EATING PLEASURE and ENJOY THE GOURMENT IN KUMAMOTO

Kumamoto Ramen
A special character of this ramen is its thick soup made from the boiled bones of pigs and chikens, and fat Chinese noodles. Many specialized ramen can be found in kumamoto town, each of which has developed its own unique taste.


Higo Beef
Higo Beef comes from Japanese brown cows raised in Kumamoto. The brown cows graze on the tender grass of the plains of Aso from early summer to auntum. This particular beef is now recognized as a low-fat, healthy meat.

Kuma Shochu
Japanese spirits distilled from good quality rice using crystalline underground water of Kuma River. The drink boasts a peculiar flavor and taste, excellent body that doesn’t leave behind the bad effects often associated with drinking.

Karashi Renkon
Lightly fried lotus root stuffed with spicy mustard. The characteristic crips and pugent tastes assail one’s nose as you prepare to dine on this delicacy.

Basashi Marbled horse meat eaten by dipping it in soy sauce mixed with ginger or garlic. Often so tender. It melts on your tongue.


Taipi-en
A dish that can only be found in Kumamoto. This bean-starch vermicelli dish uses a stock made by boiling chicken bones. It’s slightly seasoned, chock full of different ingredients, healthy and liked by many.




Product of the district

Higo Zogan
A craft peculiar to Kumamoto with a 400 year tradition. Various patterns are achieved by striking gold and silver into an iron plate. Pendants and tie-pins are popular items.

Kutami Uchiwa
Fans made of Japanese paper and covered with persimmon varnish retaining an air of the past. Their gracious color are unique in the Kutami Uchiwa.

Ceramic Art Articles
Numerous kilns in Kumamoto, such as Kodayaki and Shodaiyaki have a long cherished history of producing fine ceramic art pieces. They were financially supported by the Hosokawa clan.

Hanatebako

A typical hand-painted box made in the Hitoyoshi district. Depicting a stylized camellia motif.

Yamaga Toro
A traditional object of craft-work produced in YAmaga, a lantern made out of Japanese paper which has been hand-filtered and glue without using wood or metal pieces.

Modern Performing Arts

Modern performing arts, such as opera, “Buto” dance, musicals,plays, and ballet can also be enjoyed in various cities across the country. In Tokyo, especially, top artist from around the world are constantly on stage. Some are so popular that tickets have to be reserved well in advance. Tokyo Opera City is a state-of-the-art full-scale hall ideal for concerts and opera. The Takarazuka Troupe, a unique al-girl musical company, attracts many people who enjoy its brilliant performances where male roles are all played by females. The internationally celebrated “Buto” dance theater impresses the audience with its avant-garde performances unique to Japan.


The Arts
Among its indigenous arts, few are more typically Japanese than Ikebana, or the art of flower arranging. Closely related to the Zen Buddhist art of the tea ceremony, ikebana emphasizes simplicity and precision of from and aims at symbolizing the various aspects of nature. There are numerous schools teaching Ikebana, many of which offer instruction in English.

The art of tea, or Chanoyu, is an aesthetic cult of spiritual refinement that was originally very popular among the ruling samurai. Today, you can see and possibly participate in demonstrations of Chanoyu at some of the major schools and in hotels.

Ceramic and Porcelain
As Chanoyu began to spread in the Muromachi period (1333-1573), it gave rise to ceramic producing centers around the country. Each with its own distinctive style. The 17th century saw the town of Arita succeed in firing porcelains which gave further momentum to the rise of Japan’s pottery industry in subsequent years. Among numerous producing centers, the most famous are Mashiko-yaki (ware) in the Kanto region : Seto-yaki,Tokoname-yaki,Minoyaki and Katani-yaki in the Chubu region : Kiyomizu-yaki and Shigaraki-yaki in the Kansai region :Bizen-yaki and Hagi-yaki in the Chugoku area:Imari-yaki,Arita-yaki and Karatsu-yaki in Kyushu. These production centers have pottery museums, shops and pottery-making classes where even the beginner can experience shaping and designing his/her own fulfillment.