Area Characteristics
Located near the center of the Kyushu region, Kumamoto Prefecture is an attractive area for its natural environments which include Aso Kuji National Park with Mt. Aso, Unzen-Amakusa National Park with 120 large and small islands and 4 fountainheads which have been chosen as part of the Top 100 Springs in the nation. There are many historical and natural places for sightseeing including Kumamoto Castle, Aso and the Amakusa Islands. The prefecture is also famous for its mascot, Kumamon.
Major Sites
Kumamoto Castle, which is one of Japan’s 3 Great Castles, is attractive for its castle tower and its inner citadel palace. In the surrounding area, there are places such as Sakuranobaba Johsaien and the Old Hosokawa Manor samurai residence to experience the history and culture of Kumamoto. Nature areas are also in great abundance including Mt. Aso, the grand landscape of Mt. Daikan, the famous Nabegataki Falls which has been filmed in commercials, and the Shirakawa Fountainhead whose waters can be taken home. Kurokawa Onsen, which has earned 2 stars in the Michelin Green Guide Japon, is one of Japan’s foremost hot spring facilities. And there are also the popular Iruka Marine World and Greenland Amusement Park.
Food
In Kumamoto, basashi (horse sashimi) is famous. Amakusa Daio chicken and Akagyu beef are also tasty. Prefectural cuisine ranges from regional dishes such as Dago soup with flour dumplings and Takamori dengaku to local fare such as hearty Kumamoto ramen in tonkotsu soup and Taipinen soup with its glass noodles. Japanese sweets such as Ikinari dumplings and rice candy are also popular.
Transportation
Getting to Kumamoto from Tokyo by air is common. It takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes to reach Aso Kumamoto Airport from Haneda. There are trains and regular tourist buses operating in the prefecture, but rental car is convenient if you want to go further out.
Accommodations
There are accommodations at Kumamoto Station, Aso Kumamoto Airport, Amakusa, Aso and Kurokawa Onsen among other places.