Kumamoto is centrally located in the Kyushu region. About 100km from Fukuoka, it takes just 40 minutes by shinkansen to travel to Kumamoto.
With its famous Kumamoto Castle that has stood for a thousand years, and the sweeping plains of Aso and other famous sights, Kumamoto has drawn visitors from both within Japan and abroad, many of whom come to enjoy the abundant natural waters and dishes made from Kumamoto grown produce.
Although it suffered extensive damage because of the earthquake, Kumamoto has come back better than ever. With the largest domestic production of watermelons, plentiful varieties of mikan oranges, large sweet kosui pears, strawberries, grapes, chestnuts, kiwis and other seasonal fruits are abundantly available for visitors to enjoy.
In this special feature, we’ll take a closer look at the sightseeing spots and delicious cuisine of Kumamoto.
