Best of Yatsushiro / Minamata / Kuma | Japan Travel by NAVITIME - Japan Travel Guides, Transit Search and Itinerary Planner

Kumagawa Kasenjiki Sports Park: Kumamoto Pref. Yatsushiroshi Watashimachi 1303; This large park running north-south along the Kuma River is approximately ten minutes on foot from JR Yatsushiro Station. It has a baseball and soccer fields, and people play softball there too. It also acts as the venue for various local events, as well as the turning point for a long-distance relay race. The park hosts the Yatsuhiro National Fireworks Competition every October, with perfect views of the powerful display launched just in front of the seating area.

Yunoko Cherry Line: Minamata City, Kumamoto Prefecture; This popular cherry blossom viewing spot is approximately 20 minutes by car from Tsunagi Interchange. Its rows of cherry trees stretch for five kilometers along the Minamata Cherry Line on the Yunoko Coast. The area gets packed with visitors who come to see the blossoms of its nearly 300 Yoshino cherry trees when they're in full bloom from late March to early April. The Yunoko Onsen Sakura Festival takes place during this period, when they run 30-minute rides on a flower-viewing tour boat (reservations required), festival stalls spring up along the road selling fare like sweet dango dumplings, and visitors sip sakura-cha, tea laced with cherry petals.

Kyusendo (Kyusen Cave): Kumamoto Pref. Kumagunkumamura Ose 1121; This station on the JR Hisatsu Line connects Yatsushiro Station in Yatsushiro City, Kumamoto Prefecture to Hayato Station in Kirishima City, Kagoshima Prefecture. A total of eight trains stop there in a day from either direction from six in the morning to ten at night. Besides shops for specialty goods, hot springs and lodging facilities in the vicinity, there are also tourist attractions such as caves, waterfalls, shrines and temples. Discovered in 1973, the 4.8 kilometer cave is the largest limestone cave in Kyushu, and you can take a free shuttle bus from the nearest train station if you contact the cave installation operator.

Aoi Aso-jinja Shrine: Kumamoto Pref. Hitoyoshishi Kamiaoimachi 118; This shrine was built in 806, the first year of Emperor Heizei’s reign, and became known as the shrine dedicated to the local deity of the Kuma region. The main building was constructed starting in 1610 over the course of approximately three years by Nagatsune Sagara, and it still stands today. It features a black thatched roof with steep slopes, as well as gorgeously colored, exquisitely decorative Momoyama-style sculptures. In 2008, the five sections of the main shrine building were designated National Treasures. White flowers bloom around the lotus pond in early summer, making it quite a sight to behold.

Hitoyoshi Castle Ruins: Kumamoto Pref. Hitoyoshishi Fumotomachi; Counted as one of the top 100 castles in Japan. After being appointed the lords of the castle in the Kamakura period, the Sagara clan lived here for some 700 years. The castle was constructed utilizing’ both the Kuma and Mune rivers as its moat. The castle wall is distinguished by overhangs designed to deter climbing invaders. The castle was destroyed in a large fire in the Edo period, with only the wall remaining. Various turrets, towers, and fences have been restored on top of the wall. The cherry trees blooming over the wall in spring are gorgeous and have made this a renowned site for cherry blossom viewing.

Travel Guide