MIA NEWS 179ed., Apr. (4)Miyakonojo International Association

Miyakonojo International Association
6-21 Himegi-cho, Miyakonojo-shi,
Miyazaki-ken, Japan 885-8555
TEL 0986-23-2295
FAX 0986-23-3223
http://miyakonojo-mia.com
E-mail mia@btvm.ne.jp

Notices
Greetings from the Office Head:Hello everyone. My name is
Shibuya Yoshiharu (渋谷吉春),
and as of the start of April, I will
be joining MIA as the new Office Head.
In my forties, I was in charge ofthe middle school exchange
programs for the Education
Department’s Schools & Education Division. I have previously
been dispatched to Australia,
China & Mongolia; these happen to be exactly thethree countries from which our current CIRs hail. I feel
this must be some sort of fate.
Regarding the 2022 Annual General Meeting
The Miyakonojo International Association’s AnnualGeneral Meeting for 2022, due to the continued spreadof the Novel Coronavirus for the foreseeable future, hasbeen cancelled for this financial year.
With regards to upcoming plans for projects andevents, further notification will be made once more ata later date.
Inquiries:
TEL 0986-23-2295
E-mail: mia@btvm.ne.jp

Bonchi de Travel Results!
Bonchi de Travel was an international exchange event
held from January 14th to February 28th at City Hall in
the 1st Floor Lobby. Each of Miyakonojo’s three CIRs put
on displays of recommended travel destinations, held avote-by-sticker panel, and held an episode drive, seeking
to hear from the people of Miyakonojo about their experiences with each country. As the results of voting on theseepisodes have now been released, we would like to sharewith you the winners!

ChinaFirst Place - “Food Stalls popular with locals” （当地人会去的饭馆）Roughly 30 years ago, when I was in my late twenties, Ispent two years travelling throughout China. Backpacking,with no plan. My first stint was from Hong Kong to Peking.
My second was from Shanghai to Ürümqi. Everyone I met
from around the world, and especially the people of China, each day gathered for something akin to a banquet. Itwas so much fun! Dunhuang’s donkey-based cuisine particularly left an impression, but the Niúròu miàn (Beefnoodle soup), the shāobǐng (Fried rice cakes)… I couldn’t
possibly list them all! Now, what do I want to try next?
Chǎo shǒu (Spicy Wontons)!
Nickname: Kuma. Age: 60’s.

Second Place - “Hainan Dao” （海南岛）Around 20 years ago, I went to Hainan Dao, a place often
called ”the Hawaii of the Far East”. The ocean was gorgeous, the place had an atmosphere similar to Vietnam,
Thailand or Okinawa, and all of the people I met on thestreets were very friendly and inviting. Every day, when I
was on a break from work, I would look forward to goingto lunch with a co-worker at one of the stalls between
buildings; I have memories of getting delicious cold noodles or seafood noodle soup. It’s definitely one place I
would like to revisit and reunite with everyone.
Nickname: Mii-tan. Age: 40’s.
CIR Special Prize - “Hot Pot” （火锅）The other day, I wen to a Chinese restaurant and had hot
pot for the first time ever. It was spicy, but very delicious!
Hot pot is the best!
Nickname: Jun. Age: 40’s.
Australia
1st Place - Melbourne
When I was a primary school student, and the Melbourne
Olympics began, I remember that we danced to a song
about the Olympics (In Japan, this was for 1st and 2ndyear students). While I didn't know about the names ofother countries or cities at that age, Melbourne is the one
name that has stayed in my head, all this time. One morememory I have is of Perth. A superior at the company I
worked for played an active role for us in Perth. Whilethey passed away some two or three years ago, I still
fondly remember their smile.
Nickname: Aa-chan. Age: 70’s.
2nd Place - Coffs Harbour
The town I lived in was Nambucca Heads. On the weekends, I would drive an hour up to Coffs Harbour to goshopping. As the sun rose and peeked through my bedroom window, a number of small birds would come toplay on the rooftop. While work was hard, each day wasenjoyable.
Nickname: Marty. Age: 70’s.

MIA NEWS 179ed., Apr. (5)Miyakonojo International Association

Miyakonojo International Association
6-21 Himegi-cho, Miyakonojo-shi,
Miyazaki-ken, Japan 885-8555
TEL 0986-23-2295
FAX 0986-23-3223
http://miyakonojo-mia.com
E-mail mia@btvm.ne.jp

Bonchi de Travel Results!
CIR Special Prize - Gold Coast
As a first year at university, I took a month of summer
break in a homestay program on the Gold Coast. I wasstaying with an elderly woman in her seventies (living onher own), and she treated my as if I was her own grandchild; I got to feel first-hand the warmth of the Australianpeople. Just before returning home, at the airport, I criedbecause I didn't want to leave, and she gave me a bighug. I would love to go and visit her again.
Nickname: Maa. Age: 20’s.

(Buuz (Steamed dumplings), Khuushuur (Fried dumplings),Tsuivan (Mongolian noodle stew), Banshtai tsai (Milk teawith dumplings)).
Nickname: Yamamusume. Age: 30’s
2nd Place - No title
Three years ago, a young boy from Mongolia stayed withus for a homestay program. He brought with him a photo
album full of pictures of the Mongolian landscape. We still
keep in touch to this day. I’d love to go there some day.
Nickname: 22maru. Age: 40’s
CIR Special Prize - “Food” (Хоол)Mongolia
The meat is a given, but I’d also love to try eating Mongolia’s
1st Place - “Mongolian Cuisine” (Монгол хоол)dairy products, such as cheese, milk, and yoghurt.♡ I’ve
A number of times, I’ve had the pleasure of trying Mongo- once been to Mongolia on a business trip, and I’ll never forlian cuisine offered to me, and they were all delicious!
get the brilliant blue sky, the freshness of the air, or theThey use a lot of meat and vegetables, and it really warms warmth of the people.
you up. I’d love to head there one day, and try some local Nickname: Yoppii. Age: 30’s.
food in Mongolia! Бууз, Хуушуур, Цуйван, Банштай цайAussie Bites! (Great Ocean Road, by George Goonan)
beach to yourself, and there’s even a few small caves
off the beaten path!
Fish & Chips along the coast, great surf, plenty of hiking trails inland… What more could you want!
◇ Articles For MIA NewsAre you interested in writing a short article about international exchange or cooperation for MIA News? Somepossible topics include travel journals, introductions toyour home country, experiences staying with a hostfamily, and activities with an international exchange orcooperation group. Articles should be about a pagelong and include a couple of relevant pictures. If you’dlike to write more than that, please consult with MIA. If
you’d like to write anonymously, that can be taken intoconsideration.
We are also looking for people interested in sharing
Just a short drive from Melbourne (1hr 20min) is one of their Australian experiences. Whether it’s a rare locamy favourite holiday destinations, the Great Oceantion you found or some fascinating people you interactRoad. Calling it a destination isn’t quite right though, as ed with, we want to share your story with all of our MIA
it stretches across 243km, and is home to a number of members!
stellar beaches and unique landmarks! The photo you Please contact us if you are interested!
see here was taken at one of these landmarks called
The Grotto, located on the latter half of the Great
Ocean Road. If you get lucky, you might have the whole

Movies info

C-Plaza Cine-port (Tel: 0986-24-2571)

17-9 Nakamachi, Miyakonojo, Miyazaki Map-Code (GPS): 117 488 540*55●Sing: Next Stage (Japanese Dub)
●The Batman (Japanese Sub/Dub)●Yomei 10 Nen (Japanese)●Doraemon: Nobita’s Little Star Wars 2021 (Japanese)●West Side Story (Japanese Sub)

●Jujutsu Kaisen 0: The Movie (Japanese)*The 1st of every month is ¥1,100 for everyone.
*Every Wednesday is ‘Ladies’ Day’, all ladies ¥1,100.
*The cinema is closed every Tuesday.
*For session times visit: http://movie.walkerplus.com/th286/
schedule.html (Japanese)