Hitoyoshi
From World travel guide
Hitoyoshi is in Kumamoto prefecture, Japan. It is famous for its river fog from late autumn to early spring, kuma alcohol, and ayu or sweetfish.
Contents |
Get in
By train
Hitoyoshi is a terminal stop on the JR Hisatsu Line.
Six Limited Express trains make daily round-trip runs between Kumamoto and Hitoyoshi: The Kumagawa (くまがわ) and the Kyushu Odan Express (九州横断特急). These trains make the run to Hitoyoshi in 90 minutes and cost ¥3190 each way.
Kumamoto connects to Hakata in Fukuoka via the Relay Tsubame and Ariake limited express trains. From Kagoshima you can take the Kyushu Shinkansen and change to the limited express for Hitoyoshi at Shin-Yatsushiro station.
Local trains run from plain-old Yatsushiro station to Hitoyoshi (70 minutes; ¥1080).
Get around
See
- Eikokuji ( Alias: Ghost Temple )
This temple is famous for a hanging scroll drawn a grim ghost. Jittei Priest, the founder of the temple, drew the ghost of the picture which used to appear by a pond at night. After he showed the picture to the ghost, it never appeared because of its ugly appearance. The pond is behind the temple and there are lots of pond lilies in summer. It's also known for the place Takamori Saigo used as a main camp during Southwest War. Open: 7 days a week, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission: free, Address: Dote-machi5, Hitoyoshi-shi (10 minutes-walk from JR Hitoyoshi Station).
- Hitoyoshi Castle trace ( historical building and place to see cherry blossom)
You can see Kuma river and town from the heights.
Admission free, Opening hours: 8:30 a.m. ~ 5 p.m., Open 7 days a week Address:Fumoto-machi, Hitoyoshi-shi Transport: 10 minute-walk from JR Hitoyoshi station
Do
- 'Hitoyoshi hot spring
The seat: Inside of Hitoyoshi Transport: Near JR Hitoyoshi station By car: Get off at Hitoyoshi IC - it's about 2 km and takes 5 minutes from Hitoyoshi IC. Spa quality: Simple spa, Carbonic acid hydrogen spa Spa temperature: 40~50 Degrees Celsius. Potency: Neuralgia, Rheumatism, Gastrointestinal disorder, Diabetes
- Hitoyoshi Craft Park Ishino Koen
They show the traditional handiworks and the specialities in Hitoyoshi and demonstrate some of them. You can also make them. There are seven plants; a place for making cutlery, a plant that yo can see the process to make Shochu or Japanese alcohol, a traditional cultural industrial place, a papermaking plant, a carpentry plant, ceramics plant and a teahouse in the Japanese garden. These are samurai-style premises. There are also an observatory and amusements for children.
Admission fee: 200 yen, Opening hours: 9 a.m.~ 4:30 p.m., Open 7 days a week Address: Akaikehara-machi 1425-1, Hitoyoshi-shi Transport: Get off the train at JR Hitoyoshi station and walk for 5 minutes to Hitoyoshi bus terminal. You'll get on a bus to Yunomae for 15 minutes. Then get off the bus at the bus stop in front of the park.
Buy
Eat
- Kijiya ( Japanese food )
This is a special restaurant to serve pheasant dishes. There are few restaurants to serve them in Japan. You can eat fresh meat of pheasants because they raise the pheasants by themselves. There are grilled meat, pheasant rice, sliced raw meat and so on. You can eat pheasant nabe in winter.
Opening hours: 11 a.m.~ 9 p.m., Closed on Wednesday ( The next day is closed by holiday. ) Address: Kijiya-machi 2522, Hitoyoshi-shi Transport: 20 minute-drive from JR Hitoyoshi station
Drink
- Hananoki ( coffee shop )
You can enjoy your teatime looking at Kuma river and beautiful nature. Inside of the building is quiet and made of wood. Fresh banana and strawberry shake is popular.
Opening hours: 11 a.m.~ 6 p.m., Closed on Sunday Address: Shichiji-machi 888-6, Hitoyoshi-shi Transport: 10 minute-drive from JR Hitoyoshi Station
Sleep
Many of the hotels with hot springs are along the Kuma river.
- Chisan Hotel Hitoyoshi
Ayu dishes and French food are delicious in this hotel. There is a golf course. Address: Kamiaoi-machi166, Hitoyoshi-shi Transport: 5 minute-walk from JR Hitoyoshi Station.
- Hotel Hananosho
Inside of the building is like antique atmosphere. There's a hot spring outside and you can look over at the town. You can enjoy playing tennis and golf.
Address: Komeyama 3316, Higashiaida-machi, Hitoyoshi-shi Transport: 10 minute-drive from JR Hitoyoshi Station
- Grand Hotel Ayuzato
This hotel on the Kuma gawa riverside and has an ancient cypress spa. The spa is good for rheumatism. Ayu or sweetfish dishes is served in summer and autumn. You can eat wild boar nabe in winter. You can go fishing also.
Address: Kokonoka-machi 30, Hitoyoshi-shi Transport: 10 minute-walk from JR Hitoyoshi Station
Get out
External links
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