Posts

Kirk here with some notes about a relatively new bicycle sharing service in Kumamoto: Charichari. The image you see with English is from the following page:
https://charichari.bike/blog/chari-guide-2023-download-en
The page explains in English how to download the required app and then begin using the red "Chari" bicycles you see here and there in central Kumamoto City. Unfortunately, the app itself is only available in Japanese, but it does have an English "Help" section.
The following RKK video report explains that the bikes have been quite popular and that the strong uptake in bike sharing is helping to alleviate two important problems in Kumamoto: (1) car traffic congestion downtown and (2) congestion and large numbers of abandoned bicycles in train-station parking facilities.
https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/2749b15253522fbc964c02b15dd81cdebd605f2b
As a result of the success of the program thus far the city has decided to expend it, aiming for full implementation by 2024:
https://kumanichi.com/articles/1150953
The other image you see is a new one of Kumamon, with may have something to do with the official decision to move ahead with the bike sharing program:
https://www.facebook.com/KUMANICHIs/posts/pfbid02My3a3psbhtfog5sRUxVqNyzUHW6gvw34rwqYCkkockAVzRK3EiK78u5ZWaTpjpoxl

Kirk here with something I've had on the back burner since July -- a post about solar farms in rural Kumamoto. The picture you see is from the following Japanese news article:
https://news.livedoor.com/article/image_detail/24534867/?img_id=38210472
The concern is that the solar panels are an eyesore -- black splats on the vistas the Aso area is famous for.
I was prompted to look into the downsides of solar panels after the heavy rains we experienced in July. At the time, I heard rumors that the panels exacerbated erosion during such storms because very little can grow beneath them. I was never able to find a good article about the issue vis-a-vis the flooding in July but I know it has come up in other parts of Japan and the world so I wouldn't be surprised if it was more than a rumor.
Personally, I think that mitigating climate change should be a high priority and so I tend to be in favor of increasing solar panels. In fact, I've had solar panels on my house for a about a decade now. But, I also think that maintaining the beauty of Aso and preventing erosion are issues that deserve consideration. In regard to erosion, I'm still rather puzzled by why the issue remained mostly on the level of rumor and local talk and didn't receive major media attention in July.

Kirk here with an article that introduces folks to Aso. Check it out to see photos of other iconic scenes.
Exploring Aso, Kumamoto: Life on the edge of the Earth
Do you know the feeling you experience at the top of a roller coaster?

William Disclaimer: I used to work at the original Disneyland in Anaheim, California.
JR Kyushu has announced that they will operate what they call the "JR Kyushu WAKU WAKU SMILE Shinkansen" from the 24th mid-December, during which select Shinkansen cars will be decorated with Disney characters. In addition, Disney music can be enjoyed via a QR code.
FYI, a major Shinkansen yard 熊本総合車両所（くまもとそうごうしゃりょうしょ）is located in Tomiai Machi. If you're passing by, it's kinda cool to see those beasts lined up at rest. Video at link:
https://kumanichi.com/articles/1149799
ディズニー新幹線　報道公開
JR九州は８月24日から、九州新幹線の博多─鹿児島中央で、ディズニーの人気キャラクターをデザインした「JR九州　WAKU　WAKU　SMILE　新幹線」を運行する。「さくら」と「つばめ」の一部列車が対象で、12月中旬までの予定。

William A longtime Kumamoto resident (name redacted) has returned to her native Maine and sent me a photo a Maine restaurant (clearly not the photo shown). Personal note: I am from California, renowned for its fusion cuisine (in fact, many Nissei of Kumamoto extraction have made their home there), but went to college in Maine. I found the food there unbearable.
Question for KI readers: What is your opinion of Kumamoto food, and where is your favorite place to get it?

Kirk here with an inquiry that was directed to the page:
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Hello, I will be leaving Kumamoto/Japan at the end of this month. I had intended to sell my car but cannot find the registered inkan. I have my shaken documents and such and the little green book they gave with the inkan.
it seems to be able to sell or get rid of my car I need that. I don't know what to do in the case of having lost it. If you know anything, can you please help? 😓
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Just after I posted this I got the following update:
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I'm sorry I didn't give an update, I was able to resolve it at city hall. They were able to register a new inkan.
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So, this issue has been resolved. I can say from my own experience, though, that if you register and inkan, it's important to keep track of it and the registration documents (green plastic, as I recall) that come with it.
P.S. The generic inkan image I added came from the following page:
https://ferret-plus.com/5866

William Kirk Masden founded Kumamoto International originally as a Yahoo Groups page (ha ha!). It has since grown to 5,000 members. To know Kirk is to understand that he hails from Wisconsin, from whence the polite and understated derive. All of us foreign-derived Higokko are in his debt.

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:
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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.