The small town of Arao in the northwestern part of Kumamoto prefecture welcomes the rice planting season with a small festival celebrating this staple food in the Japanese diet. Arao’s agriculture heritage allegedly stretched back over a mille..
Amakusa is a set of islands made up of two larger ones called Kamishima and Shimoshima and numerous smaller ones. It is filled with lush greenery and natural geological formations, and is designated as an official geopark. Amakusa is also a hilly area where locals cultivate their crops on terraces. ..
Aso is a city in Kumamoto Prefecture that lies close to Mt. Aso, and active volcano that is also one of the largest in the world. Visitors will be enthralled by its five active peaks - one of which is Mt. Nakadake, whose immense crater is accessible either by car or by the Mount Aso Ropeway. Near Mt..
Kumamoto City brims with history with Kumamoto Castle, standing since the 13th century, located here. Along with Himeji and Matsumoto Castles, Kumamoto Castle is considered a top-three castle in Japan. A perfect time to visit would be in spring when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom, bringing vi..
Hidden away on a narrow street, Walet is nestled among houses in the countryside, but you would not miss it from the many people milling around this quaint cafe. On the day I visited, there was a small crowd outside even before it opened, chatting in..
Japan is known for its four seasons, one that reveals its charms with its flavoursome foods. In Kumamoto, these include black skinned pumpkin and citrus (dekopon) in spring, prawn (kuruma ebi) and lotus in summer, mandarin (onshu mikan) in autumn and..
Operating since 1957, Kokutei (黒亭) is one of the most famous and popular ramen shops in Kumamoto, proudly serving the local Kumamoto style – a variation on the classic tonkotsu ramen that Kyushu is famous for. Kumamoto style adds in chicken to ..
Most travelers to Kumamoto flock to the handful of hotels that pepper the downtown castle area of the city, such as the Nikko chain and the Castle Hotel with views of Kumamoto's fortress on the hill above. But for those who may want something a l..
Located on the top of a cliff overlooking the sea, the Tenku-no-Fune Hotel is a fantastic choice for those who are looking for the feel of a small boutique hotel coupled with five star service & meals. The facility opened in 2013 and is divided i..
You can't get any more central in Kurokawa Onsen than Ryokan Yamanoyu. It sits right on the main street of the town, or what passes for a main street, since only a handful of cars seem to pass every hour. If you're looking for an af..
The Unzen-Amakusa National Park is located between Nagasaki and Kumamoto, in the south western island of Kyushu. Framed on three sides by the sea, a good way to get your orientation would be from Mount Unzen. Set in one of the more milder areas of Ja..
You don’t need a signpost or a guide to tell you when you have entered Aso-Kuju National Park. From the moment you cross into its boundaries in the very heart of Kyushu there is something different in the air as you enter rolling fields that ex..
The city shrines may be dressed with regal black banners and maidens warming the crowds with sake, but do the sparrows and crows know it's New Year's Day in Japan? While the sun is shining they know the coldest days of winter are yet to come,..
