Find Tomato Ramen, National Fireworks Showcase, and Seaside Onsens in Yatsushiro City, Kumamoto!

Written By HY

All the expansive range and type of Japanese food and delicacies, but have you heard of Tomato Ramen or Tomato Glass Noodle Soup?

Happy New Year to all of you, and to start this year great, we are bringing you a read on Yatsushiro City, Kumamoto Prefecture, Kyushu region.

Perhaps when many tourists visit Kumamoto Prefecture, they would mostly/only be touring Kumamoto city. But today, this article brings you the insights of Yatsushiro City - the second most populated city in Kumamoto Prefecture. Known for its unique blend of urban and rural cultural and scenic attractions, stay with us and delve deeper into this likable city with exquisite food such as Tomato Ramen!

Soak in Yatsushiro's 600 year old Hinagu Onsen

Enjoyed by many for over 600 years, the Hinagu Onsen is one of Yatsushiro’s pride and joy. The facilities at Hinagu are extensive, and their hot springs are reputed to relieve joint pain, nerve pain, and sensitivity to the cold. Extremely popular during the Spring, you can even scroll around this seaside hot spring town and take a good look at Sakura Cherry Blossoms all around you.

Yatsushiro Myoken Festival

The Myoken Festival is one of the three largest annual festivals in Kyushu. Every year this parade, which has been held for over 380 years to celebrate and showcase Yatsushiro’s prosperity, attracts many locals from all other regions in Japan. In December 2016, UNESCO added the festival to its Intangible Cultural Heritage list. 

The main highlight of this festival is a 200kg turtle with the head of a snake, and its nickname is Ga-mé.

Reconnect with the Nature at Gokanosho

Legend has it that Heike clan warriors fled to this area, and they lived secluded from the outside world, which is why Gokansho is also known as the Home of the Historical Heike Clan.  

Gokanosho is hidden deep within Kyushu’s most secluded mountain ranges. Its environment makes for breathtaking views, especially when the leaves change color in Autumn or as buds sprout in Spring. 

The bounty of nature also influences the region’s rich cuisine.

Kick back, relax, and disconnect from the world in Gokansho by dining in nature. A trip to Gokansho would not be complete without a dining experience there, and plenty of tourists enjoy their visits so much that some would make it an overnight stay.

Yatsushiro National Fireworks Competition

The only National Fireworks competition in Western Japan is in Yatsushiro! Famous pyrotechnic artists show off their best creations to win the top prize. Most fireworks competitions are held in Summer, but Yatsushiro’s draws thousands of spectators every October during Autumn. In total, approximately 30 competitors launch 14,000 individual fireworks into the sky on this one night.

The scope of each entry is massive, and your whole field of view will be filled with explosive artistry of bright and colorful displays. Just imagine how beautiful it would be!

Learn about the History at Stone Masonry Village (石匠館)

The Stone Masonry Village (石匠館) has a lesser carbon footprint of tourism, hence when you google it in English, there may not be much information available. However, this village has many famous Japanese stonemason pioneers who were born in Yatsushiro, and you can still see their works today! Japan’s Agency for Cultural Affairs recognized the village as a Japanese heritage property in June 2020 and has since enjoyed some renewed popularity. Here you can experience for yourself the long history of how to build with stone.

Yatsushiro - Japan’s Biggest Tomato Cultivator

Yatsushiro is the leading number one producer of tomatoes in Japan. Be sure to order some special and unique tomato dishes that you can only get in Yatsushiro, such as Tomato Ramen or Tomato Glass Noodle Soup. Their sour-savory taste will have you asking for more.

PS: Typing this at this hour (10.58 pm) makes me crave for some….

Yatsushiro’s Igusa

Igusa is a plant used in Japan to make Tatami mats. Tatami mats are a highly cherished part of traditional Japanese culture; hence Igusa is highly valued in Japan too. Igusa is natively grown in Kumamoto Prefecture, mainly Yatsushiro, as the city’s plentiful water and land space combined with deep-rooted cultivation techniques and meticulous planting methods help grow durable Igusa.

Handcrafted products made with authentic Igusa are well-known to be long-lasting & offer natural cooling benefits.

The panoramic sight of large fields of Igusa during summer is beautiful and uncommon too! Try some exclusive ice cream made with Igusa while you’re in the area as well!

Want to experience a virtual trip to Yatsushiro?

Visit Yatsushiro’s “Tatami Mat Paradise” Island through the Internationally Famous Nintendo Switch Game, Animal Crossing: New Horizons!

@nani.singapore

Happy New Year! Kick start your 2021 by joining us in Experiencing a Day of Japan in Singapore! #Hi2021 #fyp #Singapore #foryoupage

♬ original sound - NANI SINGAPORE
HY

Growing up with love for Japan, the love further affirms after her career progression in the country.

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