Can you eat horse meat raw? That’s just one way to eat this delicacy of Kumamoto.

Kumamoto ramen is what has put Kumamoto on the map as a “ramen destination” because of it’s unique taste and popularity.

Kamitori is one of Kumamoto City’s most visited shopping arcades offering numerous cafes, shops and restaurants.

Right down the street from Kamitori Arcade, Shimotori Arcade is the largest shopping arcade in Kumamoto giving travelers many options for shopping, dining, or amusement.

Tsujunkyo Bridge is Japan’s largest stone-arch aqueduct bridge and is used to pump water into the regions rice paddies.

Yamaga Onsen is one of the oldest hot springs in Japan with it’s origins said to be over 370 years old.

The Hinokuni Festival, a 3-day event taking place throughout Kumamoto City in early August.

The highlight of the festival is the “1,000 Lantern Dance” with hundreds of women, dressed in traditional yukata and red obi sashes dancing elegantly throughout the night with paper illuminated lanterns on their heads.

Kusa-senrigahama is a small square grassland spread below Mt. Nakadake.

Mt. Aso Nakadake Crater is the most active volcano in Japan featuring a crater emitting smoke.

Kurokawa Onsen is an elegant onsen town within Kumamoto filled with many old-fashioned ryokan and bath houses.

At the Hayasaki Strait and Futae Port, hundreds of dolphins swim and jump in front of boats right as they sail the coastal waters.

At Reigan-do Cave, renowned samurai Miyamoto Musashi’s famous book, The Book of Five Rings, was written. It is also said to be where he is buried, making this a go-to spot for samurai culture buffs.

Kumamoto Castle is known as one of the best castles in Japan. The local feudal lord, Kato Kiyomasa, began the construction of the castle in 1601 and it was completed seven years later

Sakuranobaba Josaien is an information complex offering travelers the chance to not only learn Kumamoto’s history but also experience it themselves hands on.