◆The second day of the tour [Kumamoto]: A tour around the Kyushu Holy Land! A five-day, four-night guide to popular anime attractions! A Pilgrimage to Natsume's Friend's Book and One Piece's King of Thieves

A five-day, four-night tour of sacred sites around Kyushu!

After the first day's tour of Kagoshima's sacred sites, we will head to Kumamoto Prefecture, our second day's destination.
Hitoyoshi City in Kumamoto Prefecture is the hometown of Yukari Midorikawa, the author of Natsume Tomodachi. The series is celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2023, and the animation of the same name, which started in 2008, is also very popular. Six seasons have been aired so far, and the production of the seventh season has been finalized.

Synopsis of "Natsume's Friend's Account

The protagonist, Natsume Takashi, is a lonely boy with a secret that he has been “able to see monsters” since he was a child.
Reiko, his abuser, is a powerful demon. After obtaining the “Friend's Tent”, which is a relic of Reiko's, Takashi is pursued by the demons!
The “contract” between Haberdashers and monsters makes the daily life of Takashi and his bodyguard, Cat-sensei, hectic. ......!

Kumamoto Prefecture has a number of landscapes featured in Natsume Tomodachi.
The official Natsume Tomodachi website has also been launched in cooperation with Kumamoto Prefecture.
https://kumamoto.guide/natsume-yujincho/

In Kumamoto Prefecture, there is also "The Pirate King".
One Piece" is a manga created by Eiichiro Oda, and it is popular all over the world. A bronze statue of the Straw Hat Gang, a character from the manga, is located in Kumamoto Prefecture.
Although not an anime mecca, when it comes to Kumamoto, you can't miss Kumamoto Castle, one of Japan's most famous historical cities!

Let's go on a trip to Kumamoto to see Natsume Tomonenka, One Piece and Kumamoto Castle!

The route for this Holy Land tour is as follows!

1. Hitoyoshi Station
2. Aoi Aso Shrine
3. Obata Station
4. Chopper (Bronze statue of the Straw Hat gang from One Piece)
5. Luffy Statue (Bronze statue of the Straw Hat gang from "One Piece")
6. Kumamoto Castle

 

Hitoyoshi Station

We made JR Hitoyoshi Station our first stop.
Although Hitoyoshi City is located in Kumamoto Prefecture, it is closer to Kagoshima, making it easier to get there from Kagoshima.
We traveled by car from JR Kagoshima Chuo Station.
Please note that if you choose to travel from the airport, it is closer to Kagoshima Airport than Kumamoto Airport.

JR Hitoyoshi Station was featured in the animated movie "Natsume Tomono Puyo". The station can also be seen in the short animated movie "The Gentle Hours of Hitoyoshi", which was produced by the movie and Kumamoto Prefecture.

Clock tower in front of the station

At the Visitor Center in front of the station, there is a huge signboard with several medallions.
Maps of the Holy Land Tour will be distributed to visitors at the Visitor Center.

JR Hitoyoshi Station
Address: Nakasai-cho, Hitoyoshi-shi, Kumamoto 868-0008, Japan

Aoi Aso Shrine

Aoi Aso Shrine is located near Hitoyoshi Station.
This shrine is also featured in the animated short film "A Soft Time Spent in Hitoyoshi", which was co-produced by the official Natsume Tomono Pokémon and Kumamoto Prefecture.

Aoi Aso Shrine
Address: 118 Kami-Aoi-cho, Hitoyoshi-shi, Kumamoto 868-0005, Japan
Opening hours: 9:00-17:00
Official Website: https://aoisan.jp/

Obata Station

Ohata Station appears on the poster for the 69th Hitoyoshi Fireworks Festival in 2024.
Appeared several times since the first season of Natsume Tomodachi.
Due to the heavy rainfall in Kyushu in July 2020, the JR Hiza Line, on which Ohata Station is located, is still out of service.
Although trains no longer arrive at the station, its quaint station architecture fits in well with the world depicted in Natsume Tomodachi, giving it a sense of tranquility.

Legend has it that if you stick your business card here, you can get ahead, so it's filled with business cards.

Obata Station
Address: 868-0812, Ono-cho, Hitoyoshi City, Kumamoto Prefecture

Miyaji-yaku Shrine

Miyaji Takashi Shrine, located right next to Ohata Station, is also one of the set locations for Natsume Tomono Puzzle, appearing in the 13th episode of the film's third season.

Miyaji-yaku Shrine
Address: 868-0812, Ono-cho, Hitoyoshi City, Kumamoto Prefecture

Chopper (Bronze statue of the Straw Hat gang from One Piece)

After finishing our tour of the sacred sites around Hitoyoshi, we were off to Kumamoto City.
This time, our destination is the bronze statue of the Straw Hat gang from “One Piece”!

In fact, Kumamoto Prefecture was severely damaged by the April 2016 earthquake.
The author of “One Piece”, Eiichiro Oda, was born in Kumamoto Prefecture. Because of this connection, the manga "One Piece" and Kumamoto Prefecture jointly launched the "One Piece Kumamoto Revival Project".

As part of the recovery program, bronze statues of the master, Road Runner, and other members of the Straw Hat gang were erected in nine cities, towns, and villages that were severely affected by the Kumamoto earthquake.

Kumamoto City Zoological Garden has a statue of Chopa, a ship doctor.

Kumamoto City Zoological and Botanical Gardens
Address: 5-14-2, Kenjun, Higashi-ku, Kumamoto City
Official Website: https://www.ezooko.jp/

Luffy Statue (Bronze statue of the Straw Hat gang from "One Piece")

There is a bronze statue of Luffy on the walkway of the Kumamoto Prefectural Government Building.

Kumamoto Prefectural Government Building
Address: 6-18-1, Suizenji, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto-shi, Kumamoto 862-8570, Japan

We were only able to visit these two statues. If you would like to see all nine statues, please click on the links below!
The Pirate King Kumamoto Revival Project: https://op-kumamoto.com/

Kumamoto Castle

Finally, we will see the historic Kumamoto Castle before heading to our hotel.
Kumamoto Castle is one of the three most famous castles in Japan. Even from a distance, you can feel its solemnity and beauty, and it is not to be missed.

Kumamoto Castle
Address: 1-1 Honmaru, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto City, 860-0002, Japan
Tickets:
800 yen for high school students and above
Elementary and junior high school students 300 yen
Free for preschoolers
Opening hours: 9:00-17:00 (closed at 16:30)
Official Website: https://castle.kumamoto-guide.jp/

THE BLOSSOM KUMAMOTO

Today we will stay at “THE BLOSSOM KUMAMOTO”.
The hotel has direct access to JR Kumamoto Station, making transportation very convenient. The guest rooms are all located on the 9th floor or higher, giving you a great view of the city!

In the atrium of Kumamoto Amu Plaza, where “THE BLOSSOM KUMAMOTO” is located, there are panels of Kumamoto Prefecture's mascot, the Kumamoto Bear, and a variety of cartoon characters with the theme of supporting Kumamoto's revitalization.

This time we stayed in a double standard room. The room was spacious and cozy, and the view from the window was breathtaking.

“THE BLOSSOM KUMAMOTO” has a large bath and a sauna.
There is also a fitness room for the exclusive use of guests where you can relax and unwind.

After a good night's sleep in a soft bed, you wake up to a long awaited breakfast.
The Japanese and Western buffets offered here allow you to savor the unique seasonal tastes of Kumamoto.

The spacious floor-to-ceiling windows look out over the bustling city of Kumamoto, and you'll feel like you're having a great experience!

This curry is made with Kumamoto's specialty horse meat. The meat is stewed for a long time and melts in your mouth, giving it a delicious flavor.

Also, be sure to try the “Minabi Tilefish Chawanmushi,” which is made with “Miyabi Tilefish,” one of Kumamoto's most famous sea bream, from Amakusa.
The restaurant prepares a variety of rice mixes and soups that are a perfect combination of flavors.

THE BLOSSOM KUMAMOTO
Address: 9-12F, JR Kumamoto Station Building, 3-15-26 Kasuga, Nishi-ku, Kumamoto, 860-0047, Japan
tel: 096-327-8763
Official Website: https://www.jrk-hotels.co.jp/Kumamoto/

How to get from JR Kagoshima Chuo Station to Hitoyoshi Station in Kumamoto Prefecture

It is most convenient to take a cab, or you can take a highway bus, which will take you directly to the airport without any intermediate change.
Get on the bus at Kagoshima Chuo Station and get off at the Hitoyoshi IC. Hitoyoshi Station is about a 20-minute walk away.

If you are starting your tour from Hitoyoshi Station, we recommend renting a car or taking a cab.
You can also take a highway bus from the Hitoyoshi IC to Kumamoto Station.

Kyushu is a vast area! Driving or taking a taxi is more convenient than taking public transportation.

Fukuoka Prefecture "Onigiri no Kabuto" Holy Land Tour

On the third day, we will start the Fukuoka Prefecture Sacred Land Tour of Ghostbusters.
An immersive hit to the Holy Land of Ghostbusters ～～～～!!!!

Kagoshima] Kyushu Holy Land Tour! A five-day, four-night guide to popular anime attractions! Seed Island Pilgrimage!
https://joyjapan.tokyo/area/huuzm1ko/

◆Day 3 [Fukuoka]: A tour around Kyushu's sacred sites! A five-day, four-night guide to popular anime attractions! Immersive visit to the sacred sites of "Onimusha no Kabuto"!
https://joyjapan.tokyo/area/wnxnfwiv/

◆Day 4 [Oita Chapter] Kyushu Sacred Sites Tour! A five-day, four-night guide to popular anime attractions! Enjoy the hot springs in the "Attack on Titan" mecca!
https://joyjapan.tokyo/area/lyfobw2h/