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| Kumamoto City is the center of politics, business, and culture of Kumamoto Prefecture and is called the "city of forests and water." The Shira River, Tsuboi River, and Iseri River flow through the city as if they are cleansing it. The city has a population of almost 650 thousand and serves as the core of central Kyushu. Uedori and Shitadori shopping streets have many specialty stores and are always crowded during the day and at night. As you pass by in a streetcar, look up and catch a glimpse of the black castle tower of Kumamoto Castle, the city“s symbol. This famous castle with its magnificent stone wall was built over a period of seven years by Kiyomasa Kato, who fought bravely at the Battle of Sekigahara. It is still as imposing as ever. After Kato, Hosokawa became the lord of Kumamoto. There are many historical spots related to this family, such as Suizenji Garden (Jojuen), a Momoyama-style Japanese garden built by Tadatoshi Hosokawa and the two following generations that represents the 53 stations of the Tokaido Road; the splendid Hosokawa Mansion (Hosokawa Gyobu-tei) built by Tadatoshi“s younger brother; and Tatsuta Nature Park with many trees and the grave of Gratia Hosokawa. Kumamoto is a city filled with culture. There are memorial halls and the residences of Yakumo Koizumi (Lafcadio Hearn) and Soseki Natsume, who lived in Kumamoto as a teacher, and the brothers Soho and Roka Tokutomi, originally from Kumamoto, who played active roles in the press and literary world during the Meiji Era. |
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Amusement |
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| Kumamoto Terrsa |
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096-387-7777 |
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28-51 Suizenji Koen, Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture |
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Fitness club 10:00-22:00 (Sundays and holidays until 19:00) |
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Daily lunch buffet „900 |
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| A complex with a hotel, fitness club and restaurants. The fitness club has an indoor swimming pool and tennis courts. Its facilities are open to non-members. |
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Sightseeing |
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| Kumamoto Modern Literature
Museum |
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096-384-5000 |
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2-5-1 Izumi, Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture |
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9:30-17:00 |
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Free |
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| This museum exhibits literature and letters written by writers from Kumamoto, such as Michiko Ishimure, and those who lived in Kumamoto, such as Soseki Natsume, Yakumo Koizumi, and Santoka Taneda. |
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| Tokutomi Memorial Garden |
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096-362-0919 |
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4-10-33 Oe, Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture |
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9:30-16:30 |
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„200 for high students and older, „100 for primary/junior high students |
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| A memorial garden that commemorates Soho Tokutomi, a well-known journalist during the Meiji Era, and his younger brother Roka Tokutomi, who wrote "Hototogisu." The house they grew up in and a memorial hall are housed on the site. Books, memos, and letters written by them are exhibited. |
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| Hosokawa Mansion (Hosokawa Gyobu-tei) |
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096-352-6522 |
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3-1 Furukyomachi, Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture |
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9:00-16:30 |
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„300 for adults, „100 for children |
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| This residence is located in Sannomaru in Kumamoto Castle. It was built by Gyobu Shoyu Okitaka, younger brother of Tadatoshi, the third head of the Hosokawa family. The study, bedroom, and kitchen were restored to display literature, tableware, and a dressing table from old times. |
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| Natsume Soseki Memorial Hall |
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096-325-9127 |
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4-22 Uchitsuboicho, Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture |
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9:30-16:30 |
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„200 for high students and older, „100 for primary/junior high students |
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| The fifth house in Kumamoto that Soseki Natsume lived in. He came to Kumamoto to teach English at the Fifth Higher School (currently Kumamoto University) in 1896. Manuscripts, letters, and first editions of his work are exhibited. |
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| Kumamoto Castle |
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096-352-5900 |
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1-1 Honmaru, Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture |
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8:30-17:30 (November-March until 16:30) |
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„500 for adults, „200 for primary/junior high students |
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| Kumamoto Castle is one of Japan“s three greatest castles, along with Osaka Castle and Nagoya Castle. The castle tower, stone walls, turrets, long fence, and well are all worth taking a look at. Inside the castle tower, materials concerning the Satsuma Rebellion are exhibited. |
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| Suizenji Jojuen |
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096-383-0074 |
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8-1 Suizenji Koen, Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture |
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7:30-18:00 (December-February 8:30-17:00) |
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„400 for high students and older, „200 for primary/junior high students |
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| Remains of the tea ceremony house built by Tadatoshi, Mitsunao, and Tsunatoshi, three generations of the Hosokawa family. It is also known as Suizenji Park. "Kokin-denju-no-ma" located next to the pond was moved from Kyoto in 1912. |
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Restaurants |
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| Tagosaku |
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096-353-4171 |
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1-15-3 Hanazono, Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture |
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12:00-22:00 |
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"Kaiseki" lunch „5,000 and up, local dish "kaiseki" „5,000 and up |
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| This restaurant“s Kyoto-style "kaiseki" and rustic local dishes are highly evaluated. Serves "shokado (lunch box-style meals)" and a "kaiseki" course with horse "sashimi," "dengaku (baked bean curd dish)," and local fish during lunch time. |
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| Tokuichi |
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096-326-1091 |
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1st floor Nishi-ginza Bldg., 2-2 Shinshigai, Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture |
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17:00-3:00 |
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Tokuichi course „6,000 |
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| Serves original dishes based on local dishes in Kumamoto such as horse meat and lotus root with mustard. A variety of horse meat dishes such as "sashimi," hand-rolled "sushi," and stew are available. |
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| Fujinoya |
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096-325-8251 |
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1-5 Kamibayashimachi, Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture |
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17:00-23:00 |
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Stewed giblets „1,600, marbled horse "sashimi" „1,800 and up |
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| Serves horse meat, Kumamoto“s specialty. A variety of meat dishes such as "sashimi," stewed giblets in "miso" broth, broiled innards, hand-rolled "sushi," and tempura are available. "Sashimi" is served with light "shouyu (soy sauce)." |
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| Tateki |
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096-325-4989 |
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1st floor Kai Shika Bldg. 1-11-8 Shimodori, Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture (Korinji Street) |
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11:30-23:00 |
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Osaka course „4,000 |
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| A deep-fry restaurant. Each table has a frying pot and staff members dip ingredients in flour or breadcrumbs and deep-fry them at your table. Women and children get fried ice cream free for dessert. |
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| Komurasaki |
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096-352-8070 |
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3-32 Kamibayashicho, Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture |
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11:00-19:30 |
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Osama ramen (Chinese noodles) „535, special ramen with roasted pork fillet „925 |
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| Opened in 1954, this restaurant is famous for its original light stock made from pork bone, chicken bone, and vegetables. Special ramen with roasted pork fillet is the most popular dish. Boned rib of pork is stewed and sweetened to make these delicious fillets. |
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