Posts
Atsuko here.
Introduction to recommended cool spots in Kumamoto.
矢谷渓谷Yatani Valley, Kikka-machi, Yamaga City.
You can play in the water, swim, dive and slide in Yatani Valley!!. As it is a natural waterfall, the diving slide at the back is dangerous unless you can swim. The riverbank at the entrance is safe for small children.(You can't swim in Kikuchi Valley)
Nearby Kirari, an artificial pool using water from the Yatani Gorge, is also fun. Here, too, you can play in the water, swim, dive and slide. Here you can catch rainbow trout for 500 yen. The fish you catch can be grilled for 600 yen. It is very tasty.
The water comes from the Yatani Valley, so it's unbearably cold, but of course we jumped in and slipped a lot.
It's cool, beautiful and fun. Highly recommended.
Entrance fee Yatani Valley Adults 300 yen Children 100 yen
Kirari Adults 310 yen Children 210 yen(๑˃ᴗ˂)و♡
Videos of slides and dives in the Yatani Valley are available in the comments section.
Yatani Valley https://www.google.com/search?client=ms-android-oppo-rev1&sca_esv=558805880&sxsrf=AB5stBjX2AA6J7KKLdoEc5vtu8PtZibgSQ:1692654923481&q=Yatani+Valley&ludocid=6360021905680930036&ibp=gwp;0,7&lsig=AB86z5WTY_jPj_RV3XLUBSmh0_m3&kgs=33ee7431af5c2b94&shndl=-1&shem=lbsc,lsp&source=sh/x/kp/local/m1/2
Okuyatani Valley Mother Nature KIRARI https://www.google.com/search?client=ms-android-oppo-rev1&sca_esv=558805880&sxsrf=AB5stBhpH_Ue_2WlVfHHFxgvmsmOHRSpDA:1692655047217&q=Okuyatani+Valley+Mother+Nature+KIRARI&ludocid=6042698243603203003&ibp=gwp;0,7&lsig=AB86z5WSifQLoOnxHCAeKNJGG79G&kgs=8319b1c59d85712b&shndl=-1&shem=lbsc,lsp&source=sh/x/kp/local/m1/2
Kirk here with a report about a problem I encountered using my Japanese driver's license with an international license (issued in Kumamoto) to rent a car in the U.S. Hertz refused to issue the car I had reserved to me. They said that if I wanted to use a Japanese driver's license, then I would need a Japanese passport. Or, if I had maintained my U.S. license for the whole time I was in Japan, that would have solved the problem. But, alas, my U.S. driver's license expired many years ago.
As far as I know, this is only a Hertz policy. I've complained to the Better Business Bureau and hope to be able to get them to reverse this completely unreasonable rule about the license and the ID being issued by the same country. In the meantime, if you rely on an international license to rent abroad, please be aware that Hertz but leave you without the transportation you paid for if your passport isn't Japanese.
Kirk here. The Ezuko Fireworks Festival is scheduled for the 26th (Saturday).
https://hanabi.kumamoto-guide.jp/index.html
Liz here, Annet asked me to share this to the group. Disclaimer : I haven’t read it myself , but have been observing the progress on the reconstruction of the Building each time I pass on my way to water up in Nishihara. I don’t know if there is information in English or not. Looking to Annet to follow up in the comments.
Atsuko here, sharing the goodness of Kumamoto.
This is a report about the Japanese musical instrument experience workshop I introduced the other day.
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=675549147940213&id=100064554018003
It was a very good workshop, so I will share it with you so that many people can attend the next workshop next year or the next workshop on the flyer.
There was Koto, Shamisen, Japanese drums, Narimono instruments, introduction and experience of Japanese dance and Bon dance with everyone in ensemble.
I have a lot of videos of performances and experiences in the comments section. Check out the comments section too!
The koto teacher is on the board of the Japan Australia Society, which has taiko and other instruments. (They were looking for participants for the Kumamon Gymnastics and Penguin Parade).
The Japan-Australia Exchange Festival runs from 8 to 18 September.
For more information.(๑˃ᴗ˂)و♡
https://www.kumamoto-australia.com/50%E5%91%A8%E5%B9%B4%E8%A8%98%E5%BF%B5%E3%82%A4%E3%83%99%E3%83%B3%E3%83%88
William Fireworks tend upward in best-case scenarios, which means the closer you are, the more neckwork is required. The map below shows traffic-restricted areas during the 8/26 event. My suggestion is to take the tram to 市立体育館前 and watch the fireworks from Kamiezuko. The tram will be packed with yukata-donned spectators but the viewpoint will be quiet and enjoyable.
＜保存版＞８月26日の江津湖花火大会 交通規制や観覧エリアは？ 熊本市で4年ぶり開催｜熊本日日新聞社
熊本市は、江津湖一帯で26日夜に開く江津湖花火大会の人出を約15万人と見込んでおり、交通規制や観覧エリアを守るよう呼びかけている。会場周辺の県道や市道への車や自転車の乗り入れは、午後6時から同11時まで禁止.....
Kirk here with a note about the upcoming fireworks show in Ezuko (Lake Ezu). The following is an explanation that has been published on the International Center's website:
--- start quote ---
Place: Lake Ezu area
Fireworks time: 19:15 - 20:15 (tentative)
Traffic regulations will be in effect from 18:00 to 23:00 on the day of the festival.
Please use temporary shuttle buses to get to the venue.
Temporary shuttle buses (charged) will be available from various locations in the city to the event site on the day of the event.
Lake Ezu Fireworks Festival website: https://hanabi.kumamoto-guide.jp/
--- end quote ---
https://www.kumamoto-if.or.jp/kiji0031845/index.html
Kirk here. This news report about the Yamaga Lantern festival is in Japanese but the main thing you need to know to understand what you are seeing is that the miniature buildings and bridges, etc. that you see are all made of paper. The same techniques used in making the paper lanterns can be used to make lots of stuff.
This was broadcast before the main event (1000 women dancing in unison). Perhaps I will be able to post a report about that later.
４年ぶり通常開催の山鹿灯籠まつりが開幕【熊本】 (23/08/16 12:00)
山鹿市の山鹿灯籠まつりが１５日から始まり、大勢の見物客でにぎわいました。２０１９年以来、４年ぶりの通常開催となった山鹿灯籠まつり。山鹿市中心部では、１５日から地元の町内や団体が灯籠師たちに制作を依頼し...
Kirk here. This information about Japanese classes is from the International Centers website. The English is the results of Google translation service. You can click on a button on the page to see the original Japanese. Much of the Japanese is "easy" ("yasashii Nihongo") so if you've already good a "foot in the door" with Japanese, you might want to take a look at it.
https://www-kumamoto--if-or-jp.translate.goog/list00066.html?_x_tr_sl=ja&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=ja
Kirk here. A protective structure is being built around Uto Yagura, a 400-year-old turret (yagura) that stands next to the main castle building (tenshukaku). Uto Yagura: "Please excuse me while a slip into something more comfortable." She's expected to emerge looking great in 2032.
https://news.goo.ne.jp/article/kab/region/kab-20230814-00007578.html
Kirk here. The Ushibuka Lantern Festival is underway. I've never gone to see the festival but Ushibuka is a special place -- the farthest point from Kumamoto City in Amakusa.
https://www.t-island.jp/event/2197
Hari here. Sharing this informative post about Suizenji Garden with beautiful photos.
Kirk here with a cool article for art lovers:
Japan Art and Kumamoto – Modern Tokyo Times
Tomikichiro Tokuriki was born in Kyoto and died in a ripe old age. He came from a long line of family artists – going back hundreds of years.
Hi everyone, Joe Tomei here. The Sinfonietta is having their annual concert on 2 Sept (Saturday). We will be playing Beethoven's overture to Coriolan, Mozart's 1st Flute Concerto and Beethoven's 3rd Symphony (Eroica) and the Kenritsu Gekijo. The annual concert is usually in the afternoon, but this time, the doors open at 17:45 and the concert starts at 18:30. If you purchase a ticket before the event, it is slightly cheaper, so if you are interested, please let me know!
Also, if you play an instrument, please consider joining us. We play an annual concert with an outside conductor.
William
Ever wonder why you never see Kumamon and Keanu Reeves in the same photograph?
https://www.facebook.com/watch?v=6377099369025654
Kirk here with a little news report about unkai (sea of clouds) in Aso and tourists going up in balloons (kinda like the movie "UP" -- カールじいさんの空飛ぶ家).
「流れる雲がたまらない」阿蘇に雲海 神秘的な光景に観光客は感激 熱気球体験も（RKK熊本放送） - Yahoo!ニュース
阿蘇地方では14日、雲海が発生し神秘的な景色が広がりました。 午前5時半、標高およそ900メートルの大観峰（だんかんぼう）では、雲海と外輪山（がいりんざん）の谷沿いに霧が流れる神秘的な景色が見られ
Kirk here with an article that puts the arrival of TSMC in a broader context.
Analysis | TSMC Is Becoming the Global Chipmaker It Didn’t Aspire to Be
From humble roots in Taiwan, the tech giant is on track to have factories across the globe.
Kirk here. Paragliding anyone? Here's a TV report of a boy enjoying his first flight. The second URL takes you to the English side of the business the helps you get into paragliding: Aso Nature Land.
https://newsdig.tbs.co.jp/articles/rkk/658425?display=1
http://www.aso.ne.jp/natureland/english/
青空に飛び立つ！高さ”30ｍ”からパラグライダー体験は圧巻の眺め 連休初日で賑わう観光地 | 熊本のニュース｜RKK熊本放送
熊本県内の観光地も連休初日から賑わっています。８月11日（金）、台風6号が過ぎ久しぶりに青空が広がった阿蘇。阿蘇ならではのアクティビティ体験が人気です。パラグライダー体験では、高さ30メートルの丘から飛…
Kirk here. Why has it been so hot this year? Here's an explanation from Fukuoka Now:
El Niño Fuels Late Summer Scorcher in Northern Kyushu | Fukuoka Now
Heads up, Northern Kyushu, including Fukuoka Prefecture. It seems Mother Nature's cranked up the thermostat. The next three months? Expect them to be warmer than your average summer...
