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Walk Around Kawaguchi with 10,000 Steps.

　Evidently, walking is good to keep you sound and stay healthy. The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare also announces it is ideal to “Walk 10,000 steps a day”. However, I wonder how far can we get with 10,000 steps? To clear this question, I, a resident of Kawaguchi, tried how far I can get if I walk from Kawaguchi Station. I want you to walk with me on this “How far can I get with 10,000 steps’ walk” for a while.

　OK! Let us get started! Start walking from Kawaguchi Station West Exit to Kawaguchi Nishi Koen-park. Not to mention rows of cherry blossoms you will enjoy in spring, you can always enjoy beautiful changing colors of seasonal leaves in this park. Among lots of distinguished statues, cute statuettes of the Oriental Annual Zodiac are sitting at the end of this park. You should try and find them. After you locate the statuettes, let us get back to the Kawaguchi Station West Exit.

　From Kawaguchi Station West Exit, I proceed to go through an underpass which leads you to a bicycle parking space. There used to have a lot of shops in this underpass, and one of them was a shop where my husband bought his very first vinyl in his life.

　Walk up the stairs to get to the Kawaguchi Station East Exit. So far, I have walked 1,800 steps. Our next destination is newly established Kawaguchi City Hall Main Building 2.

　Although traffic is heavy on Shiyakusho-Mae-Dori Avenue, well laid sidewalks allow us to have a smooth walk on it. I tried to walk through a skywalk which connects City Hall Main Building 1 and 2 that had been stood-out even from its construction phase. It is like I am walking through a modern building of a museum of art! At this point, I have walked 3,400 steps.

Kept going to the north till I got to Aoki-Chuo Elementary School. Then turned right to get to Auto-Race -Dori Avenue. By the way, signs of “Flood Water Depth (Projected)” put up on utility poles along the way caught my attention. I looked up to see a level marked with red tape taped around the pole. This indicates an estimated height of inundation when a flood reaches the area. This fact I found during my walk aroused me the importance of “Provision Against Emergencies”.

　As the motorcycle racing track pops up on your right, a huge shell top like building appeared in front of me! This is a water tower of Kawaguchi City Waterworks and Sewerage Bureau. As you get closer, you will realize how big it is. 5,400 steps I have made so far. Approximately an hour’s walk from where I started.

　Passed Tatekawa Himon Koen-park, let us move on to SKIP CITY. I chose to walk through a residential area but had no problem to get the place because signs here and there showed me which way to take. I have been walking for almost an hour and a half, so I decided to take a rest for rehydration. Now, it is 7,900 steps I have walked.

　With 2,000 another step then I will reach the target of 10,000 steps, however, if you have come all the way to get here, there is no other way but to visit Kawaguchi Green Center to see and enjoy seasonal flowers! I will give it another go. I took the shortest course of taking Prefectural Highway No.332. Vowing traffic safety to myself to a Koban with checkered pattern walls on my right-hand side, I solemnly kept walking. Focusing on every step I make like this is what I have never done before. I walked along the gently curving street that leads me to the right, passed drug stores and convenience stores, I see a bridge ahead of me…but wait! I have reached my target of 10,000 steps at this point. Putting aside the idea of this 10,000 steps trial, I keep going on to the Green Center. Crossed over Kamine Bashi-bridge of which parapets are decorated with comma-shaped beads, kept on walking for 10 more minutes, then the Green Center, my final goal of the day, came into my view. Total steps I took from Kawaguchi Station East Exit reached 12,261. The time required for this walk was about 2 hours. City’s large illustrated map full of recommendation sites was put up at the entrance of the Green Center. As I seeing that, I felt like to find a course for another expedition. Today, I had no problems in walking since it had no slopes along the way. Why do not you find your own Kawaguchi expedition course on which you can walk on your own pace?

　In that connection, I recommend this 10,000 steps course for you if you are worrying about getting lost in midway through the course. Start from the Station, head for Minami Junior High school, cross the National Highway No.122 and walk on a path atop an embankment of the Arakawa-river. When you get to Shikahama bashi-bridge, it is the point you can make a U-turn. Voilà! You have walked 10,000 steps to get there. A rest area is situated along this course to have a short rest while walking. All you got to do is just walk straight on. No way you will miss your way!

【Editor’s Note】

Let me say in passing that I successfully ended in losing 16 kg of my weight from 2-years of daily walking!

by　Zunko

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Let’s Make Friends with Playing Beigoma at Kawaguchi Municipal Folk Museum!

　Kawaguchi, the city noted for producing Beigoma (spinning top)!

Did you know that “Folk Museum” of the Municipal Cultural Asset Center has a Beigoma playing space?

I just wanted to know what it is like, so I have come to the Folk Museum.

I was welcomed by Mr. Ide, a school program coordinator from Cultural Asset Division of Kawaguchi City Board of Education. How sociable and easy to talk to; that was my first impression on him. It made plenty of sense to me when I knew that he used to be an elementary school teacher.

Mr. Ide showed me around the Folk Museum and gave me interesting stories about Beigoma.

On the third floor of the Folk Museum, you will find a Beigoma playing space. Next to it lies a large collection of Beigomas. This collection was formerly displayed at Nissan Chuzoujo Foundry, a company specializes in producing Beigomas. The collection was transferred to the Folk Museum when the foundry moved to a new place with no available space for displaying this collection. Nissan Chuzoujo Foundry keeps producing Beigomas in Kawaguchi City as the sole Beigoma manufacturer in Japan.

　From the ones made in the Edo period to the ones recently made, the number of Beigomas in this collection reaches as many as 810! You also see a Bai-goma, which was made in the Edo period using a sea snail called Bai-gai shellfish, and Beigomas made of glass or porcelain from the wartime iron-shortage period. They even have beautifully decorated modern Beigomas. The collection attracts many visitors to come all the way from other prefectures such as Fukuoka, Kyoto, etc., even from abroad such as France, USA, etc. People from abroad are quite fond of Iron-made Beigomas because its appearance looks something like Shuriken-throwing knives, tools indispensable for Ninja. Indeed, Beigoma throwing form and Ninja’s Shuriken throwing form seem to have much in common.

On the day I visited, 8 children and 2 mothers were playing in the Beigoma playing space. Elementary schoolers, junior high schoolers, senior high schoolers; all different school age and from different schools. They say they easily make friends with each other once start playing Beigoma here. Not just spinning Beigomas, they were eagerly figuring out some ways to improve Beigoma performance such as to shave off the surface, etc. 2 elementary schoolers showed me their self-directed Summer Projects. They carried out experiments to find out how they can keep spinning Beigoma longer by comparing different heights and shaving patterns. Splendid!

They were also playing Beigoma matches. Formed groups of three to a group, they played it by the rules they made themselves. To make rules on their own is a good way to nourish their autonomy and cooperativeness, I thought. Another game style they were playing was an individual time trial that players spin Beigomas in turn on 5 small tables laying before them. Fun and strained atmosphere runs through at the same time. You know, the smallest table for Beigoma spinning has only 5 cm in diameter! I was surprised to see them spinning Beigomas on such a small space. Mr. Ide, he was such an Elementary school teacher who is good at enliven the atmosphere of the game. Children were all enjoying there.

Mothers said that at first, they were just watching children playing Beigomas. But seeing them enjoying the games made mothers feel like to give it a go themselves. Mothers also were very good players. Beigoma, it is the game which anybody can enjoy regardless of generation and gender.

Mr. Ide sometimes visits elementary schools to hold Beigoma lesson. Once children start playing Beigoma, their faces will be lighten-up and start slapping high-fives each other. Even a no-Japanese speaking child can made friends with others as if there are no language barriers among them. He says you ought to bring children with roots in other countries to the Folk Museum to enjoy Beigoma together.

　At the Folk Museum, Mr. Ide is waiting for you all to teach you about Beigoma, or holding Beigoma mini-matches on every week, either on Saturday or on Sunday. I really recommend you visit there. I guarantee you will be fascinated by the world of Beigoma. To provide a tertiary place which child can feel belong to gives some sense of security to both children and its parents. At the same time, it encourages the local community mind among residents in the area.

Kawaguchi Municipal Cultural Asset Center « Folk Museum » :

Address: 1-22, Hatogayahoncho 2-chome, Kawaguchi City, Saitama Prefecture 〒334-0002

URL：https://www.kawaguchi-bunkazai.jp/kyoudo/

【Editor’s note】

I told Mr. Ide that I used to play Beigoma when I was a child, then he offered me an occasion to play with it, saying “Would you like to try it again?”. I had a wonderful time. Thank you very much for giving me that special moment. 　by Masa

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School Playing Various Roles as the Sole Public Night-time Junior High School in Saitama Prefecture

Public Night-time Junior High School providing an occasion to brush-up your education

　Kawaguchi Municipal Shibanishi Junior High School, Youshun Branch School is the sole public night-time junior high school which gives an opportunity to learn for those who have missed to finish compulsory education, or graduates who want to learn once again, and those who have come from abroad and had not finished the curriculum corresponds to that of Japan’s compulsory education. The school building is very pristine since it has just moved to a new place in 2024.

　Students have classes from Monday through Friday, from 17:30 to 20:40. Approx. ￥10,000 expenses for learning materials per year is charged on you, though tuition fee and text books are all free given. You will get an official certificate of finishing Junior High School curriculum after completed the whole course.

　Intimacy between students and teachers is obvious, as I observed scenes of teachers having spontaneous talks with students whenever they saw them even in the middle of this interview. Also, on the day I visited, I saw some graduates calling on this school. What a homey atmosphere this place has, I thought.

Multicultural co-existence and diversifying learning environments

　Not only providing a place to re-learn, this school is functioning as a place of multicultural co-existence with 17 Japanese students and 70 students with roots in abroad. It is appointed as one of “Alternative Schools for Diversified Learning (※schools appointed by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Science and Technology to provide education to students with specially arranged curriculum focusing on School Refusal Pupils and Students)” that allows to provide diversified education program which accommodates to needs of each student from the school year 2026.

　This school is just undergoing a great change. From the next school year, it will be operated with both day-time and night-time courses.

School cherishes cultural appreciation

　They were having a workshop of Japanese culture in a “Integrated Studies” class on the day I visited. Teachers performed each specialty such as martial arts, cup-and-ball game, the art of tea ceremony. A science teacher introduced onion-skin dyeing experiment. Students looked enjoying this workshop as nodding with great interest at teachers’ explanations, or trying to play a cup-and-ball game together.

　Also, a music teacher introduced a song concerning Hiroshima and War. “What we ought to do in the land embracing Hiroshima, is to put out the cause of conflict that is silently burning”. Something emotional stirred up in my mind at the scene of all the students from different origins sang together this lyric.

Specific arrangement in learning environment and happy school life

　In each class, the school employs special arrangement to accommodate with each student’s level. In Mathematics class, they employ different teaching method for each student’s academic ability. They also provide intensive linguistic care for 1^st year students if their Japanese ability is not reaching the standard level. Nevertheless, language barrier still exists since majority of students have their roots in other countries. Now, the school is doing everything it can do to create a learner-friendly environment such as making the best use of automatic translating system in slide projector displaying, and attaching Furigana or illustrations on signs inside the building.

　In the recess, they were enjoying playing volleyball, badminton, etc. in the school gym. The place was brimmed with homely atmosphere.

Ties with local community

　School event schedule is full of activities that can be enjoyed together like rice-cake pounding, Hyakunin isshu playing cards contest, and so-called Youshun recreation which contains bean-bag toss, volleyball, etc. You can see how homey atmosphere this school has from their aiming-100-posts-a-year official blog full of lively scenes from their everyday school life.

　By cooperating with a local drum team enthusiastically performing in Kawaguchi City, this school gives students an opportunity to learn about Japanese drum performance art, one of traditional Japanese cultures. With such activities, this school plays a role of connecting a teaching establishment with local communities.

　From the next school year, this school re-launches as a newly appointed “Alternative School for Diversified Learning” and start to take on the responsibility of playing diverse roles, as well as stepping towards the next level. It will become an important pioneer to open-up a new world for the community.

Kawaguchi Municipal Shibanishi Junior High School Youshun Branch School

Requirements for applicants：

Applicants must be already passed Junior High School student age, that means turns age 16 or more in the next school year which starts in the next April. Must have residence registration in Saitama Prefecture and apply to either of the following conditions.

・Have not officially finished Elementary School or Junior High School course.

・Have finished Junior High School course, though would like to re-learn the curriculum.

・Residents of foreign nationals with proper residence status. (Require skills of simple Japanese conversation, Hiragana, Katakana)

Phone：048-423-7896（※accept between PM2：00～PM7:00

(Weekdays only)

Address：3-18 Shibazonocho, Kawaguchi City, Saitama Prefecture 〒333-0853

School official HP：

https://shibanishi-yousyun-j-kawaguchi-saitama.edumap.jp/

Editor’s Note

Beyond my expectations, school atmosphere was totally harmonious and homey! In the workshop of Japanese culture in Integrated Studies, I have got lots of new knowledges such as a song related to the War and Hiroshima. I felt this is the place you can get a profound learning which you will never be able to acquire just by attending an ordinary school. 　　 Seira

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Let’s Explore Cupo・la M4-Floor! 〜Counseling Desk for Foreign Residents〜

Walk 1-minute from Kawaguchi Station East Exit, you will find “Cupo・la” main building in front of you.

Do you know 【M4-Floor】, the floor stuck between 4th and 5th floor in the building?

Just walk along on a pedestrian deck from the station to the Cupo・la main building, then go upstairs to the M4-floor by an elevator or an escalator.

On this M4-floor, you will find administrative services sections as “Kawaguchi Citizen’s Partner-Station”, “Kawaguchi Volunteer Center”, “Counseling Desk for Foreign Residents”. Among notices covering one of the entrance walls, lists of volunteered Japanese language classes, that are held in Kawaguchi City as many as 21 classes, draws my attention. Each place and day is specified in there, you will be able to find classes suite to your schedule.

At an information counter coordinated by the Multicultural Coexistence Desk, you will have free access to various information written in Chinese, English, Vietnamese, Korean, Tagalog, Turkish, and of course in Japanese. And you can enjoy checking each brochure and fliers to your heart’s content.

Is this the place only displaying information and booklets? To solve this simple question, I asked Ms. Yao, one of the Municipal Coordinator for International Relations. Originally Chinese, she speaks Japanese and English very well, and is a coordinator with five years’ experience on this job. She says, this is the place called “Kawaguchi Citizen’s Partner Station”, which have been established to promote residents’ volunteer activities and civic cooperation. Also, in here, this Multicultural Coexistence Desk operates Counseling Desk for Foreign Residents. I wondered what kind of services we can get at this counter. If you are a non-Japanese speaker and received notices or letters from the municipal office, schools, etc. and have no idea how to deal with them, then this counter helps you to understand the situation. In case you have got a situation and do not know what to do with it, come to the counter and ask the person in charge. Three Coordinators that includes Ms. Yao, and Counselors for Non-Japanese Speakers are here to help you. Once-a-month Legal Consultation is also held in this place. It is reassuring having access to such services when you are living in a foreign country, is not it?

In Kawaguchi City, many volunteer groups are active in each field. When they have events, you can get information on them on this floor. Not only foreign residents, but also Japanese can get access to plenty of useful information in here.

It seems to me that M4-floor’s 【M】 is not only stands for “Mezzanine”, but also stands for “Much Information”!

There is “Administrative Services Center, Kawaguchi Station” on 4th-floor, Chuo-Public Library on the 5th-floor. When you have some spare time, wh y do not you drop in on the M4-floor. You may find some hottest information of Kawaguchi City.

Place: Kawaguchi Citizen’s Partner Station

M4-Floor, Cupo・la Bldg. 1-1, Kawaguchi 1-chome, Kawaguchi City

TEL: 048-227-7607 FAX: 048-226-7718

Open: Tue～Sun (Closed on New Year holidays(Dec 28 – Jan 4)・Holidays appointed by the law concerning National Holidays)

Open hours：Tue〜Sat　９：００〜２０：３０　　Sun　９：００〜１７：００

※Please check open hours of “Counselling Desk for Foreign Residents” on Kawaguchi City official website.

https://www.city.kawaguchi.lg.jp/soshiki/01060/020/4/3584.html

Editor’s Note

The dusk from the window of M4-floor is magnificent. By Zunko

“Discover! Kawaguchi” Editorial Staff : Zunko

Supporting my fave musician is my life!

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