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..
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..
Kumamoto ramen takes the regional tonkotsu pork bone soup as its starting point and often adds a little chicken stock, thicker noodles compared to the north's Hakata, and—last but not least—heaps of garlic, be that mayu garlic oil, fr..
The kaiseki restaurant of Senjuan sits in the eastern part of Kumamoto city. It's a decent hike from the last stop on the tram line and set in a workaday neighborhood. Locals are more likely to visit the nearby kaitenzushi chain eatery Sushiro th..
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..
Mizukami Country Park has an obstacle course, long slides and a kids playground, all set in spacious grounds. Come here with your family and friends and stay for the whole day, where you can enjoy a picnic or play softball and football. The cherry bl..
For anyone who follows the news you will most probably remember hearing about a series of large earthquakes which shook Kyushu Island last year on 14 April 2016. Tragically among this earthquake’s many victims was the splendid Kumamoto Cas..
Ichifusa Dam within Kuma Prefectural Park is the second most popular place for cherry blossoms in Kumamoto. Approximately 10,000 blossoms were planted along the shores of the lake and you could enjoy the view while driving. During the cherry blossom ..
