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(Douglas) Saturday and Sunday, at the end of Golden Week, are going to be very wet!
Take the chance, don't sit at home looking out of the window, get out to e.g. Takahashi Inari Jinja and see it in a different light. There are many other places that you may only have visited on bright sunny days. See them in a different mood.
Takahashi Inari Shrine -Torrential Rain
Yet another rainy video.The weather forecast for the next 5 or 6 days was rain, rain, torrential rain and more rain. So, Megumi and I decided it would be a g...

(Douglas) A little addition to Kirk's post on Shiraito no Taki. I made this short video a few years ago.
Shiraito noTaki Waterfall, Kumamoto - Japan
The Shiraito no Taki waterfall south of Nishihara village, Kumamoto, Japan.Megumi and I were mainly using a Sony AX-55 4K camera and a Parrot Anafi drone. T...

Atsuko here, with information about bargains.
The TSUTAYA AV club Chikami shop in Hiyoshi, Minami-ku, Kumamoto City is having a clearance sale until May 7.
100 yen for DVDs, 10 yen for comics and 50 yen for CDs. Only 10-20% of them are left, all of them were used items from the rental shop, but 10 yen, 50 yen and 100 yen will be cheap. Nowadays, you can enjoy books, music and films on the Internet, but they are also good as souvenirs and keepsakes.(*^^*)
TSUTAYA AV Club Chikamiten
096-357-0030
https://g.co/kgs/R6Muzy

Kirk here with something about Shiraito no taki (白糸の滝), my favorite waterfall within an hour of Kumamoto. First, here's a link to a very nice article from Untapped Kumamoto that has lots of details, including a Google map:
https://untappedkumamoto.com/nature/1236
By the way, Untapped Kumamoto has LOTS of good information. Be sure to check it out.
OK, here's what I learned from RKK: Shiraito Falls now has a shuttle tuk-tuk service to make it easier for people to see the falls from different spots. Here's a link to the RKK video:
https://newsdig.tbs.co.jp/articles/rkk/469634?display=1
It's interesting to me that they are called "tuk-tuk" and described in the video as being an exotic form of transport from Southeast Asia because these sorts of vehicles were originally developed in Japan:
"In the 1930s Japan, which was the most industrialized country in Asia at the time, encouraged the development of motorized vehicles including less expensive three-wheeled vehicles based on motorcycles."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auto_rickshaw
Tuk-tuk seems to be a Thai expression but the Wikipedia article calls them "auto rickshaws." Rickshaw, of course, comes from the Japanese jinrikisha (人力車), meaning "human-powered-vehicle."
Sometimes the best way to get some recognition in your hometown is to leave, make a name for yourself elsewhere, and then come back. ;)

Kirk here. Thanks to Atsuko for sharing the video about Kumamoto Castle. It featured SEO Seiichi (瀬尾誠一) playing the role of KATO Kiyomasa. In the recent elections, Mr. SEO won a seat in the city council. Life imitates art. ;)
https://www.tku.co.jp/news/?news_id=20230410-00000011

Atsuko here with Kumamoto castle video.(*^^*)
Kumamoto: Castle Town Loves Its Past with Eye on the Future - Journeys in Japan
[Skip Intro] 1:34Watch more full episodes of Journeys in Japan on NHK WORLD-JAPAN!https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/ondemand/program/video/journeys/?cid=woh...

Atsuko.GW has begun.
Here is one of the best places to visit in Kumamoto. This is the 上弦の月 Jhougen no Tsuki hot spring in my hometown of Nagomi.
It was ranked number 1 in the ranking of super public baths and hot springs in Kumamoto Prefecture. The owner is a childhood friend of mine. He is my older brother who lived next door to me when I was a child.
The hot spring is located in Nagomi-machi, but in the Mikawa area of Nagomi. Mikawa Onsen is a slippery hot spring.
If you ever go there, please tell the owner that Atsuko recommended it.(๑˃ᴗ˂)و♡♡♡
https://www.facebook.com/jougennotsuki
https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/fbba0df5d79c2debab9d655872d6e7d5ceb77a4a
https://www.jougennotsuki.com/

Kirk here. Today is May 1st, the 67th anniversary of the first official report of the disease. So, a ceremony was held in Minamata and Minister of the Environment NISHIMURA Akihiro came to attend. After the ceremony he had to explain why it is that, even though the government wrote a law in 2009 that requires the conduct of a survey of the extent of the damage to the health of all of the people who lived near the polluted waters, the survey still hasn't even been started. Nishimura said that, while he can't promise he would like to try to set up a committee to begin studying how to actually do the survey by this summer.
It's hard to get the government to do it's homework.
Teacher: Where's your homework? It was due weeks ago!
Student's spoken words: "I hope to form a committee to begin considering how to actually conduct this homework you speak of. If all goes well, we may be able to hold our first meeting, in which we will discussion the scheduling of future meetings, as early as next week, but I can't promise. These things take time, you know. But I really do want to move as quickly as possible."
Student's thoughts: "If I can just keep stalling, this teacher may retire before she can actually make me do the homework."
水俣病 被害者団体“不知火海沿岸住民の健康調査実施を”｜NHK 熊本県のニュース
【NHK】慰霊式のあと、水俣病の被害者団体が西村環境大臣と面会し、特別措置法で定められた、不知火海沿岸の住民の健康調査を早期に実施するよう要望しまし…

Kirk here. Today I'm enjoying a tasty lunch in Spice Aroma (an Indian restaurant), which is located in the Kokai Shopping Street (子飼商店街).

Atsuko here. I'd like to introduce you to one of the best spots in GW.
This is my recommended and favorite restaurant in Misumi machi. Before Corona, I used to take a lot of students there and we had a lively time making and eating pizza.
The photo is from the last GW with my family. I waited a year to do this share as it seems they only do the GW dive without reservations.
The restaurant is on top of a mountain overlooking the sea in Misumi Town. It is interesting to hear about the owner's insistence on Kumamoto wheat and rice. We have been a big fan of this place for 15 years.
You can make, bake and eat pizza here.
Of course I plan to go again this GW.(๑˃ᴗ˂)و♡
ーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーー
Date: 5 May 2023 (Friday)
Opening Hours: 10am - 3pm (orders stop at 2pm)
Menu: Pizza and soup set (700 yen), rice cooked in a hagama also available.
Number of people: 1 or more. (No reservation required)
https://taiken.miyata.mobi/

Kirk here with some last-minute information about an opportunity to do some flower arranging.
Time: 2 to 4 PM, tomorrow (Sunday, April 30)
Place: Kokai Shotengai (子飼商店街), Studio Wasou（スタジオ和創)
Fee: 2,200 yen
The flowers are included in the fee. I don't have a lot of experience with flower arranging but I think that instruction + all the materials you'll need (you can walk in empty handed) is probably a pretty good deal. The flier says that you'll be able to take your arrangement with you to display in your home.
As you can see, there's a number to call on the poster. When I spoke with the teacher the other day (we just happened to meet in Kokai), I think I remember her saying that walk-ins are OK, but you might want to call just to be sure.

Atsuko here.
GW starts tomorrow. The Kumamoto Japan Tourism Facebook page has a large number of followers, so many of Kumamoto International's readers might be following it also.
The reason I shared it this time is because high school and junior high school students in Kumamoto Prefecture have been posting recently, and I wanted to support them.
When I myself have posted on Kumamoto International, when I get responses and comments from people in different countries, I am glad that I have been able to communicate with them, or I am glad that I have posted, and it motivates me to do the next thing. So I would like to support this site and these posts by the junior and senior high school students who are the future of Kumamoto and who are trying to communicate Kumamoto to the world through English.
By the way① my surname is Kumabe and I use 隈. This Kuma means "dark circles, bags under one's eyes" or "the corner, the edge"(๑˃ᴗ˂)و♡
②My first post at the Kumamoto International was the carp streamers at Takahashi Inari.
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=2574567062616710&id=123734781033296

Kirk here with news about a restaurant in Tamana (Gyoto-machi) called Sri Lanka Ayurveda Restaurant. I just saw the RKK segment about the establishment. According to the program, the couple that runs the restaurant worked as physicians (MDs? Ayuveda practitioners?) in Sri Lanka and developed an interest in Japan through the Japanese patients they treated.
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=pfbid02zNmiriZFaXkim5XmMbJySyP9CfT9zrHMdJAicUNAxQnTx6wqNAyGbZM4gGYa6ofYl&id=100063521202572

Kirk here. Today I'm pleased to share this little article about NAKASHIMA Shin'ichiro, founder and leader of Kumustaka: "Kumusutaka-Association for Living Together with Migrants is a non-government organization to support international residents (immigrants, migrant workers, and refugees) living in Japan."
http://www.kumustaka.org/English/index.html
The article mentions the role he played in supporting Ms. Linh after she was accused of hiding the bodies of her stillborn children. As I have reported earlier, Ms. Linh was ultimately vindicated by Japan's supreme court:
https://www.facebook.com/Kumamotoi/posts/pfbid0rqAhRrEV2kpD8cVquec7HyNPzmyXbfmusBEJuha7rmZQzBah4D9TUorbQjvcU7BUl
Mr. Nakashima has worked continuously to help non-Japanese people living in Kumamoto since founding Kumustaka in 1985. The article says that the words of an Irish priest led him to become active: "The problems these women face are caused by Japanese people. Japanese people need to step in to help them."
The article is featured prominently on page two of the Asahi Shimbun -- not in the "Kumamoto" section. I'm glad to see Mr. Nakashima getting the national recognition he deserves.

Kirk here. I've ridden on this train. Brings back memories. Not sure, though, if it would be my first choice now that it doesn't move. ;)
Kumamoto: Retro Sleeper Train Now Cozy Lodgings
TARAGI, Kumamoto — A once popular sleeper train refurbished as a simplified accommodation facility warmly welcomes guests longing to relive its glory days. Three passenger cars from the Hayabusa limited express sleeper train now serve as a cozy and nostalgia-inducing lodging facility near Taragi S...

Michaela here - posting for the first time about an article that's now a month old but I only just saw it today. Apparently in an effort to attract wealthy international tourists to travel to remote/untapped regions (untapped by most international visitors I guess), Japan Tourism Agency (JTA) has selected 11 areas across Japan, dubbing them “Model Tourism Spots”, including the Aso and Unzen regions (bundled together with Kagoshima). It seems like these 11 “Model Tourism Spots” look to receive some funding to support this, including promotion, speciality personnel and training for guides ‘aimed at foreigners’.
According to JTA, the majority of international tourists travelling prior to Covid shutdowns, who spent more than 1,000,000 yen during their time in Japan, spent their time in Tokyo, Osaka or other major cities, so are looking to encourage these high-rollers to visit other regions. Not sure when this will kick off or what it will look like for Kumamoto. Link to article below.
訪日外国人を呼び込む 全国11か所を「モデル観光地」に 観光庁 | NHK
【NHK】インバウンド需要の回復で、日本を訪れる富裕層の外国人を各地の観光地に呼び込もうと、観光庁は、全国11か所を「モデル観光地…

Kirk here. It is taking an extraordinarily long time but some of the victims of the helicopter crash have been identified.
"Aoki Shinichi was named Sakamoto's successor. A ceremony marking Aoki's assignment was held in the GSDF's Camp Kita-Kumamoto in Kumamoto Prefecture on Saturday."
The NHK WORLD page contains a brief video report in English.
The accident occurred in the context of a massive military build up being pushed through by the Kishida administration in response to perceived threats from China, North Korea, and Russia:
Japan’s new military policies: Origins and implications
https://www.sipri.org/commentary/blog/2023/japans-new-military-policies-origins-and-implications
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230422_17/
New chief assigned to Japan's GSDF 8th Division following helicopter accident | NHK WORLD-JAPAN News
Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force has assigned a new chief to its 8th Division following the death of the previous commander who was on board a missing GSDF helicopter.

Kirk here. The new Avatar film began showing in Kumamoto today. Here are the theaters:
熊本ピカデリー (Kumamoto Piccadilly)
ユナイテッド・シネマ熊本 (United Cinema Kumamoto)
イオンシネマ熊本 (AEON Cinema Kumamoto)
I'm posting this as information, not a promotion. Today's Earth Day so I did a little search to see if anything was going on in relation to Earth Day here and this is what came up:
https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/263ae73acb4c6e318c5c6a4401ef9782e7c0adec
If anyone has seen it, please add a comment about how you did or didn't like it.
https://collider.com/avatar-the-way-of-water-earth-day-screenings/
'Avatar: The Way of Water' Returning to Theaters to Celebrate Earth Day
James Cameron's epic sequel took over the box office during last year's holiday season.

Kirk here. This national news came up in my "Kumamoto" news feed because Takashi Shiraishi, chancellor of the Prefectural University of Kumamoto, is head of The International Group of Eminent Persons for a World without Nuclear Weapons. I hope the call a stronger nuclear nonproliferation regime will not fall on deaf ears.
Japan forum initiated by PM Kishida calls for strengthening NPT regime - The Mainichi
TOKYO (Kyodo) -- A Japanese nuclear disarmament forum, set up under the initiative of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, called Friday on the international

Kirk here. "The First Slam Dunk" (animated movie) is a big deal in China. The author of the the manga, Takehiko Inoue, is originally from Kagoshima but used to be a student at Kumadai:
"Inoue took a summer course at an art preparatory school with the plan of enrolling into an art university, but such schools were too expensive so he ended up going to Kumamoto University near his hometown. His submission to Weekly Shōnen Jump caught the attention of editor Taizo Nakamura and, at the age of 20, Inoue dropped out of college to move to Tokyo and pursue a career as a manga artist."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Takehiko_Inoue
https://variety.com/2023/film/news/china-box-office-japan-animation-the-first-slam-dunk-1235590638/
China Box Office: Japanese Animation ‘The First Slam Dunk’ Bounces to $13 Million Opening Day
Japanese animated film “The First Slam Dunk” has taken a strong early lead at the mainland China box office, picking up $13.8 million on its Thursday opening day. Films mostly release in China on F…