March 2021, Vol.76

The Newsletter for Foreign Residents<People> Interview････P1
Let’s go for a hike!
････P2Your Company for a Hike････P3
Japan has enacted laws to impose
tougher penalties for road rage････P4Moving････P5
Announcements & Letter from the Editor ････P6
Himeji Cultural and International Exchange Foundation– newsletter editing volunteers
https://www.himeji-iec.or.jp＜People＞ Mr. Michael Lehemu
Mr. Lehemu is from Tanzania in East Africa. He was born inMbuyuni, Masasi. He is a painter of a modern art form called“Tinga Tinga” which represents east Africa. He keeps up with hispainting while traveling between Africa and Japan. He
sometimes has exhibitions in Himeji. He has won international
competitions and had workshops at Aichi Expo in Japan in 2005,
as well as expos in 2010, 2012, and 2015.
Q: What is Tinga Tinga art?
A: Tinga Tinga art was developed in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania in the 1960s. The genre is named after
Edward Said Tingatinga (1937～1972), who is the founder of the art style. He is my great uncle.
It is a pop art technique that mainly depicts animals, plants and nature with African colors. It ishighly regarded, especially in Europe.
Q: Please tell us about your career as a painter.
A: I have been good at drawing since I was little. At the age of 10, I moved to Dar es Salaam bymyself to learn more Tinga Tinga art. After three years, I inherited my great uncle’s teaching andstarted working as a professional painter. After that, I won an international competition in
Switzerland and started working abroad.
Q: What brought you to Japan?
A: I came to Japan for the first time in 2004 at the invitation of the Embassy of Tanzania. After that,
I had workshops and solo exhibitions all over Japan. I have been based in Japan since 2006.
Q: Please tell us your dream for the future.
A: I would like to start an art school in Tanzania or Japan and spread the joy of drawing.

-1-

Let’s go for a hike!
There are numerous rocky paths and mountains, which are lower than 1000m,
and suitable for hiking in Hyogo. How about going on a mountain walk to avoid
crowds and take measures against COVID-19?
1. Mt. Shosha (For beginners)The movie “The Last Samurai” was filmed at Shoshazan Engyoji Temple, on the top of themountain. The Higashisaka route, one of six routes, has excellent scenery and is the best forbeginners. A cable car is also available to descend if tired.
Required time：Approx. an hour one way for climbing.
Access：About 30 minutes by Shinki Bus from JR Himeji station to the Mt. Shosha Ropeway station.
Fees: 500 yen entrance fee for Engyoji Temple(Ropeway one way: Adult: 600 yen, Child: 300 yen)
2. Mt. Takamikura (beginner ～ intermediate climbers)
Mt. Takamikura is considered to be the Mt. Fuji of the Harima area. On a clear day, Awaji islandand Himeji castle can be seen. You can walk on a rocky path. There is little shade, so be carefulof heatstroke.

Required time
AccessCircular route (For intermediates)

Narui trailhead (For beginners)

About 4 hours

About an hour and half

About 10 mins by Shinki Bus

About 20 mins by Kako Bus mini fromfrom JR Sone station toJR Hoden station to Frosch mae terminal

Kashima Jinja terminalon Shikata Nishi route

3. Mt. Seppiko (intermediate ～ skilled climbers)
Here, the ascetic practices of “mountain worship” have taken place since the old era. The rocky route,for skilled climbers, is famous for rock climbing. General routes can be enjoyable for intermediateclimbers. After descending, you can also visit the nearby Seppiko Onsen where you can relax.
Required time：About 2 hours one way
Access：About an hour by car from JR Himeji station
Others：Bathing fee for Seppiko Onsen (Adult: 800 yen, Child: 400 yen)
Hiking Etiquette
・Be sure to take your trash with you. Foods with a strong smell,such as instant noodle broth, could attract wild animals suchas bears. It is very dangerous to encounter them.
・When it comes to ascending and descending, those who areascending have the right-of-way. When descending, please
give way to those climbing up.
・Please hike in single file lines.
-2-Your Company for a Hike
Lunch is even more delicious when enjoyed surrounded by nature. Pack onigiri (rice balls),

tamagoyaki (rolled omelet), broccoli, etc. in your lunch box and let's go on a hike!
How to Make Onigiri
1. Place plastic wrap on

3. Wrap the rice with plastic

your palm, sprinkle a bit

wrap on your palm. Placeof salt and put rice on it.

the other palm, shaped
like " く " over it and2. If you like to put fillings

rotate it to make it into a

inside, lightly push down

triangle. You can also

the rice and make a space

wrap it with seaweed.

for it. Put the filling ofyour choice there andwrap it up with rice.

Onigiri's been eaten for more than 2,000years. It could certainly be called thetraditional food of Japan.

How to make tamagoyaki (rolled omelet)
Ingredients: 3 eggs
1 teaspoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
Vegetable oil, as needed
1. Beat eggs in a bowl, add sugar and salt,and mix them.
2. Pour half amount of step

How to cut tako-san (Mr. Octopus) sausages

1 into greased tamagoyaki

1. Cut half of the sausage in half.

pan on mid to low heat.

2. Rotate 90° horizontally, and(Instead of tamagoyaki pan, a frying pan

repeat step 1.

-also works)
3. When it is half-way cooked, roll from theHow to cut kani-san (Mr. Crab) sausages

side closest to you outward.

1. Slice the sausage in half.

4. Move the rolled egg to the side close to

2. Make additional cuts asyou, and pour the egg mixture from step 1

shown.

in the vacant area of the pan.
5. Repeat step 3.

Grease frying pan and sauté.

6. After cooling, cut it
about 2cm width.

-3-Japan has enacted laws to impose tougher penalties for road rage
Have you ever had another car cut in immediately in front of you while driving? This is one
example of “Aori Unten (road rage)”. There is a great possibility that it will lead to serious roadaccidents. A law has been enacted in order to clamp down on such horrendous driving manners.
Ten traffic violations liable to penalties.
① Driving too close② Sudden braking.

③ Sudden change ofto another car.

⑤ Tailgating –driving too closely

traffic lanes.

⑥ Driving in the⑦ Persistent horns.

opposite lane.

(Persistent bell forbehind.

④ Dangerous
overtaking.

⑧ Persistentheadlight flashing.

bicycles).

⑨Driving under the⑩ Parking/Stopping

speed limit on theof a vehicle on thehighway.

highway.

Violations of these rules lead to strict penalties,
such as imprisonment, fines, or suspension ofdriver’s license.

BicyclesBicycles fall under the same category as cars. Violations of the above-mentioned items ① to ⑦
are liable to criminal punishment like imprisonment or fines.

When you are involved in a road rage situation…
Head to a parking lot or area where there are other people. Call 110 (thepolice). Be sure not to park your car on the road. There is a danger of anothercar hitting you. Lock the car door and wait until the police arrive. It would begood to have a dashboard camera installed in your car.

-4-Moving
The fiscal year begins in April in Japan. During this period, many people
move to pursue education and job opportunities. This time, we would like tointroduce some safety tips and necessary procedures of moving.
When you decide to move・・・
・If you live in a rental property, let the landlord know when you wish move out at least a month inadvance.
・If you hire a moving company, it is good to get a quote from several companies before you decide.
★The necessary procedures for moving
・If you move out of the city:
てんしゅつとどけ

Submit a 転 出 届 (move-out notification) to the local government office where you currently
てんしゅつしょうめい しょ

てんにゅうとどけlive and get a 転 出 証 明書 (certificate of moving-out). Then you need to submit a 転 入 届(moving-in notification) to the local government where you are going to live within 14 days of
てんしゅつしょうめい しょmoving. If you submit a 転 出 証 明書 (certificate of moving-out) and your residence card
together, you can change the address on your residence card, too.
・If you move within the city:
てん きょとどけ

You need to submit a 転居 届 (notification of moving) to the local government
office within 14 days of moving.
Update your address with your children’s school, or kindergarten, telephone company, financial
institution, and credit card companies. Also contact the electric, gas, and water companies. If you
register for mail forwarding at your local Japan Post office, your mail and parcels sent to theformer address will be forwarded for one year for free.
When you move・・・
Contact the chairman of local self-government or the caretaker of your flat, and ask how to disposeof the garbage and if there are any local rules. Additionally, it is recommended to check evacuation
shelter on a hazard map.
If you move to a rental property, security deposit or key money might be required.
しき きん

敷金 (Security deposit)
Security deposit is the money you deposit in advance for repairs if the property is damaged
or soiled, or if one does not pay the rent. The deposit will be returned when you move out if
there is no damage.
* If you want to change the interior, it is better to ask the landlord in advance.
れい きん

礼金 (Key money)
Key money is the money to thank the landlord. It will not be returned when you move out.
Some properties do not require a security deposit or key money, but the rent may be higher, or
you may be charged for repairs or cleaning when you move out.

-5-

☆Announcements from the Himeji Cultural and International Exchange Foundation☆
■Recruitment of translation volunteers for easy-to-understand Japanese version of "VIVA!ひめじ"We are currently conveying information in “VIVA! ひめじ” in 6 languages. To
provide easy-to-understand information to more foreign residents, we are planningto publish an easy-to-understand Japanese version. So now, we are looking forvolunteers to translate the Japanese draft into easy-to-understand Japanese. If you
are interested, please contact us using the contact information below.

◇◆◇Letter from the Editor◇◆◇How was your “stay home time" this winter? In Japan, spring is the season when people start a
new life after graduation, admission, employment, etc. The weather is getting warmer and the days
are growing longer. Beautiful flowers and young leaves will lift your mood. Why don't you get out tolook for spring nearby? While avoiding crowds, of course!

Disaster Prevention Vocabulary of This Issue
とう かい倒壊 Toukai: collapse
はん かいEx) 半壊 Hankai: Partial destruction of a building, cracked
walls and roofs
ぜん かい

全壊 Zenkai: Destruction of an entire building

People Who Cooperated in Creating This Newsletter
Japanese:：SADA Yasuko, MOCHIZUKI Toshiharu, HONJO Masako,
SHIGETA Fusako, KUNIMITSU Minako, MIYAMOTO Mika
English： ITANI Megumi, YOSHIDA Ayano, FUKUI Kenzo,TAKIMOTO Satoko, FUKUMIZU Yayoi, Tiffany Gibson
These names are used with the contributors’ permission.
Their assistance is much appreciated.
You can read previous issues of “VIVA! ひ め じ ” on the Himeji Cultural and International.
Exchange Foundation’s website (International Exchange Section) (https://www.himeji-iec.or.jp/).
The next issue will be available in June 2021.
We welcome your comments and suggestions. We are also looking for translators and native
speakers to assist us with translating and proofreading upcoming editions. If you are interested,
please contact us at the following address.
Contact Information
Himeji Cultural and International Exchange Foundation
3rd floor, Egret Himeji, 68-290 Honmachi,
Himeji City, Hyogo 670-0012
TEL : 079-282-8950 FAX : 079-282-8955
Email: info-iec@himeji-iec.or.jp-6-