Latest news with #Takumi
The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
The European city with £15 flights that feels like ‘going to Japan without the cost'
JAPAN is 8,000 miles away from the UK - but what if we told you there's a version of the incredible city much closer to home? 7 There's a Little Tokyo in Düsseldorf Credit: Alamy 7 There are markets, restaurants and cafes in two streets Credit: Alamy Little Tokyo is full of shops, cafes and restaurants that will transport you to Japan. You'll find the miniature Japanese city between the main station and city centre down two streets called Immermannstraße and Klosterstraße. Little Tokyo can be bustling, especially for anyone looking for something delicious to eat. There are places to pick up ramen and noodle dishes, sushi, as well as izakaya tapas, even baked goods. Read More on Holidays One of the most popular restaurants in Little Tokyo is Takumi which has very high ratings on The menu includes various types of ramen, soups and gyozas. The market Shochiku sells fresh fish and even has sushi counters. There are lots of shops in the city that sell Japanese books, manga, and origami paper. Most read in City breaks Another popular spot is Lime Light Karaoke Box which is in the basement of the Clayton Hotel. You can go there for a sing song in a private room that is rented out by the hour. Sample the atmosphere of welcoming Dusseldorf 7 Flights to Düsseldorf are as cheap as £15 with Ryanair Credit: Alamy 7 There's a yearly celebration for the Japanese community Credit: Alamy One day a year, the Japanese community gathers in Little Tokyo to celebrate Japan Day. It's known as Europe's largest Japanese cultural festival and is usually celebrated at the end of May. There are lots of events like music, dancing, food festivals, and it all ends with a fireworks display. Little Tokyo is a popular spot with tourists, one visitor said: "One of the must-visit places in Düsseldorf is undoubtedly this lively street that has become a hub for lovers of Japanese cuisine and culture. "Along this bustling street, you will find several top ramen locations, each offering a slightly different style and flavor, making it a perfect spot for ramen enthusiasts eager to sample a variety of authentic dishes." Another added: "My wife and I have been missing the charm of Japan, so we decided to take a two-day, one-night trip to Düsseldorf." They continued to add that they were "enchanted" by the Japanese alleyways and that it transported them to the outskirts of 7 There's even a Japanese garden in Düsseldorf Credit: 7 It has its very own 'Garden of Reflection' Credit: Japan is known for having beautiful gardens with bright flowers and plants . Düsseldorf has its own version of those too and it's literally called Japanischer Garten. The garden was created in the 1970s and has pine trees, Japanese maples that surround a pond. It's also called the 'Garden of Reflection' and is considered a good place for quiet and to relax. Sun Travel found flights from Here are even more 7 Düsseldorf has its own Little Tokyo with shops, restaurants and celebrations
The Sun
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
The European city with £15 flights that feels like ‘going to Japan without the cost'
JAPAN is 8,000 miles away from the UK - but what if we told you there's a version of the incredible city much closer to home? Düsseldorf has the third largest Japanese community in Europe, and the city even has its own Little Tokyo. 7 7 Little Tokyo is full of shops, cafes and restaurants that will transport you to Japan. You'll find the miniature Japanese city between the main station and city centre down two streets called Immermannstraße and Klosterstraße. Little Tokyo can be bustling, especially for anyone looking for something delicious to eat. There are places to pick up ramen and noodle dishes, sushi, as well as izakaya tapas, even baked goods. One of the most popular restaurants in Little Tokyo is Takumi which has very high ratings on Tripadvisor. The menu includes various types of ramen, soups and gyozas. The market Shochiku sells fresh fish and even has sushi counters. There are lots of shops in the city that sell Japanese books, manga, and origami paper. Another popular spot is Lime Light Karaoke Box which is in the basement of the Clayton Hotel. You can go there for a sing song in a private room that is rented out by the hour. Sample the atmosphere of welcoming Dusseldorf 7 7 One day a year, the Japanese community gathers in Little Tokyo to celebrate Japan Day. It's known as Europe's largest Japanese cultural festival and is usually celebrated at the end of May. There are lots of events like music, dancing, food festivals, and it all ends with a fireworks display. Little Tokyo is a popular spot with tourists, one visitor said: "One of the must-visit places in Düsseldorf is undoubtedly this lively street that has become a hub for lovers of Japanese cuisine and culture. "Along this bustling street, you will find several top ramen locations, each offering a slightly different style and flavor, making it a perfect spot for ramen enthusiasts eager to sample a variety of authentic dishes." Another added: "My wife and I have been missing the charm of Japan, so we decided to take a two-day, one-night trip to Düsseldorf." They continued to add that they were "enchanted" by the Japanese alleyways and that it transported them to the outskirts of Tokyo. 7 7 Japan is known for having beautiful gardens with bright flowers and plants. Düsseldorf has its own version of those too and it's literally called Japanischer Garten. The garden was created in the 1970s and has pine trees, Japanese maples that surround a pond. It's also called the 'Garden of Reflection' and is considered a good place for quiet and to relax. Sun Travel found flights from Edinburgh to Düsseldorf with Ryanair on July 16 for the cheapest flight at £14.99. Here are even more holiday destinations that you can fly to for under £15. 7
Yomiuri Shimbun
26-06-2025
- Business
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Southwest Japan's Challenges / Signs of Growth: Japan Firms Aim to Revive Industry Through Evolution of Traditional Crafts; Utilizing Traditional Craft in Non-Traditional Ways
This is the second installment in a series of articles taking an in-depth look at industries with growth potential in Kyushu as well as Yamaguchi and Okinawa prefectures. ARITA, Saga — 'These products are known to be hard to break if they are dropped,' said Norihide Nishiyama, president of a company that makes Arita ware porcelain products. 'We are receiving more and more orders.' The town of Arita, Saga Prefecture, is traditionally known for creating products called Arita ware. Nishiyama, 74, president of Takumi Co. in Arita, spoke on May 19 about some of his company's products that are dubbed 'the strongest porcelain in the world.' In the company's workshop, artisans were quietly shaping tableware products. To see if the products could live up to their name, I dropped an item from a height of about 70 centimeters onto the floor. It did not break. The porcelain's strength is about 330 megapascals, which is four times stronger than ordinary porcelain. The porcelain was developed by the Saga Ceramics Research Laboratory in the town. It was released and advertised as the strongest in the world in 2016, the 400th anniversary of when Arita ware was first developed. The company also patented the porcelain. To achieve this strength, Nobuaki Kamochi, 54, and other researchers at the laboratory conducted about 600 experiments to determine the optimum ratio of clay, glass components and artificially produced alumina, which are the ingredients to make porcelain. The group largely succeeded in reducing the size of the bubbles formed in porcelain firing. The bubbles are the cause of breakage. Manufacturers in the prefecture are permitted to use this technology, and the production process remains the same when using the specialized porcelain. 'Even thin products retain their strength,' Kamochi said. 'Our technology has expanded the range of design possibilities.' Takumi commercialized the specialized porcelain in 2022. Since then, orders have been steadily coming in, mainly from izakaya Japanese-style pubs in the Kanto and Kansai regions. The company shipped about 200 orders to restaurants in fiscal 2024, three times more than before its commercialization. 'We want to revive Arita ceramics, which have been overshadowed by plastic and import products,' Nishiyama said. Utilizing modern technologyA numerical control (NC) cutting machine, which is used in the industry to automatically create molds from plaster, has been improved by the laboratory and others, allowing for micrometer-level precision to create intricate designs. Shingama, a local ceramics manufacturer founded in 1830, uses an NC cutting machine and the specialized porcelain to produce dials for the luxury watch 'Presage' by Tokyo-based Seiko Watch Corp. While watch dials are typically made of metal, the Arita ware dial model, which was released in 2019, is both thin and durable. Eight models have been sold so far, priced between ¥200,000-¥270,000. 'The products, which combine the skills of seasoned craftspeople with modern technology, have been well-received not only in Japan but also overseas,' said a Shingama representative. Hiroyuki Hashiguchi, 60, senior managing director of Shingama, said, 'We've demonstrated the potential to expand the porcelain market to components for industrial products and precision machinery.' Seven ceramics manufacturers in Arita established a joint venture company called ARITA PLUS Co. in 2017 and began using NC cutting machines. The company hires designers and accepts custom orders from customers in Japan and overseas.'We can quickly create prototypes based on ideas and images exchanged on social media,' said Shinji Terauchi, 63, the head of ARITA PLUS. 'It streamlines our transactions.' First-class chefs Terauchi met at trade shows in France and Italy are among his customers, and his company now supplies tableware to luxury hotels and top-tier restaurants in Europe and Asia. 'Potential for growth' Following the signing of the 1985 Plaza Accord, which led to a strong yen, there was a sharp decline in exports of Japanese ceramics. After the bubble economy collapsed in early 1990s, domestic demand shifted toward inexpensive imported products, and sales to department stores and ryotei traditional Japanese restaurants also decreased. However, according to trade statistics of Japan, exports have grown again in recent years, reaching ¥26 billion in 2024, a threefold increase compared to 10 years ago. 'No other advanced nation has as many traditional crafts still in existence as Japan does,' said Kenji Kuramoto, a senior researcher at the Japan Economic Research Institute Inc.'s Industrial Research and Planning Department who is knowledgeable about crafts. 'Many of these crafts are high quality and functional. If their designs are refined and their cultural backgrounds are recognized, new sales channels will open up.' Kuramoto added: 'There is significant potential for growth in exports and sales to foreign tourists in Japan. The Kyushu region has enormous untapped potential, as it has many essential everyday crafts such as tableware and textiles.' Craft tourismIn addition to Arita ware, Kurume kasuri, an ikat textile produced in the Chikugo region of Fukuoka Prefecture, has become more popular for its monpe work pants, which were worn by female farmworkers until around the 1940s. Kurume kasuri monpe was commercialized by Takahiro Shiramizu, 39, who founded Unagino Nedoko, a company selling crafts and other items, in Yame, Fukuoka Prefecture, in 2012. As the pants are 'breathable, water-absorbent and comfortable,' Shiramizu thought they would still be popular today. The product has sold well, and its production has spread to local companies. Shiramizu's company now has seven shops, including in Fukuoka City and Tokyo. Shiramizu is from Saga Prefecture and moved to Yame after getting married. 'The charm of an area is often discovered by people who moved there,' he said. Shimogawa Orimono, a Yame-based company that manufactures Kurume kasuri, offers factory tours to popularize the fabric. Kyozo Shimogawa, 54, the third-generation president of the family operating the company, started giving the tours around 2016. The tours have attracted more than 1,000 visitors annually. The company has also started accepting interns from overseas. About 20 people, mostly from Europe, have learned traditional Japanese techniques before returning home. Shimogawa has been giving lectures on kasuri in France and other countries in Europe since 2017. His company's kasuri has been used by high-end fashion brands as well. 'I want to convey to young people in Japan that kasuri is highly valued worldwide,' Shimogawa said. Tomohiro Haraoka, a director of the Nihon Kogei Sanchi Kyokai (Association of production areas of Japanese crafts), has promoted craft tourism, which focuses on visiting areas where crafts are produced. 'Making production areas more open and accessible, and fostering exchanges with domestic and international consumers, peers and other industries, can lead to reevaluating production areas,' Haraoka said. Reviving traditional crafts has the potential to become a pillar of regional growth strategies.
Hindustan Times
21-06-2025
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
Lexus NX 350h Overtrail Review: For the sophisticated adventurer
The Lexus nametag has always been synonymous with craftsmanship and performance, and the Lexus NX 350h does not hesitate to showcase that pedigree at all. We got our hands on the Overtrail trim, which slots right in between the lineup, under the F-Sport and Luxury trims and above the Exquisite, priced at ₹ 71.88 lakh (ex-showroom). This Japanese SUV reveals its character gradually, from bold design choices to surprising driving behaviour. But does it really prove all that it claims? Here's our in-depth take after testing the car for over 1,000 km over 4 days. Lexus NX 350h Overtrail Review: Design and exterior highlights The design of the NX 350h is one of the biggest talking points out of all things. Built by design veterans called 'Takumi' masters, the car features a contrast of sharp lines blended with soft curves. At first glance, the car feels unique and stands out from regular traffic. Looking closely, you will see ample use of triangles all around the exterior. The front gets the iconic Lexus grille as well as familiarly shaped headlamps that resemble winged eyes, flanked by wide, muscular fenders. This makes the car look bold yet beautiful at the same time. The fascia of the car blends beauty aling with boldness. Moving on towards the rear, the SUV gets a slightly sloping roof with a rear quarter glass that swoops out into a triangle. The car becomes slimmer at the rear and is less angular. This makes it look more mature, handsome and the connected tail lamp makes the car look modern without trying. The exclusive metallic 'Moon Desert' paint shade of the Overtrail trim tends to have a polarising effect; some will love it while others have called it ugly, without any filter. However, you realise the beauty of the paint shade after you've spent some time with it. Another perk is how well the paint hides dust due to its earthy shade, even after long stints on unpaved roads. Some other key elements which are only available on the Overtrail edition include blacked out elements like the Spindle grille, door mirrors, door frames and door belt moulding, roof rails and outside door handles. The alloys have also been blacked out to take on the rough terrains and there are now meatier profile tyres, which helped in improving the overall ride quality over unpaved roads. Lexus NX 350h Overtrail Review: Interior The interior of the NX 350h is one of the most well-put-together cabins ever. The fit and finish of materials and, most importantly, attention to consumer convenience enhance the luxury quotient you experience inside the SUV. The driver gets the most attention in the car with the infotainment screen tilted towards them and most of the car's controls well within reach without having to add in extra effort. The steering-mounted controls, for example, feature buttons with a touch sensor that recognises if the thumb is placed onto a certain button. When a finger is placed on the button, it is highlighted on the heads-up display (HUD), allowing the driver to focus on the road even during operation. To activate the button, however, one needs to press it like a normal button, which gives proper feedback, and the functionality of each switch can be set according to your own choice too. Another very interesting touch on the NX 350h is the soft opening and closing windows, making you feel respected in a very Japanese way. The car even prompts the driver when touching speeds above 100 kmph with a 'Do you want to close all windows?' message. This is convenience at its finest, rarely seen in other vehicles. Even in its darker shade the interiors of the Lexus NX 350h Overtrail feel very luxurious. At the centre of the dashboard is a large 14 inch touchscreen for infotainment, with the invaluable manual volume and pause/play rotating knob. However, going through all the functions of the vehicle on the infotainment and remembering what's placed where requires a slight learning curve. Flanking this display on both lower edges are the controls for the dual zone climate-control system, also with rotational knobs and a small display at the centre of each knob, to display the temperature each side is currently set to. Looking below the display on the centre console is the electronic shifter-type gear selector. There are also a few buttons which allow the driver to choose from EV mode, trail mode, and switch traction control on or off. The sound insulation inside the cabin is also commendable; the quietness can be gauged from the fact that the horn of the vehicle itself is barely audible in there. During our drive, we also found it oddly difficult to communicate with passengers seated in the back, even if the music volume was set to low. Coming to the seats, they feature colours from a Monolith palette, and the front seats feel special with their electronic adjustments. The front seats also offer plenty of support to the person seated through corners and even the undulated patches of the road. The story starts getting a little cramped as we move towards the rear seats. These seats get a very comfortable recline angle along with enough room to seat three, but the passengers will crave a little more legroom when the front seats are pulled back. The rear doors could open slightly wider to aid ingress and egress. Spending some time at the rear also makes you hotter, quite literally! The car gets Eco air conditioning mode, which turns off airflow to the rear vents. But even with this setting turned off, the air conditioner blower could use some improvement in the rear seats. Other features inside the cabin, like the wooden textured door trim exclusive to the Overtrail edition, the customisable ambient lighting and even the UV and IR cut panoramic sunroof make the environment much more habitable. A special shout-out goes to the subtle yet beautiful sounding alerts of the car for things like seat belt fastening and speed reminders. Lexus NX 350h Overtrail Review: How does it drive? The overall driving experience of the NX 350h condensed into a single word may very well be described as 'exuberant'. Even with a CVT, the 1.8-tonne Japanese SUV gets a move on without any drama. Once you put your foot down, the engine growls to about 6000 rpm and stays there, making you feel energetic while the speedo gradually climbs the digits. You do not feel the rubber band effect of the CVT until you switch to Sport/Sport+ driving mode and demand a lot of performance from the transmission. Power comes from a 4-cylinder, 2.5-litre hybrid, which is capable of putting out a combined 237 bhp at 6,000 rpm along with a total engine torque of 239 Nm from 4,300 to 4,500 rpm. There are two electric motors on the Overtrail variant, which make 270 Nm torque at the front and 121 Nm torque at the rear wheels, giving the NX an instant, grippy feel off the line and enabling EV-only climbs on modest gradients. This allows the SUV to tackle decently graded slopes even in EV mode. The instant torque from the motors assisting is also evident when you launch the car in Sport mode. The SUV puts power down to all wheels thanks to its electric motors The handling of the NX 350h is enhanced by its phenomenal suspension setup. Taking turns even on twisty mountain roads was easy as pie for this SUV, and body roll was very well contained as well. However, the car felt nervous while changing lanes at highway speeds. This could be due to the fact that the review unit which we received had a slight alignment issue, which is an issue that can be fixed, of course. The Overtrail edition glides through rough patches with unexpected grace. The SUV didn't really bounce around much and surprised us with how well it can absorb most bumps. This is owed to the higher ground clearance of the Overtrail edition, built on Lexus's Light Duty Truck platform and the Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) system of the car. Part credit also goes to the chunky rubber sidewalls of the smaller-than-regular 18-inch alloys provided on the Overtrail variant. The SUV takes on undulated roads with ease. Braking on the NX 350 is not its strongest suit; it feels touchy at slower speeds, which we suspected is the regen kicking in a little too strongly, but it lacks confidence when you hit the pedal suddenly. The bonnet nosedive is not very prominent while braking, which helps the cause, but only to an extent. An emergency stop does require a decent amount of force on the brake pedal, which doesn't correspond with the initial touchiness, leaving you constantly adjusting your expectations. Lexus NX 350h Overtrail Review: What can be better implemented? Although the NX 350h checks all the boxes, nitpicking is crucial to perfect a product. Apart from the things mentioned above, there are still some more things which the NX 350h could be better at. For instance, the SUV's decent high-beam performance could be slightly improved. The car gets a walk-away locking system on the boot but not otherwise, which is a common feature on most modern vehicles. Taking the key out to lock the car manually with the key fob or touching the door handle to lock the car every time in 2025 feels tedious and takes away the 'luxury' quotient from the car. Lexus NX 350h Overtrail Review: Verdict The Lexus NX 350h Overtrail proves to be a very strong partner for most adventures. With the help of the hybrid system, the car can cover long distances, delivering great fuel efficiency. Apart from this, driving the vehicle in EV mode on the mountains keeps you guilt-free as compared to a traditional ICE-powered car, where you are leaving behind a huge carbon footprint. However, this is a benefit you only begin to appreciate once you've lived with an alternative-fuel vehicle. The SUV rides smoothly, and the suspension allows you to take on mild off-road trails as well as unpaved roads with comfort, making it suitable for the requirements of modern adventure seekers. The NX 350h Overtrail doesn't clamour for attention, but earns your respect quietly over time. It is luxury with substance, built for those who value depth over dazzle. Check out Upcoming Cars in India 2024, Best SUVs in India. First Published Date: 21 Jun 2025, 17:16 PM IST
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Hurco Stock Declines Following Lower Q2 Earnings and Revenues
Shares of Hurco Companies, Inc. HURC have lost 5.6% since the company released its second-quarter fiscal 2025 earnings for the period ended April 30, 2025. This performance contrasts sharply with the S&P 500 Index, which gained 1.7% over the same time frame. Over the past month, Hurco stock declined 13.6%, while the S&P 500 rose 3.6%. For the second quarter of fiscal 2025, Hurco posted a net loss of $4.1 million, or $0.62 per diluted share compared with a net loss of $3.9 million, or $0.61 per share, in the same quarter last year—a marginal year-over-year increase in losses. A $1.3 million non-cash tax valuation allowance contributed significantly to the quarter's net loss. (Find the latest EPS estimates and surprises on Zacks Earnings Calendar.) Revenues also declined, with sales and service fees totaling $40.9 million, a drop of 9.5% from the prior-year period's $45.2 million. The company attributed part of this decrease to lower shipments of Hurco and Takumi machines across key the first half of fiscal 2025 reflected a 3.3% decrease in total sales, amounting to $87.3 million from $90.2 million in the comparable period in 2023. Gross profit stood at $7.8 million, or 19.2% of sales, compared with $8 million or 17.8% in the same quarter last year, showing a modest improvement in margin despite the sales decline. This margin expansion was attributed to a favorable sales mix and lower fixed costs. Operating loss narrowed to $3.1 million from $3.4 million, while selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses decreased 4.9% to $10.9 million from $11.5 million, reflecting lower discretionary spending and reduced commissions. Despite these efforts, SG&A as a percentage of sales increased to 26.7% from 25.4% due to lower revenues. Segmentally, the Americas reported a 9.4% decline in quarterly sales to $15.4 million from $16.9 million, Europe saw a 4.9% decrease to $21.6 million from $22.7 million and the Asia Pacific region experienced a 29.2% fall to $3.9 million from $5.5 million. Total new orders booked during the second quarter were $43.7 million, down 1.1% from the prior-year quarter's $44.2 million. Regionally, order trends varied significantly. Orders in the Americas declined 0.7%, hampered by weak demand for OEM machines. European orders fell 11.7%, attributed largely to reduced demand for Hurco and Takumi machines in Germany and the U.K. Meanwhile, the Asia Pacific region saw a striking 74.4% surge in orders, primarily due to rising demand across the region, notably in China and Southeast Asia. For the six-month period, total orders declined 11.3% to $83.8 million from $94.4 million, with notable softness in the Americas (down 16.6%) and Europe (down 14.7%). However, Asia Pacific continued to outperform, registering a 28.5% increase. Hurco Companies, Inc. price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | Hurco Companies, Inc. Quote Hurco's effective tax rate was (15%) compared with (1%) in the year-ago period, influenced by valuation allowances recorded against U.S., Italian and Chinese deferred tax assets. No tax benefit was recognized for the losses due to the full valuation allowance taken during the quarter. Hurco's balance sheet remains relatively stable, with cash and equivalents rising to $43.8 million as of April 30, 2025, compared with $33.3 million as of Oct. 31, 2024. Working capital decreased to $175.9 million as of April 30, 2025, from $180.8 million as of Oct. 31, 2024, mainly due to lower inventories and receivables. The company maintained zero debt, underscoring its conservative capital structure. On the efficiency front, HURC's inventory turnover remained static at 1x, and days sales outstanding increased slightly from 49 to 51 days. Capital expenditures for the quarter rose to $800,000 from $479,000 a year earlier, indicating modest reinvestment in operational capabilities. CEO Greg Volovic addressed the challenges faced across global markets, citing significant uncertainty in both international and domestic demand forecasts. Volovic emphasized Hurco's commitment to its long-term strategy, including efforts to bolster cash flow and reduce costs. Importantly, he reaffirmed the company's dedication to product development and innovation, underlining that strategic investment will continue irrespective of short-term headwinds. Hurco's performance in the fiscal second quarter was adversely affected by reduced machine shipments across multiple regions. In the Americas, lower sales of Hurco VMX and Takumi bridge mill and horizontal machines weighed on revenue. European sales were dragged down by weak performance in Germany, France and Italy, partially offset by better performance in the U.K. The steep decline in Asia Pacific sales was due to decreased demand in India, partially offset by increased shipments in China and Southeast Asia. Gross margin improvement was aided by a more favorable regional sales mix — Europe contributed a greater share — and lower overhead costs due to efficiencies implemented in late 2024. However, lower overall volumes, particularly of high-margin vertical milling machines, pressured profitability. There were no acquisitions, divestitures, or major restructuring announcements reported during the quarter. Hurco did not declare any dividends for the fiscal second quarter, compared to a $0.16 per share payout in the year-ago period, further signaling a focus on conserving cash. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Hurco Companies, Inc. (HURC) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research ( Zacks Investment Research Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
