Kumamoto Prefecture (熊本県 Kumamoto-ken) is a prefecture on the island of Kyushu, in Japan.

Understand

Tourist information site

Kumamoto Tourism Guide is the prefecture's official multilingual guide site. The black bear (kuma) at the top-left corner is the prefecture's official mascot and Manager of Sales and Happiness, Kumamon. You will see him often in Kumamoto - in fact, he is the only wild bear living in Kyushu, so don't waste your money on anti-bear equipment.

Cities

• 1 Kumamoto - Prefectural capital with one of Japan's grandest castles
• 2 Amakusa beaches, relaxed lifestyle, and grim history on the western islands
• 3 Hitoyoshi - which is famous for hot springs. There are many other places to visit too. Nature at its best
• 4 Minamata - coastal town infamous for an industrial pollution disaster
• 5 Tamana Mitsu Greenland adventure theme park
• 6 Uto
• 7 Yamaga - hot springs everywhere
• 8 Yatsushiro the second biggest city in Kumamoto prefecture.

Other destinations

Kikuchi Castle in Kikuchi

• 1 Mount Aso highland area, with an immense caldera, numerous hot spring resorts, fine hiking courses, and an active volcano to look down into.
• 2 Oyano - one of Amakusa islands, the nearest to the mainland
• Takamori
• Yabe - now part of Yamato Town

Get in

Aso-Kumamoto Airport (KMJ ^IATA).

Eat

There are several unique traditional foods in Kumamoto prefecture. First, karashirenkon is one of the most popular foods in Kumamoto. This is lotus root with mustard stuffed into the holes, covered with soybean and wheat flour, and fried. Second, basashi is also popular as traditional food of Kumamoto. It's raw horse meat, and people in Kumamoto eat it with soy sauce and ginger. In addition, takana, a type of vegetable, is one of the specialties of Aso, and there are many types of seafood in Amakusa. Furthermore, Kumamoto is famous for boiled pork-rib (tonkotsu) ramen noodles. People sometimes form a line to eat it in front of the shop.

Ikinaridango is famous sweet in Kumamoto. It contains a sweetpotato and anko. Then they are covered with a dough made from wheat flour. When you bite it, you'll find the contained a sweetpotato has a light, dry texture. "Ikinari" of ikinaridango means "sonomama"- "as it is" or "just like that" in Kumamoto area. It also called Ikinaridago or Ikinarimanzyu. It costs ¥80-100. You should try it once!

Go next

• Kagoshima (prefecture) is south of Kumamoto.