City in Kyushu, Japan
Photo: Saigen Jiro, CC0 via Wikimedia Commons
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永国寺 (幽霊寺)
This temple is famous for a hanging scroll on which is 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 the Seinan War.
人吉城跡
Historical building and place to see cherry blossom with a view of Kuma river and town from the heights.
人吉温泉
Simple spa, Carbonic acid hydrogen spa, 40~50 °Celsius.
人吉クラフトパーク石野公園
Traditional handiworks and the specialties in Hitoyoshi and demonstrate some of them. You can also make them. There are seven plants; a place for making cutlery, a plant that you 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.
球磨川下り
Departs from downtown Hitoyoshi three times a day. You sit in an old style Japanese boat and cruise downstream the Kuma river with a commentary in Japanese. The ride is relaxed and tranquil except for the odd rapids. You can pay for your car to be driven to where you disembark. It is a short drive back to Hitoyoshi. Rafting is also available.
きじや
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.
花の木
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.
ホテルサン人吉
Ayu dishes and French food are delicious in this hotel. Golf course.
あゆの里
This hotel on the Kuma gawa riverside and has an ancient cypress spa thought to be good for rheumatism. Ayu or sweetfish dishes is served in summer and autumn. You can eat wild boar nabe in winter. Fishing.
華の荘
Inside of the building has an antique atmosphere. There's a hot spring outside and view of the town. Tennis courts and golf.
人吉旅館
The ryokan is on the Kuma river. It is a beautiful, traditional building surrounding a central courtyard garden. English is well spoken by several staff members. The food specializes in Ayu and game (boar, pheasant, venison). The ryokan has hot baths and offers a large range of shochu (spirits).
むかしむかし
Perfect place to buy traditional Japanese stuff. And what's the best is most of the items are very reasonable. You can also just enjoy watching the displays of ceramic arts, china, kimono, old toys and more! They also sell various kinds of coffee beans and teas. Free coffee is always served for the customers.
By car
It is 1.5 hours from Kumamoto via the Expressway.
By bus
From Kumamoto it is 1.5 hours by the bus that goes to Miyazaki via Hitoyoshi or to Kagoshima City. It is 1 hour by bus from Kagoshima Airport
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Kagoshima · International · KOJ
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