旭川

Asahikawa Info

September 2024 , Volume 334

Upcoming Events

Upcoming events and activities in Asahikawa and around Hokkaido

Events by the Asahikawa International Center

FUN
Friday旭
Fun Fridays
Interesting activities such as quizzes, discussions, songs, games,
handicrafts and much more, all in English! Come meet new people, relax
and relate on Fun Friday!
Registration Open: 9/20/2024 (Friday)
Please register on the registration open date by scanning the QR Code orcontacting our center: (0166)25-7491
Dates: Oct. 11th & 25th, Nov. 8th & 22nd, Dec. 13th & 27thTimes: 13:00pm-14:00pm ~Afternoon~ 2nd and 4th Friday of the month
18:30-20:30pm ~Evening~ 2nd Friday of the month
Location: Asahikawa International Center, Common Meeting Room (1)(Feeeal Asahikawa 7F 1-jo-dori 8-chome)
Charge: ¥1,500 for 3 months (Free for volunteer leaders)旭
Friendship Party : Multicultural Exchange
Meet both the local and international residents of Asahikawa!
Communication will be primarily in Japanese and English, but otherlanguages are also welcome!
Registration Open: 9/20/2024 (Friday)
Please register on the registration open date by scanning the QR Codeor contacting our center: (0166)25-7491
Dates: 10/5 (Saturday)
Times: 13:30-15:00
Location: Asahikawa International Center, Lounge(Feeeal Asahikawa 7F 1-jo-dori 8-chome)

Guide
Check out our website and social
media for information regarding thecenter or any upcoming events!

旭 Events in Asahikawa
Events by Asahikawa International Center

For further information or to registerfor events, contact:
Asahikawa International Committee (AIC)(ISHIBE Satoko)
or Coordinator for International Relations (CIR)(MABILANGAN John)
Address: Asahikawa International Center Feeeal 7F,
1-jo-dori 8-chome, Asahikawa 070-0031
Tel: (0166) 25-7491
Fax: (0166) 23-4924
Email: cir_kokusai@city.asahikawa.lg.jp
Website:http://asahikawaic.jp/en/

Inside this issue...
01 ............. Upcoming Events
03 ............. Life in Asahikawa
04 ............. Ode to Food
06.............. A Baby Boomer Learns English
10.............. Asahikawa Eats

1

Redesigned by Jovana MaksimovicAsahikawa Info

Upcoming Events

Upcoming events and activities in Asahikawa and around Hokkaido

旭

Sapporo Autumn Fest
さっぽろオータムフェスト
Food and ingredients from all over Hokkaido
come to Odori Park for the month of September!
Event Details
Date: 9/6 (Fri)~9/29(Sun)Time: 10:00~20:30
Location: Odori Park, Sapporo
Scan the QR Code for details (in Japanese)

Japanese Conversation with Locals
旭川市民との日本語会話
Practice your Japanese and get some learning tips
from native speakers!
Event Details
Date: 9/7 (Sat)Time: 15:00- 16:00 (arrive 15 min before start)
Location: Asahikawa International CenterFeeeal 7F 1-Jodori 8-Chome
For Registration: 0166-25-7491

Hakodate Gourmet Circus
はこだてグルメサーカス
Food and ingredients from all over Japan andthe world can be found right at Hakodate’s
Gourmet Circus.
Event Details
Date: 9/7 (Sat)~9/8(Sun)Time: 10:00~17:00 (concludes at 16:00 on 9/8)
Location: Hakodate Station Area
Scan the QR Code for details (in Japanese)

Blessings of the North: Tabemarche Food Festival 旭
北の恵み：食べマルシェ
Taste the flavors of northern Hokkaido throughAsahikawa’s renown Tabemarche Food Festival!
Event Details
Date: 9/14 (Sat)~9/16 (Mon)Time: 10:00~18:00(concludes at 17:00 on 9/16)
Location: Asahikawa Station, Heiwa-Dori Shopping
Street , 7-Jo Ryoku-Do
Scan the QR Code for details (in Japanese)

September 2024 Calendar EVENTS IN ASAHIKAWA
SUN

MON
1

TUE
2

WED
3

THU
4

FRI

SAT

5

6
Start of Sapporo
Autumn Fest

8

9

10

11

12

13
FUN FRIDAY

15

Holiday

16

17

18

19

29

Holiday

7

14

Blessings of
the North:Tabemarche
Food Festival

21

Registration Open

Blessings of the North:Tabemarche Food Festival

22

20

Japanese
Conversation
with Locals

1) Fall Fun Friday
2) Fall Friendship Party

23

24

25

30

End of Sapporo
Autumn Fest

2

26

27
FUN FRIDAY

28

Life in Asahikawa
Staying Fit Through City Gymnasiums
Written by John Mabilangan

Throughout the city, Asahikawa offers
a wide range of community centersand gymnasiums accessible to the
public. These facilities provide various
sports activities, including badminton,volleyball, jogging courses, and race
tracks, all at affordable rates. You canenjoy your exercise routine while
engaging with the local community.
Gymnasiums Downtown and Surrounding Areas
Facility (Address & Contact)

Available Sports

Facility: Dohoku Arcs Taisetsu Arena
Address: Kagura 4 jo 7 chome 1-52
Phone: 0166-61-9952

Badminton, mini-volleyball,footsal, basketball, jogging

Facility: Taisei Civic Center Gymnasium
Address: 6-jodori 14-chome-64
Phone: 0166-23-7785

Badiminton and ping-pong

Facility: Recruit & Staffing Gymnasium(Asahikawa Municipal Gymnasium)
Address: Hanasakicho 5-chome
Phone: 0166-54-5411

Facility: Chikabumi Civic Fureai Center
Gymnasium
Address: Chikabumicho 15-chome
Phone: 0166-55-320

Website QR CodeBadminton, ping-pong, volleyball,soft-volleyball, mini-volleyball,
gymnastics, and other recreationalmartial arts

Swimming, badmnton, volleyball,mini-volleyball, basketball.. etc.
(multi-purpose gymnasium)

Certain facilities charge a usage fee ranging from ¥150 to ¥750 for day use, depending on theseason and activity. However, many of these facilities offer multi-use tickets for frequent visitors,
which are generally more cost-effective than single-day tickets. Additionally, some facilities
provide equipment rentals at affordable prices.
To access a comprehensive list of facilities in Asahikawa or for more information regarding sports
facilities, please access the website below or the department in charge. (Japanese).
Sports Promotion Division, Asahikawa Sports and Tourism Department.
Website: https://www.city.asahikawa.hokkaido.jp/kurashi/329/338/347/d053991.html
Phone: 0166-23-1944
Address: 6-jodori 10-chome (3rd City Hall Office)3

An Ode to FoodPart 1: The Sweet & Salty Combinations of the US
Written by Jovana Maksimović

Left: Chicken & Waffles. Top Right: Caramel & Cheddar Cheese Popcorn.
Bottom Left: Chicago-style Hot Dogs

Many expats that I crossed paths with often miss specific products, candy or chocolates, cookies,
salad dressing, chips or things from fast food chains. Meanwhile, I grimace and wonder why they
miss it. Growing up in the US, you would think I would crave heaps of products. However, as a ruleof thumb, my father once advised me that anything with high fructose corn syrup, added sugar, orconcentrate was not good for my health. To further enforce this rule, very few sugary food items
were purchased when we went grocery shopping. When my brother and I wanted something sweet,
we made desserts with our mother. If we needed meat or cheese, it was from the butcher orcheese shop, respectively. If my parents needed to thicken a sauce for a meal, they used flour
instead of industrial thickeners. Soup and mashed potatoes were from scratch, not from a bag.
My parents, who were once cooks professionally, could have written an entire book of rules I
found strange growing up. Have a bowl of soup before your meal because it’s good for theintestines. Beverages (mainly water) should be drunk before or after meals to prevent the stomach
from getting too full. Eat your green vegetables as they help with digestion and lower constipation.
Always pick whole fruit over juice because the fruit still has fibre. However much my brother and I
disliked certain foods, we weren’t allowed to leave the table until we finished eating. If, by somemiracle, we were allowed to leave, that same meal waited for us later.
My parents explained that if ever we were in a country with curious food choices, we should be
able to eat them. Guess who adores eating natto? This one does.
I genuinely enjoyed the taste of my parents’ cooking, and I was a strange child who often craved
vegetables. I ate everything under the sun, not because it was always tasty but because I liked themouthfeel. Beyond my home life, most candies had a strange texture, much like soft melted plastic
that stuck to the roof of my mouth. Over-processed food had so much sugar, salt, or both that I

4

felt it scratch at my throat when I had too much. In certain restaurants, the excess of artificial MSG
was so common that I knew its flavour profile. My own rule to my parents' mental book ofnutritional regulations was: if something needs to have a lot of additional MSG, it isn't cooked welland not worth eating.
When I think of American food, sweet and salty foods combined come to mind. It isn’t unusual tohave sweet cranberry sauce on the Thanksgiving turkey or fried chicken with sweet peach cobbler
and coleslaw salad as joint side dishes. Once, out of curiosity, I tried a burger whose buns were
doughnuts; not one doughnut cut in half, but two whole doughnuts with a meat patty and toppings
between them. Of course I had junk food with friends, but it was never compulsive. It was easy to
avoid when almost everything about my home life was fresh produce and home-cooked meals.
Again, if it were good, I wouldn’t need something overly sweet to balance out the overly salt, or
vice-versa.
However, that isn’t to say that all the food I had access to in the US was garbage. There are hidden
regional gems worth tasting and learning to make, like New England’s crab cakes and clam
chowder, or Southern soul food and gumbo. Hot dogs and bagels vary regionally and can haveboth fibrous and pickled toppings. Tangy key lime pie from the Floria Keys gets my taste buds
singing just thinking about a slice. Mac and cheese from scratch is heavenly when prepared with agood mix of cheeses. Speaking of cheese, Chicago may be well-known for its deep-dish pizza, but
the caramel and cheddar cheese popcorn is what I miss from the Windy City.
In the US, I also had the chance to experience everything else. Many of my friends and theirparents were first-generation immigrants who invited me to try their home cooking. I was exposed
to quesadillas, enchiladas, and molé thanks to a friend whose family was from Mexico. A closefriend across the alley always had Puerto Rican rice and skirt steak when her family had gettogethers. Another friend from Korea often served me a bowl of rice with kimchi, which I haveadored ever since middle school. A Polish friend of mine was interested in Japanese food, so we
often had udon, ramen, katsu curry, and many other products from the Japanese supermarket andits restaurants. Strawberry Pocky was my preferred snack throughout my high school years. Later,
as a young adult, I dove into ceviche, looked out for delicious, creamy hummus with crispy falafeland sought out the best taro root bubble tea in and around Chinatown.
As I had mentioned, there are not many foods that I miss from the US. The primary reason is that I
learnt to make what I was craving. However, there is one chain of cafés in the US whose food stillgets my appetite going to this day. It is Native Foods Café, which excels at vegan food. I know. How
ironic to see a Serb in a vegan café. But that was where I went when I had the itch for veggies andplant-based protein. It was addictive in the best possible way. Since vegan food comes from plantbased sources, the traditional cooking methods that use fat, meat and dairy for sauces are out thewindow. This café made brilliant dishes that remained light, filling and flavourful. Had I stayed in
the US, I would have happily become something close to a vegan. I would have been somethingcloser to a pescatarian seeing as I love fish, honey and my vintage leather jacket.

5

A Baby Boomer Learns English
Episode 5: Getting Acquainted with Neighbors (1991)
Written by Noriaki Gentsu

With Jutta at The Royal Gardens of Herrenhausen, Hannover (1992)(Continued from Episode 4)
Introduction

German community of about 30 householdswith a variety of people. It was the perfectenvironment to brush up my German.
Furthermore, there was a personalconnection between me and the owners, anelderly couple, who were moving to a nursing
facility in Lindau. The kind couple had left all
their furniture in excellent condition for me.

In the spring of 1991, I moved to an apartment
in Lehrte, a small town near Hannover (thecapital city of the German state, Lower Saxony)
where I was fortunate to integrate in anauthentic German community where I would
live until I moved back to Japan in 1996. I willreflect on the things I learned from such a newenvironment.

Meeting Jutta Kühnau (1991)

Movements (1990-1991)
Towards the end of 1990, a new building for ourdevelopment center, a base for my main
mission, was completed. I wrapped up our
temporary office in Osterode and started
working in a new office in Peine. Unable todecide where to live next, I drove 110km to andfrom the new office every workday. What madeit challenging was the exceptionally heavy
snowfall that winter.
In spring 1991, I moved to a new apartmentbuilding in Lehrte. It was ideally located 26 km
to Hannover Langenhagen Airport and 20 km
from our Peine office. The building was a sevenstory structure that housed an authentic

6

One spring afternoon in 1991, shortly after I
moved into the apartment, a lady was waiting
for the elevator in the entrance when she
spoke to me in English with a strong German
accent. She asked if I was from Japan and if I
could speak with her grandson some time,
Oliver, who was very interested in Japan. Her
name was Jutta (pronounced like “YOO-tah”).
That was the beginning of our friendship.
As I think back , that was a key moment
when I met someone I could trust and rely on
while living in a foreign country andcommunity.

Summer Party (1991)

key to get respect from the local people in
return. This is what can help separate youfrom a tourist.

Sometime later, Jutta strongly recommended
me to join a summer party for the building.
One weekend afternoon in June 1991, manytenants of our apartment building in Lehrte
were all busy preparing for the party (called a“Hausfest” in German) which was held at thebackyard that evening.

Thirdly, remembering the names of thepeople I meet can make us closer to eachother. It was hard, but I made efforts doing so.
One thing I did before business meetings wasto remember them using business cards I
received from them.

The party began around 6 p.m. and went onwith beers and spiced grilled meats; people
sat around several tables scattered on the
backyard lawn. It was the perfect opportunity
to use my German. Moving from table totable, I answered mostly the same questions:about Japan, my family, what I did in Japanand what I was doing in Germany.

With every summer party there, I got
acquainted with new neighbors and further
developed our relationship.
Learning from Jutta (1991)
My neighbor and friend Jutta lived on the 5th
floor. One day she invited me for supper andserved me with a dish she called “armes
Brot,” which means “bread for the poor” inGerman. She knew I was expecting something
warm. She taught me the German standard ofdaily meals: “Eat breakfast like a king, eatlunch like a noble, eat supper like a beggar.”This explanation clarified my question about
why German breakfasts are so hearty, aquestion that had puzzled me for a whole year
since my first days in Osterode am Harz at
Pension Börgener.

I tried to find a common ground with people
from my father’s generation by telling themstories about his army experience. I told themthat my father was in the army but did notfight in the front lines because of an illness
found during his training period. Once I
shared my father’s story, other people fromthe party began sharing their own wartime
stories.
When people finished their meals, the party
went on with only beers and talking. Theygave me “Schnapps”, a German alcoholic
spirit, which they said would warm up our
stomach to accept more cold beer. Only a few
people including myself sat there until 2 a.m. I
would later hear that it lasted until 4 in themorning. They said they would only call it aparty if they stayed up past midnight. How
different from Japan!

However, I must say the supper Jutta served
me was great: a slice of German rye breadwhich was a bit sour and hard with a thickspread of fresh butter, topped with sliced
cheese and high-quality ham. She used a knife
and fork to elegantly eat it bit by bit, andthere was a fresh coffee to complement thebread. She said, “Oh, I can’t live without thiscoffee!” as she looked me smiling.

At the end of the day, I learned a few things
while I was there:

She knew I preferred “Brötchen,” a smallround bread roll. She taught me how to use aknife to cut it horizontally at the equator,
creating an opening like a crevasse wherebutter and ham could be added.

Firstly, socializing in parties only needs alimited number of expressions and topics.
Locals come to me generally asking the samekind of questions: about family, hobbies,
work, funny stories and Japan. I would ask
them the same in return, which made us
closer by extending our conversation.

Sometimes during the evening, she would tellme more personal stories like:
When she was living in Leipzig, she wasmarried to a doctor. After the end of the war,
she escaped to West Germany with their

Secondly, speaking the local language means
to pay respect to the country you visit and a7

infant daughter, Sylvia. When she was in theforest and stopped by Soviet soldiers at theborder line. There, she pleaded for them to let
her go, and the kind soldier did so. She didn’t
tell me if she was alone or with her husband
then.

Another time, she told me how much she
enjoyed her life in Spain after her husband’s
retirement. Knowing I learned Spanish a little,
she would speak in Spanish during ourconversations such as “Muchas gracias” and“De nada”, meaning “Thank you very much”
and “You’re welcome”, respectively. She
would often look back at their beautiful daysin Spain.

Whenever I was invited to her birthday parties
at a restaurant in Burgdorf, a small town near
Lehrte, I would meet some of her friends. I
didn’t ask them for details, but I had theimpression that they had either escaped fromthe East together or had settled in the samecommunity after their escape. Being withthem, I felt an exclusive, unique, and united
atmosphere.

More importantly, she often said to me, “Makea lot of beautiful memories with your wifeand family. You can live with memories when
you get older and alone.” I nodded and said,“Yes, of course!” Even to this day I take heradvice seriously.
-------

One afternoon on her birthday, when I briefly
greeted her, she was completely absorbed incalling her friends who had sent her birthday
cards. She used a pencil to dial, poking it into
each hole of the rotary dial to protect her
freshly manicured red nails. I asked her, “Are
you calling everyone who sent you a card? I’ll
make sure to send a card in return next time.”
She replied, “You need to take care of yourfriendships regularly, just like how you water
your flowers.”

As mentioned, my life in Lehrte had a goodstart. Jutta taught me things. My life would
further carry on in Germany and Europe not
only involving my family, Jutta’s family, andher friends but also develop my thoughts on
the region’s culture and history.
To be continued...

Her adviced touched me, and I have made it
my practice to keep in touch with the friends I
made, if not all of them. This practice brings asmall but significant joy in my retired life insuch a remote village.

Marks from top left for Hannover Airport, Burgdorf, Lehrte, Peine andOsterode am Harz. (Source: Google Maps)

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New Town Hall (Hannover)

Jutta’s room (left) and her supper arrangement (right)

When Jutta took me to a wedding of a neighborhood couple (1991)
9

Asahikawa Eats
旭川グルメ

A series of local restaurants and cafes to try in Asahikawa**
By John Daniel Mabilangan

Rendez-Vous Diner

ランデブーダイナー

旭
川
グ
ル
メ

Location:4-jo-dori 11-chome-2330-2 Makita Building, Asahikawa
Price:￥
Genre: Western
Notes: Rendez-Vous Diner is a nice local restaurant several blocks from city
hall. This restaurant had a very homie feel with a very distinct 80s~90s vibe
atmosphere. They had a wide variety of dishes; specializing in pastas andcurry. The hamburger rice curry was just the right amount of spiciness and alltheir curry dishes had the option of adding additional toppings forcustomization.

Musashi no Mori Coffee

むさしの森珈琲

Location: 7-jo-dori 18-chome 92-10 , Asahikawa
Price:￥￥
Genre: Cafe, casual meals
Notes: Several blocks from Yojou Station (四条駅) is Musashi no Mori Coffee.
This cafe is known for its customizable Japanese-style pancakes which comewith a variety of toppings you can freely add to match your preference.
Although they are known for their pancakes, their cakes are just as delicious.
The matcha chiffon cake was simple and creamy and goes well with a nice
cup of coffee or tea.

Bep Viet Lê Phuong

レフゥオンのベトナム料理

Location: Miyamaeshita-dori 7 chome 3897
Ekimae Building , Asahikawa
Price:￥
Genre: Vietnamese
Notes: Right across from Aeon Mall is the Ekimae Building, which houses the
Bep Viet Le Phuong Vietnamese Restaurant. As the only Vietnamese
restaurant downtown, it is currently the sole place in the city where one canexperience Vietnamese cuisine. The restaurant offers several well-known
Vietnamese dishes but for first-timers, the chicken pho is an excellent choice.
Their chicken pho is overflowing with flavor and makes a refreshing lunch.

Horumon Asahikichi

ホルモン朝吉Location: Kamui 4-jo 10-chome 3-5, Asahikawa
Price:￥￥
Genre: Japanese BBQ;
Notes: Horumon Asakichi is a short drive from downtown. The rustic yet
simple style of the restaurant makes you feel right at home. It offers highquality meats at very reasonable prices. In addition to its wide variety ofmeats, the restaurant features a plethora of side dishes, from kimchi tohomemade spicy soup. Due to its popularity among locals, there is often await to dine.

10Asahikawa Eats
旭川グルメ

A series of local restaurants and cafes to try in Asahikawa**
By John Daniel Mabilangan

Mabuhay Philippines Asahikawa マブハイフィリピンあさひかわ

旭
川
グ
ル
メ

Location: Chuwa 4-jo 6-chome 1-15, Asahikawa
Price:￥￥
Genre: Filipino
Notes: Mabuhay Philippines Asahikawa is a Filipino restaurant and karaoke
bar in Chuwa that serves authentic Filipino dishes, from sinigang (tamarindsoup) to dinuguan (pork blood stew). They offer a buffet once a week for¥2,000, which lasts for 60 minutes and allows you to sample a variety ofclassic Filipino dishes at one set price.

Claps Diner

クラップスダイナー

Location: Minami 6-jo-dori 17-chome 2-ban 2-goPrice:￥
Genre: Hamburgers
Notes: This burger restaurant is a short walk from downtown and offers juicy
burgers at a great price! Claps Diner truly has a strong American atmospherewith a classic diner menu. Not only can you build your own burger, but there
are also side options like waffles and chili fries, as well as an American-stylebanana split sundae for a complete American experience.

Fire Burg

ファイヤーバーグ 旭川宮前店

Location: Miyamae 1-jo 4-chome 12 chome 3897
Ekimae Building , Asahikawa
Price:￥￥
Genre: Hamburger steak
Notes: Not too far from Miyamae Park is Fire Burg, which offers a wide
selection of juicy hamburger steaks, as well as fried chicken and Sapporo
zangi. Similar to Bikkuri Donkey, Fire Burg provides various size options fortheir hamburger steaks, along with a generous choice of sides and otheroptions, all at a reasonable price!

VII Cafe

VII カフェLocation: 3-jo-dori 7-421, Asahikawa
Price:￥￥
Genre: Cat Cafe;
Notes: This cat cafe is hidden in an alley-way at the middle of downtown. In
addition its kind feline employees, the cafe has a delicious assortment offood and drinks to enjoy. One of their signature menu items are its parfaitsthat is filled with fruits to the brim. The fresh berries, ice cream, whippedcream, and cake make an excellent combination to satiate the strongest of
sweet cravings.

11

Asahikawa Info

AIC BULLETIN BOARD
Need Assistance?
If you ever find yourself in need of assistance, know that the
Hokkaido Foreign Resident Support Center is there for you!
They are able to provide you with consultation services invarious languages (Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean,
Tagalog, Vietnamese, Russian, Indonesian, Thai, Nepalese,Burmese) on residence procedures, employment, medicalcare, welfare, childbirth, childcare, education, and more for
FREE! Call them at 0116-200-9595 or go to:www.hiecc.or.jp/soudan

Come to the
Asahikawa International Lounge! We have...

The Asahikawa International Center(Feeeal Asahikawa 7F 1-jo-dori 8-chome
has free Wi-Fi available for public use. If
you reside in Asahikawa, registration fora user card is required. Please feel free
to come by anytime, as well as check out
some of the other services and activities
available at the Asahikawa International
Center!

a free cultural exchange
lounge and study space

library with bookand DVD rentals

Spread the Word!
Contribute to the AIC newsletter and share any interesting information you may have with otherreaders. You may write on any topic including: items to buy/shell, offers for culture/language
exchange, or write an essay about your life in Asahikawa or your hometown. The article should not be
profit-related! Please send your submissions to us at the AIC.

The AIC offers many services to make your life in Asahikawa more enjoyable. Here are just a few:
Volunteer Guide: Volunteers are registered to help translate and interpret.
Event Volunteer: The AIC plans many exciting events throughout the year, such as Friendship Parties.
Homestay: Families are registered to welcome you into their homes for an overnight stay or justan afternoon visit.
Why not become a volunteer and help plan these events?

Asahikawa International Committee
Asahikawa International Center Feeeal Asahikawa 7F, 1-jo-dori 8-chome, Asahikawa 070-0031
TEL: (0166)25-7491 FAX: (0166)23-4924
E-mail: cir_kokusai@city.asahikawa.hokkaido.jp

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**The opinions expressed in the essays are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect
the opinions of the AIC or the City of Asahikawa.**