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yamayuandadu · 4 years

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Japanese epidemic deities

The relatively recent social media phenomenon centered around amabie, and to a smaller degree around other uncanny figures associated with epidemics like the hakutaku, Zhong Kui and Tsuno Daishi, offers an interesting opportunity to look deeper into the world of disease-related folklore – the beings who bring such plagues, these who protect from it, and most curiously deities and spirits which fulfilled both these roles at once. Under the cut, you will find an explanation of the term “ekijin”, the history of epidemic deities, and short profiles of a few of the most significant ones.

A particularly significant term when it comes to historical Japanese disease-related beliefs is ekijin (疫神), or epidemic god. It refers to a peculiar class of deities which usually existed on the crossroads between Shinto and Buddhism, particularly significant between the Heian and Edo periods. Simply put, an ekijin is a dual purpose god who both protects the faithful for pestilence, and smites the wicked, or these who simply lack sufficient devotion, with painful punishments. Ōshima Tatehiko identified a number of traits common for ekijin: being depicted as a traveling deity, taking the form of an old man or a child (though more outlandish demonic forms are also known), and a dual function as deity of both illness and good fortune or longevity. Other researchers suggested different traits as hallmarks of an epidemic deity: Sujung Kim considers them to be an association with bulls and foreign origin, in addition to the aforementioned duality. However, individual entities which can be classified as ekijin often embodied either the protective or punishing aspect much more heavily than the other; the balance between them also varied through time. Also, it's debatable if every disease-related religious or folkloric figure is an ekijin. The yokai turned social media darling amabie, for example, arguably shouldn't be considered one of them.

It's difficult to pinpoint when did this concept first develop – archaeological research indicates that, for example, Gozu Tenno was already known in Japan during Nagaoka's brief role as a capital (784 to 794). Some scholars, like Michael Como, suggest that the concept of a wrathful disease deity emerged at the same time as a consolidation of the imperial court's power, and to a degree might've represented a fear of instability caused by local deities, which had to be placated with appropriate rites – otherwise not even the emperor would have been safe from their attacks. It's also worth noting that disease demons either reformed by Buddhist or Taoist heroes or answering to afterlife deities and either subduing other demons or administering punishments to mortals on their behalf were already a staple of Chinese folklore of the Tang era, which indicates the later ekijin might've been a synthesis of many separate traditions, both local and imported. The concept of ekijin was further popularized by Konjaku Monogatarishū (今昔物語集 - Anthology of Tales from the Past) – most of the stories contained in this anthology which describe dealing with diseases blame them on vengeful spirits, curses, and, of course, epidemic deities. Some of the most famous epidemic-related deities, most of whom can be considered ekijin, include:

Matara-jin (摩多羅神) – a mainstay of this blog, a god of removing obstacles turned god of fate turned god of noh turned god of rulership turned subject of heated academic debates. According to Tendai tradition, he appeared in front of Tendai's founder Ennin and informed him that if he can remove the obstacles to rebirth in Pure Land if the correct rites are performed, Matara-jin's ekijin function is tied to this role – as demons were seen as agents of disease, deities meant to repel the spiritual dangers, obstacles on the path to enlightenment, were also capable of repelling the much more corporeal ones. Simultaneously, the most effective means of repelling such calamities were simply their placated past causes – and many protective deities were presented as such. Matara-jin was venerated as an ekijin first and foremost through ox festivals (ushimatsuri), as depicted above. Matara-jin can be considered largely analogous to other similar deities, such as Shinra Myojin, which ties him directly with the next two figures which will be described here. It's also worth pointing out that Matara-jin likely developed from a number of elements originally associated with the Chinese afterlife deity Taizan Fukun, who according to some Tang and Song dynasty sources presided over disease deities, who in many Chinese folkloric accounts formed a part of the afterlife bureaucracy.

Gozu Tenno (牛頭天王) – a syncretic deity whose origin is at least in part shrouded in mystery, as stated above seemingly known in Japan since the 8th century. Korea has been often proposed as his point of origin, even though the myths pertaining to this figure tend to describe him as an Indian deity (often as a protector of the ancient Jetavana monastery in present day Uttar Pradesh) – he was however usually depicted in Chinese garb. Gozu Tenno's function as an epidemic deity likely developed from the association between him and sandalwood, prized in Buddhist text for its religious and medicinal usage. He was viewed as the Buddhist counterpart of Susano-o – however, he was simultaneously himself seen as a manifestation of Yakushi Nyorai, the “medicine Buddha”. This is one of the most prominent examples of ekijin existing on the crossroads between Japan's two most significant religions, as I stated earlier. This complex nature was the undoing of Gozu Tenno's worship – during the Meiji religious reforms, he was singled out as a deity unfit to remain worshiped due to evading easy classification, and most of his shrines were abolished or changed into ones dedicated exclusively to Susano-o alone.

Susano-o (スサノオ) – while today remembered mostly due to his classic mythological role in the tales contained in the Kojiki and Nihon Shoki, at least from the Kamakura period onward he was significant as part of a network of disease deities encompassing, among others, Shinra Myojin and Gozu Tenno; the latter was paired with Susano-o under the honji suijaku system of beliefs. Kyoto's famous Gion shrine, today dedicated to Susano-o, though formerly associated more with his Buddhist counterpart Gozu Tenno, also has a small subsidiary shrine called the Ekijin Shrine ( 疫神社), associated with Susano-o's role as an epidemic god. According to a myth associated with it, Susano-o informed a local inhabitant, Somin Shorai, how to save himself from disease to thank him for offering him shelter while he was traveling in the guide of a poor mortal; as Somin learned later, these who refused to help the disguised deity died from the epidemic he could protect himself from thanks to this advice (similar tales about Gozu Tenno existed as well). Curiously, the Gakuenji temple associated Susano-o with Matara-jin rather than Gozu Tenno. In art of the late Edo and early Meiji period Susano-o was sometimes portrayed as a sovereign ruling over various disease spirits and preventing them from harming humans, as seen on the images included here.

Tsuno Daishi (角大師) – a bizarre deified form of the celebrated Tendai monk Ryogen. Tsuno Daishi's dual nature as both a demonic entity ruling over legions of malevolent creatures and a reliable protector from outbreaks of disease was the result of a complex process which combined condemnation of Tendai and Shingon establishment by detractors within these Buddhist schools themselves and new Buddhist movements with a philosophy according to which even demonic entities could be used as means for salvation. Later legends claimed that Tsuno Daishi was a form Ryogen took to expel demons of disease from his own body, and artwork depicting him was produced and circulated commonly as a ward against disease. Curiously, while his appearance is sometimes assumed to be derived from the fearsome wisdom kings such as Fudo Myo-o, he's viewed as a manifestation of Kannon, and many ofuda depicting him reference this in some capacity up to this day.

Shoki (鍾馗) – the Japanese adaptation of the ever popular Chinese folk hero, Zhong Kui. According to the most famous version of the legend, he was a skilled physician who wanted to serve in the imperial palace, but despite his talents was denied the possibility to do so due to his ugly appearance, which lead him to committing suicide out of despair. He purportedly later showed himself to emperor Xuanzong in a dream, where he protected him from disease-causing demons, which granted him the position of a supernatural defender from disease and demonic incursions. According to some versions, the afterlife kings presiding over reincarnation appointed him to the position of a ruler and queller of supernatural entities because while he died in a way considered sinful, his talents were viewed as too valuable to waste. In Japan, he became popular in the Edo period, though earlier depictions do exist, like the one from the Extermination of Evil (辟邪絵) scroll from the late Heian period, seen above.

Hakutaku (白澤) – another guest from China. Known there under the name bai ze, this creature purportedly informed the Yellow Emperor that there are exactly 11520 kinds of supernatural creatures in the world, and explained how to subdue or placate each of them. The manual created in the wake of this event was considered, among other things, a medical treatise. In Japan, the hakutaku became a popular good luck charm in the early Edo period, and was said to ward off misfortune, dangers one could encounter while traveling, bad dreams and disease (especially cholera). While some online sources classify hakutaku as a yokai (in the rigid sense applying this term only to boogeymen, rather than anything strange or fortean like Shigeru Mizuki wanted) viewing it as a fortune or epidemic god seems to make more sense, and it's referred to as a deity for example by some art scholars. With time, hakutaku was largely conflated with or replaced by the baku, leading Lafcadio Hearn to viewing these two creatures as one and the same; the statue of a hakutaku protecting a certain temple is known as “king baku” for similar reasons today.

Daruma ( 達磨) - rather curiously, in the Edo period the honored Zen patriarch joined the ranks of ekijin – as noted by Bernard Faure, he specifically became a hōsōgami (疱瘡神), or smallpox god. This was likely entirely due to the fact he was depicted wearing red robes, as red was said to be a color which either repelled disease spirits or favored by them to such a degree that they would spare these dressed in red. Further reading:

Michael Como, Horses, Dragons, and Disease in Nara Japan

Bernard Faure, From Bodhidharma to Daruma: The Hidden Life of a Zen Patriarch

Richard Von Glahn, Sinister Way: The Divine and the Demonic In Chinese Religious Culture

Bettina Gramlich-Oka, The Body Economic: Japan's Cholera Epidemic of 1858 in Popular Discourse

Donald Harper, 'Hakutaku hi kai zu' (White Marsh Diagram to Repel Ominous Prodigies)

Sujung Kim, Transcending Locality, Creating Identity: Shinra Myojin, a Korean Deity in Japan

Christoph Kleine, Buddhist Monks as Healers in Early and Medieval Japan

Neil McMullin, On Placating the Gods and Pacifying the Populace: The Case of the Gion "Goryō" Cult

Haruko Wakabayashi, From Conqueror of Evil to Devil King: Ryogen and Notions of Ma in Medieval Japanese Buddhism

#japanese mythology #japanese folklore #buddhism #ekijin #history of japan

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recentanimenews · 5 years

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What Anime Represent Each of Japan's Eras?

On April 30, 2019, Japan’s Emperor Akihito officially abdicated the throne and his son, Naruhito, became the new emperor. This means that the country has both a new ruler and has started a new era, ending the Heisei era that started in 1989 and beginning the Reiwa era.

This brings up an interesting question though. What are the major Japanese eras? Many anime fans will know terms like “Warring States period” and maybe “Showa era,” and may even know some of the important names or characteristics, but when does each era occur in relation to the others, what was happening in the world in general at the time and most importantly: what anime can I watch that depicts each era?

Keep in mind that many of these periods of history last for centuries and so no characterization is going to be perfectly accurate. Society changes a little with each generation, so the early Edo period of the 1600’s is almost certainly significantly different than the late Edo of the 1850’s.

Also, technically each emperor is given their own era, hence why Akihito’s Heisei is ending and Naruhito’s Reiwa is beginning, however for the sake of not turning this article into a history book, we will be talking about the major historical periods, and only focusing on each emperor’s era for the most recent few.

Chronologically, the earliest parts of Japanese history, collectively known as ancient Japan, are the Jomon, Yayoi and Kofun eras. Jomon is the oldest, going from 10,000 to 800 B.C. In terms of the rest of the world, by 800 B.C. Chinese alchemists had made gunpowder and Rome was about to be founded.

No anime have been explicitly set in the Jomon era, however the era’s dogu figurines, one of its most well known styles of art, have been depicted in shows like Digimon via Shakkoumon and Pokémon, with Claydol.

The Yayoi era takes up the next 600 years, from 300 B.C. to 300 A.D. This is when various practices made their way to Japan, like metallurgy and hierarchical class structure. In other parts of the world: Christianity started, Julius Caesar’s reign happened and China entered its Three Kingdoms era.

In terms of anime, while not set in Japan, Kingdom is set in the Chinese warring states era, which ended in the 4th century B.C., which is still in the early Yayoi period. Meanwhile, Osamu Tezuka’s Phoenix is set in a few different eras, with the one of the arcs, specifically the Dawn arc, being in the Yayoi era. In 2004, the manga received an anime adaptation, and earlier this year Media Blasters announced that they were re-licensing the title to make Blu-rays available for the first time.

The final era of ancient Japan is the Kofun era, from 300 A.D. to 538 A.D., when the country became more politically centralized with the start of the first Imperial government. The name of the era comes from the Kofun mounds where important figures were buried. Elsewhere, the huns were attacking India and Rome, Zen Buddhism entered Korea and Chichen Itza was founded in modern day Mexico.

Unfortunately, there do not appear to be any anime that have adapted the Kofun era. Even Phoenix, despite covering eras both before and after Kofun, seems to skip over this time period.

Next is Classical Japan, with the Asuka, Nara and Heian eras. The Asuka era lasted from 538 to 710, during which the arts were greatly affected by the influx of Buddhism, and the country’s name changed from Wa to Nihon. In the rest of the world, Italy reunified under the Byzantine Empire, the Islamic prophet Muhammad is born and wet field rice cultivation flourished.

For anime, Phoenix comes back to life as quite possible the only show that has adapted the era, specially the Sun arc for the Asuka era.

Nara, which lasted from 710 to 794, is known for the Imperial Court creating the first Japanese literature and Buddhism finally gaining more followers due to the emperor being Buddhist. Meanwhile, the Ghana empire began and the Iberian Peninsula begins to be ruled by Berber Muslims.

Outside of potentially some children’s manga though, like the Kofun era, there seriously don’t seem to be any anime set in the Nara era.

Japan’s classical era ended with the Heian era from 794 to 1185, during which Buddhism and the Imperial Court were at their peak, Charlemagne was crowned Roman emperor, the Norse became Normans, the University of Oxford began teaching and anime finally had something to adapt. This is the era Shounen Onmyoji and Otogi Zoshi are set, among others.

After the Heian era are the Kamakura, Muromachi and Azuchi-Momoyama eras, collectively known as Medieval Japan. In general, these eras are known as when the shogunate and samurai became prominent.

The Kamakura era, from 1185 to 1333, saw the rise of the Kamakura shogunate, emergence of samurai and establishment of the feudal system. In the rest of the world, Richard I was crowned king of England, Genghis Khan was declared Great Khan of the Mongols and the Ottoman Empire was established.

Like with many of the ancient eras, not many anime are explicitly set in the Kamakura era. One exception is Kurozuka, a show about a man in the 12th century who finds out he is unable to die and so watches Japan develop for the next 1,000 years.

The Kenmu Restoration, which lasted the next three years, was an attempt to put the Imperial Court back in power, and ultimately led to the next Shogunate.

The Muromachi era and shogunate lasted until 1573 with a succession of 15 shoguns. The last shogun was driven out of the capitol by Oda Nobunaga, starting the Azuchi-Momoyama era, which most people probably recognize more as when Nobunaga and company ended the Warring States era (which had lasted 150 years through half of the Muromachi era) and reunited Japan. When Tokugawa Ieyasu took over and started the Tokugawa shogunate, the Edo period and Japan’s isolationism policy officially began, lasting from 1603 to 1868.

The reason why these three eras are combined instead of each getting their own sections is because they are collectively known as Japan’s feudal era, one of the most popular time periods for anime.

If a show looks like it’s set in the past and the characters are wandering the countryside from village to village, there’s a good chance it’s set during the Warring States period, even if it has more magical or fantastic elements. If the show ever mentions the Shinsengumi, it’s probably set sometime during the Edo period or shortly after.

Most anime set in feudal Japan tend to keep the exact era obscured, instead just showing that the setting is somewhere in that almost 400 year timeframe or heavily inspired by the politics and history of feudal Japan in general, like how Gintama is technically set shortly after the Edo era, so still has a Shogunate and the Shinsengumi, but is also set in a world where aliens conquered Earth. Of the shows that make the timing clearer, the likes of Inuyasha and Dororo are set in the Warring States era while Samurai Champloo and Mononoke are in the Edo period.

The Edo period ended when people loyal to the emperor overthrew the shogunate to reinstate the Imperial Court, leading to the Meiji Restoration and subsequent era. During the Meiji era, which lasted from 1868 to 1912, Japan emerged from its isolation and ended its feudal system, influenced by more Western ideas.

In terms of anime, this is the set piece for the likes of Rurouni Kenshin and Golden Kamuy.

After the Meiji era come the Taisho, Showa and Heisei eras of the 1900’s and 2000’s, with Taisho going from 1912 to 1926, Showa lasting until 1989, and Heisei ending this year on April 30th, 2019.

The Taisho era established the Imperial Diet of Japan and democratic political parties. The Showa era lasted through World War II, and as a result saw a drastic shift in Japanese society eventually resulting in a parliamentary democracy replacing the Imperial government and a massive economic boom in the latter half of the era.

This season’s Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba is set in the Taisho era. For Showa era shows, Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju and Baccano! are two of the bigger names. Moving into the Heisei era, pretty much anything set in the modern day qualifies.

The Heisei era is still a part of modern memory, so it is difficult to know how it will be remembered in history, however the transition between Heisei and the new Reiwa era is the first time an emperor has abdicated the throne rather than the new emperor ascending soon after the previous one died.

And that leads into the current Reiwa era. Since even anime set in modern times typically lags behind current events by a few months or years, nothing is explicitely set in the new era yet, but any slice of life show set in a highschool where the school year just started will be a good contendor for the first ones to cross that line, as one month into the current Japanese school year (specifically at the end of Golden Week) everyone in the country should get a bit of extra time off as the new emporer takes the throne, prompting a national holiday and extension of the students' study time in preparation for their upcoming exams.

That takes us all the way through Japanese history, from the ancient artifacts of the Jomon era to the smartphones of the modern Reiwa era. There are still the science fiction shows set in the future, but since those eras are yet to come, they do not fall in the scope of this article. Now, all that's left is to watch how the modern era turns out and see how anime in the coming seasons and years deal with new history being made.

Do you know of any anime set in ancient Japan that I missed? Any standouts from classical or medieval Japan? Let me know in the comments below!

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Kevin Matyi is a freelance features writer for Crunchyroll. He's been watching anime for as long as he can remember, and his favorite shows tend to be shonen and other action series.

Do you love writing? Do you love anime? If you have an idea for a features story, pitch it to Crunchyroll Features!

By: [email protected]

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g9trip · 4 years

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Kumamoto Bucket List: 15 Best Things to do in Kumamoto, Japan

Kumamoto: Where rich history and nostalgia come together

Kumamoto, the capital of the wider Kumamoto Prefecture is known for a lot of things including interesting museums, galleries, and shopping arcades. It is a perfect reminder of why Japan remains among the favorite destinations in the world.

Best Things to do in Kumamoto, Japan

It is also the third-largest city in Kyushu Island and is home to one of the largest volcanoes in the world, the Mt. Aso and also to the three major castles in Japan. There are lots of activities to enjoy in the city, from nature-tripping, gallery hopping, golfing, and horse riding to name a few.

During Spring, Kumamoto is very well alive as the sakura trees blossoms with the Kumamoto Castle on the background. However, hiking is one of the most enjoyed activities during autumn, while the Kurokawa onsen is very much in demand especially in winter. Needless to say, Kumamoto is an interesting city to explore whatever the season is.

If you want to know more activities to enjoy in Kumamoto, we’ve compiled 15 exciting things to do for your future reference. Enjoy!

Hike Hanaokayama

View of Mount Hanaokayama from a pedestrian deck in front of Kumamoto Station

There’s nothing more amazing and dreamy than seeing the city surrounded by city lights (in a bird’s eye view.) Hanaokayama might just be the perfect place if you want to have a great view of the city, especially at night. It is a hill that takes about 15 minutes to trek but easier and faster if you take the car. You can also check out the small temple with a shrine gate known as torii in Japanese.

Kumamoto Castle

Kumamoto Castle photo by @jcs_chen via Unsplash

As mentioned earlier, the Kumamoto Castle located at Chuo-ku shines best especially on spring during the cherry blossoms – as its 800 cherry trees serve as the perfect backdrop on the concrete castle which awes nearly two million visitors yearly. It is said that the castle features a unique underground passage that leads to the palace building and a former residence of the Hosokawa clan about 500 meters northwest of the main castle grounds.

Multiple events from conferences, cultural events, concerts, and exhibits have been held here at Kumamoto-jo. This four-story facility features an Exhibition Hall, the Civic Hall, and 19 small to large conference rooms perfect for all sorts of events. It’s definitely a venue for all venues.

To visit, take the JR Kumamoto Station and alight at Kumamotojo-mae tram stop. You can also walk from Kumamoto Station to the castle in about 30 to 45 minutes.

Suizen-ji Joju-en Garden

Suizenji Jojuen Garden photo by 663highland via Wikipedia CC

If you want to see a postcard-worthy Japanese-landscaped garden, then visit the Suizen-ji Joju-en Garden located within Kumamoto Prefecture. It’s just a 15-minute ride from the city center and is hailed to be a popular tourist attraction for both locals and international tourists. According to history, it took about 80 years for the 4th and 5th Lords of Kumamoto to complete the 6600 square-meter gardens.

Within the grounds are the Noh theatre which holds performances in the spring and autumn, tea rooms, and several souvenir stalls that contain historical pictures of the garden.

Visit Soseki Memorial Hall

Travel back in time and get to know one of the great writers of modern Japanese literature – Natsume Soseki. His previous residence is now a memorial museum that houses authentic and replica manuscripts, as well as photos of his students from Kumamoto University. The writer is also known to have written many of his haiku in Kumamoto.

To go here, ride from JR Kumamoto Station, proceed to the tram stop and locate Tram System A. Take the tram bound for Kengunmachi and get off at Kumamotojo Shiyakushomae. From there, it takes about a 13-minute walk to reach the memorial hall.

Suizenji Ezuko park

Suizenji Ezuko park photo by Kumamon’s Kumamoto Diary FB Page

Did you know that Kumamoto is named as “Japan’s No.1 groundwater city”? If you want to wander and see most of its wonders, visit the Lake Ezu which is made up of two smaller lakes, Kami-Ezu and Shimo-Ezu, a popular natural park with underground water. Some of the activities to do here include biking, boating, and nature walks. It’s also a great idea to bring some packed lunch and do a picnic.

Sakuranobaba Josaien

Sakuranobaba Johsaien

Sakuranobaba Josaien is an essential stop in the Sakuranobaba district of Kumamoto Castle that opened on March 5, 2011. This area is Kumamoto is filled historical display and shopping arcades. There are also restaurants as well as shops selling specialty items. For first-time visitors, this place is a great start in getting to know the city more!

If you’re traveling from JR Kumamoto Station ride the ”Shiromegurin” bus bound to Kumamoto Bus Terminal then to Kumamoto Castle and alight at ”Sakura-no-baba”

Kumamoto Prefectural Traditional Crafts Centre

Kumamoto Prefectural Traditional Crafts Centre photo via Untapped Kumamoto FB Page

For generations, the locals have used the traditional way when it comes to metalwork, ceramics, woodwork, bamboo crafts, dying and weaving, paper products, and traditional toys. To see the creative output, you can check out Kumamoto’s handicrafts at the Kumamoto Prefectural Traditional Crafts Centre. Just take note that they’re closed every Monday and national holidays, so make sure to check out their official website before visiting.

Visit the Shimada Museum of Art

Shimada Museum of Art

Immerse in the rich history of Kumamoto and visit the Shimada Museum of Art located in the midst of a bamboo forest. It features a number of Kumamoto’s arts and crafts from the Momoyama-Edo period. historical relics as well as old artworks related to Kumamoto’s long history of warrior culture. The museum also displays weapons, relics, and documents related to Miyamoto Musashi. It also has a café you can visit afterward.

Kumamoto Contemporary Art Museum

If you’re traveling with the little ones, make sure to drop by at the Contemporary Art Museum, located in the heart of downtown Kumamoto. The main gallery features permanent displays from world-renowned artists as well as rotation of exhibitions from locals and popular artists. Inside are the lobby gallery, media gallery, and a kid’s factory workshop room perfect for kids. It has a very welcoming atmosphere and gives artists a platform to showcase their extraordinary art.

Hike to Mount Kinpo

Buddha Statue Mount Kinpo

First-time hikers must visit the Mount Kipo nestled in Kawachi-machi. The mountain’s name came from “kimponzanto” – a title of the Japanese god in the Heian era. The mountain can be seen from almost anywhere within the city limits. Trekking takes about 30 minutes to the starting point of a mountain climb entrance. Atop Mt. Kinpo is Kinpo Shrine, and viewing spots where you can see the breathtaking views of downtown Kumamoto, the Ariake Sea, and Mt. Unzen in Nagasaki Prefecture to the west.

Visit Fujisaki Hachimangu Shrine

Fujisaki Hachimangu Shrine photo by STA3816 via Wikipedia CC

Visiting one of the most famous shrines in Kumamoto, in Chuo-ku specifically is a must! It was built with a purpose as divine protection for Kumamoto City and features a huge torii gate that stands at its entrance along Route 3, and a large two-storied gate and well-landscaped grounds which makes it a unique destination in Kumamoto. Every fall, there’s also the main festival of Fujisaki Hachiman-gu called ”Zuihyo Festival” or ”Uma-oi held inside where revelers are donned in traditional warrior gear and festival costumes parade decorated horses through the streets of Kumamoto while they play various instruments from gongs, trumpets, and drums.

Visit Hosokawa Gyobutei

Another landmark to check out when in Kumamoto is the 300-year old Hosokawa Gyobutei – a former residence of the powerful Hosokawa Clan, that ruled over Kumamoto during the Edo Period. This residence is also a great example of a high-class samurai mansion and is located in the north of Kumamoto Castle Park. The tour inside takes about 15 minutes around its 24 rooms, including the study room, reception room, teahouse, kitchen, and servants’ quarters.

Kumamoto Zoo and Botanical Gardens

Kumamoto Zoo and Botanical Gardens photo via Kuma Visit FB Page

After all the cultural immersions, you should cap off your vacation through some nature-tripping at Kumamoto Zoo and Botanical Gardens located right next to Lake Ezu. Such animals to see here are bears, lions, tigers, and snow leopard to name a few. In other sections, there are monkeys, birds, and polar bears which makes this an exciting place to visit.

There are two options of getting here, first is taking the Ken 6′ bus route and get off in front of ‘Doshokubutsuen’ / the zoo and botanical gardens. The other one would be taking the Tram System Abound for Kengunmachi and alight at Doshokubutsuen Iriguchi.

HOW TO GET TO KUMAMOTO

From Manila, book a flight bound to Tokyo or Osaka via www.airasia.com. Good thing, AirAsia has made traveling more convenient with their 33 flights every week to Osaka.

When you arrive in Osaka, book another flight Oita Airport which will take about a one hour travel time. From Kumamoto, you can either take the bus and train to get around your desired destination.

Overall, Kumamoto is an attractive city to visit. It’s filled with natural and historic wonders and delicious cuisine you can’t experience in other countries. Being here doesn’t only give you a sense of its rich past and diverse culture, but also a sense of belongingness because of the hospitable and genuine locals. You’ll never find it hard commuting to this city because anyone can lead you to the direction you’re headed at. Most of all, visiting Kumamoto will surely give you peace of mind and tranquility, and of course, an amazing experience you can share with your friends and the family.

Kumamoto Travel and Tour Packages

Searching for the best hotels and affordable flights? Check out our complete list of affordable hotels and resorts via Agoda or you may also see available Airbnb properties in the city.

Want more updates about new tourist attractions in Kumamoto, Japan? Please follow #TeamOutofTown, on Facebook, and Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest for more travel ideas.