A Journey Through Hitoyoshi-Kuma to Learn About Recovery from the Heavy Rains of July 2020
The Hitoyoshi-Kuma region, located in the southernmost part of Kumamoto Prefecture, suffered major damage due to heavy rains in July 2020. The purpose of this tour is to preserve the memories of the disaster, with the goal of improving local disaster prevention and mitigation awareness and passing this along to younger generations. The Kawasemi Yamasemi was a popular JR Kyushu train that operated between Yatsushiro and Hitoyoshi on the Hisatsu Line before the floods. Participants on this tour ride on a special chartered train from Kumamoto to Yatsushiro. After that, they will board a chartered bus, listen to locals stories about the disaster, and visit sites that show firsthand what happened as a result of the heavy rains. For lunch, participants will enjoy a meal of kurimeshi (chestnut rice) at the currently non-functioning Hitoyoshi Station. After lunch, participants will ride a special rail cycle at the station. Following that, participants will visit a shochu distillery to learn how the floods and damage changed the direction of the distillery. Finally, participants will take a boat ride down the Kuma River.
Take a ride on JR Kyushu's popular Kawasemi Yamasemi D&S train
This train originally operated on the Hisatsu Line between Yatsushiro and Hitoyoshi that was heavily damaged in the flooding of July 2020. Participants will ride the Kawasemi Yamasemi from Kumamoto to Yatsushiro instead.
Kuma - Sagara Bridge
Due to flooding from the Kuma River and its tributaries, main roads in the village of Kuma were rendered impassable by submersion, collapse, sediment outflow, and other damage, leaving almost all settlements completely isolated. Participants will disembark from the bus near Sagara Bridge, one of the locations where conditions remained particularly severe, and listen to stories from local victims of the disaster.
Kuma Storytellers
The tour visits the village of Kuma and Sagara Bridge while listening to firsthand accounts of local Kuma storytellers.
Bento lunch at Hitoyoshi Station
Hitoyoshi Station, the main station in the Kuma region, is located on a section of the rail line made impassable as a result of the July 2020 flooding. In this tour, we will visit Hitoyoshi Station by bus for a kurimeshi (chestnut rice) bento, a specialty of the station.
Tour of Hitoyoshi Station station staff
JR Kyushu staff will provide a tour of the inside of Hitoyoshi Station. Visitors will see the Hitoyoshi Engine House, the only remaining active stone engine house in Japan.
Rail cycling at Hitoyoshi Station
Participants will take a ride on the Kuma-Chari rail cycle operated by Kumagawa Rail.
*Kumagawa Rail is expected to fully resume operations during FY2025.
Yamatoichi Shochu Distillery Guided Tour
Yamatoichi suffered significant flood damage, meaning tour participants can contemplate together the power of nature and the importance of crafting shochu in harmony with nature. This popular guided tour attracts everyone from high school students to visitors from outside the prefecture.
Baika no Watashi: Hassenba Kuma River Sightseeing Cruise
The original Kuma River boat docks suffered devastating damage in the flooding, but in 2021, a new landmark facility opened to lead Hitoyoshi toward reconstruction. Participants will tour this facility.
Baika no Watashi: Hassenba Kuma River Sightseeing Cruise
The tour includes a Baika no Watashi boat ride down the Kuma River. You can see the stone walls of the ruins of Hitoyoshi Castle up close, along with cherry blossoms in spring and autumn leaves in fall. This scenic cruise is a great way to experience the seasons of Hitoyoshi.
- Tour Capacity:
- 15-20 Participants
- Meals Included:
- Includes lunch (0 nights, 1 day)
- Meeting Place:
- Example: JR Kumamoto Station Shinkansen Entrance (West Entrance) in front of the Shinkansen ticket gate
3-15 Kasuga, Nishi-ku, Kumamoto City - Note:
- ・This tour is a custom-designed tour. After receiving your application for the tour, we will discuss the itinerary and other details with you to create the tour content. (This is not a regularly scheduled tour)
・In cases of severe weather or unavailable experience dates, the course content may be altered.
・Tour stops can be changed. Please consult with us for more details.
- Related Links:
- Kawasemi Yamasemi Limited Express
- Yamatoichi Shuzomoto
- HASSENBA
- Contact:
- Kumamoto International Convention & Tourism Bureau
Phone: 096-359-1788
E-mail: mice★kumamoto-icb.or.jp (Please change the ★ to an @ when emailing us)
Around 8:34AM
1. Kuma - Sagara Bridge
2. JR Hitoyoshi Station (Lunch & Rail Cycle)
3. Yamatoichi Distillery
4. Hassenba (Baika no Watashi Kuma River Cruise)
Arrival: Example - JR Kumamoto Station Shinkansen Exit (West Exit)
Around 5:45PM