Kumamoto Prefecture

Kumamoto Prefecture was originally known as 肥後国 (higo-no-kuni). Part of the Kyūshū region, it’s known for many delicious local foods. This is also known for being a prefecture where a number of historical figures lived. Because Kumamoto Prefecture is almost directly in the middle of the Kyūshū region, it has great access from the surrounding prefectures. This is a fascinating area that one doesn’t have to go out of their way to visit.

Concerning food in Kumamoto Prefecture, ramen using soup made from pork bones is (without a doubt) the most well-known. This dish originated in Fukuoka Prefecture, so (most likely) many associate this dish with that prefecture. However, the pork bone soup ramen in Kumamoto Prefecture is not one to be missed. Although the ramen here uses the same style of soup as the ramen served in Fukuoka Prefecture, the ramen in Kumamoto Prefecture isn’t made with 100% pork bones. There are many shops here that serve ramen mixed with chicken stock. On top of this, many shops will add charred garlic and an oil that uses garlic and onion to the soup, which is why some ramen shops in Kumamoto Prefecture serve ramen with a dark black soup. This is a bowl of ramen unique to this prefecture.

One can’t talk about Kumamoto Prefecture without mentioning “Kumamoto Castle”, one of the most well-known castles across Japan. Originally built by Katō Kiyomasa (a military commander and feudal lord from the Azuchi Momoyama period to the beginning of the Edo period), this is a castle symbolic of Kumamoto Prefecture that the locals love. It took some damage in the 2016 Kumamoto earthquakes, but the 天守閣 (tenshukaku—the largest turret or tower in a Japanese castle) has been beautifully restored. This is an imposing castle that seems to watch over Kumamoto City. There are many areas where one can get a fantastic view of it.

It’s not just delicious food and an abundance of areas to sightsee in, but Kumamoto Prefecture is also a prefecture that boasts some wonderful hot springs. One of those hot springs is 黒川温泉 (kurokawa-onsen). In the middle of the countryside, there is a distance between each Japanese inn built here. Known as 離れ部屋 (hanare-beya), this is a hot spring resort where one can enjoy the changing views of each season. One can also enjoy the 露天風呂めぐり (rotenburo-meguri) here. 露天風呂 (rotenburo) are baths utilizing hot spring water that are built outside. There are 25 different rotenburo that one can visit and soak in. Many baths may look the same, but each has a unique view and a (usually) slightly different temperature. There’s nothing more pleasurable than viewing the changing seasons while bathing in a natural hot spring.

Across Japan, they have many mascot characters. Known in Japanese as ゆるいマスコットキャラクター (yurui-masukotto-kyarakuta), which is often shortened to ゆるキャラ (yuru-kyara), these characters help promote local goods, sightseeing destinations, and so on. There are many popular ones, but (probably) the most popular is “Kumamon” from Kumamoto Prefecture. This particular character is a cute black bear. From 2016 until 2019, Kumamon ranked as the most liked of all the mascot characters, and from 2014 until 2019 was recognized as being known by more than 90% of all the Japanese. When in Kumamoto Prefecture, one will find Kumamon’s face everywhere. From pictures on the walls to statues of him, there are very few places where one won’t find him. One can see just how much this character is loved.

Whether by car, bike, or public transportation, Kumamoto Prefecture has many places to sightsee and much to enjoy. This is an appealing prefecture worth checking out.