Exploring Kumamoto, Japan

I am in Ebino City, Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan. This is a view of the Kirishima mountain range from the Ebino Service Area on the expressway. Date:2024/9/30 　 Location: : https://maps.app.goo.gl/uBu3guLZgPixcuvN7 On September 30, rice harvesting had begun in the rice paddies. Combines were harvesting the rice. Two weeks later, I visited the same place. The sky over the Kirishima mountain range was a beautiful October autumn sky. Date:2024/10/13 Rice harvesting was finished. Looking closely, I saw that the dry rice straw was being collected. You can also see the harvested rice being hung out to dry. I hear that rice that has been dried over the rack is very tasty. This scene, often seen in the Japanese countryside, reminds us strongly of the arrival of autumn.

An hour's drive from Kumamoto City brought us to Bansho, famous for its terraced rice paddies and cluster amaryllis. Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/93WBg5szyA2HdA4L6 Rice harvesting in the terraced rice paddies was almost finished and the harvested rice was hung to dry. The well-maintained cluster amaryllis were very beautiful. The surroundings were recorded on video.  The hot summer was finally over and autumn had arrived in the satoyama. Grasshoppers seem to feel good in the pleasant temperatures.

I went to Kagoshima City today. I saw Sakurajima for the first time in half a year. The season is early autumn, but the clouds are still summer clouds and the temperature is over 30 degrees Celsius. It was very hot, however, the seaside looked a little different than in mid-summer. Many jellyfish are swimming leisurely and swaying. Looking toward Kinkowan Bay, a high-speed boat quickly crossed in front of Sakurajima. On the other hand, when I turned my eyes to the seashore in front of me, I saw jellyfish swimming in the water. It seemed to contrast artifacts with nature. It was a weekday morning, and two people who looked like tourists were taking a commemorative photo with Sakurajima in the background. Although Sakurajima is a strong risk for local disaster prevention, I thought it is still a first-class tourist resource.  

The amount of water in the rice paddies in the Kumamoto region of Japan is abundant. Autumn. The time for rice harvest is nearing. I went for a walk and came upon a rice paddy. In the days when rice was taxed, there are stories of farmers hiding their rice fields to avoid the tax. I thought this place might have been such a hidden rice field in the past. To my surprise, I saw what looked like a house in the bushes. It looks like a hideout in a fairy tale. From a distance, it looked like an empty house, but upon closer inspection, there was a car. I was even more surprised. It was amazing to find such scenery so close to the city. Wandering around is a continuous discovery of new things.

Kumamoto Yogakko, a school that promoted westen studies, opend in 1871 in Kumamoto City, Japan. An American, Mr. Janes, was invited to this school as a teacher and provided Western-style education to children in Kumamoto Prefecture.  This white building is the mansion of teacher Janes. Location: 32.789286, 130.734725 Janes' mansion was completely destroyed in the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake.The current mansion was rebuilt in 2023. The new mansion was beautiful and looked even more beautiful in the setting sun. Beside the mansion is a stream with crystal clear spring water. The creek is illuminated and a walk around this area in the evening darkness is recommended. As the evening twilight began to fall, a walk around this area was very pleasant for me. The location of Jane's mansion is right in front of the Kumamoto City Tram “Shiritsu-taiikukan-mae”stop. 

The Kumamoto Castle from Ninomaru Square on a clear early morning. Behind the fresh greenery stands the Uto Turret, currently under restoration. Eight years ago today, Kumamoto Castle suffered significant damage in the 2016 Kumamoto Earthquake. Previously, I asked a representative from the Kumamoto Castle General Office about the restoration work. They mentioned that it would take many years to complete. Location of Ninomaru Park: 32.80667906949784, 130.70185433131337 Currently, I'm at Ninomaru Park just before the opening time for Kumamoto Castle. Ninomaru park is usually busy with people engaging in various activities, such as exercise.  Perhaps they are waiting to enter Kumamoto Castle, as a family was playing with a ball. Ninomaru Park is a walking and jogging course. Many people were seen enjoying their jogs early in the morning. In the evening, students from a nearby high school track and field team also practice here. They often breeze past me while I'm walking, and I wa...

The former residence of Hosokawa Gyobu is now covered in fresh greenery. Currently, it is closed to the public due to restoration work from the Kumamoto earthquake. I've heard it will be several more years before it reopens to the public. The following photos were taken from outside the restricted area. We can't enter the residence, but even just viewing the fresh greenery from outside will likely soothe us. Location: 32.80899689664447, 130.7001988264828 ========= Supplementary information: On November 22, 2023, the former residence of Hosokawa Gyobu, which was at its peak of autumn foliage, was illuminated and opened to the public. The following two photos show how it looked at that time. The residence will be closed to the public until the restoration work from the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake is completed in the 2028 fiscal year. For the next four years, such illuminations will be on hold.