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'Another organization was started by Christina Tashiro, who comes from Argentina, in Kumamoto Prefecture. Her group has no membership fee and includes Japanese men and singles who are interested in international exchange.
“I have never given much thought to people’s nationality because I always want to say ‘I am a global citizen who loves Kumamoto,’” Tashiro said.'
http://www.tokyotimes.com/2013/ngo-tries-to-make-life-easier-for-foreign-wives-in-japan/
NGO tries to make life easier for foreign wives in Japan - Tokyo Times
Foreign wives may often have difficult times in Japan due to the problem of language and cultural differences. However, some Japanese organizations are trying to help foreign women solve this issue.

Designer of Yatsushiro Municipal Museum wins Pritzer Prize.
Pritzker Prize winner Ito seeks ideas in nature
When he says why he especially likes Sendai Mediatheque, the public library that ranks among his most famous works, Toyo Ito, the Japanese architect awarded the 2013 Pritzker Architecture Prize, says...

The English side of the Kumamoto Airport web site seems to have been improved considerably (good information of incoming and outgoing flights, facilities, etc.). Have a look!
http://www.kmj-ab.co.jp/eng/index.html
Kumamoto Airport Official Website

I saw a segment on NHK (national broadcast) about this knife shop in Yatsushiro.
http://www.moritakahamono.com/en/
Its knives have been evaluated as among the best chef's knives in the world by the Wall Street Journal.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111904716604576546621007499618.html
Now that they shop is getting lots of attention -- both in an outside of Japan -- it's knives will be harder to get (longer waiting time) but a Moritaka knife would make a wonderful gift for someone who appreciates high quality knives.
The Five Best Chef's Knives
If you're still using a serrated infomercial deal for your daily kitchen duties, it's time to get a grown-up chef's knife.

This weekend, at Kumamoto Castle, there will be opportunities to view the Ushibuka Haiya dance of Ushibuka, Amakusa and the Yosakoi dance of Kochi Prefecture.
http://kumanago.jp/topics/?mode=detail&id=900
第７回火の国ＹＯＳＡＫＯＩまつり 旬便り 熊本県観光サイト　なごみ紀行　くまもと
「火の国」くまもとの雄大な自然の中でゆったりのんびりくつろぎませんか。くまもとの多彩な観光地、美味しい特産品や伝統ある工芸品、イベント、キャンペーン、グルメなど盛り沢山の情報をご紹介した熊本県観光サイト・なごみ紀行です。

Kumamoto's Seisei High School won it's first game in the national baseball tournament (Koshinen) and will play their next game on Saturday:

http://www9.nhk.or.jp/koushien/tournament/

This event will be held at Honmyoji (in Kumamoto City) beginning on the evening of March 30th (Saturday).
http://hanatourou.com/photo.html
フォトギャラリー of 本妙寺桜灯籠 Official Website
年に数時間の夢の一刻。毎年、桜の開花状況も展示される作品も変わります。ここに掲載されている写真はもう二度と見ることの出来ない風景。今年もこんな素敵な風景が本妙寺桜灯籠でご覧頂けます。

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The images of terraced rice fields in this video are from several places in Kumamoto, including Minamata and Ubuyama.
"Beautiful Rice Terraces in Kumamoto -Hometown Treasure connecting urban and rural areas- Terraced rice-fields provide magnificent scenery from season to season. Kumamoto prefecture has 11 of "the 100 Best Rice Terraces in Japan". Let's take a look at some of the efforts made in various regions of Kumamoto, in order to preserve such beautiful rice terraces for the future."
http://youtu.be/7embHebgvJU
熊本の美しき棚田 ～都市と農村をつなぐ、ふるさとの宝～
四季折々、美しい姿を見せる棚田。熊本県には、「日本の棚田百選」に選ばれた棚田が11カ所もあります。この美しい棚田を未来に残すために県内各地で行われているさまざまな取り組みについてご紹介します。 Beautiful Rice Terraces in Kumamoto -Hometown Treasure conne...

I think this Kumamoto Castle (not temple) greeting card is pretty cool.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8T2c29__QG8&feature=share&list=UU--87LSuSwbUUsfAXjvFs5g
Kumamoto temple pop-up greeting card
3D pop up greeting card of Kumamoto temple - Japan www.anngreetings.com

Today is International Women's Day! Happy Women's Day!
http://www.internationalwomensday.com/
International Women's Day 2013
The International Women's Day website

The following text came with this message:
Dear friends in Kumamoto!
At the end of this month, a dear friend is leaving Kumamoto and is selling some things like refrigerator, laundry machine, microwave, television, etc. If you are interested in some of this, or know someone that could be interested please feel free to contact at this address: [email protected]
Please check the following link for more details of what is offered:
Sayonara Japan!
Photos by Goksin Bahar, Mar 4, 2013

This Saturday!!

St. Patricks's Day Info Fair & Costume Contest 2013 - Kumamoto City, Japan - WorldIrish
To complement the St. Patrick's Day Parade in Kumamoto City, on Sat. 16th March, we're also holding an Ireland Info Fair and St. Patrick's Day Costume Contest!

Doctor who refused to lie for government supports woman in Minamata disease lawsuit - AJW by The Asa
A doctor who rejected the Environment Ministry’s repeated requests to lie in court is now helping an elderly woman in her lawsuit against the government over one of Japan’s worst pollution disasters.

Click on the link to see a video with images of downtown Kumamoto looking very hazy.
http://newsonjapan.com/html/newsdesk/article/101306.php
Kumamoto 1st in Japan to issue PM2.5 warning
The Kumamoto prefectural government has become Japan's first municipality to issue a warning over air pollution caused by PM2.5 under provisional state guidelines introduced last week.

The situation in Kumamoto was the second news story on NHK's evening news (7 PM). Here's another related news article:
http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/afp/130305/japan-warns-about-smog-drifting-china
Japan warns about smog drifting from China
A local government in southwestern Japan on Tuesday advised residents to stay indoors or wear masks when they go outside in the nation's first official health warning over smog drifting in from China.

Kumamoto Residents Stay Indoors Amid China Pollution Fears
Residents of Kumamoto Prefecture on Japan's southwestern main island of Kysuhu were asked to voluntarily stay in their homes Tuesday, after air pollution levels surpassed government safety standards.

PM 2.5 levels have been high today.

Hatsune Miku in Kumamoto
"The name of the event is 'Party with Hatsune Miku! in Greenland', and it will be held at the Greenland amusement park from March 16 until May 6"
http://otakumode.com/article/512885c2b47395576f000217/Hatsune-Miku-to-Appear-at-Amusement-Park-in-Kumamoto
Hatsune Miku to Appear at Amusement Park in Kumamoto
New news has been released regarding the world famous Hatsune Miku. It seems that an event for the popular singer is going to be held at the amusement park Greenland, which is located in Araoshi, Kumamoto on the island of Kyushu.