Explore Kumamoto

23/01/2025

You don't have to be a child to enjoy Kumamoto Children's Book Forest, this extension to the Kumamoto prefectural library was designed by Tadao Ando and opened in 2024. This is a place where you can browse through 10,000 picture books and also enjoy a uniquely beautiful space. Entrance is limited to 50 people at a time. On a weekday though you should be able to walk in without a reservation.
Open from 09:30 to 17:00 every day except Tuesdays
https://maps.app.goo.gl/NDQzDEX2oogQ72xp6

22/01/2025

Found the best and the cheapest private onsen in Kuju yesterday! This is Himatsubushi onsen in Yutsubo village in Kokonoe, there are 3 different baths. The hot spring is unmanned and has an honesty based system, if a bath is free, go inside, put 300 Yen per person in the collection box, hang the wooden sign on the outer door and then enjoy! One warning though it was incredibly hot! There is a cold tap which you can use, but make sure to turn it off after you leave. Also it goes without saying leave the place in the same state you found it.

21/01/2025

This year I'm on a mission to hike more of the Kuju peaks, so today I headed to the mountains and hit 2 of the easiest ones; 猟師岳 Ryoushidake 1423m (Hunter mountain) and 合頭山 Gotoyama 1384m.

This is one of the easiest hikes in Kuju, after parking by the road you have a bit of a steep 10 minutes or so going up through the woods but then the path mellows out and you get great views over the grasslands to the surrounding peaks with only a bit of up and down.

It took around 2 hours to do both of the peaks (definitely be faster without the snow!) but if you're pushed for time I would just head to Gotoyama, it's quicker to get to and the views are better. The peak of Ryoushidake is surrounded by trees so no clear views, but just a few minutes from the top there's a fork in the path on your left and if you take that you will be rewarded with views looking down at Senomoto rest stop and all the way to A*o (too hazy to see today)

Before you head to Kuju don't underestimate the temperature difference - like I did 😄 I was not expecting as much snow, so I was more than happy I had my trusty hiking pole with me.

This is a map link to the trail head 登山口
https://maps.app.goo.gl/dSyP4wGYfs5S42CQ7

16/01/2025

Volcano in the snow, Nakadake crater, Mouth A*o in January

13/01/2025

Lots of food trucks, stalls, taiko and dondoya at A*obinosato Kugino in Minami A*o today! The bonfire starts at 11

10/01/2025

Kikuchi gorge is my go to place on a snowy day, unfortunately it is completely closed off this year and will be right up to March 31st. Most winters you can still enter the gorge even in the off season but this time the carparks are shut off and barriers are up.

08/01/2025

I passed close to Koga falls today and currently it looks like only the top half is frozen, but with a very chilly few days ahead this weekend might be the best time to see it

08/01/2025

Winter is the best time to do this as you are guaranteed to work up a sweat!

31/12/2024

Happy New Year! Hard to sum up 2024 but looking back at my photos I realise how grateful I am to live in Kyushu and to have the chance to be out and about in every season. There is always more to experience and more places to explore in this beautiful area. More than anything I'm so lucky to have a job that lets me meet so many wonderful, interesting people from all over the world, looking forward to many more sights, encounters and adventures in 2025 !

27/12/2024

Last tour of the year and it was a great way to finish! Now I'm off to the north of Japan to find some ❄️⛄🤍🥶😁

07/12/2024

Today's volcano, super gassy and super cold. It was around 2C on the top today but colder with the wind chill. So if you're heading to A*o wrap up warm. 🥶

06/12/2024

This week autumn came to Takachiho gorge

25/11/2024

Taking a couple of days off touring to enjoy the autumn sights. Yesterday took me to the Taketa area in Oita, my first stop was Fukoji temple, home to an impressive magaibutsu - a huge cliff carving of a very benevolent looking Fudo myo (they often have a menacing and fierce demeanor)
This is a place with a special atmosphere and there was hardly anyone around (for me it was a better experience than visiting the Usuki stone Buddhas which felt a bit too touristy)
https://maps.app.goo.gl/G8jJpzJpD142QtoN8

23/11/2024

Another mission accomplished

18/11/2024

If you fancy a beautiful beginner level hike with a great ratio of magnificent views to minimal effort then this is the one for you, even on a cloudy day, it was well worth heading to Ichinomine and Ninomine in Nishihara, Kumamoto.
You need a car to access the beginning of the path and there's parking for 5 or 6 cars. The path through the grasslands is not too steep and straightaway you are rewarded with views of Kumamoto city and Kinpozan and on a clear day you would see the Ariake sea and Unzen mountains. It takes around 50 minutes walk to Ichinomine and a further 20 minutes to Ninomine peak, coming back you can circumvent the peaks and take a lower path.
Here's a map link to the entrance to the hike:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/h6rTJc4eEpEus4bU8

13/11/2024

Over the next month Suizenji gardens is holding this light up event, details at the link

水前寺成趣園の夜間イベント「Lux Night KUMAMOTO 2024 ( ルクスナイトくまもと 2024 ) - 細川ガラシャと400年の時を超えて -」の公式サイトです。

12/11/2024

Go Nature runs kayaking activities from March through November on Lake Ezu in Kumamoto city and the Midorikawa dam in Misato, the price is 6000 Yen for a single kayak and 5500 Yen pp for a double. We went to Midorikawa and had a very relaxing time and the whole lake to ourselves, with silky smooth water to paddle through and birdsong filling the air.
If you fancy more of an action packed day you could also head to Forest Adventure on the shores of the dam or zoom across by zipline.

https://go-nature.club/kayak/