Wellness Tour in Hitoyoshi Kuma to experience true richness
New landmark of Hitoyoshi Kuma overlooking the Kuma River HASSENBA HITOYOSHI/KUMAGAWA is a sightseeing complex where visitors can discover new attractions of Hitoyoshi Kuma. While preserving the culture of Kuma River rafting, the facility demonstrates values discovered but often overlooked by the locals. The facility demonstrates the charms of nature, culture, food, and other attractions centering on Kuma River rafting.
Address: 333-1 Shimo-Shinmachi, Hitoyoshi-shi, Kumamoto, 868-0033
Phone: 0966-22-5555
Hotel Sun Hitoyoshi is popular for its excellent location overlooking the Kuma River, one of the three fastest rivers in Japan, and for its easy access to transportation, which is about a 5-minute walk from JR Hitoyoshi Station and about 7 minutes from the Hitoyoshi Interchange on the Kyushu Expressway. The hotel is surrounded by wonderful natural beauty and pristine views of the river flowing by outside. The hotel boasts excellent service and Wi-Fi in all rooms.
Address: 166 Kamiaoi-machi, Hitoyoshi-shi, Kumamoto, 868-0005
Phone: 0966-22-7741
This restaurant offers home-cooked Japanese style cuisine prepared by Hitoyoshi Kuma's grannies. They use seasonal ingredients from the local area and their homely dishes are a nostalgic nod to simple, hearty and healthy food.
Address: 1880-2 Yaguro-cho, Hitoyoshi-shi, Kumamoto 868-0075
Phone: 0966-22-1044
This is the place to enjoy Hitoyoshi Onsen, which has been selected as a Japanese Heritage Site. The two large public baths and open-air guest rooms with views of Hitoyoshi Castle ruins and the Kuma River, as well as the footbath, which is available free of charge to non-guests, all have free-flowing hot-spring water. The modern Japanese-style rooms and kaiseki cuisine made from local ingredients offer the guest a sense of peace and tranquility, relaxing and healing the mind from the stress of daily life.
Address: 30 Kuikamachi, Hitoyoshi-shi, Kumamoto 868-0004
Phone: 966-22-2171
Aoi Aso Shrine, a shrine designated as a national treasure, was built in the first year of Daido (806). The current shrine was built by Sagara Nagatsune between 1610 and 1613.
90% of the nationally and prefecturally designated shrine and temple buildings in Kumamoto Prefecture are located in the Kuma region, and Aoi Aso Shrine is one of them. While it inherits a highly original architectural style, it also shows the splendid ornamentation of the Momoyama Period.
Address: 118, Kamiaoi-machi, Hitoyoshi-shi, Kumamoto, 868-0005
Phone: 0966-22-2274
One of the 100 most famous castles in Japan.The castle was the base of the Sagara family for approximately 700 years, from the Kamakura period to the end of the Edo period. The castle was built with the Kuma River and the Mochi River as natural moats, and the entire castle site is a national historic site. It is also called Sengetsu Castle, or Crescent Castle, because a stone with a crescent moon pattern was excavated when the Sagara clan was repairing the castle. From the Ninomaru and Sanomaru areas, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the Hitoyoshi-shi area. In spring, the castle is a popular spot for cherry blossom viewing, attracting many visitors.
Address: Fumeki-cho, Hitoyoshi-shi, Kumamoto Prefecture, 868-0051
Phone: 0966-22-2324
Mt.Ichifusa, with its breathtaking 1,000-year-old Ichifusa cedar trees, is also known as one of Japan's top 200 mountains and one of Kyushu's top 100 mountains. The mountain is well-equipped with camping sites, hot springs, and other nearby facilities, and the trail is paved up to the halfway point, making it relatively easy for even beginners to take on the challenge of mountain climbing. The view of the surrounding mountains from the 1722-meter-high Mt.Ichifusa is breathtakingly beautiful during the autumn color season.
Address: 1122-264, Yuzan, Mizukami-mura, Kuma-gun, Kumamoto
The "Farmer's Inn Chanomi," a renovated former barn featuring a tea garden, is recommended for those who want to feel the traditions and nature of Hitoyoshi Kuma. The inn prides itself on its cuisine which uses home-grown vegetables, fruits, mushrooms, wild vegetables, wild game, and other ingredients that are gentle on the body.
Visitors can experience tea making from June to August, and strawberry picking and jam making from March to April.
Address: 1818, Yuyama, Mizukami-mura, Kuma-gun, Kumamoto, 868-0703
Phone: 0966-46-0054
Hayashi Shuzojo, a brewery founded in the mid-Edo period, brews authentic rice shochu called "Gokuraku" for those in the know. The secret of its flavor lies in the outstanding natural environment, with the clear Miyako River running right in front of the brewery. Its taste is not overpowering, and can be enjoyed by everyone from shochu enthusiasts to beginners. Visitors can observe the shochu brewing process which is carried on in the traditional stone koji room where they value quality over quantity, as well as the jar brewing process.
Address: 3092 Shimojo, Yamae-cho, Kuma-gun, Kumamoto
Phone: 0966-43-2020
Myoukenno Nature Forest Observation Park is a leisure facility where visitors can enjoy sky sports, hiking, and camping. From the observatory, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the Hitoyoshi Kuma Basin, and in winter, a sea of clouds can be seen. At night, you can relax under a star-filled sky so beautiful that it will make you sigh. The park can also be reached by walking up approximately 1,000 steps. There is no drinking water available along the way or in the park, so be sure to bring your own drink.
Address: Okuno, Taraki Town, Kuma-gun, Kumamoto, 868-0504
The Ota family residence in an old house typical of the local architectural style of Hitoyoshi Kuma. It is said that the Ota family lived in this house during the Kamakura period, when they accompanied the Sagara clan on an excursion, and later established a residence in Nakabaru, Taraki Town, where they engaged in farming and brewing. Designated as a National Important Cultural Property in 1973 and a component cultural property of the Japan Heritage Hitoyoshi Kuma in 2015, component No. 24, the building is a symbol of residential architecture in Hitoyoshi Kuma and is preserved and exhibited.
Address: 227-4, Nakaniwara, Taraki, Taraki Town, Kuma-gun, Kumamoto, 868-0501
Phone: 0966-42-1266
Tanimizu Yakushi is one of Japan's Seven Great Yakushi, and was originally built by Gyoki Bosatsu (Bodhisattva Gyoki), who was told by a priest to build a hall and enshrine a statue of Nyorai Buddha of his own creation. It is said to bring good luck if a chewed piece of paper is thrown at the statue of Nio, standing at the temple gate, and it sticks to the part of the body that is ailing. Behind the main hall, there is a spring called "Gekkosui" that is said to be effective against illness. It is also said to bring good luck in marriage. A grand festival is held four times a year, and many people visit the shrine.
Address: Asagiri-cho, Kuma-gun, Kumamoto, 868-0423
Phone: 0966-45-7226 (Asagiri Town Board of Education)
A modern Japanese-style onsen ryokan located along the Kuma River. The Japanese and Western chefs prepare authentic Japanese and French courses using the seasonal vegetables from the nearby Kawabe River with the best water quality in Japan. Vegetarian and vegan meals are available upon request at the time of booking.
Address: 30 Kokka-machi, Hitoyoshi-shi, Kumamoto, 868-0004
Phone: 0966-22-2171
Sengetsu brewery is named after "Sengetsu Castle," the nickname for Hitoyoshi Castle. The brewery has had its own chief brewer since its establishment, and is dedicated to producing shochu with traditional techniques.
Address: 1 Shinmachi, Hitoyoshi-shi, Kumamoto, 868-0052
Phone: 0966-22-3207
Jufuku brewery was founded in 1890 and is located near the Kuma River in Hitoyoshi, Kumamoto. Their shochu is made with the locally sourced rice and water, using the traditional atmospheric distillation.
Address: 28-2 Ta-machi, Hitoyoshi-shi, Kumamoto, 868-0054
Phone: 0966-22-4005
Recognized as one of the top 100 castles in Japan, this castle was the base of the Sagara family for approximately 700 years. It is also called Sengetsu Castle, or Crescent Castle, because a stone with a crescent moon pattern was excavated when the Sagara clan was repairing the castle.
Address: Fumeki-cho, Hitoyoshi-shi, Kumamoto, 868-0051
Phone: 0966-22-2111
Kumamoto Prefecture is Japan's largest producer of Tamaryokucha- a Japanese green tea that has a coiled and curly shape, and Hitoyoshi Kuma boasts the biggest production of this Tamaryokucha in Kumamoto. Founded in 1877, Tateyama shop is a long-established tea house offering tea tasting workshop for international tourists.
Address: 43 Kajiyamachi, Hitoyoshi-city, Kumamoto, 868-0001
Phone: 0966-22-2566
A popular izakaya restaurant offering Teppanyaki cooking, a type of Japanese cooking where the food is cooked on an iron plate, usually right in front of you. Imo Tako Nankin brings fun and authentic Japanese dining experience for both the local communities as well as visitors from overseas.
Address: 139 Koyamachi, Hitoyoshi-city, Kumamoto, 868-0003
Phone: 0966-22-7262
Established in 1917, Nasu brewery is now in its fourth generation, maintaining the traditional methods handed down from the first chief brewer, Toraji Nasu. Using traditional brewing tools, they do not rely on machines, but rather touch, smell, and interact with the ever-changing shochu by sharpening their senses to produce the high-quality shochu.
Address: 695 Kume, Taragi, Kuma-gun, Kumamoto, 868-0503
Phone: 0966422592
After two years of construction, Myokenno Shizen no Mori Observatory Park opened in 2001 as the base for air sports. From the observatory, visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of the Hitoyoshi Basin (from Mizukami Village to Hitoyoshi City), as well as the breathtaking sea of clouds which can be seen in winter.
Address: Okuno, Taragi, Kuma-gun, Kumamoto, 868-0504
Phone: 0966-42-1257
Founded in Edo Period (1603-1867), Hayashi brewery is said to have made shochu for the feudal lord of the Sagara domain in 1682. It has a longer history than any other Kuma shochu, which is the oldest shochu known in Japan. They offer sessions where you can blend different kinds of shochu to make your one-of-a-kind piece.
Address: 3092 Shitajō, Yunomae, Kuma-gun, Kumamoto, 868-0601
Phone: 0966-43-2020
A unique restaurant with tatami mat seats and sunken hearth in a greenhouse. The tamago meshi (rice with eggs) and tamagoyaki (fried eggs), using the free-range hen's freshly laid eggs, are highly recommended.
Address: 1790 Yamada, Yamae, Kuma-gun, Kumamoto, 868-0092
Phone: 0966-22-8009
A store featuring kuma shochu from 27 breweries in Hitoyoshi Kuma. The knowledgeable staff, who are certified Kuma shochu guides, will tell you about the quality characteristics, types and features of Kuma shochu as well as tips on how to drink them the right way.
Address: 2298-1 Nishiaida-kamimachi, Hitoyoshi-city, Kumamoto, 868-0052
Phone: 0966-22-2374
"Located within the Ayu no Sato facility, the Shochu lounge offers about 150 kinds of kuma shochu, which is characterized by its mellow aroma and deep richness, creating a wide variety of tastes. This lounge was established to offer a space where you can sample various Kuma shochu which have been carefully selected for tasting.
Address: 30 Kokka-machi, Hitoyoshi-shi, Kumamoto, 868-0004
Phone: 0966-22-2171
