Area Information

Click on Kumamon for information specific to that area of Kumamoto.
Oita
Prefecture
Fukuoka
Prefecture
Ariake Sea
Miyazaki
Prefecture
Kagoshima
Prefecture
玉名へようこそ！
Rengein Temple on Mt. Shodai in Tamana City. Home to one of the largest temple bells in the world.
Welcome to Tamana-Gun!
The 2011-2012 Guide
Welcome to Tamana-Gun!
Table of Contents




Welcome and Introduction
Calendar of Events
Kumamoto-ken specialties
Cities, towns and attractions in and around Tamana

Locations: The what and where of Tamana-gun.
 The Essentials (Hospitals, Banks, Police, City Hall, Post Office)
 Restaurants
 Bars
 Shopping
 Entertainment
 Sports and Health
Transportation

A brief Introduction from Jake Andrews, current Tamana
JHS/ES ALT, and Valeria Reyes-Flores, Nagasu JHS/ES ALT,
your Area Leaders
Welcome to the Tamana area! You are now housed in the epicenter of raw horsemeat, ramen, onsens
and the highest concentration of Yakuza this side of the prefecture. Tamana is rather inaka (countryside) in
comparison to other areas but there is still plenty to see and do. Hopefully, this guide will aid you by
providing a general overview of the area with details on what is available to see and do. If you have any
specific questions, please don’t hesitate to ask us or other veterans.
Here is a run-down of the area itself. The seat of Tamana-gun (pronounced “goon”) is
Tamana City. The Tamana area is the amalgamation of 10 cities, towns and villages: Arao, Nankan, Nagasu,
Mikawa, Kikusui, Taimei, Tensui, Gyokuto, Yokoshima and Tamana. In recent years, Japan has been
merging towns to form one bigger town or city as a result of the ever decreasing population. Kumamoto
Prefecture is no exception. You can refer to the maps in this book to see how the borders were redefined in
Tamana and throughout the prefecture.
Arao, Nagasu, Nankan, Tamana and Gyokuto all maintain their municipal sovereignty. Taimei,
Tensui and Yokoshima, however, were incorporated into Tamana City. Mikawa and Kikusui were
combined into one town called Nagomi. Since the change occurred rather recently, each city still maintains
their original borders and will refer to themselves as separate from the other incorporated towns. The seat
of government has since been moved to Tamana City.
Each city has their own Board of Education(BOE). The Tamana BOE that covers Tamana City,
Taimei, Tensui, and Yokoshima employs a total of 6 JET ALTs who work in the Junior High Schools and
Elementary Schools in those towns. The Nankan BOE has one JET ALT. This year, Arao and Nagasu
have two JETs while Nagomi no longer employs JET ALTs due to budget constraints. Arao is set to host one
more ALT this coming year, bringing the total there to three. High schools are run by the prefecture so they
work differently. SHS ALTs do not have a local BOE, but rather, are employed by Kumamoto-ken and are
contracted to their base High School. Tamana now has one sole SHS ALT that covers 3 of the 6 high
schools in the Tamana area. Another 2 of the schools are visited by a SHS ALT in neighboring Yamaga. All
together, there will be 14 JET ALTs in Tamana. There are also 3 or 4 private ALTs in the area that you may
see around town.
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Kumamoto-ken Specialties
Basashi. Horse meat! Kumamoto prefecture is famous for this rare treat, no
pun intended. Kumamoto is the place to have it. There are many restaurants
that carry basashi and you can probably even buy it at your local
supermarket! Personally, I was surprised at how good it is! But it's totally
up to you to try it. You might have a new favorite food.
Karashi Renkon. This is a lotus root filled with karashi mustard (spicy) and then wrapped in a
bit of batter. It's guaranteed to kick you in the mouth, and get rid of any lingering colds.
There's also a karashi renkon burger shop some where near the castle.
Mt. Aso is one of the largest calderas in the world. It's absolutely beautiful, and with the
diverse panoramas, you may feel that you're in a completely different country - or at least
that's how I felt. Summer is one of the best times to visit since it is a few degrees cooler than
the rest of Kumamoto - but be careful going in the winter! For it will also be much colder but it
will be a good chance to go to the Kurokawa onsens. The Aso area is great for hiking, camping,
and all those outdoor activities. Make sure to go see the active crater, Nakadake! Sometimes
it is closed due to the high sulfuric gas levels.
Kumamoto Castle, or "Kumamoto Joe" is the 3rd best castle in Japan, as ranked by the
mysterious ranking powers that be in the country. This is the site of the final battle of the
Seinan Civil War between the Japanese Imperial troops and the Samurai warrior class. This is
somewhat depicted in “The Last Samurai” film. Although historically inaccurate, re-watching
this Tom Cruise film may instill some further curiosity and pride into your little soul. On a side
note, the 20-minute away Tabaruzaka-town houses a local museum dedicated to the “Battle of
Tabaruzaka.” This battle took place shortly before the final battle at Kumamoto Castle and is
worth a look as you can see some war relics, as well as photos of the REAL Saigo Takamori. You
will witness the lack of resemblance between him and Ken Watanabe. Also, a part of the Lord's
Inner Palace was rebuilt in 2007 so you can see the adornments as vibrantly as they were in
the past.
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CITIES, TOWNS AND ATTRACTIONS IN AND AROUND TAMANA-GUN
So maybe you’ve all ready been told about the many “famous” things your town has to
offer. Just about every single municipality, from the tiniest of villages to the biggest of
cities, has some sort of “claim to fame.” Sometimes, the object or site for which the town is
“famous” for may be so obscure that the only one who knows about it is the local 110 year-old
elder. Below, you will find a rough guide to all things “famous” in and around Tamana-gun.
Some are worth checking out while others are, well…they could just be left alone.
TAMANA-GUN HIGHLIGHTS:
Rengein Temple & Five-Storey Pagoda
Hanegi Temple
Collection of Houses and Tombs (Kikusui)
Mount Shodai Pottery Kilns (Nankan & Arao)
Jagatani Park
Nankan Temple
Nagasu Goldfish Museum
The Beach in Taimei
Mitsui Greenland (Arao)
Horse Racing (Arao)
R-A-M-E-N! If this is your first time to Japan, nay, Kyushu, and you are a ramen lover, then
be prepared to meet the mother of all ramens. There are a number of ramen types out there,
but Tamana is famous for its tonkotsu. You can tell people you love Tamana ramen, and they will
know what you are talking about. Although the smell may send you running for Mount Shodai,
after the initial bowl, the delicious hearty broth and silky noodles will keep you coming back
for more.Tenkin is the most famous ramen shop in town, known nationally. However, it is NOT a
local favorite. The most popular seems to be Senryu instead. Try the kimuchi ramen there! It's
the best!
ONSEN: These public bathhouses are famous in Tamana, and you can find most of them in the
same area. Most of the onsen are connected to hotels but don't worry, you don't have to stay
the night! You can ask just to use the onsen, or sometimes they have a higaeri plan that
includes a meal and a dip in the onsen (there are specific times for these so be careful). There
is also a free outdoor foot onsen in the centre of the Tamana onsen area. You can relax there
any time and late into the night. It’s a great place to meet locals!
The most famous onsen in Tamana is Tsukasa no Yu. It’s enormous – about 8 indoor baths, plus
outdoor bath, sauna and steam room. It costs 680 yen for non-members, or if you sign up for a
free card, it’s just 550 yen, or 500 after 8pm.
Tensui has an onsen to rival the best of them. It is called Kusamakura and is set in one of the
mountains in Tensui. It has a good rotenburo (outside bath) with a great view of the Ariake
Sea and the mountains. It closes at 9pm daily. A visit to the onsen is a great way to warm up in
winter or a way to boil yourself in the summer.
TAMANA FESTIVALS: The Tamana fireworks festival is held on the first Friday of August
every year. The displays last for about an hour and sends up 10,000 balls of fire. Be prepared
for crowds because people come from all over to watch. In May, the Iris Festival takes place.
This is when all of the Irises are in bloom and the canal is lit up with lamps up and down the
boardwalk. It’s a beautiful sight at night and makes for a perfect romantic stroll.
ARAO CITY
The area was completely devoid of JETs for around five years until 2010 when they got two,
and now they are pushing to get a whopping three JETs there! Movin' on up!
Mitsui Greenland: “Haters to the left.” – Michelle This is one of the biggest theme parks in
Kyushu after Space World in Kitakyushu. This is an amusement park done Japan style! You will
be amazed by the sheer magic of The Tale of Salamander and other old time favorites. Try to
break the world record at the Ultraman ride (I believe it’s something like 283 times.. )! It's so
good, I'm pretty sure you'll ride it more than once!
Horse Racing: This racetrack was once a popular and famous site in Arao and has been open
since 1928. It is not quite as popular as it once was due to the dwindling population in Arao. It’s
on Route 389 but I don’t know anyone who has been there. If you care to take a look, then let
me know what it was like.
Arao Pears: The best in Kyushu. In the US, they are called “Asian Pears,” but trust me,
you haven't seen any like the Arao pears. Arao grows these bad boys, sometimes to the size of
a baby’s head, and distributes them all over Japan.
Nurubon: Korean BBQ house. It's a little expensive but they have all those Korean dishes. For
all the people teaching their elementary kids about bibimbap while wondering what that is even,
this is the place!
Bishnu: Indian – same chain as Bishnu in Tamana. See Tamana restaurant list for info.
Shodai-yaki: Visit the pottery shops and enjoy the wonderful views on Mount Shodai. There
are 6 pottery shops where you can admire or purchase one of Arao’s trademarks. You may even
catch a craftsman at work.
NANKAN TOWN
This small town has the distinction of being the most inaka location within our area. It is
famous for tofu age, somen and a role it played as an important Edo-period passageway for
feudal lords traveling to see the shogun:
Tofu age is basically a brick of tofu that’s been deep-fried, making it light and crispy. This is
what you may see floating around in your bowl of Miso soup. Exciting!
Somen is a wheat noodle. They’re very thin and white, often served cold in summer with a
potato mush called sato imo. It is also eaten on New Year’s Eve as a symbolic food representing
long life. An easy meal to make at home or try in Nankan.
The Passageway during the Edo-Period was made for feudal lords to travel to the capital
(Kyoto) to visit the shogun every other year. The lords were made to travel to Kyoto, spend a
year living there with the shogun, then return to their homes for the following year. The
reason for this was that long journeys were expensive, and the shogun wanted to keep the
feudal lords as poor as possible so that they would not be able to raise an army against the
ruling class. Nankan just so happens to be the site of the main resting area in Kumamoto along
the path to Kyoto. You can still see the site as it’s fairly well preserved as well as walk part of
the trail.
NAGASU TOWN
A small port town located on the Ariake Sea. It’s famous for goldfish and its Naked Man
Festival.
Goldfish: Nagasu is the third best place in Japan to get your goldfish! They've got all sorts of
interesting goldfish, such as the einstein fish. Can you guess why? Come check out the Goldfish
Festival during golden week or come to the Goldfish Museum. You'll never look at goldfish the
same way again.
Naked Men: In January, the brave men of Nagasu bundle up with nothing but a mawashi
(something like what sumo wrestlers wear) and their pride to try to get their hands on a piece
of straw from a tightly knitted bale of hay. The more they get, the luckier they will be. Once
it's over they head over to the frozen Ariake Sea and jump in! Refreshing. ALTs have
participated in previous years, so when the time comes around I'll ask to see who wants to be
Nagasu's Next Top Matobakai Champion.
TAIMEI TOWN
There is one thing Taimei is famous for. It has the only swimmable beach in the gun.
Technically, at least, there is a beach in Taimei. It is, however, very close to the shipyards and
turns to big mudflats during low tide. But, if you feel the need for sand between your toes, call
us for directions. There are volleyball nets and covered picnic areas right by the “beach.”
There are virtually no waves and the smell can be quite foul at times. Enjoy!
YOKOSHIMA TOWN
This is now a part of Tamana City but was its own town until recently. Yokoshima is famous for
strawberries in the spring (festival!). There's also a marathon in which many ALTs have taken
part in before.
TENSUI TOWN
Nestled in the shadow of Mt. Kinpo lies Tensui, a small farming community. Tensui is famous
for Mizumoto mikans (oranges) and BBQ. You have never seen oranges grown like Tensui
oranges. Quite a sight in September/October. Tensui has a ryokan named Nakoikan, where
Natsume Soseki stayed, and wrote the book Kusamakura, giving the onsen here its name. The
ryokan can be found just below the onsen, which is well signposted. Check it out!
NAGOMI (Kikusui & Mikawa) TOWN
Kikusui and Mikawa were merged to form the slightly less small town of Nagomi.
It is famous
for Kofun Koen (ancient burial mounds) and a Samurai re-enactment festival.
Ancient Burial Mounds are enclosed in a park with a number of stone statues placed about.
There is a two-day festival held on the first weekend of August. These mounds are said to
have been around since about 300 AD during the Kofun Period, well before the Nara Period.
Samurai Re-Enactment festival takes place in mid-February every year and the whole town
turns up to act out a samurai play of sorts, complete with a “virgin” princess to be saved. In
the past, female ALTs have been asked to play the part of the virgin princess. I’ve never seen
it, but it may be pretty cool to check out.
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Big Michael.
CHINESE:
Fan: The best Chinese restaurant in town. Located near the Ryuganji 7-11 in a residential
area. It’s newly renovated and offers very good Chinese food.
Leyton: Another selection for Chinese. It has a limited menu with very little in the way of
authentic Chinese. When I ate there, I was rather unnerved by the dirty uniforms everyone
wore and the rather shabby surroundings. Located right across from Café Miami on the Eki
Dori.
ITALIAN:
Café Miami: This is a coffee and cake shop/Italian restaurant on the Eki Dori. This has
absolutely nothing to do with Miami, Florida, but it does have some great coffee. Expect to
pay a high price for it though. If you’re a coffee fan, I suggest you try this place. The
desserts are also pretty good. It also serves pizza, which makes it a great alternative to Pizza
California.
JAPANESE:
Mugi no Hana (麦の華): This is a great udon shop. If you really like Udon noodles and don’t
mind a bit of a trek, then make your way to Nankan town, next to 7-11. Kate may be able to
guide you around while you’re at it!
Senryu (千龍), Toen (桃苑), and Tenkin (天琴): Three of the best ramen shops in town.
Senryu is my personal favorite due to their offering of kimchi ramen. All of them are good,
however. Senryu is in the Takase neighborhood, down the alley running parallel to
Kin-no-waraji (see map). Toen is on the 208, directly across the street from city hall and
Version 1. Tenkin is about 200 meters south of Toen. Look for the big dragon.
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BARS
The bar scene in Japan is a bit different from what
most Westerners are used to. Izakayas are the main port of call for Japanese people, who like
to eat as they drink. There are however some real drinking bars. Tamana is rather limited in
this department, but Kumamoto City offers a much larger and varied sampling. Here are some
of our favorites in Tamana.
Highbury (central Tamana, near Tamana High School): It’s supposed to be a sports bar. It
doesn’t really achieve that but it’s still a nice place to have a drink. The prices are reasonable.
It is also one of the few places in town that serves Guinness if you fancy that. There are two
dart machines that are usually hogged by some rather intense darts-enthusiasts. If you sit
next to them looking forlorn and dejected, however, they usually take pity and let you use one
of the machines. The bartenders are also pretty cool and keen to talk to you.
A Rebours Café/Bar (Central Tamana, near the station. Opposite the health centre with the
curvy roof): A chilled out place to drink and chat to music (rock) enthusiasts. Nice decor.
Standard prices. Good sandwiches.
Sofa:
This is a small upstairs bar towards the end of Eki-dori in central Tamana. Young crowd,
cheerful barman.
Green:
Near Tamana station on the 208, this bar’s clientele is wide-ranging. It has modern decor and
serves udon. The barman is friendly and will make an effort to communicate with you if you go
alone. Prices are lower here than at other bars.
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SHOPPING
There are many different places to go shopping in Tamana-gun, ranging from tiny mom
and pop places to giant national chain stores. Here are a few recommendations to get you
started. If you’re looking for specialty stuff, you may want to check out some of the smaller
shops.
Big Michael: (208/Eki-dori)
This is a large supermarket/department store in central Tamana. It has a 100yen store
upstairs, as well as a game centre and haberdashery. The food is downstairs, along with a
female-only gym, a hairdressers, a ramen shop, a bakery, a plant shop and a dry cleaners. It has
some foreign foods, but is more expensive than other supermarkets.
Marumiya (From Tamana head towards Arao on the 208. Turn right toward Best Denki – it’s
next door): This is the best grocery store for any baking ingredients you may need. The
downside is that it is more expensive than other supermarkets in the area. If you’re looking
for a certain ingredient, then try checking here.
Marukyo: This is the cheapest place for groceries in Tamana. Located on the 208 in the
Arao direction, near the small Best Denki.
Maruei: A very convenient and prolific grocery store; there’s at least one in every town.
This store is great for the basics. It is also fairly priced but doesn’t have much in the way of
imported goods. See the maps for the locations closest to you.
MaxValu: A decent supermarket in Arao that’s open 24 hours.
Best Denki: There are two in Tamana. The small Best Denki off the 208, sells books, manga,
CDs, DVDs and video games.
The big Best Denki sells electronics, and household
appliances(TVs, washing machines, coffee machines, computers, etc.) The bigger Best Denki
is just off the 208, just next to the Marumiya grocery store.
Tsutaya (between Tamana station and the 208): Tamana is now blessed with a big Tsutaya
store offering rental DVDs, rental manga, rental CDs, as well as books, CDs, DVDs, video games
and stationery to buy. There’s also a big drugstore next door.
Geo (between Tamana station and the 208): Same as Tsutaya, but without the books and
stationery. The rental DVDs are cheaper here.
City Mall:
This is the closest shopping mall to most of the ALTs in Tamana. There are
clothing stores, home stores, food, etc, although it’s a bit old and depressing. Take the 208
north into Arao and follow the signs. It’s very close to Mitsui Greenland.
Youme Town: This mall is located in Omuta, just north of Arao and technically in Fukuoka
Prefecture. It has a lot more than the City Mall complete with a Toys R Us, Best Denki,
Sports Xebio (Awesome sports store) and a Starbucks.
Omuta Aeon Mall: This behemoth opened on May 18th, 2011. It’s a wonderful place with a
Subway sandwich shop, Tully’s Coffee and Kaldi's Coffee, a great foreign foods store. Half of
the stores are baby clothes shops, but the bigger shops are Sports Authority, Village
Vanguard, and a book shop. The downside is that it’s in Omuta, a good 40min drive from Tamana,
but much closer to the Arao people. This is located off the Ariake-Engai Road, behind the
Omuta Station. There is also a brand new cinema (Central Cinema) with 4 screens. Make sure to
get a point card (100 or 200 yen to sign up) there if you like to watch movies.
Big Oak: A one-stop shop located in Nankan. It is pretty much the only game in Nankan for
that matter. Get your groceries, booze, clothes (severely limited) and household sundries
here. Located in front of Nankan High School.
Nafco: A huge home/DIY store. There are a whopping three locations: Tamana, Nagasu and
Arao. Two are located on the 208. The other is located on the 110. The Nagasu brach is the
newsest of the three, but Tamana remains the largest and has the most selection. That is,
except for raw lumber. If you’re looking to build yourself a house or some sort of shack, then I
suppose Arao would be your place. At Nafco, you can find furniture, curtains, aquarium supplies,
car maintenance stuff, tools, etc. Also carries detergent, toiletries, etc. They all open at 8:00
am and close in the following order Nagasu 7:30pm, Arao 8:00pm, and Tamana 9:00 pm.
Omocha Soko: This is a very cool secondhand shop located in Arao. It specializes in retro
toys. They also sell books, manga, clothes, CDs and DVDs. It’s located on the 114, across
from Mitsui Greenland.
Costco: This is not in our gun, but it’s pretty conveniently located about an hour’s drive away in
Fukuoka City. It offers many western goods (Tortillas!) that you wouldn’t be able to find
anywhere else. Every year, we organize a trip to get some bulk grocery shopping done there. If
you’re interesting, let me know and we can work on organizing a trip. Just make sure to bring a
loose enough belt as you may find yourself gorging on their gigantic pizzas.
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ENTERTAINMENT
Tamana has been heralded as the Las Vegas of Japan due to the
plethora of entertainment that decorates the gun. Pfft. Truth be
told, Tamana is considered to be inaka, and as such, there isn’t a ton
of entertainment around. That being said, it is still situated better
than most of the other inaka counties in Kumamoto. Let’s take a look and see the things that
help keep the local JET community from getting cabin fever and going stir crazy during those
long, cold winter nights.
Karaoke: If you’re like I was when I first arrived then you probably have the image that
karaoke is just for showboating losers crooning Pat Benatar’s greatest hits in a smoke-filled
bar to an indifferent audience whose only goal is to drink until they can’t feel anymore. Well,
you’re wrong! Karaoke is the best thing to come out of Japan since sushi. Seriously. For
best results, try it drunk. Very, very drunk. There is now only ONE decent place to try
karaoke in Tamana-gun and that’s Karaoke
55 (pronounced “go-go”).
Karaoke
averages about ¥1000/hr. for as much
drinking and singing as you can handle.
There are other karaoke places around the
gun but this is the best in town, as ranked
by both JET and Japanese alike. Other
than that, Arao also has a great karaoke
bar called Hana right in front of Mitsui
Greenland. It has a better selection of
songs, but not as lively an atmosphere.
Darts and billiards: The only darts bar would be the Highbury. Refer to the “Bars” section.
There is a single billiards hall located in Tamana City on the 208. It’s not the greatest, but
that’s all there is. It’s also frequented by some serious players so if you think you lack the
skills and may just embarrass yourself, then you can take a trip to the Arao AMS Games
Center in the Ariake plaza.
Mitsui Greenland: Yes, I mention this place again. Contrary to popular belief, I give this
amusement park two-thumbs up. I recommend going with a group of people you like as I’m
sure this makes all the difference.
Movie Theaters: There are movie theatres in Omuta and Kumamoto City. The
Omuta one is closer to Tamana and easier to access. There is a ladies’ day on a
Monday, meaning ladies pay 1000 yen instead of 1800 yen full price. There is also a
couples’ day on Wednesday, when two people (of any gender) can get tickets for
1000 yen each. Tamana-Gunites regularly make trips to this cinema as a group.
Listen up for invites to Movie Mondays/Wednesdays!
Video Rental: There are four big stores that you can rent from within the area.
Tamana itself has Tsutaya, Geo and Boo Video, all of which are off the 208. Boo
has a smaller selection. Geo offers ¥50 rentals on any DVD at the moment,
though that may change in the near future. There is also an Antoku Books in Arao that has a lot
of other cool stuff besides rental videos. Many students buy their school supplies there and
manga. You can also browse the video game section if that’s your thing. They also offer
¥100 on non-new releases but only on the 5th, 15th and 25th of each month. Antoku is across
the street from the City Mall. Video Lord in Tensui is also decent and is located where
highways 501 and the 1 intersect.
Bowling:
There’s a bowling alley in Tamana next to the Tsukasa Hotel, called Tsukasa bowling.
There is also a much bigger one in Passca World in Arao right in front of Greenland.
AMS Games: Formally known as Sega World. This is a pretty good video arcade located in
Ariake Plaza, Arao. In this plaza, you can also find KFC, Mister Donuts, Baskin Robbins, a ¥100
shop and a cheap grocery store called Max Valu. There’s also a K’s Denki that is usually
cheaper than the Best Denki in Tamana.
Matsuri: Matsuri means festival in English and
there is usually one going on somewhere in the
area each month. Go to the festivals. This is a
great way to mix and meet with locals in your
town.
Hiking: There are quite a fewmountain trails
to explore. Mt. Shodai and Mt. Kinpo are the
bestplaces to hike within the Tamana area.
Leaving Tamana:
Get out as much as you can and see the
rest of the prefecture/island/world. Three close
options are Kumamoto City, Fukuoka City (an hour on
the express train) and Mt. Aso.
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SPORTS and HEALTH
The gyms and sports parks in Tamana can be good places to visit to stay in shape and burn
those extra calories. Or, satisfy that ever-present sense of self-loathing. If you like to lift
weights, though, you may be disappointed. Free weights are very limited and what they do
have may be a rather limited range of lifting machines.
Arest: This is the more modern of all the gyms in the area. They have lifting machines and a
few free weights. There is also an indoor pool, sauna and mini onsen. Membership is expensive.
If you don’t intend to go 3-4 times a week every week, it just isn’t worth it. A warning: the
indoor pool is usually crowded with kids taking swimming lessons and the weights are usually
hogged up by the resident macho weightlifter.
Momoda Sports Park: This park was built for the Inter-Japan Games hosted by Kumamoto
Prefecture in Oct./Nov. 1999. The facilities are pretty up-to-date as they have 3 outdoor
swimming pools (25m, 50m, kiddie), a good track and a gym/training room. The gym is a
bargain at ¥300 but it’s closed on Tuesdays. Momoda is located near the 208 and route 1
intersection very close to the Takase Bridge.
Arao Sports Park: Arao sports park has an outdoor pool as well as a running track. That’s
about it. Momoda is better. It’s located behind the Antoku Books just up the hill.
Yutorimu (ゆとりーむ): This is a great indoor facility that most of the ALTs frequent for a
swim. The patrons are welcoming and accepting of foreigners as well. The cost is ¥300 for
the use of the gym or pool. The gym is a disappointment, but you may be interested in taking
one of their Tai-Chi classes or Yoga classes on offer there. This facility is located in
Yokoshima right near Larissa’s house. If you need directions, let anyone know. The pool is
closed on the first and third Mondays of each month for cleaning.
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TRANSPORTATION
Trains: This is the easiest way to get around Japan if you don’t have a car. The main railway
line, JR Kyushu Kagoshima Line, runs from Hakata to Kagoshima down
south. There are stops in almost all parts of the area: Arao (Arao and Minami Arao Stns.),
Nagasu (Nagasu Stn.), Taimei (Oonoshimo Stn.), Tamana (Tamana Stn.), Tensui (Higo-Ikura
Stn.), and Gyokuto (Konoha Stn.). The price from Tamana to Kumamoto Stn. is ¥540 and
takes 27 minutes. If you’re heading to downtown Kumamoto, I recommend stopping at
Kami-Kumamoto(¥450) rather than Kumamoto Station. From there, board the tram and it
takes about the same amount of time to get to central Kumamoto. The trams are ¥150 to any
stop in the city. Take the B tram to and from Kami-Kumamoto and the A tram to and from
Kumamoto Stn. You pay as you get off the tram, but the local trains have a ticket machine
before you board. Local train times are in black and the slightly faster trains are in blue
(they don’t stop at all stations). There are express trains (特急) which get you direct to
Hakata (Fukuoka) in one hour, but these only run at around 5am and 12midnight since the
advent of the Kyushu shinkansen. These trains are much cheaper than the shinkansen, so
sometimes it’s worth getting up that bit early. You can also take a slow train to Fukuoka,
changing to the Nishitetsu line at Omuta. (Buy a 450 yen ticket at Tamana, then a 1000 yen
ticket for Nishitetsu at Omuta). Check with the station staff about times and grab a
timetable of the trains. Also, you can check out www.hyperdia.com for train times.
Shin-Tamana station, in the North of the city, near Tamana bypass, has recently
opened and offers super-fast, direct trains to Kumamoto, Fukuoka and Osaka. It’s expensive,
but fun, and the trains are new. Access to this station is by car, taxi, or infrequent bus from
Tamana station.
Buses: If you don’t have a train station, the bus would be your saving grace. Buses are still
quite expensive, but they are relatively cheap for longer hauls. There is a bus stop at Tamana
train station but check with your co-workers about times and such. The buses are much more
difficult to figure out than the trains. The main bus terminal in Kumamoto City is called the
“Kotsu Center.” You can take a bus to the city and pretty much travel anywhere from there.
Shinkansen: Apart from the Kyushu shinkansen discussed above, the bullet trains run from
Aomori in the north to Hakata (Fukuoka) to the south. A roundtrip ticket from Hakata to
Tokyo runs at about ¥50,000 and takes about 5 hours. Osaka is about ¥30,000. You can
purchase tickets at any major train station
like Tamana or Arao.
Airports: If you’re flying out of Kyushu, you have two options. You can fly out of Kumamoto
or Fukuoka airport. Kumamoto Airport has limited International service and is much more
difficult to get to unless you are in the city. Fukuoka, on the other hand, is reachable by train
and subway. It also has an International terminal and handles a lot more flights. If you need
to escape, just take the train to Hakata station. From there, take the subway to
Fukuokakuko which is only two stops away. Voila! You’re at the airport domestic terminal.
If you need the international terminal, you will need to take a bus (free!) from the domestic
terminal. Ask the friendly staff at the airport and they will point you to the bus stop.
Alternatively, take a taxi from Hakata station to Kokusai Kuuko (international terminal), which
costs about 1500 yen.
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Welcome to Yatsushiro!
Contents:
Overview
Events
Buy
Eat
Drink
See
OVERVIEW
Yatsushiro City (or Yats, to the local ALTs) is the second largest city in Kumamoto. With a land area
of 680.59 km2 (262.78 square miles), Yatsushiro effectively bisects Kumamoto prefecture. With a population
of about 133,630 (as of April 2011) Yats is a large city, but still has the heart and vibe of a small town.
In ancient times, Yatsushiro was said to the place that kappas (Japanese mythical water beasts)
landed when they came to Japan from China. The kappa spirit is still alive and well here in Yatsushiro. You
can see several drawings and statues around town devoted to these sometimes cute, sometimes creepy green
creatures. The local radio station is even called KAPPA FM! Some say that they even live in the moat of the
Yatsushiro Castle ruins!
When the kappas arrived in Yatushiro, they probably saw gorgeous mountains and lush green
vegetation. However, the first thing that you`re likely to see upon entering the city limits are the iconic candy
cane-esque smokestacks. They belong to a major paper factory that employs a large number of people in
Yatsushiro.
Smoke-spewing factories aside, Yatsushiro has some beautiful places to see and several entertaining
things to do. Much of the city sits on reclaimed land from the sea, making it fairly new in comparison to
other locations in the `Moto. While you`re here, see if you can try the ‘Shio-tomato’. Yatsushiro is famous
for tomatoes and the Shio-tomato is especially well known for its salty zing. The reason for this is that there
is still a lot of residual salt left over in the soil from when the area was covered by the sea.
The Yatsushiro locals are friendly and you`re less likely to get oppressively stared at as much as
other places – although it still happens. Most people here have seen a foreigner (or a travelling pack of us)
before.
The foreign population in Yats includes several nationalities including: Brazilian, Filipino and
Cameroonian. The largest foreign population however, is Chinese. And then there are the ALTs. As of May
2012, Yatsushiro City has 12 JETs. Eight that work in the city proper, two that live in the smaller towns just
outside the city and two high school ALTs.
We always have ALT events planned, so if you`re looking for a night among good company, feel
free to contact a Yatzie (Yatsushiro ALT) and see what`s going on!
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EVENTS
Yatsushiro has a few cool festivals and events throughout the year that are definitely worth checking
out!
August – (Kumagawa Matsuri). A large festival that many people of
Yatsushiro take part in. It`s basically just a parade through the streets, but
it`s a good time for all.
Kumagawa Matsuri
Mid October – Yatsushiro Hanabi Taikai. One of the (if not THE) biggest
fireworks festivals in Kyushu. Some say that it`s the best in all of Japan. Regardless
of its ‘official ranking’, the Yatsushiro Hanabi Taikai is definitely a must-see!
Firework artists from all over Japan come to strut their stuff in the sky. Please bring a
blanket, drinks, and your appetite for some amazing festival food as you enjoy some
of the best fireworks in the country.
November 23rd – Myoukensai Festival. Considered one of the three main festivals
in Kyushu, the Myoukensai is a big event in Yats. While not as loud and lively as the Drunken Horse
Festival in Kumamoto City, the Myoukensai has a certain ‘Old Japan’ charm of its own. Horses are run
through a small river and then followed by the ‘Game’ (pronounced gah-mey) – Yatsushiro`s mythical
turtle-dragon creature. It is said that if you snag a piece of its fuzzy tail and put it in your wallet, fortune will
visit you. Also, if you’re lucky enough to be bitten by the Shishi (Red Chinese lions), that is also considered
super lucky! The Myoukensai is mild craziness, snack food, and festival hair at its best!
April – Ninja Matsuri. In April, a small exhibition of ninja weapons and activities is held at the Yatsushiro
Castle Ruins. This could be an annual event but we aren`t 100% sure. If you want to check this little festival
out, check with a Yatzie to make sure it’s happening!
Kagami Mud Festival. The actual name of it is something else, but ‘Mud
Festival is an appropriate name for this odd but entertaining event. It’s held
in the town of Kagami just north of Yatsushiro City. A group of about fifty
drunken men in fundoshi (traditional Japanese cloth thongs) rush into a
small pond and catch fish with their hands. The fun comes when they
begin to throw mud at onlookers! It`s said that if you`re hit with mud,
you`re going to be healthy for the year. This event is a lot of fun but if you
go, be sure to wear clothes that you don`t mind getting dirty – as both fish and mud are flung everywhere!
May – Kyushu International Three-Day March. During the first week of May, Yatsushiro hosts its 3 Day
March. Walking enthusiasts from all over the world flock to Yatsushiro to…walk. If you complete a course
every day, you`ll receive an adorable kappa badge for the fruits of your labor. This may not sound like the
most exciting thing in the world, but it`s a great way to get to see Yats firsthand! Throughout the day, local
musicians, dancers, and groups put on shows and performances for audiences. The usual matsuri food is
available as well as local goods.
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BUY
Yatsushiro has much in the way of shopping that range between traditional and local products to
high-end and fashionable products. While it lacks some of the commodities and luxuries of Kumamoto
City, Yatsushiro still has some name-brand stores that can be found in Kumamoto City. In Yats, there are
two main juggernauts of shopping: Youmetown and Aeon Jusco Mall. These two malls have many types of
shops and restaurants that appeal to a wide assortment of people. The two will be separated since there is a
lot to talk about.
Youme Town
Youmetown is located on the way to Yatsushiro Port and an excellent stop for those coming to
Yatsushiro by ferry.
If you are coming from the IC, just follow the signs when you get off the exit.
Youme Town offers a wide variety of shops that can keep you shopping for hours (or maybe even
days). For those who are into fashion, the second floor has a wide assortment of women’s and men’s
clothes as well as children’s clothes including.
However, the biggest draw to Youme Town is its Uniqlo. Uniqlo has a great variety of women and
men’s clothes at affordable prices. While it may be smaller than other Uniqlos, it is a great alternative if
you can’t make it to the city. While not related to fashion, the sports/outdoor store Xebio has every sporting
need and is located right next door to Uniqlo (Just look for the moose!)
If you are looking for more traditional goods, there are several stores on the 2nd floor that offer
traditional Japanese products that can be seen everywhere. Also located on the 2nd floor is a Daiso. The
Daiso is a “100-yen store lovers” dream as it has everything that a Daiso has plus more. Also located on
the 2nd floor is a Softbank store, a book store, a otaku store (our slice of Akihabara), and many more!
Youme Town is a great place to kill a few hours (or a day) to just shop, people watch, and spend money. I
will cover restaurants in the “Eating” section.
Aeon Jusco
The Yatzies are actually confused on what to call this mall as it used to be called Jusco but now it’s
Aeon. So everyone just calls it Jusco to save the hassle. While Jusco may lack the restaurants that Youme
Town has, it has many interesting stores and shops.
Like Youme town, Jusco has a grocery area where one can buy a wide assortment of products. The
grocery store is located on the first floor and is the first thing you see when you walk in.
st
Also located on
the 1 floor are a bike shop, a flower shop, a Maki jewelry store, a pet store, and a furniture store.
The second floor has a much loved Village Vanguard that rivals the craziness that is found in the
one in Kumamoto City. It also has the 100-yen store Seria, a book store, a travel agency, an ABC Mart, a
Sports Authority, and a wide assortment of clothes for both men and women.
Jusco is great way to kill a Sunday by just shopping and looking. If you take Rinko-sen after you
get off the IC, it is a straight shot.
it.
It is pretty massive and you will most likely see signs pointing towards
Outside of the two malls, the next best place to shop is in the covered arcade
district, Honmachi. It is located in the heart of Yatsushiro and parking to get into
Honmachi is limited.
There are places you can park at in and around Honamchi but some of
them are stores/shops and discourage parking unless you are a paying customer.
Honmachi is a great place to shop if you are looking for more traditional products
such as figurines, umbrellas, clothing, and other products that scream
Honmachi
“JAPANESE!!!”
Also located in Honmachi is a Tsuruya and is a worthy stop for those
interested in shopping. Also located in and around Honamchi are a plethora of restaurants, cafes, bars,
izakayas, snack bars, and other less savory establishments that make up Yatsushiro’s “Nightlife Alley”.
While not in a shopping area, Yatsushiro boasts a very nice Tsutaya. While not as large as the
Kumamoto City Tsutaya; it is still a great place to shop for movies, games, CDs and books. It is located a
few stops before Jusco. Just look for an Eneos and a Fuku Fuku Restaurant.
Yatsushiro also has two great electronic stores: a Yamada Denki and a K’s Denki. Yamada Denki
is located conveniently next to Youme town while K’s Denki is located on Rinko-sen. If you are going to
Jusco, you will spot it on your left. Also located within K’s Denki is a Book Off (used books) and a Hard
Off (used furniture and goods). These are both two great places to shop and offer much in electronics.
Besides Youme Town, Jusco, Honmachi, and Tsutaya; there are still many options to choose from if
you can find what you want.
Located just down the road from Tsutaya is a Direx! and a Geo. Near
Honmachi is a MaxValue which is used to foreigners shopping there (maybe even too much). If you are
heading to Jusco or K’s Denki, stop off at A Price Goods. It has a great selection of foreign foods from
different countries and ethnicities. As well, many of these are in bulk so it will last you a while. You
could say it’s a mini Costco. Located past Youme Town, towards the port, is the Trial. Located off from
Rinko-sen, near K’s Denki are a Nafco, a Daiso, a Two-One Style, and a newly located Nitori. While you
may not need to shop here if you are just visiting Yatsushiro, they are still great stores nevertheless.
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EAT
Yatsushiro is a great place to come eat! Yatsushiro is home to many diverse restaurants that cater
to every taste bud. Yatsushiro is famous for their banpeiyu (a type of huge grapefruit), lotus root, tomatoes
(seriously delicious!), and strawberries (equally delicious!). But where to start? There are so many
restaurants, cafes, and izakayas that it’s hard to know where to begin!
The best place to start is probably in Youme Town. Youme Town has many types of stores as well
as restaurants. On the 1st floor, you can find a McDonalds, an excellent Italian restaurant with great pizza, a
ramen/udon restaurant, a Chinese restaurant, a Japanese restaurant, and a Baskin Robbins. On the 2nd floor
is the food court that offers Japanese food, Italian food, takoyaki, a Mos Burger, and crepes.
The next best place for food is in Jusco. While Jusco has more shops than restaurant, it still boasts
a good variety. When you first walk into Jusco, you will find a Mr. Donuts. Located near Mr. Donuts is a
Baskin Robbins. Located near the furniture store are a Japanese restaurant, a kaiten-zushi (conveyor belt)
restaurant, and an excellent buffet with amazing food! Located on the 2nd floor is another food court that
has offers ramen, okonomiyaki, and a McDonalds. Speaking of the golden arches, near the IC exit is a
McDonalds as well.
A popular place for both locals and ALT’s is Sanji, an Indian restaurant that is located right near to
Yamada Denki and Youme Town. There is another Sanji located in Matsubase as well. The staff is friendly
and the food is great! Also located near Sanji is the restaurant, The Flying Noodle (Not the official name,
but the Yatzies have dubbed it otherwise). Parking and sitting is very limited and it’s rather out of the way
but it is one of the best noodle places in Yatsushiro. The chef will take, essentially a block of noodles he
made, and slice them into your bowl as you eat. However, don’t be surprised if you find that seating is full
since it’s a popular place for locals to eat lunch. However, the owner is friendly and will make a place for
you if he can.
Yatsushiro has many Yakiniku restaurants that are dotted around the city. One notable Yakiniku
place is Nabeshima and is located right down the street from K’s Denki.
If you are looking for sushi, Yatsushiro has two kaiten-zushi restaurants: Sushi Ichiba which is
located next door to Jusco and Ban Ban Sushi which is located near Jimland and fairly close to Yatsushiro
station.
If you are looking for Chinese, Yatsushiro has some of the best restaurants. Located on Rinko-sen
and near K’s Denki is the restaurant, Tanpopo. It offers some great Chinese cuisine as well as
Yatsushiro-famous Tomato Ramen. If you are in Yatsushiro, you should try this at least once! Some other
notable Chinese restaurants are within the White Palace, a megalith building that you can see literally from
anywhere. It plays host for many enkais, parties, and meetings and the Chinese restaurant is located on the
1st floor. Located right across the street is a newly opened Taiwanese restaurant and offers the usual
Chinese cuisine.
As mentioned before, Honmachi has many restaurants and izakaya’s dotted in and around the neon
signs. Near MaxValue and the Higo Bank is a great karaage (fried chicken) restaurant and Jay’s Bar, a
Spanish Tapas sports bar. Further down is an ice cream stall, a great café (with amazing pizza) called
Mother Goose, and various ramen/izakaya establishments.
Also, Yatsushiro has Joyful, Mos Burger, Gusto, Curry House Ichiban, and more Hotto Motto’s
than you can count on both hands. These places, while cheap, are great places to stop at for a quick meal.
Lastly, the Yatzies would like to introduce two amazing places fill your belly and quench your thirst.
These two places are Kohi-ya and Albatross. These two cafés are located right near to each other and
easily the best cafés in Yatsushiro. Kohi-ya looks like something right out of Game of Thrones with its
wooden interior and tavern-feeling. It has an excellent tomato chicken and a unique soup where dough is
baked above the soup and forms a mushroom-like shape. Utterly to die for! Near to Kohi-ya is Albatross,
a excellent café with one of the best lunch menus (their hirekatsu lunch special is amazing!). Plus, you get
tiny little swords that they skewer mini weenies with. Awesome! While Kohi-ya may have Renaissance
flair, Albatross is reminiscent of a grandma’s house (in a good way)! Two great places if you are planning a
trip to the Yatsu. Both places also have amazing tea and coffee.
Speaking of drinks…
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DRINK
The Yatzies are known to get pretty wild on occasion. Yatsushiro plays host to
many drinking establishments that range from nice and comfy to loud and chaotic.
For the coffee lovers, both Youme Town and Jusco have Starbucks on their first
floors. It is an excellent place to bring a book to study or unwind. Additionally,
Mother Goose in Honmachi has amazing tea that is a must drink if you have the
chance. Aside from that, Yatsushiro has many drinking holes that will keep your
spirits high and feelin’ fine.
One particular drinking establishment is Freak. Freak is located in Honmachi and is one of the
best bars in town. The owner, Yutaka, is a lover of jazz and music all around. You can tell by all the
records he has lined up in the shelves behind the bar. He is also an avid fan of Star Wars and will share his
knowledge with you; if you dare. He takes requests and will eagerly discuss music with you. His drinks
are a tad bit pricey but you pay for the atmosphere. It is a great place to come and think or just talk about
life. A favorite among ALT’s.
Located near Freak is the bar Campanule. If Freak is relaxed and chill, Campanule is loud and
edgy. The owner, Makoto, is a great guy and is always interested in meeting foreigners and talking to them.
In fact, he usually does a 2,000 yen nomihoudai for most foreigners (something he doesn’t do with Japanese
customers apparently). His drinks are cheap and he will always keep you filled up. Campanule usually
plays modern music and MTV can usually be found in the background. Campanule always plays host to
many DJ/Dance parties and is an excellent place if you are looking to talk to people, meet up and have a
crazy night.
Others bars that are located within Yatsushiro is the sports bar, Jay’s Bar, M’s Garden (a lounge
bar), Raspberry (a large lounge/darts/pool bar) a punk music-themed bar that is hardly ever open, and
Sunny Day Walk (a darts theme). These are all located within the Honmachi district.
There are also various snack bars and hostess bars located within Nightlife Alley and, on a Friday
or Saturday night, you can see a multitude of business men, Yankis, young adult hipsters, aspiring
DJ’s, and even a old obaachans walking around this ‘neon sanctuary’.
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SEE
Yatsushiro is rich in history and culture and many of its landmarks have a long story to tell. While
Yatsushiro may seem very concrete and smoky (due to the smoke stacks), there are still many beautiful
places to visit.
I would first like to highlight Yatsushiro Castle Ruins. The
Yatsushiro Castle Ruins is located near the City Hall and the middle of the
city. A moat flows around the ruins and you can see many types of birds
such as pigeons, ducks, and even a beautiful black swan named Natalie
(I’M PERFECT!). Inside the ruins are beautiful sakura trees, gardens, and
a shrine. It is an excellent place to view sakura, to take a walk, and enjoy
Yatsushiro Castle Ruins
nature (but it scary as hell at night!)
Another famous place within Yatsushiro is Mizushima. Is located
south of the city center and past the island between the Kumagawa
River. I would suggest Google mapping or using a GPS map to locate
it since it can be tricky. Mizushima is a shrine located on an island in
the Yatsushiro Bay. It is an excellent place to watch the bay, seagulls,
and the waves. You can walk into the shrine and even onto the island
if the tide is out (they sometimes rope it off).
It is truly a beautiful
Mizushima
sight. Located next to Mizushima Shrine is a park and information concerning the island in different
languages.
Another popular draw for Yatsushiro is the 777. The 777 is seven-hundred and seventy steep stairs
that goes up the side of a mountain in Yatsushiro. It is a hard and tiring climb but the view from it is none
like you’ve ever seen. If offers amazing views of Yatsushiro City, Yatsusiro Bay, Amakusa islands, and
even Mt. Unzen in Nagasaki prefecture. Coming up here in the evening is the best since the sunsets are
amazing! However, beware of mukade since they seem to infest this place at night. Bring your hiking
gear and most comfortable shoes because it s quite the climb.
Yatsushiro has many other cultural and historical places such as the tea garden
Shihouhinken, the Myoken shrine (from which the Myokensai takes its name from),
Ryuhouku Park (Dragon Slides FTW!), Hinagu Hot Springs, the suspension bridges
in and viewpoints from the Kumagawa River. Another interesting sight is a mural that
is located off from Honmachi has five beautifully draw naked Kappa women. Erotic
Kappa Art FTW! Yatsushiro has everything for everyone and is a great place to spend
a day to visit!
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While Yatsushiro might lack the tourist draw of Kumamoto City or the beauty of Aso, it has its own
unique beauty if you look hard enough. The people are friendly, the food is great, the mountains and rivers
are beautiful, and the smoke stacks loom over Yats like Mount Doom. So, if you are ever planning a trip to
the Yats and need advice, don’t be afraid to hit any of us up on Facebook or by email. We would be glad to
suggest places to see, eat, drink, and do! So douzo on over to Yatsushiro and enjoy a day with the Kappas!
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Ｋａｍｉｍａｓｈｉｋｉ Ｇｕｉｄｅ
Ｃｏｎｔｅｎｔｓ:
Ａｅｏｎ Ｍａｌｌ Ｋｕｍａｍｏｔｏ
Yamato:
Yabe
Soyo
Seiwa
Kosa
Mifune
Aeon Mall Kumamoto
It is the consumerism jewel of Kumamoto prefecture, and it’s situated right in Kamimashiki-gun.
Welcome...to Aeon Mall Kumamoto (AMK). Known as ‘Clair’ by locals, and located in Kashima-machi on
route 445, this was originally the largest mall in Kyushu. Now it is has fallen back to second place, but is
still considered the biggest mall in Kumamoto.
AMK opened as ‘Diamond City Clair’ in October 2005 and quickly became a well-loved shopping hub of
Kumamoto, as home to a large AEON complex and over 160 speciality stores. November 2011 saw the mall
face its first renewal and name change, officially becoming Aeon Mall Kumamoto on the 18th of November.
It’s a very popular shopping spot with locals and tourists alike, with many people saying it has a very
‘American’ feel to its modern architecture and design. Open from 10am until 10pm (with some areas until
11pm or midnight) it can be very hard to find a park during the weekend. If you live close enough, it’s
recommended to come on a weeknight or after 4 on a weekend to avoid large crowds. It’s very easy to
spend a day in AMK...
Things to Buy
The largest stores in the mall are...
-
Aeon (Supermarket, homeware, clothing)
Tsutaya ＆Books (CDs, books, DVDs, stationery supplies, rental etc.)
Ambience (a furniture and homeware store. A little pricey)
Shimamura Instrument (well stocked music store)
-
ZARA (well known clothing store)
Sports Authority (ironically placed beside McDonalds)
AMK has a multitude of shopping choices so you are guaranteed to find something to spend some hard
earning cash on. You will find a large array of clothing stores, including UNIQLO, Tommy Hilfiger, United
Colours of Benetton and Eddie Bauer. For those who prefer home ware and accessories you have at least
20 stores to choose from. AMK has numerous pharmacists, eyewear specialists and travel consultancies so
you can get your chores done while having a browse.
If you’re heading overseas and need some omiyage and souvenirs, AMK is the place to go. Aeon boasts a
large omiyage sector, including a large collection of Kumamon goods. There is a store selling ready-made
Kimono and Kimono silk, as well as several stores where you can buy traditional Japanese goods. Village
Vanguard, on the second floor, is also a fan favourite for an array of Japanese kitsch and gadgets.
AMK Exclusives
Lush
Available on the first floor near Tsutaya, AMK is the home to
Kumamoto’s only Lush store. Lush is a homemade cosmetics
company, originally created in the UK. Lush prides itself in its
creation of ethical and effective hair, skin and body cosmetics.
Lush uses 100% vegetarian, 81% vegan and 70% preservative-free
ingredients to create an array of products such as shampoos, bath
bombs, moisturisers, and face masks for both men and women.
The staff are incredibly friendly and helpful with a couple speaking
excellent English. Just follow the delicious smells to this amazing store. Warning: Lush is an addiction.
Things to Eat
Let’s face it...after a hard day shopping we all need a good meal to replenish our energy levels. AMK is
home to a large variety of restaurants and cuisines, so you’ll be spoiled for choice. Not sure what to have?
At AMK you have 35 choices so there will be something to please everyone.
The first floor is home to the ‘Restaurant Mall’, featuring Indian, Korean, Japanese, ‘American’, Chinese
and numerous incarnations of Italian and other styles of food. It is also home to the only Subway in
Kumamoto, a sushi train and two buffet style restaurants. The second floor hosts the ‘Food Court’ where
you can pick up a selection of nibbles from takoyaki to Korean bibimbap. You’ll also find a Mos Burger, a
KFC and Mister Donut in the Food Court area.
Scattered around the mall you’ll find a Starbucks, a Tully’s, a
McDonald’s, a few little bakeries, a fruit smoothie store and of
course the Aeon Supermarket. Bentos and cooked food at Aeon goes
on sale past 6:30pm so be in to get a good discount on some tempura
or sushi rolls! For foreign food AMK is home to both Kaldi’s Coffee
House and Aeon. Kaldi has a good array of foreign foods, so if
you’re craving some homemade tacos or dying for a Timtam slam
you’ll be able to pick up your supplies from there. Both stores have
a range of international beers and wine, so if you get sick of Japanese
beer you can pick up a Chimay or Heineken.
AMK Exclusives
Subway
Kumamoto’s first Subway store opened on November
the 18th 2011 and faced large lines in the first few weeks
of business. Now it’s a bit quieter but service is quick
and if you order after 4 you can pick up two 6 inch subs
and drinks for Y1000. Try out the Ebi Avocado with soy
and wasabi sauce, or, if you’re feeling up to a challenge,
try out one of the seasonal varieties. As of print Subway
has a ‘French menu’ including oiled sardines and basil
sauce, or roast duck with orange sauce. Ordering is
incredibly easy, but just a hint: you will only get two
olives and two slices of pickle so be ready to ippai to
your hearts delight! And yes, the cookies are just like back at home!
Things to Do
If you need to do a little more with your time than just shop and eat, AMK has a few things to help tide
your time away.
Inside AMK you’ll find an eight-screen Warner Mycal Cinema, and a games and amusement centre.
Outside you can find the Yumoto Kashima onsen to help you relax after a long day shopping, and if you ate
too much for lunch you can take a quick run at the neighbouring fitness
centre Bfit. There is also a massage and beauty clinic, and two
manicure parlours for a quick pamper.
AMK hosts numerous events and promotions in the central areas of the
mall. During baseball season it’s not uncommon to find a giant screen
set up and people in Softbank Hawks gear watching a game. Other
times you may come across a baby crawling race or, if you’re especially lucky, sight an elusive Kumamon or
score free Pocky. AMK recently hosted a small aquarium exhibition, where you could also have a fish
pedicure.
Outside you can also catch a water show every half hour (which normally involves a small child getting a
face full of water) or see the lights at Christmas time where the Twinkle Tower becomes a giant Christmas
tree.
Fact file
Hours: Open 7 days 10am – 10pm
Car parks: 4, 820
Nearest IC exit: Mifune (10 minutes drive from IC gate)
Public transport access: Bus only
Website: http://kumamoto-aeonmall.com/
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Yamato cho (山都町)
Yamato-cho was officially created on February 11, 2005, from the merging of 3 villages and cities: Yabe
(the biggest), Seiwa (the smallest) and Soyo (the only one that was in Aso-gun before, close to the border
with Miyazaki ken). It has a population of 16,500 inhabitants spread over 550 km² (that’s a –low densityof 33 persons per square km).
The population is aging so it’s not really a good party spot, and that’s an understatement, but if you’re
into nature this town has plenty to offer. It features a great aqueduct that shoots water from its sides every
now and then and it’s a good place to go to if you want to escape the city pollution and be surrounded by
forests, rice fields and electric carts ridden by the elderly. There are also a bunch of excellent izakaya with
good food/sake in all 3 places.
We will now introduce separately each of the cities/villages composing Yamato cho.
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Yabe (矢部町 Yabe-machi)
Yabe (矢部町 Yabe-machi) was originally a town located in Kamimashiki District, Kumamoto, Japan. As
stated above, as of February 11, 2005 Yabe was merged with the village of Seiwa and the town of Soyo to
form the new town of Yamato.
The advantage of being the largest of the Yamato cho troika is probably why Yabe can boast of having two
conbinis (!!), two large (-ish) supermarkets, two home stores, and a number of lovely izakayas and eating
joints.
Tsujunkyo Bridge
This impressive stone-built water bridge which has a height of 20.2 meters, length of 75.6 meters and an
arch of 27.6 meters radius was built in the late Edo era using the then-most advanced masonry and civil
engineering techniques that originated in Japan.
During the feudal age, the Shiraito plateau was uncultivated and uninhabited land owing to lack of water and
accessibility. The completion of this remarkable aqueduct bridge provided the area both with water for
agriculture and a passage for people who settled in the ravines. After more than 150 years, the aqueduct
still provides irrigation water for terrace rice paddies which afford an impressive vista of the countryside
and the bridge. Occasionally during spring to fall, there are demonstrations for tourists when water is
released from the top of the arch on both sides the bridge. Many visitors come to Yabe town to see Japan's
largest surviving aqueduct, a major attraction which is designated as Important Cultural Property.
Gorogataki Falls – a splendid 50m high waterfall, located roughly in the wooded area behind Tsujunkyo
bridge. A lovely walk rewarded by a gorgeous sight!
Tsujun Shuzou
Brewed with Kumamoto`s sweet water and high quality Yabe rice, this factory has been creating what is
definitely one of the top-grade `nihonshus` in Japan since 1770 (230 years – they sure know what they’re
doing!). They welcome visitors at all times for a free sample - a must-try!
Yabe sencha - A high quality first harvest organic sencha green tea that comes from Yabe.
Hassaku Matsuri
The most awaited event of the year in Yamato!!! Hassaku Matsuri is a historic festival celebrated in Yabe
since the middle of the Edo period (1603-1868). Hassaku means the first day of August‚ according to the
lunar calendar. This festival is to thank the god of rice paddy and to offer a prayer for rich harvest. This
also marks the time when farmers make out their new harvest schedules.
The main attraction of the festival is a spectacular parade of huge creations (yatai) made by neighborhood
teams. Each team works out an elaborate plan and makes the object mainly using natural materials such as
bamboo, cedar, pampas grass and palm bark. Collecting materials is a hard job, but everyone is eager to
join the making in hope of obtaining the first prize in the contest. Many tourists visit the festival as well.
The fantastic figures are on display all around Yabe after the festival as well.
More beautiful pictures of past constructions:
http://www.yado.co.jp/kankou/kumamoto/kumanaka/hassaku/hassaku.htm
A grand display of fireworks at Tsujunkyo Bridge draws the festival to a close.
Cipollino
An unexpected stroke of luck – a true-blue yummalicious bakery in inaka! Offering a variety of freshly
baked bread to pizzas and cakes…a bakery par excellence!
Closed on Tuesdays. 0967-72-0150
Address : 熊本県益城郡山都町入佐 81-1
Misadon
Serving up some awesome udon and soba noodles – their ‘teishoku’ set meals are delicious, filling and
cheap. Also a great place to meet some friendly locals.
Closed on Tuesdays.
0967-72-2680
熊本県上益城郡山都町城平 340
Kabocha
Kabocha is probably one of the nicest izakayas in Yabe, with its lovely, warm atmosphere and delicious
menu. They serve your usual Japanese izakaya food 和食 and also have long tables so are perfect for a gun
meeting or any other bigger event.
Closed on Mondays.
0967-72-4545
熊本県上益城郡山都町下馬尾 151-1
Seiwa mura (清和村)
Located between Yabe and Soyo, surrounded by mountains and nature and far away from city life. The town
has a population of approximately 3,000 people spread over 129 square kilometers. With one local
supermarket and some eateries it might be hard to imagine that this town is visited by as many as 150,000
tourists a year. The town is home of an Observatory, but most tourists will pay a visit to the Bunraku
(Japanese Puppet) Theater.
Seiwa Bunraku (清和文楽館)
Bunraku is one of Japan’s premiere theatrical traditions.
The dramatic puppetry art is accompanied by a shamisen
(3-stringed Japanese instrument) and began in the Edo
period around (1603-1868). Bunraku became part of
Seiwa’s culture around 1850. Ever since, locals have been
performing and preserving this tradition.
The theater is hard to miss as the building has an original
design and will definitely stand out after kilometers of farmland and local housing. It’s located on country
Rd.218 (near milestone 66) and hosts a reasonable sized road station.
Bunraku performances are held once or twice a day, be sure you check their schedule. Ticket prices for
3/1000 yen for adults, discounts available.
More information: TEL: 0967-82-3001, FAX: 0967-82-3002,
Email:[email protected]
Web: http://www.town.kumamoto-yamato.lg.jp/bunrakunosato/
Seiwa Observatory (清和高原天文台)
Seiwa’s second tourist spot is the observatory. It can be a bit hard to find
as this hidden gem is really hidden in the outskirts of Seiwa, approximately 7
kilometers from the Bunraku Theater. Being located in the middle of
nowhere certainly has the advantage that the sky is much clearer than
anywhere else in the ken, making it easy to enjoy seeing the stars at night.
The observatory rents out holiday units together with night access to the
observatory’s telescope. Reservations are necessary; please contact the observatory for events and
availability.
More information: TEL 0967-82-3300, FAX 0967-82-3303,
http://www.town.kumamoto-yamato.lg.jp/bunrakunosato/astroseiwa/index.html
Restaurants
There are some eateries in the direct vicinity of
the Observatory and Bunraku theater. Especially
the Bunraku theater has a nice shokudo style
cafeteria with a large menu. Among other options
in Seiwa are Udon Shin (cheapest, lunch starts
from 350 yen) selling hand-made udon, and Soba
Bunraku. This soba restaurant is a bit more
expensive, (lunch starts from 800 yen) but very
stylish. Both restaurants are on Rd.218 located
between Acoop and the Bunraku Theater. The
roofing of this soba restaurant is quite unique and
will definitely draw your attention! Seiwa’s options around dinner time are less sophisticated and most
places close down before 9pm. Your best option for late dinner would be at Masa, a local Izakaya in the
direction of Soyo, 2 km after passing the Bunraku Theater. This izakaya is managed by a friendly couple,
has a sizable Japanese food menu and does a good job in distilling their own version of umeshu. If you feel
like singing, it’s just another 10 meters to a private but huge karaoke room.
If you go eat in Masa and don’t need to drive, you should definitely give the bee shochu a try !
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Soyo (蘇陽)
Soyo is famous for its 幣立神社 (heitate jinja), a temple near Ohno Elementary school that is considered
a “power spot”, meaning a place with strong spiritual energy, by many Japanese (from the Kumamoto area).
Soyo has its biggest matsuri in August. Even though the mind-blowing factor of this matsuri is pretty low, it
remains a great way to meet your students’ parents and be treated to dinners and drinks later on in the
year. Living in the countryside can be challenging at times but by
meeting locals at events like this it makes it all worthwhile.
It’s raining (on) men, Hallelujah !
The matsuri takes place in the “shopping district” of Soyo, in Mamihara around the end of August (last
year it was on the 25th and 26th)
Restaurants
In Soyo, There are 2 main izakaya: Yajirobe (やじろべい) and Ijinoya (イジノヤ) and an excellent
meat/korokke shop.
They are all located on the “shopping street” (the quotation marks are important).
YAJIROBE
Yajirobe is a better place to go to when you plan on
drinking. The tables aren’t separated by walls so it makes
it easier to meet locals. The food is also worth it,
especially their tofu set.
0967-83-0800
Tofu set, all sorts of tofu dishes for 800 円
IJINOYA
The food might be better in IJINOYA where you can enjoy local dishes in a more authentic atmosphere.
Tables are separated by short walls so unless you sit at the counter it makes it harder to meet people.
MIYABE (肉みやべ) is famous for the wide array of korokke it offers. It’s also a butcher’s shop so they
sell quality meat.
It’s located at the entrance of the “shopping street” (馬見原商店街).
CAFÉ, BAKERY
YAMAGEN (山元).
Open Wednesday through Sunday
0967-83-1021
10 am to 6 pm
Address : 熊本県上益城郡山都町大野 332-1
Kumamoto ken, Kamimashiki gun, Yamato cho, Ohno 332-1
They have a wide selection of healthy breads and sweets (I’m not sure the sweets are healthy but at least
they are homemade and the ingredients are all organic!). I go there once every 2 weeks, buy 4 or 5 big
loaves of bread and freeze them to have fresh bread every morning. You will never go back to your local
supermarket to buy heavily chemical-loaded sliced “bread” after.
http://www.pawanavi.com/gourmet2/archives/2011/09/gen.html
For more information about Yamato http://www.town.yamato.kumamoto.jp/
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Kosa（甲佐）
Kosa restaurants: Sakura (open only at lunch), run by a group of elderly ladies and part of the local
supermarket Saiko, Sakura offers tempting teishoku and heroic portions at next-to-nothing prices! Tell
them you know Todd for extra okazu!
Kosa Yanaba (open from late May to October), a 150 year old historical restaurant, renowned for its ayu
(sweet-fish) caught in Kosa's very own Midori river! These succulent fishes constitute the majority of
the menu, but the lack of variety and high prices are more than made up for by admiring the restaurant's
beautiful interior, which has a channel of the river going through it where you can watch live eel and ayu get
caught before your eyes!
Festival: The Ayu Matsuri, a charming festival at the end of July in downtown Kosa. Attractions include
Bon dancing, ayu catching (for the kids only!), and spectacular fireworks at night!
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Mifune (御船)
http://portal.kumamoto-net.ne.jp/town_mifune/
Higurashi Pizza - Best pizza in
Kumamoto! This restaurant is high
up on the Yoshimuta Plateau, but
worth the drive for hand made,
stone oven baked, Italian style
pizza. I recommend the bacon
pizza! You take the 28 out of the
city, past Kengun, past Mashiki,
turn right on the 57 and follow it
for several kilometers up into the
mountains. You will start to see
brown signs advertising pizza,
follow them (down a dirt road) and
you will eventually arrive. You can see Nagasaki and will have a great
view of the Kumamoto during the drive. Closed on Thursdays! 日本熊
本県上益城郡御船町田代８４０５−３７５ヒグラシ
Tashiro – Tashiro is a great place for a cheap lunch. A fairly large size menu of your usually curry, udon,
soba dishes. Huge portions for real cheap. I recommend the karage curry if you are hungry. It is easy to find,
parking is in the back (take the alley to the right) 日本熊本県上益城郡御船７９７−２田代食堂
Gappa Matsuri - Mifune's fall festival that celebrates Kappa, a
mythical river creature that likes cucumbers and lives in Mifune River.
Several hours of performances, wide array of food vendors, fireworks,
and lots of fun! It is held in early August every year. The festivities
are located in the middle of the town, on the banks of the Mifune
River.
Nanataki Matsuri – Literally “seven waterfall festival”, this
event is held every spring when a reservoir is undammed and
water crashes down a series of seven waterfalls. It only takes a
few seconds to go from a trickle to a raging river.
Mifune Dinosaur Museum - A small museum that is full of fossils that have been found in Mifune and all
around the world. It features several skeletons, dino origami making lessons, a T-rex replica, and cool
dinosaur omiyage! Right next to the Mifune Culture Center, it is super easy to find! 熊本県上益城郡御船
町御船９９５−３
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