Unknown Nichigo

Learn more about the lesser-known aspects of the Japan-Australia relationship.
日本とオーストラリアの関係に隠れた、あまり知られていない側面についてもっと知ってみよう

  • Tour de Kagoshima-Kyoto Day 1: Izumi to Hinagu

    The tour kicked off on the bikes with a ride through a samurai household neighborhood in Izumi and then moved its way through mandarin groves while heading toward the coast. Riders reached Minamata, which gave its name to one of the world’s best-known instances of industrial disease. Despite it’s bleak and tragic past, Minamata is quite quaint. From Minamata it was a trek around the glorious Ashikita Coast. Roads were almost traffic free and the journey was peaceful and quite with wonderful views of the seas and Amakusa Islands in the distance. The rode drew to a close with a tough climb and descent back down to the coast and…

  • Tour de Kagoshima-Kyoto Day -1B: Haneda to Izumi

    Izumi is one of Kagoshima Prefecture’s–and Japan’s, for that matter–little gems. This little town in the heart of what was the Choshu domain that would usher Japan into the modern world from the latter half of the 19th century now markets itself largely around the tens of thousands of cranes that migrate there during the colder months. But Izumi also has plenty of history, including a district of samurai houses, and wonderful natural surrounds. Enough of the tourist stuff, though, because Izumi is the start of the Tour de Kagoshima-Kyoto run by the indefatigable Japan Biking and Pedal Pedal Bicycle Tours. Kangaeroo has worked the tour before and never really made…

  • Tour de Kagoshima-Kyoto Day 0: Izumi

    Participants rolled in, bike fittings are over, the briefing dinner is done and all are off to bed to ready themselves for the real ride, starting tomorrow. People assembled from across Australia, but mostly Sydney, to take part in the trip. The journey will start from Izumi, traverse Kyushu, head over and across Shikoku before meandering its way though the Kansai region to the ancient capital of Kyoto. Let’s have an awesome trip!

  • Tour de Kagoshima-Kyoto Day -1A: Tama Hills to Haneda

    Kangaeroo started a epic journey on the morning of September 29. Leaving the United States Air Force Tama Hills Recreation Reserve in Inagi, Kangaeroo hit the Tamagawa Cycling Road. The bike track follows the Tama River to its mouth at Tokyo Bay, leading directly to Haneda Airport. From Haneda, it was a several-hour wait before heading to Kagoshima on the wonderful Solaseed Air, which was cheap and efficient. Brommie was packed into a bag with an assortment of items and the trip ended safely.  The day started a Tama Hills Recreation Center, which had once been an arsenal for the Imperial Japanese Army. Covered by a canopy, the arsenal was…

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    RIP to a Ripper Bloke, Bob Hawke

    Australia’s last man of the people to become prime minister is no longer. Robert James Lee “Bob” Hawke died earlier this week, just two days before his beloved Australian Labor Party is expected to re-take office in the May 18 federal election following six years of misrule by an incompetent Liberal–National Party coalition government. Hawke was 89. He was a popular prime minister whose time in office went from 1983 to 1991. He remains the longest-serving Labor prime minister in Australian history. Hawkey didn’t really have much to do with Japan during his time in office. Perhaps the closest project involving Japan was the disastrous Multifunction Polis proposal that sparked…

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    The Times They Are A Changin’

    After many years of stabliity, we got a shock to the system as the year started when our coordinating staff all quit as one, leaving us completely undermanned. Our current manager asked me to take over, but I don’t ever want to work in management again, so it will be interesting to see what happens. In better news, daily commuting my cycling has become a permanent part of my life now, providing a wonderful source of stabilty amid the turmoil. I wish all the best to T****, Y**** and R***, and thanks for everything you’ve done.

  • Abe First Japanese PM To Visit Japanese-Bombed Darwin

    In 1942, Japanese forces launched the only attacks on the Australian mainland, and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe became the first premier to visit Darwin, the most heavily damaged city bombed by the Japanese. Apart from Darwin, Japanese forces also attacked Sydney, Broome, Katherine, Wyndham, Exmouth, Port Headland and Townsville in the early stages of World War II. Abe’s grandfather, former Prime Minister Nobusuke Kishi, was arrested for war crimes, but released without conviction. Kishi was instrumental in re-establishing a strong postwar trade relationship between Australia and Japan. Shinzo Abe arrives in Darwin for first visit by Japanese leader

  • The 1,300-Year-Old Monk

    Kukai is one of the most influential figures in Japanese Buddhism. He founded what is now the mountain town of Koyasan, located atop Mount Koya. Kukai, who was born in the 8th century, also established Shingon Buddhism, one of the main sects of Japanese Buddhism. Shingon followers believe Kukai is still alive. They take meals to him daily.