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About "HITOYOSHI"
Hitoyoshi City, Kumamoto

Hitoyoshi city in Kumamoto prefecture is a city in the southernmost part of Kumamoto prefecture.
Located in the Hitoyoshi Basin surrounded by the Kyushu Mountains, the Kuma River that flows through the city was used as a main route of transportation and logistics with the outside world and for alternate attendance during the Edo period, making a significant contribution to the development of the Hitoyoshi and Kuma region.
Later, from the Meiji to Showa periods, railways such as the Hisatsu Line replaced water transportation, and the steam locomotives that ran on these railways contributed greatly to the economic development of Hitoyoshi city.

Discover Retro Japan
“SL HITOYOSHI” Guided Tour &
a Taste of HITOYOSHI Terroir at OKOBA Station

On this tour, you will enjoy a boat trip down the Kuma River, a precious natural resource of Hitoyoshi City, while pairing a bite-sized bowl of eel rice bowl at a famous Hitoyoshi restaurant with the local specialty Kuma tea. Afterwards, you will visit a restored steam locomotive (SL Hitoyoshi) and Japan's only active stone engine shed, built in 1911, with a guide who was involved in steam locomotive operations at the time.

You will also enjoy a full-course lunch made with the bounty of the Kuma River, the menu of which was developed specifically for this tour, at a stylish restaurant renovated from a warehouse adjacent to Okoba Station on the Hisatsu Line, the only station in Japan with a switchback on a loop line.

Watch on youtube　
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An Exclusive Kuma River Boat Tour
An Exclusive Kuma River Boat Tour
Bite-sized eel rice bowl, Kuma tea

While rafting down the Kuma River, a precious natural resource of Hitoyoshi City, you will experience pairing a bite-sized unaju (grilled eel rice bowl) from a famous Hitoyoshi restaurant with the local specialty, Kuma tea.

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“SL HITOYOSHI” Guided Tour with Expert Commentary
“SL HITOYOSHI” Guided Tour with Expert Commentary
Stone engine shed

You will tour a restored steam locomotive (SL Hitoyoshi) and the only stone-built engine shed in Japan still in operation, built in 1911, with a guide who was involved in the operation of the steam locomotive at the time.

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“OKOBA Station” Guided Tour with Expert Commentary
“OKOBA Station” Guided Tour with Expert Commentary
Switchback

We will visit Okoba Station on the Hisatsu Line, the only station in Japan that has a switchback within a loop line.

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HITOYOSHI Terroir Dining at OKOBA Station
HITOYOSHI Terroir Dining at OKOBA Station
Full course lunch

Enjoy a full-course lunch made with the bounty of the Kuma River, with a menu developed specifically for this tour, in a stylish restaurant converted from a warehouse adjacent to Okoba Station.

Schedule
09:30
Meet at JR Shin-Yatsushiro Station/Yatsushiro Station
10:15
An Exclusive Kuma River Boat Tour
11:45
“SL HITOYOSHI” Guided Tour with Expert Commentary
13:15
“OKOBA Station” Guided Tour with Expert Commentary
13:35
HITOYOSHI Terroir Dining at OKOBA Station
16:00
Disband at JR Yatsushiro Station/Yatsushiro Station
Tour Overview
Event period
All year round
Price
4 people ¥55,000~/person
5 people ¥50,000~/person
6 people ¥47,500~/person
7 people ¥45,000~/person
8 people ¥42,500~/person
9 people ¥40,000~/person
Travel time
Approx. 6.5 hours
Meeting point
JR Shin-Yatsushiro Station or JR Yatsushiro Station
Tour conductor
Local guide: will accompany you
Minimum to maximum number of participants
4 to 9 people (please contact us for groups of 10 or more)
Reservation Deadline
Up to 3 days before the event
Payment Method
Credit card or on-site payment *Details will be provided after application.
What's included
Transportation from JR Yatsushiro Station/Yatsushiro Station, lunch fee, guide fee
What is not included in the price
Transportation fee to the meeting place and drinks at lunch
Clothing
This tour involves walking outdoors, so please wear comfortable clothing and shoes.
Cancellation Fee
10 days to 8 days before: 20%, 7 to 2 days before: 30%, the day before: 50%, Non-participation without contact on the day or after the start of the trip: 100%
Important Notice
  • Please come in comfortable clothing that is easy to move in.
  • Sneakers are recommended for footwear.
  • This plan includes lunch, so if you have any allergies, please let us know in advance.
  • Drinks are not included and must be paid separately on-site.
  • If there are not enough participants, the trip may be canceled. If this happens, we will contact you.
  • In the event of rain, the special "Kuma River Rafting" experience will be canceled.As an alternative, we will be running events such as Experience a Miso and Soy Sauce Brewery: Guided Tour and Shopping.
Access to JR Shin-Yatsushiro Station and JR Yatsushiro Station
JR Shin-Yatsushiro Station
By car
  • About 15 minutes from Yatsushiro IC
  • About 40 minutes from JR Kumamoto Station
  • About 60 minutes from Aso Kumamoto Airport
By public transport
＜From JR Kumamoto Station＞

  • JR Kagoshima Main Line (conventional line)

    Duration: Approximately 35 minutes

  • Kyushu Shinkansen

    Duration: Approximately 11 minutes

JR Yatsushiro Station
By car
  • About 10 minutes from Yatsushiro IC
  • About 50 minutes from JR Kumamoto Station
  • About 70 minutes from Aso Kumamoto Airport
By public transport
＜From JR Kumamoto Station＞

  • JR Kagoshima Main Line (conventional line)

    Duration: Approximately 37 minutes

Contact
Planning and implementation

Hitoyoshi Onsen Tourism Association
〒868-0008
326-1 Nakaaicho, Hitoyoshi City, Kumamoto Prefecture (inside JR Hitoyoshi Station)
TEL: 0966-22-1370／Mail: info@hitoyoshionsen.net

Inquiry

VISIT Kyushu Co., Ltd.（Fukuoka Prefectural Governor Registration Travel Industry No. 2-880）
〒810-0004 
Fukuoka Shogakukan Building 5F, 2-4-8 Watanabedori, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka
Mail: info@ps-q.jp
Business hours: 10:00-17:00 (closed on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays)

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