Yatsushiro

Yatsushiro (八代) [1] is a city in Kumamoto (prefecture), Kyushu, Japan.

Understand

Yatsushiro is the second biggest city in Kumamoto prefecture and Japan's largest producer of the igusa grass used to make tatami mats.

Get in

Yatsushiro station is the terminating stop on the JR Kagoshima Line from Hakata in Fukuoka, and on the Hisatsu Orange Railway.

Shin-Yatsushiro station, to the northeast, is served by both the JR Kagoshima Line, and the new section of the Kyushu Shinkansen to Kagoshima.

From Fukuoka, take the Relay Tsubame Limited Express train to Shin-Yatsushiro, or the Ariake Limited Express to Kumamoto, and change to a local train. You will generally need to wait about 15 minutes after arriving to pick up the local train for Yatsushiro. The trip takes 2 hours via the Relay Tsubame and 2 1/4 hours via the Ariake at a cost of ¥4900 and ¥4600, respectively. The general waiting time to pick up the local train is 10 to 15 minutes.

If you are going from Kumamoto, you can take a regular local train (40 minutes; ¥720).

All of these trips are covered under the Japan Rail Pass.

See

• Yatsushiro Castle, [2]. Ruins of the castle are located in the center of the city, Kuma-river's torrent

• Shohinken - Within the old castle grounds is the Shohinken Tea House, built in 1688 by the Matsui clan. When built, it was on the shore of Yatsushiro Bay. Now it is well inland. It contains a small museum of Matsui relics as well as a small stroll garden. In May, Higo Irises are in bloom.

• <see name="777 Steps" alt="" address="Intersection of Route 3 and Rinkosen" directions="" phone="" url="" hours="" price="" lat="" long="">Visible from Route 3 (sangousen) are 777 steps leading up the mountain. With markers detailing your progress up and rest benches and gazebos along the way, the stone steps are a good place to get some exercise and be rewarded at the top with a great view of the city.</see>

Do

• Myou-Kenn-Sai, [3]. This is a really exciting autumn festival on Labor Thanksgiving Day(November 23).

• Hinagu hot spring, near Kyushu-Orange-railway Hinagu station. Simple spa and carbonic acid hydrogen spa. 40~50 Degrees Celsius. Said to be good for neuralgia and rheumatism.

Buy

• Jusco and Youme Town are both in the city, providing shopping centers of various stores and restaurants.

• Enthusiasts of pottery can find three Kodayaki kilns in the area. It's noted for its blue-gray crackled glaze with white inlay. The oldest is the former "Sakai" family kiln. The most famous is the Agano kiln in Hinagu.

Eat

• Chikuwa, a type of fish sausage
• Zabon, a citrus fruit.
• Basashi, raw horsemeat served with soy and garlic.
• Ayu, a sweetfish from the Kuma River, is a local specialty.
• Unagi, eel, locally produced.
• Karashi rincon, lotus root stuffed with hot mustard, is famous in the area.

Drink

• <drink name="Nightlife Alley" alt="" address="" directions="" phone="" url="" hours="" price="" lat="" long="">Located alongside the city's shopping arcade, this main road hosts Shidax, many bars, and snack bars. Smaller roads branch from the Alley, letting you explore even more bars.</drink>

Get out

Routes through Yatsushiro

Kumamoto ← Ogawa ←

N  S

→ Kagoshima → END

Outline