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In Japan, the season has now arrived in Japan for flower viewing (hanami). This typically means appreciating the cherry blossoms that are only in bloom for a couple of weeks out of the year. However, the word “hanami” can also be used with other types of flowers, for example, the plum (ume) flowers that bloom during the winter. Hanami is a time to spend with enjoy yourself, others, and the scenery all at the same time.

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I would like to take this opportunity to write about Kumamoto Prefecture, a beautiful area on the southern island of Kyushu. Last week, Kumamoto suffered a 7.3 M earthquake and aftershocks still rock the area as of present. I pray for the safety of those in the Kumamoto/Oita area as well as their family and loved ones.

Kumamoto is one of the lesser-visited places in Japan, but it is rather popular with native Japanese people. Many people are familiar with Kumamoto’s mascot, known as Kumamon. Kumamon is a cheery black bear and can be found all through out Japan. He is likely the most popular mascot in Japan. If you visit Kumamoto, you are sure to greated by a familiar smile – Kumamon’s! You might even be able to meet Kumamon himself if you’re lucky.

The most famous tourist attraction in Kumamoto Prefecture is Kumamoto Castle. Similarly to Kumamon, it is a tall black castle with a great sense of presence. It is a peculiar castle that was built in the 15th century. Kumamoto Castle is the third biggest castle in Japan, making it a must see for those interested in Japanese castles. After climbing up several flights of stairs, the view overlooking Kumamoto City is spectacular. As a bonus, you could also try to have a chat (in Edo-period Japanese!) with one of the samurai-dress men who stand outside the castle.

Another place I would recommend is the Aso region, a bit south of Kumamoto City, the prefectural capital. Aso is home Mt. Aso, an active volcano. It is a very picturesque region and is also quite famous for its dairy farms. However, make sure to check before going to see if the area is safe (sometimes the volcano emits dangerous gases and is closed to tourists). There is a ropeway that goes up the volcano.

As for food, the most famous dish in Kumamoto is called “basashi”, raw horse meat. “Basashi” specialty restaurants can be easily found in Kumamoto City and are recommended for more adventurous eaters. For those looking for a more tame dish, why not have a bowl of Kumamoto ramen?

How to get to Kumamoto:

Kumamoto is easy to get to from Fukuoka City. From Hakata Station in Fukuoka, you can reach Kumamoto Station in approximately 45 minutes by the Shinkansen and about 2 1/2 hours by local trains.

To get to Kumamoto from Tokyo, it’s probably most convenient to fly to Fukuoka first. There is a small airport just outside Kumamoto City as well, but flights are not as frequent.

*Please note that some of the tourist attractions in Kumamoto Prefecture have been damaged in the 2016 earthquake, such as Kumamoto Castle.

Dazaifu is a small city in Fukuoka, Prefecture. It is a relatively small, traditional city that is mostly known for its beautiful shrines and temples. It’s easily accessible from Fukuoka City in around 20 minutes by the Nishitestu train line. Dazaifu is an easy day trip (or even half a day) for those in Fukuoka, and it is a top destination in Kyushu for temple lovers. There is two shrines that I recommend tourists visit: Dazaifu Tenmangu and Kamado-jinja.

Dazaifu Tenmangu (see photo) is the likely the most famous shrine in Fukuoka Prefecture and possibly in all of Kyushu. A good time to visit Dazaifu Tenmangu would be on New Year’s Day. Visiting a shrine on New Year’s Day is called hatsumode (“first visit”) in Japanese. It is customary in Japan to visit a shrine on New Year’s Day to receive good fortune for the coming year. Many Japanese choose Dazaifu Tenmangu for their hatsumode. If you want to visit a Japanese shrine filled with Japanese visitors, Dazaifu on New Year’s Day would be the spot to do it.

If you’re not in Japan around New Year’s, Dazaifu Tenmangu also has beautiful plum trees that bloom around late February and March. Japanese people also often visit Dazaifu during the Seven-Five-Three Festival (held in November) where they celebrate their children who are 3, 5, or 7 years old. Lastly, Dazaifu is also known as a shrine that brings good luck to students and other educational pursuits, so Dazaifu would be a good shrine for those who are preparing for upcoming entrance exams.

The next place I would like to recommend is Kamado-jinja. Kamado-jinja is a small Buddhist temple set back in the mountains of Dazaifu. It is in a very quaint, rural location and is a bit more difficult to get to, but it has plenty to offer.
Kamado-jinja was especially famous this year for its beautiful autumn leaves (called “koyo” in Japanese). Dazaifu City in general is very beautiful in autumn, especially around Kamado-jinja. Once the leaves start to turn red then even light up the temple at night.

Kamado-jinja is called an “en musubi” temple, meaning that it’s meant for lovers. For this reason it’s mostly popular with couples, but it’s beautiful enough to visit even alone or with friends. If you have a crush that you’re considering confessing to, Dazaifu just might give you some extra luck.

I also have a recommendation for a side trip on the way back from Dazaifu. For those that want to try out a traditional Japanese onsen, I would highly recommend Futsukaichi. Futsukaichi is another small Japanese town, but it has tens of private-run onsens that are also very inexpensive. Many Japanese people like to visit multiple onsens in onsen towns because they each have their own unique qualities and benefits. This would be a great place to stop for travellers tired after a long day.

Fukuoka is the largest city located on the southern main island of Kyushu. This is a destination that is sometimes forgotten by tourists, however this up-and-coming city was recently ranked as the 12th best city in the world (Monocle Magazine, 2012). Fukuoka is one of the fastest growing cities in Japan, in particular among young people. It boosts great food, beautiful scenery, convenient public transportation, and a glimpse a modern Japanese metropolis.

Things to see in Fukuoka

Fukuoka used to be two separate cities, which is why there are two main downtown areas in Fukuoka: Tenjin and Hakata. Essentially, Tenjin is the main shopping and commercial area, while Hakata is known for its food at businesses. The two areas have a very different vibe to them, so it’s worth stopping by both!

Close to Hakata Station is Canal City, which although may seem like an ordinary shopping/entertainment complex, is something not to pass by during your visit to Fukuoka. Canal City is made of a few different buildings all connected by beautiful yet modern canals. It’s a miniature Venice in Japan. At night, there are often concerts held on the bottom floor next to the flowing canals. Canal City has plenty to offer for both locals and tourists.

Things to eat in Fukuoka

Fukuoka has an outstanding reputation in Japan for its good eats. The most famous dish is tonkotsu ramen, which uses a broth made from pork tissue and bones. However, not to fear, it is much less exotic and much more tasty than it sounds. It’s Fukuoka’s standby dish, and Fukuoka is the city of ramen.

Another rather unique food famous in Fukuoka is called mentaiko. Mentaiko is pollack and cod eggs and has a distinctive spicy flavor, which is why it’s often used as a condiment in Fukuoka. While you’re in Fukuoka, you can find many of your favorite dishes with mentaiko added them, so why not add a little spice to your life and give mentaiko a try!

Fukuoka’s Nature Side

For those who are interested in the nature size of Japan, Fukuoka won’t disappoint. Fukuoka hosts several parks including Ohori Park and Maizuru Park. Ohori Park is set around a large pond, and has a modern Japanese feel to it. Right next to it is Maizuru Park, which where you can find the Fukuoka Castle ruins. There are rumors that Fukuoka Castle is going to be rebuilt in the future, however, for now you can still enjoy the climbing up to the top of the ruins and overlooking on the view of Fukuoka City.

Fukuoka is a fast growing city with a contemporary vibe. However, it also boosts a rich history and tradition that one will find when exploring Fukuoka. It has a very strong Kyushu based identity, which sets it apart from many of the other major Japanese cities. As of 2011, the Kyushu Shinkansen has started making travel to this less travelled part of Japan even more enticing.

It’s simply beautiful

The pictures don’t lie: the Japanese countryside is breathtakingly beautiful. You can scope out the rolling rice fields, take a stroll through a vivid green bamboo forest, or even hike up an unsuspecting mountain. For those with a curious and more adventurous side, the countryside will not disappoint. It doesn’t matter where you go. You could simply take the next train going to a station you don’t recognize. Once you get out of the urban sprawl of the city, Japan’s natural beauty is awaiting you.

Try out your Japanese

The countryside is ideal for practicing your Japanese. While most urban areas in Japan are becoming more and more English friendly, if you manage to get far enough off the grid, there are still places in Japan without bilingual Japanese-English signs. This also means that there will be less people who are proficient in English (though this is slowly changing). In any case, most people living in rural Japan will be more than willing to speak Japanese with you, so why not give it a try?

There are all sorts of local foods to try

Japan is known for its cuisine and even more so its local cuisine. Even smaller cities in Japan will usually have their own specialty or two, which means making a stop to the Japanese countryside will be worth your while.

For instance, interested in trying the formidable fugu (puffer fish)? Well, Shimonoseki in southern Yamaguchi would be the place to go. You’ll find several different places you can eat fugu there, and you can rest assured knowing that it’ll be some of the tastiest fugu in Japan.

All of Japan isn’t Tokyo

Although Tokyo is perhaps a symbol of Japan, there is a lot of Japan to see outside of Tokyo and the surrounding sleeper towns. Tokyo is a remarkable city and is worth checking out, however, one must remember that Tokyo was not the capital until somewhat recently (historically). The majority of Japanese do not live in the Tokyo area, and many have pride in their hometowns. If you’re looking for a more laid-back, traditional Japanese cultural experience, I would recommend venturing out into the Japanese countryside.

Your bound to find little surprises

The Japanese countryside is riddled with little treasures. Even if the middle of a rice field you may very well find a lone vending machine. The countryside also has a lot of small shrines and temples that you can enjoy without the crowds. There are a ton of places to explore and little pieces of adventure along the way.

While Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and other major Japanese cities often top the lists of tourists in Japan, there is a lot of undiscovered beauty and fun in the Japanese countryside. Which small town in the countryside to visit is up to you, but when coming to Japan, why not take a short break from the hustle of the city and try out the unexplored region of Japan.