004032.html
Takamori Yusui Tunnel Christmas Fantasy Kumamoto Nagomi Tourism Site
Why not take it easy in the breathtaking nature of Kumamoto, the “Land of Fire”? Nagomi Travel Journal, the sightseeing website of Kumamoto Prefecture, features a wealth of information on Kumamoto, including diverse sightseeing areas, delicious local specialty products, traditional handicrafts, even...

Here's another blog-type article about local cuisine.
http://uncoveringjapan.com/2012/12/19/good-eats-sarasa-kumamoto-prefecture/
Good Eats: Sarasa (Kumamoto Prefecture)
Following on the heels of my last post on Mt Aso, this is my newest absolute favorite find in my new home prefecture of Kumamoto. Coming down from the Nakadake crater, my travel buddy and I were lo...

This is something I found today but it first came out about a year ago. It features some nice images of local cuisine.
http://insidecuisine.com/2012/11/20/kumamoto-prefecture-japan/
Travel: Kumamoto City and Prefecture JAPAN | Inside Cuisine
One week in Kumamoto prefecture Japan at a glance: Kumamoto city, Kumamoto Castle, Mount Aso, Gokanosho, Amakusa - food, farms, produce, fishing, aquaculture.

A woman's body was found in the burnt remains of her home in Tamana. An autopsy revealed that she had not inhaled smoke from the fire so the police are investigating the possibility that she was murdered and then arson was committed in an attempt to cover up the murder.
「熊本の女性死亡火災、殺人と放火の疑いで捜査」TBS　News i
　今月２０日、熊本県玉名市で民家が全焼し、焼け跡から１人暮らしをしていたとみられる女性の遺体が見つかりましたが、警察の調べで、女性は殺害された後、家に火をつけられたとみて捜査を始めました。

Here's something about the Annual Naked Man Festival to be held on January 19th (Sun), in Nagasu. There's nice picture that will give you good idea of what to expect.
https://groups.google.com/forum/#!msg/kumamoto-jet/QrPWJO7fXOw/NBNNpBLS02sJ
Google Groups

A wild boar (inoshishi) made an appearance in Kumamoto yesterday.
http://news.tbs.co.jp/20131222/newseye/tbs_newseye2086815.html
「熊本中心部の住宅街にイノシシ出没」TBS　News i
　２２日、熊本市の中心部や住宅街にイノシシが現れ、猟友会が捕獲しました。

Here's a report on Mt. Aso and the Nakadake crater:
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2013/12/21/travel/hot-times-in-the-realm-of-mount-aso/
Hot times in the realm of Mount Aso
I used to think that only Mount Fuji was massive enough to have its own weather patterns, but 1,592-meter Mount Aso in Kyushu proved me wrong. The ...

Here's a story about the removal of the Arase Dam and Shoko Tsuru, one of the key figures in the successfyl campaign to remove the dam. The article mentions interest from Korea, which is facing similar environmental problems.
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/12/19/national/rivers-savior-still-sees-work-ahead/#.UrRG0XkiZEw
River's savior still sees work ahead
Shoko Tsuru happily watched a multitude of tiny bubbles appearing on the surface of mud flats at the mouth of the Kuma River. The bubbles show that the mud ...

Jessica's post about here cats got a big response. In case you missed it, here's an update.
Jessica And Rob's Adventure : Hanging With Kagonyan's Cats

It snowed a little in Kumamoto City today -- three days earlier than normal. I also saw something on the news about a cherry tree in Aso that fell under the weight of the snow.
http://youtu.be/v_DrnZ9oeDQ