Coal was once an essential energy source that supported Japan's industry. Manda Pit is one of the sites where this coal was mined. Now a quiet historical site, it offers insights into the technology and labor history of that time through its buildings and equipment. It is also a recommended place for those interested in the history of energy. Visiting Information: 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM (last entry at 4:30 PM) / Closed: Mondays (the following weekday if a holiday) and during the New Year holidays / Admission: 410 yen for adults and university students, 310 yen for high school students, 210 yen for elementary and middle school students / Manda Pit Station (free exhibition room and ticket sales) #Coal Industry #Mine Ruins #Miike Coal Mine #Japan's Modernization #Industrial History #Educational Tourism #Historical Sites #MandaCoalMine #CoalMine #IndustrialHistory #KumamotoTravel #JapanTravel #VisitJapan #WorldHeritage #JapaneseHistory

Manda Pit is a place where you can learn about the workings of a coal mine just by looking at the buildings. The shaft tower, hoisting machine room, and coal mine train each appear to be separate facilities, but they are actually part of a larger system for digging, transporting, and supporting coal. Walking through this industrial heritage also means understanding the connection between technology and human labor. 【Visiting Information】9:30 AM to 5:00 PM (last entry at 4:30 PM) / Closed: Mondays (the following weekday if a holiday) and during the New Year holidays / Admission: 410 yen for adults and university students, 310 yen for high school students, 210 yen for elementary and middle school students / Manda Pit Station (free exhibition room and ticket sales) #Coal Mine Mechanisms #Arao City Tourism #Miike Coal Mine #Industrial Heritage #Modern Industrial Heritage #History of Technology #Educational Travel #Historical Studies #Manda Coal Mine #Arao City #Kumamoto #Japan Travel #Visit Japan #World Heritage #Industrial Heritage #Educational Travel

[Currently in Production] This year at the Woody Summer School, participants will be creating wooden tractors. The summer Woody School is like a 2-night, 3-day camp focused on making wooden crafts. This marks the 32nd edition of the event this year, which has been loved by many for many years. The woodworking instructor is currently making parts for the participants to use. In fact, it seems that one instructor is making parts for 20 tractors all by himself! 😳 Last year, we solidified ideas for this year's project and by December, we had produced a prototype. After fine-tuning while looking at the prototype, the drawings were completed by March this year, and in April, they were beautifully drafted in CAD. Since May, we have been in the process of making parts. Many innovations have been implemented to create parts with precision, and we were shown how this round contour is cut using this tool. The molds used for making wooden parts are also made of wood. The rounded board was created by gluing together four thin boards and applying pressure to bend them. We were constantly amazed by the skillful manipulation of various tools to create intricate parts during the workshop tour. To everyone planning to participate in the Woody School, please look forward to the day! ✨️ #Woodworking #Woody Summer School #Parts Production

🌊 A Day to Become a Diver in the Sea of Japan Leaving the bustling streets of Tokyo, we head to Nishi-Izu. This time, we visit Shizura, where a quiet sea stretches out. The sky was cloudy, but the temperature was pleasant for spending time by the sea. As we gazed at the calm waters, our first steps toward becoming divers began. This time, the participants are all aiming to obtain their diving licenses for the first time. 🤿 Preparation Before Entering the Water Diving starts before entering the water. First, we prepare equipment like tanks and regulators. Listening to the instructor's explanations, we assemble each piece with our own hands. At first, the unfamiliar equipment feels daunting. However, after practicing several times while checking the order, we gradually start to understand how it works. Once preparations are complete, we have a briefing in front of the sea. We all review what we will do underwater, the conditions of the sea that day, and points for safe enjoyment. 🫧 The World Underwater, Breathing for the First Time With our gear on, we finally head into the sea. First, we adjust our breathing at the surface. Feeling a bit nervous with the unfamiliar equipment, we slowly make our way into the water. Once submerged, the surrounding sounds become quiet. Fish swim right in front of us, and the seabed is spread with rocks and sand. It's a completely different view from the land. Initially focused on breathing and posture, as we get more comfortable, we find ourselves enjoying the underwater scenery. When everyone returns to the surface, smiles have replaced the nervous expressions. 🌏 Over Three Days, an Entrance to a New World In the PADI Open Water Diver Course, we learn the necessary knowledge and skills for diving over three days. Breathing underwater, using equipment, and the basics of diving safely. Each experience builds upon the last, and everyone successfully obtained their licenses. Obtaining the license is not the goal. It's a new start to enjoy the seas of Japan and around the world. Thank you to everyone who participated. 🇯🇵 The Seas of Japan Are Recommended in Autumn Too When thinking about the season to enjoy the sea in Japan, many might picture summer. In fact, the sea in Izu is most comfortable around September to October. The water temperature is high, making it an easy season to enjoy diving. If you obtain your license during summer, you can fully enjoy the sea during the best season. There's another side of Japan that you won't encounter just by sightseeing in Tokyo or Yokohama. Why not take a step into a new world during your travels? Time spent underwater will surely become a special memory of your journey. ✨ A Special Day by the Sea in Japan. 🌈 Hokulea Shonan is a small diving shop located in Hiratsuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture. About an hour by train from Tokyo. We guide you to the seas of Japan that can be enjoyed as day trips from Tokyo, such as Shonan and Izu. Our theme is "Let's embark on a journey to the unseen world!" Through diving, we hope you can feel the beauty of Japan's seas, the richness of nature, and the local seaside experience. Our tours are small in size. Beginners and those who are not confident in swimming can participate with peace of mind. We also provide guidance in English. Would you like to spend a day by the sea during your trip to Japan? We will suggest a sea that suits you according to your travel schedule and diving experience. Please feel free to contact us.

Roadside Station Kume-no-Sato Gundam 563-1 Miaoi, Tsuyama City, Okayama Prefecture At the roadside station "Kume-no-Sato" in Tsuyama City, Okayama Prefecture, an astonishing sight unfolds that will make you do a double-take. There, a gigantic robot towering at 7 meters stands majestically! This 7-meter tall mobile suit was designed by Shoichi Nakamoto, a resident of Tsuyama City, who was born in 1964 and was 35 years old at the time of completion. He single-handedly crafted it based on his own design documents, conceptualizing a bipedal manned general-purpose machine that can be piloted by a person in the cockpit to walk and perform various tasks. After seven years of work, it was completed in December 1999 (Heisei 11). After graduating from a local technical high school, Nakamoto worked as an engineer for an automobile manufacturer. However, feeling that he had to pursue the creation of the mobile suit, he convinced his parents and returned to his hometown, continuing the project in between his daily job. Now, knowing that this Z Gundam has a cockpit, who wouldn't think, "I want to ride it too!"? In fact, this Gundam can be piloted on the festival day held once a year. The festival is called the "Sennin Matsuri" at the roadside station Kume-no-Sato. Limited to 120 groups, you can experience the cockpit ride. Riding the Gundam on festival day is reminiscent of the opening scene of ∀ Gundam.

The winding room is an important facility for understanding the history of Manda Pit. In the coal mine, large machinery and precise operations were necessary to safely connect the underground and above ground. The appearance of the building and the remaining spaces evoke the advanced technology that supported the coal mine. When visiting Manda Pit, be sure to pay attention to its role as well. [Visiting Information] 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM (last entry at 4:30 PM) / Closed: Mondays (the following weekday if a holiday) and during the New Year holidays / Admission: Adults and university students 410 yen, high school students 310 yen, elementary and junior high school students 210 yen / Manda Pit Station (free exhibition room and ticket sales) #Winding Room #Arao City Tourism #Miike Coal Mine #History of Coal Mining #Industrial Heritage #Historical Architecture #Modernization of Japan #History of Technology #Educational Travel #Manda Coal Mine #Industrial Heritage #Japanese History #Kumamoto Travel #Arao City #World Heritage #Travel Japan #Visit Japan

The 35th International Agricultural Machinery Show in Obihiro 2023" will be held! From July 6 Thursday to 10 Monday, a International Agricultural Machinery Show will be held in Obihiro City Kita Aikoku Plaza. The International Agricultural Machinery Show is held once every four years and attracts more than 100 exhibitors, including state-of-the-art agricultural machinery and related facilities equipped with state-of-the-art technology. In addition, as a parallel event at the venue, the "Food Valley Tokachi Shokusaisai Festival 2023" will be held, and there will be a food and drink corner using Tokachi ingredients and a sales corner where products from the Tokachi area are lined up. In Japanese agriculture, as the population of farmers ages and there is a shortage of workers, the spread of agricultural machinery utilizing GNSS, ICT information and communication technology, robot technology, etc. is progressing, and these technologies are expected to greatly change Japanese agriculture in the future. Please stop by. International Agricultural Machinery Show official website iams-obihiro.com/history #There is no parking lot at the venue. #Please use the temporary parking lot. A free shuttle bus is available.

Like I mentioned yesterday, I went to "Tokyo Portcity Takeshiba" over the weekend and there were a ton of restaurants. The one that I chose to eat at was a tough choice, but I ultimately settled on "Do Miso Tokyo Portcity Takeshiba" ど・みそ 東京ポートシティ竹芝店, but there was also an Okinawan-themed restaurant right next to it called "Okinawa Bar Kafu" 沖縄酒場 かふー that looked really nice as well, and smelled good. Either way from across the isle I got to eat some delicious ramen while listening to the Okinawan music which was really relaxing and created a nice atmosphere. I'm not sure what the ramen I got was called it was just the normal miso ramen from my understanding and I believe it cost ¥1100. There's another one that looks similar, has a similar name, and costs ¥1200 but that's a white miso ramen and not the one that I got. Either way, I'm sure it tastes good as well, because my ramen tasted great! I really liked that the restaurant had metal cups as well, it gives the water a different flavor and always makes it feel more refreshing too in my opinion at least. One thing I forgot to mention about the building if you open up their website, another futuristic feature you'll find is that the building actually shows the number of people in the building at any one time and also shows that percentage of male and female visitors. I thought this was really amazing. I'm not sure how it's done, but they must have censors located at the doors or in other places around the building that can analyze body structure or something similar. Either way it's a cool place!

Went to Takeshiba over the weekend and visited "Tokyo Portcity Takeshiba" I was in the area for other reasons, but just happened to stop by because the building looked interesting. Turns out I was right! The inside of the building had a bunch of really nice shops and was showing a futuristic VR robot being used to stock shelves in a convenience store. I didn't stick around to read everything that was being shown on the screen but this photo seems to be saying how they've created a VR system where users won't feel VR sickness, which I'd actually not heard about before, but it seems to happen after long periods of VR use and is similar to motion sickness I guess. The other photo looks like a simple picture of a sink but it actually has another really cool futuristic feature. The little slot on the right can actually disinfect your phone using UV. I couldn't take a photo of the actual process since I only had one phone but I tried it out and it was really neat. You just remove your case or anything else you have attached to your phone and pop it in and wash your hands. Takes like 30 seconds, about how long it should take to wash your hands, so it's a really convenient feature. Cool place though, I definitely recommend paying it a visit!

Sky tree at sunset. This view from downtown is exceptional.