Introducing Kumamoto Prefecture in Japan - What is it like in Kumamoto?

WeXpats

2023/12/01

Life in Japan

Kumamoto Prefecture has around 3000 Filipino residents. Although it is still not well known in the Philippines, Kumamoto Prefecture located in the southwestern part of Japan has a developed urban area that is convenient to live in, and suburbs that are rich in nature. Kumamoto is highly praised by its Filipino residents as a comfortable place to live in.

*As of December 2022 (from Foreign Resident Statistics).

In this article, we will introduce the charms of Kumamoto that has become a popular destination in Japan for immigrants! It is especially recommended for people who fall into these categories.

I want to work in Japan but I don’t like crowded bustling cities.
I want to enjoy seasonal sights and activities like cherry blossoms, dolphin watching, hot springs, and winter sports.
But… I don’t want to live in a place that’s too cold and has a lot of snow.
I am worried about natural disasters, and being able to evacuate safely.
I like Japanese anime and cute characters.
My purpose for working in Japan is “for my family”.

Commissioned by Kumamoto Prefecture.

Where to go for Sightseeing? - The Four Seasons of Kumamoto

Japan is a country that experiences four distinctly different seasons. In Kumamoto, which is rich in nature, the changes are particularly striking. There are many seasonal sights and leisure activities in Kumamoto throughout the year.

Kumamoto Castle (Spring)

Kumamoto Castle is located in the center of Kumamoto. In spring, the cherry blossoms bloom profusely, and it has been designated as one of Japan’s “100 Famous Cherry Blossom Spots”. Built in 1600, this historic castle is the setting for many famous samurai stories.

Near Kumamoto Castle is a large retail facility called SAKURA MACHI Kumamoto, which greatly supports the lives of Kumamoto residents! We will introduce shopping and eating here later!

Dolphin Watching (Summer)

Kumamoto has beautiful seas, with sea swimming and dolphin watching as standard summer leisure activities. In the Amakusa coastal area, there are around 300 adorable dolphins, and you can see them up close from a boat.

Amakusa is also the birthplace of famous samurai Shiro Amakusa, who greatly contributed to the spread of Christianity in Japan.

Kurokawa Onsen and Mount Aso (Autumn)

Autumn leaves that are so red that the trees look aflame is a classic characteristic of autumn in Japan. At Kurokawa Onsen, a large hot spring town in Kumamoto, you can relax in a hot spring surrounded by beautiful trees.

Kurokawa Onsen is also recommended for winter. During winter, the area is illuminated with 300 or so round ball-shaped lanterns called “鞠灯篭 (Maridourou)” and cylindrical-shaped lanterns called “筒灯篭 (Tsutsudourou)”, creating a fantastic view.

Mount Aso, the symbol of Kumamoto, stands tall within the same area. Visit its emerald green crater lake, and feel the force of nature from up close.

Winter Sports (Winter)

Winter in Japan is synonymous with winter sports such as skiing and snowboarding. Located close to Kumamoto, the Kuju Forest Park Skiing Grounds has ski slopes that everyone from beginners to experienced can enjoy, and equipment rental is also available. Since you’ve come all the way to Japan, why not enjoy it to the fullest on the pristine white snow?

“That sounds cold…” Some people may be worried after hearing about winter sports, but actually, Kumamoto is in the warmer parts of Japan, so snow is almost always only found at mountaintops. Don’t worry as the climate there is comfortable even for Filipinos who don’t like the cold.

Access to Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto

Tourist destinations like Kyoto and Osaka are reachable by direct bus, so it’s perfect for those who want to travel all across Japan! For acces to Tokyo, the Kumamoto Airport has flights bound for Tokyo. The distance makes it difficult for a daytrip, but it still makes for an enjoyable short trip over a 3-days long weekend.

Writer's Pick

Easy to Live in Kumamoto

Kumamoto is a place rich in nature, but is also well developed with its center full of retail establishments and restaurants.

Kumamoto Local Specialties are Ramen and Horse Meat!

Of course, Kumamoto has its own delicious local specialties. Among them, Kumamoto Ramen, which has a rich pork bone broth soup, is especially popular. The jet black oil made from garlic and spring onions is also a unique feature.

Japan is famous for its sushi made with raw fish, but Kumamoto also has a culture of eating raw horse meat. The light and lean meat is easy for Filipinos to eat, and the more you chew, the more flavorful the meat becomes. Of course, there are various ways to prepare horse meat other than eating it raw, so don’t worry if you don’t like eating raw meat.

Another thing we would like to introduce is vegetables. Agriculture thrives in Kumamoto with many delicious crop harvests including tomatoes, rice, and dekopon (a type of citrus fruit). Prices of commodities are low in Kumamoto making vegetables at supermarkets very affordable, so you can try and make a variety of dishes.

SAKURA MACHI Kumamoto and Shimotori Arcade Street

Shopping and dining in Kumamoto City is centered at SAKURA MACHI Kumamoto and Shimotori Arcade Street. Restaurants, supermarkets, Filipino groceries, apparels, home appliances, anime goods, karaoke, izakaya, etc. establishments and stores can be found. It is a convenient area to complete any errands you have.

Our guides for this trip were Sheryl and Roche from the Philippines. They work in a hospital where people from various countries such as Vietnam and Indonesia are employed.

Buying a birthday present for a friend, partying at karaoke, or having some sushi and shabu-shabu, there’s so many things to do at SAKURA MACHI Kumamoto and its surroundings! Apparently, they come quite often to do some shopping.

Kumamon

This cute black bear’s name is Kumamon. Although the mascot character is strongly associated with Kumamoto, he has many fans all over Japan.

Of course, people in Kumamoto love Kumamon. If you visit Kumamoto, you will be greeted by Kumamon wherever you go, so much so that it’ll make you think “What an unusual but interesting place this is!” Before you know it, you’ll probably come to love it.

Not just cute, sales of products by Kumamon are said to have reached more than 1 trillion yen in the 10 years since 2011. It can be said that Kumamoto is the only place in Japan with such a unique character.

Earthquakes and Kumamoto : Creating a Place Where Foreign Nationals Can Feel Secure

This is the safety booklet “Anshin Note” that is distributed free of charge in Kumamoto Prefecture. Many of Kumamoto’s residents collaborated to create this book in response to many foreign nationals’ requests for information about natural disasters in languages other than Japanese.

In addition to evacuation methods in the event of a natural disaster, it also contains information in 8 different languages about what to do during emergencies, such as when you are a victim of crime or ill.

▲There is a support center for foreign residents in the center of Kumamoto, where you can feel free to consult about any problems you may have in life or work. Read the interview here.

As many people know, Japan is a country that experiences many earthquakes. In 2016, a large earthquake of magnitude 7.0 and higher occurred in Kumamoto. After recovery, the area is now lined with rebuilt and reinforced earthquake-resistant buildings, and the roads have been beautifully restored.

No matter where you live in Japan, earthquakes are a common occurrence just part of daily life. However, because Kumamoto experienced a major earthquake just a few years ago, a strong sense of camaraderie in disaster prevention has been fostered, transcending nationality. In our interviews with many Filipinos working and living in Kumamoto, many said, “Kumamoto people are kind.” Even if it is your first time in Japan, you will be able to live with peace of mind.

▲There are 10 bronze statues of the Straw Hat Pirates from the anime and manga series “ONE PIECE” in Kumamoto. They were built using earthquake relief donations from the author of the series, Eiichiro Oda, who hailed from Kumamoto. The statues embody the spirit of remembering and passing down the memories of the earthquake. “One Piece” fans should definitely visit the statues.

Lastly

Kumamoto is said to be “the most family-oriented prefecture in Japan”. There are many people who are thinking of working in Japan, or those who are already working in Japan, that are doing their best to provide for their families.

The people of Kumamoto will support you as you work your hardest for your family back home. Or maybe, you can foster new relationships and build bonds that are as warm as family.