I have mixed thoughts on the ending itself
I like that Hitoyoshi and Yuki didn't become a couple—that Hitoyoshi's confession was taken completely the wrong way by Yuki
who seemed to assume that Hitoyoshi meant that he loved her like family
that's what clearly makes the most sense for those characters
it seems to be hinting that maybe Yuki could have romantic feelings for Hitoyoshi that she just isn't totally conscious of
Don't even get me started on that shot of them as adults with kids together
Is it really so hard to just let them love each other like found family
who I maintain have no romantic chemistry with one another
which has consistently been among the best (read: not THE best
but it's certainly up there) we've seen all season
From dynamic and dramatic movements (usually by Yuki) to even comparatively mundane things like the way people walk and go about their everyday movements
there hasn't been so much as a single hastily-drawn-looking episode in the bunch
this whole show has been incredibly visually impressive
I've talked about this week after week because it's so painfully apparent
but it simply couldn't seem to make up its mind about what kind of a series it wanted to be
it's a comedy about an assassin who wants a shot at a normal life by way of becoming a maid—and yet
neither Yuki's being a maid nor her former life as an assassin come into play all that much
an athletic transfer student who grew up in the mountains and wants to learn more about city life
Combine this with a constant stream of new gimmicks and side characters that never last for too long
and you have an anime that feels like it's—well
but not waiting around to see if anything sticks.”
This might be easier to look past if the anime itself were funnier—after all
right?—but most of the time it's not even that funny
it's able to score some light chuckles every here and there
but most of the time its attempts at comedy are pretty tepid
One of its side effects means that this anime is afraid to fully commit to being a comedy—and yet at the same time
it also seems weirdly hesitant about completely abandoning that part of itself
So you end up with a lot of half-baked attempts at comedy
and some really off-putting tonal dissonance
I'm reminded of the episode where we learn about Yuki's traumatic childhood… by way of a cartoonish-looking talking sauce bottle that she's having a nightmare about
I think it might've been easier for this series to find what was so funny about itself if only it had a better sense of its own identity
but then we get back to the issue of this anime's inability to decide on what it wants to be
It truly is the root from which most of this anime's other problems descend
When it comes to sub vs dub, while both are good, I prefer the subbed version overall—Lynn as Grace
Credit where it's due to Hitoyoshi—at the start of the series I thought he was going to be a nothing protagonist
he at least had at least some substance to him
but I simply haven't been able to stop thinking about how this anime—this alleged maid anime—fumbled so hard by not taking advantage of the remarkably low-hanging fruit during its school festival episode that was the maid cafe
If anything should've made it obvious that somewhere along the line this anime lost its way
I also think there's an audience out there who wouldn't mind a return to the wish fulfillment-y
but the concept for this show had some potential to it—it just quite literally got lost in the sauce
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Tokyo
If you can handle your alcohol and are planning an excursion down to Kyushu this winter
you should strongly consider adding an extra day to your itinerary to explore Hitoyoshi in Kumamoto prefecture
Surrounded by mountains in the heart of southern Kyushu
the city on the Kuma River – also known as Hitoyoshi Kuma – is home to plenty of historic gems
These include the National Treasure-designated thatched-roof structures of Aoi Aso Shrine
castle ruins and other sites related to the 700-year-rule of the Sagara samurai clan
which was retired from service earlier this year at the respectable age of 101 and is now on display in front of Hitoyoshi Station
Hitoyoshi is a place any true shochu connoisseur dreams of visiting
Shochu made from rice has been produced in the region since the early sixteenth century
and that heritage is embodied today by Kuma Shochu
This premium single-distillation variety is protected by a ‘geographical indication’
meaning that only shochu crafted at any of the around 25 distilleries in Hitoyoshi can be labelled Kuma Shochu
with the world waking up to the pair-ability of Japanese spirits with pretty much any dish
the shochu-promoting powers of Hitoyoshi are getting in on the action by unveiling an array of unlikely food-and-shochu partnerships at restaurants across the city
the four eateries listed below will add a selection of particularly booze-compatible French and Taiwanese dishes to their menus
Seek them out and expand your culinary horizons
Washoku no Sunloop
Malt L&A
Tonkatsu Kushikatsu Evisu
Oyaji no Ganko Tofu
2740-1 Youra Higashi, Sagara, Kuma, Kumamoto
*To learn more about the SL Hitoyoshi, pick up an English-language leaflet detailing the history of the locomotive at the Hitoyoshi City tourism information centre.
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Kumamoto — The steam locomotive that pulled the passenger cars of the nationally popular SL Hitoyoshi sightseeing train is on display in front of JR Hitoyoshi Station in Kumamoto Prefecture
the locomotive began running between Kumamoto and Hitoyoshi stations since 2009
a section of the JR Hisatsu Line used by the SL Hitoyoshi was damaged by heavy rain in the summer of 2020
The damage forced the sightseeing train’s services to be limited to between Tosu Station in Saga Prefecture and Kumamoto Station in Kumamoto City
The locomotive’s services were eventually discontinued in March this year due to the age of the locomotive and difficulties in repairing it
donated the locomotive to the Hitoyoshi city government
and the locomotive has now returned to Hitoyoshi Station
The disaster-hit section of the JR Hisatsu Line
and restoring it is still expected to take time
The city government hopes to use the locomotive as a symbol of disaster recovery
The city government plans to build a shelter to protect the locomotive from wind and rain
It also intends to extend the track used for the display from the current length of about 25 meters to approximately 60 meters
the city aims to create a “dynamic exhibit,” in which visitors can experience the feeling of riding the locomotive
Our weekly ePaper presents the most noteworthy recent topics in an exciting
© 2025 The Japan News - by The Yomiuri Shimbun
Japan’s oldest operational steam locomotive
which led to the decision to end its service
Ceremony for the final run of SL Hitoyoshi at Hakata Station
After its initial deployment to the Urakami depot in Nagasaki Prefecture
it operated in the Kyūshū prefectures of Fukuoka
SL Hitoyoshi racing down the tracks on March 21
the locomotive was retired from service in March 1975
and stored at Yatake Station in Kumamoto Prefecture
it was brought back into service under the name SL Aso Boy
running between Kumamoto Station and Miyaji Station on the Hōhi Line
before being retired from service again in August 2005
calls from railfans for a second comeback brought the locomotive out of retirement again in April 2009
and it operated as SL Hitoyoshi on the Hisatsu Line between Kumamoto and Hitoyoshi Station
Although there were few passengers in 2020
due to the impact from torrential rains and the global pandemic
35,805 passengers enjoyed riding the steam locomotive during the 2023 fiscal year
SL Hitoyoshi traveled around 369,000 kilometers and transported 414,203 passengers over the 1,945 days it has operated in this incarnation
SL Hitoyoshi traveling near JR Hitoyoshi Station on November 14
Many fans were on hand to witness the final journey of SL Hitoyoshi
as it made its way amid bellowing smoke from Kumamoto to Hakata Station on the Kagoshima Line
A mechanic who had been working on SL Hitoyoshi since its return from retirement in 2009 said he felt sad because he had taken care of it like his own child
but at the same time was deeply grateful the locomotive could operate for so many years
the locomotive will be transferred free of charge to Hitoyoshi in Kumamoto Prefecture
Banner photo: Ceremony for the last run of SL Hitoyoshi at Hakata Station on March 23
How often in anime confession scenes—ones amongst middle schoolers
you only think you do because you're lonely?” I almost had to laugh when this happened—on what planet does literally any middle schooler have the maturity and foresight to say something like that
Hitoyoshi—there's no coming back from that
Hitoyoshi is being a bit more introspective about his alleged crush on Yuki than I expected him to be
I think in plenty of other anime the protagonist in his position would just roll with it
but Hitoyoshi is actually giving some level of thought into whether or not he actually loves Yuki
I don't necessarily think that's how it's going to play out in the anime
but I would way more readily believe that he was just lonely and thinks Yuki—who he's spent more than a little time with by now—is hot
than the idea that he actually has a crush on Yuki
Not that I think any of this is going to stop this anime from superfluously pairing them together anyways
I see that fixing the pipes isn't considered to be a part of her maid-ly duties
because she appears to have sprung quite the leak in her eyes
It's hard not to feel bad for Yuki in the first place
let alone after you watch the episode and see this show waste another perfectly good setup
What could've been a really heartwarming episode is instead spent mostly watching Hitoyoshi ruminate on his feelings for Yuki
while Yuki's whole thing feels more like it's just something going on as background noise
Hitoyoshi doesn't want to make Yuki feel worse
but he also doesn't really know what to do
he realizes this is a flaw about himself—earlier in the episode he acknowledged that he tends to run away when the going gets tough—but that doesn't make it any less frustrating to watch
unable to figure out whether or not he actually likes Yuki
he has a golden opportunity to help her get through a tough time
and he just… tries to pretend like nothing's going on
I can't decide whether it's more impressive or embarrassing that this anime could fumble so hard this week
If there can be said to be a silver lining for all this
it's that the series isn't resuming its old habit of having a gimmick-of-the-week and completely forgetting about it the next week—last week was this series trying to be a romance series
I can't help but miss the halcyon days where this was just a comedy exuding Y2K-ness about an assassin-turned-maid-turned-student
That really feels like it got lost in the sauce—literally and figuratively—over the course of the series
Can't honestly say I'm too disappointed to see this series end—it's run its course
and the prospect of watching the turnover rate for new side characters du jour continue to rise doesn't particularly excite me
I'll talk more about closing and overall thoughts on the series next week
I'll just say that I think next week's episode is almost certainly going to be another romance-centric episode
which will continue its uphill battle of trying to make Hitoyoshi and Yuki feel convincingly like an actual couple
It likely won't be successful in this unnecessary
signaling the approach of a jet-black steam locomotive
the iconic SL Hitoyoshi completed its final journey and retired
Operated by JR Kyushu
the steam-hauled excursion train SL Hitoyoshi held the prestigious title of Japan's oldest operating steam train
Its carriages were pulled by Class 8620 steam locomotive No 58654
Class 8620 locomotives, also known as Hachiroku, began production in 1914. No 58654 was manufactured in 1922 and had been active throughout Kyushu until its first retirement in 1975. It was then preserved in Hitoyoshi, Kumamoto Prefecture
until 1988 when it was revived as SL Aso Boy
it ran as the SL Hitoyoshi on the Hisatsu Line
the Kyushu floods inflicted severe damage to both tracks and bridges
leading to the suspension of operations between Yatsushiro Station (Kumamoto Prefecture) and Yoshimatsu Station (Kagoshima).
the SL Hitoyoshi ran from Kumamoto Station to Tosu Station (Saga Prefecture) on the Kagoshima Main Line
When the SL Hitoyoshi's retirement was announced
many railway fans gathered along its route and stations
"I've been watching this train for a very long time
so I wanted to give it a proper farewell."
Regarding the future of the locomotive after its last run
its gleaming black body pulling the heavy carriages
(Read the article in Japanese.)
Author: Takumi Kamoshida
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Home Delivery
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Rarely has one person so exclusively been the reason a show is on my radar – and mid-table to boot – as with Kimi wa Meido-sama
But it really wouldn’t be there if it weren’t for Watanabe Ayumu
But Watanabe is arguably the top director in TV anime at the moment
When he’s not doing theatrical work typically he does either prestige projects or big commercial monsters (like Comi-san wa Comyushou desu
– maybe he likes series with a period in the name?)
Well, Kimi wa Meido-sama is none of those things. It’s not an awards darling or a big seller. The reviews are middling. The premise – a former assassin goes to work as a maid for a high school boy living alone – well
it would literally struggle to be more cliched (charitably one could say “timeless” I suppose)
to see if the quality that made Watanabe decide to direct it becomes apparent
What we got struck me as exactly what one might have predicted
a totally generic anime comedy executed very well
To be sure there’s nothing overtly offensive so far
and the series seems to have a certain amount of heart
But there’s also nothing that stands out
Nothing here that hasn’t been anime’d a hundred times or more
But not much else here is surprising or frankly that interesting
I guess this is just one of those mysteries that will never be explained
the situation was comfy but… I can already see it
Soon this will all be disturbed by her past and other assassins and I’m not interested in that
But great execution can make your time worthwhile
It does establish a nice bond between the character and it has some nice humurous chops (that mop and bucket scene was golden)
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(Jiji Press)—Bereaved families and others on Sunday prayed for those killed due to heavy rain in Kumamoto Prefecture
Twenty people attended a memorial ceremony in the city of Hitoyoshi to mourn the victims of the rain disaster
which left 67 people dead and two others missing
Hitoyoshi Mayor Hayato Matsuoka said many people are still forced to live in temporary housing
“We will work toward reconstruction as soon as possible.”
who was head of a local fire company at the time
“I am committed to preserving the lessons from the disaster and contributing to the reconstruction of Hitoyoshi.”
my sorrow remains unchanged,” Naomi Nishimura
21 people died due to the disaster that occurred on July 4
424 people from 224 households were receiving reconstruction support
Days of torrential rainfall in central Japan have led to extensive flooding and mudslides
Rivers that overflowed their banks have swept away bridges and roads
cutting off communities and making it difficult for rescue workers to reach many areas
Emergency crews are now working against the clock
trying to find people who may still be trapped
We want to hear what you think about this article. Submit a letter to the editor or write to letters@theatlantic.com
A collection of winning and honored images from this year’s nature-photo competition
A collection of amazing recent images made with the Hubble Space Telescope
Mourners of Pope Francis gathered at the Vatican
scenes from the the second weekend of Coachella 2025
and landscapes of the Earth’s arctic and subarctic regions
In the final analysis who’s directing a show doesn’t matter of course
and Kimi wa Meido-sama really doesn’t
and why the top director in TV anime ended up on a series about which I can find absolutely nothing distinctive – never mind exceptional – definitely qualifies as one
But in a funny way that’s part of the problem – it gives me nothing to react to
It’s just utterly generic and recycled
which is another odd component given the pedigree
I decided that before the lolimouto showed up post-credits)
But doing so without being able to connect the dots does annoy me
Is there something about this premise or any of these characters that I’m just missing
If the writing were deeper maybe this would have heartwarming potential
but the premise is just sort of foisted on you
and it’s not like we haven’t seen it countless times already
It doesn’t even have ecchi like To LOVE-Ru or that ilk
It’s an anime version of cryptozoology
After some more story-centric stuff in the last episode
Servant sort of returns to form with more light-hearted maid/school shenanigans
between Hitoyoshi's kidnapping and Yuki enrolling in Hitoyoshi's school
we haven't really had any maid-centric segments in a few episodes
And that's kind of weird seeing as how that's more or less what this show is
hearty chuckle at Yuki celebrating the warm
fresh out of the dryer—her trophy for conquering the trials and tribulations that come with learning how to do laundry for the first time
Let's be honest: who amongst us hasn't yearned to bury ourselves in the inviting warmth and softness of freshly dried towels
I think my favorite of the episode was Yuki and Hitoyoshi's visit to the food stall where Yuki told the owner about how much she loves the sauce and how much it means to her—how to her
And there was something really earnest and heartwarming about this segment; in addition to being delicious
food has the power to be deeply powerful and meaningful
Yuki's love of sauce has been played for laughs—as the trope of a character who has a particular affinity to a specific food (or in this case
am so used to seeing this trope as nothing more than a flavored punchline that it's really refreshing to see an anime instead using it in a way that's so overtly sincere
probably more than anything else I've seen in the series up until this point
there's way more to this week's episode than sauce and warm towels
after leaving us a breadcrumb trail leading here
we now have full confirmation that Hitoyoshi's parents are divorced
and that he lives with his dad while his little sister lives with his mom
We rarely see divorce talked about in anime
but I'm not sure this silly anime about a sauce-loving assassin-turned-maid
who only a few episodes ago jumped across school roofs in the name of getting the bread she wanted to try
it just doesn't seem like it would fit the tone and overall vibes of this show
this happened right after a really heartfelt segment about Yuki's love of sauce
and I certainly didn't expect that from a show like this either
It's too early to say confidently whether or not it looks like this anime is going to take this route
let alone whether or not it'll be able to stick the landing
I'll be curious to see what happens moving forward
egg on my face—here I assumed Yuki hadn't been telling Hitoyoshi about her past on purpose
not wanting him to view her in a different light
or perhaps some combination of all of the above
she didn't talk about her past because she herself was pretty disconnected from the world of the Dragon's Nine
and I'm curious to see if this series is able to put that to use
I'm not sure how much time it has left to effectively utilize this potential opportunity it's given itself without at least one additional season
a social media post—easily buried by any number of algorithms
and not always accessible/searchable depending on the platform—shouldn't be the only way to find out
I would think including the voice cast of a given episode in its credits would be the obvious thing to do—or at least an update to the cast and crew post (if not a new one all together that includes other characters who also aren't in the initial post; in particular
I'd like to know who voices Grace in the dub
and I'd like to know why I can't just check the episode's credits or a post with the cast list to find out
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National Report
but Mason Buskirk is continuing his drive for a resumption of operations on the JR Hisatsu Line in Kumamoto Prefecture
The efforts of the 27-year-old American have won praise and admiration from residents in this prefecture as well as other railway enthusiasts around the country
His campaign started in 2020 when Buskirk noticed that a steel bridge on the JR Hisatsu Line had disappeared
The bridge was washed away after torrential rain caused the Kumagawa river and its tributaries to overflow in July 2020
when Buskirk had volunteered to remove mud and help in the recovery effort in nearby Hitoyoshi
The missing bridge devastated Buskirk because one of his favorite hobbies was to ride the SL Hitoyoshi on the line and enjoy the passing scenery and chats with other passengers
Despite living in Japan for only a year or so
he had ridden on the steam locomotive at least 50 times
He wondered how much time and money would be needed to restore the bridge
Buskirk became interested in trains when his mother read “Thomas & Friends” books to him
He was particularly fond of steam locomotives and often begged his parents to take him to the Strasburg Rail Road in Pennsylvania
home to one of the oldest steam locomotives in the United States
Buskirk started collecting train-related magazines and books
His first encounter with Japanese railways was through “Steam Locomotives of Japan,” a photo book his parents gave him for his 18th birthday
Railroad photographer Naotaka Hirota published the book in 1972 with English text
Buskirk fulfilled his long-held dream of studying in Japan in 2016 when he enrolled at Rikkyo University in Tokyo to learn Japanese and other subjects
He joined a railroad club at the university and rode steam locomotives in various areas of Japan
including the SL Banetsu Monogatari connecting Niigata and Fukushima prefectures and Oigawa Railway Co.’s Thomas the Tank Engine in Shizuoka Prefecture
But he was particularly fascinated by the SL Hitoyoshi
(JR Kyushu) introduced the SL excursion service on the Hisatsu Line in 2009
The model was Japan’s first mass-produced passenger locomotive
Buskirk took his first trip on the SL Hitoyoshi from Kumamoto Station to Hitoyoshi Station in autumn 2016
he became mesmerized by the landscapes of Kumamoto Prefecture
He returned to the United States the following year but came back to Japan in spring 2019 to live in Kumamoto
He wanted to make Kumamoto his permanent base because of its rich nature
He now works at an English preschool in Kumamoto
Buskirk also joined the Japanese Railway Society (JRS)
an organization founded in London in 1991 that currently has about 180 members in 10 countries
Members include “toritetsu” (train photographers)
“noritetsu” (train-riding enthusiasts) and “mokeitetsu” (model train fans)
is a noritetsu who was born in Britain and came to Japan more than 30 years ago
the JRS is a rare forum where overseas train fans can exchange information in English with no language barrier
With the average age of members increasing each year
Turner was pleased to welcome Buskirk to the group and has been overwhelmed by the young man’s passion
The society’s main activity is publishing its “Bullet-In” bulletin several times a year
Immediately after the July 2020 torrential rains Buskirk contributed a six-page article in the autumn issue
using photos and text to introduce the charms of the SL Hitoyoshi
He also explained what Hisatsu Line stations were like before and after the disaster
“The next stop en route is Sakamoto Station … that maintains its original architectural style” from the Meiji Period (1868-1912)
passengers are afforded a 10-minute layover where they may alight and purchase souvenirs or take pictures of these very old and idyllic stations,” he continued
"An opportunity to talk with the driver and fireman ..
can be taken if you know sufficient Japanese.”
most operations on the Hisatsu Line remain suspended
The problem is that the railway line has long been unprofitable mainly because of the declining population
JR Kyushu has questioned the wisdom of spending large sums to restore such a money-losing operation
JR Kyushu President Yoji Furumiya recently announced that SL Hitoyoshi will end its service in March 2024
The steam locomotive has run on the Kagoshima Line since May last year
but Furumiya said it has become difficult both technically and financially to continue operating the aging train
but I felt like I was losing a friend,” Buskirk said
He has frequently interviewed members of a civic group that is calling for a resumption of Hisatsu Line
Their efforts are promoted through the JRS bulletin and other channels
locals are also calling for the restoration of the line
Madoka Kubo runs a budget hotel near Hitoyoshi Station and opened Rail World Hitoyoshi
in one corner of the hotel after the flooding disaster
She described Buskirk as earnest and good-mannered
and said he is beloved by many locals and rail buffs of all ages
Kubo said he is a valuable asset to the community because he can promote the charms of the Hisatsu Line to the world in English while understanding the innermost feelings of the locals
Buskirk and restore the Hisatsu Line and Hitoyoshi,” she said
Special train sets out from Tokyo to celebrate 150 years of trains
Full steam ahead this year for steam locomotive in Niigata
VOX POPULI: Mutability and invariability lie in 150 years of Japan’s railways
Prices to match renovated luxury sleeper train across Kyushu
Locomotive that possibly inspired ‘Demon Slayer’ film draws fans
Rail networks in Kyushu severed by torrential rain disaster
Information on the latest cherry blossom conditions
Please right click to use your browser’s translation function.)
A series based on diplomatic documents declassified by Japan’s Foreign Ministry
Here is a collection of first-hand accounts by “hibakusha” atomic bomb survivors
chefs and others involved in the field of food introduce their special recipes intertwined with their paths in life
A series about Japanese-Americans and their memories of World War II
In-house News and Messages
No reproduction or republication without written permission
Kumamoto — A long-established soy sauce maker in Hitoyoshi
has made a miraculous return to traditional production after its factory was severely damaged by the torrential rains that fell in July 2020
which purchase yeast from specialized manufacturers
Kamada uses yeast and lactic acid bacteria that live in its own storehouse
The unique flavor and aroma of Kamada’s products are created by the natural fermentation and maturation of these yeast and lactic acid bacteria in moromi
a fermented mash created by adding saltwater to soy sauce koji (starter) made from soybeans
the company’s storehouse was flooded to a depth of about a meter in the July 2020 rains
With the huge refrigerators and tanks toppled over
undelivered products ended up covered in mud
it was difficult for the bacteria to survive in the storehouse
leaving everyone in the company in despair
The Kumamoto Industrial Research Institute offered its support to save the company
Researchers managed to extract trace amounts of mold from the mud-covered moromi and remove miscellaneous bacteria before conducting repeated cultivation and tests
It took them three years to identify about 200 types of yeast and 100 types of lactic acid bacteria suitable for producing soy sauce
they were finally able to make their first post-disaster batch of raw soy sauce
using yeast that they had identified during this process
“With a fruitier aroma than our pre-flood soy sauce
it exceeded our expectations,” said Kamada Jozojo President Akira Kamada
who at one point had considered closing the business
The maker hopes to sell the soy sauce to a variety of people in the future
Shawn Gann is directing the dub. Susie Nixon is producing. Audrey Drake Rigg is adapting the script. Matt Grounds is the mixer, and Jose Sandoval is the engineer
The series debuted on October 5 on TV Asahi network's “NUMAnimation” programming block. Crunchyroll is streaming the series
Shogakukan Asia publishes the manga in English and describes the story:
Told from young that her only worth is as a killer
Yuki had known nothing else except cold efficiency and following orders
Now that she has a chance to leave her past behind
she arrives at the doorstep of Hitoyoshi Yokoya
Thus begins the journey of a former assassin learning what it means to be ‘normal’
Shotan launched the manga on Shogakukan's Sunday Webry platform in 2020
The manga's ninth compiled book volume shipped in Japan on October 3
Source: Crunchyroll (Liam Dempsey)
the tourist train “SL Hitoyoshi,” pulled by Kyushu’s only steam locomotive (SL)
ended its commercial operations due to its age
the train made a special run between Kumamoto and Hakata stations on the JR Kagoshima Line
bidding farewell to the many railway enthusiasts who came to witness its final journey at stations and along the route
The train departed Kumamoto Station in the morning and
SL Hitoyoshi began its journey with a puff of black smoke
with messages like “Until We Meet Again!” and residents waved goodbye
At the final destination of Kumamoto Station
A 17-year-old high school student from Kumamoto City
SL Hitoyoshi began operations between Kumamoto and Hitoyoshi stations in 2009
Damage caused by heavy rain in July 2020 affected part of this route
ultimately changing it to be between Tosu and Kumamoto stations the following year
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Torrential rain in the southwestern Japan prefecture of Kumamoto triggered massive flooding Saturday
15 people feared dead and nine others missing
as the weather agency warned of downpours to continue
Here is a collection of photos and aerial footage captured by Kyodo News photographers:
Local gov'ts fret over coronavirus spread at shelters after torrential rain
15 feared dead, 9 missing in heavy rain, flooding in southwest Japan
Images of submerged homes, cars, and rescue calls flood social media
A child removes mud from a street in Hitoyoshi
after the Kuma River overflowed following torrential rain
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Japan - Twenty-two people have been confirmed dead
and at least 18 others are presumed dead in the flood-ravaged southwestern Japan prefecture of Kumamoto
Rescuers struggled to reach hard-hit areas along the Kuma River
which broke its banks at several locations after torrential rain struck the area early Saturday
and more than 2,000 households in eight municipalities remained isolated on Sunday morning after floods and mudslides cut off roads and swept away buildings
A Kyodo helicopter flew over an area where the words "rice
SOS" could be seen spelled out on the ground
others were seen waving towels and calling for rescue and relief goods
The Japan Meteorological Agency urged residents to remain alert as torrential rain is forecast in parts of western Japan through Tuesday
nine each were reported in Hitoyoshi and Ashikita
Sixteen more people are feared dead in Kuma
including 14 from a flooded nursing home near the river
which runs through the central part of the village
About 50 people were rescued from the flood-hit Senjuen nursing home on Sunday
the 14 people were found showing no vital signs but have yet to be officially declared as fatalities
Ground Self-Defense Force personnel have been dispatched to the region as part of relief efforts
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has said around 10,000 SDF personnel will be mobilized
The premier said at a disaster management meeting Sunday that he wants rescue workers to do their utmost to help stranded people and search for the missing "through the night."
A rain front began bringing downpours to the region between late Friday and early Saturday
The Japan Meteorological Agency issued an evacuation order for a total of 203,200 residents in Kumamoto and neighboring Kagoshima Prefecture
Up to 350 millimeters of rain is expected in the 48-hour period through late Tuesday afternoon in the southern part of Kyushu Island
which includes areas hit hard by the flooding
Some 4,500 homes in Kumamoto Prefecture remained without power on Sunday afternoon
IN PHOTOS: Rescue op continues in flood-hit southwestern Japan
Kyushu’s only sightseeing train featuring a steam locomotive
has kicked off its final season before the service is discontinued on March 23 next year
Many railway fans gathered on Saturday for a ceremony at JR Kumamoto Station to mark the first run of the final season for the special train operated by Kyushu Railway Company (JR Kyushu)
the SL Hitoyoshi’s steam locomotive is the nation’s oldest among those in commercial operation
JR Kyushu said it is becoming more difficult to secure parts and technicians necessary for the century-old locomotive’s maintenance
the sightseeing train started with service between Kumamoto Station and Hitoyoshi Station
the latter of which is on the Hisatsu Line in southern Kumamoto Prefecture
service on part of the line has been suspended since torrential rains battered the area in July 2020
the SL Hitoyoshi has been running between Kumamoto Station and Tosu Station in Saga Prefecture
All this talk about Tanjirō and box-office smashing ticket sales is overlooking the real hero of Demon Slayer – Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Mugen Train – the actual train
The titular train that appears in the Demon Slayer movie is
Japan manufactured the style of train during the Taishō era and a total of 672 were built during that time
A fully functioning 8620 is now rare in Japan
with only two domestically-produced 8620 trains still preserved: the Kyoto Railway Museum's 8630 and the SL Hitoyoshi in Kumamoto
only the SL Hitoyoshi is still fully-functioning and serving passengers
The SL Hitoyoshi was briefly taken off the tracks this year due to the heavy rains in July, but it's back and ready for its close-up as the Mugen Train. The Kyushu Railway Company dubbed the train the "SL Kimetsu no Yaiba" and replaced its number plate with the kanji reading "Mugen" for its themed maiden trip from Kumamoto to Hakata on November 1
Approximately 700 onlookers crowded Kumamoto Station for a chance to look at the steam engine
In addition to selling original goods on board
souvenirs will be given to passengers dressed in Taisho era style such as hakama and kimono
Tickets to ride the train went on sale last month and are required to board
Upcoming excursions are set for November 3
Source: Kyodo News
Kumamoto Prefecture--At least 3,000 sword enthusiasts have come to the rescue of 77 blades that were damaged when Aoi-Asojinja shrine
The shrine’s crowdfunding campaign to restore the centuries-old weapons raised about 35 million yen ($332,200) in about a month
the Shinto shrine had been worshipped by the successive lords of the feudal Sagara clan that had ruled the Hitoyoshi-Kuma area as its guardian for about 700 years
including the main hall built in the early Edo Period (1603-1867)
Swords have been dedicated to the shrine since the Heian Period (794-1185)
But the shrine suffered extensive damage when torrential rain hit the southern part of Kumamoto Prefecture and other parts of the Kyushu region on July 4
Most of the blades were rusted while some of them couldn’t be drawn from their sheaths that were bloated with water
Restoring swords requires polishing by a swordsmith and creating a new sheath
The process takes several months to complete
and the cost per blade is about 200,000 yen to 300,000 yen
who operates a Japanese fencing gym in Yatsushiro
He has demonstrated his skills in dedication to the shrine’s deity
participated in rituals and joined other activities
Yamamoto rushed to the shrine the day after the flooding and found the swords were already starting to rust
“They had been kept in good condition for so many years
but I never thought they would turn out like this in just two days,” he recalled
The swords were given emergency repairs by a swordsmith based in Yatsushiro
They are being kept for the time being at the Taragi town buried cultural properties center
The appeal of the Japanese sword lies in its shine
Yamamoto and head priest Yoshifumi Fukukawa discussed ways to return the luster to the damaged swords
They decided to raise funds through a crowdfunding website called Campfire
When the shrine started the campaign on Aug
it reached its target of 5 million yen in just an hour
taking in about 35 million yen from more than 3,000 people
Interest in swords has intensified in recent years among video game fans
Those in their 30s made up the largest group of supporters
“We want to restore (the swords) so that future generations can see them even after 1,000 years from now,” Yamamoto said
Normal life slowly returns a month after rains hit Kumamoto
Kumamoto Prefecture--A samurai sword forged in 1665 by a master craftsman once again boasts a shiny luster following extensive restoration work due to flooding that badly damaged a local shrine's collection of 77 historic blades
Torrential rains last July on the main southern island of Kyushu left the Aoi-Asojinja shrine here inundated with water
All of the shrine buildings were water logged
resulting in its collection of swords becoming rusty
A crowdfunding campaign by the shrine led to donations far exceeding its initial goals
allowing for restoration of more than one damaged sword
A ceremony was held June 16 to mark the return of the 60-centimeter sword created by master Kyoto swordsmith Takai Echizen Kami Minamoto Nobuyoshi
The words “Aoi Daimyojin,” a past name of the shrine
The sword was presented to Aoi-Asojinja over 350 years ago by retainers of the feudal lord of the Sagara clan on his behalf
When the shrine began its crowdfunding campaign last August
it set an initial goal of raising 5 million yen ($45,000)
But that figure was reached just 90 minutes or so after the campaign began
Swordsmith Shota Kimura and his family members began restoration work on the sword last October
“I had never seen anything like it in all my time as a swordsmith,” Kimura recalled thinking when he first set eyes on the damaged blade
As he had no experience in polishing a sword that had been damaged by exposure to water
Kimura gingerly tried a number of techniques
He said the most difficult part was removing the rust while not erasing the carved characters on the blade
Restoring swords involves a number of steps
such as polishing and bringing out the luster of the blade
This time-consuming process meant that only seven swords could be restored as of June 16
Restoring all 77 blades will likely take about 10 years
carefully checked the swords presented to him by Kimura
The sacred blade was placed in a white sheath that had the names of the 135 donors and others involved in the crowdfunding campaign written in ink
“The luster has been restored to a level greater than before the disaster,” Fukukawa said after receiving the sword
“This has taught us that anything can be restored as long as everyone works together as one.”
The other swords will be returned to the shrine once the restoration work is completed
The shrine is constructing a facility on its grounds to display its national treasures
The work is expected to be completed by summer 2022
The restored swords will be among the items displayed
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Japanese version
Kumamoto Prefecture--Experts are still at a loss why a rectangular bathing area existed in a basement
which was discovered within the premises of the ruins of Hitoyoshi Castle here a quarter of a century ago
Some researchers speculated that it was a mikveh
a Jewish bathing facility for purifying the body
But experts failed to reach a conclusion due to the lack of conclusive evidence after they debated its purpose at a symposium on Sept
“After studying various pieces of literature
we are coming to a different conclusion,” said Mihoko Oka
an associate professor of Japanese Christian missionary history at the University of Tokyo
believed to have been constructed in the Edo Period (1603-1867)
was discovered on the site of a former residence of high-ranking samurai Sagara Seibee (1568-1655) around 25 years ago during excavations of the national historic site
measuring 5.2 meters long and 6 meters wide
Oka believes there was a connection between Seibee and the Myoken faith
which deified the North Star and the Big Dipper
She cited several pieces of circumstantial evidence including that priests purified their bodies in the Myoken faith
or Jews forcibly converted to Christianity in Europe
were among Christian missionaries and merchants from Portugal and Spain who resided in Kyushu from the Warring States period (late 15th to late 16th centuries) to the early Edo Period (1603-1867)
She mentioned the possibility that Juan incorporated Jewish rituals into the Myoken faith after learning Judaism from conversos and introduced it to Seibee
She added that a mikveh similar to the basement in the Hitoyoshi Castle ruins was recently found in a town in Mexico that has a silver mine
Seibee was a chief retainer of the Sagara clan that ruled the Hitoyoshi and Kuma areas
Oka also said the Sagara clan may have used the silver mine there to make expensive purchases in Nagasaki
a professor emeritus of history of Japanese religions at Yamagata University
downplayed the Jewish mikveh theory in connection to the castle's bathing area
who founded the Buddhism sect called Risshu
which is said to have been the most influential sect in areas including Kyushu in the Middle Ages from the late 13th to 16th centuries
Eison emphasized precepts such as the prohibition of the killing of living creatures
He also built a Chinese-style hospital within a temple and worked to help people suffering from leprosy
Eison vied with Christians for supremacy and his temple was once destroyed by Christian feudal lords
Matsuo said the facility is located in the basement of a hall where private Buddha statues and ancestor tablets were kept in Seibee’s residence
A similar facility was found in the basement of Seibee’s son’s residence
“(Seibee) may have used (the facility) to bathe with monks of the Risshu sect,” he said
a professor emeritus of Judaism at the University of Tokyo
was asked by local historians in Hitoyoshi city to determine whether the basement ruins were a Jewish mikveh three years ago
he thought that Jews could have used the facility as a mikveh
“It meets the conditions that people could soak their entire bodies and it had running water
there is the question whether any Jews in Hitoyoshi had connections to Japanese feudal lords
conversos would have been punished by the inquisition in Portugal and other European countries if they returned to Judaism
Ichikawa believes that mikveh rituals were held to encourage Jewish married couples to have babies
But was this purpose understood by the Japanese people at that time
He reached a conclusion after a long deliberation
“Since the facility satisfies conditions of Judaism
it can be said that it was a mikveh in the sense of an ablution facility,” he said
“But I’m not sure if it was used for the same purpose that Jews originally used it for
While expressing caution about the mikveh theory
Ichikawa stressed that “the significance is that (the basement ruins in Hitoyoshi) is somehow connected to the world of the Age of Exploration from the 15th to the 17th century.”
Around 250 people from inside and outside of the prefecture gathered at the venue to listen to the opinions of the experts
one local historian questioned Matsuo’s view that Buddhists may have used the facility for ablution
there must be similar facilities found in ruins across the country,” the historian said
“But why were they found only in Hitoyoshi?”
Another person pointed out that the basement facility was hidden like a secret place
“If (Seibee) was bathing with Buddhist monks
there should have been no need to hide it,” the person said
As for the connection between Seibee and the Myoken faith presented by Oka
“As no facilities similar to the basement ruins in Hitoyoshi have been found at shrines or other establishments related to the Myoken faith
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What’s the best way to indulge in high-quality meat such as quality A5 Miyazaki Wagyu Beef? How about at Hitoyoshi Yakiniku’s all-you-can-eat buffet at Rail Mall
which is guaranteed to satisfy one’s tastebuds
With a wide range of meat selection from U.S
this premium all-you-can-eat buffet can be enjoyed at the price of $98.80++
We visited Hitoyoshi Yakiniku at Rail Mall
The restaurant was pretty spacious and each table can easily accommodate a group of six to eight people
making it an ideal spot to have group meals and gatherings
One of the dishes not to be missed includes the A5 Miyazakigyu Beef
Miyazakigyu is a cattle that is born in Miyazaki prefecture
and is famously known for its name and quality
It was nominated “Japan’s Number One Beef” in the Wagyu Olympics and is a three consecutive-time receiver of the National Wagyu Award
and tender texture giving the melt-in-your-mouth feel that many enjoy
One of the perks of eating it at Hitoyoshi Yakiniku is that diners can decide how well they want the meat to be cooked
This premium meat option is available for both Lunch and Dinner buffets
Other than the various cuts of quality beef
we really appreciated the wide variety of other foods available
We also enjoyed the cooked foods such as the Volcano Maki
For those not looking to eat much or would like an alternative to a buffet
Hitoyoshi Yakiniku also has set meals in a more sizable portion but is still guaranteed to satisfy one’s taste buds
the food and ambience were enjoyable and we think that this would be an ideal location to celebrate any special occasion or even a spot to indulge in a premium meal
For those looking to enjoy the large variety of meat available in the comfort of their own home, Hitoyoshi Yakiniku’s premium selection is also available via their online store and offers next-day delivery for orders before 2 pm straight from the store to ensure freshness
For more information, visit Hitoyoshi Yakiniku’s website here
Love grilled bbq meats? Then you may love reading about HANJIP Korean bbq at Clarke Quay
Japanese version
At least 15 people in Kumamoto Prefecture were feared dead and 13 others missing as torrential rains triggered landslides and flooding across the main southern island of Kyushu on July 4
Prefectural authorities announced at 5 p.m
that 14 residents of a retirement home in the Watari district of Kuma were showing no signs of life
Another three residents were diagnosed with hypothermia
Kumamoto prefectural officials said a family of three in Tsunagi was reported missing after their home was swept away by a landslide
One of them was found in a state of cardiopulmonary arrest
The Japan Meteorological Agency issued a special warning regarding heavy rain for Kumamoto and Kagoshima prefectures at 4:50 a.m.
but that was downgraded to a warning at 11:50 a.m
The warning also targeted local communities bracing for heavy rainfall caused by a line of rain clouds stalling over the area
Among the municipalities covered by the warning are Amakusa
Uki and Yatsushiro in Kumamoto Prefecture and Isa in Kagoshima Prefecture
Among the Kumamoto Prefecture municipalities that recorded heavy rain between midnight July 2 and 10 a.m
on July 4 were Minamata with 513 millimeters
Kuma with 470.5 mm and Yamae with 468.5 mm
the Fire and Disaster Management Agency said the highest level 5 notice of a natural disaster in progress had been issued for a total of 38,615 residents in Kumamoto Prefecture
while a level 4 evacuation order had been issued for 76,662 residents of Kumamoto and Kagoshima prefectures
An evacuation recommendation was issued for 167,687 residents in Kumamoto
Some residents of Tsunagi were found waiting to be rescued from the roofs of their homes
Residents in Yatsushiro and Sagara were also reported to be isolated
the Akune city government issued an evacuation order for 4,216 residents
A road to neighboring Izumi city collapsed
A landslide destroyed one home in Nagashima
but the elderly woman living there evacuated in time and was unhurt
A prefectural road in Kagoshima city became unpassable due to a landslide
The Kyushu Shinkansen Line between Kumamoto and Kagoshima-Chuo stations canceled operations from the first scheduled train on July 4
according to officials of Kyushu Railway Co
Western Japan was expected to weather torrential rains and thunderstorms until the evening of July 4
while torrential rains were forecast for eastern Japan by early on July 5
The rainy season front was expected to stall over much of the nation
bringing more rain to western Japan on July 5
A task force was set up at the prime minister's office early on July 4
and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe issued instructions to make every effort to protect people's lives
Officials said that about 10,000 Self-Defense Forces members were preparing to be sent to the Kyushu region
the state minister in charge of disaster management
was to fly to Kyushu on July 4 for a first-hand assessment of the situation
Evacuation in a disaster proves hard as people fear infection
EDITORIAL: Proper flood evacuations in the virus era pose major challenges
Quake swarm puts city in bind over evacuation and virus risk
By Yusuke Sagara / Yomiuri Shimbun Staff Writer
Kumamoto — Fans of the anime “Natsume’s Book of Friends” from across Japan helped fund the restoration of a small Buddhist temple badly damaged in torrential rains in Kyushu last July
The temple is among the settings for the anime
The anime was originally a manga created by Yuki Midorikawa
The main character of the story is a boy who can see yokai
The stories revolve around his emotional interactions with them
The anime is set in a rural town rich in nature
modeled on landscapes found in the southern part of Kumamoto Prefecture
is located in the Okaki district in Hitoyoshi and is said to have a history dating back to over 400 years
The Okaki district served as inspiration for much of the scenery that appears in “Natsume’s Book of Friends.” Along with Bishamondo
the Benitori and Tengu bridges that extend over the Kuma River are also used as models
Anime fans from across Japan have been visiting the district since 2008
About 60 households in the district were flooded during the torrential rains last year
The Bishamondo temple in the Kuma River basin was flooded nearly up to the ceiling and suffered heavy damage
it was difficult for the residents to restore the building on their own as it would cost as much as ¥3.3 million
The residents felt they would have no choice but to dismantle the building
noticing the Bishamondo temple is well known among anime fans
residents launched a crowdfunding campaign
“When I heard it was about ‘Natsume’s Book of Friends,’ I couldn’t just do nothing.”
we must thank many people for supporting us,” said Kunihiro Ichihashi
a video of the anime characters visiting places in the district was also put up on the Kumamoto Prefectural Tourism Federation’s website
Restoration work on Bishamondo will begin around September and is scheduled to be completed by the end of this fiscal year
“The restored Bishamondo can provide emotional support to the local residents,” said Takanori Kubota
an architect and heritage manager who specializes in the preservation and restoration of historical buildings
Kubota is involved in the temple restoration and had proposed collecting donations through crowdfunding
“I want to make this project a symbol of reconstruction and hope it will lead to future benefits,” Kubota said
Relentless heavy rains in the Kyushu region are hampering efforts to construct temporary shelter for evacuees and work by volunteers gathered on the main southern island to help local residents rebuild their lives
Although a week has passed since the first of the torrential downpours inundated Kyushu
the Japan Meteorological Agency forecast more rain through July 12
It also urged residents about the risk of landslides and flooding because the ground in many areas has become loosened by the pounding rainfall
were blamed for at least 63 deaths in the three prefectures of Kumamoto
made it difficult to account for the whereabouts of all residents
About 10,000 homes in the Kyushu region have been flooded
construction got under way in Hitoyoshi and Yamae
Authorities said 2,500 residents in Kumamoto and Oita prefectures have fled to evacuation centers
Efforts were continuing to bring some small measure of comfort to the evacuees
Washing machines and air conditioners were installed at the largest evacuation center in Hitoyoshi
Self-Defense Forces members set up temporary baths at three of the eight evacuation centers in the city
according to Hitoyoshi city government officials.
But work to rebuild flooded homes remains stalled because of the lack of letup in heavy rain
Rainfall observation offices set up by the central government led to readings of 77 millimeters in one hour on the morning of July 11 in Yatsushiro
where a tributary of the Kumagawa river is located
residents were warned that the Kumagawa river may again burst its banks
Takeda in Oita Prefecture recorded 90 mm of rainfall
“It is painful to watch the delays in work," said a high-ranking official of the Hitoyoshi city government
"It is frustrating because many residents want to clean up as quickly as possible.”
the rainfall over the past week was several times the average they could expect for the entire month of July
Kanoya in Kagoshima Prefecture received about 3.2 times the monthly July rainfall
was hit by about 2.2 times the monthly rainfall figure
Minamata in Kumamoto Prefecture received about 2.1 times the monthly rainfall
while Gero in Gifu Prefecture had about double the monthly rainfall
Torrential rain to continue through July 12; death toll in Kyushu hits 62
Kumamoto overwhelmed by debris from torrential rain
Death toll in Kyushu hits 60 as seasonal rain front moves east
Global warming caused Kyushu’s record-breaking rain
Japanese version
Japanese version
Manga & Anime
is a small Shinto shrine with the main hall measuring only about two meters in width
located about five minutes by car from JR Hitoyoshi Station
attracts visitors from within and outside Japan after it was mentioned as a model of a shrine featured in the opening sequence of the popular "Natsume's Book of Friends" anime series
The shrine is one of many that is attracting anime and manga fans who are making “seichi junrei” pilgrimages to locations featured in their favorite titles
These are raising hopes for tourism in the Kyushu region
which has been hit hard by natural disasters and the coronavirus pandemic
Local tourism associations believe that anime tourism can revive tourism because fans at home and abroad visit story sites throughout the year
The "Natsume's Book of Friends" is a title adapted from a girls' manga series by Yuki Midorikawa
The story centers around a boy named Takashi Natsume
After he inherits the Book of Friends containing the names of yokai that have been made into minions by his grandmother when she was alive
he strives to give them back their names and freedom with the help of great yokai Nyanko Sensei
There are notebooks labeled "Natsume's Book of Friends" stacked up in the main hall
"I'm from China" and "It's my sixth visit."
The notebooks have been placed since around 2011 for fans to socialize with each other
filling three notebooks with their messages each year
But the number of visitors drastically declined due to a flooding disaster caused by record-breaking torrential rain in Hitoyoshi and elsewhere in July 2020 and then the pandemic
"Reconstruction has been gradually moving forward and the coronavirus pandemic situation has improved
so I hope they come back for seichi junrei and brighten Hitoyoshi," said Sachiko Kurisu
a member of the Hitoyoshi Onsen Tourist Association
Another fan attraction in Hitoyoshi is Bukegura
a former residence of a "karo" top-ranking samurai official in service to the feudal Sagara Domain
about 1,000 fans visit the building each year
They come to see an exhibition of anime and movie posters
foreign language editions of the manga and other rare items collected by owner Satoru Tsutsumi
Its reputation spread by word of mouth among fans
At least one couple married after they met each other there
has come under the spotlight as a possible story site of "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba," a wildly popular manga series
whose family was killed by an “oni” demon and whose younger sister has turned into an oni
He fights demons as he searches for a way to make Nezuko human again
The Shinto shrine and the manga share a number of similarities
legend has it that the stone steps at the shrine were built by an oni
a picture of a dragon on the ceiling of the shrine’s main hall resembles the one that appears when Tanjiro delivers his special attacks
which serves as the locale for "Iroduku: The World in Colors," is home to many events related to the animated series
700 fans in and outside Nagasaki Prefecture attended a talk featuring director Toshiya Shinohara and voice actors
When the city's tourist association offered a tour to visit the Kinenzaka slope
and other spots in 2019 and again in 2020 for fans
"Robotics;Notes," an animated series adapted from a video game
is set on Tanegashima island in Kagoshima Prefecture
The prefectural-run Tanegashima Chuo Senior High School
which served as a model for a school attended by the anime's characters
They are allowed to enter the school premises after going through a reception desk
The Tanegashima Tourism Association has compiled a map covering pilgrimage sites and other measures to actively promote anime tourism
"With the number of tourists drastically reduced due to the coronavirus pandemic
we expect that anime pilgrimages can serve as a springboard to bring in visitors all year around and revitalize tourism," said Tatsuya Matsuura
"We want to host an event to celebrate the 10th anniversary of 'Robotics;Notes' next year."
Second season of ‘Demon Slayer’ to hit small screens later this year
‘Demon Slayer’ movie tops 2 million viewers in South Korea
Animated ‘Demon Slayer’ strikes chord with pandemic Japan
Manga sales top 600 billion yen in 2020 for first time on record
TEZUKA OSAMU CULTURAL PRIZE: ‘Land’ wins top manga prize at Tezuka Osamu awards
‘Demon Slayer’ publisher starts redo on replicas
Kumagawa Railway officials were assessing the damage after torrential rain deluged Kumamoto Prefecture on July 4
The railway has suspended operations and early estimates suggest it will take substantial time to repair the damage
“I think the railway will be suspended altogether for a very long time,” said a senior prefectural official
which runs between Hitoyoshi Onsen Station and Yunomae Station
the rail company’s five trains remained inside Hitoyoshi Onsen Station in Hitoyoshi city when the heavy downpour began
But all of them were inundated by the flooded Kumagawa river
4 Kumagawa bridge was destroyed and drifted away
according to a report presented at the prefecture’s disaster task force meeting on July 5
The 322-meter bridge was located between the railway’s Kawamura station and Higo Nishinomura station
It was built in 1937 and later designated as one of Japan’s cultural properties
many still missing from heavy rains in Kumamoto
14 missing after heavy rains hit Kumamoto hard
13 listed as missing in Kyushu after heavy rains
VOX POPULI: Floods devastate Kumamoto amid coronavirus concerns
Copyright © The Asahi Shimbun Company. All rights reserved. No reproduction or republication without written permission.
2024The Rail Mall stands out with its charming appearance
a refreshing change from the typical bustling malls of Singapore
and bars makes it the perfect spot for a nice day out with friends and family
With Instagram-worthy backdrops and a quaint charm
this retail strip along Upper Bukit Timah Road is ideal for those seeking a laid-back
From hearty Indian fare at Rangooli and healthy bites at Sunnychoice
known for its premium cuts of meat and authentic flavors
is the ideal spot to enjoy a satisfying meal
Their BBQ Sukiyaki Japan & Australia Wagyu Set ($138) featuring a Sukiyaki Pot Set with premium cuts: Japanese Wagyu A5 Karubi
The set also comes with Bibimbap and free-flow sides
The quality of the Wagyu was truly impressive
The Japanese Wagyu A5 Karubi was melt-in-your-mouth tender
while the Sukiyaki-style Wagyu added a delightful umami to the broth
had a great bite while still being incredibly juicy
Paired with the Bibimbap and the variety of sides
the meal was both indulgent and well-balanced
Hitoyoshi Yakiniku is offering 20% off the à la carte menu when diners quote MISSTAMCHIAK20 upon making a reservation
Rangooli Restaurant is a haven for North Indian cuisine lovers
offering a diverse menu that showcases the rich and vibrant flavors of India
and tandoor-grilled meats are not to be missed
we sampled several of their signature items
starting with the rich and creamy Butter Chicken
which was perfectly seasoned and full of depth
and the Palak Paneer featuring tender cubes of paneer in a smooth spinach gravy
We paired these dishes with fragrant Jeera Rice and soft
both of which were perfect for soaking up the flavorful gravies
The Tandoori Chicken was beautifully grilled
go for the Aloo Gobi which is a lovely mix of potatoes and cauliflower cooked with aromatic spices
Each dish showcased the traditional flavours of North Indian cuisine
making Rangooli a must-visit for those craving a satisfying and authentic Indian meal
offers an extensive selection of wines from around the globe
catering to both wine enthusiasts and casual drinkers
the company provides a personalized shopping experience
where customers can discover new and exciting wines tailored to their preferences
We sampled a glass of Pasqua Passione Sentimento Romeo & Juliet Rosso 2021
fruit-forward red wine is rich in flavors of cherry and plum and is complemented by a smooth and velvety finish
It’s an excellent choice for those who enjoy beautiful wines with a touch of complexity
The Straits Wine Company at The Rail Mall is running an exclusive promotion
Present this post at the store and receive a free wine opener with the purchase of at least one bottle of wine
This offer is valid for two months from the date of posting
vibrant flavors of Mexico to life with its menu of fresh and authentic Mexican dishes
From burritos and tacos to nachos and quesadillas
each item is crafted using high-quality ingredients and bold seasonings
Whether you’re looking for a quick bite or a meal to share with family and friends
The Friends Fiesta ($19.90) comprising 2 mini burritos
and 1 small chipotle-seasoned fries is a great option for 2 people
is a feast fit for a family of four and it includes your choice of 2 regular burritos or bowls
The burritos and bowls were hearty and delicious
while the fries were crispy and perfectly seasoned
Promotion: Present this post and quote MISSTAMCHIAK upon order-taking to redeem an exclusive offer!
The first 10 redemptions daily will receive 2 FREE churros and choice of sauce with every purchase of a Family Fiesta
Valid from 23 September to 13 October or until the promotion ends
Sunnychoice is a vegetarian & vegan-friendly café and health food store which offers a wide range of wholesome meals and products
the café serves delicious dishes that cater to various dietary needs without compromising on flavor
Sunnychoice also offers a variety of healthy snacks
making it a go-to destination for those seeking a balanced and sustainable lifestyle
they are offering a special promotion exclusively for Miss Tam Chiak readers at The Rail Mall’s outlet
which also includes a free drink (guava leaf tea or soursop leaf tea)
is inspired by traditional Myanmar cuisine
This flavorful dish features brown rice topped with fermented tea leaves
Promotion: Present this post upon payment to enjoy the promotion
Offer is valid until 31 October 2024 at The Rail Mall outlet only
known for its fresh and customizable sandwiches
made for those looking for a balanced meal on the go
are packed with wholesome ingredients to satisfy both your hunger and your nutrition goals
Avo Caesar Chicken Energy Bowl: Featuring juicy
Topped with caramelized onions and Caesar sauce
Spicy Beef Taco Energy Bowl: This bowl brings the heat with spicy beef taco and chipotle southwest sauce
Falafel Energy Bowl: For a plant-based option
It’s a healthier choice without sacrificing flavour
don’t miss the Black Pepper Chicken Nuggets
available in a 5-piece set for $4.90—a delicious snack or side
Promotion: Present this post upon ordering at Subway’s The Rail Mall outlet to enjoy 10% off these items at ala carte prices
This offer is valid until the end of the promotion and cannot be combined with other discounts
Located right in front of the rail corridor entrance
Starbucks Coffee is a cozy retreat for both coffee lovers and those seeking a light meal
The popular coffee joint has a selection of savory and satisfying food items such as the Turkey Ham & Triple Cheese Toast
This popular breakfast option is a delicious combination of tender turkey ham layered with three types of melted cheese
all sandwiched between slices of golden-brown toasted bread
the Starbucks Coffee Tiramisu Cake is a must-try
Its layers of coffee-soaked sponge cake and creamy mascarpone topped with cocoa offer the perfect balance of sweetness and richness
ideal for pairing with a cup of Starbucks coffee
The Cat Cafe is a unique space where guests can enjoy coffee
and snacks while interacting with resident cats
this space is also a hub for creativity with its popular Art Jamming sessions
Whether you’re looking to enjoy an unguided art session or a semi-guided experience
it’s a fun activity perfect for friends’ outings
and the option to extend your time for an additional $10 per hour
the semi-guided session available on selected dates costs $55 for 3 hours and includes a drink
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Japanese version
Nyanko-sensei, the cat from Yuki Midorikawa's Natsume's Book of Friends (Natsume Yūjin-Chō) manga and anime
appears on promotional materials for the Hitoyoshi Hot Springs
Three posters feature Nyanko-sensei in scenes from hot springs and famous places near Hitoyoshi in the southern Japanese prefecture of Kumamoto
and elsewhere will display the advertisements beginning August 1
The director and staff for the Natsume Yūjin-Chō anime series visited the cities of Kuma and Hitoyoshi, and the show features actual places from Kumamoto Prefecture. The "LaLa Natsu Fest" event's website offers a downloadable map of locales shown in the anime
and fans can use the map to visit the referenced scenery
Characters from Natsume Yūjin-Chō also appear on an advertisement poster for a fireworks festival to be held August 15 in Hitoyoshi
50 attendees' names will be picked in a drawing for copies of the poster with a special message from Nyanko-sensei
Sources: Comic Natalie, Saishin Anime Jōhō
Images © Yuki Midorikawa, Hakusensha/ Natsume's Book of Friends Production Committee
Japanese version
focuses on Hitoyoshi’s internal struggle with his growing feelings for Yuki
which are complicated by past trauma and abandonment issues
His emotional turmoil causes worry and sadness for Yuki
The episode concludes with the introduction of Hitoyoshi’s father into the story
The upcoming season finale is expected to resolve the misunderstanding between Yuki and Hitoyoshi as he confronts his emotions
it will likely explore the impact of his father’s arrival on the unfolding narrative
Servant finale is set to premiere on multiple TV Asahi affiliated stations across Japan on Sunday
the release timing is earlier due to timezone differences
The release timings for You Are Ms. Servant finale in different parts of the world are as follows:
Servant finale will air on various TV platforms in Japan
first on 24 TV Asahi-affiliated stations under the NUMAnimation programming block on Sunday
it will be broadcast on AT-X on the same day at 11:00 pm JST and then on BS Asahi on Sunday
Japanese viewers also have the option to stream this rom-com anime on various online platforms across Japan
and other services offer streaming options worldwide
Medialink streams this debut anime in South Asia
and Oceania (excluding Australia and New Zealand)
allowing viewers in these regions to stream it on their YouTube channel
You Are Ms. Servant episode 11
picks up from Yuki and Hitoyoshi's conversation during their date
This stirs memories of Hitoyoshi's childhood confession
leading him to reflect on his growing feelings for Yuki
has been sleeping with Hitoyoshi for comfort
A later incident causes her to misinterpret his unease
Hitoyoshi's flustered response worsens things
but he allows her to keep sleeping in his room
losing sleep himself as he struggles with his emotions
the two separately run errands but end up buying the same roast beef for dinner
and Yuki quietly covers him with a blanket
Riko informs Yuki it's Hitoyoshi's birthday
sharing her concerns about Hitoyoshi's recent behavior
The episode ends with Hitoyoshi's father calling while asleep
The finale of You Are Ms. Servant is expected to center on resolving the misunderstandings between Yuki and Hitoyoshi and strengthening their bond
Hitoyoshi will likely confront and reconcile his inner turmoil
finally coming to terms with his feelings for Yuki
with his father’s introduction in the latest episode
the season finale is set to explore the impact of his arrival on the story
Viewers may also uncover details about Yuki’s younger sister’s current situation
fans can anticipate a blend of lighthearted moments
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blending heartwarming and romantic moments as Yuki and Naka share significant bonding time
The episode also features a date between Yuki and Hitoyoshi
The next episode is expected to further explore Yuki and Hitoyoshi's growing relationship
introduce Hitoyoshi's father into the story
and potentially reveal new details about Yuki's younger sister
Servant episode 11 is set to premiere in Japan on multiple TV Asahi affiliated stations on December 15
The release timing is earlier for most international viewers due to timezone differences
The release timings for You Are Ms. Servant episode 11 in different parts of the world are as follows:
Servant episode 11 will premiere on various TV platforms in Japan
It will first air on 24 TV Asahi-affiliated stations under the NUMAnimation programming block on December 15
it will be broadcast on AT-X on the same day at 11:00 PM JST and then on BS Asahi on December 22
Japanese fans can also stream this Fall 2024 anime on various online platforms across Japan
and other services offer streaming options for viewers worldwide
making the show accessible across the globe
Medialink owns the streaming rights to this rom-com anime in South Asia
fans in these regions can watch it on their YouTube channel
You Are Ms. Servant episode 10
and Hitoyoshi bonding at Hitoyoshi's house
It's revealed that Naka comes from a ninja family
Grace stops by to announce that she'll be heading to China on a mission during Christmas
She shares her intention to seek information about Yuki's younger sister if she encounters any of Yuki's former colleagues
the trio continues their lighthearted conversation
but Hitoyoshi receives a text from his father about returning during New Year
Later, Yuki and Hitoyoshi share a heartfelt moment in the snow
but their time is cut short when Hitoyoshi receives a call and leaves to visit Riko's house
who suggested it after Yuki sought advice on cheering Hitoyoshi up
Yuki and Hitoyoshi walk hand-in-hand through snow-covered streets lit with Christmas lights
When Hitoyoshi remarks on how much he likes snow—though not directly referring to Yuki
whose name means snow—Yuki happily takes it as a compliment
A flashback shows Riko advising Yuki on planning the date
Riko and Hitoyoshi discuss the possibility of him and Yuki developing a romantic relationship
Riko concludes that they likely have feelings for each other
The episode ends on a warm and cheerful note as Yuki
and Riko enjoy bonding over a hot pot meal
Servant episode 11 is expected to focus on the deepening bond between Yuki and Hitoyoshi as their humorous yet romantic interactions draw them closer together
With Hitoyoshi's father returning to the country, viewers can also anticipate his entry into the storyline, adding new dynamics to the plot. Additionally, Grace's mission to China may intertwine with Yuki's past
which could potentially shed light on the whereabouts of Yuki's younger sister
Servant episode 4 is scheduled for release on Sunday
and introduces a new character—Hitoyoshi's younger sister
The episode also features the trio attending a summer festival
followed by an action-packed moment involving Yuki
and it ends with an intriguing twist as Yuki joins school as Hitoyoshi's classmate
fans can look forward to seeing how Yuki's school life unfolds while Hitoyoshi tries to keep her identity as his maid a secret
As previously mentioned, You Are Ms. Servant episode 4 is set to air on multiple TV Asahi affiliated stations across Japan on Sunday, October 27, 2024, at 1:30 AM JST. The release time will be earlier for international fans, thus the episode will be available for most global audiences on Saturday
The release timings for You Are Ms
Servant episode 4 in different parts of the world are as follows:
Servant episode 4 will air on various TV platforms across Japan
starting with 24 TV Asahi affiliated stations on Sunday
This debut anime is also available on several Japanese streaming platforms for watching online
There are also several streaming options for international fans as global sites like Crunchyroll
and Amazon Prime Video have obtained the distribution rights for the series
and Oceania (except Australia and New Zealand)
Medialink is streaming this Fall 2024 series
allowing fans in these regions to enjoy the episode on their YouTube channel
In the first half of You Are Ms. Servant episode 3
While initially impressed by Yuki's beauty
Riko becomes even more excited upon learning about her past as a former assassin and makes Yuki the subject of her summer vacation research project
gathering information about her past life and profession
They later find a summer festival flyer and decide to attend. The second half follows the trio at the festival, during which Yuki bonds with Riko
she shares more about her dark past as she enjoys a festival normally for the first time
As Hitoyoshi wishes for divine punishment for the thief
with Hitoyoshi following to stop her from killing the man
She stops the criminal by puncturing his tire
a conversation with Riko inspires Yuki to consider going to school
The episode ends with a time skip after the summer break as Hitoyoshi hears from his classmates that the "pretty maid in town" has become popular
a shocking twist occurs when his homeroom teacher introduces a new transfer student—Yuki
As episode 3 ends with an exciting development, You Are Ms. Servant episode 4 is expected to delve into Yuki's new life at school
who tries to distance himself from her to avoid attention
Fans can also expect to see how Yuki manages to balance her role as a maid with her new life as a student
the narrative is also likely to explore heartfelt moments as Yuki adjusts to a more normal life
experiencing new emotions while navigating her school environment
and focuses on Yuki's confrontation with the other assassin Nitta/Grace
who takes Hitoyoshi hostage to gain leverage over Yuki
As this episode delves deeper into Yuki's past as an assassin and the ways it now threatens her peaceful life
the upcoming episode is expected to explore the consequences of these events
Servant episode 6 is set to air on multiple TV Asahi affiliated stations across Japan on Sunday
The release timing for most international fans will be early
The release timings for You Are Ms. Servant episode 6 in different parts of the world are as follows:
Servant episode 6 will premiere on various TV platforms across Japan
Fans can watch the episode on AT-X on Sunday
Japanese viewers can access this debut anime online on several local streaming platforms such as ABEMA
including international sites like Crunchyroll
Medialink is streaming this Fall 2024 rom-com anime in South
allowing viewers in these regions to enjoy the episode on their YouTube channel
You Are Ms. Servant episode 5 opens with Nitta's true identity as Grace
an assassin targeting Yuki with hopes of fulfilling her dreams by claiming her life
The reason for targeting Yuki ties back to her past
the situation gets tense when Grace sneaks in using Katsuda sauce to distract Yuki
she demands a showdown with Yuki at the schoolyard later that night
While waiting for Yuki
revealing how it's connected to the former assassin
Yuki once ranked fourth in the Dragon's Nine—the most feared assassin clan in the world—earning her the title "White Wolf."
Grace hopes that killing Yuki will bring her fame and fortune
Yuki easily overpowers her with remarkable skill
Declaring her commitment to leave her violent past behind and protect those she cares about
Yuki apologizes to Hitoyoshi for the danger her past brought him
ending the episode on a warm note as Yuki happily agrees
The upcoming episode is also likely to explore Yuki's backstory further
viewers can expect to see how Hitoyoshi plays a role in helping Yuki move closer to a normal life