Café Mugi opens in Masagocho, Kagoshima, featuring pink décor

On September 18, Café Mugi reopened in Masagocho, Kagoshima City. Previously, the café operated in Tenmonkan. For the reopening in Masagocho, the owner, Kaede Hagiwara, took a different approach, adorning the interior with light pink chairs, pink neon decorations, antique trinkets, and others. Hagiwara expressed that she aimed to make it “cute and enjoyable to look at.” The café now has a seating capacity of 14, including four counter seats. The menu includes cupcakes with choices of lemon, chocolate, or matcha (set with a drink, starting at 850 yen), S’mores Cookies and Ugly Cookies with options of matcha, cocoa, or nuts (set with a drink, starting at 900 yen), and the cheesecakes that she has been serving since her Tenmonkan days. The café also offers Tiramisu in a Pot and more. The S’mores Cookies feature marshmallow-filled cookies with biscuits on top, offering a size between a cake and a cookie. Hagiwara says, “It is perfect for a light snack.” The Ugly Cookies are chocolate filled with various toppings, a concept popular in Korea and other countries. Starting on October 5, the café has also introduced a lunch menu on weekdays, offering dishes such as omurice, pasta, and sandwiches, to name a few. Currently, Hagiwara is considering adding new items to the café menu and mentioned, “I want to keep incorporating new and exciting things in the future.” Opening hours: 11:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Closing days will be announced on Instagram.

Ramen restaurant ‘Satsuma Shimuja’ opens in Kagoshima’s Kishaba, also offering izakaya menu

On September 15, the ramen restaurant Satsuma Shimuja Kishaba Branch opened near the Kishaba Station on the Kagoshima City Tram line. The main branch of Satsuma Shimuja was founded 12 years ago in Kagoshima City. The name is derived from the motto of Lord Nariakira Shimazu, “Shimuja (思無邪),” which means “to express one’s feelings as they are, free from impure thoughts, and without any pretense.” Keisuke Uchida, the owner, decided to expand the franchise with the goal of introducing the taste of Shimuja to the people around Arata and Kishaba, and he aims to continue to promote it. The restaurant covers an area of 52 square meters and has 23 seats, including five at the counter. The menu centers around ramen, including Ramen Satsuma (900 yen), made with homemade pork bone soup and Kagoshima soy sauce; Ramen Hakata (900 yen), made with Hakata soy sauce; and the Zenbu-nose (1,300 yen) option where all toppings are included. It also offers sets that combine pork rice, gyoza, and karaage. As part of its izakaya menu, the restaurant offers items such as meat gyoza and vegetable gyoza from Gyoza-no-Mitchy in Tenmonkan, karaage, and tataki cucumber, all priced at 330 yen each. It also has Senbero Sets, which include three drinks and one appetizer for 1,100 yen. In October, the restaurant started offering Shoyu Niku Soba and Shimuja-style Maze Soba made with local Satsuma chicken (both priced at 950 yen). Uchida added, “I want to further energize the ramen scene in Kishaba.” Opening hours: 11:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. – midnight. Closed on Wednesdays.

‘Minna no Osake’ near Kagoshima Chuo Station West Exit features all-you-can-eat-and-drink plans

Two months have passed since the izakaya Yushoku Dining Minna no Osake (Phone: 099-800-6576) opened a new outlet near Kagoshima Chuo Station West Exit. The establishment is managed by the Higashisengokucho-based company Tsunagu. President Kenichi Kozakura opened “Yushoku Dining Minna no Osake” in Tenmonkan 25 years ago. In addition to the food and beverage business, the company also operates a Type B Continuous Employment Support Office and a facility for disabled individuals. The name, “Minna no Osake” comes from the time when Kozakura and his friends used to gather at an izakaya. When leaving an unfinished bottle of alcohol to be stored at the izakaya, Kozakura would write “Minna no Osake,” meaning “everyone’s drink,” instead of his own name to ensure that friends could enjoy it. The izakaya has an area of approximately 82 square meters. It has 42 table seats, 10 counter seats, and three private rooms for six separated by roll curtains, which can accommodate up to 20 people when the partitions are removed. To cater to sports events and public viewings, it has installed projector screens and monitors. The menu offers three plans: the All-You-Can-Eat-and-Drink Plan with a choice of over 50 dishes (3,500 yen for Standard, 4,000 yen for Premium / 2 hours), the À la carte Dish & All-You-Can-Drink Plan (1,500 yen / 2 hours), and the Senbero Plan (1,000 yen / 1-hour All-You-Can-Drink). In addition to 15 types of appetizers, it offers individual items that can be ordered separately. The lineup includes karaage, youlinji (Chinese-style fried chicken with sweet and sour sauce), shrimp in mayonnaise, stir-fried pork with green onions and salt, salads, chicken sashimi, cured mackerel, charcoal-grilled chicken, and dashimaki omelet, among many others. The All-You-Can-Drink beverages are served in a “Self-Drink” style where customers can make their own drinks at a designated corner, which includes cold water, carbonated water dispensers, shochu servers, and a variety of liqueurs for cocktails. “It is an ideal place for small gatherings and girls’ nights out. Many moms with children gather in the private rooms,” says Kozakura. “Since we have an open-style kitchen, we hope customers can enjoy conversations with the staff. In the future, we plan to offer a lunch menu.” Opening hours: 6:00 p.m. – midnight (until 1:00 a.m. on Fridays, Saturdays, and the night before holidays). Closed on Sundays.

Solo exhibition of Eji Tsuruda in Kagoshima: Imaginary animal displays amidst autumn foliage

Eji Tsuruda’s solo exhibition, “Where Is Keiji Tsuruta Going? (Japanese title: どこに行くんだ鶴田惠士)” is currently taking place at the Momijiyama Museum in Naokicho, Kagoshima City. Tsuruda, a native of Kagoshima City, works as a veterinarian at Tsuruda Animal Hospital and has been engaged in painting for over 20 years, starting around the age of 50. His artworks often feature animals, characterized by a free and unbounded style that does not conform to specific shapes, using colors such as red and yellow. This solo exhibition marks his return after a hiatus of 14 years. The Momijiyama Museum, located in the mountains of Naokicho, has approximately 350 Japanese maple trees planted on its vast 4,000 square-meter grounds. For this exhibition, the entire museum is being used for displays. Indoors, there are around 30 paintings as large as 1,620×1,300 mm, 50 small pieces of animals cut from plywood with handmade frames, and wall-mounted masks made from styrofoam and paper clay. In the outdoor maple forest, various animal sculptures made from plywood, including giraffes and monkeys, Tsuruda’s imaginary animals, and dozens of masks made from paper clay and Japanese paper are placed throughout. Tsuruda originally created these outdoor animal artworks for a joint exhibition at the Kagoshima City Museum of Art, but the Momijiyama Museum offered to place them in the forest. Tsuruda expressed his joy at seeing the artworks dotted in the maple forest, “I felt happy to see the animals come alive.” He also mentioned, “I don’t paint in a realistic manner; I just paint what I think or feel. I don’t stick to specific shapes. I want to continue painting as I please.” The exhibition is open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. until October 29. Free admission.

DJ KOO visits Kagoshima Joho High School for special lecture: ‘Putting Your Dreams into Words’

On September 28, DJ KOO from the dance-vocal group TRF visited Kagoshima Joho High School in Taniyama Chuo, Kagoshima City, to conduct a special lecture. This event was part of “avex class,” a career education program initiated by the Tokyo-based company Avex in February as part of their sustainability efforts. It marked the 8th session of the avex class and was the first held in Kyushu. Under this initiative, artists, celebrities, and creators affiliated with Avex visit educational institutions across the country to share the importance of believing in one’s talents and dreams through their own life experiences. Kagoshima Joho High School applied for the program and successfully hosted the event. Approximately 115 students from grades 1 to 3 participated in the lecture. DJ KOO, also the leader of TRF, which celebrated the 30th anniversary of its major debut, shared his experiences. During the lecture, he reflected on his reasons for starting as a DJ, his dedication to rugby during high school, and his search for what he wanted to do during his time at a vocational school. He emphasized the significance of the three years he spent playing rugby, saying, “Even though there were tough times, it is because of those three years of rugby that I am who I am today.” He also recalled how he was inspired by the coolness of the DJ at a club he visited and decided to become an apprentice on the spot. DJ KOO also asked the students about encounters that lead to their future dreams and goals. Their responses included “family,” “TV dramas,” “swimming coaches,” and “anime.” He stressed, “It is important to put your desires and what you want to achieve into words and share them with someone. By simply taking action on what is in front of you, new paths will open up.”

Hamada Shuzo releases new brand ‘Ukaze’ of barley shochu – Blnding 4 types

On September 26, Hamada Shuzo, a shochu distillery in Ichikikushikino City, Kagoshima Prefecture, released a new brand of Honkaku barley shochu “Ukaze.” Founded in 1868, Hamada Shuzo is celebrating its 155th anniversary this year. Due to factors such as sweet potato root rot disease, the company has been strengthening its presence in areas other than imo (sweet potato) shochu. In February of this year, it launched another new brand of barley shochu “CHILL GREEN.” The new brand, introduced this time, is positioned as a “New Standard Barley Shochu” that blends four types of original shochu. The name “Ukaze” means “strong wind” in Kagoshima dialect, symbolizing their intention to make a big impact as a staple, Honkaku barley shochu from Kagoshima. The label design embodies the concept of the harmony of four base shochu. The shochu for the blend was selected from among hundreds of varieties. The company used four types: “Houkun,” “Houjun,” “Tarujuku,” and “Tanrei,” and employed a blending technique where they fine-tuned these four types in 1% increments. This blending method was likened to a musical quartet and named “Quartet Blend.” According to the company, it has achieved a quality that combines a refreshing taste with the sweet aroma reminiscent of biscuits and bread, along with the inherent flavor of barley, within this clear and crisp flavor profile. Director Kotaro Hamada said, “Our distillery has been developing barley shochu products for over 50 years, and we have poured our know-how into this. We hope you enjoy the sweet aroma that arises from the blend of distinctive original shochu.” The suggested retail prices are 2,195 yen for a 1800-milliliter bottle and 1,166 yen for a 900-milliliter bottle.

YUTORI CLASS, custom home using Kagoshima timber, wins Good Design Award

On October 5, YUTORI CLASS, a custom home using timber from Kagoshima Prefecture, received the “Good Design Award 2023,” hosted by the Japan Institute of Design Promotion. YUTORI CLASS is a housing product sold by Kagoshima-based house builder Yamasa House. It is the flagship model of the company, featuring a unique construction method using locally sourced 100% cedar structural materials. This method allows for the creation of a “large box” with a maximum length of 6 meters 37 centimeters, providing a high degree of flexibility for adapting the layout to match family compositions and lifestyles. As Kasumi Wakamatsu, responsible for public relations, stated, “We also propose creating spatial layouts that change the height and wall configurations, creating a three-dimensional layout, such as a mezzanine floor, where you can feel the presence of your family.” The award recognized the design’s ability to easily accommodate future changes, as well as the integrated system of local operations, from forestry to wood processing, and the establishment of a carpentry training company to ensure the continuation of technical skills. Wakamatsu added, “With this award as a catalyst, we want to continue supporting the people living in Kagoshima to live comfortably and peacefully.”

Dry head spa salon in Kagoshima offers treatments in a ‘Floating in the Sea’ atmosphere

It has been two months since the dry head spa salon Rereve-Villa Kurage opened in Kamoike, Kagoshima City. Last year, Yuko Chijiwa, the owner, opened a women-only salon, Raw Honey Head Spa Rereve, in Kamoike, where treatments using olive oil and Kagoshima-produced honey were offered. On August 4, she opened the second salon, “Kurage,” meaning “jellyfish,” near the first location. The new salon offers dry head spa treatments using glass balls in the shape of the number eight and other tools. When heated, these glass balls emit a pleasant popping sound, described as having a “nostalgic sound” and “gentle, enveloping warmth.” The treatment room is designed to create an atmosphere of floating in the sea with blue lighting. They also play music with the soothing “1/f noise,” known to provide comfort to people. Yuko, one of the staff members, mentions that some clients fall asleep almost immediately. The treatment menu includes Puku Mimi Spa (5,000 yen for 60 minutes), which uses warmed glass balls to treat the ears and the entire body, and Kurage Sleep Head Therapy Spa (8,000 yen for 90 minutes), which offers treatments for the head, chest, neck, shoulders, face, and ears. Yuko, the owner, says: “It is okay to have a time where you just drift without thinking, like a jellyfish. We hope to create a place that offers relaxation and a mind reset to those who are always working hard.” Opening hours: 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (last admission).

Hamada Shuzo releases new brand ‘Ukaze’ of barley shochu – Blnding 4 types

On September 26, Hamada Shuzo, a shochu distillery in Ichikikushikino City, Kagoshima Prefecture, released a new brand of Honkaku barley shochu “Ukaze.” Founded in 1868, Hamada Shuzo is celebrating its 155th anniversary this year. Due to factors such as sweet potato root rot disease, the company has been strengthening its presence in areas other than imo (sweet potato) shochu. In February of this year, it launched another new brand of barley shochu “CHILL GREEN.” The new brand, introduced this time, is positioned as a “New Standard Barley Shochu” that blends four types of original shochu. The name “Ukaze” means “strong wind” in Kagoshima dialect, symbolizing their intention to make a big impact as a staple, Honkaku barley shochu from Kagoshima. The label design embodies the concept of the harmony of four base shochu. The shochu for the blend was selected from among hundreds of varieties. The company used four types: “Houkun,” “Houjun,” “Tarujuku,” and “Tanrei,” and employed a blending technique where they fine-tuned these four types in 1% increments. This blending method was likened to a musical quartet and named “Quartet Blend.” According to the company, it has achieved a quality that combines a refreshing taste with the sweet aroma reminiscent of biscuits and bread, along with the inherent flavor of barley, within this clear and crisp flavor profile. Director Kotaro Hamada said, “Our distillery has been developing barley shochu products for over 50 years, and we have poured our know-how into this. We hope you enjoy the sweet aroma that arises from the blend of distinctive original shochu.” The suggested retail prices are 2,195 yen for a 1800-milliliter bottle and 1,166 yen for a 900-milliliter bottle.

YUTORI CLASS, custom home using Kagoshima timber, wins Good Design Award

On October 5, YUTORI CLASS, a custom home using timber from Kagoshima Prefecture, received the “Good Design Award 2023,” hosted by the Japan Institute of Design Promotion. YUTORI CLASS is a housing product sold by Kagoshima-based house builder Yamasa House. It is the flagship model of the company, featuring a unique construction method using locally sourced 100% cedar structural materials. This method allows for the creation of a “large box” with a maximum length of 6 meters 37 centimeters, providing a high degree of flexibility for adapting the layout to match family compositions and lifestyles. As Kasumi Wakamatsu, responsible for public relations, stated, “We also propose creating spatial layouts that change the height and wall configurations, creating a three-dimensional layout, such as a mezzanine floor, where you can feel the presence of your family.” The award recognized the design’s ability to easily accommodate future changes, as well as the integrated system of local operations, from forestry to wood processing, and the establishment of a carpentry training company to ensure the continuation of technical skills. Wakamatsu added, “With this award as a catalyst, we want to continue supporting the people living in Kagoshima to live comfortably and peacefully.”

Gallery You Garou opens in Kagoshima, debuting with painter Gou Kihara’s solo exhibition

The gallery You Garou opened on October 8 on the first floor of the Ichi Ni San Building in Yamashitacho, Kagoshima City. The gallery is managed by the painter Gou Kihara, an artist specializing in the Western classical technique tempera, and his wife, Yoko, the owner. Yoko had a long-standing desire to open a gallery if the right place came along. The building is conveniently located near the Reimeikan – Kagoshima History Museum and Fine Arts Center, the Kagoshima City Museum of Art, the City Hall, and the Kenmin Koryu Center and houses cafés and restaurants. Yoko explains that they chose the space for the gallery partly due to the high ceiling of the gallery room, which is about four meters high and creates an open and less imposing atmosphere. The gallery space is approximately 13 square meters. “While it may be small, it is just right for exhibiting artwork. Some artists who do art as a side job don’t have enough pieces to hold a solo exhibition, which may be surprising,” Yoko explains. The gallery can accommodate around 15 works, and they designed the entire interior in white to make the artwork stand out. On the opening day, they started Gou Kihara’s solo exhibition as a commemorative project. The title is “muse.” Kihara uses the medieval European technique of egg tempera to depict works featuring “women who seem to be right there in everyday life.” In Greek mythology, the Muses were goddesses who presided over the arts. Kihara says, “I hope viewers can see the richness of painting while imagining that the Muses are present in our everyday lives.” In the future, they plan to mainly organize exhibitions on a monthly basis. Kihara has always had the thought that there should be more niche galleries. Since he has held many exhibitions of his works outside the prefecture in places such as Tokyo and Fukuoka, he has had opportunities to meet “niche artists” from outside Kagoshima. He aims to “reach out to such artists and create a space for them to exhibit.” Opening hours: 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Closing days will be announced on Instagram.

Dry head spa salon in Kagoshima offers treatments in a ‘Floating in the Sea’ atmosphere

It has been two months since the dry head spa salon Rereve-Villa Kurage opened in Kamoike, Kagoshima City. Last year, Yuko Chijiwa, the owner, opened a women-only salon, Raw Honey Head Spa Rereve, in Kamoike, where treatments using olive oil and Kagoshima-produced honey were offered. On August 4, she opened the second salon, “Kurage,” meaning “jellyfish,” near the first location. The new salon offers dry head spa treatments using glass balls in the shape of the number eight and other tools. When heated, these glass balls emit a pleasant popping sound, described as having a “nostalgic sound” and “gentle, enveloping warmth.” The treatment room is designed to create an atmosphere of floating in the sea with blue lighting. They also play music with the soothing “1/f noise,” known to provide comfort to people. Yuko, one of the staff members, mentions that some clients fall asleep almost immediately. The treatment menu includes Puku Mimi Spa (5,000 yen for 60 minutes), which uses warmed glass balls to treat the ears and the entire body, and Kurage Sleep Head Therapy Spa (8,000 yen for 90 minutes), which offers treatments for the head, chest, neck, shoulders, face, and ears. Yuko, the owner, says: “It is okay to have a time where you just drift without thinking, like a jellyfish. We hope to create a place that offers relaxation and a mind reset to those who are always working hard.” Opening hours: 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (last admission).

Solo exhibition of Eji Tsuruda in Kagoshima: Imaginary animal displays amidst autumn foliage

Eji Tsuruda’s solo exhibition, “Where Is Keiji Tsuruta Going? (Japanese title: どこに行くんだ鶴田惠士)” is currently taking place at the Momijiyama Museum in Naokicho, Kagoshima City. Tsuruda, a native of Kagoshima City, works as a veterinarian at Tsuruda Animal Hospital and has been engaged in painting for over 20 years, starting around the age of 50. His artworks often feature animals, characterized by a free and unbounded style that does not conform to specific shapes, using colors such as red and yellow. This solo exhibition marks his return after a hiatus of 14 years. The Momijiyama Museum, located in the mountains of Naokicho, has approximately 350 Japanese maple trees planted on its vast 4,000 square-meter grounds. For this exhibition, the entire museum is being used for displays. Indoors, there are around 30 paintings as large as 1,620×1,300 mm, 50 small pieces of animals cut from plywood with handmade frames, and wall-mounted masks made from styrofoam and paper clay. In the outdoor maple forest, various animal sculptures made from plywood, including giraffes and monkeys, Tsuruda’s imaginary animals, and dozens of masks made from paper clay and Japanese paper are placed throughout. Tsuruda originally created these outdoor animal artworks for a joint exhibition at the Kagoshima City Museum of Art, but the Momijiyama Museum offered to place them in the forest. Tsuruda expressed his joy at seeing the artworks dotted in the maple forest, “I felt happy to see the animals come alive.” He also mentioned, “I don’t paint in a realistic manner; I just paint what I think or feel. I don’t stick to specific shapes. I want to continue painting as I please.” The exhibition is open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. until October 29. Free admission.

Gallery You Garou opens in Kagoshima, debuting with painter Gou Kihara’s solo exhibition

The gallery You Garou opened on October 8 on the first floor of the Ichi Ni San Building in Yamashitacho, Kagoshima City. The gallery is managed by the painter Gou Kihara, an artist specializing in the Western classical technique tempera, and his wife, Yoko, the owner. Yoko had a long-standing desire to open a gallery if the right place came along. The building is conveniently located near the Reimeikan – Kagoshima History Museum and Fine Arts Center, the Kagoshima City Museum of Art, the City Hall, and the Kenmin Koryu Center and houses cafés and restaurants. Yoko explains that they chose the space for the gallery partly due to the high ceiling of the gallery room, which is about four meters high and creates an open and less imposing atmosphere. The gallery space is approximately 13 square meters. “While it may be small, it is just right for exhibiting artwork. Some artists who do art as a side job don’t have enough pieces to hold a solo exhibition, which may be surprising,” Yoko explains. The gallery can accommodate around 15 works, and they designed the entire interior in white to make the artwork stand out. On the opening day, they started Gou Kihara’s solo exhibition as a commemorative project. The title is “muse.” Kihara uses the medieval European technique of egg tempera to depict works featuring “women who seem to be right there in everyday life.” In Greek mythology, the Muses were goddesses who presided over the arts. Kihara says, “I hope viewers can see the richness of painting while imagining that the Muses are present in our everyday lives.” In the future, they plan to mainly organize exhibitions on a monthly basis. Kihara has always had the thought that there should be more niche galleries. Since he has held many exhibitions of his works outside the prefecture in places such as Tokyo and Fukuoka, he has had opportunities to meet “niche artists” from outside Kagoshima. He aims to “reach out to such artists and create a space for them to exhibit.” Opening hours: 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Closing days will be announced on Instagram.

DJ KOO visits Kagoshima Joho High School for special lecture: ‘Putting Your Dreams into Words’

On September 28, DJ KOO from the dance-vocal group TRF visited Kagoshima Joho High School in Taniyama Chuo, Kagoshima City, to conduct a special lecture. This event was part of “avex class,” a career education program initiated by the Tokyo-based company Avex in February as part of their sustainability efforts. It marked the 8th session of the avex class and was the first held in Kyushu. Under this initiative, artists, celebrities, and creators affiliated with Avex visit educational institutions across the country to share the importance of believing in one’s talents and dreams through their own life experiences. Kagoshima Joho High School applied for the program and successfully hosted the event. Approximately 115 students from grades 1 to 3 participated in the lecture. DJ KOO, also the leader of TRF, which celebrated the 30th anniversary of its major debut, shared his experiences. During the lecture, he reflected on his reasons for starting as a DJ, his dedication to rugby during high school, and his search for what he wanted to do during his time at a vocational school. He emphasized the significance of the three years he spent playing rugby, saying, “Even though there were tough times, it is because of those three years of rugby that I am who I am today.” He also recalled how he was inspired by the coolness of the DJ at a club he visited and decided to become an apprentice on the spot. DJ KOO also asked the students about encounters that lead to their future dreams and goals. Their responses included “family,” “TV dramas,” “swimming coaches,” and “anime.” He stressed, “It is important to put your desires and what you want to achieve into words and share them with someone. By simply taking action on what is in front of you, new paths will open up.”