Work on the new home of the Hiroshima Carp in the old JR Hiroshima Station freight yard began on November 26. We've moaned before about how unfortunate we think it is to lose a vibrant, not to mention symbolic, gathering point right in the city center, but things are moving ahead and the plan is for it to be in use from spring 2009.
According to Chugoku Shinbun, the new 7 story stadium complex will seat 30,350 people and have a slightly larger field than the current ground. The artists impressions do look nice, but we'll have to see how it actually turns out. Details are sparse, but it looks like additional facilities are planned in and around the ground and that it will be used for other events as well as Carp games.
Those who can't wait till 2009 can download wallpapers for your computer here.
The autumn leaves are now at their most breathtaking at Mitaki-ji Temple and now that the 3 day weekend is behind us it shouldn't be quite so busy - especially if you can slip away during the week. Check out Rebecca Schmidt's lovely picture of Mitaki in Autumn here. Or, why not take a hike?
If you like Rebecca's photos you can see more at an exhibition currently running at The Shack.
The big holiday weekend movies came out Friday, but as is so often the case, it's Salon Cinema in Takenobashi that has the most interesting offerings.
It's a holiday weekend and three big movies are out Friday, November 23.
Japanese action movie Midnight Eagle (trailer below) looks like a cross between Cliffhanger and Broken Arrow; A war photographer turned nature lover tries to prevent the nuclear warheads on a stealth fighter that crashes in the mountains from falling into the wrong hands.
Full details of the inaugural event here with all the links you need to get the info about the international films and parties you want.
If you know if you are free on March 15th next year and are motivated enough to subject yourself to the ticket system click here for the details.
Japan Today has a Kyodo report on the start of fingerprinting of most non-Japanese people entering the country here. It also reports
a total of 67 civic groups in and out of Japan released a joint statement Monday opposing Japan's biometric screening of foreigners entering the country that started Tuesday morning. Representatives of the groups including those from Japan, Europe and the United States said at a news conference in Tokyo they have mailed the joint statement to Justice Minister Kunio Hatoyama.
Adopting the procedures of taking fingerprints and photos of foreign passport holders aged 16 or older was a highly political decision taken after almost no public discussion or policy reviews, the statement says.
It added that the policy treats all foreign visitors to Japan as if they were criminals and that collecting their personal information under a centralized management system could pose risks of violating privacy.
UPDATE
Japan Probe has posted some videos (Japanese language) from Japanese news covering the introduction of fingerprinting and photographing at Narita. Long waits and technical problems are highlighted.
The "lovely" Dreamination illuminations along and around Peace Boulevard start today and run through to January 3.
Click here for more details
What do you think about the illuminations? Am I just being a grump? Post a comment.
According to Chugoku Shinbun taxi fares are set to rise at the end of the month. I'm having some trouble working out the whole article, but it seems like most companies will raise the initial charge (for the first 1.5km) to ¥610 (small cabs) and ¥620 (medium cabs) from November 26.
Anyone want to fill in the blanks? Post a comment.
Saioto ski resort in Kitahiroshima-cho opened today and from the picture on the Chugoku Shinbun site there were quite a few people enjoying the 60cm of artificial snow. Only 1100m of slope is open right now, but skiing around in a T-shirt enjoying the autumn colors sounds quite nice.
We have a few resorts listed on GetHiroshima, but if there are any ski bunnies out there who feel inspired to write up any of the other resorts or update or add to those we already have, we'd be eternally grateful.
These three lucky "Miss Lucky Maidens" chosen from 173 applicants will be on hand serving up sacred sake and selling lucky talismans at Ebisu Shrine's annual Ebisu-ko Matsuri to be held this weekend. Should make the jolly Ebisuall the cheerier.
Photo © Chugoku Shimbun
...the feverish, mind-bending odyssey of conjoined twins Tom and Barry Howe who were plucked from obscurity by a 1970s music promoter and groomed into a boy band. Grappling with impossible love, artistic rivalry and a dark inner life, the twins embrace their freakishness and spit it back in the form of searing punk rock. "Brothers of the Head" is a raucous ride through the seamy underground of 70s rock and an unsettling glimpse into a relationship that is as beautiful as it is destructive.
New article published:
Raising Kids in Japan
Insider parenting advice for what to see, do and where to send your kids to school in Hiroshima.
New Places Reviewed:
Ryokan Sansui
"Wonderful" 
Anonymity Personified.Mon Oct 2007
Kato-san was one of the highlights of my solo journey to Hiroshima and Itsukushima. Kato-san had plenty of English language signs giving you instructions. Following Japanese manners is key at her inn. Change in your room into your yukata before going down to take a bath. I booked a single for three nights, slept on a futon, and had a wonderful time. I speak Japanese, so I had a much easier time at this inn that someone who may not speak Japanese.
Barcos
"so dirty" 
marco - Sun Oct 2007
this place is so dirty and so small, nothing special its just a place to meet rude people. cocktails and foods are also bad, just expensive and taste is ****. eat or drink something around before coming here better not buy anything, waste your money
Last weekend the area around Hiroshima Castle was given over to two days of gastronomic excess with food stalls from all over Hiroshima Prefecture vying for the appetites of thousands of hungry visitors.
It was my first visit to the festival and, despite the crowds, I was fairly impressed. There was a good atmosphere and people seemed to be really enjoying themselves. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to check out the evening kagura performances as I had to get ready for Halloween. One odd thing is that when I got home, I realized I was starving because I hadn't eaten anything.
Keep and eye on this page for details of future food festivals.
