Who to Root for in Kumamoto: The Three Biggest Sports Teams
Nov 29, 2024 By Justin Hanus
Japan is big on sport. The most popular team sports are football (soccer), baseball, basketball, and rugby. Of course, there’s also sumo wrestling as well as golf and tennis. It’s always fun when you have a local team to root for, especially when you move to a new area. This...[ Click to read more ]
Christmas in Kumamoto
By Justin Hanus
There are many ways expats feeling homesick for Christmas can get into the festive spirit in Kumamoto. Although Christmas is not an official holiday in Japan, Kumamoto is one of many cities in the country that acknowledges the festival with events and light displays. Christmas in Japan Japan is not...[ Click to read more ]
Great Shrines for Hatsumode in Kumamoto
Nov 27, 2024 By Justin Hanus
The turn of the year is holiday time in Japan. People are off work to celebrate the New Year with parties, family gatherings, culinary feasts, and hatsumode. Hatsumode is the year’s first visit to a Shinto shrine (or sometimes a Buddhist temple). It is traditionally made between January 1st and...[ Click to read more ]
All About Yatsushiro Myoken Festival
Oct 25, 2024 By Justin Hanus
Dating back to roughly the 14th century, Yatsushiro Myoken is one of the oldest festivals in Japan. Spanning over two days, it takes places every year in Yatsushiro City in Kumamoto. This colorful event is filled with floats, dances, performances, and great food. History of the Festival Yatsushiro Myoken was...[ Click to read more ]
The Best Restaurants for International Food in Kumamoto
By Justin Hanus
Even though Japanese food is delicious, you may not want to eat it every single day. The good news is Kumamoto has a number of restaurants serving international cuisine from all over the world. Mampukutei If you fancy a steak, look no further than Mampukutei. Since this is a specialty...[ Click to read more ]
National Parks to Visit Near Kumamoto
Sep 30, 2024 By Justin Hanus
Just beyond the borders of the city, the prefecture of Kumamoto is filled with natural beauty. Explore the mountains and forests, with shrines scattered in between, by visiting some of the national parks. Aso-Kuju National Park Spanning Kumamoto and Oita prefectures is Aso-Kuju National Park. It is named for Mount...[ Click to read more ]
What Makes Kumamoto Sake So Special?
By Justin Hanus
Although sake is the most famous Japanese alcoholic beverage, in Kumamoto (and, in fact, on the entire island of Kyushu), shochu is more common. Nonetheless, Kumamoto has a strong sake culture and creates a drink that is unlike what you find elsewhere in the country. To understand why that is,...[ Click to read more ]
Halloween in Kumamoto
Sep 26, 2024 By Justin Hanus
Halloween isn’t as big a deal in Japan as it is in the U.S., meaning you won’t see places filled with jack-o-lanterns, witches’ broomsticks, or cobweb decorations. However, Halloween has become a thing over the past couple of decades. Japan began to embrace Halloween when Tokyo Disneyland hosted its first...[ Click to read more ]
Family Days Out in Kumamoto
Aug 30, 2024 By Justin Hanus
Located in the north of Japan’s Kyushu region, Kumamoto prefecture has a rich culture and plenty of affordable attractions if you’re looking for a day out that all the family can enjoy. From fun outdoor activities to educational experiences, here are a few great destinations if you’re looking to keep...[ Click to read more ]
What You’ll See at Mifune Dinosaur Museum
Aug 28, 2024 By Justin Hanus
If you’re a dinosaur fan, you need to pay Mifune Dinosaur Museum a visit. Located in the small town of Mifune in Kumamoto prefecture, the site was home to numerous dinosaurs during the Cretaceous Period. However, it wasn’t until the 1990s that researchers discovered the first fossils. Shortly after, in...[ Click to read more ]
