Japan 47 Prefectures: Kumamoto Travel Vlog π―π΅ | Castle, Food & Aso Volcano Views
I’m Roving Robby and if you’re new here, I’m on a mission to visit all 47 prefeur of Japan. Today we’re in Kumamoto Prefecture right in the heart of Kyushu. We’ll explore the iconic Kamato Castle, try some delicious local food, check out quirky roadside spots, including an art tunnel, and of course, soak in the beauty of Aso Park and the nearby shrines. If this is something that you like, please don’t forget to click like and subscribe so that you won’t miss any content about my life here in Japan and in the US. So, what are you waiting for? Let’s go explore Kumamoto. Good morning, guys. Um, we’re off to Kumamato today, but before that, I enjoyed some coffee here in and I almost missed my flight because supposed to leave at 4:30, but I woke up at 4:30. But, of course, we’ll always make it. Okay. See [Music] Good morning. So, we just arrived here in Fukoka, but the plan for today is to actually explore Kuma. So, we rented a car from Puka and then we stopped over in the expressway to grab some food, coffee, whatever. But we’ll head all the way from Puka to Kumamongo to explore the area. So, that’s day one plan, and I’m going to tour you around. So, we have arrived in Kumamoto Castle. This is the north side. Um, and there’s this cute little pathway leading to the castle. [Music] So, welcome to Kumamoto Castle. It has a 400 years of history. And the castle is best known for the curved stone walls that basically did not allow any enemy who tried to actually climb the castle. So, that’s really a unique engineering for this castle. And this is the reason why it’s considered one of the most famous castles in Japan. So now we’re entering Kumamata Castle. Look at those beautiful structure. Oh wow. Looks very modern. Let’s see. So, if you’ve been in the castles in Japan, usually the top floor, which in this case in Kumamoto Castle is the sixth floor, is an observation deck. So, you could see that the inside is very modern already. They even have an elevator going up. But in other castles which has retained the original structure, you wouldn’t see this modern um interiors for sure. So you could see the city of Komaamoto from up here. And I also like looking and observing in the this crest which represents the you know the the official crest of each feud the lord in the past. [Music] And you could also see that there are a lot of construction going on because they had to do a reconstruction after the earthquake. I know what we’re about to. So, we’re trying the taipin. This is using vermicelli noodles. So, it they say this is a local specialty here in Kumamoto. [Music] Hey, [Music] speech speech. It’s very light and the taste is good. I like it. Hi guys, I’m in the town of Takamorei in Kumamoto. So this is about an hour from Kumamoto city and this is already near the Mount Ao area. Okay. So why am I here in Takamorei is there is an art tunnel. So, it used to be an old train track and now they converted it into a an art installation tunnel. So, I will visit it today and I’ll let you know if it’s worth your visit. Okay. So, basically what I’ve read so far is this is an unfinished tunnel and they decided to make some art installations in the tunnel. So, let’s go check it out. Wow, [Music] look at this one. This looks like our Filipino parole during Christmas time. Nice. So, I just went inside the tunnel and what is my verdict? Okay, so I think it’s still okay. It’s still beautiful. Um, but it’s a little way out of Kum Kumato Center. So, if you’re going here, make sure to check their website if they have a special installation cuz today they didn’t have much. But I think the whole experience of like walking in an old train track tunnel is still a good experience. So, if you’re up for that, that’s good. But I think there’s some pictures online that they have like light installations. They don’t have much of that today. So, my tip for today, check the website if they have something going on before coming all the way here cuz it might be um a long way to go here and you just, you know, expect like I did. So, I was walking around the city and I saw this beautiful house which has a nice architectural design. Um I think in the maps it says it’s actually a local museum. We’ll see about that. [Applause] [Music] [Music] Are you [Music] So, it’s actually raining today and I stopped over here in a coffee shop and it’s also a gift shop and I ordered some matcha. Smells good on a rainy day. [Music] Fishy. [Music] Okay. So, in on the way to Korokawa onen, we actually found this park. So these are trees that are shaped into different animals. And look at that guys. It’s so vast. Even at the back, each three is really shaped into something. This is Komaon. This looks like a sumo wrestler. Some birds. Wow. Isn’t that wonderful? [Applause] Look, it’s super cute. [Music] Hi, dear. So, it’s been a rainy day and we just arrived in Korokawa onen here in Kumamoto and I’m just walking around and trying to explore the onen town and it’s a bit artistic. That’s what I see in the pictures and now I found where the area is. So, let’s take a look. Okay, it’s a bit of an artistic layout of the onen here. Nice. [Applause] [Music] So this is the parking area and the information center. So if you go here in the morning, you could ask around which places or on some areas you could go to. Welcome to Fairfield by Marott here in Asakamoto. Very nice interior design. And they usually have a common area like a kitchen where you can sit down and drink your coffee. And what I like about Fairfield here in Japan is they have free flowing good coffee sink and some free amenities that you could enjoy while relaxing in the terrace outside. But also look at this interiors. I like the lamps so much. And usually they would have a shelf here of items that are locally made here in the area. So here you have a sensibu and then also some of this hazaru unglazed glade hall. So those are So what I like about it is you could get a hint of what’s the specialty in the area and they would usually have this board where they have photographs of local area and that’s a pretty common element in the design of Fairfield here in Japan. [Music] So this is Fairfield by Marott in Aso Kamoto. So this is their usual layout and actually you have a sliding door over here which you can close to give you some privacy while you’re using the toilet area. And these are the beds. And of course, you have a little couch here. And here’s the fridge and the safe. Nice. Would you stay in this hotel? I think you should. Value for money. And the design is superb. Good morning. It’s day two and we’re still here in Asakamoto. So for today we for today we will be going to the crater area and we just have to be careful because I think there is a level two warning and in this case you can’t go near to the crater but I think there are viewing points where you’re allowed to go to and after that I think the general plan is just to go around as area so we’ll go check it out today but first we can have some Coffee cafe latte. We are on our way to see the Mount Aso crater if we could. Cows. Wait. Hey guys. So we are Look at this view. So there are cows on the road. You look at this. A your baby cow. Bye-bye. I love it. I love it. So this is the map of Aokuja National Park and for today we wanted to see the national park with some of the highlights. We will first go to the ASO volcan volcano museum and there’s an observatory here in Kosa scenery and then we will go somewhere here in this area to see the crater of Nakadake but it depends on the situation today if there’s a warning we might not be able to go and see the crater and so we just arrived here in Aso mountains. It is considered a UNESCO global geo park and specifically I am here in Kusa Senry viewpoint. So it’s a bit foggy but you just have to wait because now it clears up and I’m going to show you how it looks like. [Music] Okay. So, you see those viewpoint, right? It’s a bit foggy today, which actually because we’re very like we’re on top already of the mountain. So, yes, it could get really foggy um despite on a clear day actually. And one of the things that I’ve heard here in in Kumamoto is that you should go for horseback riding. So, shall we do this, guys? I think so. I’m a little bit scared, but I think I will do it because these horses are very common here in Kumamoto. And it’s very scenic also to take horseback riding with Mount Ao at the background. Why not? [Music] volcano [Music] viewing park. [Music] Okay. So, when you go to the viewing deck here in Mount Paso, there are I think three parking lots. So for today we were advised that we can only go as high as parking two and parking three which is nearer to the crater is not open today because it’s not safe to go up there. So we’ll see what we have here. Okay, we have the volcano worship Kazan Shink. You can see the elevator there. We’ll go there later. Okay. So for the volcano work worship what we learned here today is there are two buildings in this area both a Shinto shrine and the Buddhist temple. So which is kind of unique because it’s combining two let’s say forms of beliefs and but they have the same goal of praying to the volcano god and of course for the safety of the people around the area. So this is the Buddhist temple. All right. Structures overlooking as well the as over there is the Shintto shrine. [Music] So this is the Minami Aso village where it’s known for the abundance of water source. Let’s take a look the reveal. Wow. [Music] Such a beautiful area. Lush greeneries. [Music] So, we’re now entering this very beautiful shrine here in Ao Kumamoto, and it’s in the middle of the forest [Music] with tall vertical trees lined up. It’s truly a magical experience. [Music] So we are here in Kami Shikimi Kumanosa Shrine and it’s very picturesque with the trees lined up leading into the shrine. But there’s a quick hike as well. So look at this. You have to go up a little bit, but the ascent is also gradual. So, you could take your time to just enjoy the view, listen to the birds chirping, and relax. [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] So, time shed is 1:50 and we found a restaurant called Takam. Banga. And the claim to fame of this restaurant is it’s charcoal grilled um meal set meals. But for today, we ordered of course the local beef here in AO. So I’m really excited to give it a try. Our beef has arrived. And this is the asumi. So, why don’t we start putting that in here? Taste some to me. [Music] [Music] So, now it’s time to try the local beef in. And I’m going to try it without any corn first. Put some salt. Good. But we’re good. It’s beautiful. [Music]
Join me as I explore Kumamoto Prefecture in the Kyushu region of Japan! π―π΅
In this video, Iβll take you on a journey through:
π― The historic Kumamoto Castle
π‘ Local food spots where I try some must-eat delicacies
Takamori Dengaku no Sato: Charcoal grilled-barbecue
https://kumamoto.guide/en/spots/detail/9025
π¨ A quirky art tunnel and scenic roadside attractions
π The stunning landscapes of Aso Park and nearby shrines
Kamishikimi Shrine https://www.goteamjosh.com/blog/shikimi
Whether you’re planning your own trip to Japan or just love discovering new places, this video gives you a taste of Kumamotoβs charm β from heritage and nature to hidden gems.
πThis is part of my journey to all 47 Prefectures of Japan β subscribe to follow along!
𧳠Letβs slow down, wander curiously, and explore Japan together.
#Kumamoto #KyushuTravel #Japan47Prefectures #RovingRobe #SlowTravelJapan
AloJapan.com