Japan Heritage of the Kikuchi River Basin The Land’s Memory of Two Millenia of Rice Farming

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Kikuchi City

Kikuchi City is a city located in the northeastern part of Kumamoto Prefecture.
It was formed on 22 March 2005 when the cities and villages of Kikuchi, Shichijo, Shisui, and Kyokushi merged together.
It is adjacent to Aso in the east and to Oita Prefecture's Hita City in the north; the Kikuchi Valley, which serves as the source of the top-class Kikuchi River, is also located here.
The city's primary products are farm goods and livestock, with a variety of delicious farm goods like beef, pork, melons, and more. However, of particular note is the fact that the rice produced here has been awarded the "Special A" class by the Japan Grain Inspection Association 11 times for 9 years straight, firmly establishing it as a production region for delicious rice.
Also: Kikuchi Onsen is well known for its skin-beautifying waters, Kikuchi Park is known for its beautiful sakura trees, and the city is rich with the history of the Kikuchi Clan-- Kikuchi City is a city full of nature, culture, history, food, and much more to enjoy.

  • Kikuchi Valley
    Kikuchi Valley, located in a corner of Aso Kuju National park, has been selected as one of the 100 Best Waters of Japan. The valley has things to enjoy through all the seasons: in spring there is new foliage, in summer it is a refuge from the heat, and of course there is autumn foliage.
  • The rice of Shichijo
    For 11 times over 9 years, this rice has received the 'Special A' flavor ranking among the Japanese Grain Inspection Association.
  • The sakura trees of Kikuchi Park
    Over 10,000 sakura trees bring vibrant color to Kikuchi

Hot Springs

While Kikuchi Onsen's history may be short, as the hot spring only sprang up in 1954, each of the ryokans and hotels here have their own water sources, which provide a large amount of colorless, transparent, alkaline water. The water, also called 'water of beautiful skin' and 'cosmetic water' is beloved by many tourists, known for its beneficial effects on skin texture. The gentle qualities of this water have an effect on beauty, neuralgia, rheumatism and more. This hot spring has been acknowledged within the "100 Best Famous Hot Springs in Japan" as a hot spring with exceptional recuperative and restorative properties.
In addition to recuperative facilities like the Shichijo Onsen Dome and Kyokushi Four Seasons Village, there are numerous family baths where you can enjoy the hot springs.

  • Kikuchi Onsen
    Popular, said to beautify skin
  • Shichijo Onsen Dome
    Very popular with visitors from both inside and outside the city.
  • Kyokushi Four Seasons Village
    After you climb Kuradake or finish your outdoor trip, why not wash away your sweat here?

Food/Gourmet

The 'Kikuchi Fukudon' is a type of 'donburi' (rice bowl dish) that you can enjoy at 12 shops in Kikuchi, made with local ingredients and rice. Visitors can enjoy the various characteristics of each store's donburi.
You can also enjoy walking around the various shops to try sweets like Kikuchi ice-cream and Japanese confections.

  • Kikuchi Ice-cream (Twin Star)
    Enjoy tasting rice-flavored ice cream and various other artisan flavors.
  • Kyokushigyuu
    The perfect balance of red meat and fatty meat.
  • Kikuchi-no-Fukudon (Himawari Shokudo)
    Delicately soft and sweet 'Rindou Pork' cubes atop a 'fukudon.'

Sights(Recommended tourist locations/festivals/events)

Aside from enjoying the clear streams and seasonal scenery of the Kikuchi Valley, there are a variety of occasions to enjoy throughout the seasons: in spring there are sakura blooms at Shiroyama Park, in early summer there are fireflies at Kyokushi, and you can enjoy cosmos flowers at Shichijo in fall.
Several events are also held, such as the "Kikuchi Natsumatsuri" (early August) in which a legendary white dragon dances majestically, the "Shisui Koshi Park Natsumatsuri"(mid-August) where huge spherical fireworks are launched into the sky, and the Kikuningyo Kikumatsuri (November) which is decorated with famous historical scenes of the Kikuchi Clan created out of large amounts of chrysanthemum flowers.

  • Kikuchi Summer Festival (Hakuryu)
    We urge you to come and see the white dragon dancing majestically through Kikuchi's night sky!
  • Shichijo's Cosmos Flowers
    Shichijo's Cosmos Flowers
    Along the banks of the Kikuchi and Hazama rivers that run through the city, a 'cosmos river' has been made using hundreds of thousands of trees.
  • Shisui Koshi Park Natsumatsuri
    The fireworks which are launched using huge 30cm spheres are a must-see!

Link

  • Kikuchi City Homepage
  • Kikuchi City Tourism Homepage
  • Kikuchi Tourism Association Homepage
  • Kikuchi Commerce and Tourism Department E-mail address
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Japan Heritage of the Kikuchi River BasinThe Land’s Memory of Two Millenia of Rice Farming

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