Shutdown Comments

Japan announced the shutdown of the country to control the spread of Covid-19 back in March/April. From that time until it was lifted at the end of May, Kagoshima was a ghost town. Very little car traffic, and almost no one in Tenmonkan. Even right after the shutdown was lifted, very few people were out and about at all. Part of the issue was that the increase to the 10% sales tax last October had a major impact on household spending. We're also getting into rainy season, and it's getting miserably hot and humid now. But, Saturday was sunny, and EVERYONE was out on the streets. The only difference between the old normal and the new normal is that more people are wearing masks (maybe about 80% of the population in Kagoshima that I've seen). That, and there are still no events going on anywhere here.

Wonda-Kame Ari Tie-in

From the people that brought you the Lupin III can coffee artwork, we have Kochira wa Kame-ari (Here is Turtles). Same basic idea as before - 15 numbered red cans, 15 gold, each with different characters and comments on the back. Enter the promo codes at the website for a shot at 200 copies of a character poster. Not sure how many codes you have to enter per attempt, but it may be 25, like last time. At about 120 yen per can, that's over $25 for coffee that isn't that great, and near-zero odds of winning.





"There are many kinds of people. That's what's so interesting."







I'm just buying the two cans shown here. Not interested in trying to get the poster this time, even though it looks good. I'll use the money for something else.

On a side note, I've only found these cans in one 7-11 so far, nowhere else. Campaign ends June 15.

Vent Vert May 15

Not sure how to get 5-15 to read as J-League day. 5-5 would be easy - "Go Go". Enjoy your Japanese soccer.

One-Two-Three Soba Corona Table

Soba restaurant in Tenmonkan post-Covid-19 shutdown for walk-by take-out.



"Fight new corona!"

Dolphin Port Tear-down Progress, May 15

Man, the teardown is going fast now.

Dental Art

Azuma-inspired artwork for a dental office near Tenmonkan.

Goku Hodai

Aya-something is an izakaya (Japanese-style pub) near Tenmonkan.
They're using Son Goku to advertise their "safe distance all you can drink re-opening."