Hitoyoshi City in Kumamoto Prefecture is located in the southernmost part of Kumamoto Prefecture. It is situated in the Hitoyoshi Basin, surrounded by the Kyushu Mountains. The Kuma River, which flows through Hitoyoshi City, played a significant role during the Edo period as a main transportation and logistics route, also used for the Sankin-kotai (alternate attendance).
It greatly contributed to the development of the Hitoyoshi and Kuma regions. Later, from the Meiji to Showa eras, the railway, including the Hisatsu Line, replaced water transport. The steam locomotives running on these railways significantly contributed to the economic development of Hitoyoshi City.
On this tour, you will experience the precious natural resouce of Hitoyoshi City, the “Kuma River Rafting,” while enjoying a pairing of the famous “Hitokuchi Unaju” from a well-known store in Hitoyoshi City and the local specialty “Kuma Tea.” After that, you will visit the restored steam locomotive (SL Hitoyoshi) and the only active stone locomotive depot in Japan, built in Meiji 44 (1911), guided by a guide who was involved in SL operations at the time.
Additionally, you will enjoy a full-course lunch, developed especially for this tour, making use of the blessings of the Kuma River, at a stylish restaurant renovated from a warehouse adjacent to the Hisatsu Line’s “Okoba Station,” the only place in Japan with a switchback within a loop line.
Hitokuchi Unaju and Kuma TeaExperience a special “Kuma River Rafting,” a precious natural resource of Hitoyoshi City, while enjoying a pairing of the famous “Hitokuchi Unaju” from a well-known store in Hitoyoshi City and the local specialty “Kuma Tea.”
Stone Locomotive DepotTour the restored steam locomotive (SL Hitoyoshi) and the only active stone locomotive depot in Japan, built in Meiji 44 (1911), guided by a guide who was involved in SL operations at that time.
SwitchbackVisit Okoba Station on the Hisatsu Line, the only place in Japan with a switchback within a loop line.
Full course lunchEnjoy a full-course lunch, developed especially for this tour, making use of the blessings of the Kuma River, at a stylish restaurant renovated from a warehouse adjacent to Okoba Station.
JR Kagoshima Main Line (local train)
Duration: Approx. 35 minutes
Kyushu Shinkansen
Duration: Approx. 11 minutes
JR Kagoshima Main Line (local train)
Duration: Approx. 37 minutes
General Incorporated Association Hitoyoshi Onsen
(Inside JR Hitoyoshi Station) 326-1 Naka Aoi-cho, Hitoyoshi City, Kumamoto 868-0008
VISIT Kyushu Co., Ltd.(Fukuoka Prefecture Governor Registered Travel Agent No. 2-880)
Fukuoka Shogakukan Building 5F, 2-4-8 Watanabe-dori, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka 810-0004
Mail: info@ps-q.jp
Business hours: 10:00-17:00 (Closed on Saturdays, Sundays, and hilidays)
