Explore Kumamoto

24/04/2025

Wherever you go right now you'll see wild wisteria in bloom dripping off the trees in a purple haze but there are plenty of places to appreciate cultivated wisteria too, one is the 620 year old wisteria of longevity at Susanoo shrine in Kurogi town, Yame.
Entrance is free and while the fuji flowers bloom you'll find many street stalls selling a variety of foods, wisteria flavoured icecream and of course Yame's famous green tea.

https://www.crossroadfukuoka.jp/en/spot/10414

20/04/2025

I was in Kurokawa onsen last week and tried rice flour udon noodles for the first time! Ideal for anyone looking for gluten free noodles and just as good texture and taste wise as wheat flour udon.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/bc7voCbNoJcFkx516

15/04/2025

If you're thinking of visiting Kuju flower park soon, maybe wait a week or 3. The flower fields are all planted but due to the cold spring we've been having currently the only flowers to see are in the greenhouse.
You can check the flowering status on the live camera feed on the website. The entrance fee to the park varies according to how many flowers are in bloom. Today the Kuju mountains were snowcapped so remember to take your coat if you're heading that way!
https://www.hanakoen.com/flowering/livecamera/

13/04/2025

Always one of my favourite spring sights, the koinobori (carp flags) are in flight at Tsuetate Onsen in Oguni, until April 24th. (This year they are going to be taken down before Golden week as in recent years it has led to too much congestion and crowding).

03/04/2025

If you're traveling with kids in A*o you might enjoy a visit to Fairy Tale Zoo in Minami A*o, it's a small petting zoo with very friendly staff and and a variety of happy and content animals, which you can pet and feed https://maps.app.goo.gl/VZDwNbwazSzKERFo6

27/03/2025

Spring is here and that means from April the water release at Tsujunkyo bridge in Yamato town will start again. In general it takes place at weekends from 1pm for 15 minutes, but during golden week and other holiday periods will be happening every day. (See the schedule pic). If you pay a small fee you get the chance to view the release from the top of the bridge as well. While you're there don't miss out on seeing the 50m high Gorogotaki falls, or the wonderful Hassaku festival creations scattered around the town including this cutely crazed Kuma'biker'mon

23/03/2025

Had a lot of fun making and eating soba noodles the other day. This is an activity run by the Soba dojo in Minami A*o at A*obonosato Kugino. Great for a rainy day as it doesn't need pre-booking, you can either make and eat your noodles or take them home with you. The activity takes around 40 minutes we opted to eat ours straight away.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/nmV3cwzqB5i5F75H7

17/03/2025

Was not expecting this so late in March! More snow to follow in A*o tomorrow but should be back to spring temperatures by the end of the week 🤞🌸

14/03/2025

Are you a cat person? Are you in need of some cat therapy? Or just looking for a little heart warming cosiness in your life? You need to head to Yushima, Kumamoto's cat island. This tiny island is home to a couple of hundred human residents and probably an equal number of the furry kind, and without doubt these are the friendliest most approachable kitties I've ever met.

As soon as we stepped off the ferry they were there to welcome us and as we strolled round the island we came across little clowders (apparently that's the term for a cluster of cats 😸) and solo cats all over the place. They were all happy to be stroked, some of them even took a walk with us and they all looked very well fed and contented.

Maybe one of the reasons why they're so happy is that Yushima is a fishing island and the fisherman believed the cats could help bring in a good catch so they have always welcomed them and cared for them.

If you'd like to visit Yushima there are 5 ferries a day from Ebito port in Kami Amakusa. The ferry costs 800 Yen per adult each way and is only payable in cash. (You board the ferry then once you've set sail someone comes round to collect the fee). The journey takes around 30 minutes and the last ferry back is at 4pm - don't miss it or you'll be cuddling up with the cats for the night 🙀

The island is small and charming, with ramshackle little houses and alleyways, a post office and cafe but not that much else so a couple of hours would be enough to have a look around.

There are buses to near Ebito port from Kumamoto city (get off at the Sun Pearl stop) but the easiest way would be to drive to the port, there is a free parking lot there.

This is a link to a very comprehensive blog about how to visit the island
https://visitjapan-vegetarian.com/yu-island-kumamotos-cat-island-and-a-historical-landmark/

14/03/2025

This weekend in Kumamoto city!

ジャグリングやパントマイム、キャラクターショー、紙切りなどの大道芸、古典から現代和洋の音楽などさまざまなパフォーミングアーツを複数箇所でストリート上に展開します。今年はメイン開催の前日に3月15日(土) 18：0...

18/02/2025

Part of the path along Takachiho gorge is closed so that they can remove the huge amount of driftwood from the typhoon flooding last August. There is a detour you can walk on the road and you can still access the Manai Falls view. Rowing is as usual too.

18/02/2025

If the weather is suitable the grasslands around Kusasenri will be burnt this Saturday (Feb 22nd), the main carpark will be open but you won't be able to walk around Kusasenri, you'll still be able to visit the Nakadake volcano

【草千里野焼きの実施について】

地元牧野組合、熊本県、阿蘇市及び南阿蘇村等で構成する草千里野焼き実行委員会が主催する草千里ヶ浜の野焼きを以下のとおり実施します。

期　日：2月22日（土曜）

時　間：10時30分から14時30分まで
※天候及び現場の状況を踏まえ延期する場合があります。

予備日：3月1日（土曜）、3月8日（土曜）、それ以降は天気の良い平日に実施予定。

注意事項
・野焼きに伴い草千里ヶ浜は終日立入禁止となります。（駐車場は利用可）
・野焼きの状況によっては、草千里周辺で交通規制を実施する場合がありますので、交通規制中は係員の指示に従ってください。
・野焼きは大変危険を伴いますので、原野への立ち入りや道路上では停車しないでください。
・火入れ開始の時刻は現場の状況により前後することがあります。

詳しくは阿蘇市HPをご確認ください。
https://www.city.aso.kumamoto.jp/2025/02/12/草千里野焼きのお知らせ/

14/02/2025

Today's Kusasenri & Nakadake volcano

06/02/2025

Minus 7C this afternoon on top of A*o which meant the pond on Kusasenri was frozen solid