“Castle town,” “onsen town,” and sometimes a “town of fog” – Hitoyoshi is known by many names, among which is “Little Kyoto.” Discover the charms of this hidden village in Kumamoto. Hitoyoshi is a city located in the southern part of Kumamoto Prefecture. As a tourist destination, it is popular for river rafting and its…

Japan is famous for its many traditional and inspiring festivals which take place all over the country throughout the year. One festival in particular, the Okunchi Festival, is held every October at the Aoi Aso Shrine (青井阿蘇神社) in Kumamoto. Come and visit this amazing national treasure and Kyushu tradition this Autumn from 3 to 11…

When we travel, we are always looking straight ahead at the sights, shops and people around us. But have you ever thought to take a look down at the ground? Don’t miss the unexpected works of art you can stumble upon in the form of unique Japanese manhole covers! Here is an introduction to three…

For those who want to go on an anime pilgrimage, the biggest question is “Where do I begin?” Natsume Yuujinchou (夏目友人帳) fans, look no further! Let us follow Nyanko-sensei to Hitoyoshi (人吉) in Kumamoto (熊本), Japan. Nyanko sensei, buta neko, Ponta, Madara. He may come with many names but our favorite cat is a popular…