Exploring Kumamoto, Japan

Nakamura Dango A Japanese confectionery shop that has been featured on television. We had heard that the dango at this store sells out by lunchtime, and that was indeed the case. When we arrived in the evening, there was a sign in the display case saying, "We are sold out for today." The price is 90 yen each. Cheap! We were curious about these dango. Shop Location:  https://maps.app.goo.gl/aaRVjKyYGYTuWz1f7 This shop was introduced as one of the tourist spots on the official Kumamoto Prefecture tourism website. https://kumamoto.guide/spots/detail/19919  (in Japanese) According to the official tourism website, the shop has been in business for over 113 years. The next morning, we tried again. We went there around opening time (8:30am). The owner who came out was a very friendly guy. We were able to buy some dango. They look just like traditional dango. We were surprised to find that each one costs just 90 yen including tax. The dangos were very delicious. As we were leaving th...

I watched the cherry blossoms in the San-no-Maru Park of Kumamoto Castle every day. The following photo was taken in late March (March 29) when the cherry blossoms were in full bloom. The cherry blossoms were shining white.   March 29,2025 Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/2P4VR1kZqSEFVLuz9 The following photos were taken daily after they were in full bloom.   April 2,2025   April 3,2025 This year, after the cherry blossoms were in full bloom, the temperature dropped to midwinter levels, so the blossoms seemed to last longer. After the temperature recovered, it became spring weather and the cherry blossoms began to fall.   April 6,2025   April 7,2025   April 8,2025 The following video shows a series of photos of the cherry blossoms on April 7, 2025, taken approximately every hour from the time the sun begins to rise in the early morning until the sun sets. Depending on the direction of the sun, the cherry blossoms show various appearances. A Day of Cherry B...

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.  

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...