Exploring Kumamoto, Japan

Yojiro Beach in Kagoshima City. My wife and I visit this place several times a year. The last time we recorded our visit was in September of last year ( see here ). There is a small park in front of the Kagoshima Civic Cultural Hall at Yojirohama Beach, and I noticed for the first time that there were banyan trees planted there. Location of park:  https://maps.app.goo.gl/VYVnnev3iqwi1zEo6 The banyan tree was full of fruit. The way the fruit grows is quite unique. It seems that banyan fruits can be eaten when they are ripe, but they are not particularly tasty, so we almost never eat them. If anything, they seem to be a favorite fruit of wild birds. Looking out at Kinko Bay, Sakurajima is in front of us. It was hazy that day, so Sakurajima looked vague. Recently, Sakurajima has had a series of large eruptions, and it seems that there was a lot of heavy ashfall during those eruptions. Cars parked in the area were covered in black ash, as seen on the news. We were lucky that day as the...

On my first walking course, I met a cat standing on a fence. Location:  https://maps.app.goo.gl/N8cKqM6FvqjwvAbr6 This cat looked as if it wanted to say, “I Am a Cat." He looked at me and said, “Don't bother me.” He seemed to be enjoying the sun while smelling the fragrance of magnolias. This fence, whose house is it? On the far right of the photo, a Japanese information board can be seen at the entrance to this house. Let's get closer. This is the house in Kumamoto City where the novelist Soseki Natsume (1867–1916) once lived. Do they have cats here? Or is it a stray cat? Still, it was a surprise to encounter a cat at Soseki Natsume's former residence. Camellias were beautiful.  

Some of the plum trees in Kumamoto Castle are still in hard bud. Some trees had begun to bloom. Plum blossom photo collection@Kumamoto Castle　2025/2/21 Red plum White plum

Within Kumamoto Castle, there is a shrine called "Kato Shrine" that enshrines Kato Kiyomasa, the samurai who built Kumamoto Castle. This is a photo of when we visited Kato Shrine on the morning of New Year's Day 2025. There weren't that many visitors, so we were able to take our time to finish our New Year's greetings. Date: January 2, 2025 Location:  https://maps.app.goo.gl/4DRn6ufkCSEPN5nd6 The next photo was taken in July of last year (2024) at the same location on an ordinary day. On a normal day, it can be a much quieter visit. Date: July 11, 2024 At the entrance to the shrine, there is a place to wash your hands called a "temizuya." During the New Year, the "temizuya" at Kato Shrine was covered in flowers and was very beautiful. At the entrance to the shrine office, Kumamon, the mascot character of Kumamoto Prefecture, dressed as a samurai, was welcoming visitors. The highlight of Kato Shrine is the view of Kumamoto Castle from up close. ...

We often stop by "SAKURA MACHI Kumamoto" when we go for a walk. SAKURA MACHI Kumamoto WebSite:  https://sakuramachi-kumamoto.jp/ Location:  https://maps.app.goo.gl/WxjibWuYpvRvB4WF9 December is a busy month everywhere, and Sakuramachi is no exception. Before the sun went down, we went up to the rooftop Sakura Machi Garden. Here at Sakuramachi Garden, we could still enjoy the autumn leaves. There are many illuminations here. At night, these are lit, creating a very beautiful space. After sunset there is a fee to enter this place due to an event, but before that you can walk freely. Standing at the place my wife showed me, I could see Kumamoto Castle in front of me. Kumamoto Castle seen from the rooftop garden. After dark, Kumamoto Castle is lit up and its appearance changes dramatically. This area is also a popular spot for crows to gather in the evening. When the sun sets, the crows return to the mountains as if they are going off to school in groups. We often see crows retur...

In the autumn of 2024, we went to Kirishima Hot Springs Village, located 600 meters above sea level in Kirishima City, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan. In mid-November, we expected to see the leaves all over, but we were wrong. The autumn leaves were not yet in full bloom. We stayed at Komatsu, a Traditional Japanese Hotel. Hotel Location:  https://maps.app.goo.gl/PYWTY6hB9AduuXHS8 With only six rooms, the hot spring hotel had a relaxed atmosphere. The room was equipped with both an indoor and outdoor hot spring bath, so we could enjoy the hot spring without worrying about who or what time it was. Since the inn is located in a hot spring resort in the mountains, the cuisine consisted mainly of wild vegetables and river fish. All were delicious. And the plates used were all wonderful. We enjoyed the dinner while enjoying the plates as well. The best dish for me was the appetizer. We made a video with the hot springs and food at the hotel.

There is an exchange facility called “Moe-no-Sato” in Nishihara Village, Kumamoto Prefecture, about a 10-minute drive from Kumamoto Airport. A cosmos festival is held here from late September to November, and my wife and I went there in early November. Location:  https://maps.app.goo.gl/pRp2bgiUYk3jBrYh8 The cosmos were beautiful against the backdrop of the meadow. Scarecrows greet you in the cosmos field. Scarecrows made by children in the vicinity were also on display. The scarecrows seemed to be a popular photo spot for tourists. The most popular spot for taking pictures was the spot in the next photo.  Below is a collection of cosmos photos taken on this day. The weather was fine and the cosmos were very beautiful. I plan to visit Moe-no-sato again next year when the cosmos are at their best. I recommend visiting Moe-no-sato in April and May, when the grasslands are being reforested after they are burned in the field, except in the fall.