New movies starting Saturday, September 27

Cinema links point to cinema schedule pages

Ironman (English with Japanese subtitles)

T-Joy Wald 11, T-Joy Higashi Hiroshima, Al Park, Warner Mycal, TOHO Midorii

Nights In Rodanthe (English with Japanese subtitles)

T-Joy Wald 11, Warner Mycal

Tokyo Sonata (Japanese)

Salon Cinema, T-Joy Wald 11. Read review at Twitch

Ikigami (Japanese)

In an attempt to spur citizens into taking more productive roles in society, the Japanese government issues death messages, or "ikigami", informing them that they have only 24 hours left to live. The film follows a young man tasked with delivering these messages, as well as the victims.
T-Joy Wald 11, Takarazuka, TOHO Midorii

Carp dream of landmark finish

Fish might not dream, but Hiroshima Carp do. With Hiroshima Citizens Stadium staging its final games, outfielder Shigenobu Shima revealed his dream to The Hot Corner on Monday.

Before the Carp are transported to a new pond, a larger ballpark near Hiroshima Station for next season, the team has some unfinished business to attend to.

"There's no next year here," Shima said of the park that's scheduled to host its final regular season game on Sunday.

Read more here at Daily Yomiuri Online.

Black Gold: Wake up and smell the coffee

• www.blackgoldmovie.com
  
• Review at Guardian.co.uk
  

Thanks to Shinji for pointing out this documentary is now showing at Yokogawa Cinema. 13:00 until September 27 and 10:00 September 28 - October 3.

Kumano fude festival

With her look at last weekend's fude brush festival in Kumano, Sofie Ivan Andersen rules the GetHiroshima Hype section right now. Asking yourself how interesting a brush festival could be? Check out the article and photos here and we think you'll consider putting it in your diary for next year.

Have something to add about the fude matsuri? Pop it in the comments.

Goodbye Bafana playing at Salon Cinema

• imdb entry
• official site 
• Mixed reviews at Rotten Tomatoes
  

Based on the memoirs of one of Nelson Mandela's prison guards Goodbye Bafana is playing at Salon Cinema daily at 16:30 until  September 26, and at 17:05 September 27 - October 3.

Bicycle for Everyone's Earth ride, beach clean up and drinky

Great weather yesterday for the BEE ride to Miyajima. Thanks to those who joined the ride, helped with the beach clean up and dropped by for a chat at The Shack last night - special thanks on behalf of the riders to Dave for providing his massage services free of charge. More coming soon.

Peace Marathon 2008

Temperatures are coming down and it's time to get off that sweat stained couch! Entries close for the The annual 5K and 10K Peace Marathon fun runs are not until November 3, but entries close next week on September 30th. You can get entry details, including links to copies of the online entry form annotated in English, here. Origami man Setsuo has also posted a classified ad saying that English entry forms are available at the International Lounge in Peace Park.

Family Fude - Calligraphy Festival in Kumano

Are you interested in the art of writing? Not the actual words, just the pure aesthetics of brush on paper? Then you might consider heading to Kumano this bank holiday Tuesday (Sep 23). Kumano is Japan's biggest producer of fude, brushes used for calligraphy (and make-up!), and this day sees the 74th fude festival taking place from 10-17.

Centered around the Sakakiyama Shrine, there will be calligraphy demonstrations, parades, fude dancing, and much more. There will even be a flea market! There will also be stuff going on at other locations in Kumano, such as the Fude-no Sato Kobo studio, and the grounds of Kumano middle school.

Much more information in Japanese here.

Give thanks to pen and paper by jumping on a bus at SOGO Bus Center or JR Yano Station and getting off at Kumano Eigyosho. A shuttle bus should be running within the town to the main sites.

Thanks to Hiroshima International Exchange Lounge for information about this event.

Want a change? Do the light thing.

I've heard a lot of talk recently about people looking for alternatives to Barcos and Mac to satisfy their dancing needs.  This confuses me frankly. The GetHiroshima events listings are usually packed with parties that very few of our (non-Japanese) readers ever show up to. I'm not sure if there is a feeling that these parties and events are for "the Japanese", but if there is, I can assure you it is completely misguided.

If you are looking for a great  (not to mention cheap) night out in a basement club with an eclectic mix of booty-shakerizing dance music, you could do worse than this night featuring one half of SleepyEye in the form of Susumo and Daiji. The venue is Edge which is consistently the best reviewed club on GetHiroshima.

No oversized egos or stress here; just the floor, the system, great people and fantastic sounds.

Free lighter too.

Cutting GetHiroshima movie listings; what do you think?

We are currently working on a new version of GetHiroshima, and as I mentioned at the weekend we are considering giving up on the time consuming task of updating cinema listings every week.

What do you think? Have you missed the listings over the past few weeks? Is this something you are happy for us to cut? How do you find navigating the Japanese cinema sites? If not all, are there particular cinemas that you'd like listings for?

We have to make a decision this month and would appreciate your thoughts.

Thanks

UPDATE (9.18) in light of the much appreciated comments (this addition is also posted as a comment below, but know mny people don't always read blog comments before posting their own).

Some additional questions and background.

I originally tried to list all movies and all times, but it was taking so long to update every Friday night/Saturday morning I couldn't keep it up.

So, on the assumption that those interested in seeing Japanese films would generally be able to navigate the cinema sites, I started listing only times for foreign language films. This took less time, but still many hours a week.

Finally, before giving up over the summer, I stopped adding times altogether and just listing the films playing at each cinema, which takes 2-3 hours a week.

Some more specific questions

Are you cool with cinema listings taking precedence over event and place listings?

Are patchy listings better than no listings at all?

Are film listings without times of any use?

If you had to choose, for which cinemas would you like times listed?

Anyone willing to help? (this would be the only way we could do what the commenter above asks).

BOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!!

BOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!!
Originally uploaded by minyaaaaaaco!

Great picture of BOM from Koba letting out his inner headbanger behind the decks at Edge.

Carp close to Climax Series

With only 9 regular home games remaining before the downtown baseball stadium is closed and pulled down, the Hiroshima carp are well placed to make into the Central League Climax series which determines which two teams will face off in the Japan Series.

A huge marketing push and genuine affection for the 51 year old home of the Carp has seen bumper crowds - passing the 1 million mark for the season at the beginning of September and tickets for many of the last few games are already completely sold out.

Although I imagine few supporters expect a Japan Series championship, a play off spot would provide an exciting climax to a great year, and help pack out the new stadium due to open next spring in time for the 2009 season.

From The Japan Times back in March

The system of both leagues' Climax Series has been changed this year as a one-win advantage will be awarded to the league champions in the second stage, where the first team to win four games in the six-game set will win a ticket to the Japan Series.

In the Central League playoffs, the second-place team will face the third-place team in the best-of-three first stage from Oct. 18-20.

The second stage between the winner of the first stage and the league champion will take place from Oct. 22-27.

The first stage of the Pacific League will be held Oct. 11-13, with the second stage to be played from Oct. 17-23, including a rainout date on Oct. 20.

The teams with better regular-season records in both leagues will have home-field advantages in both stages.

Photo by dhchen generously published on Flickr under a Creative Commons license

Wanted, Okuribito and Queen Rock Montreal

New movies  kicking off in Hiroshima today.

BTW anyone missing the cinema times on GH?

Wanted

Wald, TOHO Midorii, T-Joy Higashi Hiroshima, Al Park

Queen Rock Montreal

Wald 18:50, T-Joy Higashi Hiroshima 19:45

Okuribito (Departures)


Read Mark Schilling's review at Japan Times online.

Wald, TOHO Midorii, Warner Mycal

Tri-nations decider live on screen at Molly Malone's

Australia or New Zealand? It's all to be decided tomorrow night and you can watch it live from Brisbane on screen at Molly Malones on Saturday September 13 from 19:00.

Autumn Proresu

Autumn is supposed to be the season for physical exertion, but it's still bloody hot, so why not have a few beers and watch some local lads beat the crap out of each other to some great music?

You really can't leave Hiroshima without experiencing this unique aspect of its nightlife. Below are some  clips of the last big match held at Sangyo Kaikan in July. The best bits aren't in the video because in all the excitement I got the buttons on the camera all mixed up and ended up with lots of shots of the floor.



The next big night of wrestling is at Sangyo Kaikan on September 28, but you can get a (cheaper) taster at this weekend's Jam Rock reggae night at MUGEN.

Misty animated memories

August's Hiroshima Animation Festival is done, dusted and won't be back for another 2 years. Sofie Ivan Andersen plucks her top ten moments from memory.

10. The opening night party. 
Although I will remember this with shame as I was way too intimidated to speak to hardly anyone. Even my fellow Nordics the Finns. Batsu!

9. The Peace Ceremony the night before.
Preparing for a five-day animation extravaganza after that sombre night was something of a discordant experience.

8. Guy in first row sleeping VERY LOUDLY through Paul Driessen’s retrospective.
His snoring totally disturbed my circles.

7. Guy in first row guffawing his way through the camp moments in Cinderella.
See a pattern here? If you’re not that bothered, don’t sit in the first row!

6. Pixar guy Doug Sweetland’s improvised sound effects during his presentation.
I want a Sweetland alarm clock.

5. Sharing a look of happy surprise with Pixar guy Jay Ward after earnest Israeli director Ariel Belinco revealed that he’s much rather make Pixar-style films.
But then again, who wouldn’t.

4. Dreaming I work for Pixar.
Every night.

3. Realising that Nemo, the most adorable character ever, is disabled.
Pixar are great, but I didn’t realise they were transgressive. What’s that, there is animation that isn’t Pixar?

2. Seeing a bunch of world-renowned animators arrive back from an excursion to Miyajima.
All lobster-coloured and touristy.

1. Getting to watch tons of short and long, new and old, obscure and famous films for days on end.
Who needs a job, or even a life? Hey can I have my festival back?

Slightly surreal samba video in Hiroshima

Hiroshima from the sky

D050404040
Originally uploaded by Araki.Photo.

Noriyuki Araki has uploaded some nice shots of Hiroshima from the sky - both during then day and at night - to his Flickr account.

Heartful night starts at AUX Dining

Flickr user Rampant Gian generously uploaded this great picture of Jun at work at AUX Dining under a Creative Commons license. I'm shocked and appalled to realise we haven't got a review on GetHiroshima (although it is listed on the GetHiroshima Map). Gian does, however, do a good job of doing our job in his blog post Heartful Hiroshima At Night. I love it when visitors here in Hiroshima for such a short time manage to get a taste of the Hiroshima we know and love.

Green Coffee, now in Hiroshima city center

Green Coffee, tucked away on a Danbara side street, is one of our favorite places. But, tucked away on a side street in Danbara, we don't get there nearly as much as we would like. From today, however, we can all enjoy Green Coffee in the city center.

The new shop, furnished with French antique furniture is just South of Yamada Denki and we're very much looking forward to checking it out this week.


大きな地図で見る

Into The Wild, Nim's Island, Revolver and more new movies

Into The Wild

Read reviews at Rotten Tomatoes
Showing at Salon Cinema until October 3.
9/6-9/19 13:55, 18:50
9/20-9/26 18:50
9/27-10/3 19:15

Revolver

Read reviews at Rotten Tomatoes.
Salon Cinema until September 19.
9/6-9/12 17:00, 21:25
9/13-9/19 17:00


What Happens In Vegas

Read reviews at Rotten Tomatoes.
Cinetwin 2
9/6-9/12 11:00, 16:00

Nim's Island

Read reviews at Rotten Tomatoes.
Wald 11, TOHO Midorii.


Shutter

Read reviews at Rotten Tomatoes
TOHO Midorii

Want to set up a stall at the Food Festival flea market?

If you've been thinking about trying a stall at a flea market, you could do worse than setting up at the Food Festival (October 25-26) which attracts thousands of people. The flea market is usually held on north side of the castle, across the road from Motomachi High School.

A 3m x 2m pitch costs ¥4000 per day and are limited to residents of Hiroshima Prefectur and applications should be made by September 12.

To apply, send an Oufuku-hagaki (往復はがき) return postcard including your name, address, telephone contact, which day(s) you want to do it and what kind of stuff you'll be trying to flog to the address below.

〒７３０−８５０４
広島市中区基町２１−３ＲＣＣ事業センター
「フードフェスティバル　フリーマーケット」係

　　　

Midnight flea market

Aina Haina is hosting one of its midnight flea markets on Saturday Sept 6.  DJs, food, drink and shopping. Starts at 9pm and they plan to run till about 2am.

Start working on those costumes!

I've been booked to play alongside windcheater at this year's Halloween party at Chinatown so I guess it is safe to give you the heads up, and some costume idea packed slideshows. Other than the October 25 date, nothing much else is confirmed so please check the event listing where we'll post details as they come in.

2007 Party


2007 Party

Chugoku area bus accidents more than double in first half of the year

Accidents involving Chugoku area bus companies jumped from 6 last year to 14 in the period January through August 2008 reports Chugoku Shinbun. By prefecture, 7 companies are from Hiroshima, 4 from Okayama, 2 from Shimane and 1 from Tottori. 11 of the 14 accidents accidents involved bus drivers ramming into the back of cars in traffic jams or at traffic lights.

With the busiest season for bus tours just around the corner, the Chugoku District Transport Bureau has urged the Chugoku Bus Association to make sure its drivers are thoroughly prepared to drive safely.

Favela Rising

The Hiroshima chapter of Amnesty International mailed us letting us know about two screenings of the documentary Favela Rising. The screenings will be followed by a talk by Ute Craemer, an activist with a long history of working in the favela of Sao Paolo.

No English unfortunately, the film and the talk will be in Portugese with Japanese subtitles and interpretation.

Click here for more details.

Miyajima Candle Matsuri

I've posted some details of next week's mantoue candle matsuri at Daishoin Temple here.

Below is the description of the meaning of the event posted on the Miyajima tourism Japanese website. I can't get  my head around the Japanese. Anyone fancy having a crack at it?

萬 燈 会(まんとうえ）とは・・・

供養物の一つである燈明を供養することによって罪障を懺悔して四恩
(三宝、国家、父母、衆生)に報する法要で燈明を仏に献ずることの功徳は広大であり世を照らし、闇を除き、智恵、福徳、涅槃を得ると言われています。
真言宗では天長９年(832)弘法大師空海が勅許を得て高野山で萬燈会を勤修したのが始まりと伝えられています。

Pelosi to visit Hiroshima A-bomb memorial

HIROSHIMA, Japan (AP) — House Speaker Nancy Pelosi will become the highest-ranking U.S. official to visit ground zero of the world's first atomic bombing in Hiroshima, Japan.
Pelosi, in Japan for a two-day meeting of top legislators from the Group of Eight industrialized countries, is scheduled to lay flowers at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial on Tuesday.
No sitting U.S. president or vice president has ever visited Hiroshima. As speaker of the House of Representatives, Pelosi is second in line to the presidency after Vice President Dick Cheney.

Read more here

Happy Sewage Day!

September 10 has been designated by Hiroshima Prefecture as Sewage System Day. Not sure if it as "national" sewage system day and it may be something of a hard sell getting it designated as a National Holiday, but it is apparently the 48th such day. Befitting such an auspicious occasion Hiroshima Prefecture is having a commemorative ibento this weekend. For two days only Hiroshima's three purification plants will be open to the public. You can find information on attractions at the Numata plant here (pdf file).

Suisui is waiting for you.

New classified ad categories (input please!)

Hi everyone

We are currently revamping the GetHiroshima Classifieds system. Here are is the breakdown of categories we are thinking of offering. Any you think we are missing or any you think are unnecessary?

Jobs
Jobs wanted
Jobs offered

Accomodation

Language learning
Learn Japanese
Teach Japanese
Learn English
Teach English
Other languages

General Learning

Personals
Friendship
Love
Play

Buy, sell, giveaway and trade
Buy
Giveaway
Sell
Sayonara sales
Trade

Groups and clubs

Services

Announcements
Messages
Questions