Introducing recommended local information on Kumamoto Prefecture. Kumamoto Prefecture offers tourist attractions such as Kumamoto Castle, Kurokawa Hot Springs, and Aso Shrine; sightseeing events such as the Hinokuni Festival, Onda Festival, and Ushibuka Haya Festival; and local delicacies such as horse sashimi, karashikon, and Kumamoto ramen.
Kumamoto Prefecture is located in the center of Kyushu and was known as Higo Province. In the past, Kumamoto Prefecture was associated with Mt. Aso, where Japan's second largest caldera, Aso Caldera, is located. Recently, however, Kumamon, the Kumamoto Prefecture's PR mascot character, has been created and has gained popularity, and Kumamoto Prefecture is now associated with Kumamon.
Aso is an active volcano located in the Aso region of Kumamoto Prefecture, and is famous for its large caldera topography (pot-shaped). The entire area including Mt. Aso and its outer rim has been selected as one of the 100 best geological sites in Japan, and the Aso Geopark is also recognized as a Japan Geopark. It is a magnificent sightseeing spot where visitors can feel the enormity of the eruption and the history of the volcano by viewing the topography of Mt.
Kumamoto Prefecture has been excavated with stone tools and other artifacts, indicating that people have lived here since ancient times. In the Middle Ages, the Kikuchi clan was active in the southern part of the prefecture with Emperor Godaigo's son, but no powerful feudal lord emerged. When Toyotomi Hideyoshi unified the country, Kato Kiyomasa ruled the northern part and Konishi Yukinaga the southern part, and after Konishi Yukinaga was defeated in the Battle of Sekigahara, Kato Kiyomasa became the lord of 520,000 koku.
The stone walls built by Kiyomasa Kato, who was a master of stone wall construction, are called the Kiyomasa style, and the view of the castle with its stone-walled palace, large and small keep, and five-story turrets is regarded as the best in Japan.
Kumamoto Castle is also a famous cherry blossom viewing spot, selected as one of the 100 best cherry blossom viewing spots in Japan, and is such a popular tourist spot that it is a must-visit when visiting Kumamoto.
Kumamon, the character that has come to be associated with Kumamoto Prefecture, was created as a PR character for Kumamoto Prefecture and won the Grand Prix in the 2011 Yurukyara Grand Prix.
Since winning the grand prix, Kumamon's popularity has skyrocketed, and a variety of goods have been produced to promote the character.
Kumamon is a PR character for Kumamoto Prefecture, and he is engaged in various activities while serving as the head of the sales department, and his popularity is growing on a national scale. If you visit Kumamoto as a tourist, you will see Kumamon in many places.
The hot spring is a quiet and peaceful place with about 30 cozy Japanese-style inns on both sides along the river in the valley. The inns of Kurokawa Onsenkyo and the landscape of the satoyama are all combined into a single inn, and the townscape has a warm, rural atmosphere that will make you feel relaxed and at home. Visitors can tour three open-air baths using a bathing pass made of slices of...»
Kumamoto Castle, nicknamed "Ginkgo Castle," was completed by Kiyomasa Kato in 1607, seven years after the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600. The complex and solid structure is said to have been created by Kiyomasa's experience in actual battles. ...»
There are many amusement facilities for both children and adults, including one of the largest Ferris wheels in Japan, as well as the popular "Screaming Machine". Various events are held seasonally, providing fresh fun and excitement all year round....»
The name comes from how this dish can be made ‘all of a sudden’ by wrapping some sweet potato in dough and cooking. It’s perfect for that sudden, unexpected visitor. Sweet potatoes are loaded with dietary fiber, vitamins, carotene and minerals....»
This dish represents the area and is eaten in most homes. In restaurants, it is guaranteed that this dish will be seen on the menu. The pickled mustard leaf makes a good gift and is highly popular. The spicy leaf combined with the moreish fragrance of soy sauce and sesame… Make this dish by fine chopping the pickle, frying egg and adding this all together with rice. Season with sesame, salt, peppe...»
“Basashi” is a horse meat sashimi dish, eaten with condiments such as sliced onions, grated ginger and garlic, then dipped in sweet soy sauce. This is a popular side dish for drinks. There are several different stories of its origin, and one says that then feudal lord Kiyomasa Kato promoted it in the time of severe food shortage in Higo Kumamoto. You can enjoy a variety of flavors and textures of ...»
A delicacy dish of renkon which was cultivated outside the Kumamoto castle as emergency foods by the order of then feudal lord Kiyomasa Kato. Karashirenkon is made by stuffing a mixuter of wagarashi (Japanese mustard) and mugi miso into renkon, battered with flour, soramame powder and egg yolk, then deep-fried in canola oil. This dish was presented as a tribute to lord Tadatoshi Hosokawa, and the ...»
White radish is pickled in salt, taken out and left out in cold wind, stretched by hitting it with a wooden hammer, and repeatedly stored and fermented until spring. Kanzuke is known since long ago as a specialty of Ashikita and Minamata area. White radish dried under cold weather with special soy sauce is dipped into sea water, hung under the roof with thick straw rope, dried completely in the co...»
Made with plenty of green bean thread noodles and vegetables, the healthy Tai-Pi-En contains pork, prawns, squid, cabbage, carrots, seasonal vegetables and egg. It is served in a chicken or pork broth, and is loved by locals. It originates from Hokkien province in China, and was brought over by migrants during the Meiji period (1868-1912) and has since been modified to suit Japanese tastes. It can...»
Every step of the production process is done by hand, making the Nankan somen noodles of Kumamoto something of a rarity these days. Local poet Hakushu Kitahara was also said to have loved the long thin strands of chewy noodles. It is a must-try to experience 3 Centuries worth of technique and knowledge handed down. However, owing to its hand made nature, the noodles cannot be mass-produced. Only 1...»
Everyone loves a piping hot croquette. At the Yamato district, there is a whole street dedicated to the delicacy where you can try artisanal ‘local produce only’ croquettes, and other kinds with unique twists. Have it for a meal, a snack, while strolling or even buy as a gift! Find your own favorite croquette! The local croquette association has set parameters, where contenders to this local food ...»