Kumamoto (prefecture)

• - Prefectural capital with one of Japan's grandest castles
• beaches and relaxed lifestyle on the eastern islands
• - which is famous for hot springs. There are many other places to visit too. Nature at its best
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• - coastal town infamous for an industrial pollution disaster
• Mitsu Greenland adventure theme park
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• - hot springs everywhere
• the second biggest city in Kumamoto prefecture.

• highland area, with an immense caldera, numerous hot spring resorts, fine hiking courses, and an active volcano to look down into.

There are several unique traditional foods in Kumamoto prefecture. First, karashirenkon is one of the most popular foods in Kumamoto. This is lotus root with mustard stuffed into the holes, covered with soybean and wheat flour, and fried. Second, basashi is also popular as traditional food of Kumamoto. It's raw horse meat, and people in Kumamoto eat it with soy sauce and ginger. In addition, takana, a type of vegetable, is one of the specialties of Aso, and there are many types of seafood in Amakusa. Furthermore, Kumamoto is famous for boiled pork-rib (tonkotsu) ramen noodles. People sometimes form a line to eat it in front of the shop.
Ikinaridango is famous sweet in Kumamoto. It contains a sweetpotato and anko. Then they are covered with a dough made from wheat flour. When you bite it, you'll find the contained a sweetpotato has a light, dry texture. "Ikinari" of ikinaridango means "sonomama"- "as it is" or "just like that" in Kumamoto area. It also called Ikinaridago or Ikinarimanzyu. It costs 80-100 yen. You should try it once!

• Kagoshima (prefecture) is south of Kumamoto.