multilingual electronic newsletter – kagoshima …...i think of “shedding routine” in my own...

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Multilingual Electronic Newsletter – Kagoshima

Southern Wind Tidings (Vol. 148)

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Coordinator for International Relations (CIR) Column Now is the time for “Shedding Routine”, Kim Hyojin (South Korea)

Kagoshima Seasonal Tourism Information Tsurumaru Castle, Goromon Gate

Kagoshima Specialty Products

Lilikoi Butter TOKARA

Kagoshima Asia Pacific Intercultural Countryside (KAPIC) Center Corner Please visit KAPIC Center!

Kagoshima Southern Wind Tidings Noticeboard Please send us Kagoshima-related news you want to share!

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○Coordinator for International Relations (CIR) Column ○

● Now is the Time for “Shedding Routine” ●

by Kim Hyojin (South Korea)

Hello everyone.

How has everyday life been for you in this time? As

Covid-19 spreads, and we are urged to avoid going

out, our daily routines have been restricted. Has that

made you feel depressed? Even if the state of

emergency has been lifted, Covid-19 still looms

uneasily over us, causing emotional turmoil.

“We can never return to a world before Covid-19.” “It

will definitely be prolonged by a second and third

wave.” That is what the experts say. Hearing their

opinions makes me anxious: Will I be able to visit

home for a while before the year ends?

I had not considered how important eating out, the holidays I could casually leave for, and my

occasional trips back home were. As I lost normalcy in my days, I realised how important they were

to me.

Sometimes, I will miss my family and friends in Korea very much, and helplessly enter a slump. Of

course, living apart from my parents, there are times where I yearn for my mother’s cooking, which I

cannot eat often. By the way, what I crave most now is my mother’s handmade kimchi-jjigae. Kimchi-

jjigae is a staple in the Korean household’s menu. Anyone can make jjigae easily, but I think that

precisely because it is a staple, recreating its simple yet deep flavours is difficult.

Poster reminding us to practice social distancing

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But if you think of it in a different way, we often use the

phrase “shedding routine” to mean allowing ourselves

respite, from the weariness of work or human relations that

is routine. I too long to shed routine, consciously creating

time for me to recharge amidst a busy day.

I think of “shedding routine” in my own way. “Until Covid-

19 subsides, I have to abide by the basic preventive

measures. During this time, it will be difficult to go on trips

easily like I had been able to, or return to South Korea. I’ll

think of these postponements as a challenge!” That’s right.

It is not just the finest overseas trips that allow us to “shed routine”. “Routine shedding” can be done

enjoyably right where I am.

And with that, I decided to challenge making “homemade kimchi” for the first time in my life. In the

past, my mother had taught me how to make kimchi. Yet when we were in Korea, I took for granted

the fact that her kimchi would appear on the dining table every day, and had no inclination to make it.

Which was how I ended up making my own version of kimchi, following my mother’s recipe along with

some trial and error. Of course, the person making it and the ingredients used are different, and so

the taste will differ from the classic. However, I was happy with this modest sense of accomplishment.

Next, I will recall this sense of accomplishment, and reform the TV stand that my Coordinator of

International Relations senior left me!

The novel coronavirus is going rampant around the world. As a foreigner, I was worried for a while.

But now, I think that it is exactly because I am in Kagoshima during this time, that I think I should live

without forgetting to be grateful for this fate with Kagoshima.

Covid-19 is currently dragging on, and we cannot predict what the future will be. However, Kagoshima

has a strong spirit, and I believe that this crisis can be overcome. Everyone, let’s cherish the present,

and overcome this crisis together!

Homemade Radish and Cucumber Kimchi

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○ Kagoshima International Affairs A-Z ○

● Tsurumaru Castle, Goromon Gate ●

Kagoshima (Tsurumaru) Castle was constructed in the year Keichō 6 (1601). The castle was the

Shimazu family’s residence, and constructed by Shimazu Iehisa, who later became the first daimyō

(feudal lord) of the Satsuma domain. Front and centre of the Honmaru (inner citadel) was the

Goromon Gate, which was the symbol of the castle. However, it was lost to a fire during the year

Meiji 6 (1873).

In Heisei 27 (2015), reconstruction works

began as a collaborative project between

the public and private sector. In March of

Reiwa 2 (2020), Goromon Gate was

completed. It is the largest castle gate in

Japan, and the new symbol of Kagoshima.

You can pass through the gate during the

opening hours of the Reimeikan Museum.

Do pay it a visit.

Information on Goromon Gate

Double-layered, double-storeyed wooden Yaguramon (gate with scaffolding on top, sometimes a

weapons storehouse or watchtower)

Height ~20m

Width ~20m

Depth ~7m

Total Weight ~320 tonnes

Location

Reimeikan Museum

7-2 Shiroyama-chō, Kagoshima City

(http://www.pref.kagoshima.jp/ab24/cms/documents/kagosimajou/kagosimajou.html)

Enquiries

TEL: 099-222-5100

http://www.pref.kagoshima.jp/ab24/cms/documents/kagosimajou/kagosimajou.html

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○ Kagoshima Specialty Products ○

● Lilikoi Butter TOKARA ●

~ 2019 Kagoshima New Special Product Competition~

Food Category, Japan Department Stores Association President’s Award

￥650 (tax excl.) / 110g

Shelf Life: 180 days at room temperature

The refreshing fragrance of passionfruit, characteristic of southern Japan. The rich taste of butter. A

butter jam that complements many different food textures, such as pancakes and crackers.

tokara nanairo

〒891-5201 150 Nakanoshima, Toshimura, Kagoshima-gun

TEL: 099-2403-5150

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○ Kagoshima Asia Pacific Intercultural Countryside (KAPIC) Center Corner ○

● Please visit KAPIC Center! ●

Kagoshima Asia Pacific Intercultural Countryside Center (KAPIC Center) was established in Heisei 6

(1994) as a base for international exchange and international cooperation. In over 25 years, KAPIC

Center has welcomed more than 280,000 users and accepted foreign trainees from 127 countries.

KAPIC Center is situated beside the scenic natural beauty of Osumi Lake, and is furnished with

comfortable accommodation facilities.

KAPIC Center Facilities

3 Classrooms, Conference Room, Practice Room etc.

Accommodation Facilities (Western Style, Japanese Style) Max 72 pax.

Restaurant

Recreation Room, Laundry Room etc.

KAPIC Center Projects

① Introduction for Foreigners

Japanese Language and Culture Lessons

Japanese language instruction (beginner to advanced), cultural experiences such as kimono

wearing, sado (tea ceremony), calligraphy etc.

Themed Lessons (JICA training etc.)

Agriculture, agricultural community revitalisation, environmental conservation, local government,

education, etc.

Tourism, Exchange, Experience

Field trips to Kagoshima’s tourism spots, school exchanges, homestays, farming experience etc.

② Organising Events and Seminars

Organising events such as exchange events with foreign trainees or experiencing foreign culture

Organising international cooperation seminars

③ International Understanding Programme

International understanding seminars for schools and other organisations

④ Regional Development

Tourism and regional promotion in collaboration with local organisations

Nature experience events and programmes that use the richness of nature in Kagoshima

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Our motto is “From Osumi to the world, from the world to Osumi”. We aspire to play a part in connecting

regions all around the world.

International Exchange Event

(Flavours of the World Fiesta)

Façade of KAPIC Center

Introduction for Foreigners

(Japanese Cultural Experience)

Myanmar Agricultural Training

International Exchange

(Interaction with Foreigner Trainees)

International Understanding Programme

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○ Kagoshima Southern Wind Tidings Noticeboard ○

● Please send us Kagoshima-related news you want to share! ●

Do you have anything about life or events in Kagoshima that you wish to share with those related to

Kagoshima all over the world? Kagoshima Southern Wind Tidings is asking for submissions on the

following Kagoshima-related topics.

1. Kagoshima photo gallery

Please send us photos that remind you of Kagoshima, or pictures of Kagoshima you might have seen

overseas. Please attach a brief caption (e.g. A mountain of volcanic-ash bags).

2. Knowledge about life in Kagoshima

Please share with us information about life in Kagoshima (e.g. a delicious way of eating fried fish cakes,

or how to deal with volcanic ash).

We also gladly welcome any other information which you would like to share with the readership.

To provide articles or for enquiries:

International Affairs Division, Kagoshima Prefectural Government

10-1 Kamoike-Shinmachi, Kagoshima City, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan 890-8577

TEL: +81-99-286-2306

FAX: +81-99-286-5522

Email

English [email protected] Chinese [email protected]

Japanese [email protected] Korean [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]




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Kagoshima Prefectural Government Website

www.pref.kagoshima.jp/

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Editor’s Note (International Affairs Division, Kagoshima Prefectural Government)

Have you been to Tsurumaru Castle’s Goromon Gate featured in this issue’s seasonal tourism

information? I made a visit after its completion, and noticed many interesting things from up close. For

example, the logs that spanned overhead. As I passed through the gate, I noticed the kabuki’s (upper

crossbar of a gate) thickness, as well as its unique shaving pattern! In the right season, the lotus flowers

bloom beautifully in front of Goromon Gate.

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What did you think of this month’s Kagoshima Southern Wind Tidings?

The editors will continue to strive to make this prefectural multilingual newsletter a source of information

and a bridge to connect all of you to Kagoshima.

We would like to ask our readers to provide their opinions, suggestions, article contributions and

Kagoshima-related news.

▲▽▲▽ Inquiries▲▽▲▽

International Affairs Division, PR and Tourism Strategy Department

Kagoshima Prefectural Government

10-1 Kamoike-shinmachi, Kagoshima City, Japan 890-8577

TEL 81-99-286-2306 | FAX +81-99-286-5522

Email the CIRs

English [email protected] Chinese [email protected]

Japanese [email protected] Korean [email protected]

http://www.pref.kagoshima.jp/





multilingual electronic newsletter – kagoshima …...i think of “shedding routine” in my own...

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