Minamata, Tsunagi and Ashikita Area Guide
VERSION 10
OCTOBER 2020
Compiled with the assistance of JET Program participants in Minamata, Tsunagi and Ashikita Minamata, Tsunagi and Ashikita Area Guide VERSION 10 October 2020
Contents
1) Transport …2 a) Access to Minamata, Tsunagi and Ashikita b) Airport access c) Discount travel tickets d) Other services e) Recommended day trips
2) Health Care …7
3) Taxi and Daiko Services …13
4) Natural Areas and Other Attractions …14
5) Restaurants and Sweets Shops …18
6) Grocery Stores, Convenience Stores and Department Stores …20
7) Other Stores and Services …23
8) Mobile Phone Plans …25
9) Local Festivals and Events …27
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1) Transport
a) Access to Minamata, Tsunagi and Ashikita
Access to Minamata Minamata can be accessed by Shinkansen to Shin-Minamata station, by highway bus or by car (Minamata Interchange). See the following page for more information about access to Minamata http://www.city.minamata.lg.jp/1824.html
Access to Tsunagi Tsunagi can be accessed by car (Tsunagi Interchange) or by train (Hisatsu Orange Railway, Tsunagi Station).
Access to Ashikita Ashikita can be accessed by car (Ashikita Interchange) or by train (Hisatsu Orange Railway, Sashiki Station).
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b) Airport access
Here are some recommended ways to get to nearby airports.
Fukuoka Airport: Shinkansen from Shin-Minamata to Hakata (6850 yen, around 1 hour) subway to Fukuoka Airport (260 yen, around 5 minutes)
Aso Kumamoto Airport: By car Shinkansen from Shin-Minamata to Kumamoto City (3790 yen, 25 minutes) Limousine Bus from Kumamoto Eki Mae to Aso Kumamoto Airport (800 yen, around 1 hour) https://www.kyusanko.co.jp/sankobus/airport/limousine/ Shinkansen from Shin-Minamata to Shin-Yatsushiro (2650 yen, 13 minutes) Airport Liner Super Banpeiyu (Bus) from Shin-Yatsushiro to the airport (1800 yen, around 1 hour) http://www.k-2121.com/ すーぱーばんぺいゆ /
Kagoshima Airport Nangoku Kagoshima Airport Limousine Bus from Minamata (various stops including Shin-Minamata and Minamata Station, around 1700 yen and takes around 2 hours) https://nangoku-kotsu.com/ashuttle/minamata/
*Shinkansen prices are for buying tickets on the same day as the train ride (unreserved seat tickets), all prices are for one way
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c) Discount travel tickets Hisatsu Orange Railway Wakuwaku Kippu The train no longer goes all the way to Yatsushiro, you have to bus the last bit. Day pass available to use on Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays. On sale all year round Can be used between Yatsushiro and Sendai. Get off and on as many times as you like Price: 2000 yen More details: https://www.hs-orange.com/page81.html (Japanese only)
Shinkansen Internet Tickets (for reserved seat tickets)
Why reserve tickets in advance? If you reserve tickets (for Kyushu Shinkansen, these are in cars 4-8 or 4-6) online in advance (‘Kyushu Net Kippu’), the tickets are slightly cheaper (for example, tickets from Shin-Minamata to Hakata are normally 7570 yen if you buy them at the ticket machine right before taking the train, but online tickets are 6690 yen) The online price for reserved seat tickets is the same as the price for unreserved seat tickets. So, if you’re planning on traveling during a holiday when the trains are potentially more crowded, or just want a guaranteed seat on the train, it might be worth the extra few minutes to reserve a ticket online. However, you can usually get a seat on the unreserved cars, so it might not be worth the time.
Special discount tickets (recommended for going to Osaka) There are also discounted tickets that are cheaper because you reserve them more than 21, 14, or 7 days before the day of the train ride. They don’t run from Shin-Minamata, but you can buy a discounted ticket from Kagoshima-chuo to, for example, Shin-Osaka, that stops at Shin-Minamata on the way, which is a lot cheaper than buying a normal ticket from Shin-Minamata. (13,000 yen instead of 20,000 yen). Make sure to check the train schedule and confirm that the train stops at Shin-Minamata Station (not all trains do!). If you are considering reserving tickets to Osaka, it’s best to do it as soon as tickets go on sale (one month in advance), because they tend to sell out. There are also tickets that are around 14000 yen and 15000 yen.
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Other options for going to Osaka include taking the Shinkansen to Kumamoto or Hakata Station, and flying from the Aso Kumamoto Airport or Fukuoka Airport. You can also take an overnight bus from Kumamoto City. If you reserve tickets more than two days in advance, you can pay at a convenience store or at the station (using the ticket machines or at the ticketing office). The deadline for payment is usually three days after you place the reservation. Once you pay, you cannot change the reservation. If you don’t pay for the tickets, the reservation will automatically cancel itself. Alternatively, if you have a Japanese credit card, you can reserve tickets anytime, and you can change your reservation.
How to reserve tickets online Use the following link to reserve tickets: http://www.jrkyushu.co.jp/railway/ (You’ll need to make an account to reserve tickets) Reservations open one month before the date.
d) Other Services
Orange Shokudo
This is a tourist dining car operated by Orange Railways, running on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays between Yatsushiro and Sendai. You can also charter a train especially for a large group. Bookings can be made within two months of the date, but cancellation fees apply.
For more information, see the Orange Shokudo website (Japanese only) www.hs-orange.com/kankou/
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Minakuru Bus
A loop bus service around Minamata City. It costs 150 yen to ride the Minakuru Bus one way (unless you go really far, in which case the price doubles to 300). You can pay with cash, IC card, or with a 回数券 (kaisuken), which is a strip of 10 bus tickets. You can buy a 回数券 for 1000 yen. If you need to ride the bus a lot, it’s a bit cheaper to buy the 回数券 rather than paying 150 each time. All the bus drivers keep them at the front of the bus, so if you want to buy one you just have to ask!
Ashikita Local Bus Service (Fureai Tsukuru Bus)
Ashikita has just expanded its local bus service, including a new route to Tanoura.
The Fureai Tsukuru Buses are repurposed school buses with a fixed fare of 200 yen - and two routes can take you from the station to the beach:
・ Town Hall & Sashiki Station to Ashikita Beach, Total Seaside Park (roller luge racing) and Tsurugiyama swimming beach ・ Town Hall & Sashiki Station to Tanoura Michi no Eki and Otachimisaki Onsen e) Recommended day trips outside the Minamata, Tsunagi and Ashikita area ・ Izumi – Samurai Residences, Izumi Crane Museum ・ Kuma – Kyusendo caves ・ Hitoyoshi – Hitoyoshi Castle, Hitoyoshi Railway Museum ・ Yatsushiro – Aeon and YumeTown mall
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2) Health Care
Minamata
Cosmos Discount Drug Store MAP
Fukami Hospital (internist) Ozono-cho 1-4-5 0966-63-6390 MAP M-F: 8:30-12:00 and 2:00-5:30 Sat: 8:30-12:00 Sun: closed
Hikari Dentistry Clinic Daikokuchō, 2 Chome−3−12 0120-354-144 MAP
Howakai Minamata Kyoritsu Hospital Sakuraichō, 2 Chome−2−12 0966-63-1704 MAP
Ito Dental Clinic Daikokuchō, 1 Chome−2−3 0966-62-2804 MAP
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Oishi Dermatology Clinic 2 Chome-1-8 Tenjincho Minamata City 0966-68-9636 MAP Doctor Oishi, besides being very kind, can speak some English and doesn't hesitate to use it to communicate with his patients. Although the nurses don't speak English, they are also kind and helpful.
Ogata Ophthalmology Clinic Sakae-machi 2-1-16 0966-63-3881 MAP M, Tu, W, F: 8:30-12:30 and 1:30-5:30 Th, Sat: 8:30-12:30 Sun: closed
Okabe Hospital Sakuraichō, 3 Chome−3−3 0966-63-3311 MAP
Sakura Pharmacy MAP
Sato Clinic Sakurai-cho 1-2-8 Minamata City 0966-69-3007 MAP Specialises in internal medicine, neurology, psychosomatic medicine, acupuncture, Chinese medicine (breath control) etc. Doctor speaks some English.
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Tenjin Ear, Nose and Throat Tenjin-cho 1-4-10 0966-62-8733 MAP M, Tu, W, F: 9:00-12:30 and 2:30-4:00 Th, Sat: 9:00-12:30 Sun: closed
Yamada Clinic Asahimachi, 2 Chome−2−5 0966-63-5188 MAP
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Tsunagi
Cosmos Discount Drug Store MAP
Ekimae Clinic Ooaza Iwaki 2124−1 0966-67-5980 MAP
Muguruma Clinic 6 Iwaki 0966-78-2012 MAP
Orange Dental Clinic (Tsunagi) Iwaki 2320 0066-97185-37078 (freecall) MAP
Tsuruno Dental Clinic Iwaki 497-1 0966-78-2530 MAP
Ashikita
Ashikita Clinic 417-1 Yunoura 0966-86-1200 MAP
Ashikita Dental Clinic 2386-1 Ashikita 0966-82-3161 MAP
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Cosmos Discount Drug Store MAP
Inoue Clinic 167 Sashiki 0966-82-2503 MAP
Inoue Hospital 280-1 Sashiki 0966-82-5865 MAP
Kumamoto Ashikita Medical Treatment and Education Center 2813 Ashikita 0966-82-2431 MAP
Matsumoto Clinic 1666-4 Hanaoka 0966-82-2019 MAP
Miyajima Clinic 348-1 Sashiki 0966-82-2254 MAP
Mizobe Hospital 403-1 Yunoura 0966-86-2770 MAP
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Shinohara Clinic 370 Sashiki 0966-82-2046 MAP
Takemoto Clinic 218-3 Yunoura 0966-86-0075 MAP
Medical support on Sundays and public holidays If you need to see a doctor urgently on a Sunday or public holiday in Minamata, you’ll need to find out which hospital or clinic is the ‘tobani’ ( 当番医 - on duty). Naturally the listing is in Japanese and it can be complicated, so it might be worth asking for assistance with this. It’s unlikely the clinic will have time to do a thorough diagnosis and the various clinics each have their own expertise.
‘Ashikita Machi Dayori’ also posts information about clinics open on Sundays and public holidays (in Japanese, clinic dates are on the second page in the right corner). Here is the link. Additionally, this information is also posted on the Ashikita International Association Facebook page.
Searching with Kumamoto Medical Navi Kumamoto Medical Navi is a hospital and clinic search resource with the option to search in English to find opening hours, specialist information and Google Map pins. Some of the database information is in Japanese. http://mis.kumamoto.med.or.jp
Health, safety and disaster related announcements from Minamata City Announcements from Minamata City are posted simultaneously on the Minamata City 'bosai musen' web page (in Japanese, but there is a 'Google translate' drop down button at the bottom of the page). Here is the link.
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3) Taxi and Daiko Services
Minamata
EMI Daiko 0966-62-3333 Kimijima Taxis 0120-484-141 Minamata Taxi (has a daiko service) 0966-63-1228 Mirai Taxi 0966-63-5158 Taiyo Taxis 0120-332-151 Unten Daiko Yozora no Hoshi 0120-534-911
Tsunagi
Mutsumi Taxis 0120-274-123
Ashikita
Ashikita Kanko Taxis 0120-112-147 Sashiki Daiko Unten 080-6430-0396
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4) Natural Areas and Other Attractions
Minamata
Airinkan – A facility that provides education on farming and eco-tourism. MAP Birthplace of Soho Tokutomi – A well-known journalist and historian. MAP Chikurin Park – A beautiful bamboo grove and Japanese garden MAP Fukuda Farm - Beautiful views of Yunoko, a restaurant and local produce store. MAP Ishitobi Kogen – A farm where you can pick blueberries in August. MAP Hazenoki-kan – Has candle making and a wax museum. MAP Hotto House - A workplace for people with a disability. MAP Kaigandoro Park - A tranquil seaside park. MAP Longest Athletics Track in Japan – A track that begins in Kugino and ends in downtown Minamata. MAP Lover’s Sanctuary – Photo spot overlooking Koiji Island. MAP Minamata Cherry Line – A stretch of coastline with beautiful cherry blossoms in spring. MAP Minamata Disease Municipal Museum – A museum that collects, preserves and displays materials about Minamata disease. MAP Minamata Disease Museum (Soshisha) MAP Minamata Diving - The coast off Minamata is great for snorkeling, where you might spot a seahorse. (Minamata Tourism Association – 0966-63-2079) Minamata Eco House – A display house built in Minamata by the Ministry of the Environment. MAP Minamata Eco Park – A large area with parks, playgrounds and athletics fields MAP Minamata Memorial – A memorial for the victims of Minamata disease located near the Minamata Disease Municipal Museum overlooking the sea. MAP
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Minamata Rose Garden – Roses bloom twice a year, and many events are hosted here. MAP Mont-Vert – A restaurant on a 50 acre farm. MAP Moyai-Naoshi Centre (Moyai-kan) – A public facility that provides rooms to be used for events, equipment loans etc. MAP Nakaoyama Natural Park - Has an observation deck and sky walkway, and hosts the Cosmos Festival in October. MAP National Institute for Minamata Disease (NIMD) – A medical research facility to develop treatments for Minamata disease patients. MAP Samukawa Suigen – A tranquil river with a nagashi-somen noodle restaurant. MAP Yahazudake – A tranquil place to go hiking. You’ll need a car to reach the trail entrance and the initial climb is quite steep. MAP Yude 7 Waterfalls – A great area to go hiking, with beautiful waterfalls. The largest (‘Ootaki’) is quite a spectacle. MAP Yunoko Fishing Park – A fishing pier in Yunoko. MAP Yunotsuru Onsen MAP
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Tsunagi
Akasaki Lookout Area MAP Maizurujo Park MAP Tsunagi Art Museum MAP Tsunagi Onsen Shikisai MAP Tsunagimachi Sports Park MAP
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Ashikita
Ashikita Castle Ruins MAP Ashikita Seaside Park – Beach front, observatory, zorbing and roller luge. MAP Hoshino Tomihiro Art Gallery – A paralysed artist who painted watercolours with a brush in his mouth. MAP Iwa Hot Spring MAP Kyusendo – River, rafting and limestone caves. MAP Old Sashiki Tunnel MAP Otachimisaki Onsen Center - An outdoor onsen with views of the Shiranui Sea. MAP Otachimisaki Seaside Park - Stunning beachfront, roller luge, wood cabins. MAP Sashiki Suwa Shrine MAP Utasebune Boats - Sail on the Shiranui Sea in a traditional fishing boat. (Minamata Tourism Association – 0966-63-2079)
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5) Restaurants and Sweets Shops
Minamata
Ajigokoro Matsu – A small izakaya. MAP
Arase Kaikan – Lunch buffet. MAP Arlequin Sweets MAP Brasserie Haru – An “Italian” restaurant. MAP Chukaryori Tenpokaku – Chinese restaurant. MAP Coffee Shop Tom Sawyer MAP
Gusto - Family restaurant. MAP Hige no Mise – A restaurant on the hill on the way to Nakaoyama Park. MAP Houraku Manju Shop – A very affordable, delicious Minamata specialty. MAP
Joyfull - Family restaurant near Shin-Minamata Station. MAP Kaijiru Ajitokoro Nanri – Circular bento boxes with chicken or salmon. MAP
Kichinto - A yakitori restaurant that specialises in chicken dishes. MAP Kiraku Shokudo – A casual, very affordable restaurant near M’s. MAP
Meimon Chanpon Tsuruoka Shokudo - Chanpon restaurant near the ocean. MAP Michi-no-Eki Minamata Matsubokkuri - Sells black tea and other souvenirs. MAP Minamaru Kitchen – Course meals with a focus on vegetables in season. MAP Montblanc Fujiya – A pricey shop near M’s City with delicious cakes. MAP Nanban Honpo - A very small chicken nanban place near M’s City with a friendly owner and good food. MAP Napoleon – Western style food. MAP Ajisen-A ramen restaurant near Eco park. Oruganto-A new cafe in Minamata near Suikosha.
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Onizuka Nisshoudo – Karinto manju and cream daifuku. MAP Shokudokoro Kashiwagi – Local cuisine. MAP rd Suikosha Restaurant – Restaurant on the 3 floor of Suikosha. MAP Sushi Madoka – Kaitenzushi restaurant near Eco-Park. MAP Sweetshop Mimura - A sweets shop known for their cream puffs. MAP th Sky Resturant – On the 5 floor of M’s City; affordable lunch buffet. MAP Sukiya – A ‘gyudon’ chain close to Eco-Park that can be quite affordable. MAP Takenko – A buffet restaurant next to Matsubokkuri. MAP Tsurunoya – Western style lunch, specialty products and dinner. MAP Yanagiya Honpo - Makes ‘miki monaka’, a crispy cake with bean paste. MAP
Tsunagi
Ajisen Ramen MAP An Sanku - Makes ‘Amanatsu Pie’. MAP Genkido MAP Kannari MAP Sumibiyaki Nikudan - A yakiniku restaurant. MAP
Ashikita
Coraggio - Generous helpings of Italian food and great value lunch! MAP Ebi-An - Delicious shrimp donburi caught by the town's Utase Sail Boats near Ashikita Seaside Park. MAP Gyu Gyu Tei MAP Inaka Sabo Rindo - Ono, Ashikita is well-known for its soba noodles. MAP Joyfull - Family restaurant. MAP Michi-no-Eki Ono Onsen - Sells manju and offers a buffet lunch. MAP Najimi Shokudo MAP Pas-a-Pas - Pricey but tasty French food at Ashikita bayside. MAP Seoul Teppanyaki MAP
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6) Grocery Stores, Convenience Stores and Department Stores
Minamata
7 Eleven MAP FamilyMart MAP Lawson MAP M’s City – Has a supermarket, a Daiso, electronics store and furniture store. MAP Floor B1 Grocery Store - Hours: 9:30 am – 10:00 pm Deli - Hours: 9:30 am – 10:00 pm Flower Shop - Hours: 9:30 am – 8:00 pm Floor 1 Tsutaya - A bookstore and CD/DVD rental store. Hours: 9:30 am – 11:00 pm Shashin Land (Photo Shop) - You can get pictures developed here. They also have a phone app you can use with the kiosk next to the store to print photos from your phone. Hours: 9:30 am – 8:00 pm Amusement Spot M’s Land (Game Center) - There are claw machines, a punching game, purikura, etc. Hours: 9:30 am – 8:00 pm Floor 2 Daiso - 100 yen store. Hours: 9:30 am – 8:00 pm Floor 3 Best Denki - Sells electronics and home appliances. Prices are a bit high compared to the electronics stores in Izumi. Hours: 9:30 am – 8:00 pm
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Floor 4 Interior M’s Furniture Store - Hours: 9:30 am – 8:00 pm Curves (Women only gym) – Hours: 10:00 am – 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm – 7:00pm Monday to Friday, 10:00 am – 1:00pm Saturday Floor 5 M’s Sky Restaurant - A buffet style restaurant. Hours: 11:00 am – 3:00 pm and 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Mojocado MAP Conveniently located in downtown Minamata, near M's City, this small, family-owned store offers organic groceries and a welcoming atmosphere. Prices are higher than at the bigger stores, but some of the products are of higher quality as well. Rocky (Koga) MAP Rocky (Nanpukuji) MAP Suikosha Department Store – Sells groceries, clothes, toys and high quality Japanese souvenirs. MAP Floor 1: Grocery Store (9:00 am-8:00 pm) Floor 2: Clothes (9:00 am-7:00 pm) Floor 3: Clothes, accessories, stationary, foreign snacks, toys, restaurant (9:00 am-7:00 pm)
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Tsunagi
FamilyMart MAP Green Gate MAP Yorimichi – A greengrocer that also sells ‘Ikinaridango’, a Kumamoto specialty. MAP
Ashikita
7 Eleven Ashikita Inter MAP FamilyMart Ashikita Yunoura MAP Lawson Ashikita MAP Rocky (Ashikita Superstore) MAP Yunoura Shopping Centre MAP
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7) Other Stores and Services
Minamata
3Q Cut – A discount hairdresser. MAP Aogi Sports Minamata – A sports store that sells shoes and other sporting goods. MAP Book City Isshindou - Has a larger / different selection of magazines than Tsutaya and sells video games, consoles, and nice ice cream. MAP Comeri Hardware Store MAP Hiroya craft and sewing supplies - Can also be found on the third floor of Suikosha. MAP Karaoke Basta Minamata MAP Karaoke Studio Tone - A little old and shabby, but it’s the closest to the city center (the next closest is near the Eco-Park). MAP Minamata Public Library – Has a very small selection of English children’s books, with all other books in Japanese. MAP Minamata Post Office - While the main office closes at 5 pm, there’s a window counter that’s open until 8 pm on weekdays where you can send mail and packages, and pick up packages. The window counter is also open on Saturdays from 8-5, and Sunday from 9-12:30. MAP Rakuraku Laundry MAP Tiara – A hairdressing salon near Suikosha with nice service. 4000 yen for a haircut. MAP White Peer Coin Laundry MAP
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● Hair Boutique Sonoda- Tenjin-cho 2-4-1 0966-63-6161 M: closed Tu, W, Th, F: 8:30am-7:00pm Sat, Sun: 8:00am-7:00pm ● Tahara Cycle - A bicycle store that also does repairs. Fixing a flat tire only costs 1000 yen. Replacing tires can cost up to 4000 yen depending on the tire brand. Tenjin-cho 2-4-27 0966-62-3275 M, Tu, W, Th, F, Sat: 8:00am-6:00pm Sun: closed
Tsunagi
Comeri Hardware Store MAP
Ashikita
Ashikita Bowling Centre MAP Ashikita Public Library MAP
Izumi
Izumi is located in Kagoshima prefecture, but it is only a 30 minute drive from Minamata and offers a variety of stores, including, Nitori, Uniqlo, Book-Off, McDonalds, KFC, Komeda Coffee, Trial (24 hour supermarket/superstore), etc.
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8) Mobile Phone Plans
Sakura Mobile Cheap, no contract and has an English website. Poor connection in Ashikita.
Y Mobile (Softbank) Has 2 year contracts. Complicated sign-up process and the speed slows down to 8kbps if you exceed the data limit.
Docomo There is a store in Minamata. Good service, reasonable cost and good data plan. 2 year contract. Need to go into the store to set up and it can take some time, so best to arrive just after the shop opens. A proof of residence certificate and a work phone number are required. There are a variety of plans, for example call plans where the first 5 minutes are free, or paying in increments of 30 seconds. There are data plans that are pay-for-use or a fixed monthly limit (the speed drops significantly if you reach the limit). After two years, you can change over to a shorter plan.
Au No store in Minamata anymore. Has 2 year contracts.
Softbank You may have to go to Yatsushiro to set up a plan.
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OCN, Mobile ONE Flexible, good value and easy to manage, but you have to buy the SIM from an electronics store and then set up an account online and upload forms of ID, which may require advanced Japanese ability.
Mobal A zero contract sim, which is convenient but very expensive!
Other plans Yamada Denki in Izumi (Kagoshima Prefecture) seems to offer plans from a variety of phone carriers. Izumi is a 30 minute drive from Minamata.
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9) Local Festivals and Events
February Kugino Shishinabe Marathon (Airinkan, Minamata)
March Saratama-chan Festival (Minamata Eco-Park, Minamata) Ashikita Utasebune Marathon (Ashikita Bay) Dekopon Festival (Ashikita Dekopon Rest Area, Ashikita)
April Minamata Spring Festival (Minamata Shopping Street near Minamata Station) Minamata Rose Festa Spring
May Illuminated Rice Terraces (Kugino, Minamata) Minamata Fireworks Display (Minamata Eco-Park) Minamata Port Festival Minamata Food Festa
July Renryusai - citizen parade and dance (Minamata Shopping Street outside Higo Bank)
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August Ashikita Summer Festival (various locations in Ashikita) Seribune Boat Race (Minamata River) Seribune Boat Race (Tsunagi Bay area) Tsunagi Summer Festival (near Tsunagi Town Hall)
October Cosmos Festival (Nakaoyama Park, Minamata) Izumi Crane Marathon (Izumi, Kagoshima Prefecture)
November Ashikita International Festival (Ashikita Dekopon Rest Area, Ashikita) Fureai Matsuri (near Tsunagi Town Hall) Tsunagi Bronze Marathon Minamata Rose Festa Autumn Kyushu Tea Summit (Minamata Rose Garden)
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