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¥0 Café Cache | Health Check | Masaharu Fukuyama | Miyazaki nagazasshi F uture O F E nergy THE

Nagazasshi 7.5

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Curious about the future of energy in Japan? Check out the latest issue of Nagazasshi! Our spring issue introduces two new series: Café Caches and Health Check. Our series regulars, Nagasaki Notables and Weekends with Karl, are back for your reading pleasure.

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Page 1: Nagazasshi 7.5

¥0

Café Cache | Health Check | Masaharu Fukuyama | Miyazaki

nagazasshi

Future

OF Energy

THE

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nagazasshi

Editor-in-chiefAndrew Massey

EditorsJennifer EdwardsRosie Fordham

Katy Squicciarini

Layout and DesignLaurel Williams

Contributors

www.nagazasshi.com

Volume 7 Issue 5March/April 2015

Cover PhotoLight bulb at the Beach

flickr.com/bastivoe

Copy EditorLorna Hanson

FoundersAndrew Morris

Matthew Nelson

TreasurerKarl Po

W ith winter at a close, the world begins anew, and springtime heralds the

return of many things. Warmer weather, flowering trees, and domestic insects are a few that come to mind. It is also a season that is nationally revered as one of the most enjoyable times of the year in Japan. These temperate months are positively riddled with parties and festivals that try to make the most of the pleasant weather. It’s also a time of new beginnings, with new projects and challenges on the horizon for many.

In this issue, we’ll be looking back to the March 11 Tohoku earthquake with an account of the experience from Tokyo (p. 10). We’ll also look to the future with our feature on Japanese energy (p. 12). Of course, our regular articles are all here as well. There’s even a new series reviewing local cafes (p. 7).

Looking forward, I’d like to welcome our newest staff members, Jennifer Edwards and Lorna Hanson. Good to have you two on board.

I’d also like to give a big shout out to our long-standing copy editor, Doug Bonham. He’s been an active member of our staff for years and always did what he could when working on the magazine. Doug, we wish you luck in your future pursuits.

Happy Reading!

Andrew Massey,Editor-in-chief

Rosie FordhamAmy GiffordAndrew MasseyElizabeth MazurokKarl Po

Niel Thompson Richard Railton

Katy SquicciariniJoy Tan

Stuart Webster

Assistant EditorNiel Thompson

Laurel Williams

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ContentsEvents

10

4

My Two YenCheck out staff recs in drama and anime

16

6

Health Check

Remembering the Tohoku earthquakeHowl’s Moving Metropolis

Our new series begins with a mental checkup

12

20

The Future of Energy in JapanIlluminating the country’s power grid of tomorrow

7

7Our new series uncovers a café in Isahaya

Café Caches in Nagasaki

23Kanji of the Month

17Nagasaki Notables: Masaharu FukuyamaLearn about this famous singer-songwriter

17

16

Photo credits (counter-clockwise from top): photo flickr.com/boskizzi; photo flickr.com/rickharris; Coffee canisters Joy Tan; One of the Nichinan at Sun

Messe, Miyazaki Laurel Williams

20Weekends with KarlOur travel series continues in Miyazaki

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Event of the MonthSaikai Bridge Whirlpool Festival

March 16 – April 14Saikaibashi Park

You can catch a glimpse of the naturalwhirlpools that form as currents

from Omura and Sasebo Bays collide.There are also loads of cherry trees here,

making it a great place forflower viewing.

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nagazasshi | March/April 2015 5

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13th Annual Doll FestivalThroughout March, Central OmuraTraditional Japanese dolls are on display in shop windows throughout central Omura. Take a leisurely stroll and enjoy!

Tulip FestivalMarch 21 – April 6, Huis Ten BoschOver 650 different kinds of tulips will be on display at Japan’s largest tulip festival. Take in the beauty against the pictur-esque backdrop of those classic Dutch tower mills. This is a great opportunity to visit Nagasaki’s cherished slice of Europe.

The KanoukaenMarch 28, Tachibana Park,Nagasaki CityNagasaki’s largest fire-festival. Two hundred participants in samurai warrior costume stroll through the blooming cherry trees of Tachibana Park with flam-ing torches in their hands, as based on a tale from a 400 year old illustrated scroll.

Omura Flower FestivalLate March – April, Omura ParkOmura Park is known prefecture-wide for its beautiful bloomage, even its town mascot is a talking flower. There are around 2,000 Omura Zakura cherry trees that flower from late March to early April, and the park will be lit up with romantic lighting during this season. If you’re a fan of the florals, you’ll definitely want to check this out.

Hata-age Kite CompetitionApril 5, Tohakkei Park, Nagasaki CityThis festival is one of Nagasaki’s older, more traditional events. Competitors coat their kite strings with powdered glass and square off in a series of aerial kite battles. Not to be missed!

Nagushiyama Azalea FestivalEarly April, Saikai National ParkThe 100,000 Kurume and Hirado azaleas that can be viewed from the 234-meterpeak of Mt. Nagushiyama, with the Kujuku islands in the background, is truly a sight to behold. It’s certainly worth the trek.

Tall Ships FestivalApril 27 – May 1, Dejima Wharf, Nagasaki CityWitness tall ships from all over the world as they gather in Dejima for Japan’s premier ship festival. You can watch ship drills, see fireworks, take a ride on some of the impressive vessels, and even enjoy a few hands-on activities such as rope ty-ing tutorials and some casual canoeing.

Hasami Pottery FestivalApril 29 – May 5, HasamiHasami is home to Nagasaki Prefec-ture’s biggest porcelain market. During this festival, you can find great deals on traditional pottery. You can even give the pottery wheel a spin and try your hand at painting wares of your own.

Events

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My Two Yen... Drama

Hi all, it’s Katy! My pick for this season’s drama rec is the highly anticipated Ourob-oros or “ウロボロス.” Based on the manga series by Yuya Kanzaki, the show reunites popular actors Oguri Shun and Ikuta Toma for the first time since their 2007 drama Hana Kimi.

The story follows two orphans, Ikuo Ryu-zaki and Tatsuya Danno, who at a young age witness their teacher being murdered. When the case is covered up by a corrupt police officer, they become obsessed with uncovering the truth.

Fifteen years later, Ikuo (Ikuta) is a kind and thorough detective. On the other end of the spectrum, Tatsuya (Oguri) has become a high level yakuza member who chases the

case through the criminal un-derworld. Lead actresses Ueno Juri and Yoshida Yo join Toma and Shun. The series premiered on January 16th and runs on TBS every Friday at 8 p.m.

Japan is known for its excellent crime capers and police dramas, so if you’re at all interested in a show with suspense, mystery and brotherly love, definitely check this out!

Image Credits: Ouroboros posterTBS Television, Inc.

8 www.tbs.co.jp/ouroboros

After realizing this shared passion, they practice together in the basement of a record shop. Kaoru plays the piano and Sentaro plays the drums. Sentaro’s favorite music is jazz, and despite his background in classical music, Kaoru learns to play jazz. The two form a bond that lasts forever.

With endearing stories of sodality and a jazz soundtrack by legendary composer Yoko Kanno, Kids on the Slope is certainly not a series to be missed!

Image Credits: Kids on the Slope poster Yuki Kodama and Fuji TV Network, Inc.8 www.noitamina-apollon.com

Anime

Niel here, this issue I’m going to talk about Kids on the Slope, or Sakamichi no Aporon, an anime set in Sasebo.

Kids on the Slope is about high school and the ties of friendship forged between Kaoru Nishimi and Sentaro Kawabuchi. Sentaro is a bit of a punk and frequently gets in fights. Kaoru, on the other hand, is a smart, diligent student who has difficulty getting close to people. At first there is friction

between these two, but Kaoru and Sentaro

find they have one thing in common: a love of music.

Café Caches in Nagasa

ki

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Knagazasshi | March/April 2015 7

As the weather begins to slowly warm up, why not take the chance to adventure into hidden

café caches around Nagasaki? You will be rewarded with delicious handcrafted

beverages and lovely conversations with locals in new areas.

This month’s uncovered café cache is conveniently located near Kikitsu Station (only 25 minutes away from Nagasaki Station by the express trains). Don’t let R and R Coffee Labo’s hum-ble storefront fool you. Though easily missed by the many people rushing to

Joy Tan treats readers to a globally minded Nagasaki coffee shop.

photos Joy Tan

{New Series}

R and R Coffee Labo757-7 Keya, TaramichoIsahaya-shi, Nagasaki-ken 〒859-0401( TEL 0959-28-09208 coffeelabo.saloon.jp

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afé Caches in Nagasaki

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Norio also speaks Mandarin, which he picked up when he lived and worked in Shanghai. This interest in other cultures is hinted at through the choices he gives his customers. R and R Coffee Labo of-

fers a selection of beans from around the world, such as Tanzania, Bra-zil, and even Indonesia. Prices range from 200 to 450 yen for coffee with homemade scones. Cheesecake is also avail-able.

I personally like the dark roast from Tan-zania, but come for yourself and become part of the global coffee culture.

and fro, those who step inside have their senses tickled by the welcoming smell of coffee and familiar English tunes.

R and R Coffee Labo opened in June two years ago, and is spearheaded by a true entrepreneur: Nishida Norio. Though his business is young, he is determined to bring “coffee culture” to more people in Nagasaki. The majority of his custom-ers are foreigners but that doesn’t deter Norio in the least, as he takes part in various city events to create the chance for many to try his coffee for themselves.

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Those who step inside have their senses tickled by the welcoming smell of coffee and familiar English tunes

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The NagaZasshi is a nonprofit, volunteer-run magazine made

up of a team of ALTs, expatriates, and locals in Nagasaki, Japan.

While its focus is featuring articleswith ties to Nagasaki, it also covers other areas of Japan

and the entire world.

Join us today!

www.nagazasshi.com

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In 2011, I was studying abroad in To-kyo, Japan. Tokyo was a big change of pace for someone born and raised

in a land-locked, agrarian Canadian province, semi-affectionately referred to as “Texas Jr.” Life in a bustling metropo-lis of roughly 13.3 million was certainly different – and some-how quieter – than my hometown of Edmonton. There was the expected culture shock, mixed with a whole heap of misunderstandings, but all of these experiences paled in com-parison to what occurred on March 11.

On that day, the Tohoku Earthquake of 2011 struck Japan at roughly 3:00 p.m.

It was, to date, the largest earthquake in recorded history. At its epicenter in Sendai, it registered at 9.0 on the Richter scale. My location in Tokyo was a trifling 8.1. Earthquakes with a magnitude of 5.0 or so can level poorly-constructed

houses and kill hun-dreds.

At the time, my Japanese brother and I were practicing

singing in a school building. Imagine my surprise when the building started to rock back and forth. The shaking quickly intensified to the point where I didn’t

Elizabeth Mazurok describes what it was like in Tokyoduring the infamous 2011 Tohoku Earthquake.

At its epicenter in Sendai, it registered at 9.0 on the Richter scale“

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nagazasshi | March/April 2015 11

that cold, cold night. It was the spirit of cooperation in Japan, and truly a heart-warming sight.

This spirit continued into the interna-tional sphere in the days that followed as news of Fukushima was broadcast. Japanese friends recognized the need for information for foreigners like me who couldn’t understand everything, and or-

ganized themselves in a grassroots movement to provide translations. Many of us felt more confident in making informed decisions thanks to our friends who decided to help us.

Due to the level of international cooperation I witnessed during this event, my passion for communication, new ideas, and helping second language learners grew. I recognized in my generation the drive for an international community keen to help those surrounding them, and I hope I can encourage the students I’m teaching right now to further this vision.

feel safe in the building any-more, so we sprinted outside to see the world around us as we’d never seen it before.

The sea of skyscrapers Tokyo is famous for was swaying by tens of meters as the trees chattered their branches in reply. I re-member the roiling of the earth and the buildings being at odds, and suddenly feeling like I was seasick.

I found that I couldn’t stand up straight anymore. The air raid sirens, re-purposed from the war, blared with a wail and unintelligible Japanese, and helicopters tore through the air. I had the presence of mind to send a text message home to let my family know I was fine, which was fortunate, as my phone would become useless for the next six hours.

A lot of things hap-pened afterwards. Trains were cancelled for the rest of the day, so we walked the 14 km to my dorm. We passed crowds of at least 100 people pressing up against a tiny TV on a chair to try and get some news about what was happening.

We walked along major streets with thousands of others like blood cells traveling through the body. What struck me most was looking at the stores and apartments that opened their doors for people to rest and drink tea. Even busi-nesses handed out free hand warmers on

Earthquakes with a magnitude of 5.0 or so can level poorly-constructed houses and kill hundreds

photo flickr.com/62739433@N00

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FUTURE

OF ENERGY

JAPAN

THE

IN

Dam at Hydroelectric Power Plant in Nagano, Japan flickr.com/igaiga

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13

Andrew Massey explores the future of Japan’s energy landscape.

In the four years since 2011’s Tohoku earthquake, Japan has seen major shifts within its energy sector. Prior

to the Fukushima incident, nuclear power supplied upwards of 85 gigawatts and comprised approximately 30% of Japan’s energy grid at the time.

To put this in perspective, consider the London Array – the world’s largest off-shore wind-farm which has a total design capacity of 1 gigawatt. Even the Hoover Dam at peak generation produces just a little over 2 gigawatts. In the wake of the Daiichi meltdown, all nuclear power generation was categorically suspended nationwide. It’s easy to imagine the kind of impact this has had on power generation in Japan.

In an attempt to fill the void left by nu-clear power, Japan now imports massive amounts of liquefied natural gas (LNG). While sufficient in meeting the country’s energy needs, this has not come without cost. The imported fuel itself is incredibly expensive, selling at rates almost 6 times higher than US natural gas. Japan spent approximately 6 trillion yen on LNG in 2012 and over 7 trillion yen in 2013. Their steadily increasing LNG imports have resulted in one of the largest trade deficits in recent history.

There’s also the environmental impact to consider. Without nuclear energy, Japan has fallen back on fossil fuels like oil and coal to fire up its thermal power plants. This has lead to near record levels of carbon emissions, significantly contribut-ing to the global threat of climate change. Clearly, this is not a sustainable long term

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strategy. So, what can be said about the future of energy in Japan?

Renewable energy is the first thing that comes to mind. If it could be properly developed, Japanese energy wealth would increase by orders of magnitude.

With all of its seismic activity, Japan is a prime candidate for geothermal develop-ment. A 2011 survey carried out by the Ministry of the Environment suggests there to be 19 gigawatts of available geo-thermal resource potential. Despite there being twenty or so geothermal plants scat-tered throughout the country, less than 5% of that potential is being harnessed.

Such potential is not easily unlocked however, as geothermal power is one of the most expensive methods of generat-

ing electricity. Though geothermal plants require no fuel, making them immune to market fluctuations, the associated capital costs are tremendous. The drilling alone can cost billions of yen. With the current economic climate in Japan, those costs would be difficult to justify.

Solar photovoltaics (PV), or solar power, are another viable source of renewable energy. They’re also being directly sup-ported by the government with a feed-in-tariff system, which guarantees long-term, fixed-rate contracts to renewable energy producers. Thanks to these efforts, Japan has grown into the world’s second largest market for solar power. In 2014 alone, the country reportedly added 8 gigawatts of solar PV to its total power grid, largely from developments in the southwest. Solar PV is being made a national priority and

Nuclear Power Plant in Ohi, Japan flickr.com/iaea_imagebank

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nagazasshi | March/April 2015

remotely, those issues will never go away. Until such breakthroughs are made, Japan will have to rely on interim solutions to satisfy its energy needs.

The government’s most recent plan names nuclear, along with coal and hydro, as a baseload source of power. Having been approved by the Nuclear Regulation Authority, units 1 & 2 of Kyushu Electric’s Sendai nuclear power plant in Kagoshima, as well as units 3 & 4 of Kansai Electric’s Takahama nuclear power plant in Fukui are due to come back online later this year. All things considered, the future of energy in Japan is not without promise. For now however, it remains firmly in the research and development phase. n

further increases are expected in years to come.

Japan is on its way to demonstrating that it can reliably generate clean, renewable energy. Unfortunately, generation is only half the battle. The real issues lie in trans-mission.

Most renewable energy comes from unsta-ble sources that don’t provide a constant rate of baseload power generation. Sudden dips and spikes in levels would prove problematic and could potentially damage the power grid. This problem is further complicated by Japan’s power grid as a whole, or rather, its lack of one.

Japan does not possess a nationally uni-fied energy grid. Instead, the country is split down the middle into eastern and western grids. Though voltage is standardized at 100 volts, each grid operates at different frequencies – eastern operating at 50 hertz and western operating at 60 hertz.

Converter stations do exist, but there are only three, and they only have a capacity of 1 gigawatt each. As it stands, there is no way for excess power produced in the west to be of any significant help to the eastern grid, making the added solar genera-tion not very useful on a national level.

Transmission issues have always been a fundamental problem in the energy industry. Without a reliable way to store giant amounts of electricity, or without a way to transmit power

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difficult to understand their cause or the impact they have on physical and mental health. As they take hold and your mind becomes warped, taking a step back to examine the situation from afar becomes increasingly difficult.

For this reason, the ability to talk to someone and feel heard is a very important first step on the path to greater management and recovery. The sooner we are able to do this the better. Being strong and independent does not mean coping with the debilitating cycle of these symptoms in silence.

Anonymous and confidential support is available year round from the AJET Peer Support Group.

16 March/April 2015 | nagazasshi

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Anyone who has spent time working in a foreign country and learning in a foreign language will

know that there are unique challenges experienced in everyday life. Some of these challenges can be overcome quickly, yet others seem to require continual persistence to manage. How we choose to, or are able to deal with these challenges revolves around our mindset and level of determination. This idea not only applies to living and working abroad, but to any new situation with which we are unfamiliar.

We’re often able to identify the distressing symptoms that can arise from our everyday challenges. However, when our coping mechanisms start to break down and we become unable to adapt to new situations, we can easily become victims of our own minds.

Namely, these symptoms are stress, anxiety, and depression. They interact and intertwine with one another, making it

Richard Railton reminds us to pay attention to our mental health.

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AJET Peer Support Group 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. 050-5534-5566 ajetpsg

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Of all the notable people to come out of Nagasaki Prefecture, Masaharu Fukuyama may be

the most multi-talented of the bunch. Fukuyama is best known for his highly successful career as a singer-songwriter. Since 2011, he has held the title of all time best-selling male solo artist in Japan, with over 22 million records and singles sold. Fukuyama is also a well-

known film and drama actor, a radio personality, and a photographer.

Born in 1969, Fukuyama’s parents were survivors of the atomic bombing of Nagasaki. According to a 2009 interview in Cut Magazine, Fukuyama was encour-aged to leave Nagasaki upon reaching adulthood because of a sense that there were fewer “possibilities” for him in his birthplace. He moved to Tokyo in his

Rosie Fordham gives readers an inside look into one of Nagasaki’s most prolific notables, Masaharu Fukuyama.

nagazasshi | March/April 2015

Nagasaki Notables

{MASAHARU}{MASAHARU}

{FUKUYAMA}[FUKUYAMA]

“ Fukuyama is best known for his highly successful career as a singer-songwriter

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20s, and found his first musical success in 1992 with the release of his single

“Good Night.”

He gained mainstream recognition after he co-starred in the popular drama Hitotsu Yane no Shita (Un-der One Roof). Though he took a hiatus from music and acting between 1996 and 1998, his popularity only continued to grow in the following decades.

In 2007, Fukuyama returned to screens as the eccentric profes-sor turned detective Manabu Yukawa in the TV series, Gali-leo. A year later, he received the lead role of Sakamoto Ryoma in Ryomaden, NHK’s 2008 Taiga Drama.

In 2013 he starred in the film Like Father, Like Son, which re-ceived worldwide critical acclaim and a Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival. Most recently, he appeared in the second Rurouni Kenshin film as Hiko Seijuro, Kenshin’s teacher.

Fukuyama has explained that since turning 40, he has been trying to reach

out more to his home prefecture. In 2008, he worked with a

Nagasaki based youth group to organize an exhibition of his photographs at the Nagasaki Prefectural Museum, an event

which attracted 70,000 people. A year later, he held two outdoor

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nagazasshi | March/April 2015

concerts in Mount Inasa Park which were simultaneously broadcast, free of charge, in the Nagasaki Baseball Stadium.

The title of Fukuyama’s 2009 album Zankyo (Echoes) is also a reference to his feelings for his hometown. “Whenever I think about [Naga-saki],” he tells the interviewer from Cut Magazine, “I can see and hear the images and sounds very clearly in my mind… The clanking of the street cars on the tracks… the oc-casional piping of steam whistles… it’s not just the images I see in my memory, the scenery and sounds are imprinted in my heart as well.” It’s clear that no matter what heights Fukuyama’s career takes him to, Nagasaki is where his heart lies.8 fukuyamamasaharu.com

Since turning 40, he has been trying to reach out more to his home prefecture

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Photo credits & information:

Page 17: Blue Fender Strato-caster Guitar flickr.com/rickharris

Page 18 (circles – left to right): Galileo screenshot Fuji TV Net-work, Inc., Ryomaden poster NHK, and Like Father, Like Son poster Dir. Hirokazu Koreeda

Page 18 (bottom): Guitar Close-up flickr.com/onepointfour

[email protected]

{HELP WANTED}– Web Designer –

Duties: < Future website optimization/layout < overhaul < Website updates and maintenance < Consolidation of web assets

– Media Coordinator – Duties: < Social media management < Online advertising < Event promotion

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Projected Travel Costs:

Rental car: 19,400 yen 7 seat van equipped with GPS monitor for 3 days ~ 3/20, 8 p.m. to 3/23, 4 p.m. 8 http://www.ones-rent.com/ reservation/index.php? location_no=0084-001

Road tolls: 16,000 yen (Nagasaki to Miyazaki and back)

Gas: 15,000 yen (rough estimate)

Total: 50,400 yen Split between 7 people: 7,200 yen

Other costs (per person):

Accommodations: 10,500 yen 3 nights (rough estimate)

Food, drinks, omiyage, sightseeing, etc: about 15,000 – 20,000 yen (depends on how much you want to spend)

Projected Travel Dates:

March 20 - 23 (3 days)

Itinerary:

Friday

Drive from Nagasaki g Takachiho area, Miyazaki 3 hours and 50 minutes 8 https://goo.gl/maps/F1EU5

Guesthouse Kudo 3,500 yen per night 8 http://kudo-home.jp

Saturday morning/afternoon

Takachiho Gorge Boat rental 2,000 yen per 30 minutes; maximum of 3 people per boat

Ama-no-iwato Shrine

Karl Po details an affordable, fully loaded weekend getaway in Miyazaki.

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Saturday evening

Drive from Takachihog Miyazaki City 2 hours and 15 minutes 8 http://goo.gl/maps/vwjSn

a Youth Hostel Sunflower Miyazaki 3,500 yen per night 8 http://www6.ocn.ne.jp/~hkaikan/ index.html

b Super Hotel Miyazaki 2,733~5,120 yen per night* *depending on your numbers 8 http://www.superhoteljapan.com/ en/s-hotels/miyazaki

Sunday

Udo Shrine 1 hour and 30 minutes from the city center 8 http://goo.gl/maps/AYsjt

Nichinan Sun Messe 700 yen entrance fee for adults, 350 yen for children under the age of 4 8 http://goo.gl/maps/AYsjt

Monday

If time permits:

Kokusai Kaihin Entrance Plaza

Aoshima

Photo credits & information:

Page 20 (clockwise from left): Udo Shrine Karl Po, Driving in Miyazaki Karl Po, and Colorful Sculptures found at Sun Messe Laurel Williams

Page 21 (top to bottom): Takachiho Gorge Karl Po, Ama-no-iwato Karl Po, and Aoshima island Laurel Williams

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Chicken Namban – A Miyazaki Specialty

Lightly battered, deep fried chicken covered with tartar sauce made from mayonnaise, eggs and cucumber served on a bowl of rice. It is eaten all throughout Japan in various forms (super-markets, Hotto-Motto, bentos), but I really suggest trying out the “real deal” as this dish originated in Miyazaki.

photo Karl Po

states the Sun Goddess Amaterasu hid away, putting the world into an eternal night.

While driving down south towards Miyazaki City, check out Udo Shrine, a Shinto shrine situated on a cliff which is located about an hour and half drive from central Miyazaki. Overlooking this cliff lies a turtle shaped rock. It is said that if you are able to throw a rock and land it within the center, your wishes will be granted.

Located nearby you can find the Sun Messe Nichinan, which features 7 huge Moai replica statues similar to the ones on Easter Island. The park was a big 3-year project built as a symbol of friendship between Japan and Easter Island.

Hey, what’s up? It’s Karl again with this issue’s travel suggestion. This time around,

I’ll be covering one of Kyushu’s southern prefectures, Miyazaki, and how to travel armed with some buddies and a car.

I feel that when a lot of people hear the word “Miyazaki,” they automatically think of the famous director and animator Hayao Miyazaki. However, the prefecture itself has no relation to him. It is quite famous for both its Japanese mythology and its location as a surfing hub in Japan.

For the countryside, explore the Takachiho Gorge, an impressive V-shaped ravine with many waterfalls cascading into it which can be explored by rented boat. Nearby also lies Ama-no-iwato, a cave where Japanese myth

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